TRANSCRIPT
You’re listening to Red River Radio News.
Good morning, I’m Jeff Ferrell.
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INTRO:
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is blocking state agencies from spending money on Flock surveillance cameras as police use of the technology draws increasing scrutiny across the country.
Texas Public Radio’s Dan Katz reports:
SOT:
“Flock cameras photograph license plates and collect vehicle information that police can search during investigations. Departments can also share access with other agencies, extending searches beyond a single jurisdiction. Abbott says Texas is tightening oversight after allegations of misuse. His directive bars state agencies from paying for additional cameras. A Texas Tribune investigation found a state agency has helped state and local law enforcement install at least 3,200 Flock cameras since 2023. The Tribune says at least $30 million has gone toward expanding the network, through grants funded in part by a one-dollar fee on Texans’ auto insurance policies. Flock says the technology helps police investigate crimes, recover stolen vehicles and find missing people, and says it has added new privacy safeguards.”
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INTRO:
A new lawsuit alleges that the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections systemically imprisons people beyond their lawful release dates.
Louisiana Public Radio’s Michael McEwen has more:
SOT:
“Filed in the Federal, Middle District Court of Louisiana, the lawsuit is the latest in nearly seven years of litigation seeking to stop Louisiana’s practice of over-detention. In that time, two other class action lawsuits found that thousands of people in Louisiana were legally entitled to be released, but instead remained incarcerated for more than 48 hours beyond their release date. The latest lawsuit adds two more plaintiffs to the growing web of similar claims against DPS&C leadership. In previous statements, Attorney General Liz Murrill has said allegations in previous, similar cases were either overblown or outdated. A 2022 Department of Justice report found that about 24% of those over-detained were incarcerated 90 days or longer past their legal release date.”
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INTRO:
Today is Overdose Awareness Day. According to USA Facts: in 2024, Louisiana had a drug overdose death rate that was 45% higher than the national average.
Justin Todd, founder of Addiction Resource, offers this advice:
SOT:
“Not be accusatory, come from a place of facts and a place of caring, and that you do not wanna see them die or any terrible thing happen to them, that you're aware this is going on, and you're there to help them, and ask them how you can help them.”
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INTRO:
In Arkansas, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Hallie Shoffner strongly denies claims, made in attack ads, that she wants more illegal immigrants in the country – and to abolish immigration enforcement. Speaking on “Talk Business & Politics” Shoffner said those ads only came after polling showed her ahead [but still within the margin of error] of incumbent republican Tom Cotton 47-to-44%:
SOT:
“What I have called for, when it comes to immigration, is reform. I’ve talked about the $170 billion they allocated for ICE to make it the largest law enforcement agency in the country. I personally don’t appreciate my tax dollars being used to terrorize American citizens and innocent people.” [edit] “That ad comes on like every fifteen minutes. There’s three and a half million dollars spent so far. You wanted confirmation that your poll is correct, look at the amount of money they have spent.”
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The National Weather Service in Shreveport is calling for:
* Sunny, hot & dry conditions with a high near 98 and heat index values as high as 104 today.
* Tomorrow: the “feels like temperature” max rises to 106, while the high drops to 97.
The high drops again to 94 for Wednesday & Thursday.
* By Friday: we’ll see a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1:00 p.m. Sunny & hot, with a high near 95.
* The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a strong disturbance across the Northern Gulf for possible development.
* This disturbance will move west northwest over the next 2 days and could impact the South La. & SE Texas Gulf Coasts.
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