The U.S. Justice Department formally announces its investigation of the Louisiana State Police over numerous roadside beatings in recent years – mostly of Black men. Ronald Greene died during such an encounter with troopers. DOJ Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke says they are asking for the public to share what they know about these type incidents…:

CUT 12(08)      “…the department.”

She says they have also received full cooperation from the LSP and Governor John Bel Edwards.

The legislative session that ended Monday was good to higher education. State Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says a 12-percent funding increase will help to do a lot. She says there’s also million for a financial aid program for adult learners…:

CUT 04(09)      “…real difference.”

That program is named for former Governor Mike Foster.

A recent AAA survey done in Florida shows a large number of respondents said the cost of gas would deter them from evacuating for a hurricane. Here in Louisiana, gas is at $4.50 a gallon and climbing. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says evacuating will cost an average family of four about $1000, and you need to do whatever is necessary to be prepared for that…:

CUT 09(11)      “….to evacuate.”

Redman says gas prices will get worse before they get better.

Congratulations to Lake Charles Chef Amanda Cusey, who won the 15^th annual Louisiana Seafood Cookoff this week in Lafayette. She’s Top Chef at Villa Harlequin in L.C. and says she entered just to have some fun…:

CUT 13(09)      “…number one.”

He winning dish was a pan-seared red drum over tomato polenta with crawfish cream sauce.

Question: if a hurricane is approaching and you’re advised to evacuate…will you let the high cost of gasoline deter you? A large number of respondents to a AAA poll in Florida said “yes”, they’d consider hunkering at home to save the cash. Here in Louisiana GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says the state is taking those concerns into consideration as it puts its systems for this hurricane season into place…:

CUT 06(12)      “…in their planning.”

The statewide average for regular gas hit $4.50 this morning. As you know the price often spikes even higher when a storm approaches.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a local man they say broke into a business and attempted to rape the two guard dogs there. Security video captured disturbing images of 28-year-old Rage Hewitt’s assault on the animals. He was arrested Wednesday for aggravated cruelty to animals, attempted sexual abuse of an animal and unauthorized entry.

The legislative session that ended Monday produced a banner year for higher education funding. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation of Louisiana State Police, after several roadside beating incidents over the past few years have come to light; many of those Black men. It’s the first federal investigation of a law enforcement agency in over twenty years.

The U.S. Department of Justice announces a pattern or practice investigation of State Police after reports of civil rights violations including the beatings of Black men. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(38)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Meanwhile, Union Parish D.A. John Belton, who is prosecuting the Ronald Greene case locally, has announced he will run for Louisiana Attorney General in 2023. Current AG Jeff Landry is rumored to be planning to ruin for governor.

Troubling news out of Florida, as a recent survey of residents there indicates a good many would NOT evacuate for a hurricane, because of skyrocketing fuel costs. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says gasoline assistance for emergencies IS available here, but you’ll need to register to get that help sooner rather than later…:

CUT 07(10)      “…to these factors.”

The statewide average price of regular gas today is $4.50-a-gallon.

The legislature was very good to Higher Education this year; increasing funding by about 12-percent overall. That will include decent faculty pay raises. Higher Ed Commissioner Dr. Kim Hunter Reed says that will help the state keep its best professors…:

CUT 03(10)      “…grateful for this.”

The U-S Justice Department announced its opened a pattern or practice investigation into State Police to determine whether LSP uses excessive force and engages in racially discriminatory policing against Black residents and other people of color…
cut 11 (08) “…the head”
That’s Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. She says the investigation will include a comprehensive review of LSP policies, training, supervision, and force investigations.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached $4.50 for the first time and Triple-A’s Don Redman says there’s no relief in sight, in fact, it may get worse…
cut 8 (12) “….the fall”

Higher education will see a record increase in funding for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The money contained in the budget for universities and colleges contains a pay raise for faculty, the largest capital outlay allocation to higher ed, money to help adult learners go back to school and there are also five million dollars for title nine and power-based violence training programs. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed..
cut 5 (10) “….work”

Lake Charles chef Amanda Cusey is this year’s winner of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-off which took place this week in Lafayette. Cusey cooked a pan-seared red drum over tomato polenta with crawfish cream sauce. The Arizona native makes Italian dishes at Villa Harequin in Lake Charles…
cut 14 (09) “….in Ireland”
Cusey will represent Louisiana in the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans in August.

The Justice Department formally announces its civil investigation of the Louisiana State Police. Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division says they will focus on two main issues.

Cut 10 (18) ” …of color.” 

The civil investigation is separate from the criminal investigation surrounding the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene.

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A recent survey of Floridians by Triple-A indicates that many people could be discouraged from evacuating for a hurricane threat due to the high price of gas. Mike Steele, communications director with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the state is taking those concerns into consideration as it puts its systems for this hurricane season in place.

Cut 6  (12) “…in their planning.” 

—

The legislative session produced a banner year for higher education funding. Jeff Palermo has the story…..

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The U-S Department of Justice announced a short time ago its launched an extensive civil rights investigation looking whether State Police has a pattern of abusing black drivers and targeting Black residents. The D-O-J says its goal is to ensure L-S-P’s policing policies and practices are constitutional and lawful.

The Legislature approved a bill that will allow students seeking TOPS eligibility to substitute computer coding for foreign language credits because there’s a great need for coders. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says unless Louisiana starts making some aggressive changes, it might be impossible to develop enough qualified candidates to meet demand.
Cut 11 (12) “…next five years.”
Critics of the legislation also say learning a foreign language is also essential.

The latest report from trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund says the program will be insolvent by the year 2034. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says that means in 12 years there will not be enough money to pay the full benefits promised to seniors and those who will be on retirement then.
Cut 13 (05) “…cliff.”
Cassidy says current law would require 24 to 36-percent automatic cuts if the federal government doesn’t act.

Next month Louisiana will launch the M-J Foster Scholars program which wil provide adult learners with financial aid in order to be trained in high-demand and highwafe field. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the budget that goes into effect contains ten million dollars for this new financial aid program…
cut 4 (09) “….real difference”

Higher education in Louisiana is receiving a 12-percent increase in state funding, the largest ever state funding increase for higher ed. Nearly 32-million dollars will be used to give the largest state-funded faculty pay increase since 2007. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the pay raise will help the state keep its best professors

Cut 3 (10) “…for this.”

A bill that’s made its way to the governor’s desk will allow trucks to pull two 20-foot containers to and from shipping ports. Now they still have to be under the state’s 37-thousand pounds per axle limit. But Norco Senator Gary Smith hopes his legislation can help with supply chain issues…

Cut 6 (12)  “…it needs to go.”
The state transportation department will issue the annual permits and the new tandem load permit can only be used on designated roadways.

The latest report from trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund says the program will be insolvent by the year 2034. Senator Bill Cassidy says this is an issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible and current laws regarding social security would greatly reduce monthly benefits for those collecting benefits.

Cut 14 (10)  “…an option.”

Cassidy met with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen who says she’s willing to meet with Republican lawmakers to address the issue.

The FDA advisory committee is recommending that the FDA give full approval to Novavax, which is another COVID vaccine. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says it’s best to have as many different vaccines as possible that use different technologies to combat a virus that he says is here to stay.

Cut 9 (10)  “…by it.”

Due to the special legislative session to redraw the Congressional district map that was rejected by a federal judge the House Special Committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene hearing that was scheduled for the 16^th will be rescheduled. Governor John Bel Edwards was on the agenda to testify before the committee but due to the special session that will begin on the 15^th House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has postponed the hearing.

The legislature approved a bill that will allow students seeking TOPS eligibility to substitute computer coding for foreign language credits because there’s a great need for coders. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says unless Louisiana starts making some aggressive changes, it might be impossible to develop enough qualified candidates to meet demand.

Cut  11 (12)  “…next five years.” 

Big rigs pulling tandem trailers will be seen again on Louisiana roadways as a result of legislation by Norco Senator Gary Smith. DOTD will issue the permits, which will only be allowed for travel on designated highways to a from shipping ports. And Smith says the bill has a “sunset” of four years; meaning it has to be revisited down the road…:

Cut 5 (12) “…the trucking out there.”

The FDA advisory committee is recommending that the FDA give full approval to Novavax which is another COVID vaccine. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says the vaccine consists of two shots that deliver a small amount of the COVID spike protein so your immune system will respond and build antibodies.

Cut 8 (07)  “…and purified.”

Novavax is like more traditional vaccines and does not use RNA technology