The mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando has saddened LGBT groups in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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The giant sinkhole in Bayou Corne seems to have stabilized. Michelle Southern has more…
CUT 2 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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The Desoto Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still searching for answers in the death of a 21-year-old woman, as the murder charges against the suspect were dropped. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says they originally had booked 33-year-old Jarrod Earl Johnson of Logansport for the murder of Maranda Whitton, but they let him go after the autopsy’s findings…:
Arbuckle says Whitton’s body was found in a pond on June 10th, and since Johnson was the last person to see her alive, he was charged with second-degree murder. He says they have since removed the charges and turned their investigation over to the DA’s office…:
Arbuckle says they are waiting for the coroner to get some more official results in hopes of finding out how Whitton was killed, but in the meantime the investigation is still very much ongoing…:
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Leaders of Louisiana’s LGBT community say they are reeling in pain today over the worst mass shooting in America’s history. At least 50 people were killed when a gunman attacked a gay nightclub in Orlando. Forum for Equality executive director Sara Jane Brady says the shooting demonstrates there’s still much hatred and prejudice aimed towards homosexuals…
It’s been reported New Orleans native, 39-year-old Leonel Melendez, is in a coma suffering after he was shot in the head. A former Lafayette resident, 27-year-old Frank Hernandez, is also said to be one of the 49 people shot dead by the gunman. Brady extends her sympathy to their family and friends…
Brady says they are holding a memorial vigil for all of the victims tonight in New Orleans. She says their message to political leaders is that if demonize or attempt to marginalize the LGBT community, you provide extremists with a green light to violence…
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The massive sinkhole that formed about four years ago in Bayou Corne has showed reduced action and is close to stable. That’s the word from Assumption Parish Director of Emergency Operations, John Boudreaux, who says the sinkhole shows some growth but nothing intense. He says the deepest part has reached 174 feet and is filling up with soil from the sides.
Officials say the sinkhole has grown up to about 35 acres. Boudreaux says some of the mandatory evacuations have been lifted on the east side on the sinkhole. He says there is another area that is under voluntary evacuations.
The company, Texas Brine, is in charge of managing the sinkhole because of irresponsible drilling in the area. Boudreaux says although the sinkhole is stabilizing, experts believe it will continue to go on for decades. He says we won’t see trees being swallowed up like in the first year of the sinkhole, but you’ll continue to see minor changes.
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A moment of unity was held today in the Rotunda of the State Capitol as Governor Edwards and members of legislators took time to honor and pray for the victims of the Orlando mass shooting. Governor John Bel Edwards says when freedom is threatened all of our freedoms are threatened…
Governor Edwards has ordered that US and State of Louisiana flags should be flown at half-staff over all public building until sunset on Thursday as an expression of respect for the victims of the terrorist attack in Orlando…
Cut 13 (10) “senseless tragedy”
House Speaker Taylor Barras says it’s a shame 50 people lost their lives while celebrating life…
The Moment of Unity ended with those in attendance singing “Amazing Grace”….
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