Speaking today at the Baton Rouge Press Club New Orleans Representative and Vice-Chair of House Governmental Affairs Royce Duplessis says the current congressional map – passed in the February Redistricting Session – does not meet certain standards required by the Voting Rights Act, because it doesn’t reflect the state’s one-third black population….:

CUT 13(08)      “…voter dilution.”

He says of the six congressional districts the state’s one-third Black residents should be represented by two of those districts, not one.

A bill that would have assured one could not be discriminated against because one did not have COVID shot has been vetoed by the Governor. Mr. Edwards says he nixed the bill because it’s (quote) “unnecessary and perpetuates a false narrative” and that it undermines public confidence in the vaccines.

State Police say two young men – ages 17 and 18 – were killed Sunday night, as they dealt with car trouble along Interstate 10 near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal says the boys’ car ran out of gas & they called for help. He says they walked a few feet over to the I-10 frontage road, where they were hit by a Jeep Wrangler. Senegal says the driver of that Jeep says he couldn’t see them in glare from oncoming headlights…:

CUT 11(09)      “…headlights put out.”

After recent incidents at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana State Police and the Department of Corrections to provide personnel to those facilities to help with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says they welcome the help, and that safety both inside and out remains a priority…:

CUT 09(11)      “…have been seeing.”

Despite a court order to map a congressional map with two minority districts the legislature failed to deliver. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Safety concerns at state juvenile facilities force Governor Edwards to utilize State Police and Correctional Officers for support. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

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The special legislative session to pass a court-ordered congressional map with two Black majority districts failed to pass and now lawmakers await feedback from the judicial system. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says despite his efforts with a map that had two Black districts, in the end, the legislature simply had no desire to pass a new map.

Cut 3 (09) “…districts.”

Chair of Senate Governmental Affairs, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the legislature did make a concerted effort, but in the end, she says the votes weren’t there.

Cut 4  (10) “…to support.”

Hewitt presented a map for consideration in the special session, but it only contained one Black majority district. Fields says Republicans weren’t willing to pass any map except the one that passed in the original redistricting session.

Cut 5  (11) “…sending to the committee.”

Even though the session adjourned on the fourth legislative day Hewitt says Judge Shelly Dick’s order that only allowed them six days to pass a new map wasn’t realistic.

Cut 6  (09) “…to do so.” 

Judge Dick set a court date of June 29^th for attorneys to present congressional maps for her consideration while the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has a July 8^th court date set. Attorney General Jeff Landry is petitioning the State Supreme Court to rule on the matter.

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After recent incidents at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana State Police and The Department of Corrections to provide personnel to those facilities to help with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice Spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says they welcome the governor’s assistance…

Cut 7 (11) “…of the shift.” 

Gordon says the staffing shortage hasn’t been limited to guards but extends to service providers needed on-hand to help with the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders and that both are required for these facilities to fulfill their roles.

Cut 8 (08) “…things in order.” 

OJJ was provided with $5 million for enhancements during the 2022 Regular Legislative Session that can be accessed immediately. Gordon says the public can be assured there has not been any significant increase in incidents at the four state-operated secure care facilities and safety both inside and out remains a priority.

Cut 9 (11) “…have been seeing.”

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State Police say two young men – ages 17 and 18 – were killed Sunday night, as they dealt with car trouble along Interstate 10 near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal says the boys’ car ran out of gas & they called for help. He says they walked a few feet over to the I-10 frontage road…:

Cut 10 (07) ” …another vehicle.” 

Trooper Senegal says the driver of the Jeep Wrangler that struck them stopped and called for help. He told officers he could not see the boys in the glare from oncoming headlights…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…headlights put out.” 

The victims are identified as 18-year-old Kyle Vidrine, of Lake Arthur, and 17-year-old Brannon Adams, of Jennings. Senegal says it is standard practice to obtain blood toxicology samples in such cases, however….:

Cut 12 (05) “…the Jeep Wrangler.”  

The crash remains under investigation.

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New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis and Vice-Chair of House Governmental Affairs says the current congressional map does not meet certain standards required by the Voting Rights Act because it doesn’t reflect the state’s one-third black population.

Cut 13 (08) “…voter dilution.”

Duplessis says while the most recent Census didn’t show much growth in the state’s overall population, he says of the six congressional districts the state’s one-third Black residents should be represented by two of those districts, not one.

Cut 14 (08)  “…lies a problem.” 

Duplessis made the remarks at the Baton Rouge Press Club meeting this afternoon.

_________________________________________________________________

Cut 15 (12) “…unnecessary.” 

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 Cut  16 (08)  “…their businesses“

Safety concerns at state juvenile facilities force Governor Edwards to utilize State Police and Correctional Officers for support. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(37)      “…David Grubb.”

Gas or gambling? Which would you choose? State Gaming Control officials say winnings at Louisiana casino were down almost 10-percent for May 2022. One easy explanation is runaway inflation and the high cost of gasoline forcing potential gamblers to stay home.

State Police say two young men – ages 17 and 18 – were killed Sunday night, as they dealt with car trouble along Interstate 10 near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal says the boys’ car ran out of gas & they called for help. He says, as they were receiving aid from a relative, they walked a few feet over to the I-10 frontage road…:

CUT 10(07)      “…another vehicle.”

Senegal says the driver of the Jeep stopped and called for help. He told officers he could not see the boys in the glare from oncoming headlights. The crash is under investigation.

State Police have named their new second-in-command, after the retirement of Lt. Colonel Doug Cain. Cain was embroiled in the 2019 death of Ronald Greene while in LSP custody. Today, it was announced that Lt. Colonel Chavez Cammon will take over Cain’s role immediately. Cammon has been openly critical of State Police’s handling of the Greene investigation; comparing it to “torture and murder.”

Despite a court order to map a congressional map with two minority districts the legislature failed to deliver. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(42)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The Department of Health reports over 4-thousand new cases of COVID statewide, with 350 currently under hospital care for it. Two new COVID-related deaths are also reported.

After recent incidents at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana State Police and The Department of Corrections to provide personnel to those facilities to help with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says the staff shortages extend to service providers needed on-hand to help in the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders and that both are required for these facilities to fulfill their roles…:

CUT 08(09)      “…thing in order.”

OJJ was provided with $5 million for enhancements during the 2022 Regular Legislative Session that can be accessed immediately.

State Police say two teenage girls died Sunday in Ascension Parish, when the car they were in went off the roadway, careened off a tree then crashed into a pond. Both girls were just 16. Trooper say they are unaware if they were properly seatbelted. The crash remains under investigation.

The special legislative session to pass a court-ordered congressional map with two Black majority districts failed to pass and now lawmakers await feedback from the judicial system. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says Republicans weren’t willing to pass any map except the one that passed in the original redistricting session.

Cut 5  (11) “…the committee.”

Even though the session adjourned on the fourth legislative day Senate Governmental Affairs Chair, Slidell Senator Hewitt says Judge Shelly Dick’s order that only allowed them six days to pass a new map wasn’t realistic.

Cut 6  (09) “…to do so.” 

Judge Dick set a court date of June 29^th for attorneys to present congressional maps for her consideration while the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has a July 8^th court date set.

After recent incidents, that included altercations and an escape, at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed State Police and the Department of Corrections to provide personnel to assist with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice Spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says they welcome the governor’s assistance…

Cut 7 (12) “…of the shift.” 

State Police says two 16-year-old Prairieview teens were killed after their vehicle submerged underwater Sunday afternoon near Bayou Manchac in Ascension Parish. Authorities say Caroline Smith was driving the vehicle and it appears Smith failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle ended up in a private pond also claiming the life of Chole Hamilton. LSP says it’s not clear if seatbelt use was a factor in the crash and it remains under investigation.

The special legislative session to pass a court-ordered congressional map with two Black majority districts failed to pass and now lawmakers await feedback from the judicial system. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says despite his efforts with a map that had two Black districts, in the end, the legislature simply had no desire to pass a new map.

Cut 3 (10) “…districts.”

Chair of Senate Governmental Affairs, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the legislature did make a concerted effort, but in the end, she says the votes weren’t there.

Cut 4  (10) “…to support.”

Judge Shelly Dick set a court date of June 29^th for attorneys to present congressional maps for her consideration while the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has a July 8^th court date set. Attorney General Jeff Landry is petitioning the State Supreme Court’s Court to rule on the matter.

The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5 years of age, a move applauded by one of the top pediatricians in Louisiana. Mark Kline is physician-in-chief and chief medical officer at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. He says this is long overdue…:

Cut 14 (11)  “deaths from occurring.”

A quartet of students from Tulane University is in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to compete in NASA’s RASC-AL forum. Tulane’s Team is one of just 15 finalists invited to present its designs at the competition, with an opportunity for its work to be a part of the 2025 mission to the moon. Graduate student Brock Headen says he never imagined they would get this far.

Cut  11 (07)  “…shooting for it.” 

Tulane’s group will make their presentation tomorrow with two winners to be announced on Thursday.

The special session to redraw the state’s congressional map ended without passing a new map. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick has ordered attorneys to submit maps for her to consider for a June 29^th hearing. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says but a map chosen by Dick could be overturned if the appeals court approves the map Republicans approved in February.

Cut 7 (08) “…clue right now.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he intends to sign into law a replacement for Louisiana’s so-called “trigger law” that bans all abortions even though it doesn’t provide exceptions for rape or incest. Despite interest groups’ calls for a veto, Edwards says killing the bill will accomplish nothing at all…:

Cut 10 (09) “…exception either.”

The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5 years of age. Dr. Mark Kline is the physician-in-chief and chief medical officer at Children’s Hospital New Orleans says both shots are safe and effective. And he wants to let parents know it’s a myth that kids can’t get Covid, or that they wouldn’t get very sick if they did…:

Cut 16 (13)  “all preventable illnesses”

A murder in Natchitoches resulted in a police chase of the suspect; all the way into Rapides Parish, where the suspect crashed his vehicle. Authorities say a 24-year-old North Carolina man shot the victim, abducted his girlfriend and ran. The woman escaped the car in Alexandria, but the officers chased the man to Glenmora, where he ran off the road. He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot and is currently in the hospital. He’ll be jailed once released.

Attention parents or grandparents of toddlers: the federal Food & Drug Administration authorizes the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines for kids under 5. Children’s Hospital-New Orleans Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Klein says many adults will be eager to get their kids the shots, but just as many will be nervous or reluctant. He says it’s up to healthcare pros to keep parents properly informed…:

CUT 15(05)      “…for their kids.”

Klein says side effects so far are mild fever and soreness at the injection sight. He says the risks to children are outweighed by the benefits.

Two Livingston Parish girls are dead after the car they were in went off the roadway and into a pond near Bayou Manchac Sunday. They’re identified as Chloe Hamilton and Caroline Smith. Both just 16 and both from Prairieville. The crash is under investigation.

Lawmakers failed to pass a congressional map with two Black majority districts despite a June 20^th court-ordered deadline.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(38)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Deputies in St. Tammany Parish arrest a Mandeville man, after his dog died from being left chained up outside, in extreme heat, with no food, water or shelter. The dog’s owner, Chris Jackson is charged with aggravated animal cruelty, which is a felony.

A second special legislative session on redistricting has broken down, with lawmakers unable to agree on a congressional district map with two majority-Black voting districts. A federal judge had given lawmakers until the end of today to deliver her that map. Now that judge will decide a new map during a hearing next week. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says even though a third of the state’s population is Black, it’s a tall order to map out a second district that’s 52 to 56% majority Black…:

CUT 06(10)      “…years ago.”

Governor Edwards issued a statement calling the legislature’s failure “disappointing.”

The governor says he’ll sign into law a new “trigger bill” to ban most abortions in Louisiana, should the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturn “Roe versus Wade.” He says this bill has exceptions for medical reasons, but hoped lawmakers would show compassion to rape or incest victims…:

CUT 09(10)      “…to term.”

Engineering students from Tulane University are among a select group competing for a chance to have their work sent into space. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 03(36)      “…David Grubb.”

Shreveport eatery “Eddie’s Restaurant” will be featured this week on Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.” Chef Robert Irvine brought in his crew to revamp, redecorate and revitalize the dining spot. You can catch the episode, titled “Legacy on the Line”, this Thursday at 7 PM.

Texas is the first team to be eliminated from the College World Series after the Longhorns fell to Texas A-and-M 10-2 on Sunday. The Aggies will face Oklahoma Tuesday afternoon following the Sooners 6-2 win over Notre Dame. Today in Omaha, Stanford takes on Auburn followed by Arkansas and Ole Miss.

Over the past week LSU baseball lost a pair of assistants as top recruiter Dan Fitzgerald and pitching coach Jason Kelly accepted head coaching  jobs at Kansas and Washington respectively. Coach Jay Johnson says they’ll be tough to replace but doesn’t expect the Tigers to miss a beat.

Cut 17 (16) “ …(x2) all will be well.” 

–BREAK

Newman tight end Will Randle has turned down offers from LSU and Tulane among others, announcing his commitment to Texas this past weekend. Randle made his visit to Austin with Greenies star quarterback Arch Manning, the top recruit in the 2023 class.

The Ragin Cajuns picked up a commitment from E.D. White offensive lineman Matthew Broussard, who made his announcement on Twitter Saturday. He also had offers from UL-Monroe, Nicholls, Southeastern, and Northwestern State.

The New Orleans Breakers lost to the Houston Gamblers 20-3 on Sunday night and will go into the USFL playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 6-4 record. The Breakers will face Birmingham this Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio with a spot in the inaugural USFL championship game on the line.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick won the US Open by one stroke; his first PGA Tour major championship. Fitzpatrick, who also won the US Amateur at Brookline in 2013, becomes the 13th player to win both, and just the second to do so on the same course.