The groundbreaking ceremony is today for the future site of the new VA clinic in Lake Charles. Emelie Gunn has more on the benefits the facility will have for veterans in the region…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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US Senator Bill Cassidy has filed legislation that seeks to cut some of the red tape in the event of a public health emergency, such as Ebola or Zika outbreaks. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

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State Police says they are reviewing a viral video that appears to show a trooper body slamming a suspect. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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After waiting for more than 10 years, today is the groundbreaking ceremony for the site of the permanent VA clinic in Lake Charles. Chairman of the Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission Jim Jackson says he’s looking forward to finally having a clinic that will help around 10-thousand veterans in the southwest Louisiana area. He says it’s time we looked at the long range issue of care for the men and women who fought for our freedoms.

cut 4  (09)  “our veterans”

 Jackson says mental health treatment is very important because about 22 veterans kill themselves a day. He says they’re looking forward to the completion of the 24-thousand square foot facility.

Cut 5  (09)  “hearing”

 Jackson says the project is estimated to take 12 months to complete. He says the country has promised to take care of our veterans and this facility will do just that.

Cut 6 (06) “remember that”

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US Senator Bill Cassidy has filed legislation that seeks to help prepare for potential health emergencies, like outbreaks of Ebola and Zika. The proposal would wave some red-tape regulations and authorize funding if a public health emergency is declared. Cassidy, a doctor, says this could help contain outbreaks.

CUT 7 (10)  “potential epidemic”

Cassidy says the threat for a health emergency is looming, as another Zika case has been confirmed in Louisiana. The measure would waive contract requirements that would allow, for example, the Centers for Disease Control to enter mosquito control contracts without getting the dozens of signatures that are typically required. Cassidy says similar waivers are issued to other agencies during emergencies.

Cut 8  (12)  “natural disasters”

The bill would also authorize about $1.5 billion to control the outbreak when a health emergency is declared. Cassidy says this will allow response agencies to take appropriate action quickly.

Cut 9 (08)  “in hand”

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People making plans for their Fourth of July celebrations like to head to Louisiana for the festivities. According to WalletHub, the New Orleans is the third best city for Independence Day parties. Jill Gonzales with WalletHub says the study looked at entertainment and food options, attractions and activities, and weather forecast. She says New Orleans did particularly well in the food category.

Cut 10 (09) “the country”

Seattle and Minneapolis were the only two cities to top New Orleans on the list. The study found the average household will spend around $370 on their celebration. Gonzales says the cost of partying in New Orleans for the holiday weekend was lower than other cities.

cut 11 (10) “the list”

Gonzales says New Orleans ranked number one for the number of festivals and events taking place this weekend, many of which are free. She says the only category that New Orleans did not fare well in was the forecast because of higher temperatures and a chance of rain.

cut 12 (08) “like zero”

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State Police says they are reviewing a viral video that appears to show a trooper body slamming a suspect.  LSP spokesperson Melissa Matey says the unnamed trooper was walking down Bourbon Street on his way home after a 12 hour shift.

Cut 13 (10)  “was intoxicated”

Matey says the trooper told 39-year-old Michael Hoffman from Illinois to leave several times, but he refused. The video shows the trooper trying to escort Hoffman away from the scene and then throwing him onto the ground when he resists. She says Hoffman was subsequently arrested.

cut 14 (10)  “the peace”

Matey says State Police supervisors are reviewing the video.

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The story of the missing girl out of a quiet Caldwell Parish community seems to be over after authorities located what is believed to be her body inside a vehicle that was found in a lake. Sheriff Steve May says search teams had been looking for Joann Jarrell for about a month and found her in the water Tuesday. He says many different departments and volunteers were involved in efforts to find Jarrell.

Cut 15 (10) “on 4wheelers”

May says Jarrell’s family has been notified and her body has been sent off for an autopsy. He says they do not suspect foul play at this time.

Cut 16  (08)  “concerned about” 

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The groundbreaking ceremony is today for the future site of the new VA clinic in Lake Charles. Emelie Gunn has more on the benefits the facility will have for veterans in the region…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana Congressman Bill Cassidy has filed legislation that seeks to cut some of the red tape in the event of a public health emergency, such as Ebola or Zika outbreaks. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

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State Police says they are reviewing a viral video that appears to show a trooper body slamming a suspect. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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After waiting for more than 10 years, today is the groundbreaking ceremony for the site of the permanent VA clinic in Lake Charles. Chairman of the Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission Jim Jackson says he’s looking forward to finally having a clinic that will help around 10-thousand veterans in the southwest Louisiana area. He says it’s time we looked at the long range issue of care for the men and women who fought for our freedoms.

cut 4  (09)  “our veterans”

 Jackson says mental health treatment is very important because about 22 veterans kill themselves a day. He says they’re looking forward to the completion of the 24-thousand square foot facility.

Cut 5  (09)  “hearing”

 Jackson says the project is estimated to take 12 months to complete. He says the country has promised to take care of our veterans and this facility will do just that.

Cut 6 (06) “remember that”

___________________________________________________

A Louisiana Congressman has filed legislation that seeks to help prepare for potential health emergencies, like outbreaks of Ebola and Zika. The proposal by Congressman Bill Cassidy would wave some red-tape regulations and authorize funding if a public health emergency is declared. Cassidy, a doctor, says this could help contain outbreaks.

CUT 7 (10)  “potential epidemic”

Cassidy says the threat for a health emergency is looming, as another Zika case has been confirmed in Louisiana. The measure would waive contract requirements that would allow, for example, the Centers for Disease Control to enter mosquito control contracts without getting the dozens of signatures that are typically required. Cassidy says similar waivers are issued to other agencies during emergencies.

Cut 8  (12)  “natural disasters”

The bill would also authorize about $1.5 billion to control the outbreak when a health emergency is declared. Cassidy says this will allow response agencies to take appropriate action quickly.

Cut 9 (08)  “in hand”

_______________________________________________

People making plans for their Fourth of July celebrations like to head to Louisiana for the festivities. According to WalletHub, the New Orleans is the third best city for Independence Day parties. Jill Gonzales with WalletHub says the study looked at entertainment and food options, attractions and activities, and weather forecast. She says New Orleans did particularly well in the food category.

Cut 10 (09) “the country”

Seattle and Minneapolis were the only two cities to top New Orleans on the list. The study found the average household will spend around $370 on their celebration. Gonzales says the cost of partying in New Orleans for the holiday weekend was lower than other cities.

cut 11 (10) “the list”

Gonzales says New Orleans ranked number one for the number of festivals and events taking place this weekend, many of which are free. She says the only category that New Orleans did not fare well in was the forecast because of higher temperatures and a chance of rain.

cut 12 (08) “like zero”

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State Police says they are reviewing a viral video that appears to show a trooper body slamming a suspect.  LSP spokesperson Melissa Matey says the unnamed trooper was walking down Bourbon Street on his way home after a 12 hour shift.

Cut 13 (10)  “was intoxicated”

Matey says the trooper told 39-year-old Michael Hoffman from Illinois to leave several times, but he refused. The video shows the trooper trying to escort Hoffman away from the scene and then throwing him onto the ground when he resists. She says Hoffman was subsequently arrested.

cut 14 (10)  “the peace”

Matey says State Police supervisors are reviewing the video.

________________________________________________

The story of the missing girl out of a quiet Caldwell Parish community seems to be over after authorities located what is believed to be her body inside a vehicle that was found in a lake. Sheriff Steve May says search teams had been looking for Joann Jarrell for about a month and found her in the water Tuesday. He says many different departments and volunteers were involved in efforts to find Jarrell.

Cut 15 (10) “on 4wheelers”

May says Jarrell’s family has been notified and her body has been sent off for an autopsy. He says they do not suspect foul play at this time.

Cut 16  (08)  “concerned about” 

A 9-year-old is dead, and 8 people are injured following a fatal crash in Iberville Parish. Halen Doughty reports…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says thanks to the media coverage and help from the public, the woman accused of falsely reporting a father was abusing his 5 month old daughter has turned herself in. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A fatal crash in Iberville Parish took the life of a 9-year-old and left several others with injuries. Trooper Bryan Lee with State Police says 27-year-old Tommie Killough was attempting to pass another vehicle in a no passing zone.

CUT 3 (09)  “the scene”

Lee says Killough hit 34-year-old Courtney Alvarez’s vehicle. He says Alvarez and her passengers were properly restrained and not injured. But he says Killough’s passengers were not restrained, including the child who died, Asha Cooper, because there were more people in Killough’s 5 passenger SUV than there were seatbelts.

CUT 4 (08)  “that vehicle”

Lee says Killough’s other passengers were taken to a local hospital with moderate to severe injuries. He says Killough is still in the hospital, but once she gets out, she will face multiple charges.

CUT 5 (08)  “seat belt violation”

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The first Louisiana dolphin to be rescued and released into the wild is thriving. Audubon Nature Institute Stranding and Rescue Coordinator Gabriella Vazquez says the young dolphin was found by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in October of 2015, stranded on the beach in Grand Isle. She says when they tried to release him back into the Gulf, he showed no initiative to swim, so they made the decision to rescue the calf.

CUT 6 (09) “a dolphin”

Vazquez says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration required Audubon scientists to monitor the dolphin in the wild for six weeks after he was released into Barataria Bay. She says all their testing proves the young dolphin, named Octavius, is doing great in the wild.

CUT 7 (10) “we are”

Vazquez says it’s great to see how all of their hard work paid off. She says Octavius has been spotted swimming with other dolphins in areas where there is lots of food available.

CUT 8 (08) “positive direction”

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A former Eunice police officer is facing charges of obstruction and malfeasance in office, for allegedly cussing out someone he was arresting and threatening to beat him up. Major Eddie Thibodaux with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says Lt. Varden Guillory became irate with Heath Bergeron, a domestic violence suspect, when Bergeron came in to make his statement.

CUT 9 (11) “head off”

Thibodaux says Guillory was upset that Bergeron got his friend to help him write the statement, because he wasn’t a very good speller. He says Guillory then arrested Bergeron for domestic abuse battery, without getting the proper information first.

cut 10 (07)  “charges”

Guillory left the Eunice Police Department after the incident. Thibodaux says after completing the investigation into the battery, Bergeron’s ex-wife was later arrested for domestic abuse, as she was the alleged perpetrator. The two had apparently gotten into an argument over what time they would meetup to exchange their children on Father’s Day. He says Guillory has also been arrested.

Cut 11 (10) “investigation”

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Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot has shot up to whopping 390-million dollars. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this jackpot has been rolling since March and is the fourth highest Mega Millions jackpot ever. She says it’s been two years since we’ve seen Mega Millions reach this level…

cut 12 (06) “Mega Millions”

Chopin says unlike Powerball that costs two dollars to play, Mega Millions only costs a dollar so it takes a little while for the jackpots to build up. She says the biggest jackpot was reached in 2012.

Cut 13 (08)  “jackpot ever”

This is the largest prize offered in Mega Million since March 2014 when two tickets shared a 414 million dollar prize. Chopin says a lot of people don’t know that Mega Millions has a megaplier function, which can multiply your prize up to five times by adding an extra dollar. But she says there is more than one way to win…

cut 14 (10)  “the drawing”

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