The state reported 553 new coronavirus cases today. That’s the highest new case tally for a Monday since March 30th. Also, the state health department reported a second straight double-digit increase in hospitalisations as there are 568 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, up from 12 the day before.

Wild crawfish fishermen are feeling left out after not receiving any federal coronavirus relief funding. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The U-S Supreme Court has ruled a worker can not be fired because they are gay or transgender. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the ruling means the Civil Rights Act of 1964, covers sexual orientation and transgender status.
Cut 12 (12) “same feeling”
Ciolino says the ruling has added meaning in Louisiana because state law did not protect gays and transgender individuals from workplace discrimination.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff deputies need the public’s help in finding the gunmen responsible for the shooting deaths of two young women from Raceland. Lt. Brennan Matherne says there was a large group of people in the area of St. Louis Street in Raceland early Sunday morning when gunfire erupted…
cut 8 (08) “…people arrived in”

Today marks two days in a row the state has seen a noticeable increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations after nearly a week of steadily declining numbers before that. 553 new positive tests are also being reported along with five new deaths. The Department of Health is noting though that 37,000 of the state’s 47,000 total confirmed COVID patients have recovered from the disease.

Governor Edwards has vetoed the tort reform bill…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

21-year-old Aliza Gabriel and 20-year-old Tanasa Francis, both of Raceland, are the two confirmed victims of a shooting in Raceland that occurred just after midnight on Sunday morning.  Lt. Brennan Matherne says the shooting at a gathering of over 100 young people appears to have taken the lives of two who had nothing to do with the altercation that sparked the gunfire.

Cut 7 (10) “…at this time.”

Crawfish farmers may have received funding from the CARES Act, but wild crawfish fishermen are feeling left out as none will receive stimulus money from the legislation.  Wild crawfish fisherman Jody Meche says the he and his peers produce just as much and just as good or better crawfish compared to farmers and there should be no difference in funding.

Cut 9 (09) “…red blooded Americans.”

Housing advocates ask the Governor to again extend the eviction moratorium that lapsed today warning the state could face a public health and homelessness crisis if not.

Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Max Ciardullo says mass evictions will hamper social distancing efforts.

Cut 3, 11 seconds, wave

Ciardullo warns once federal unemployment benefits end in August that evictions could rise substantially.

But Baton Rouge landlord Steve Myers says it does not appear the number of people who could be set to get evicted will be that high. He indicates that the number of delinquent renters has fallen since the pandemic began.

Cut 5 (07) “…percent.”

Landlords who receive federal assistance or federally backed loans may not proceed with evictions until late August.

Authorities are seeking those responsible for gunfire that left two people are dead at a large gathering in Raceland.  Just after midnight on Sunday morning, Lt. Brennan Matherne says the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call about a disturbance on St. Louis Street.

Cut 6 (10) “…shots ring out.”

21-year-old Aliza Gabriel and 20-year-old Tanasa Francis, both of Raceland, were shot and pronounced dead at the scene.

As expected Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed the tort reform bill aimed at lowering car insurance rates by making changes to the state’s civil litigation system. Edwards defended the decision saying the bill does not contain a mandate to lower auto insurance rates despite claims from supporters of a guaranteed ten percent rate reduction. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the debate over this bill will continue into the special session.

Cut 14 (12) “…high insurance rates.”

Evictions are scheduled to begin today after being frozen by the Governor since late March. Patrick McCarron with Thomas Jefferson Real Estate says he’s looking forward to proceeding with evictions as it has been a frustrating few months for landlords who’ve had tenants who’ve refused to pay rent.

Cut 4 (09) “government.”

McCarron says during that time landlords have been legally obligated to continue to provide basic services at the properties.

As expected Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed the tort reform bill aimed at lowering car insurance rates by making changes to the state’s civil litigation system.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the timing, with just over two weeks left in the special session, indicates Edwards does not believe the veto will be overturned.

Cut 13 (08) “…he did it.” 

The investigation continues into Thursday night’s murder-suicide that resulted in the deaths of four children and two adults at the Parkview Apartments in Monroe. Interim Police Chief Reggie Brown says 30-year-old Brittany Tucker killed a neighbor, her four kids, ranging from five months to 12 years old and then shot herself. Brown says Tucker battled mental illness.

Cut 10 (04) “…to her actions.”

Brown says Tucker was diagnosed with mental illness within the past couple of years and was receiving treatment.

A Louisiana pollster believes it may take up to a week to know the results of the November Presidential election. JMC Analytics and polling founder John Couvillon says even though the delay may frustrate some he still sees mail-in voting as the wave of the future…

Cut 9 (08) “…day.”

Studies suggest there is little to no partisan impact from the adoption of mail-in voting.

The Governor’s moratorium on evictions ends today. Brooke Thorington spoke with a couple of landlords…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara attended his first NASCAR race yesterday as he was part of a small group of people who watched the race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in person. Kamara suddenly became a fan of the sport last week after NASCAR made the decision to ban the confederate flag at all of their events.

The Louisiana House returns to Baton Rouge today for the first time since Governor Edwards vetoed a tort reform bill passed in the House that supporters say would have lowered auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent. Edwards says the measure did not contain a mandate to lower rates. Political analyst Bernie Pinsont says the governor’s veto decision could result in backlash from lawmakers…
cut 15 (08) “…in the road”
Edwards says he’s confident they can reach an agreement on a bill that will have broad support.

Louisiana pollster John Couvillon predicts a winner in the Presidential race will not be known on election night in November. Couvillon says that’s because several states are allowing more voters to mail in their ballot. Couvillon points to Pennsylvania, where President Trump won by just 40-thousand votes in 2016….
cut 8 (12) “….vote'”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ moratorium on evictions has ended and today is the first day landlords can evict a person for failing to pay rent. Baton Rouge landlord Steve Myers says many tenants who are struggling financially have been offered hardship plans…
cut 6 (10) “….basis”
For more information on tenants’ rights contact the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center.

Monroe Police are trying to determine how a woman suffering from mental illness was able to purchase a gun that was used in a murder-suicide on Thursday that resulted in six deaths, including the shooter’s four children. Police Chief Reggie Brown says the shooter has been identified as 30-year-old Brittany Tucker…
cut 12 (04) “…June the 5th”
Brown says Tucker was diagnosed with mental illness within the past couple of years and was receiving treatment.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in finding the gunmen responsible for the shooting deaths of two young women from Raceland. Deputies say 21-year-old Aliza Gabriel and 20-year-old Tanasa Francis were innocent bystanders when shots were fired early Sunday morning. Sheriff Craig Webre says there was a large group of people in the area of St. Louis Street in Raceland when gunfire erupted.

A Louisiana pollster says due to the widespread adoption of mail-in voting it is unlikely we will know who wins the November Presidential election the night the polls close…
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards has vetoed the tort reform bill. Kevin Barnhart on what happens next…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Two people are facing multiple charges for their alleged role in the removing of a statue of a slave owner in New Orleans and then dumping the bust of John McDonough in the Mississippi River. Twenty-seven-year-old Caleb Wassell and 30-year-old Michaela Davis are facing theft and vandalism charges. McDonogh was a white slave owner, but also helped build over 30 public schools in New Orleans.

Governor John Bel Edwards suspension on evictions ends today. Housing advocates are concerned there will be a tsunami of evictions. Baton Rouge landlord Steve Myers says it will not be that bad…
cut 5 (07) “….percent”
Landlords who receive federal assistance or federally backed loans may not proceed with evictions until late August.

Monroe police continue their investigation into last Thursday’s murder-suicide that resulted in six deaths, including four children. Investigators say 30-year-old Brittany Tucker killed her kids, a neighbor and then turned the gun on herself. Monroe Police Cheif Reggie Brown says neighbors told detectives that prior to Thursday’s shooting Tucker was seen walking, showing irrational behavior and waving a gun in her hand…
cut 11 (10) “…she needed”
Brown says call 9-1-1 if you see someone acting irrationally.

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed eight bills from the regular session, including the tort reform bill that supporters say will result in a decrease in auto insurance rates. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican lawmakers pushing for passage of this bill can try again in the ongoing special session….
cut 14 (12) “….high insurance rates”
Legislators can also try to override the veto.

A Louisiana pollster believes it may take up to a week to know the results of the November Presidential election. JMC Analytics and polling founder John Couvillon says that’s because many swing states are adopting mail-in voting…
Cut 7 (09) “…day”

The Governor’s moratorium on evictions ends today. Brooke Thorington spoke with a couple of landlords…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state reported 336 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, ten additional deaths and the number of hospitalizations rose by 14.

Governor Edwards vetoes the tort reform bill aimed at lowering car insurance rates with changes to the state’s civil litigation system. It was one of eight bills passed in the regular session to be vetoed by the Governor on Friday. Edwards cited the bill didn’t contain a commitment to lower rates as assured by its supporters. Edwards says he’d willing to continue discussions on the issue with a similar measure circulating in the on going special session.
In addition to Middleton Library, there’s now a movement to rename more buildings on LSU’s campus Brooke Thorington explains.

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Four children and two adults are dead following a murder-suicide at the Parkview Apartments in Monroe. Interim Police Chief Reggie Brown identified the shooter as 30-year old Brittany Tucker. Tucker’s four children were killed, ages ranging from 6 months to 12 years. Brown says it appears Tucker has struggled with mental illness for several years.
Cut 10 (04) “…to her actions.”
Brown says the second adult victim, 20-year Antiesha Logwood, was shot in the parking lot outside of Tucker’s apartment before Tucker took the lives of her four children and then her own.
A long-standing Mardi Gras tradition is being canceled in 2021 due to COVID-19.  Senior Lieutenant with Mystick Krewe of Louisianians Tyron Picard says the Washington DC Mardi Gras will not be taking place next January.
Cut 6 (09) “…room by January.”

The event has only been canceled three other times in its 76 year history.

Eight bills passed in the regular session were vetoed by Governor John Bel Edwards on Friday, including a measure aimed at lowering car insurance rates with changes to the state’s civil litigation system.  Edwards cited the bill didn’t contain a commitment to lower rates as assured by its supporters.  Edwards says he’d willing to continue discussions on the issue with a similar measure circulating in the on going special session.
Lousiana Senator Bill Cassidy is not a big fan of the defund police movement. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Four children and two adults are dead following a murder-suicide at the Parkview Apartments in Monroe. Interim Police Chief Reggie Brown identified the shooter as 30-year old Brittany Tucker. Brown says in appears Tucker purchased the gun at a local gun store, adding the investigation is ongoing as to how and why Tucker was allowed to obtain the firearm with a history of mental illness.
Cut 12 (04) “…June the 5th.”
Brown says the second adult victim, 20-year Antiesha Logwood, was shot in the parking lot outside of Tucker’s apartment before Tucker took the lives of her four children whose ages ranged from 6 months to 12 years and then her own.
Iconic French Quarter bars are set to reopen at 25 percent capacity today as New Orleans enters Phase Two.  This Bourbon Street pro says patrons must observe strict social distancing and must wear masks while inside bars or we could see super spreading incidents like have happened in other countries.
Cut 14 (07) “…careful”