A consumer advocacy group once again observes an anniversary by sending a business lobby a tiki torch. What’s that about? Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Deputies in Lafourche Parish arrest a suspected heroin dealer, after one of his customers dies from a drug overdose. 39-year-old Christopher Seely, of Bayou Blue, reportedly admitted selling the man the heroin. He’s charged – for now – with narcotics distribution.

More trouble at the Bridge City Center for Youth, a juvenile detention facility near New Orleans. Five young men escaped overnight Thursday. Four have been captured. Last night, a riot broke out as about 20 inmates got out of their cells and seized control of parts of the place. SWAT teams got everything under control within a few hours. This is the fourth big incident there this year.

This Father’s Day you may want to forget about getting Dad a tie or a wallet and instead maybe hand him a copy of the classifieds. A new survey by Wallethub.com says that Louisiana is the worst state in the country for working dads. Communications director Jill Gonzalez says the rankings speak for themselves…:

CUT 06(14)      “…struggled the most.”

All the states at the bottom of the rankings are in the Deep South. Read into that what you will.

Legislators have until Monday to submit a court-ordered congressional map that has two Black-majority districts instead of one that was pushed through by the Republican majority in February. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says a request for more time was denied by the federal judge that ordered the new district map. He says there are several maps that contain the two districts requested…:

CUT 13(12)      “…compare them.”

The speaker says this is only the beginning of the judicial process, because the map that passed in February has yet to be ruled on in the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals.

If you’re headed for the fishing hole this weekend, don’t be surprised to find the sight and stench of dead fish greeting you. State Wildlife & Fisheries says recent sweltering temperatures, combined with heavy thundershowers, has created states of hypoxia (or lack of oxygen) in waterways; leading to big fish kills.

A consumer advocacy group is reminding the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry’s leader that promises he made of lower auto insurance thanks to tort reforms passed in 2020 have NOT come true. Eric Holl, with Real Reform Louisiana says rates have, instead, increased…substantially..:

CUT 04(12)      “…for them.”

Our calls to LABI’s Stephen Waguespack for comment have not been returned.

St. Tammany Parish sheriff’s deputies say a 29-year-old firefighter, who was suffering from a mental health crisis, shot a Mandeville man, then turned his gun on himself. Alec Mulvihill was pronounced dead at the scene. The man he shot is alive, but his condition is unknown. Also unknown is his relationship with Mulvihill. The matter is under investigation.

In an effort to hold the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry accountable for a promise he made two years ago, Eric Holl with Real Reform Louisiana sent Stephen Waguespack another tiki torch. Holl says in a radio interview that Waguespack said tort reform would lower auto insurance rates…:

CUT 03(12)      “…gonna go down.”

Holl says since House Bill 57 passed two years ago, auto insurance rates have actually increased. LRN tried to reach Waguespack, but so far…no reply.

Police in Lafayette warn residents that – once again – someone is calling home, SAYING they’re with Lafayette Police and soliciting donations for…whatever; missed court dates, arrest warrants, the benevolent fund…whatever. Residents report these callers can often get pretty aggressive and adamant about it too. LPD says they do NOT make such calls and if you get one, DON’T give them anything. Just hang up the phone.

Choosing a major in college can be very stressful.  UL-Monroe VP of Enrollment Management Lisa Miller says the university is making that process easier by utilizing a new tool called MyMajors, which aligns students with degree programs based on their strengths, talents, and interests…:

CUT 09(12)      “…versions of themselves.”

Incoming students take the MyMajors online assessment during their orientation and before exploring UL-M’s degree programs during breakout sessions. Miller says the response so far is great.

After basically wasting a whole day bickering over congressional district maps, the Senate Governmental affairs Committee will take another crack at passing one out this afternoon. A House counterpart committee is also working on bills…with similar discord. Lawmakers have until Monday afternoon to get a district map, with two majority-Black congressional districts, passed and submitted.

Legislators have until Monday to submit a court-ordered congressional map that has two Black-majority districts instead of one that was passed by the Republican majority legislation in February. On Thursday House Speaker Clay Schexnayder asked Federal Judge Shelly Dick for a deadline extension…:

CUT 12(09)      “…with what we have.”

House Governmental Affairs is meeting now to consider four maps that have been filed and Senate Governmental Affairs meets this afternoon to continue discussions on a bill that was debated for hours yesterday with no resolution.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says a contractor wanted for video voyeurism has turned himself in. 37-year-old Chase Cheramie reportedly was working in a woman’s home, and secretly installed a camera in her bathroom ceiling vent. On the camera’s memory card, deputies found images on Cheramie putting the device in place and compromising images of the residents. His bond is set at $75-thousand.

State offices are closed today for the first official observance of Juneteenth. David Grubb has more on the meaning of the day…:

CUT 03(34)      “…David Grubb.”

A body found dumped in a remote Florida waterway was announced to be that of a man killed in Lacombe earlier this week. St. Tammany deputies say the victim was beaten to death, his body taken out of state and dumped. Three suspects have already been arrested.

As the June 20^th court-imposed deadline lingers, Senate Governmental Affairs debated one bill for almost five hours on Thursday. Committee members voted to hold Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ bill over for debate until Friday. Fields’ bill has two Black-majority districts instead of one. He says delaying the vote is a slippery slope on the existing timeline.

Cut 4 (08)  “…Federal court.”

Committee Chair, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who also has a congressional map bill in the special session, countered when Fields when reminded members of the looming deadline

Cut 5 (07) “…our job.”

Senate Governmental Affairs is scheduled to meet at 1 this afternoon.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon addresses homeowners’ worries after Lighthouse Excalibur, cancels tens of thousands of property insurance policies.  Lighthouse customers have until the end of June to secure new coverage. And he says that’s not ALL of the bad news, though…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…Southern Fidelity Insurance Company.”

Call the Department of Insurance for more information.

State offices are closed today for the first official observance of Juneteenth. Baton Rouge Representative Larry Selders who advocated for Juneteenth says while some didn’t know the history of the holiday, he believes we can reckon with the worst of our shared past while working toward a better future.

Cut 12 (11) “…progress.” 

Federal offices will be closed on Monday.

State offices are closed today for the first official observance of Juneteenth…:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m David Grubb”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says another property insurance carrier, Lighthouse Excalibur, has declared insolvency. He says they along with Southern Fidelity make five such companies to exit the state…:
CUT 9 (12) “Lighthouse”

Lawmakers today are back discussing the Congressional District map they must present by June 20th. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has a bill up for debate with two Black Majority districts, and discussion took place Thursday to amend it if courts ultimately ruled that the enacted map with only one Black Majority is legal. Fields wasn’t happy about that…:
CUT 6 (08) “bad advice”
A Federal judge denied the request for an extension yesterday.

A bipartisan gun safety bill is up for consideration in the US Senate. The bill calls for background checks and billions in funding for community mental health centers. Governor John Bel Edwards said on his monthly radio show that he supports the Second Amendment but is in favor of background checks…:
CUT 14 (10) “long ago”
Edwards also believes the age limit to purchase certain types of guns should be raised.

State Offices are closed today in observance of Juneteenth. It’s the first official observance of the Holiday in Louisiana, and Baton Rouge Representative Larry Selders sponsored the legislation to make it so…:
Cut 10 (11) “part of it”

However, lawmakers will be at the Capitol today as they have just a few more days before they must approve a new Congressional map. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo fields has a map with two Black-majority districts but debate on that was held to today. Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chair, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who also has a congressional map bill but with one majority Black district, countered when Fields when reminded members of the looming deadline…:
Cut 5 (07) “our job”
A Federal judge denied the request for an extension yesterday.

Another property insurance company exits Louisiana, leaving thousands seeking coverage…with the hurricane season already underway. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and SWAT had to regain control at the Bridge City Youth Center as 20 juveniles seized the facility last night causing authorities to be called in to help. The disturbance comes hours after 5 juveniles had escaped the center. Four were caught and one remains at large.

Senate Governmental Affairs debated one of the two congressional map offerings for almost five hours on Thursday, as the court-imposed June 20th deadline to submit a new plan looms. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (40) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Say it isn’t so. The statewide average price of a gallon of gas actually fell one cent overnight, but we still stand at $4.54.

A bipartisan gun safety bill is up for consideration in the US Senate. The bill calls for background checks and billions in funding for community mental health centers. When asked about his thoughts on the legislation on his monthly radio call-in show, Governor John Bel Edwards applauds the legislation…:
Cut 13 (09) “Uvalde”
The Governor says he supports the Second Amendment but says expanded background checks seems to be common sense.

The New Orleans Saints unveiled an alternate helmet that will be worn in the 2022 season, which is entirely black with a gold fleur de lis. The Black and Gold haven’t indicated which game or games the new helmet will be worn, but it’s expected to be paired with the color rush uniforms — which have been the most popular among fans in recent years. The last time the Saints wore black helmets was the preseason in 1969 but those were scrapped because they weren’t approved by the NFL.

A federal judge rejected a request by legislative leaders to extend the deadline of June 20th for a new congressional map, while lawmakers debated for hours Thursday. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ bill, which has two Black-majority districts instead of one, was delayed for discussion until today, and he wasn’t happy about that…:
CUT 4 (08) “Federal Court”
4 congressional maps are on the docket in a House Committee today.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon addresses homeowners’ worries after another property insurance carrier cancels tens of thousands of policies, with hurricane season underway. Donelon says Lighthouse Excalibur has declared insolvency…:
Cut 7 (08) “a new policy”
He says if you need help getting new coverage visit ldi.louisiana.gov.

State offices are closed today for the first official observance of Juneteenth, which became a legal holiday in Louisiana last year. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers reached Galveston and relayed the news that the Civil War had ended those enslaved were now free. Larry Selders sponsored the legislation to make Juneteenth a Holiday which he says is about awareness and education..:
Cut 11 (09) “kids to know”
Federal offices will be closed on Monday.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says the Galliano contractor accused of illegally installing a camera in a bathroom vent of a home where he was working a job has turned himself in. Chase Cheramie is charged with video voyeurism.

Lawmakers in Senate Governmental Affairs debated only one map for five hours Thursday and opted to hold the vote over for another day. A June 20^th court-imposed deadline remains in effect despite a request for an extension.

In discussions over Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ map, Slidell Senator, and committee chair Sharon Hewitt, criticized his map with two Black-majority districts because it would spilt a community in her own district.

Cut 3 (15) “…your plan.”

Hewitt’s map was never bought up for discussion Thursday.

Jared Evans, with the Legal Defense Fund, endorsed Fields’ Congressional map.

Cut 4  (10) “…called for”

House Governmental Affairs has four maps to consider in committee Friday morning at 9.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest, and conviction of those responsible for the homicide of 17-year-old Shamia Little. Little who died 11 months ago from a single gunshot wound. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith….

Cut 12 (10) “…please help us.”  

A watchdog group calls for review of a Tangipahoa Parish case where a rape victim was ordered to pay child support to her alleged attacker. Metropolitan Crime Commission director Rafael Goyeneche says John Barnes could be guilty of rape, but – if he is the confirmed father of a child he should be investigated at least for Canal Knowledge of a Juvenile; not rewarded with child support…:

Cut 15 (13) “…should take place.”