Starting today, individuals with a concealed carry permit are allowed to bring a concealed firearm into restaurants that serve alcohol. HB 72, sponsored by Metairie representative Joe Lopinto, is now in effect, along with a host of other bills that were passed in the last legislative session. Bossier City representative Jeff Thompson says the bill clears up a conflict in the law…:
CUT 13 (14) “from alcohol sales”
A couple of other new laws going into effect today include one prohibiting drivers from using handheld cell phones in school zones or face fines. Parents convicted of battery of a school or recreation contest official face toughened penalties. The state’s cockfighting ban is expanded. Also domestic abuse is now one of the grounds for immediate divorce in Louisiana.

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Bertha has formed and was speeding toward the Lesser Antilles early this morning. It was located about 170 miles east of Barbados at 4am. Forecasters say little change is expected in the storm’s strength over the next couple of days and added it does not post a threat to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Air Force’s oldest bomb wing, located in Bossier City, is now being commanded by its first ever female bomb wing commander. Col. Kristen Goodwin is taking command of the 2nd Bomb Wing based out of Barksdale Air Force Base. Retired Master Sgt. and military archivist at LSUS Shawn Bohannon says first and foremost, it’s about a qualified officer getting a well earned promotion…:
CUT 7 (08) “her own merit”
Goodwin is now commanding the dozen squadrons that make up the 2nd Bomb Wing and Bohannon says it’s one of the best jobs in the Air Force.

The James Brown biopic “Get On Up” opens in theaters everywhere today. Officials in Natchez, MS want to take advantage of the film’s buzz by developing a tour map of filming locations around the area. Natchez Convention and Visitor’s Bureau spokesperson, Jessica Cauthen, says their brochure is based on a similar map of Greenville, MS following the movie “The Help”…:
CUT 4 (09) “of the movie”
“Get On Up” was filmed in 21 locations in and around Natchez.

Governor Bobby Jindal has written a letter to the federal government saying he’s furious over what he says is a lack of disclosure on the 1,071 children who came illegally into the country and made their way into Louisiana. Jindal demands to know where the children are living and a timeline for determining their ultimate status.

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says a man cut his wrists and throat with a concealed razor blade inside a courtroom after being convicted on five counts of aggravated incest Thursday. They say 57-year-old Robbie Frith is found guilty of sexual assaulting five juveniles from 2009 until 2011. After Frith’s suicide attempted he was taken to a hospital but his condition is unknown at this time.

Louisiana’s  sales tax holiday starts today. For the next two days, customers will not have to pay the 4% sales tax on the first 25 hundred dollars of each item they buy. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says it only comes once a year…:
CUT 10 (09) “tangible personal property”

Concealed weapons with permits are now legal in restaurants across Louisiana that serve alcohol. Matthew Doyle has the story…:
CUT 3 (33) “reporting”

The man in St. Charles Parish who was wanted for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend to death in Destrehan and critically injuring her mother is now in custody. The Sheriff’s office says Bruce Bourgeois Jr was arrested in Independence and once transported will be booked on charges of 1st degree murder, attempted first degree murder and armed robbery.