The nationwide average for a gallon of gas is at a 12 year low, according to AAA….:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Education news in Louisiana got another boost as officials say more students than ever are getting ACT scores that allow them to go to college. DOE Superintendent John White says since 2012, over 4,000 more students have qualified for TOPS as a result…:
CUT 9 (07) “our state”

There’s good news for disabled veterans. Congressman Ralph Abraham says his bill to increase their compensation beginning next year has been signed into law. He says the increase is tied to the social security increase, so we won’t know how much more money these disabled vets will get until the end of November…:
Cut 5 (09) “adjustments”
He says the bill will adjust the amount of compensation veterans receive for things like disability and dependents.

During a special hours long meeting Monday, the LHSAA talked about the controversial statement Executive Director Eddie Bonine made at a national convention, but he is not ousted from his post. Bonine says after the “airing it out” session, he believes the board is fully behind him..:
Cut 15 (09) “at hand”
Bonine referred to high school athletics in the state as a proverbial dumpster fire, but has since apologized.

A record number of Louisiana students have achieved an ACT score of 18 or higher that will allow them to go to college. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

We’re paying less at the pump than in 12 years, according to AAA. Spokesman Don Redman says we’re paying about $1.99 a gallon right now in Louisiana, but that will probably keep going down before summers end…:
CUT 11 (07) “$1.94″

At the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to take part today in a round table discussion on how to help Americans with chronic health.

Disabled veterans will see an increase in their compensation beginning next year thanks to a bill by Congressman Ralph Abraham that has just been signed into law. Abraham says the bill will adjust the amount of compensation veterans receive for disability, dependents, and clothing allowance, as well as compensation for surviving spouses…:
cut 4 (08) “all together”
Abraham has been an advocate for veterans since he was elected to Congress in 2014.

Former LSU star shortstop Alex Bregman made his debut in the majors last night, playing third base for the Astros. He went 0-4 on the night in Houston’s 2-1 loss to the Yankees at Minute Maid Park, but he put on an incredible performance on defense. He was greeted with a standing ovation as he stepped into the batter’s box for the first time in the 2nd.

According to AAA, nationwide gas prices are at a 12 year low. Spokesperson Don Redman says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is about $1.99…:
Cut 10 (08) “a gallon”
He says drivers could see prices at the pump go down even more before the end of the summer.

More students than ever have achieved ACT scores that allow them to go to college, according to State Superintendent John White, who says the state’s composite ACT score has increased nearly a half a point since 2013. He says over 25-thousand students in the Class of 2016 scored an 18 or higher on the ACT…:
CUT 7 (08) “since 2012″
White says he credits this to the 2012 “ACT for All” initiative that allows students to take the exam at no cost.

After a nearly 4-hour meeting, the LHSAA Executive Committee decided Eddie Bonine will remain the director of the organization. Bonine referred to the LHSAA as a “proverbial dumpster fire” in a report to the N-F-H-S, which led to the special meeting that went into executive session. LHSAA President Vic Bonnaffee couldn’t elaborate what went into the decision to keep Bonine…:
Cut 13 (10) “no comment”
Before the meeting went behind closed doors, Bonine apologized for his dumpster fire comment.

Louisiana law enforcement is hosting a memorial for fallen officers on Thursday, and Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta Lynch are slated to appear. The service is set to begin at 2pm at the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge.

The last officer killed in the Baton Rouge police ambush has been laid to rest. Governor John Bel Edwards says Cpl. Montrell Jackson was a pillar of this community and used God’s gifts to make a difference for Baton Rouge and Louisiana. Jackson’s younger brother, 24-year-old Kendrick Pitts, spoke to Montrell and said he was loved by everyone…:

cut 10 (10)  “the whole world loves you”

Chairman of the House Transportation Committee Kenny Havard says the newly formed Transportation Taskforce will look at increasing the state’s gasoline tax to fund roadway maintenance. Havard says he is open to any other ideas to fund transportation projects, including tolls and public-private partnerships.

CUT 8 (09) “infrastructure”

A father and his two sons drowned in the Sabine River over the weekend. Beauregard Sheriff Rick Mosely says by the time his deputies arrived at the scene, it was already too late. He says they recovered 51-year-old Harlin Powel from the river, who was pronounced dead at the scene. He says search teams then began trying to locate the two boys.

CUT 4 (10)  “last night”

Mosely says it’s been about five years since anyone has drowned in that part of the river.

LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye returns to New Iberia today after surviving a fatal wreck in Wisconsin. Delahoussaye was in Wisconsin to participate in the Kohl’s Kicking Camp. He was participant in the camp last week and was scheduled to serve as a camp counselor this week. Delahoussaye’s coach at New Iberia High, Rick Hutson says Delahoussaye has attended that camp since high school and he’s thankful his former player only suffered minor injuries.

cut 14 (04)  “survived”

The last of the final goodbyes to the three recently slain Baton Rouge Police officers took place today as Corporal Montrell Jackson is laid to rest. Michelle Southern reports..:
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

After a lengthy meeting of the LHSAA executive committee, it’s been decided that Eddie Bonine will remain as the executive director of the association that oversees high school sports. Bonine apologized for the statement he made in a report to the NFHS that referred to the LHSAA as a proverbial dumpster fire.

Lawmakers will likely consider a bill to increase the state’s gasoline tax, when they meet for the 2017 fiscal session. That’s according to Representative Kenny Havard, who serves as chair of the House Transportation Committee and sits on the newly-formed Transportation Taskforce. Havard says there are not enough funds to address the $12 billion backlog for transportation maintenance, much less new projects…:
CUT 6 (10) “afloat”
Louisiana’s 20-cent gas tax ranks 41 in the nation.

LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye returns to New Iberia today after surviving a fatal wreck in Wisconsin that killed two others. Delahoussaye’s coach at New Iberia High, Rick Hutson, says Delahoussaye suffered injuries that require more medical attention..:
cut 12 (09) “from the accident”

The final of the three Baton Rouge law enforcement officers slain in an ambush on cops was laid to rest today. Over two-thousand people turned out for the funeral of BRPD’s Corporal Montrell Jackson who leaves behind a wife and baby boy, Mason. Governor John Bel Edwards says we have to make this world a better place for Mason:
CUT 9 (10) “his father”
There will be another memorial service for the Baton Rouge officers on Thursday. We’ve learned Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta Lynch will be among the list of the speakers.

More students than ever have achieved ACT scores that allow them to go to college, according to State Superintendent John White, who says the state’s composite ACT score has increased nearly a half a point since 2013.

LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye returns to Louisiana today after surviving a car crash that killed two others in Wisconsin. Delahoussaye was in the Badger State attending a kicking camp. His high school coach, New Iberia’s Rick Hutson, says he’s thankful his former player only suffered minor injuries…
cut 14 (04) “…survived”

According to House Transportation Committee chairman Kenny Havard, lawmakers will likely consider increasing the state’s gasoline tax during the 2017 session. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Over two-thousand people packed into the Living Faith Christian Center to pay their final respects to Baton Rouge Police Corporal Montrell Jackson. He’s the third law enforcement officer to be laid to rest from last week’s ambush. Jackson’s younger brother, 24-year-old Kendrick Pitts spoke during a moving ceremony….
cut 10 (10) “…the whole world loves you”
There will be a memorial service on Thursday to remember the three fallen officers. Vice President Joe Biden is expected to attend.

LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye is lucky to be alive after surving a car crash that killed two others in Wisconsin. Delahoussaye was in the back seat of the car at the time of the accident and suffered minor injuries. The kicker is heading into his senior season at LSU and his high school football coach at New Iberia, Rick Hutson, says Delahoussaye says is really excited for this year…
cut 13 (04) “…played or not”
Delahoussaye was in Wisconsin to participate in the Kohl’s Kicking Camp and is expected back in New Iberia today.

Tragedy hit the Sabine River this weekend when a father and his two sons drowned near Merryville. Beauregard Sheriff Rick Mosely says 51-year-old Harlin Powell’s 12-year-old son Dale Powell and stepson Robbie Merritt were swimming in the river when they began to struggle…:
CUT 3 (09) “unsuccessful”
Mosely says it appears a strong current dragged the victims under water.

House Transportation Chairman Kenny Havard expects legislation next year that will seek to raise the state’s gasoline tax. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard doesn’t really want to raise any taxes, but the state needs the revenue to address the problems with our roads and bridges…
cut 7 (11) “…pay for it”
Louisiana’s 20-cent gas tax ranks 41st in the nation.