Gasoline prices continue to fall, in fact, Louisiana is one of three states in the country that has service stations selling gasoline for lower than two dollars a gallon. Gas-Buddy-dot-com Senior Petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says it’s possible the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline could drop below two-dollars by Thanksgiving, but there are factors that could hinder that…
cut 8 (12) “….go back up”
The current statewide average is $2.24 a gallon.

It’s blistering hot, so hot that the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the northern half of the state. Meteorologist Gary Chatelain…
Cut 4(10) “…it quickly”
99-degrees is the forecasted high for Shreveport and Monroe. Tomorrow, Alexandria could see a heat index of 110-degrees.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry says the state has seen a drastic decrease in wildfires over the last 10 years from 1,638 in 2008 to 676 last year. Commissioner Mike Strain credits the state’s public awareness campaign that includes the Certified Prescribed Burner program…
cut 13 (08) “…the ground”
Strain also says arson cases are down 82 percent

Matt Doyle has a story on why you should wake up early tomorrow morning to see the famed Perseid Meteor shower…
cut 2 (32) I’m Matt Doyle”

President Donald Trump plans to rally Republicans on Capitol Hill behind the idea that the country needs stronger federal background check laws for all gun purchases. But U-S Representative Ralph Abraham says none of the proposals coming from Democrats or the White House would have stopped the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton…
cut 8 (09) “…to go”
The biggest fight over background checks will likely be in the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated he’d allow discussion of the issue.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association announces the “No Room for Trafficking” campaign aimed at helping hotel workers recognize the warning signs to look for when dealing with potential human trafficking situations. AHLA President and CEO Chip Rodgers says in 2018, Louisiana had 149 cases with 19 of those in hotels.
Cut 13 (09) “…human trafficking spike.”

40-year-old Stacy Rogers faces a charge of illegal use of weapons after she allegedly fired her a gun at a mosquito abatement aircraft. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glenn Springfield says Rodgers thought it was a drone that was invading her privacy. Springfield says there are laws against illegal drone use and harassment, so if you think your neighbor has crossed the line, keep you r gun holstered and call police…
cut 12 (10) “…at it”

The US Small Business Administration will open a disaster loan outreach center at Ruston City Hall tomorrow to assist those who seek a low-interest loan to help rebuild from the April tornadoes. Anyone who received damage is eligible to apply. S-B-A spokesperson Louise Porter says S-B-A loans are flexible when it comes to paying it back…
cut 5 (09) “…an official determination”

President Donald Trump says he’ll take a more active role when it comes to Congress passing legislation that results in meaningful background checks for gun purchases. But Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abrahan is not confident about finding middle ground…
cut 9 (10) “…with that”

The hotel industry is trying to do something about human trafficking. They’ve started a “No Room for Trafficking” campaign which will train hotel workers so they can recognize the signs of human trafficking. American Hotel and Lodging Association president Chip Rodgers says there are signs hotel guests can be on the lookout for as well…
cut 14 (12) “….neglect or abuse”

The National weather service has issued an excessive heat warning for the northern half of the state until Tuesday night. National Weather Service Meteorologist Gary Chatelain says that means heat indices over 110-degrees…
cut 3 (09) “…gets soaked”
Chatelain says know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as a sudden lack of sweat.

The U-S Small Business Administration will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center tomorrow in Ruston to answer questions from the public and business owners who are seeking a low-interest federal disaster loan to help rebuild from the tornado outbreak that hit the area in late April…
cut 6 (08) “….as low as 4-percent”
That’s S-B-A spokesperson Louise Porter who says the disaster loan outreach center will open tomorrow morning at 8 AM at Ruston City Hall.

President Donald Trump plans to push Republicans to pass stronger federal background check laws for guns. Despite the White House’s shift in policy, many Congressional Republicans still strongly oppose it. U-S Representative Ralph Abraham is one…
cut 7 (08) “…tragedies”
Abraham voted against recent background check and red flag laws that cleared the House on a party-line vote.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association has a new campaign called “No Room for Trafficking.” It’s an initiative where the hotel industry is training workers to recognize the warning signs of human trafficking that occurs in hotels. A-H-L-A President and CEO Chip Rodgers…
cut 15 (09) “…report it”
In 2018, there were 19 reported cases of human trafficking in Louisiana hotels.

A 40-year-old Monroe woman is arrested after mistaking a mosquito abatement plane for a drone and opening fire from her yard. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Gas prices continue to drop at the pump. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.27. That’s six-cents cheaper than a week ago and 14-cents lower than a month ago. And the average price in Louisiana is 35-cents cheaper than a year ago.

The President has signaled his support for expanded background check legislation, but many Congressional Republicans say they still oppose the effort. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle ”

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office says a homeowner in Zachary shot a naked man who tried to gain entry into his home early Sunday morning. The homeowner was alerted by his dog barking on the back porch. Authorities say the alleged intruder is in critical but stable condition. No charges have been filed.

A Monroe woman faces charges after she allegedly shot at a mosquito abatement aircraft that she thought was a drone flying over her home. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says you can’t just shoot at a drone, even if it’s on your property. He adds there’s still some debate about who owns the airspace around your home…
Cut 11 (05) “…into it.”
Springfield says if you think a drone is invading your privacy, call the police, don’t just fire your gun.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association announces the “No Room for Trafficking” campaign aimed at helping hotel workers recognize the warning signs to look for when dealing with potential human trafficking situations. AHLA President and CEO Chip Rodgers says in 2018, Louisiana had 149 cases with 19 of those in hotels.
Cut 13 (09) “…human trafficking spike.”

The National College Baseball Hall of Fame announces it will hold its 2019 induction ceremony in Baton Rouge and there’s a chance the Hall could build a new museum in the capitol city. Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana residents are passionate about college baseball, so it would be a natural fit to have the college baseball hall of fame in Baton Rouge…
cut 11 (08) “…in Baton Rouge”
The 2019 induction ceremony will take place in November at the Raising Cane’s Center in downtown Baton Rouge.

A Houma teenager lost her life in a D-W-I wreck in Terrebonne Parish early Sunday moring. State Police Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 16-year-old Makayla Gregoire of Houma was unrestrained in the back seat in an S-U-V. LaGrange says 35-year-old Reva Hood of Houma was drunk behind the wheel and the tragic incident could have been avoided…
cut 5 (10) “…you are”
Authorities say Hood had a .126 blood-alcohol level on the scene, above the .08 legal limit.

A 40-year-old woman from Rapides Parish was killed in a U-T-V crash in Natchitoches Parish on Sunday. State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says a 16-year-old was driving the U-T-V and the juvenile lost control…
cut 9 (09) “…16-year-old”
Moreau says the juvenile received minor injuries, while the passenger, Amanda Preble, died from her injuries.

More troubling news came out today about former Baton Rouge Police officer Blane Salmoni, the man who fatally shot Alton Sterling. An attorney for the Sterling family, Chris Stewart, released documents showing an EMS complaint accusing Salamoni of blocking paramedics from saving a 17-year-old’s life in 2014…
cut 7 (09) “…the patient”
The Sterling family has filed a civil suit against Salamoni, the police department and the East Baton Rouge Metro Council.