July 2019

Administration moves to ease drive-time rules for truckers

OPAL, Va. (AP) — Truck driver Lucson Francois was forced to hit the brakes just five minutes from his home in Pennsylvania.

He’d reached the maximum number of hours in a day he’s allowed to be on duty. Francois couldn’t leave the truck unattended. So he parked and climbed into the sleeper berth in the back of the cab. Ten hours would have to pass before he could start driving again.

Baby lobster numbers spell trouble for shellfish population

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Baby lobsters are continuing to appear in high numbers off some parts of Canada while tailing off in New England, raising questions about what the valuable shellfish’s population will look like in several years.

Essence Fest marks 25 years of celebrating black culture

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Essence Festival, which draws thousands to New Orleans during the fourth of July week, is celebrating 25 years of bringing African American women of all ages together for thought-proving conversation and performances from top musical acts.

Launched to mark the 25th anniversary of blackowned Essence magazine, the festival has become a yearly celebration to highlight excellence in business, fashion, entertainment, and, of course, music.

Michael Ray Gary

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Funeral services for Mr. Michael Ray Gary, 70, were held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 1, 2019, in Miguez Funeral Home chapel, with Deacon Mike Tramel officiating.

Funeral home visitation was held from 3 p.m. Sunday until time of services on Monday. A rosary was recited at 6 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel.

Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.

Mr. Gary died at 7:50 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2019, in his residence.

Lafayette Parish’s population outgrows schools construction

LAFAYETTE (AP) — Population growth is outpacing classroom construction in Lafayette Parish. The Daily Advertiser reports the Parish is constructing new schools, renovating old ones and even rezoning districts, but they’re still not keeping up. More than 6,800 students are being educated in portable buildings or modular wing classrooms, which is about 22 percent of the district’s enrollment. The construction is being funded through bonds and revenue generated from sales and property taxes.

On edge: 2020 Dems face being cut from debates

MIAMI (AP) — The largest presidential field in modern Democratic politics could quickly shrink as more than half of the contenders are in real danger of failing to meet tougher requirements to participate in the fall round of debates.

Protestors in Hong Kong break into legislature, paint logos

HONG KONG (AP) — Hundreds of protesters in Hong Kong swarmed into the legislature’s main building Monday night, tearing down portraits of legislative leaders and spray-painting pro-democracy slogans on the walls of the main chamber.

The sharp escalation in tactics came on the anniversary of the former British colony’s return to China, a city holiday, and reflected mounting frustration with Hong Kong’s leader for not responding to protesters’ demands after several weeks of demonstrations.

Iran says it has breached stockpile limit under nuclear deal

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran acknowledged Monday it had broken the limit set on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by the 2015 nuclear deal, marking its first major departure from the unraveling agreement a year after the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the accord.

Japan resumes commercial whaling despite low demand

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese whalers returned to port Monday with their first catch after resuming commercial whaling for the first time in 31 years, achieving the long-cherished goal of traditionalists that is seen as largely a lost cause amid slowing demand for the meat and changing views on conservation.

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