Senate Governmental Affairs debated one of the two congressional map offerings for almost five hours on Thursday. As the court-imposed June 20th deadline to submit a new map looms. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Another property insurance company exits Louisiana; leaving thousands seeking coverage…with the hurricane season already underway. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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State offices are closed today for the first official observance of Juneteenth. David Grubb has more on the meaning of the day…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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As the June 20^th court-imposed deadline lingers, Senate Governmental Affairs debated one bill for almost five hours on Thursday. Committee members voted to hold Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ bill over for debate until Friday. Fields’ bill has two Black-majority districts instead of one. He says delaying the vote is a slippery slope on the existing timeline.

Cut 4 (08)  “…Federal court.”

Committee Chair, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who also has a congressional map bill in the special session, countered when Fields when reminded members of the looming deadline

Cut 5 (07) “…our job.”

Amendments to Fields’ legislation were discussed in committee, one that will negate Field’s map if the courts ultimately rule that the enacted map with only one Black majority is legal. Fields voiced his frustration.

Cut 6 (08)  “…bad advice.”

House Governmental Affairs meets at 9 AM Friday where four congressional maps are on the docket.

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon addresses homeowners’ worries after another property insurance carrier cancels tens of thousands of policies, with hurricane season already  underway. Donelon says Lighthouse Excalibur is the latest in a series of companies to declare insolvency…:

Cut 7 (08) “…a new policy.”

Donelon says Lighthouse is the latest property insurer to cancel or non-renew policies in the wake of three strong hurricanes in 2020 and a major storm, Hurricane Ida, last fall. He says Lighthouse customers have until the end of the month to secure new coverage. Donelon says that’s not ALL of the bad news, though…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…Southern Fidelity Insurance Company.”

Donelon says Lighthouse Excalibur, and now Southern Fidelity, make five companies to exit the state…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…and Lighthouse.”

Donelon says displaced customers can seek assistance getting new coverage by calling the Department of Insurance, or visiting their website at “ldi.louisiana.gov.” He says some may need to use the state’s last-resort property insurer, Louisiana Citizens.

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State offices are closed today for the first official observance of Juneteenth, which became a legal holiday in Louisiana last year. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas, and relayed the news that the Civil War had ended and that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed all those enslaved there two and half years earlier. Baton Rouge Rep. Larry Selders sponsored the legislation and recalls its passage vividly.

Cut 10 (11) “…part of it.”

While Juneteenth celebrations have been held throughout the state for years, many still don’t know the history of the holiday. Selders says the importance of the Juneteenth lies in the awareness and education it generates for citizens of all races.

Cut  11 (09)  “…kids to know.” 

Selders says he’s proud that the state eliminated holidays celebrating the Confederacy through legislation during this past session. He says that many didn’t know they existed, just as they didn’t know the history of Juneteenth, and believes we can reckon with the worst of our shared past while working toward a better future.

Cut 12 (08) “…hopefully they will.” 

Federal offices will be closed on Monday.

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A bipartisan gun safety bill is up for consideration in the US Senate. The bill calls for background checks and billions in funding for community mental health centers. When asked about his thoughts on the legislation on his monthly radio call-in show “Ask the Governor” Governor John Bel Edwards applauds the legislation.

Cut 13 (09) “…Uvalde.”

The bill also calls for extensive background checks for those 18 to 21 wishing to purchase a gun so their juvenile records can be reviewed for violations that would prohibit them from owning a firearm. Edwards who supports Second Amendment Rights is in favor of background checks.

Cut 14 (10)  “…long ago.”

The gun safety bill however does not raise the age from 18 to 21 for those wishing to purchase AR-15 style rifles. Edwards believes the age limit to purchase certain types of guns should be raised.

Cut 15 (11)  “…then either.”

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The Saints wrapped up minicamp yesterday by working indoors to escape the heat. The team had total participation in minicamp and Dennis Allen thinks they laid a great foundation heading into training camp next month.

Cut 16 (21)  “…2022 season.”

Allen says overall he’s been very happy with how the organization has handled the offseason and while he’s excited about the talent on the field and the sidelines, he knows the Saints’ work has just begun.

Cut 17 (18) “ …not satisfied.” 

The expectations in New Orleans are high after last season’s disappointment. Allen knows where the bar is and says the Saints are keeping their focus on continuing to improve each day.

Cut 18 (20) “ …in those areas.” 

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Lawmakers are debating over Congressional Maps in Senate Governmental Affairs after a court-imposed deadline of June 20^th remains in effect for a map with two majority-Black districts. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Shreveport Police and the FBI are asking for help in the search for those responsible for the death of Shamia Little. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

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Lawmakers are discussing two Congressional maps in Senate Governmental Affairs this morning, in an effort to meet the June 20^th court-imposed deadline. In discussions over Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ map, Slidell Senator, and committee chair Sharon Hewitt, who also has a map up for discussion, criticized Fields’ map with two Black-majority districts because it spilt a community in her own district.

Cut 3 (15) “…your plan.”

Jared Evans, with the Legal Defense Fund, endorsed Fields’ Congressional map.

Cut 4  (10) “…called for”

Fields’ map differs from the current enacted map that was approved by the majority-Republican legislature earlier this year. Hewitt believes the current map meets the guidelines set forth by the Voting Rights Act with only one majority Black district.

Cut 5  (12) “…and state law”

With a third of the state’s population Black, Fields says the Congressional map should reflect and allow for proper representation of minorities. He argued that the current map approved by the majority Republican legislature is not fair.

Cut 6  (10) “…not right.” 

US Judge Shelly Dick denied a request from Senate President Page Cortez and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder for a deadline extension to redraw the current congressional map. The deadline of June 20th remains in effect.

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At around 2:20 Thursday morning, five juveniles escaped from the Bridge City Center for Youth. The Office of Juvenile Justice went into an immediate lockdown and notified law enforcement. OJJ spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says law enforcement was able to apprehend some of the suspects shortly after the escape…

Cut 7 (08) “…at-large.” 

Gordon says three of the juveniles were caught around 8:30 this morning, and Thursday afternoon the 17-year-old was apprehended, while the 16-year-old remains at large. The BCCY has established a temporary command center to assist in collecting and distributing information to aid in their capture.

Cut 8 (11) “…Information Database.” 

Authorities are unable to release greater detail about the escapees due to their ages. Law enforcement has received full information on both.

At this time, just how the juveniles were able to get out of the facility remains unknown. Gordon says that staff is trained to remain aware of potential escape attempts, and there are numerous mitigation efforts at these facilities. However….

Cut 9 (10) “…chance that we get.”

If you have information that could help, OJJ asks that you call your local law enforcement or the command center at 504-401-3359.

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Today the FBI announced that it is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of any individuals responsible for the homicide of Shamia Little. The 17-year-old was found deceased about 11 months ago near a park in Shreveport from a single gunshot wound. Special Agent Doug Williams spoke to the media…

Cut 10 (13) ” …the Little family.” 

Shamia Little was last seen alive the night of July 6, 2021, and since that time finding credible information or witnesses has been a problem for both the Shreveport Police and the FBI. Williams says that maybe the reward will provide motivation for someone to come forward.

Cut 11 (11)  “…leads for us.” 

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith says his team has exhausted every lead and that no new information has been brought to law enforcement since last year. Smith pleaded with the public to do everything that they can as well.

Cut 12 (10) “…please help us.”  

Crimes Stoppers is offering an additional three thousand dollars for information. If you have information related to the homicide of Shamia Little, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips-dot-fbi-gov.

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A crime & corruption watchdog group calls for review of a Tangipahoa Parish case wherein a rape victim was ordered to pay child support to her alleged attacker. Metropolitan Crime Commission director Rafael Goyeneche says the victim was just 16 when the attack occurred, and the man she accuses found out she’d had a child five years later…:

Cut 13 (11) “…proved his paternity.”

Crysta Abelseth (pronounced: ABLE-seth), who is now 32, maintains the sexual contact with John Barnes sixteen years ago was not consensual. Barnes discovered he had a child with Abelseth in 2011, and a DNA test confirmed he was the father. Goyeneche says she did lodge a complaint, albeit years after the alleged crime…:

Cut 14 (12)  “…hasn’t been investigated.” 

This year, Tangipahoa Parish Judge Jeff Cashe gave Barnes full custody of the now-16-year-old daughter and ordered Abelseth to pay him child support. Those court records are sealed. Goyeneche says Barnes could be guilty of rape, but – if he is the confirmed father of a child by a then-16-year-old – he should be investigated at least for Canal Knowledge of a Juvenile; not rewarded with child support…:

Cut 15 (13) “…should take place.” 

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