There is some clean-up to do around the state from yesterday’s powerful line of thunderstorms that caused scattered damage. Severe damage was done to Tallulah Academy in Madison Parish and in Natchitoches Parish, a baby survived after a tree fell on the home where she was sleeping. The tree missed the toddler by inches.

If you are 50 or older or even 12 and older but immunocompromised you are now eligible for a second COVID booster shot. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

This year’s U-S Senate race still has time to heat up, but right now Republican John Kennedy is a clear favorite to retain his seat as 53-percent of voters plan to vote for the state’s junior U-S Senator this fall. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says Kennedy may not need a runoff to win…
Cut 14 (12) “…settled in November”
Democratic challengers Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon are getting 14 and seven percent of the vote respectively based on this JMC Analytics poll.

A bat-killing fungus has been found in Louisiana. The state department of wildlife and fisheries says the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome has been found on Brazilian free-tailed bats in Natchitoches Parish. LDWF disease biologist Nikki Anderson says there’s no treatment for white-nose syndrome. Andreson describes what to look for to spot a diseased bat…
cut 10 (09) “…call me”
The phone number is 1-800-256-2749.

Wednesday’s severe weather caused scattered damage throughout the state. In Natchitoches Parish, strong winds knocked two trees on a home, but a baby sleeping inside was not injured. Storm damage is also being reported in Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Richland, Madison, and Tangipahoa Parishes.

For the first time since the Buddy Roemer years, the state legislature has overridden a governor’s veto. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The FDA and CDC expand eligibility for a second COVID booster shot for older adults and those who are immunocompromised. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says a second booster should be given at least four months after the first one for those 50 and older and to those ages 12 and older who are immunocompromised.
Cut 11 (12) “…work properly.”

A JMC Analytics Poll shows Senator John Kennedy can be re-elected this fall without the need of a run-off. Pollster John Couvillon says 53-percent of the respondents in the survey voted for Kennedy, while Democratic challengers Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon received 14 and seven percent of the vote respectively…
cut 15 (09) “…Mixon does”
Qualifying for the race is in July.

The Louisiana House voted to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of a Republican-drawn Congressional map that has one majority Black District. 70 votes were needed in the 105 member House. Speaker Clay Schexnayder reads the final vote

Cut 12 (06) “…(applause)” 

There are 68 Republicans in the House and all of them voted for the override, plus three independents and Democratic Representative Francis Thompson.

After the House vote, there was an emotional debate in the upper chamber. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson claims supporters of a Congressional map with one majority-minority district are choosing party over people.

Cut 13 (13) “…what’s right”

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says it matters where the Black population lives and the population is not dense enough to create two majority-minority districts and the Voting Rights Act supports their argument…

Cut 15 (12) “…in their population” 

A lawsuit is expected to be filed challenging the Congressional District map approved that has one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields expects the courts will toss it out and make the Legislature draw a new map…

Cut  16 (09) “…needs to do”

The vote in the Senate to override was 27-11. It’s the first time 31 years the Legislature has overridden a governor’s veto.

The Louisiana House and Senate have each voted to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ vetoes of congressional district maps passed last month in a special session. Edwards objected to the maps failure to create a second majority Black congressional voting district. The Senate’s override passed by a 27-to-11 vote. Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson says, because a third of Louisiana’s voters are Black, a third of the six districts should reflect that…:

CUT 14(09)      “…one member in Congress.”

But Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt says it’s not quite that simple…:

CUT 15(14)      “…in the population.”

The maps will eventually wind up in federal court.

As a line of strong thunderstorms moves across Louisiana, please keep an ear or eye to weather information sources for updates on possible damaging winds, hail, heavy showers and even tornados. We have an unconfirmed report of a twister touching down in Richland Parish this afternoon. More are possible, so try to be prepared if you can.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office issues an open burn safety warning after four individuals were killed in separate burns that got out of control. Brooke Thorington explains..:

CUT 02(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Senator Bill Cassidy tells Politico he’s considering a run for governor in 2023. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Today’s strong storm system has caused widespread power outages all across the state. Entergy reports over 25-thousand homes and businesses lost power. Damage reports are coming in from all across northern Louisiana. In Lincoln Parish, a suspected tornado caused trees to fall on homes and other structures. No twisters have been confirmed as of this hour.

More on the weather situation, Nation Weather Service Shreveport forecaster Matt Duplantis says before the line of severe weather moves through, secure loose items outdoors and know where the safest areas of your home are…:

CUT 11(12)      “…in some location.”

Tornado watches are posted for large portions of the state into the evening hours.

The state legislature has voted to override Governor Edwards’ vetoes of congressional district maps they passed in a February special session. Edwards objected because the maps create no second majority-Black district. The House vote was 72-to-21; the Senate’s 27-to-11. Mr. Edwards says it’s disappointing but not surprising. This is the first time state lawmakers have overturned a governor’s veto since the Buddy Roemer years.

A tornado warning is out for Franklin, Richland. West Carroll and Morehouse parishes – until 2:45, as a line of severe thunderstorms moves slowly through the state. National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Duplantis says Southeast Louisiana should stay on alert for heavy rains, tornados and damaging heavy winds that should last well into the night…:

CUT 10(12)      “…southeast Louisiana.”

A large part of the rest of the state is under a tornado watch until early evening.

The state House and Senate have both voted to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of congressional they passed in February. Edwards rejected the maps for offering no second majority-minority voting district, to reflect the state’s racial makeup. The house voted 72-31 to override the veto. In the Senate, the override passed by a 12-vote margin. Democrat New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson was upset…:

CUT 13(13)      “…and what’s right.”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy tells Politico he’s considering running for governor in 2023. U.L.-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says Cassidy’s popularity with his base suffered when he voted to convict President Trump in his impeachment. However, he’s also worked to bring home a lot of federal disaster aid and more. Cross says one way to win more voters back would be to vote against the White House’s Supreme Court nominee…:

CUT 05(11)      “…their documents.”

A big number are expected to run for governor because Governor Edwards has reached his term limit.

Saints veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins is retiring, after 13 seasons in the NFL. Jenkins has won two Super Bowl rings; one with the Saints and one with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jenkins says he is “grateful” for the opportunities.

Senator Bill Cassidy tells Politico he’s considering a run for governor in 2023. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Louisiana House has voted to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of a Republican-drawn Congressional map that has one majority Black District. 70 votes were needed in the 105 member House.  Speaker Clay Schexnayder reads the final vote…

Cut 12 (06) “…(applause).”

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As a line of severe thunderstorms moves slowly through the state, National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Duplantis says Southeast Louisiana should stay on alert.

Cut 9 (11) “…later on today.”

Tornado warnings are already in effect for West Monroe and Sterlington until 1:45 pm.

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued an open burning safety warning as four people have died this year from burn piles, three in the last week. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says that if you are in an area that permits open burns, be sure that it is at least 75 feet away from any structure including your neighbors. Also, set a five-foot wet control line around the burn area.

Cut 8 (11) “… five-foot line.”

Rodrigue says never use flammable liquids to ignite the burn, have a water source handy and never leave it unattended.

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