A waitress in Baton Rouge picked up the tab for three cops having lunch Thursday to thank them for what they do for us everyday. Baton Rouge Police Department Lt. Johnny Dunham says Officers Brandon Blust, Dustin Conde, and Fred Thornton found Crystal Gordon to thank her and she told them she was upset about how cops have been targeted lately…:
CUT 4 (09) “and kindness”
He says all of BRPD was touched by what Gordon did and so are many others. They made a post about this on Facebook and it’s gotten nearly 34,000 likes.

There was a fire at a Geismer plant last night which resulted in the injuring of four workers. Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley says they believe a ruptured pipe released hydrogen which then ignited:
CUT 10 (07) “burn victims”
One of the workers is out of the hospital, the other three are in good, serious and critical condition.

A state judge is putting the City of New Orleans on notice and threatening to place Mayor Mitch Landrieu on house arrest if they don’t cough up firefighters back pay. The city’s firefighters union claims New Orleans owes them more than $140 million dollars. Landrieu says that kind of money would cripple the city…:
cUT 14 (09) “of America”
Previously, the city reportedly offered to pay $15 million up front and the remaining balance over the next 30 years, but that offer was rejected.

The Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Jersey report card ranking teams based on jersey sales of former players put LSU number 4 on the list. The report indicated Odell Beckham Jr, Patrick Peterson and Barkevious Mingo helped the Tigers make the top five. OBJ has the most popular jersey among offensive players and he’s No. 2 overall.

A state judge has held the City of New Orleans in contempt of court over their dispute with firefighters back pay. Judge Kern Reese threatened Mayor Mitch Landrieu with house arrest if the city doesn’t come up with a reasonable plan to pay back wages within a week. Landrieu says he’s willing to accept the sentence because the payment would mean drastic cuts to city services..:
CUT 13 (06) “of my term”
Firefighters claim the city owes them $75 million in back wages and $67 million in interest.

Fisherman rejoice in Caddo Parish as two boat ramps on the Red River that had been closed since the massive flood are now open just in time for the Labor Day weekend. The flood began in May and fisherman Mark Woods from Bossier City says he’s ready to get back out there..:
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Authorities still want you to be careful in case the flood moved sandbars on the river.

LSU’s only Heisman Trophy winner, Billy Cannon, releases a tell all book revealing the untold stories of his life. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Speaking of LSU, leaders on campus are still working to make traffic more tolerable on gamedays. Unlike last year, starting tomorrow contra flow will be on the four lane Bourbank after the McNeese game instead of Nicholson…:
CUT 1 (11) “go effect”
Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says there is no parking allowed along Burbank and Nicholson.

A Baton Rouge waitress showed her gratitude to the Baton Rouge Police Department by buying three officers lunch. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley says of the four victims in the Geismar plant explosion late last night, one has been released from the hospital, one is in good condition, one is in serious condition and another is critical. They believe a hydrogen line under maintenance became pressurized, ruptured then ignited causing the blaze and injuries to the four victims. The plant was Renewable Energy Group.

Two boat ramps on the Red River in Caddo Parish have been re-opened in time for the Labor Day weekend. The ramps have been closed since the Red River flood event which began in May. Mark Woods, a Bossier City fisherman, says he’s ready to get back on the water…:
Cut 11 (04) “open again”
Authorities urge boaters to be cautious as flood waters may have moved sandbars in the river.

As the LSU football season gets underway, the school’s only Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon releases a book about his life. During an appearance on the Jim Engster Show, Cannon said why he finally agreed to a tell all book, which includes his accomplishments and his time in jail:
CUT 1 (09) “the book”
It’s called, “Billy Cannon: A Long, Long Run” written by Charles deGravelles (Dee-Gra-Velle).

A waitress at a Capitol City restaurant showed her gratitude to the Baton Rouge Police Department by buying three officers lunch. Lt. Johnny Dunham says Officers Brandon Blust, Dustin Conde, and Fred Thornton were surprised when they went to pay the bill…:
CUT 3 (10) “buy lunch”
When the officers went to thank Crystal Gordon, she broke down and told them she was upset about cops being targeted lately. BRPD posted a picture of the check on Facebook and it’s received over 32,000 likes.

Good news for those traveling east to the beaches this weekend. The Department of Transportation and Development says due to the Labor Day Holiday, there will be no lane or ramp closures in Slidell for the ongoing project to repave I-10 from French Branch Bridge to the West Pearl River Bridge in St. Tammany Parish. The weekend closure schedule will resume Friday September 11th.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says four workers at Renewable Energy Group, or REG, sustained injuries as a result of an explosion last night at the bio-diesel plant in Geismar. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says an initial investigation revealed a hydrogen line under maintenance had become pressurized…:
CUT 9 (08) “pipe rupture”
They believe the released hydrogen ignited causing the explosion and burns to the workers. Wiley says one of the employees has been released from the hospital, one is in good condition, one is in serious and the other is in critical.

The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is this weekend. Department of Revenue spokesperson Kizzy Payton says with hunting season kicking off, many Louisiana sportsman are eager to buy new guns and gear. This weekend those items will be free of state and local sales tax…:
Cut 10 (07) “and apparel”
Guns and ammo are also included in the exemption.

Lots of folks will be hitting the road this Labor Day weekend and the American Automobile Association says there’s a 1% increase over 2014. AAA spokesman Don Redman projects about 35 million Americans will be out traveling this weekend as the last summer getaway…:
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He attributes the increase in travelers to low gas prices giving consumers more disposable income.

It’s a big football weekend in Baton Rouge as LSU takes on McNeese State in Tiger Stadium. Unlike past years, there will no longer be post-game contra-flow on Nicholson. This year Burbank will be used for contraflow to help you leave campus. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette…:
CUT 15 (08) “efficient manner”
He says parking will no longer be allowed on Nicholson or Burbank.

The Annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival takes place this weekend in Morgan City, but this year there’s not much to celebrate in either industry. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

State Police say a man from Columbia died late Thursday after the ATV he was driving was hit in Caldwell Parish. They say 31-year-old Jeffery Rogers of Columbia was traveling in a side by side ATV in the opposite lane of traffic on LA 4 and as he topped a hill, he was struck head on by a 2007 Dodge Ram truck. Rogers was not restrained and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Roads are expected to be a bit crowded this Labor Day weekend with a predicted 35 million Americans traveling for the holiday. American Automobile Association spokesperson Don Redman says Louisiana’s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.16. He says in another few weeks the statewide average should below two bucks…

cut 9 (07) “a gallon”

Redman says gas prices for a Labor Day holiday haven’t been this low since 2004.

Many Louisiana sportsman will stock up on new hunting supplies, free of state and local sales taxes, during the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday this weekend. Department of Revenue spokesperson Kizzy Payton says firearms and ammunition are part of this tax exemption, but there are exclusions…

Cut 12 (12) “and what doesn’t”

The sales tax holiday runs through Monday.

Officials say four people are hospitalized after a fire broke out at a bio-diesel plant in Ascension Parish. Authorities report that the fire started around midnight at the Renewable Energy Group plant in Geismar. No other plants in the area were affected. Although it’s unclear the total number of people injured, they say injuries appear to be non-life threatening. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

LSU is asking fans attending football games this season to arrive to Tiger Stadium early and be patient when leaving. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 3 (24) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Labor Day weekend is here and gas prices are as low as they’ve been for this time of the year since 2004. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Funeral services for Sunset Police Sergeant Henry Nelson will take place Saturday at Zion Traveler’s Church in Sunset. Sgt. Nelson was shot and killed in the line of duty responding to domestic disturbance that also claimed the life of Shameka Johnson. Harrison Lee Wiley faces murder and other charges involved with the incident. Funeral services will begin at 11AM and burial in the church cemetary will follow.

The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday runs through Monday. Department of Revenue spokesperson Kizzy Payton says says retailers across the state look forward to this holiday every single year…

cut 11 (10) “coming in”

With hunting season beginning, Payton says many Louisiana sportsman are eager to buy new hunting supplies free of state and local sales taxes.

The Annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival takes place this weekend in Morgan City, amidst troubling times for both industries. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott doesn’t think the outlook for shrimp industry is very bright. On average, Louisiana shrimpers are only getting about $1.30 a pound for their catch because of a huge increase of imported shrimp. Scott says there are more shrimp buyers than shrimp sellers and buyers like the low prices…

cut 6 (06) “the very end”

But Scott says there are indicators for a recovery in the oil and gas industry over the next couple of years.