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 8th 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.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is down another penny today to $4.42. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman doesn’t expect a huge in surge in prices with the fourth of July holiday coming up….
cut 12 (09) “…statewide”
Redman says prices could climb again at the end of July when some refiniries shut down for some much needed maintenance.

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

Authorities are investigating a noose that was found inside the auditorium at Delhi High School in Richland Parish. Delhi Police Chief Roy Williams says an employee of a contractor performing renovation work inside the auditorium is the suspect…
cut 11 (11) “….touchy situation”
Williams says once he completes an investigation he’ll turn the information over to the local D-A to determine if the suspect should be charged with a hate crime.

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.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The FBI has opened an investigation into sex abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans that will look into decades of allegations of abuse, including whether priests took children across state lines to molest them, according to a report by The Associated Press. More than a dozen alleged victims have been interviewed so far.

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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. The high court is considering a similar case out of Alabama and will hold arguments on that 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 SCOTUS will find that the approved Congressional map violates the Voting Rights Act…

Cut 8 (07) “…the plaintiffs.”

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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. 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. Here’s Chief Roy Williams.

Cut 10 (10) “…hate crime charge.”

The U-S Supreme Court has put a hold on a federal judge’s order that Louisiana must have a Congressional District map where two of the six Congressional districts should favor a candidate. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanksi says the U-S Supreme Court’s action is not a final decision on the merits of the case…
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. Louisiana Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry….
cut 15 (11) “,….here in Louisiana”
The Secretary of State is moving forward with using the map approved in February by the Republican-led Legislature for the fall Congressional elections.

Louisiana’s three abortion clinics are open as a result of New Orleans judge putting a temporary restraining order on a Louisiana law that bans most abortions because of the reversal of Roe Versus Wade. Katahaleen Pittman is the director of the Hope Medical Center for Women in Shreveport and she says they are trying to squeeze in as many appointments as they can before a July 8th court hearing…
cut 4 (11) “…the staff”

Delhi police are investigating a potentially disturbing incident at Delhi High School, where a noose was found at the school. Chief Roy Williams…
Cut 9 (11) “…and a suspect.”
Williams says the suspect claims it was unintentional, but the chief plans on forwarding the results of his investigation to the local district attorney’s office.

Since a temporary restraining order was placed on Louisiana abortion trigger laws Monday, abortions can continue. In an interview on Talk Louisiana this morning Director of the Hope Medical Center for Women in Shreveport Kathaleen Pittman says all their appointments booked until the July 8^th court hearing and she’s having to turn patients away.

Cut 4  (11) “…the staff.”

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 rulings 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.” 

Governor Edwards signed into law another abortion-related bill last week; making it a crime for a company to send abortion pills through the mail. Bill author, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who says the so-called “morning after pill” – which is actually usable up to 10 weeks – should only be taken by a woman under a doctor’s supervision…:

CUT 24 (11)      “…with this legislation”

That law takes effect August 1^st.

A Louisiana legal advocates group says they’ll offer help to persons who find themselves facing criminal charges related to abortion. Here’s Fair Fight Initiative founding member David Utter…:

CUT 10(09)      “…legal counsel.”

For more information visit FairFightInitiative-dot org.

The U-S Supreme Court has halted an effort for Louisiana to have two black majority Congressional districts. That means the 2022 Congressional election will use the map approved by the Republican-led Legislature that has one majority Black district out of six. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has been leading the push for a second majority minority district.
cut 14 (11) “….ruling of the court”
Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry says he’s grateful the Supreme Court ended this legal circus.

Fair Fight Initiative, which is a group of lawyers, say they will provide free legal services for anyone who is charged for participating in an abortion. Attorney David Utter…
cut 12 (09) “….been healthcare”
A New Orleans judge has put a hold on Louisiana’s abortion ban trigger laws.

A law set to get into effect on August first, would make it illegal to send drugs through the mail that can result in an abortion. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt is author of the legislation…
cut 6 (10) “….with these pills”
The Food and Drug Administration approved the drugs 20 years ago and the U-S Attorney General says states can not ban these drugs.

We are heading into the fourth of July weekend. Todd Tullier with Louisiana Fireworks says so far, sales have been in line with what he’s seen the past few years. He expects with the high price of gas, and the 4th of July falling on a Monday, people may be more interested in some explosive at-home entertainment…..
cut 8 (09) “….do it themselves”
Tullier says the COVID pandemic generated a boost in sales as public gatherings were limited and families were forced to stay home.

The Governor has signed a bill into law that bans selling “morning after” abortion pills in Louisiana via mail order. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In Delhi Police are searching for the person who left a noose inside Delhi High School’s auditorium. A custodian found the noose last week. Police Chief Roy Williams says the community is extremely upset over the fining and the suspect will be charged with a hate crime and could face up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The Fair Fight Initiative provides legal services for those who otherwise can’t afford it. Attorney General Jeff Landry says he will defend the abortion ban to the fullest extent in Louisiana. Fair Fight Initiative founding member, David Utter they are prepared to fight.

Cut  11 (12)  “…Gen Landry.” 

A temporary restraining order on the abortion ban will be heard July 8^th until then abortions can still be performed in Louisiana.

The United States Supreme Court issues a hold on a lower court ruling that Louisiana must draw a new congressional map. Federal Judge Shelly Dick was to receive a map with two Black majority districts drawn by attorneys today.  But Attorney General Jeff Landry petitioned the high court for the map passed by the majority Republican legislature to be effective for the fall 2022 election…:

Cut 13 (08) “…by that legislature (x2).”

The U. S. Supreme Court issues a hold on Baton Rouge federal Judge Shelly Dick’s court order for state lawmakers to draw a new congressional district map that has two majority-Black districts. State Attorney General Jeff Landry is happy with the ruling, and says the High Court will be making hard rulings on district maps for Louisiana and Alabama later this year…:

CUT 15  (11)        “…here in Louisiana.”

Democrat state Senator Cleo Fields, of Baton Rouge, authored one of the two-Black-district maps. He says he is disappointed but continue to fight for districts to more accurately reflect the minority population of the state…:

CUT 14  (11)        “…ruling of the court.”

A Louisiana legal advocates group says they’ll offer help to persons who find themselves facing criminal charges related to abortion. Here’s Fair Fight Initiative founding member David Utter…:

CUT 10(09)      “…legal counsel.”

The current ban on abortions in Louisiana has been lifted due to a temporary restraining order that’s in effect until a July 8^th hearing.

A new law signed by Governor Edwards makes it a crime to ship abortion pills to Louisiana, via parcel delivery or mail-order. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt authored the bill. She says it applies to at-home, self-treatment using the morning after pill, and does not ban legitimate, doctor-guided use…:

CUT 05(12)      “…the law.”

That new law takes effect August 1^st.

Governor Edwards signed into law another abortion-related bill last week; making it a crime for a company to send abortion pills through the mail or parcel delivery. The original bill’s author is Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who says the so-called “morning after pill” – which is actually usable up to 10 weeks – should only be taken by a woman under a licensed doctor’s supervision…:

CUT 04(11)      “…with this legislation”

Under the new law, a woman wanting to use the pill to end a pregnancy would have to do so under a doctor’s care and would only have ten weeks from conception to do so. That law takes effect August 1^st.

In Shreveport, opening statements are expected today in the trial of Dewayne Watkins; accused of kidnapping & robbing a couple, then killing them and burning their bodies inside a car. This happened in 2018. The Caddo D.A. is seeking a death sentence, should the jury find Watkins guilty of 2^nd degree murder.

Fireworks and the Fourth…David Grubb tells us how local retailers are hoping for a boom this holiday weekend…:

CUT 02(33)      “…David Grubb”

If you’re using fireworks this weekend, please be extra careful. Fireworks-related injuries are up 25% over the past 15 years, and 9 Americans died while using fireworks last year. Most common injuries are severe burns from sparklers and fuses and trauma from firecrackers going off in one’s hand. Keep a bucket of water handy while setting off your display as well.

Once abortion trigger laws go into effect in Louisiana a performing physician could be heavily fined and serve jail time, but a legal advocacy group says they’ll defend their case. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

There’s also a newly signed law that would punish those who provide abortion pills via mail order or parcel delivery. It would punish the provider with fines and even jail time. The women who take the pills would not be prosecuted. That bill takes effect August 1^st.

The United States Supreme Court issues a hold on a lower court ruling that Louisiana must draw a new congressional map. Federal Judge Shelly Dick was to receive a map with two Black majority districts drawn by attorneys today.  But Attorney General Jeff Landry petitioned the high court for the map passed by the majority Republican legislature to be effective for the fall 2022 election…:

CUT 13(08)      “…by that legislature.”

Baton Rouge Democrat Senator Cleo Fields says he’s disappointed, but he’ll continue to fight for that second majority Black district.

Buying fireworks for the Fourth? Todd Tullier of Louisiana Fireworks in Denham Springs says some traditional items like sparklers and smaller firecrackers may be harder to come by, but there’s plenty of “the big stuff”…:

CUT 07(08)      “…ready to go.”

Make sure it’s legal to use fireworks in your area.