The Caddo Parish coroner rules that a 44-year-old man died of natural causes while in the custody of the Shreveport Police Department, but his death could possibly have been prevented…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A White Opelousas police officer has been charged with five counts of Malfeasance in Office for an incident where he allegedly entered a black teen’s hospital room and beat him. 49-year-old Sgt. No explanation has been provided as to why Andrepont was in the room.

A third person has died from complications of a drowning incident on Grand Isle on Friday. 33-year-old Terrell Miller of Houma died in a hospital following his attempt to rescue his fiancé’s children, 9-year-old Dalvin Richardson and 8-year-old Davon Richardson. Grand Isle Police Chief Laine Landry says a day of celebration turned tragic in an instant.

Cut 6 (05) “…was Davon’s birthday.”

Over the last two weeks, there have been eleven calls for water rescues, with four fatalities in Grand Isle.

An alleged East Feliciana Parish serial killer has his 2019 1^st degree murder conviction voided by an East Feliciana Parish judge due to it being non-unanimous. Ryan Sharpe is accused of killing three people in 2017 and was convicted in one of the killings 11-1. Sharpe’s Attorney Tommy Damico says non-unanimous jury verdicts are unjust and he’s glad the High Court’s ruling will give his client another chance.

Cut 14 (08) “…justice”

Sharpe still faces charges related to the other alleged murders.

Caddo Parish Coroner Doctor Todd Thoma says 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen Junior’s death in the back of a Shreveport Police patrol car in April, could have been preventable. McGlothen was involved in a physical altercation with a citizen and police officers, but Thoma says McGlothen ended up dying of excited delirium…
cut 5 (11) “…rapidly fatal”
The four arresting officers have been put on departmental leave.

Accused serial killer Ryan Sharpe will get a new trial as an East Feliciana Parish judge has voided his conviction, because it was not unanimous. Authorities say Sharpe fatally shot three people and injured another person during a 2017 shooting spree. Sharpe’s Attorney Tommy Damico believes Sharpe was insane at the time…
cut 13 (13) “…insanity”

Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas are among 14 states that are reporting their highest-ever seven-day average of coronavirus cases. Louisiana is not one of those 14 states. Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 10 (10) “…there”
Louisiana reported over 500 new cases today and 13 additional deaths.

Since the Memorial Day weekend, four people have drowned in Grand Isle while swimming just off the beach. Police Chief Laine Landry says they’ve responded to to 11 calls for water rescues over the last two weeks and there are some contributing factors…
cut 7 (12) “….for beach protection”
Landry says they are asking beachgoers to be vigilant about the strong currents.

Governor Edwards says Memorial Day weekend did not result in a significant increase in the transmission of COVID-19. Edwards has a few thoughts as to why…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Ochsner Baton Rouge recently celebrated 250 hours passing without a COVID-19 positive patient on a ventilator. A statement released from the hospital notes that while they are still treating a handful of cases at the medical facility in Baton Rouge the severity of cases is currently not at critical as the previous wave.

Alleged Capital Region serial killer Ryan Sharpe has his 2019 non-unanimous First Degree Murder charge voided. Sharpe’s conviction came before the US Supreme Court’s April decision that deemed all non-unanimous convictions unconstitutional. Sharpe’s Attorney Tommy Damico says because his client was convicted 11-1…

Cut 12 (12) “motion”

Caddo Parish Coroner Doctor Todd Thoma says a 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen Junior died of excited delirium while in the custody of the Shreveport Police Department on April sixth. Authorities say police officers used tasers, mace, and nightsticks to control McGlothen, who also fought with another citizen before law enforcement arrived. Thoma says McGlothen’s death could have possibly been prevented, but he was left in the back of a patrol vehicle for 48 minutes…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…medical care”

It’s been two weeks since Memorial Day weekend and Governor John Bel Edwards says he is heartened to see the state did not experience a significant surge in COVID transmission because of the holiday. Edwards says they have a few theories as to why transmissions did not spike…

Cut 9 (11) “…to do.”

A third person has died from complications of a drowning incident on Grand Isle on Friday. 33-year-old Terrell Miller of Houma died in a hospital following his attempt to rescue his fiancé’s children, 9-year-old Dalvin Richardson and 8-year-old Davon Richardson. Grand Isle Police Chief Laine Landry says they are sending a clear message to beachgoers about being vigilant of rough seas and strong currents.

Cut 8 (11) “…public access points.”

The Caddo Parish coroner rules that a 44-year-old man died of natural causes while in the custody of the Shreveport Police Department, but his death could possibly have been prevented. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

COVID-19 numbers released from the state today show an increase in cases by 562 and fatalities increased by 13. Hospitalizations are down by 14 to 568 and vent usage is down by 4 to 67.

Caddo Parish Coroner Doctor Todd Thoma says a 44-year-old man died of natural causes while in the custody of the Shreveport Police Department on April sixth, but his death could have been preventable. Thoma says Tommie McGlothen Junior died from excited delirium.
Cut 3 (09)  “…stimulant use.”  
Authorities say police officers used tasers, mace, and nightsticks to control McGlothen.
A third person has died from complications of a drowning incident on Grand Isle on Friday. 33-year-old Terrell Miller of Houma died in a hospital following his attempt to rescue 9-year-old Dalvin Richardson and 8-year-old Davon Richardson. Grand Isle Police Chief Laine Landry says a day of celebration turned tragic in an instant.
Cut 6 (05) “…was Davon’s birthday.”
A 12-year-old female relative who was also rescued is expected to make a full recovery.

Governor Edwards says police reforms are needed, but he does not support the movement to redirect tax dollars away from law enforcement agencies and into social services like education…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson has apologized for his officers firing so-called rubber bullets at protesters on the Crescent City Connection last week. The chief says their special operations division was not authorized to use the anti-riot rounds and an investigation is underway.

Governor Edwards says Louisiana should consider police reforms in next year’s legislative session. Cities and states across the country are taking up changes to policing policy in the wake of George Floyd protests. Edwards says he spoke with Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields about what could be done in Louisiana.
Cut 7 (11) “…scrutiny.”
Edwards says reforms to the way police interact with their community are needed, and overdue.

The UNO Transportation Institute wants residents to fill out a survey detailing what they would like to see from a hypothetical Baton Rouge to New Orleans passenger rail service. Research Associate Tara (tar-uh) Tolford says their survey asks commuters along the route in Gonzales, LaPlace, and Jefferson Parish how or if they would use the system.
Cut 13 (04) “…go” 
Rail service between the two locations is highly limited at the moment.

The pace of the special session will accelerate this week. Matt Doyle spoke with LaPolitics.com’s Jeremy Alford…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Black student leaders met with LSU officials concerning the university’s heavily criticized initial response to an incoming student using a racial slur on video. Initially, LSU’s response to the video made it appear there was no way of holding the potential student accountable, but during the meeting, interim President Thomas Galligan assured students a process is in place for students making blatantly racist remarks.

There’s a growing movement around the country to defund law enforcement and use that money instead on community programs. But Governor John Bel Edwards, who comes from a family of law enforcement officers, says he does not agree with the Defund the Police Movement…
cut 9 (09) “….appropriate”
But Edwards says he could support legislation dealing with the selection of officers, the training and retraining of officers and their supervision.

An LSU survey conducted in late May found that 71-percent of the 757 respondents continued to stay at home instead of going to work, school or other regular activity. That’s down 10-percent from an April survey. LSU Public Policy Research Lab director Michael Henderson…
cut 12 (07) “….across the state”
Over 75-percent of the respondents say they are still uncomfortable getting on an airplane or attending a large sports or entertainment event.

The UNO Transportation Institute is conducting a study that seeks input from individuals who would use a proposed passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Research associate Tara Tolford says they plan to use this data to further refine the concept…
cut 15 (10) “….forward”
The survey can be found on UNO T-I’s Facebook page.

Week two of the special session is underway. The House Ways and Means Committee will discuss several business tax break bills. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says during the special session, legislators will also discuss legislation that would change unemployment qualifications…
cut 5 (07) “….as well”
On Thursday, the full House will debate a spending plan for the next fiscal year.

An LSU study indicates 42 percent of residents know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19….
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Louisiana reported six more COVID-19 deaths yesterday to bring the state’s death toll to 2,831. Nearly 34-thousand have recovered after testing positive and Louisiana is reporting 43-thousand cases. Governor Edwards says he’s heartened that the data is not showing a spike since the Memorial Day weekend.

George Floyd will be laid to rest today in Houston. His death during custody with Minneapolis officers has resulted in calls to overhaul police practices. Governor John Bel Edwards, who comes from a family of law enforcement officers, says the trend of unreasonable police force is troubling…
cut 8 (10) “….unacceptable”
But Edwards says he doesn’t support a movement to defund police officers.

U-N-O’s Transportation Institute has launched a new survey that seeks input from potential riders of a proposed rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. A 2010 survey indicated 39,000 riders a month may use a train that connects the two cities, but UNO researcher Tara Tolford says those numbers could change should the proposed stop-offs be built.
Cut 14 (11) “…study”
To take the survey go to the U-N-O T-I Facebook page.

Governor Edwards says police reforms are needed, but he does not support the movement to defund police departments…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson has apologized for his officers firing so-called rubber bullets at protesters on the Crescent City Connection last week. The chief says their special operations division was not authorized to use the anti-riot rounds and an investigation is underway.

A new LSU poll of 757 Louisiana residents found 42 percent of respondents know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and 23 percent know someone who has died from it. LSU Public Policy Lab director Michael Henderson says this shows the widespread impact of the virus.
Cut 10 (06) “…people who have.”
The survey also found Louisiana residents are uncomfortable with many activities outside of the home. 77-percent do not want to get on an airplane.

Week two of the special session is underway at the State Capitol and lawmakers will begin debating several tax break proposals for businesses. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford expects a bitter partisan brawl over the prospect of tax cuts, while the state faces revenue shortfalls. He pointed to comments from staet Representative Ted James, a Democrat from Baton Rouge…
Cut 6 (05) “…proposals”
The special session is set to end June 30th.

Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana should consider police reforms in next year’s legislative session. Cities and states across the country are taking up changes to policing policy in the wake of George Floyd protests. Edwards says he spoke with Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields about what could be done in Louisiana…
Cut 7 (11) “…scrutiny.”
But Edwards says he does not support defunding police departments.

This week in the special session, lawmakers will dig into the nuts and bolts of the budget and start the debate on economic relief bills for businesses. The special session started last Monday and LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford is surprised by the slow start despite a mountain of work.
Cut 4 (10) “…filed.”
The House Civil Law committee will discuss tort reform this morning.

A survey of 757 Louisiana residents during the final days of May finds that 42-percent of the respondents know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and 23-percent know someone who has died from complications. LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab director Michael Henderson says the data shows the disparities between Black and White Louisianans on exposure to the novel coronavirus…
cut 11 (10) “….for white residents”
Forty percent of black residents know someone who has died from complications of COVID-19, compared to 17 percent of white residents.