Updated AM Newscall for Monday July 4th

#####Stations, we’ve replaced some news stories on our original newscall. So use this one instead. Only one newscall on Monday, unless something major breaks. Happy 4th of July.####

 

It’s Independence Day and many people will be shooting off fireworks. Emelie Gunn has some safety tips to take into mind while enjoying the holiday.

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Two Louisiana police officers have died while on duty during this holiday weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

It’s Independence Day and the State Fire Marshal urges caution when using fireworks. Butch Browning says  if you’re buying fireworks make sure you use them in legal areas. He reminds consumers to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when lighting fireworks and always have a bucket of water nearby.

Cut 3 (10) “devices”

Browning says children or those under the influence of alcohol should never be allowed to use fireworks. He say the most common injuries associated with pyrotechnical devices is on the hands and then the eyes.

cut 4  (07)  “something occurs”

Laura Adams with InsuranceQuotes says if you’re shooting off fireworks in an area that is illegal and you damage your home or vehicle, you are not covered by insurance. She says it’s a smart idea to call your insurance agent if someone is hurt as a result of fireworks.

Cut 5  (09)  “medical damages”

Adams says homeowners insurance doesn’t always cover homes with pools. She says some insurance agencies require pools to have gates and other potentially dangerous items may not be covered.

Cut 6 (11) “or trampoline”

___________________________________________________

Tons of events are taking place around the state today in honor of the 240th anniversary of America’s independence. New Orleans’ 26th annual ‘Go 4th on the River’ event is ranked the third best Fourth of July celebration in the US, with a red, white and blue water show and a fireworks show to follow on the river. Angie Manning with the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau says there are a lot of events going on tonight in Lake Charles as well.

CUT 7 (12)  “to behold”

Manning says Crying Eagle Brewing Company will have a VIP soft opening today between 2pm and 6pm. She says this is a local brewery that’s opening its doors for the first time today.

Cut 8  (09)  “weekend”

Manning says people can get more information about the events at VisitLakeCharles.org. In north Louisiana, Chris Jay with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau says there will be an enormous Independence Day festival in Festival Plaza.

Cut 9 (12)  “9:20 pm”

Jay says there are over a dozen events listed at Shreveport-dash-Bossier-dot-com.

Cut 10 (09) “SciPort”

The USS KIDD’s Freedom Festival will take place today in downtown Baton Rouge from 11am to 4pm. This event is free and open to the public and honors men and women in the Armed Forces, with fireworks to follow tonight on the river.

_______________________________________________

It’s been a difficult holiday weekend for law enforcement as two Louisiana police officers died while on duty in separate incidents. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says 43-year-old officer Bryan Bordes was working on Bourbon Street when he became ill early Sunday morning…

cut 11 (10) “to the hospital”

The Orleans Parish coroner will conduct an autopsy, though it appears the officer’s death was of natural causes. Bordes was an officer with the NOPD for 18 years and his wife lives in Church Point. Harrison says Bordes loved his job and was a great guy…

cut 12 (08) “the other officers”

State Police say an impaired driver struck and killed a police officer and injured two others in Ouachita Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says Sterlington police officer David Elahi was conducting a traffic  stop on the shoulder of US Highway 165 early Sunday morning, when a pickup truck driven by 44-year-old Tracy Govan of Monroe plowed into Elahi. Reichardt says Govan faces multiple charges

Cut 13 (09)  “emergency vehicles”

Officer Elahi was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two officers involved were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Reichardt says this tragedy is a reminder that motorists need to obey the “Move Over” law…

cut 14 (09)  “reasonable speed”

________________________________________________________

It will be hot as a firecracker on this Fourth of July. Much of north Louisiana is under a heat advisory until seven o’ clock tonight. Michael Berry is with the National Weather Service in Shreveport….

Cut 15 (09) “heat advisory”

Berry says if you have outdoor activities today, make sure you take some breaks from that hot sun…

Cut 16  (12)  “as well” 

Berry says there is the chance for a cooling thunderstorm…

Cut 17 (07)  “5-7 days”

_____________________________________________________