A proposal that will result in many of Louisiana’s essential workers receiving a 250-dollar check from the state continues to make its way through the legislative process. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter complimented Shreveport Rep Sam Jenkins on the legislation.

Cut 16 (12) “ won’t allow that…

The family of a gay teenager stabbed in the neck and wrists believes 18-year-old Holden White of Kaplan is the victim of a hate crime. Police have arrested 19-year-old Chance Seneca and charged him with attempted second-degree murder, but no hate crime charges have been added. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says police officers and prosecutors sometimes do not want to pursue hate crime charges, because it makes the case more complicated

Cut 4 (11)_ “…discrimination”

White is in intensive care, but his family says his condition is improving.

Medical marijuana patients will soon enjoy cheaper treatments. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announces the city will enforce the use of face masks, due to the uptick of coronavirus cases. Health officials report the increase in cases is a result of community spread. Cantrell says Police officers will be provided masks to hand out to those in need of one. The mayor also says the city will also be shutting down any businesses that are out of compliance with current guidelines.

The Saints announce offensive guard Jhari Evans and safety Roman Harper will be inducted in the team’s hall of fame later this year. In 2006, Evans was drafted in the fourth round out of Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. He went on to play eleven seasons in New Orleans. From 2009 to 2012 he was named first-team All Pro four straight years. Evans is appreciative of the honor…
cut 18 (19) “….great season”
Harper was a Pro Bowl selection in 2009 and 2010 and he’s also a member of the Saints All-50th team which was announced in 2016.

NFL owners will reportedly hold a zoom meeting tomorrow to discuss social justice programs, workplace diversity and preparations for the 2020 season.

The LSU football program received a vebal pledge today from four-star offensive tackle Garrett Dellenger, who chose the Tigers over Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan. Dellenger, who also has a 3.7 GPA is rated as the 12th best offensive tackle in the class of 2021. He’s six-foot-six, 290 pounds and recruiting experts say he could play guard or tackle in college.

A bill that places an eight-percent tax on net revenue from online fantasy sports contests is heading to the governor’s desk after it received final legislative approval. The money would generate about 375-thousand dollars a year. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says all of the money will go towards funding early childhood education…
cut 29 (02) “…committed to do that”
In 2018, voters in 47 of the 64 parishes legalized fantasy sports betting. Residents in parishes who voted for it have been waiting for lawmakers to pass the tax component in order to win cash prizes with fan duel and draft kings. Supporters say if the governor signs the bill, Louisiana residents would be able to play online fantasy sports contests this football season.

The Acadiana region is outpacing other regions of the state in new COVID-19 cases. On Tuesday’s case report, of the tests taken in the region, 11.1% came back positive, higher than the federal recommendations in moving forward in economic reopening. Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director of the Office of Public Health in Acadiana, says the age groups that are the most problematic are the younger demographics.

Cut 10 (10) “…then 30 to 39.”

A proposal that will result in many of Louisiana’s essential workers receiving a 250-dollar check from the state continues to make its way through the legislative process. The Senate Revenue Fiscal Affairs committee approved the bill Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins

Cut 15 (08) “…eligible” 

The House approves legislation protecting public and private schools from civil suits by students or teachers who say they contracted COVID on school grounds. Bill sponsor, Denham Springs Representative Buddy Mincey stresses the law is needed because it’s impossible to prove exactly where students or teachers got their COVID infections.

Cut 14 (10) “…there”

The state’s only current medical marijuana grower announces it will lower its prices as a result of a new law that greatly expands access to the treatment. Wellcana CEO John Davis says the price reductions will allow pharmacies to sell the product at the average price for the nation’s more mature markets.

Cut 6 (11) “…is.”

The law expanding access goes into effect on August 1^st.

The state reported 882 more coronavirus cases today, one day after Louisiana reported over 13-hundred new cases. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

In Homer, a confederate monument that was once prominent at the Claiborne Parish courthouse lawn has been removed. The Claiborne Parish Police Jury voted unanimously last week to have the 9-foot-tall, eight-thousand-pound monument removed. The monument had been on the courthouse lawn since 1940

The state’s only current medical marijuana grower announces it will lower its prices as a result of a new law that greatly expands access to the treatment. Wellcana CEO John Davis says the soon-to-be law makes up to three million adults potential customers.

Cut 8 (12) “…patients”

The law expanding access goes into effect on August 1^st.

The House approves legislation protecting public and private schools from civil suits by students or teachers who say they got COVID on school grounds. But New Orleans Representative Gary Carter feels the legislation would allow schools to violate COVID health regulations and be shielded from repercussions.

Cut 13 (11) “…support it”  

Supporters of the bill say it still allows for suits in cases of demonstrable gross negligence.

The Acadiana region is outpacing other regions of the state in new COVID-19 cases, with younger demographics being the most problematic age group. Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director of the Office of Public Health in Acadiana, hopes that young adults will begin to heed the advice of health officials, as it will help protect those most at risk for poor outcomes.

Cut 11 (12) “…maintain a distance.”

Today’s statewide total case count increases by 882 to 52,477.

The state’s only current medical marijuana grower announces it will lower its prices as a result of the Governor’s signing of a bill greatly expanding access to the treatment. Wellcana CEO John Davis says the price reduction will hit their bottom line, but they believe by lowering the price they can significantly expand the market.
Cut 7 (11) “…count.”

The family of a gay teenager stabbed in the neck and wrists believes 18-year-old Holden White of Kaplan is the victim of a hate crime. But Lafayette Police is not pursuing hate crime charges. Lafayette Police say the evidence shows there are other motives on why the attack occurred. White reportedly met 19-year-old Chance Seneca on a gay dating app and police say the two got into an argument which led to Seneca stabbing White. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says a hate crime is a very serious charge…

Cut 5 (06)  “…stiff penalty”

White is in intensive care, but his family says his condition is improving.

The House approves legislation protecting public and private schools from civil suits by students or teachers who say they got COVID on school grounds. Amite Representative Robby Carter says a school board superintendent told him this bill was vital to actually having students back in classrooms come fall.

Cut 12 (11) “…learning”

The Acadiana region is outpacing other regions of the state in new COVID-19 cases. On Tuesday’s case report, of the tests taken in the region, 11.1% came back positive, higher than the federal recommendations in moving forward in economic reopening. Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director of the Office of Public Health in Acadiana, says the age groups that are the most problematic are the younger demographics.

Cut 10 (10) “…then 30 to 39.”

Today’s statewide total case count increases by 882 to 52,477.

The state’s only current medical marijuana grower announces it will lower its prices as a result of the Governor’s signing of a bill greatly expanding access to the treatment. Wellcana CEO John Davis says the price reductions will allow pharmacies to sell the product at the average price for the nation’s more mature markets.

Cut 6 (11) “…is.”

The family of a gay teenager stabbed in the neck and wrists believes 18-year-old Holden White of Kaplan is the victim of a hate crime. But Lafayette Police is not pursuing hate crime charges. Police have arrested 19-year-old Chance Seneca and charged him with attempted second-degree murder, but no hate crime charges have been added. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says police officers and prosecutors sometimes do not want to pursue hate crime charges, because it makes the case more complicated

Cut 4 (11)_ “…discrimination”

White is in intensive care, but his family says his condition is improving.

The Acadiana region is outpacing other regions of the state in new COVID-19 cases. The region’s case count of Tuesday was the highest on record and Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director of the Office of Public Health in Acadiana, believes the area is late in seeing their share of the first wave.
Cut 9 (09) “…experiencing such increases.”
On Tuesday, 354 cases came from the region, making up more than a quarter of the state’s total case count, nearly double the share of the next highest region.

The family of a gay teenager stabbed in the neck and wrists believes 18-year-old Holden White of Kaplan is the victim of a hate crime. But Lafayette Police is not pursuing hate crime charges. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says the evidence has to be clear that the attack occurred because White is gay…
Cut 3 (09) ”…problematic”  
White is in intensive care, but his family says his condition is improving.
Governor John Bel Edwards expects K-12 schools as well as colleges and universities will reopen with students in August. But Edwards admits the latest COVID-19 metrics concerning young people are concerning.
Cut 11 (11) “…do so safely.”
Young adults between the ages of 18 to 29 is the leading age group for positive COVID-19 cases.

A Tuesday morning crash in Zachary claimed the life of an 11-year-old and resulted in the arrest of 27-year-old Treasure Charles of Gonzales. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Charles was on US Hwy 61 in a box truck when she struck a disabled vehicle in the roadway.
Cut 14 (07) “…killed upon impact.”
The deceased child has been identified as Wayne Ford of Baton Rouge, while Charles is facing several charges including negligent homicide.

A Senate committee will take up the budget this afternoon. Matt Doyle has the status of the state’s spending plan for the fiscal year that begins a week from today…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards remains optimistic a new school year will begin in August with kids in the classroom. But Edwards says the school experience will be different, as steps will be taken to make sure children do not gather in large groups…
cut 12 (04) “….having school assemblies”

State Fire Marshal deputies will perform random courtesy visits to businesses in an effort to help owners better comply with COVID spread mitigation restrictions. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the goal is to increase compliance.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…they’re not”
Browning says most businesses are doing their best to be compliant.

An eleven-year-old child died yesterday morning in a crash on U-S Highway 61 near Zachary. State Trooper Taylor Scrantz says 27-year-old Treasure Charles of Gonzales was driving a box truck when he struck the rear of a disabled vehicle. Wayne Ford of Baton Rouge was in that disabled vehicle and died. Scrantz says they’ve charged Charles with negligent homicide and careless operation. He says it’s heartbreaking to see a child die in a wreck
cut 15 (09) “…family member”

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his deputies will perform random checks on businesses making sure they are complying with coronavirus restrictions and answer any questions business owners may have. Browning says they are not looking to penalize businesses. He says the goal is to help them correct any mistakes…
cut 5 (05) “…employees”
Browning says most businesses are doing their best to be compliant. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack agrees and says owners want to limit COVID spread because it’s good for business.
Cut 6 (08) “…customers”
Yesterday, the state health department reported its largest-one day surge in coronavirus cases since April 7, 1,356 positive tests.

Even though we are seeing a spike in coronavirus cases, Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic schools will reopen in August with students inside the classrooms. Edwards says school assemblies may be prohibited, students might be required to eat lunch in the classroom and other changes could be needed…
cut 13 (11) “….and contengencies”

The Senate Finance Committee meets this afternoon and they are expected to approve a 34-billion dollar budget plan for the fiscal year that begins a week from today. Lapolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says crafting the budget is tricky because total revenue could change if a series of COVID relief tax breaks are passed.
Cut 8 (11) “…to walk.”
The special session is set to end next Tuesday.

Governor John Bel Edwards expects K-12 schools as well as colleges and universities will reopen with students in August. But Edwards admits the latest COVID-19 metrics concerning young people are concerning.
Cut 11 (11) “…do so safely.”
Young adults between the ages of 18 to 29 is the leading age group for positive COVID-19 cases.

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says business owners are looking for clear guidance from health officials on wearing masks…
cut 7 (11) “…at times”
The State Fire Marshal’s office plans to perform courtesy visits at several businesses to answer any questions business owners may have when it comes to complying with COVID restrictions.

The special session is set to end next Tuesday and this afternoon the Senate Finance committee is expected to vote on a proposed budget for next fiscal year. Thanks to federal coronavirus relief funding, the state will avoid major budget cuts, but La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says promises made earlier this year for increased early childhood funding and teacher pay had to be abandoned…
cut 9 (07) “…as well”
The House has approved their version of the budget, so the spending plan is on track for final legislative approval before the session ends.

The driver of a box truck, 27-year-old Treasure Charles of Gonzales, is facing a negligent homicide charge after slamming into a disabled vehicle on U-S Highway 61 near Zachary yesterday killing an eleven-year-old child. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says impairment is not suspected, but Charles was also cited for careless operation…
cut 16 (06) “…District Attorney’s office