LRN PM Newscall August 3rd

Construction will soon begin on Interstate 10 between the I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Basin, according to the Department of Transportation. Halen Doughty has more…

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Today marks the 4 year anniversary of the Assumption Parish sinkhole in Bayou Corne. Michelle Southern reports…:

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A 5-year-old has died after being shot accidentally by his 9-year-old brother. Col. John Fortunato with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says police received a call from the children’s mother, 29-year-old Generra Brown, and when first responders arrived at the scene, they made a horrific discovery.

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The 5-year-old has been identified as Melvin Brady. Fortunato says the two boys were playing in a closet when they came across a handgun.

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Fortunato says a semiautomatic handgun was found lying next to the child. He says the boys’ mother was not home at the time of the shooting.

CUT 5 (07)  “elderly neighbor”

Fortunato says no charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.

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The Department of Transportation announces they will soon begin the process of widening Interstate 10 between the I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this area of the interstate is heavily trafficked by freight trucks. He believes widening the road to three lanes in both directions will alleviate congestion.

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Wilson says a $60 million federal FASTLANE grant will pay for the repaving and widening of I-10. He says there are a lot of transportation improvements needed in Louisiana, but this project best fits the criteria for this award.

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Wilson says this federal grant frees up state dollars to be used for other highway improvements. He says construction to widen I-10 should begin in January, and both lanes will remain open during the roadwork.

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Today marks the 4 year anniversary of the Assumption Parish sinkhole in Bayou Corne, and leaders say many residents have moved on — but there are some who don’t want to let go. John Boudreaux is the Emergency Preparedness Director at Assumption Parish. He says this has been an unprecedented event…:

CUT 9 (07) “of the area”

The horrific environmental disaster is still affecting the community. Boudreaux says this is one of those situations that you never think could happen to you, but a reminder about why it’s so important to always been prepared for anything…:

cut 10 (10)  “emergency response”

Boudreaux says most residents are pleased with their settlements from Texas Brine and have established their lives elsewhere, but there are still about 15 who remain in the area. He says 4 years ago they were working hard to figure out where this strage bubbling was coming from, and had no idea it was anything along the lines of this massive sinkhole…:

Cut 11 (10) “and unknowns”

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Louisiana has received $400-thousand from the Centers for Disease Control to fight the Zika virus. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health says this money is targeted specifically for pregnant women, who are most at risk. He says the money will be used to educate both OBGYNs and women about the virus, as well as for medical care if a woman gets Zika.

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Welch urges pregnant women to take extra precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. He says that includes removing any standing water from their yards and watching out for mosquitos when they are outside.

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Welch says there have been 17 Zika cases in Louisiana, and all of them are travel related. He says we have not seen local transmission yet in Louisiana, but it’s still a possibility because the mosquito that carries the virus is active here.

cut 14 (08)  “the state”

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An employee has been arrested in Thibodaux for allegedly stealing money from her register at work in order to pay for braces and her education. Thibodaux Police spokesperson David Melancon says 20-year-old Tralvaunta Bentley pocketed a lot of money in just over two weeks…:

cut 15 (07) “her till”

Melancon says Bentley was booked with felony theft on a $35-hundred bond and was released the same day after posting bond. He says this criminal act was a slap in the face to everyone who works hard to pay for their education.

cut 16 (07) “in life”