An Alexandria man is behind bars; accused of 100 counts of rape. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s spokesman Tommy Carnline says 38-year-old Israel Williams was arrested last weekend, after getting a tip from Florida lawmen on Williams’ alleged sex trafficking of a minor…:

CUT 03  (11)        “…sexual-related crimes.”

Williams is also charged with molestation of a juvenile under 13. A judge set his bail at over $5-million.

Following more than three years of work, and at a cost of more than $28-million, the US 11 Bridge – connecting Orleans with St. Tammany Parish – reopened to traffic today. Department of Transportation and Development spokesperson Chris Welty says the project was extensive…:

CUT 14(12)      “…two drawbridges.”

Just in time for hurricane season; the bridge will be helpful should New Orleans need to evacuate.

Gasoline prices are in a slight decline. The state wide average price of regular now at just under $4-a-gallon. By way of comparison it was $2.68 a year ago. Louisiana AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says President Biden’s announcement he would again tap into the federal Strategic Petroleum Reserve will really have very little actual effect on pump prices…:

CUT 11(10)      “…no. Not that much.”

He advises we all continue to budget for gas at $4 for the next few months.

The National Weather Service is inspecting the site of a suspected EF-1 tornado strike yesterday in Sabine Parish, at the southern end of Toledo Bend Reservoir. Nearly a dozen homes and camps sustained serious damage, but no one is reported hurt. Early reports estimate the twister packed 110 miles-an-hour winds and was on the ground for nearly two miles.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gas dropped below $4.00 today but will prices continue to fall? Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Israel Williams of Alexandria is charged with 100 counts of first-degree rape and is being held on a $5.4 million bond at the Rapides Parish Detention Center. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says they hope he remains behind bars until trial.

Cut 5 (09) “…types of charges.”

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A federal judge in Baton Rouge has ruled the state’s 2019 truth in labeling law as unconstitutional. The Louisiana Legislature passed the law in an effort to prevent food companies from labeling a veggie burger as a “tofu burger,” because it doesn’t contain meat or “cauliflower rice,” when it’s broccoli, not rice. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain disagrees with the ruling

Cut 6 (07) “…labels are accurate”

Strain says the state plans to appeal.

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Following more than three years of work, and at a cost of more than $28-million, the US 11 Bridge, a major connector between Orleans and St. Tammany parishes, reopens to traffic Thursday afternoon. Department of Transportation and Development spokesperson Chris Welty…

Cut 13 (11) “…Lake Pontchartrain.”

Some items still remain to be completed, but Welty says everything will be done to make sure further closures aren’t needed.

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The statewide average for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana today dropped below $4.00 to $3.99 a gallon. And while it’s barely below $4.00 Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman admits it has been a tough few weeks for consumers and the future is still unclear on prices.

Cut 10 (12)  “…the market.”

38-year-old Israel Williams of Alexandria is charged with 100 counts of first-degree rape. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says Williams also faces two counts of molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13. Carnline says multiple agencies are assisting with the ongoing investigation.

cut 4  (04) “…more arrests.”

Williams is being held on a $5.4 million bond.

A state law that sought to prevent the labeling of food products such as “tofu burgers” and “cauliflower rice,” is ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

38-year-old Israel Williams of Alexandria is charged with 100 counts of first-degree rape. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says law enforcement in Florida tipped off local authorities of Williams’ possible sex trafficking of a juvenile who is connected to Alexandria.  Carnline says Williams was arrested on Friday.

Cut 3 (11) “…sexual-related crimes.”

A federal judge in Baton Rouge has ruled the state’s 2019 truth in labeling law as unconstitutional. The Louisiana Legislature passed the law in an effort to prevent food companies from labeling a veggie burger as a “tofu burger,” because it doesn’t contain meat or “cauliflower rice,” when it’s broccoli, not rice. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain disagrees with the ruling

 Cut 6  (07) “..labels are accurate” 

For the first time since the Buddy Roemer years, the state legislature has overridden a governor’s veto. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Crews are surveying storm damage in various parts of the state after a line of severe storms passed through Wednesday. Crews are in Natchitoches Parish and also in Rosedale and Lacombe surveying possible tornado damage.

Louisiana GOP lawmakers were successful in their first veto override since 1991. Both chambers had enough votes to override Governor Edwards veto of the congressional maps passed last month in the redistricting session that only has one majority-minority district. The NAACP has already filed a lawsuit concerning the map.

There may not be much drama when it comes to this fall’s U-S Senate race based on some recent poll numbers. David Grubb has the details…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

The FDA and CDC expand eligibility for a second COVID booster shot for older adults and those who are immunocompromised. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter a second booster should be given at least four months after the first booster for those 50 and older and to those ages 12 and older who are immunocompromised.

Cut  11 (12)  “…worked properly.”  

The first case of the fungus which causes White-nose syndrome in bats has been detected in Louisiana. While it’s not contagious to humans or other animals Disease biologist Nikki Anderson with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the fungus can cause White-nose syndrome which has killed more than six-million bats nationwide.

Cut 8 (09)  “…disease negative.”

The State legislature voted Wednesday to override Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes of Congressional district maps they passed in a special session last month. At an afternoon press conference, the governor says he is disappointed by the overrides, but not surprised. He says GOP majorities in both chambers chose to ignore simple math…:

Cut 4 (14)  “…easy to understand.”

The House passed their override by a 72-31 vote; the Senate’s passed 27-11. Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt says that a second district wasn’t as simple as applying the simple math. She says federal law dictates that the Black population needed to be contiguous and compact…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…as a minority district.”

The FDA and CDC expand eligibility for a second COVID booster shot for those 50 and older and ages 12 and up for the immunocompromised. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s best for those who are eligible for a second booster shot, to do so sooner than later and stay ahead of surges. You can visit any existing vaccine provider for the second booster.

Cut 13 (07) “…this booster.”

Second boosters can be given four months after the first booster for those groups.

A recent poll by JMC Analytics indicates U-S Senator John Kennedy is the clear favorite for re-election. Pollster John Couvillon says even though 23 percent of those polled are still undecided, Kennedy has everything he needs to coast into re-election.

Cut 16 (07)  “…midterm year.”

Kennedy faces opposition from democrats Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon.

State lawmakers are back in their districts today after a historic day at the State Capitol yesterday. The Republican-led legislature overrode Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of the Congressional map approved by legislators in the redistricting session. Edwards believes two of the state’s six congressional districts should be majority Black since nearly a third of the state’s voting population is African-American…
cut 5 (10) “….what is fair”
But Chairwoman of Senate Governmental Affairs, Slidell Republican Sharon Hewitt says the map approved by the Legislature complies with the law…
cut 7 (11) “…as minority districts”
The NAACP filed a lawsuit yesterday claiming the map dilutes Black voting strength.

If you are 50 and older or immunocompromised you are eligible for a second COVID vaccine booster shot. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter welcomes the news. He says we do not know what the future holds and they continue to monitor circulating variants…
cut 12 (12) “…does happen”
Kanter says it’s best for those who are eligible for a second booster shot, to get one sooner than later

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a fungus that can kill bats has been detected in Louisiana. Hibernating bats are susceptible to white-nose syndrome which was found in Natchitoches Parish. Many people may not like bats, but LDWF biologist Nikki Anderson says they help control the insect population…
cut 9 (12) “…mayflies”

There is some clean-up to do around the state from yesterday’s powerful line of thunderstorms that caused scattered damage. Severe damage was done to Tallulah Academy in Madison Parish and in Natchitoches Parish, a baby survived after a tree fell on the home where she was sleeping. The tree missed the toddler by inches.

If you are 50 or older or even 12 and older but immunocompromised you are now eligible for a second COVID booster shot. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

This year’s U-S Senate race still has time to heat up, but right now Republican John Kennedy is a clear favorite to retain his seat as 53-percent of voters plan to vote for the state’s junior U-S Senator this fall. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says Kennedy may not need a runoff to win…
Cut 14 (12) “…settled in November”
Democratic challengers Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon are getting 14 and seven percent of the vote respectively based on this JMC Analytics poll.

A bat-killing fungus has been found in Louisiana. The state department of wildlife and fisheries says the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome has been found on Brazilian free-tailed bats in Natchitoches Parish. LDWF disease biologist Nikki Anderson says there’s no treatment for white-nose syndrome. Andreson describes what to look for to spot a diseased bat…
cut 10 (09) “…call me”
The phone number is 1-800-256-2749.

Wednesday’s severe weather caused scattered damage throughout the state. In Natchitoches Parish, strong winds knocked two trees on a home, but a baby sleeping inside was not injured. Storm damage is also being reported in Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Richland, Madison, and Tangipahoa Parishes.

For the first time since the Buddy Roemer years, the state legislature has overridden a governor’s veto. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The FDA and CDC expand eligibility for a second COVID booster shot for older adults and those who are immunocompromised. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says a second booster should be given at least four months after the first one for those 50 and older and to those ages 12 and older who are immunocompromised.
Cut 11 (12) “…work properly.”

A JMC Analytics Poll shows Senator John Kennedy can be re-elected this fall without the need of a run-off. Pollster John Couvillon says 53-percent of the respondents in the survey voted for Kennedy, while Democratic challengers Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon received 14 and seven percent of the vote respectively…
cut 15 (09) “…Mixon does”
Qualifying for the race is in July.

The Louisiana House voted to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of a Republican-drawn Congressional map that has one majority Black District. 70 votes were needed in the 105 member House. Speaker Clay Schexnayder reads the final vote

Cut 12 (06) “…(applause)” 

There are 68 Republicans in the House and all of them voted for the override, plus three independents and Democratic Representative Francis Thompson.

After the House vote, there was an emotional debate in the upper chamber. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson claims supporters of a Congressional map with one majority-minority district are choosing party over people.

Cut 13 (13) “…what’s right”

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says it matters where the Black population lives and the population is not dense enough to create two majority-minority districts and the Voting Rights Act supports their argument…

Cut 15 (12) “…in their population” 

A lawsuit is expected to be filed challenging the Congressional District map approved that has one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields expects the courts will toss it out and make the Legislature draw a new map…

Cut  16 (09) “…needs to do”

The vote in the Senate to override was 27-11. It’s the first time 31 years the Legislature has overridden a governor’s veto.