After a federal judge tosses the congressional district map passed by lawmakers in February, the governor calls a June 15^th Special Session to re-draw and re-submit that map. The issue is the lack of a second majority minority district, which would reflect the state’s one-third Black population. But, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who authored the rejected map, says federal law does not assure a minority the right to proportional representation…:

CUT 08(11)      “…Voting Rights Act”

The VRA says minority populations must be “compact and contiguous” with a proposed district. Hewitt hopes an appeal of the ruling comes before lawmakers have to go back to work.

The House committee investigating the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene while in State Police custody will have to wait to hear from Governor John Bel Edwards. His testimony was scheduled for June 16^th, but the special session to redraw that congressional map will mean his appearance will have to be postponed.

Sheriff’s deputies in Morehouse Parish are investigating the murders of three teenage boys late last night in Bastrop. Chief Deputy James Mardis says it happened around 12:30 AM. Two boys were pronounced dead at the scene and one died later in a hospital. Mardis says they have little to go on at this time, and he asks anyone who saw anything to please come forward.

Kids attending city-sponsored summer camps in Lafayette this week are also learning how to respond to active shooters. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Once again this year, a bill to ban using a hand-held cellphone while driving failed to win final passage among lawmakers. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says he’s disappointed with his bill’s fate, because he worked hard to address concerns voiced by others; like oversight of LEO’s to assure they don’t use the law just to pull people over and search their vehicle…”

CUT 10(10)      “…a phone in their hands.”

Huval says he will try again next year.

While Americans are watching their pennies due to inflation, Senator Bill Cassidy has some positive news to report. Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills, is showing results…:

CUT 12(11)      “…solution is working.”

He says over $12-million in surprise medical bills should be avoided this year alone.

Governor John Bel Edwards calls for a special session to begin on June 15th to redraw a Congressional district map, but a Republican legislator says it may not happen. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans musician Vince Vance is suing Mariah Carey and Sony Entertainment over the holiday song “All I Want for Christmas is You”; seeking $60-million damages from copyright infringement. Carey’s song came out fully five years after Vance’s song, and – other than their identical titles – the two songs bear little resemblance to one another.

GOP lawmakers at the State Capitol feel the Congressional district map they approved in February DOES comply with federal and state law; despite a Monroe are federal judge tossing it out. Senator Sharon Hewitt chairs the Senate and Governmental affairs committee. She says time to resolve this is short, because fall mid-terms are coming up fast and other states are in similar situations…:

CUT 07  (12)        “…congressional election.”

Governor Edwards has issued the call for a special session to begin on June 15th for legislators to redraw a Congressional district map. Hewitt says Louisiana is about one-third black voters, but they are not concentrated enough geographically to create two districts. An appeal of the riling is scheduled.

Morehouse Parish deputies are seeking the person or persons who shot and killed three teen boys last night in Bastrop. The sheriff’s office asks anyone who may have seen anything to contact them.

In addition to normal camp activities, children who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says it’s a growing concern that can’t be ignored. He says the training will cover how to respond in a variety of situations…:

CUT 05(09)      “…dangerous event.”

Resource officers are also teaching campers the proper way to respond to any threat of violence not just an active shooter.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval, who watched his handheld cellphone ban go down to defeat in the Senate, says he will bring the bill back again. Huval says he believes in the safety intent of the legislation.

After only one season as an NBC sports commentator, former Saints Quarterback Drew Brees in officially out. An NBC honcho says Brees will not be back this season. His in-studio replacement has not been announced as yet.

Children who attend city-sponsored summer camps in Lafayette this week are also learning how to respond to active shooters. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

—

Senator Bill Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills is showing results. Cassidy says if you do receive a higher bill for services contact the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-985-3095…

Cut 13 (07) “…two-five-nine 53-hundred”

—

Republican lawmakers are confident the Congressional District map they approved in February is compliant with federal and state laws, despite a federal judge ordering the Legislature to redraw the map because it does not have two majority-Black congressional districts. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 6 (10) “…about that.”

Hewitt says the Black population is not concentrated enough to create two majority-Black districts. Governor Edwards has issued the call for a special session to begin on June 15th for legislators to redraw the Congressional district map.

—

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval watched his bill that would have banned hand-held communication while operating a motor vehicle go down to defeat in the Senate. Huval has been relentless in his effort to make the state’s highways safer and says this push isn’t about taking away rights, it’s about saving lives.

Cut 9 (12) “…you’re speaking.”

In addition to normal camp activities, children who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says two school resource officers who already have a working relationship with students are presenting the program to children ages 9 to 12, and they are able to…

Cut 4  (09) “…more of a game.”

Senator Bill Cassidy has some positive news to report. Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills is showing results.

Cut 12 (11) “…is working.”  

If you do receive a surprise bill, Cassidy says to contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called for a special session to begin on June 15th to redraw a Congressional district map, but a Republican legislator says it may not happen. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Republican lawmakers are confident the Congressional District map they approved in February is compliant with federal and state laws, despite a federal judge ordering the Legislature to redraw the map because it does not have two majority-Black congressional districts. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 6  (10) “…about that” 

Governor Edwards has issued the call for a special session to begin on June 15th for legislators to redraw a Congressional district map.

New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis’ bill that limits the release of mugshots of those accused, but not convicted, of certain nonviolent crimes is headed to the governor’s desk. Duplessis says booking photos are highly prejudicial and once out in public, can’t be taken back. He says in most cases they serve no purpose.

Cut 13 (07) “…should do better.”
After the recent mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas, State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says there have been talks between him and about 100 education leaders from school systems statewide. Brumley says an important step is for faculty and staff is to harbor trust between themselves and the student body…:

Cut 10 (10) “…to report that.”
In addition to normal camp activities, nine-to-12-year old’s who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says it’s a growing concern that can’t be ignored.

Cut 3 (11) “…talk about.”

The presentation covers topics like what to do if you come across a gun and what to do in any violent situation.

Governor Edwards has made the decision to let a bill banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports become law without his signature. Edwards vetoed a similar bill last year and he still believes the legislation unfairly targets vulnerable children struggling with gaining acceptance. But the bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, says without this legislation, women are discriminated against in their own sports…
cut 8 (10) “….women’s sports”

A measure banning the release of mug shots of most non-violent offenders who have been arrested, but not convicted, is heading to the governor’s desk. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says we need to think a bit more about due process and privacy…
cut 14 (10) “….broadcasters think twice”

In an effort to avoid childhood obesity, Pennington Biomedical Research Center has created an app to help parents teach their kids proper motor skills. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The name of the app is called “Play” and Pennington is trying to get funding to make it available to the public.

Gas prices are now 50-cents higher than a month ago and there’s no relief in sight. According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is nearly $4.50. Triple-A says the rising cost of oil and the high demand for gas keep pump prices surging.

After being vetoed last year, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell will go into effect this fall. Mizell believes a trans female athlete winning a collegiate swimming competition helped garner more votes in favor of the bill.

Cut 7 (09) “…needed the bill.”

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act bans trans female athletes from competing in women’s sports and it goes into effect August 1^st.

New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis’s bill to limit the release of mugshots of those accused, but not convicted, of certain nonviolent crimes will soon become law. Duplessis says he will be watching to see how local law enforcement and news outlets respond.

Cut 15 (09)  “…I’m excited.”

After the recent mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas… Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says he’s been in talks with about 100 education leaders on how to keep students safe. Brumley says more focus will be made on keeping school facilities physically secure as well…:

Cut  11 (13)  “…barriers in place.” 

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Dr. Amanda Staiano (Sty-ann-yo) says they studied 72 children, ages 3 to 5, over a 12-week period to see if the exercises on a smartphone app that parents used to interact with them improved their motor skills. And she says it made a difference.

Cut 5 (07) “…this app.”

The app is called Play and they are looking to find sponsors so the app can be available to the public.

Governor John Bel Edwards has decided to let a bill that prohibits transgender women from playing female sports become law without his signature. Edwards says if he vetoed the bill for a second consecutive year, it’s likely lawmakers would have overridden his veto. The bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, says the intent of her legislation has been to protect women’s sports not to exclude individuals…
cut 9 (08) “….for that”
The law goes into effect on August 1st.

The LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center says they’ve developed an app that can boost motor skills by an average of 16-percentage points for children between the ages of three and five years old. Associate Professor of Research Doctor Amanda Staiano says poor motor skills can lead to childhood obesity, so it’s important to teach children as early as possible…
cut 6 (09) “…further behind”
The name of the app is called “Play” and Pennington is trying to get funding to make it available to the public.

State education officials are working with local districts to help make our kids safer in class. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police says a 16-year-old from Lafayette was killed during a high-speed chase. L-S-P says the Carencro Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on LA 182 when an 18-year-old Jamari Tillman of Morgan City sped away from the cops. Tillman lost control of the stolen Explorer he was driving, the vehicle overturned and George Desamon of Lafayette died from his injuries. Tillman suffered moderate injuries.

After the recent mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas, State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says there have been talks between him and about 100 education leaders from school systems statewide. Brumley says an important step is for faculty and staff is to harbor trust between themselves and the student body…:
Cut 10 (10) “…to report that.”

New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis’ bill that limits the release of mugshots of those accused, but not convicted, of certain nonviolent crimes is headed to the governor’s desk. Duplessis says booking photos are highly prejudicial and once out in public, can’t be taken back. He says in most cases they serve no purpose.
Cut 13 (07) “…should do better.”
Federal authorities do not release the mug-shot photos of those arrested for a federal crime.

Gas prices are now 50-cents higher than a month ago and there’s no relief in sight. According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is nearly $4.50. That’s a 25-cent increase from a week ago. Triple-A says the rising cost of oil and the high demand for gas keep pump prices surging.

In an effort to avoid childhood obesity, Pennington Biomedical Research Center has created an app to help parents teach their kids proper motor skills. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”