After a two-year hiatus, the Essence Festival of Culture returns to New Orleans at full strength this holiday weekend. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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Despite increased costs for…well, everything, Independence Day holiday travel is predicted to be HUGE. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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It will like take months before the Supreme Court makes a final determination on the legality of Louisiana’s Congressional map. David Grubb has more…

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After a two-year hiatus, the Essence Festival of Culture returns to New Orleans at full strength this holiday weekend. Now in its 27^th year, Essence Fest is the nation’s largest music festival, regularly drawing more than half a million visitors to the city. Councilman Oliver Thomas says there’s no way to overstate its importance for the city and state.

Cut 4 (12)  “…tourism industry.”

New Orleans has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons lately, with concerns over crime and city services. Thomas says this is an opportunity for “The Crescent City” to send a message to the nation that it remains one of America’s premier cultural destinations.

Cut 5 (12) “…we host people.”

This year’s headliners include comedian Kevin Hart, Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson, and New Edition. Attendees will also be able to attend seminars, shop local vendors, and participate in both in-person and virtual events at the Morial Convention Center. Thomas says the star power is unmatched.

Cut 6 (10)  “…second to none.”

Festival organizers say that all attendees are required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for admission. Essence Fest starts tonight and ends Sunday.

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Despite high gasoline costs and increased prices for food and lodging, over 47 million Americans are expected to travel this Independence Day weekend. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says that estimate reflects the second-busiest July 4^th weekend since the year 2000. He says a great many will be on the highways…:

Cut 7 (11) “…travel industry.”

AAA predicts a 6-percent increase in motorists from 2019 for the four-state region of Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma…

Cut 8 (10)  “…our region.”

Redman says, while the number who intend to drive for the holiday is up sharply, airline bookings are down considerably. He says air travel estimates haven’t been this low in over 11 years…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…the airline fees.”

Redman says hotel rates are up over 20-percent, restaurant dining is up over 12-percent, and airfares have increased about 14-percent. Nevertheless, he says, people are ready to get out and go after the pandemic.

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There are 17 new wildlife agents on the job today, they are the most recent graduates of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Academy. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says potential agents undergo a rigorous selection process to before they attend the academy.

Cut 10 (10) “…of the training.”

Einck says it’s an ideal profession individuals who enjoy hunting, fishing, boating or hiking. He says it’s the perfect job for people who love the outdoors.

Cut  11 (11)  “…waterways of the state.” 

The primary focus for a wildlife agent is ecosystem and conservation enforcement along with recreational boating safety. And Einck says another task agents perform is search and rescue.

Cut 12 (08) “…big floods.” 

For more information on becoming a wildlife agent visit LDWF’s website.

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Qualifying for the Congressional elections is next month and based on a ruling from the U-S Supreme Court this week, Louisiana will use the district map approved by the Legislature in February. What if the Supreme Court later rules the map is unconstitutional? ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this fall’s election results will stand…

Cut 13 (07) “…elected.”

Stockley says this is not the first time a Congressional District map drawn up by the Legislature needed the courts to determine if it was legal…

Cut 14 (11)  “…for Louisiana.”

The U-S Supreme Court might not make a final ruling on Louisiana’s Congressional map until after the fall elections. They are also looking at Alabama’s Congressional map. Stockley says based on their recent rulings, he expects the court to rule that it does NOT violate the Voting Rights Act…

Cut 15 (11)  “…stay in effect.”

Stockley says a ruling from the U-S Supreme Court on Louisiana’s map might not come down until next summer.

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Once known as the most prolific offensive team in the NFL, the Saints have been owners of one of its most dangerous defenses the past few seasons, even in the face of some incredible adversity. Defensive end Cam Jordan says overcoming that adversity has given the unit tremendous confidence heading into this season.

Cut 16 (14)  “…is unreal.”

Jay Johnson wasn’t kidding when he said he was going straight to work following the conclusion of LSU’s baseball season. He continues to add talent to his roster at a dizzying rate. One of those newcomers, former Baylor shortstop Jack Pineda, says he chose the Tigers because he wanted to compete with and against the very best players in the nation.

Cut 17 (20) “ …in that conference.” 

Pineda likely slots in at the top of the LSU batting order next season. He says he’s already thinking about how dangerous the Tigers’ lineup could be for opposing pitchers.

Cut 18 (16) “ …of the time.” 

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Since a temporary restraining order was placed on Louisiana’s abortion trigger laws Monday, abortions can continue in the state. Brooke Thorington has more from the Director of the Hope Medical Center for Women in Shreveport.

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Police are investigating a potential hate crime at Delhi High School. David Grubb has more…

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Since a temporary restraining order was placed on Louisiana abortion trigger laws Monday, abortions can continue in the state. Director of the Hope Medical Center for Women in Shreveport, Kathaleen Pittman says since the restraining order they’ve been fully booked with appointments, but they are not making any past July 8^th until a hearing on the order is scheduled.

Cut 3 (09) “…to get in.”

Pittman was a guest on Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana Radio program this morning and she says the reversal of Roe v Wade has been extremely emotional and with all their appointments booked until the court hearing on July 8^th, she’s having to turn patients away.

Cut 4  (11) “…the staff.”

When asked about the safety of terminations in the first trimester Pittman says it actually it’s much safe due to substandard healthcare. Louisiana has a maternal mortality rate and the leading cause of death for pregnant women is murder.

Cut 5  (12) “…increased considerably.”

The Hope Medical Center for Women is one of the three abortion clinics in Louisiana.

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A hearing scheduled for today in U-S District court is canceled as a result of the U-S Supreme Court putting a hold on a lower court ruling that said the Legislature must draw a map that allows for a Black candidate to represent two of the state’s six congressional districts. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski says they were waiting for the Supreme Court to weigh in…

Cut 6 (05) ” ..go through.” 

Stefanski says the U-S Supreme Court’s action on Tuesday that halts the Congressional remap effort is not a final decision on the merits of the case from the nation’s highest court…

Cut 7 (08) “…next election.” 

The U-S Supreme Court is also considering a similar case out of Alabama and will hold arguments on their case in October, so Louisiana’s case will remain on hold until then. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields, a supporter of a second-majority Black district, is hopeful the nation’s highest court will see the approved Congressional map violates the Voting Rights Act…

Cut 8 (07) “…the plantiffs”

The Secretary of State is moving forward with using the map approved in February by the Republican-led Legislature for the fall Congressional elections.

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Delhi police are investigating a potentially disturbing incident at Delhi High School, where a noose was found lying on the stage of its auditorium. Chief Roy Williams says it was discovered by a custodian who notified the Superintendent of Schools. Williams then visited the school personally to assess the situation.

Cut 9 (11) “…and a suspect.”

The suspect is one of the contractors working on renovations at the school, and because of that video cameras within the auditorium were deactivated, leaving no footage of what happened. Chief Williams says the next steps will be taken by the District Attorney’s office.

Cut 10 (10) “…hate crime charge.” 

The incident has been met with outrage among members of the Delhi community. Nooses have long been a symbol of hatred towards Black Americans, and though the contractor says it was “unintentional,” Chief Williams says it is his obligation to provide as much information as possible for the DA to make a determination of just what happened and what should happen.

Cut 11 (11)  “…touchy situation” 

Richland Parish Superintendent Sheldon Jones said that the RPSB will cooperate fully with law enforcement during the investigation.

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We’re starting to see a slow decline, not as fast as it surged but a decline nonetheless in prices at the pump. And while the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is $4.43, Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says it looks like we’ll continue to see a small break-even though prices remain above $4.00 a gallon.

Cut 12 (09) “…statewide.”  

But Redman says the decline in gas prices will be short-lived. He expects them to climb again towards the end of July, or the first of August because refineries will close down for maintenance thus reducing supply.

Cut 13 (12) “…back up.”

Redman says with crude oil prices averaging $110 a barrel as opposed to $125, that’s a reason for the slight decline in prices.

Cut 14 (10)  “…a break.” 

The national average for a gallon of regular gas is $4.87.

The current statewide average for a gallon of diesel is $5.35.