The governor’s office says the Department of Justice will announce its decision today on the Alton Sterling case at 11am, and it’s expected that there will not be charges handed down to the Baton Rouge officers involved in the fatal shooting. Legal analyst Tim Meche believes the cops had a right to do what they did when faced with an armed man who was resisting…:
Cut 14 (09) “a weapon”

A measure by Representative Paul Hollis that would make it easier to recall elected officials clears a House panel. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A bill to be heard in the House Labor Committee today would protect employees from retaliation for talking about their wages. Vice President of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana Charmaine Caccioppi says the legislation is the first step in prohibiting pay secrecy…:
Cut 6 (07) “right direction”
She says it doesn’t mean employers could discuss other’s income, just that employees couldn’t be reprimanded for discussing their own salary.

An active weather day is expected throughout the entire state today. There are two rounds of storms, one this morning and a squall line forecast to move in later this afternoon and into Thursday. A flash flood watch is in effect through Thursday morning, and a tornado watch until 5pm.

The Governor’s Office of Community Development is warning residents of emails and phone calls claiming flood-impacted families have been approved for grants. They say these messages are often scams to obtain personal information. Homeowners will get legit calls from the Restore Louisiana staff who will confirm who they are by referring to a survey account number.

The Governor’s Office now says an announcement will be made today from the Department of Justice on the Alton Sterling decision. Reports yesterday indicated the DOJ will not charge the Baton Rouge Police officers involved in the death of Sterling. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this isn’t surprising…:
Cut 13 (11) “his pocket”
Reports indicate the feds will meet with the Sterling family at 11am. State authorities could still conduct their own investigation of the fatal shooting.

Much of the state is now under a tornado watch until 5pm. There are a pair of storm systems slated to move in today into sunrise Thursday morning. There is also a flood watch issued from midday through sunrise tomorrow as heavy rainfall from strong to severe storms are expected to produce between 2 and 4 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Damaging winds, large hail, and possibly tornadoes are also the main threats associated with this system.

Legislation designed to end pay secrecy will be heard in the House Labor Committee today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A bill headed to the House floor would reduce the number of signatures needed on a recall petition in large jurisdictions. Representative Paul Hollis said he brought the measure after failure to remove from office a St. Tammany Parish Coroner who is now in federal prison. Norco Representative Gregory Miller says the recall laws are meaningless in voting districts of that size…:
Cut 11 (06) “large jurisdiction”

***The 7:30 newscast has been updated to include that the Governor’s Office now says an announcement from the DOJ on the Sterling case will be made today. And also the tornado watch in effect for most of the state until 5pm.***

The Washington Post leaked a report indicating the Department of Justice will not charge the Baton Rouge Police officers involved in the shooting of Alton Sterling. State Attorney General Jeff Landry could still investigate to see if criminal state charges apply. But Legal Analyst Tim Meche doesn’t think that’s likely….:
Cut 15 (08) “it’s over”
The Governor’s Office says they have not been notified of a timeline or decision regarding the Sterling investigation.

A bill to be heard in the House Labor Committee today would protect employees from retaliation for talking about their wages. Vice President of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana Charmaine Caccioppi is an advocate for ending pay secrecy…:
Cut 4 (10) “discussing that”
Opposition is expected to come from business groups.

A lawmaker from Covington wants to make it easier for recall petitions to succeed in Louisiana, and his bill to do just that has cleared a House panel. The current rules state districts with more than 1,000 voters have 180 days to sign up a third of registered voters. Norco Representative Gregory Miller says he can see how that’s impossible…:
Cut 10 (10) “particular thing”
Large districts would need 20% of signatures of the measure headed to the house floor.

The House budget proposal set for debate on the floor is $237 million less than what the governor wanted, and state agencies are speaking out in efforts to have their budgets protected. Department of Corrections is looking at an $11 million dollar cut which Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says would create additional staffing issues…
Cut 9 (08) “medical staff”
The Louisiana Department of Health is facing a $235 million cut.

The Washington Post is reporting the DOJ will not charge the Baton Rouge police officers accused of fatally shooting Alton Sterling last July…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

There have been a few small demonstrations and protests popping up since the leaked report was released. About 15 people gathered in front of the Baton Rouge Police headquarters. Much of the outrage at this point including from the mayor is due to the news leaking before the Sterling family was informed.

Leaders of state agencies are urging lawmakers not to cut their budgets, as the spending plan heading to the House floor is $237 million less than the governor’s budget proposal. The Louisiana Department of Health is facing a $235 million cut. Secretary Rebekah Gee says that means programs like school-based health centers, Zika defenses, and in-patient psychiatric treatment would be eliminated…:
Cut 7 (07) “does not exist”
DCFS is facing cuts and so is the Department of Corrections.

There is another flash flood watch in effect for almost the entire state from 10am this morning through just before sunrise tomorrow, as severe storms move through the state. Rain amounts of 3 to 6 inches are expected in some areas that are still trying to dry out from Sunday’s downpour.

The Washington Post reports the U.S. Department of Justice will not charge the two Baton Rouge Police officers who were involved in the shooting death of Alton Sterling last July. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the D-O-J’s ruling is consistent with the opinion of many lawyers he’s spoken with…
cut 13 (11) “…his pocket”
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry can still investigate this case to see if state charges apply.

Three bills that seek to reduce Louisiana’s highest-in-the-nation incarceration rate were approved by a Senate committee today. The proposed laws would shorten sentences for some non-violent offenders and expand opportunities for probation and parole. Edwards’ says changes are needed, because the state is spending too much money on its prison population.

Democratic New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been named a potential 2020 presidential contender by a New York Times Report. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s too early to guess who could be on the ballot. He says Landrieu could be influential in the party but doesn’t have name recognition outside of the Bayou State.
Cut 10 (11) “long shot”

The number of high school students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the highest in the state’s history. Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunity Ken Bradford says students are already at a 51-percent completion rate and the deadline to fill out the form is still two months away…:
Cut 3 (12) “completion rate”
The national average for FAFSA completion is 55-percent.

The Washington Post has learned the Department of Justice will not pursue charges against the Baton Rouge officers involved in the shooting death of Alton Sterling. But there’s nothing official yet from the D-O-J. Sterling was selling C-D’s outside a store last July when two officers went up to him after receiving a report he was threatening someone with a gun. An altercation ensued and Sterling was shot several times after video shows one of the officers apparently yelling, “he’s got a gun.”

Former U-S Attorney Don Cazayoux appeared as a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster and said these difficult investigations take time…
cut 8 (08) “….easy decisions’
Again, nothing official from the Department of Justice, but the Washington Post is reporting officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake will not be charged. The governor’s office says they’ve not been notified of a timeline or decision regarding Sterling.

Three criminal justice reform bills supported by Governor John Bel Edwards were approved by a Senate committee. Edwards says the measures attempt to reduce the state’s incarceration rate, which is considered the largest in the nation. The governor says 95-percent of inmates in Louisiana will one day be released from prison, but many go right back in…
cut 13 (05) “….of prison”
Edwards says savings from lowering the incarceration rate can be used to on anti-recidivism courses.

More Louisiana high school students than ever have filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunity Ken Bradford says this assistance covers the cost of attendance, like books and room and board. He also says this financial assistance applies to more than just two and four year colleges.
Cut 5 (09) “truck driving”

A Washington Post report says the Justice Department has decided not to bring charges against the officers involved in the death of Alton Sterling and plans to reveal their decision in the next 24 hours. But report goes on to say that the Sterling family has yet to be informed and it’s still unclear how the department will announce its findings.

State leaders have no idea where the Justice Department is with its decision on the Alton Sterling case. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Three bills that seek to reduce Louisiana’s highest-in-the-nation incarceration rate were approved by a Senate committee today. The proposed laws would shorten sentences for some non-violent offenders and expand opportunities for probation and parole. Edwards’ says changes are needed, because the state is spending too much money on its prison population…
cut 12 (09) “…not less”
A New York Times report names New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as a possible Presidential candidate in 2020. Landrieu is gaining national attention for his effort to remove four confederate monuments. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Landrieu leaves office next year and he could be someone that gets involved in national politics…
cut 11 (09) “….Deep South”
But Dubos says it’s unclear what the mayor will do once his second term ends.