A United Way survey breaks down Louisiana residents’ top concerns during the pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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A Senate-approved resolution that seeks to create a task force to study police law enforcement policies and make recommendations on how to improve receives unanimous support from a House committee. Jeff Palermo has more…
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A survey from the Louisiana Association of United Ways finds that two-thirds of Louisiana residents need help in paying everyday bills during this COVID-19 pandemic. President of the non-profit Sarah Berthelot says households with annual incomes less than $35,000 face the most setbacks and challenges.
Cut 3 (10) ”…on low-income workers”
Berthelot says another major finding in the study is that 47-percent of residents say their child care situation changed after the stay at home order.
Berthelot says when it comes to the top concerns, 8% say it’s paying bills, 10% say it’s children’s issues, 12% say it’s housing, 20% says it’s their community and at 32%, the top concern is avoiding the coronavirus.
Cut 5 (12) “…was contracting COVID-19.”
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Governor Edwards signs three gun rights bills, one dealing with concealed carry in churches, another targeting local gun restriction ordinances, and the last addressing rights during a public emergency.
Edwards says the first bill rewrites Louisiana law to specify that conceal carry is permissible in houses of worship if it is approved by that facility’s administrator.
That bill was opposed by the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and other church representatives testified against it in committee.
The mayors of Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and the Louisiana Municipal Association objected to another bill that would prohibit local governments from establishing gun-free zones in parks, playground and other public areas. Edwards doesn’t see the legislation to be controversial…
The final bill outlaws state and local restrictions on the sale of guns and ammo during public emergencies. The bill sponsor says it was inspired by actions taken by the City of New Orleans during Katrina and other emergencies.
Edwards says his support for these bills should come as no surprise to anyone.
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A House committee approves a proposal to create a Police Training, Screening, and De-escalation Task Force. The panel will study police department policies and make recommendations on how they can be improved. Law enforcement supports the resolution and Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle took note of that…
Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is the author of the resolution and he says recent research shows black men are three times more likely than white men to be killed by police intervention. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala is a retired deputy and made a statement that caused a brief uproar
Bacala says he supports the resolution and believes the state needs to put a stop to police brutality…
The Senate approved measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.
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A Calhoun man is in the Ouachita Parish correctional center charged with 400 counts of child porn and 100 counts of sexual abuse of an animal. Trooper Brent Hardy says the investigation of 40-year-old Keith Taylor began in April when the Special Victims Unit received information that Taylor in possession of, and possibly distributing, inappropriate content online.
Cut 12 (08) “…children and animals.”
The investigation was conducted with the help of multiple agencies including the FBI, the Louisiana AG’s office, and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office. Hardy says the allegations have likely shaken the community.
Cut 13 (07) “…knows Mr. Taylor.”
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28-year-old Cordale Richard was arrested today in the shooting deaths of 21-year-old Aliza Gabriel and 20-year-old Tanasa Francis at a large party in Raceland Sunday.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Brennan Matherne says Richard was involved in a fight at the party, and once the police arrived he allegedly began firing indiscriminately into a crowd.
Francis and Gabriel are believed to have been uninvolved bystanders.
Matherne says Richard admitted to the shootings after police tracked him to his home and arrested him without incident.
Richard faces two counts of First Degree Murder along with several other charges.