12:30 Newscast, July 19th, 2016

After two weeks of tragedy in the south, the community is coming together to Back the Badge. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has set up a web page for people to donate to a fund for the fallen Baton Rouge officers. BRAF Communications Director Mukul Verma says they have already raised $30-thousand and more donations are still coming in…:
CUT 9 (05) “24 hours”
He says donations can be made at BRAF.org.

Not only are officers getting a lot of community support, but departments around the state and nation are coming in to help out in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police President, Darrell Basco in Pineville says he’s not worried that the fatal ambush will deter people from wanting to become cops…:
CUT 5 (08) “the state”
He says it’s great after this type of event that we see support of the public across the state, not only in Baton Rouge.

There is some controversy that the speech Melania Trump made at the Republican National Convention last night sounded very similar to Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention. Former Jefferson Parish President and a Louisiana delegate at the convention in Cleveland, John Young, says if it’s true, the campaign needs to admit it and move on:
cut 12 (05) “in time”
He says they might need to make some changes to Trump’s staff.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for two of the officers who were killed in Baton Rouge on Sunday. A viewing for BRPD Officer Matthew Gerald will be held Thursday at Resthaven in Baton Rouge, then again at Healing Place on Friday before services. The burial for Gerald will be at the Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary. Corporal Montrell Jackson’s visitation, Services and burial will take place beginning at 9am Monday at Living Faith Christian Center in Baton Rouge.