A lawsuit has been filed in federal court against leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement claiming they had a role in sparking a deadly ambush on police officers in Baton Rouge last July. The suit alleges that their nightly protests following the shooting death of Alton Sterling incited violence against law enforcement. Legal Analyst Tim Meche believes this suit was filed to make a political point….
cut 13 (08) “…as a result”
Meche says the gunman, Gavin Long, was clearly crazy and it’s hard to hold anyone accountable for his actions.

Four jockeys from Texas have been arrested by State Police for a hazing incident that took place in a locker room at Delta Downs race track in Vinton. Authorities say they shaved off a juvenile male’s eyebrow and threw hot sauce on his genitals. The victim was a race track employee.

Raising Cane’s has been named the fastest-growing fast food chain in the US by Nation’s Restaurant News. Cane’s has nearly 330 locations, including 50 in Louisiana, and 59 new restaurants have popped up in the past year. Regional Vice President Matt Massey says their mission is more than just serving tasty chicken tenders with toast and amazing secret…
cut 7 (09) “….love what they do”

The I-10 eastbound lanes between Sorrento and Gramercy will close at 9 PM tonight so crews can install a section of an on-ramp that was damaged when a truck hit it. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the damaged roadway was removed and fixed at a site near the interstate in order to prevent more than just a couple of closures…
cut 5 (08) “…be repaired”
The interstate is expected to re-open early Monday morning.

One of the officers wounded in the deadly ambush on cops in Baton Rouge last year is suing leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement. On July 17th, 2016, 29-year-old Gavin Long killed three officers and wounded three others in a targeted attack. The suit accuses Black Lives Matter of inciting violence. But legal analyst Tim Meche doesn’t see this going far
CUT 12 (10) “first amendment right”
The suit’s description of the plaintiff matches East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Tullier.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office says a volunteer firefighter was killed when responding to a blaze in the Mt. Hermon area. They say 54-year-old Ronda Varnado of Franklinton was in a fully loaded firetruck when it ran off the road then tipped causing the water tank to crash into the cab.

There are plenty of fun events going on in New Orleans this weekend, and if you’re planning to head that way you may experience delays without an alternate route. I-10 east is going to be closed between Sorrento and Gramercy beginning tonight at 9…:
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That’s DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallet who says the interstate is set to reopen by 5am Monday morning.

A 73-year-old Slidell man was brutally beaten during a road rage incident just before noon Thursday. 19-year-old Brett McCraney and 26-year-old Adonis Young were seen attacking the victim while he was still in his vehicle, according to Detective Daniel Seuzeneau with Slidell Police…:
Cut 11 (11) “penalties”
Seuzeneau says the victim was transported to University Medical Center in New Orleans due to the severity of the injuries to his face and head.

Raising Cane’s has been named the fastest-growing chain in the US for 2017 by the industry publication Nation’s Restaurant News. It says the Baton Rouge founded chicken establishment did $640.5 million dollars in sales in 2016, up 26 percent from the prior year. Matt Massey is the Regional Vice President at Cane’s. He says this is a great honor…:
CUT 6 (11) “everyday”
Cane’s only has 310 locations, but is growing rapidly with 59 new restaurants in the past year.

One of the officers wounded in the July 17th ambush on Baton Rouge cops last year is suing Black Lives Matter leaders claiming the movement is what led to the gunman’s actions. There are five people named as defendants in the suit filed Friday on behalf of the un-named injured officer.

Two young men have been arrested after allegedly severely beating an elderly man in a road rage incident in Slidell. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Kenner Representative Julie Stokes has dropped out of the State Treasurer’s race after being diagnosed with breast cancer, and facing several months of chemo. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Stokes is a highly regarded and respected state lawmaker:
Cut 13 (12) “fiscal questions”
He expects the State Treasurer’s race will remain a highly competitive one.

A 73-year-old Slidell man was brutally beaten during a road rage incident just before noon yesterday, according to cops. Slidell Police responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call that two young men had attacked the elderly man who was still inside his vehicle. Detective Daniel Seuzeneau…:
Cut 9 (09) “house”
The two men are charges with disturbing the peace and second degree battery.

The Tax Foundation ranks Louisiana number one in the nation for sales tax rates. Director of state projects for the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says when you combine sales, property and income taxes, Louisiana is one of the least tax burdened states. But he says the state can benefit from tax reform, because it has one of the most complex structures in the nation…:
Cut 9 (10) “Louisiana”
Louisiana’s combined state and local sales tax rate averages just above 10-percent.

I-10 East between Sorrento and Gramercy will be closed this weekend for repairs on the on-ramp bridge connecting U.S. 61 and the interstate. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says you should find another way to New Orleans:
Cut 3 (09) “61”
The closure begins at 9 p.m. tonight and is set to reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday.

A state lawmaker is battling breast cancer. Jeff Palermo reports a lot of people are pulling for Kenner Republican Julie Stokes to win the fight…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A meeting to discuss the future of the Confederate momunment that stands in front of the Caddo Parish courthouse ended abruptly last night. The Caddo Commission Monument Advisory adjourned quickly after starting, because one member wasn’t there. Chairman RJ Johnson is surprised the meeting was postponed.
The head of Louisiana’s Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says they are ramping up on spending the federal grant money designed to help flood victims get back in their homes. Forbes says one of the complaints they’ve heard is that there’s not enough money, but he says they actually have enough to help out a whole bunch of folks….
forbes 3 (09) “…help you”
More information can be found at Restore-dot-LA-dot-gov.

The Humane Society of Louisiana says a Denham Springs couple found a cat that had a gunshot wound to the face. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says they are working with law enforcement to determine who shot the cat. He says the cat will undergo reconstruction and extraction surgery…
cut 12 (10) “…full recovery”
Dorson says they are collecting donations to pay for the cat’s surgeries on the Humane Society’s website.

State Representative Julie Stokes announces she is withdrawing from the race for State Treasurer because she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. The Kenner lawmaker says she’s facing months of chemo, but hopes to be back in time for the next legislative session. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Stokes was a favorite to win State Treasurer, but…:
Cut 15 (05) “strong campaigns”
Former state legislator John Schroder from Covington is in the running, as is Columbia Senator Neil Riser.

The Tax Foundation has updated its national review of sales tax rates and finds Louisiana continues to rank number one in the nation. We’ve got a combined state and local sales tax rate averaging just above 10-percent. But Director of state projects for the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says property taxes are lower than most states thanks to the Homestead Exemption…:
Cut 8 (12) “of revenue”
He says when you combine sales, property and income taxes, Louisiana is one of the least tax burdened states.

Those headed to New Orleans this weekend should keep in mind that I-10 eastbound at Highway 61 will be closed tonight at 9 through no later than Monday morning. DOTD says crews are still repairing on a ramp at the Gramercy exit near Sorrento. Alternate routes include taking I-12 to I-55, or Airline Highway to Hwy 641 where you can get back on I-10.

A cat suffering from a gunshot wound to the face is expected to make a full recovery. Emelie Gunn has more..:
Cut 3 (30) “Emelie Gunn”

Once again, Louisiana ranks number one in the Tax Foundation’s study for the highest sales tax rate in the country…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There’s another confederate monument debate brewing in the state…and this time it’s in northwest Louisiana. A citizen advisory committee charged with making a recommendation about the future of the downtown confederate monument in Shreveport, was slated to discuss its relocation last night, but the meeting was adjourned in minutes. The chair of the committee was not happy, and called the move a major attempt to usurp the topic.

Kenner Representative Julie Stokes has bowed out of the State Treasurer’s race as she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the Republican was considered one of the favorites to win…:
Cut 14 (10) “Acadiana”
Stokes says she faces at least five months of chemotherapy, but intends to be fully recovered by the time the 2018 legislative session beings.

A Denham Springs couple has saved a stray cat that wondered up to their house shot in the face. Humane Society of Louisiana Executive Director Jeff Dorson says it’s amazing that given the horrendous injury, he has so much will to live…:
Cut 11 (06) “amazing story”
Dorson says they are working with law enforcement to determine who could’ve shot the cat. His name is Scar Face, and you can donate to help by visiting the Humane Society of Louisiana website.

A state lawmaker is battling breast cancer. Jeff Palermo reports a lot of people are pulling for Kenner Republican Julie Stokes to win the fight:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise underwent surgery for infection management on Thursday, after he was readmitted to the ICU at MedStar Washington Hospital Center Wednesday. He remains in serious condition.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 14-year-old has died after accidentally shooting himself in the stomach.

It’s hard to believe, but the one year anniversary of the 2016 August floods is just over a month away. So where does the federal grant money stand? Pat Forbes, head of Louisiana’s Office of Community Development, oversees distribution of flood aid…:
Cut 4 (09) “for them”
He says they have money to help out 36,000 of the hardest hit families.

A Denham Springs couple has discovered a cat suffering from a gunshot wound to the face when the feline walked up to the front door of their home. The Humane Society of Louisiana Executive Director Jeff Dorson says the cat has received medical attention and is getting the care he needs:
Cut 10 (09) “has survived”
The cat has been nicknamed “Scar face”. Dorson encourages anyone who can to donate for the surgery costs on the Humane Society’s website.