With a historic budget crisis, torrential flooding in March, three legislative sessions, and now massive protests in the Capital City, Governor John Bel Edwards has had a busy first few months in office. ULM political science professor Dr. John Sutherlin says there likely hasn’t been another governor who’s had so much on his plate, so soon.
CUT 7 (08) “administration”
Sutherlin says Edwards has done a fairly good job of managing situations that he did not create.

The first official account of the Alton Sterling police shooting was revealed in a Monday filing by the Baton Rouge Police Department. It says Sterling resisted arrest after the officers responded to a 911 call about a gun threat outside the store, then the cops saw him reach for a gun before shooting. Also Monday, EBR DA Hillar Moore recused himself from the case indicating he had a relationship with the parents of one of the officers involved.

A transportation task force created by Governor John Bel Edwards holds its first meeting today. The panel will make various recommendations that could lead to major changes for Louisiana’s roadways. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says taxes are one way to create additional funding, but they plan to look at other revenue raising measures too to present to lawmakers next year..:
Cut 5 (10) “ongoing investment”
He says the state faces a nearly 13-billion dollar backlog in transportation projects.

According to a new report by a senior care resource website, Louisiana is the third safest state for older drivers. Dayna Steele with Caring.com says only 11% of people killed in car crashes in Louisiana are 65 or older. She says elderly drivers in the state can only renew in person, but they also found that some DMV locations let people go even if they fail the test…:
CUT 12 (07) “kind of crazy”

According to filings by the Baton Rouge Police Department Monday, the cops
involved in the shooting death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling say they saw the
“butt of a gun” in the man’s front pocket, and that Sterling tried to reach
for it. It says Sterling did not obey orders to place his hands on a vehicle
and he resisted arrest before being tazed.

Massive flooding, three legislative sessions and now protests in Baton Rouge
are just a few of the major events Governor John Bel Edwards has dealt with
his first few months in office. ULM political science professor Dr. John
Sutherlin says the public seems to be pleased with Edwards’ governing thus
far, and the armchair politicians are staying mostly quiet…:
CUT 8 (10) “and different”
He says it’s not likely another govenor has had so much on his plate so close
to the start of his term.

The new Louisiana transportation task force meets today to discuss
recommendations to improve our roadways. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The US House approves Louisiana Congressman’s Ralph Abraham’s bill seeking to
defund a 2015 executive order that could drive up the costs of building in the
Bayou State. Abraham says it also would cause flood insurance to skyrocket…:
Cut 13 (06) “flood insurance”

New details have been released in the death of Alton Sterling. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A transportation task force created by Governor John Bel Edwards — a push some say could lead to the most sweeping changes in Louisiana’s roadways and bridges in almost 30 years, holds its first meeting today. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson…:
cut 4 (10) “go forward”

Louisiana is ranked the third safest state for older drivers. That’s according to a report from Caring.com and Chief Caring Expert Dayna Steele mostly credits the state’s strict rules for elderly motorists…:
Cut 10 (10) “license renewals”
She hopes this study sparks conversations and action with family members and loved ones who might not need to be driving anymore.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain leaves today on a 94-member trade mission to Cuba. He says he’s going there to begin the process of exporting commodities to Pearl of the Antilles, and develop the relationship for trade.

Protests are expected to continue in Louisiana as a call for justice in the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. State Police Major Doug Cain says police don’t know how long the protests will go on. But he says law enforcement will continue to protect citizens and their rights…
CUT 5 (11) “if necessary”

Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore has recused himself and his office from the investigation of Alton Sterling because he has connections with the parents an officer involved in the shooting. A report says Blane Salamoni’s mother was the Violent Crime and Crime Scene Commander and Salamoni’s father has commanded the department’s special operations unit during most of Moore’s time in office. Moore says he wants to give protesters justice.
cut 10 (10) “the community”

The ACLU of Louisiana believe BRPD used excessive and illegal force this weekend on protesters marching for justice after the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. Many arrests were made from people obstructing roadways. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says treating peaceful protesters as though they are going to start a riot does not help relations that are already strained…:
Cut 13 (09) “repaired”

EBR DA Hillar Moore says they are going to investigate every arrest case.

A 15-month-old that went missing last night in Rapides Parish has been found. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the sheriff’s office says the parents last saw the child around 3am asleep, and they aren’t sure how the child got out of the house. He says the toddler was responsive when found.
CUT 8 (04) “very weak”

Carnline says the search lasted less than an hour.

More protests are expected in Baton Rouge as demonstrators cry out for justice in the death of Alton Sterling, and law enforcement look to keep the peace. Michelle Southern has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The initial police report has been released in the death of Alton Sterling. According to a search warrant, officers saw the butt of Sterling’s gun in his front pocket and saw him reaching for it before shots were fired. Sterling refused orders from the two officers, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II, and was being tased when they noticed the gun in his pocket. The report says Sterling was reaching for his gun and was then shot by Salamoni to stop the threat.

The ACLU of Louisiana believes BRPD used illegal and excessive force on protesters over the weekend who were marching after the death of Alton Sterling. EBR DA Hillar Moore says they’re going to investigate each arrest made closely. He says many cases are still under investigation but once a law has been broken it’s been broken.:
cut 15 (08) “at the hospital”

The ACLU says the use of violent, militarized tactics during a peaceful gathering was not necessary.

A 15-month-old who went missing last night in Rapides Parish was found in a brier patch across from the home in Tioga. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the sheriff’s office says authorities arrived at the residence at about 7:30 this morning and the search didn’t even last an hour…
CUT 6 (07) “covered in ants”

Carnline says they are still trying to determine how the child got out of the house.

Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore has filed a motion to recuse his office from the Alton Sterling investigation. Moore says although he does not have a direct relationship with either officers involved, he is close to one of the officer’s parents.

Cut 9 (11) “be appointed”

The Attorney General’s office will appoint a prosecutor for any state charged that may be filed after the federal investigation has been conducted.

Fifty people were arrested in yesterday’s protests in Baton Rouge. Many of those arrested are from out of state and have been charged with obstruction of a highway for marching in the street. State Police Major Doug Cain says police will do whatever it takes to keep people safe during the ongoing protests.

Cut 4 (10) “quick action”

The ACLU of Louisiana says the Baton Rouge Police Department used illegal and excessive force on protesters this weekend. For days people have been in Baton Rouge marching over what they believe was the wrongful cop killing of Alton Sterling. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says the use of violent, militarized tactics during a peaceful gathering was not necessary…:

cut 12 (06) “was not happening”

Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says they are going to investigate every case of protestors getting arrested closely..:

cut 14 (09)  “everything”

Funeral services for Sterling have been set. Visitation will be held Friday July 15 at from 8 am to 10:30, and the service will begin at 11 am at the Southern University Mini Dome.

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says his office has recused itself from the Alton Sterling investigation. Jeff Palermo reports…:
voicer 2 (30) “..I’m Jeff Palermo”

Houma Police are looking for a gunman who fatally shot a 56-year-old man. Kerry Randolph was found dead in his vehicle from a gunshot wound to his head at around 9 PM last night. And Hammond Police are investigating a double homicide. An aunt and her newphew were found dead at a home from gunshot wounds.

More protests are expected in Baton Rouge as people from Louisiana and other states call for justice in the police shooting of Alton Sterling. State Police Major Doug Cain says police will be there to help protestors exercise their first amendment right, so long as it’s lawful and peaceful,…
cut 3 (09) “….right away’
Cain says they will not tolerate protesters who attempt to block an interstate like what has occurred in Black Lives Matter protests in other states.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office says a 15-month old missing child was found in a briar patch. Lt. Tommy Carnline says the infant was reported missing at around 7:30 this morning, after the parents last saw the child sleeping around 3 AM. Carnline says they are grateful they were able to find the child so quickly…
cut 7 (08) “….child has”
Carnline says the investigation continues on how the child got out of the home.