A research website ranks Louisiana worst for mass shooting incidents, based on population. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

____________________________________

On Tuesday, the Congressional Naming Commission recommended that Fort Polk be renamed for World War I legend Sgt. William Henry Johnson. David Grubb has more on the American hero…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

_____________________________________

Senatorial candidate Luke Mixon says it’s time for Congress to enact universal background checks on firearm sales. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries anticipates a large number of boaters on state waterways this Memorial Day Weekend as more individuals are staying closer to home due to gas prices. Lt. Tim Fox says in light of recent boating and water fatalities he says always have a sober operator when on the water.

Cut 4 (09)  “…priority number one.”

Fox says to always have properly fitting lifejackets for everyone on the boat and to make sure they are in working condition. He says even if you are a great swimmer, it’s best to be wearing one in case things go awry.

Cut 5 (08) “…get to you.”

Fox says over the years they’ve seen several accidents that could have been prevented with proper training. He recommends taking a boating course to learn the best way to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Cut 6 (09)  “…good decisions.”

For a link to the boating course visit this story on Louisiana Radio Network.com

________________________________________

Research website “GunViolenceArchive.org” reports Louisiana leads the nation in mass shooting per capita. Just this calendar year alone, there have been 16 mass shootings that killed 9 people and injured 79 others. New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission director Rafael Goyeneche says gang activity & youth anger accounts for most of the violence. He calls it “retaliatory street justice”…:

Cut 7 (11) “…any innocent bystanders.”

The website ranks our state highest in such shooting incidents by population. By comparison, Texas has had 21 so far this year, and California 20…but those states have over 7 times more people. Goyeneche says the ranking report doesn’t even include potentially hundreds of other gun violence incidents statewide…:

Cut 8 (14)  “…are shot or killed.”

What can be done about it? Goyeneche says more law enforcement officers on the street would help…:

Cut 9 (11)  “…lost 65 officers.”

He says NOPD graduated only 8 police cadets during the same span in which they lost dozens of cops. Baton Rouge, the state’s 2^nd-most-violent city, has a similar problem with a diminishing police force.

________________________________________

Earlier this week the Congressional Naming Commission recommended that Fort Polk, located in Vernon Parish, be renamed for World War I legend Sgt. William Henry Johnson. LSU military history professor, Dr. Martin Loicano says despite being down to just a knife and after suffering 21 separate wounds, he kept the Germans at bay on the Argonne Line in France in May of 1918.

Cut 10 (09) “…by himself.”

Johnson’s story began in a segregated military where he was not allowed to fight alongside white American soldiers, though he was embraced by other Allied Forces. Loicano says after recovering from his wounds Johnson continued to fight, eventually earning the nickname “Black Death.” Johnson was one of the first heroes of the war and the first American to receive the prestigious Croix de Guerre (Krwa de Gair) from the French military.

Cut  11 (09)  “…than most are.” 

Despite his heroism in combat Sgt. Johnson returned home to a lack of opportunity and died in poverty at age 36. Dr. Loicano says Johnson’s story is a reminder of the many Black soldiers who have long fought for their country even when it didn’t always fight for them.

Cut 12 (13) “…that was given.” 

The Naming Commission will submit all recommendations for Congressional approval by Oct. 1.

_______________________________________

Senatorial candidate Democrat Luke Mixon says it’s time for Congress to enact universal background checks on firearm sales. Mixon is calling out his Republican opponent Senator John Kennedy who’s expressed sympathy for those impacted by the school shooting in Texas. Mixon says what we are doing isn’t working.

Cut 13 (04) “…control.”

Senator Bill Cassidy has made a recent statement that expanded background checks and red flag laws would not have prevented the tragedy in Texas. But Mixon says a large majority of Americans support universal background checks.

Cut 14 (08)  “…right thing.”

Mixon who is a gun owner himself says he supports Second Amendment rights but says laws should be enacted to promote responsible gun ownership.

Cut 15 (12)  “…background check.”

Mixon is one of three Democratic candidates who’ve announced their candidacy for Senate. Activist Gary Chambers and Vacherie native Syrita Steib.

___________________________________________

The Saints completed the first of three sessions of organized team activities or OTAs on Thursday, their first under new coach Dennis Allen. Though there wasn’t 100 percent participation, Allen says the team set a solid foundation as far as building team chemistry and establishing how they want to work.

Cut 16 (17)  “…where we’re at.”

One person absent from practice has been star wide receiver, Michael Thomas. Thomas missed all of last season and nine games the season before that due to ankle and hamstring injuries. The record holder for most catches in a single season is expected to play a major role in the new-look Saints offense and is expected back for the start of training camp in July.

Cut 17 (11) “ …pushing for.” 

It’s only been three practices, but new safety Tyrann Mathieu has already made his impression felt. Dennis Allen says the three-time All-Pro has been exactly that from the moment he walked into the facility.

Cut 18 (20) “ …benefit us.” 

The next session of OTAs is from May 31-June 2.

______________________________________________

An effort to hold former state police leader, Colonel Kevin Reeves, in contempt of the Legislature has been put on hold after an agreement is made on the viewing of his personal journals. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________

As Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying monthly hurricane restoration charges totaling $4.5 billion, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is crying foul. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

A bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students.

Cut 3 (09) “..they need.”

Freeman told committee members that many female students miss class due to a lack of access to feminine products and providing them will ease that burden.

Cut 4  (06) “…for them.”

House Bill 195 advances but after the state budget has already been approved. The question of how schools will pay for menstrual products was also discussed. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson spoke in support of the bill and recommended the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus assist in locating funding.

Cut 5  (07) “…get appropriations.”

The bill has been referred to Senate Finance.

___________________________________________________

Ponchatoula police have made multiple arrests involving firearms in recent weeks. The first took place in a Walmart parking on May 18 when officers responded to a call of an individual pointing a gun at children. Chief Bry Layrisson says two men, 22-year-old Kylin Sexton and 25-year-old Tyshon Coleman, both of Hammond were taken into custody.

Cut 6  (10) “…incidents occurred.” 

A search of the duo’s vehicle produced multiple Glock 9 millimeter handguns, more than 15-hundred pills suspected to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride, as well marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Chief Layrisson says the two suspects didn’t do a very good job of being inconspicuous.

Cut 7 (10) “…acting a fool.” 

This past Sunday, officers were called to the Ponchatoula Community Center after two men showed guns during a fight. Two suspects were arrested, 18-year-old Charles Wheeler and a 16-year-old juvenile. An AR-15 and AK-47 were found at the scene.

Cut 8 (12) “…were harmed.” 

_____________________________________________________

Former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves has agreed to turn over his personal journals by tomorrow afternoon if they remain sealed from public view in order to avoid a contempt charge.  Houma Representative Tanner Magee is seeking to hold Reeves in contempt after he withheld certain pages from the journals from a committee investigating the state police custody death of Ronald Greene…

Cut 9 (12) “…for now.”

Reeves’ attorney Lewis Unglesby says his client has nothing to hide and that the pages lawmakers are seeking to see do not contain any new information about Greene’s death…

Cut 10 (10) ” …told you.” 

Reeves’ personal financial information contained in the journals will be redacted.

A special House committee looking into Greene’s violent arrest by State Police in May of 2019 in Union Parish says Reeves’ journal entries are critical to an investigation into a possible cover-up by State Police. But Unglesby believes it’s unfair how the committee is treating Reeves…

Cut 11 (12)  “…in any way” 

Unglesby says the blame should be put on Trooper Chris Hollingsworth who was involved in Greene’s beating. Hollingsworth died 16 months later in a single-vehicle crash.

_____________________________________________________

Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying hurricane restoration charges monthly for the next several years. However, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s time for the utility provider to pay their fair share after giving stockholders $3 billion in dividends and the CEO a one million dollar raise.

Cut 12 (12) “…the people.”  

Campbell says costs incurred to restore power after storms are typically passed along to customers and the estimated tally from Entergy is $4.5 billion.

Cut 13 (08) “…the roof.”

The outspoken commissioner believes there are enough members who share his view and they could vote for Entergy to pay for at least 20-percent of restoration costs. Campbell also questions the utility provider’s business practices.

Cut 14 (12)  “…territory.”

Campbell says he questioned Entergy CEO and Chairman Leo Denault about his reported trip during Ida and Denault confirmed he was in Colorado.