1:30 LRN Newscast June 20

Despite a court order to map a congressional map with two minority districts the legislature failed to deliver. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(42)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The Department of Health reports over 4-thousand new cases of COVID statewide, with 350 currently under hospital care for it. Two new COVID-related deaths are also reported.

 

After recent incidents at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana State Police and The Department of Corrections to provide personnel to those facilities to help with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says the staff shortages extend to service providers needed on-hand to help in the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders and that both are required for these facilities to fulfill their roles…:

CUT 08(09)      “…thing in order.”

OJJ was provided with $5 million for enhancements during the 2022 Regular Legislative Session that can be accessed immediately.

State Police say two teenage girls died Sunday in Ascension Parish, when the car they were in went off the roadway, careened off a tree then crashed into a pond. Both girls were just 16. Trooper say they are unaware if they were properly seatbelted. The crash remains under investigation.

12:30 LRN Newscast June 20

The special legislative session to pass a court-ordered congressional map with two Black majority districts failed to pass and now lawmakers await feedback from the judicial system. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says Republicans weren’t willing to pass any map except the one that passed in the original redistricting session.

Cut 5  (11) “…the committee.”

Even though the session adjourned on the fourth legislative day Senate Governmental Affairs Chair, Slidell Senator Hewitt says Judge Shelly Dick’s order that only allowed them six days to pass a new map wasn’t realistic.

Cut 6  (09) “…to do so.” 

Judge Dick set a court date of June 29th for attorneys to present congressional maps for her consideration while the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has a July 8th court date set.

After recent incidents, that included altercations and an escape, at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed State Police and the Department of Corrections to provide personnel to assist with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice Spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says they welcome the governor’s assistance…

Cut 7 (12) “…of the shift.” 

State Police says two 16-year-old Prairieview teens were killed after their vehicle submerged underwater Sunday afternoon near Bayou Manchac in Ascension Parish. Authorities say Caroline Smith was driving the vehicle and it appears Smith failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle ended up in a private pond also claiming the life of Chole Hamilton. LSP says it’s not clear if seatbelt use was a factor in the crash and it remains under investigation.

11:40 LRN Sportscast June 20

Oklahoma is just one win away from the College World Series final after beating Notre Dame 6-2 on Sunday. Meanwhile, Texas was eliminated following a 10-2 loss to rival Texas A-and-M. Today in Omaha, Auburn faces Stanford in an elimination game at 1 pm, followed by Ole Miss versus Arkansas tonight at 7 pm.

Watching the SEC West invade Nebraska hasn’t been easy for LSU fans or Tigers head coach Jay Johnson. While he’d rather be competing for a championship this week, Johnson says LSU accomplished a lot of good things this past season.

Cut 18 (19) “…as we could.”

The Manning Passing Academy announced its lineup of counselors for the 26th edition of the camp for junior high and high school passers. This year’s crop is the biggest in camp history with 45 college signal-callers invited to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. Included among them are seven projected first-round picks, like Alabama’s Bryce Young and Florida’s Anthony Richardson, as well as LSU’s Myles Brennan, Tulane’s Michael Pratt, and Kohen Granier from Nicholls. The only part of the academy open to the public is the college skills competition on Friday night at John L. Guidry Stadium. Admission is $15 per person. The camp is run, of course, by the first family of Louisiana football. Once again, Archie, Cooper, Peyton, and Eli Manning will all be on hand, with top prospect Arch Manning in attendance.

One of Manning’s top targets, Newman tight end Will Randle has turned down offers from LSU and Tulane among others, announcing his commitment to Texas this past weekend.

The Ragin Cajuns picked up a commitment from E.D. White offensive lineman Matthew Broussard, who made his announcement on Twitter Saturday. He also had offers from UL-Monroe, Nicholls, Southeastern, and Northwestern State.

11:30 LRN Newscast June 20

The special legislative session to pass a court-ordered congressional map with two Black majority districts failed to pass and now lawmakers await feedback from the judicial system. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says despite his efforts with a map that had two Black districts, in the end, the legislature simply had no desire to pass a new map.

Cut 3 (10) “…districts.”

Chair of Senate Governmental Affairs, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the legislature did make a concerted effort, but in the end, she says the votes weren’t there.

Cut 4  (10) “…to support.”

Judge Shelly Dick set a court date of June 29th for attorneys to present congressional maps for her consideration while the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has a July 8th court date set. Attorney General Jeff Landry is petitioning the State Supreme Court’s Court to rule on the matter.

The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5 years of age, a move applauded by one of the top pediatricians in Louisiana. Mark Kline is physician-in-chief and chief medical officer at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. He says this is long overdue…:

Cut 14 (11)  “deaths from occurring.”

A quartet of students from Tulane University is in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to compete in NASA’s RASC-AL forum. Tulane’s Team is one of just 15 finalists invited to present its designs at the competition, with an opportunity for its work to be a part of the 2025 mission to the moon. Graduate student Brock Headen says he never imagined they would get this far.

Cut  11 (07)  “…shooting for it.” 

Tulane’s group will make their presentation tomorrow with two winners to be announced on Thursday.

10:30 LRN Newscast June 20

The special session to redraw the state’s congressional map ended without passing a new map. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick has ordered attorneys to submit maps for her to consider for a June 29th hearing. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says but a map chosen by Dick could be overturned if the appeals court approves the map Republicans approved in February.

Cut 7 (08) “…clue right now.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he intends to sign into law a replacement for Louisiana’s so-called “trigger law” that bans all abortions even though it doesn’t provide exceptions for rape or incest. Despite interest groups’ calls for a veto, Edwards says killing the bill will accomplish nothing at all…:

Cut 10 (09) “…exception either.”

The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5 years of age. Dr. Mark Kline is the physician-in-chief and chief medical officer at Children’s Hospital New Orleans says both shots are safe and effective. And he wants to let parents know it’s a myth that kids can’t get Covid, or that they wouldn’t get very sick if they did…:

Cut 16 (13)  “all preventable illnesses”

A murder in Natchitoches resulted in a police chase of the suspect; all the way into Rapides Parish, where the suspect crashed his vehicle. Authorities say a 24-year-old North Carolina man shot the victim, abducted his girlfriend and ran. The woman escaped the car in Alexandria, but the officers chased the man to Glenmora, where he ran off the road. He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot and is currently in the hospital. He’ll be jailed once released.

09:30 LRN Newscast June 20

Attention parents or grandparents of toddlers: the federal Food & Drug Administration authorizes the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines for kids under 5. Children’s Hospital-New Orleans Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Klein says many adults will be eager to get their kids the shots, but just as many will be nervous or reluctant. He says it’s up to healthcare pros to keep parents properly informed…:

CUT 15(05)      “…for their kids.”

Klein says side effects so far are mild fever and soreness at the injection sight. He says the risks to children are outweighed by the benefits.

Two Livingston Parish girls are dead after the car they were in went off the roadway and into a pond near Bayou Manchac Sunday. They’re identified as Chloe Hamilton and Caroline Smith. Both just 16 and both from Prairieville. The crash is under investigation.

 

Lawmakers failed to pass a congressional map with two Black majority districts despite a June 20th court-ordered deadline.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(38)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Deputies in St. Tammany Parish arrest a Mandeville man, after his dog died from being left chained up outside, in extreme heat, with no food, water or shelter. The dog’s owner, Chris Jackson is charged with aggravated animal cruelty, which is a felony.

08:30 LRN Newscast June 30

A second special legislative session on redistricting has broken down, with lawmakers unable to agree on a congressional district map with two majority-Black voting districts. A federal judge had given lawmakers until the end of today to deliver her that map. Now that judge will decide a new map during a hearing next week. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says even though a third of the state’s population is Black, it’s a tall order to map out a second district that’s 52 to 56% majority Black…:

CUT 06(10)      “…years ago.”

Governor Edwards issued a statement calling the legislature’s failure “disappointing.”

The governor says he’ll sign into law a new “trigger bill” to ban most abortions in Louisiana, should the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturn “Roe versus Wade.” He says this bill has exceptions for medical reasons, but hoped lawmakers would show compassion to rape or incest victims…:

CUT 09(10)      “…to term.”

 

Engineering students from Tulane University are among a select group competing for a chance to have their work sent into space. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 03(36)      “…David Grubb.”

Shreveport eatery “Eddie’s Restaurant” will be featured this week on Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.” Chef Robert Irvine brought in his crew to revamp, redecorate and revitalize the dining spot. You can catch the episode, titled “Legacy on the Line”, this Thursday at 7 PM.

6:45 LRN Sportscast June 20

Texas is the first team to be eliminated from the College World Series after the Longhorns fell to Texas A-and-M 10-2 on Sunday. The Aggies will face Oklahoma Tuesday afternoon following the Sooners 6-2 win over Notre Dame. Today in Omaha, Stanford takes on Auburn followed by Arkansas and Ole Miss.

Over the past week LSU baseball lost a pair of assistants as top recruiter Dan Fitzgerald and pitching coach Jason Kelly accepted head coaching  jobs at Kansas and Washington respectively. Coach Jay Johnson says they’ll be tough to replace but doesn’t expect the Tigers to miss a beat.

Cut 17 (16) “ …(x2) all will be well.” 

–BREAK

Newman tight end Will Randle has turned down offers from LSU and Tulane among others, announcing his commitment to Texas this past weekend. Randle made his visit to Austin with Greenies star quarterback Arch Manning, the top recruit in the 2023 class.

The Ragin Cajuns picked up a commitment from E.D. White offensive lineman Matthew Broussard, who made his announcement on Twitter Saturday. He also had offers from UL-Monroe, Nicholls, Southeastern, and Northwestern State.

The New Orleans Breakers lost to the Houston Gamblers 20-3 on Sunday night and will go into the USFL playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 6-4 record. The Breakers will face Birmingham this Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio with a spot in the inaugural USFL championship game on the line.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick won the US Open by one stroke; his first PGA Tour major championship. Fitzpatrick, who also won the US Amateur at Brookline in 2013, becomes the 13th player to win both, and just the second to do so on the same course.

07:30 LRN Newscast June 20

Governor Edwards says he will likely sign a bill replacing Louisiana’s “trigger law” that will take effect if the Supreme Court overturns “Roe v. Wade.” More from Michelle Southern…:

CUT 02(28)      “…Michelle Southern.”

State Police report two teenage boys were struck by traffic and killed, on the I-10 frontage road near Jennings, in Jeff Davis Parish. Troopers say 18-year-old Kyle Vidrine and 17-year-old Brannon Adams were standing outside their broken down vehicle at the time. The driver who hit them says he couldn’t see them in headlight glare from oncoming cars. Blood toxicology samples were taken from that driver and the victims, to determine of impairment played a role in the accident.

 

Lawmakers failed to pass a congressional map with two Black majority districts despite a June 20th court-ordered deadline. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes the Republican majority legislature is counting on the appeals court to approve their current map with only one Black majority district…:

CUT 04(12)      “…with them.”

Five different congressional maps were filed in the special session and two of the maps sponsored by Democrats failed to make it out of committee after hours of emotional debate. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick, has ordered attorneys to submit maps for her to consider for a June 29th hearing.

The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5. Children’s Hospital New Orleans Chief Medical Officer Mark Kline says this is long overdue…:

CUT 14(11)      “…deaths from occurring.”

06:30 LRN Newscast June 20

Lawmakers failed to pass a congressional map with two Black majority districts despite a June 20th court-ordered deadline.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(38)      “…Brooke Thorington”

You may have noticed gas prices dropping a small amount. The statewide average price of regular is now at $4.54; down a penny from Thursday, but still 28-cents more than a month ago. Experts say we can expect prices like this through the summer at least.

 

Governor John Bel Edwards says he intends to sign into law a replacement for Louisiana’s so-called “trigger law” that bans all abortions, should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn “Roe versus Wade.” On his monthly radio program, the governor says the law passed under Governor Kathleen Blanco has no exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or any other mitigating factor. He says Senate Bill 342 does have some…:

CUT 08(14)      “…life of the mother.”

Edwards says it’s better to sign a bill with a few exceptions than to veto it and have none whatsoever, should the federal High Court’s ruling on “Roe” ever be reversed.

A murder in Natchitoches resulted in a police chase of the suspect; all the way into Rapides Parish, where the suspect crashed his vehicle. Authorities say a 24-year-old North Carolina man shot the victim, abducted his girlfriend and ran. The woman escaped the car in Alexandria, but the officers chased the man to Glenmora, where he ran off the road. He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot and is currently in the hospital. He’ll be jailed once released.