New child passenger safety laws go into effect in Louisiana August 1st, when kids under 13 must ride in the back seat and more child safety seat and restraint laws will be enforced. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman.
Cut 7 (10) “…seat.”
At which point they must transition to a forward-facing seat. Once they turn four and outgrow the forward-facing seat, they must transition to a booster seat.

A company called Alarm-dot-com says they have found that the best age for a child’s first cellphone is 12-years-old. V-P of the website Anne Ferguson says it is important to lay ground rules for when and how a parent can monitor device usage…
cut 14 (09) “…among the children”

Today NASA unveils the latest look at the spacecraft hoping to put man back on the moon in 2024. Kevin Barnhart reports Louisiana is playing a leading role in making that happen…
voicer 1 (28) “…reporting”

Ten Democrats vying for the party’s 2020 Presidential nomination square off for a debate at 8 PM. Matt Doyle has reactions from advocates for the top two polling candidates.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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An overnight shooting at an East Baton Rouge home leaves three dead and the deputies are crediting the quick thinking of a 14-year-old for the fast capture of the suspect. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The top two polling candidates in the Democratic Presidential Primary will square off tonight in a debate along with eight other hopefuls. Former Vice President Joe Biden sits at the top of the polls in the crowded field and Biden Campaign Co-Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond says the VP’s history of bipartisan work make him the best candidate

Cut 3 (08) “…work with”

Biden recently came under fire for touting his record in Congress of working with segregationists.

But New Orleans Our Revolution Chairman Adam Kay says the candidate at number two in the polls, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, has a compelling, progressive message for voters.

Cut 4 (11) “…wealthy.”

Sanders is the author of Congressional “Medicare For All” legislation.

Democrats are jonesing for a chance to knock President Trump out of office in 2020, and Richmond argues Biden is the most electable candidate in the field, and his electability would have down ballot results…

Cut 5 (11) “…Colorado”

Last night ten other Democrats took the stage for debate, headlined by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke.

But the Democratic party base has shifted significantly to the left on issues like healthcare and the economy and Kay says Sanders can appeal to that shift with his decades long consistently progressive record.

Cut 6 (09) “…tonight.”

The debate kicks off at 8PM, and will also feature candidates like California Senator Kamala Harris, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and more.

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Three people are dead following a shooting at an East Baton Rouge home just after midnight.  The victims were identified as 35-year-old Christa Sudduth, her current boyfriend 32-year-old Ivy Frank, and her grandmother 72-year-old Ruby White.  Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says Sudduth’s 14-year-old son grabbed his younger brother, hid and called 911.

Cut 7 (06) “…and began shooting.”

Hicks says the child was able to give a description of the vehicle and deputies were able to catch up with the suspect, 48-year-old Michael Wade, in the Shenandoah neighborhood.

Cut 8 (11) “…interviewing him.”

Hicks says if it wasn’t for the help of the child, an already tragic situation could have ended even worse.

Cut 9 (09) “…both their lives.”

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The Army Corps of Engineers says they expect to close the Bonnet Carre Spillway within the next two to three weeks as pressure on Mississippi River levees is expected to begin decreasing. Spokesperson Matt Roe says they’re confident the structure can begin closing soon…

Cut 10 (11) “…the water.”

The Bonnet Carre is located just west of New Orleans, and redirects river water into Lake Ponchartrain when it threatens to overtop city levees.

It’s the first time in history the Spillway has had to open twice in one year as record rainfall in the Midwest has sent a torrent of water downstream. Roe says that’s kept Corps engineers and inspectors busy for most of 2019…

Cut 11 (07) “daily”

The Bonnet Carre’s opening is thought to be responsible for a rash of toxic algae blooms along the Mississippi coast.

The Bonnet Carre has been open for 90 days this year, topping a record of 75 days set back in 1973, and Roe says the Corps and Levee Authorities have faced high river levels for even longer than that.

Cut 12 (06)   “…11 feet.”

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State Police announce the arrest of three Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputies who allegedly were paid for hours they didn’t work during the Safe and Sober campaign. Trooper Scott Moreau says the arrests come 9 months after the investigation began

Cut 13 (09) “…an internal audit.”  

Moreau says the three deputies arrested, Matthew Davis, Jonathan Treadway, and David Billings are facing charges or malfeasance, public payroll fraud, and injuring public records.

Cut 14 (12) “…visibility safety campaign” 

Investigators could not find the citations claimed by the deputies to support the unworked hours.

The Army Corps of Engineers announces the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish could finally close in the second or third week of July. The spillway has been open for 90 days this year, topping the previous record of 75 in 1973. Corps spokesperson Matt Roe says they’ve have been faced with high river levels for even longer than that…
cut 12 (06) “…11 feet”
Roe says they will begin closing the Bonnet Carre when the Mississippi River falls to 15.5 feet at the Carrollton gage in New Orleans.

Craft beer brewers across the state have seen things fizzle. Six breweries opened their doors over the last year, but five others closed…
cut 15 (07) “….things to help”
That’s the Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch who hopes a new state legislature that will take office in 2020 can make changes to state laws to help their industry.

An overnight shooting at an East Baton Rouge home leaves three dead, but deputies credit the quick thinking of a 14-year-old for the fast capture of the suspect. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State Police announce the arrest of three Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputies who allegedly were paid for hours they didn’t work during the Safe and Sober campaign. Trooper Scott Moreau says the arrests come 9 months after the investigation began.
Cut 13 (09) “…an internal audit.”
The three deputies arrested.. Matthew Davis, Jonathan Treadway, and David Billings.

Governor John Bel Edwards had LSU Coach Ed Orgeron and his wife Kelly, plus members of the LSU Football freshman class over for dinner at the mansion this week. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards and Orgeron are friends and have openly supported each other…
cut 12 (09) “…governor”
Edwards also recently spent time with Saints Quarterback Drew Brees shooting a P-S-A in support of the governor’s new Veterans First Business Initiative.

Next year, the LHSAA will hold a bass fishing state tournament for the first time in the association’s history. Four large regional tournaments will be held in March and a two-day state championship in early April. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell…
cut 8 (11) “….fishin”

This time of year we see an increase in black bear encounters. Kevin Barnhart spoke with LDWF’s black bear expert Maria Davidson.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The craft beer industry in Louisiana has hit a plateau. Six new breweries opened over the last year, but five others shut their doors. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch blames antiquated state laws…
cut 13 (07) “…small business”
Koch says many other states have laws that have kept up with the changes in the industry.

Governor John Bel Edwards had dinner on Tuesday at the mansion with members of the LSU Football freshmen class and now there’s word the state’s top elected official shot a P-S-A with Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says these activities could be used as fodder for his Republican gubernatorial challengers…
cut 10 (11) “….the other”

There’s been an increase in bear sightings. LDWF’s Maria Davidson says it’s that time of year when mother bears force their cubs to start fending for themselves and male bears are on the prowl for mating season. She says if bears are known to wander in your neighborhood, reduce the risk of an encounter…
cut 6 (11) “…those things”

Bass fishing has been OK’d as a trial sport for the Louisiana High School Athletics Association. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

According to the Storm Prediction Center, northeast Louisiana is under a marginal risk for severe weather today.