Breaux Bridge Lawmaker Seeks Expansion of Cell Phone Law
A bill expanding the state’s ban on cell phone use while driving is headed to the full House.
Under Rep. Mike Huval’s (R-Breaux Bridge) bill, drivers would be explicitly prohibited from any handheld use of a mobile device while driving, including talking on the phone, dialing or searching for numbers, and taking photos and videos while behind the wheel. The bill also explicitly prohibits posting videos, photos, or other items to social media while driving. In addition, the prohibition of texting would be expanded to include sending messages via Facebook messenger and other web-based text applications.
Flooding Rains, Severe Storms Possible in Acadiana Today
It was about 24 hours ago that much of South Louisiana was being inundated by strong and severe thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall. A similar scenario is shaping up in the atmosphere for a repeat of those heavy rains, gusty winds, and raucous thunder and lightning later today, tonight, and Wednesday.
At least one severe weather watch has already been issued for the area. That is a Flash Flood Watch and it has been posted for all but the extreme southwestern corner of the state. Forecasters say a stalled frontal boundary draped over the area could result in an additional one to three inches of rainfall over the watch area.
Disabled Man Killed in Scott Fire
A disabled 18-year-old is dead after a fire in the Ile Des Cannes Apartments.
According to the Scott Fire Department, the call from Scottsdale Street came in just before 1 a.m. Sunday. When firefighters arrived, they found a quadruplex apartment engulfed in flames.
According to Scott Fire Chief Chad Sonnier, neighbors told firefighters that the victim was still inside the unit. Firefighters went inside and discovered the victim s body in a bedroom. Sonnier said the victim died of smoke inhalation.
Sonnier says the fire started in the victim s downstairs unit. The exact cause remains under investigation. The unit suffered major damage. The unit directly above sustained moderate damage. The other two units sustained minor damage. Nobody else was injured.
TSA Extends Mask Mandate Through September for Air Travel
There are plenty of reasons to be hopeful that the worst of the worse is behind us as far as the coronavirus pandemic is concerned. One well-known health pundit, speaking on the Sunday talk shows, actually stated that he felt that America could and should feel close to normal by July 1st. Dr. Ashish Jha, the Dean of Brown University s School of Public Health made those comments on ABC television s this week.
Last week we learned that New York City had targeted July 1st as the day when that city would fully reopen too. And the Centers for Disease Control is actually talking about letting cruise ships sail from American ports, with certain coronavirus caveats, by as early as mid-July. So, you can see, the situation is improving but we are not totally out of the woods yet.