Are you hitting the road for the Fourth of July holiday? You are not alone as a record-breaking 47-million Americans are expected to travel…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”

Soggy conditions are expected today and into tomorrow as a tropical wave moves across the southern half of Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the highest rainfall totals are expected along the coastline.
cut 6 (07) “…up in northern parishes”
Keim says rain chances will also be at least 50-percent this weekend.

The Edwards administration says the budget compromise reached in the last special session has resulted in an upgrade in Louisiana’s credit rating. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says Moody’s Investors Service has raised the state’s credit outlook from negative to stable…
cut 11 (08) “…good news”
State Treasurer John Schroder says now that the fiscal cliff was solved on the revenue side, it’s time to work on the spending side of the problem.

The long range hurricane forecast experts at Colorado State are predicting a below average 2018 hurricane season now. Doctor Phil Klotzbach says they project just 10 named storms, four hurricanes and one major hurricane, but he says we shouldn’t let our guard down…
cut 15 (09) “…for you”
The original prediction for the 2018 season was 14 named storms and we’ve already had one, Alberto, popped up in the Gulf in May.

The Wall Street rating firm, Moody’s Investors Service, has upgraded the state’s financial outlook from negative to stable. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne credits the legislature’s decision to set a 4.45 percent sales tax rate until 2025, which gives the state long-term financial stability…
cut 12 (08) “…kind of action”
Colorado State forecasters are downgrading their expectations for this year’s hurricane season, predicting a below average season for tropical activity. C-S-U Research Scientist Doctor Phillip Klotzbach says they now anticipate 10 more named storms, four hurricanes, and one major hurricane before November 30th. He says conditions have changed over the last month.
Cut 13 (09) “atmosphere”
AAA is estimating a record-breaking 47-million Americans will travel 50 miles or more starting today for this Fourth of July holiday. The auto club also predicts a record three-point-eight million will travel by air. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says Europe is a popular destination as well as theme parks and cruises…
cut 9 (05) “…Alaskan cruise”

While celebrating the holiday this week, it’s important to remember a few tips to reduce the risk of injuries from fireworks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) I’m Kevin Barnhart.“

Good news for the Gulf South, experts have lowered this year’s hurricane season projections. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

It was a messy commute for motorists in metro New Orleans as a result of heavy rain that flooded streets and knocked out power in uptown New Orleans. Rain is likely to fall across the state today as a tropical wave moves east to west. The good news, high temperatures only in the 80s.

The Edwards administration says the budget compromise reached in the last special session has resulted in an upgrade in Louisiana’s credit rating. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says Moody’s Investors Service has raised the state’s credit outlook from negative to stable…
cut 11 (08) “…good news”
State Treasurer John Schroder says now that the fiscal cliff was solved on the revenue side, it’s time to work on the spending side of the problem.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says if you plan lighting fireworks over the next two nights to purchase fireworks from retail stands that have been inspected and permitted by his office. And Browning says when celebrating, be prepared to extinguish embers that may still be burning after the fireworks have been ignited….
cut 6 (06) “…start a fire”
And Browning says after displays, never pick up fireworks that may be left over.

The Wall Street rating firm, Moody’s Investors Service, has revised the state’s financial outlook from negative to stable. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the legislature approving a 4.45 percent sales tax rate until 2025 provided the state with long-term financial stability…
cut 12 (08) “…kind of action”
Dardenne says Moody’s improved credit outlook is validation of the governor’s financial policy.

The long range hurricane forecast experts at Colorado State are predicting a below average 2018 hurricane season now. Doctor Phil Klotzbach says they project just 10 named storms, four hurricanes and one major hurricane, but he says we shouldn’t let our guard down…
cut 15 (09) “…for you”
Heavy rain is moving through metro New Orleans this morning.

Are you hitting the road today for the Fourth of July holiday? You are not the only one as a record-breaking 47-million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”

A reported 13 teenagers have now escaped this year from the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe. The latest escape attempt occurred around midnight on Monday as three teens got out. One of the them was captured in Monroe, the other two stole a state pickup truck and were caught in LaSalle Parish on Monday morning. One prison guard was injured, but was released from the hospital.

Colorado State forecasters are downgrading their expectations for this year’s hurricane season, now predicting a below average season for tropical activity. C-S-U Research Scientist Doctor Phillip Klotzbach says they now anticipate 10 more named storms, four hurricanes, and one major hurricane before November 30th. He says conditions have changed over the last month.
Cut 13 (09) “atmosphere”
Klotzbach says the probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the U-S coastline has decreased as well.

If its not raining outside tonight, fireworks could be popping in your neighborhood. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning reminds those lighting fireworks to not ignite them when they are still in your hand…
cut 5 (05) “….lighting the devices”
Browning says have a bucket of water nearby to douse spent or misfired fireworks.

AAA estimates this Fourth of July holiday will see a record-breaking 47 million Americans travel 50 miles or more. This is a five percent increase over last year and AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says the growing economy is propelling families to travel…
Cut 7 (12) “gasoline prices are”
AAA says the statewide average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.57, which is the highest in four years for Independence Day. But Redman says travelers are paying less for airfare, which has resulted in a record-breaking three-point-eight million people traveling by air.

Governor Edwards is asking Louisiana residents to look before they lock their vehicle in an effort to avoid leaving children unattended in hot vehicles. Edwards says over the last 20 years in Louisiana, there were 27 pediatric vehiclular heatstroke deaths…
cut 12 (08) “….a tragedy”
Edwards says in this summer heat, the temperature inside your parked vehicle can quickly climb to over 110 degrees.

A 21-year-old Lafayette man is behind bars after his vehicle fatally struck a bicyclist and seriously injured another person in West Feliciana Parish on Saturday. State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says Nicholas Alexander failed to move over while attempting to pass the victims on LA 66…
cut 10 (05) “….three feet”
East Baton Rouge Metro councilman Anthony Amoroso was pronounced dead at the scene and his 71-year-old Thomas Clement suffered serious injuries.

If you have a suit, dress shirt, or jacket in the back of your closet, the state department of corrections and Men’s Wearhouse are asking you to donate it, so that prisoners released back into society can wear those clothes for a job interview. Elain Ellerbe is the founder of Refined by Fire Ministries and she says they are not just taking men’s suits…
cut 5 (07) “…professional wear too”
For information go to m-w-suit-drive-dot-com.

The state has improved the way residents can keep a better eye on how tax dollars are spent. The Louisiana Checkbook website mirrors efforts in other states to improve transparency. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says they want openness in government…
Cut 30 (09) “…in the nation.”
The website went online today at checkbook-dot-la-dot-gov.

A Lafayette man who allegedly did not observe the three foot rule when it comes to passing bicycles is now facing a vehicular homicide carge in the death of a Baton Rouge elected official….
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Rain chances will be high over the next few days, including Fourth of July. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is some good news…
cut 7 (11) “…the surface”
And Keim says we can use the rain.

The wife of LSU football coach Ed Orgeron nearly died in May of 2017. That’s according to a Sports Illustrated report. Kelly Orgeron, who was born with scoliosis, had two ten-hour surgeries to insert rods and screws into her spine and hips last year. One of the surgeons reportedly nicked her colon, caused her stomatch to swell, resulting in three weeks in the hospital and an additional surgery.

That woman who was pulled out of a burning car in Western Canada last week by a group of baseball players, including three from Southeastern Louisiana, continues to recover from her minor injuries. Evan Pace of Zachary was the first to get to 67-year-old Linda Jack, who was stunned her S-U-V ran off the road and started on fire. Pace says once they got her out of the burning vehicle, they took her to the nearest hospital….
cut 15 (11) “…back home”
The S-L-U players are playing summer baseball with a team based out of Washington State.

A 21-year-old driver from Lafayette is facing negligent homicide after hitting two bicyclists traveling in single file on LA 66 in St. Francisville. East Baton Rouge councilman Buddy Amoroso was killed and his 71-year-old friend serioulsy injured. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says Nicholas Alexander did not follow the three foot rule when it comes to passing bicycles…
cut 11 (09) “…pay attention”
Alexander was booked into the West Feliciana Parish jail.

Bad news for Fourth of July revelers, its gunna rain. Thunderstorms that have the potential to produce heavy rainfall is in the forecast through Independence Day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says south Louisiana in particular could be looking at a lot of rain
Cut 6 (10) “Monroe”
The good news is that temperatures will not be too hot with all of this rain in the area.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections is once again partnering with Men’s Wearhouse and Refined by Fire Ministries as they collect suits for offenders who get out of jail. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”