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”

Louisiana launched a new website today so residents can track state spending. It’s checkbook-dot-la-dot-gov. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says the website will contain employee salaries, contract data and incentive spending on economic development projects. Berry says the website comes with a user friendly interface…
cut 12 (03) “….for the citizens”

State Police is reminding motorists about the three foot rule when passing bicycles following a fatal wreck on Saturday in St. Francisville that killed avid bicyclist and East Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says 21-year-old Nicholas Alexander of Lafayette failed to reduce his speed and move over when he attempted to pass Amoroso and another bicylist on LA 66
cut 9 (07) “of that.”
Lee says Alexander was booked into the West Feliciana Parish Jail on several charges, including negligent homicide.
Three Southeastern Louisiana baseball players are talking about the bravery they showed last week when they rescued a woman from a burning S-U-V in western Canada. S-L-U catcher Evan Pace says they were just doing what was right…
cut 14 (06) “..scary”
Pace’s teammates Trey Morgan and Kyle Schimpf and their summer league coach helped get the 61-year-old woman to safety with only minor injuries.
The 11th Annual National Suit Drive is underway through the end of July. The Louisiana Department of Corrections is once again partnering with Men’s Wearhouse and Refined by Fire Ministries as they collect suits to be given to offenders upon release, assisting them as they look for a job. CEO of Refined by Fire Ministries, Elaine Ellerbe, says it is a rewarding moment to see the change in a person when they receive the new suit.
Cut 3 (10) “…maybe even longer.”
For more information go to mwsuitedrive-dot-com.

A week later, state leaders are beginning to get a firm idea of just what the special session will mean for the 2019 governor’s race. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Matt Doye.“

And a new sales tax rate for Louisiana is in effect as a result of the tax plan agreed upon in the last special session. The sales tax rate dropped from five to 4.45 percent.

The Louisiana Checkbook website debuts today. Policy Director of the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says it gives residents the opportunity to dig deep into the partciulars of how state government spends its money….
cut 11 (04) “…of state government”
Financial data of a handful of agencies are posted at checkbook-dot-la-gov and more will be added in the coming months.

A New Iberia father and son have been found guility of killing a Louisiana black bear back in 2015. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says the two were aware of their actions…
cut 16 (07) “….covered it up”
The 15-year-old has been ordered to serve 100 hours of community service and his hunting license has been suspended for a year. 60-year-old Elie Dupre has been ordered to pay a 25-hundred dollar fine.

Now that the state has found a solution to the fiscal cliff with the passage of a sales tax bill, the focus in state politics will turn towards next year’s governor’s race. GOP House Chairman Lance Harris says Republicans remain committed towards reducing the size of state government, but that can’t happen with Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in office…
cut 5 (10) “…governor’s office”
But House Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Johnson says the Democratic coalition’s ability to preserve healthcare, higher ed, and TOPS sends a strong message about the party’s values heading into the governor’s race, as well as their success in solving the budget crisis created by the last administration.
Cut 6 (09) “honest budgeting”
Qualifying for the 2019 governor’s race is just over 13 months away.

Louisiana launches a new website today that will help residents track government spending. It can be found at checkbook-dot-la-dot-gov. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says the website will contain employee salaries, contract data and incentive spending on economic development projects. Berry says the website comes with a user friendly interface….
cut 12 (03) “….for the citizens”

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.

State leaders have had a week now to stew about the results of the special session that ended with a 4.45 percent sales tax rate that fully funds most state programs. With the fiscal cliff in the rear view mirror, attention now turns to next year’s governor’s race. GOP House Chairman Lance Harris says the results of the session make it clear the state needs a conservative governor.
Cut 4 (12) “the governor”
But Democrats say their members stepped up to make sure health care, higher ed, and TOPS were fully funded.
Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this fall will lack political drama, but get ready for fireworks next year…
cut 9 (07) “…for Louisiana”

With much of the recent attention on funding Louisiana’s budget, the state is making upgrades to the way residents can keep a better eye on how tax dollars are spent as they roll out the Louisiana Checkbook today. The website mirrors efforts in other states to improve transparency. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says he hopes the push for more openness in government spending will catch on.
Cut 10 (09) “…in the nation.”
The website goes online today and it can be found at checkbook-dot-la-dot-gov.

Former LSU standout and Shreveport golfer David Toms won the U-S Senior Open yesterday as he shot three-under part for the tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

According to Yahoo sports insider Jordan Schultz, the Pelicans are one of four teams interested in Cleveland restricted free agent Rodney Hood. The 25-year-old wing man averaged nearly 15 points a game last season and shot 38-percent from three-point territory.

The LSU Board of Supervisors meets on Friday where they are expected to approve a huge salary increase for gymnastics coach DD Breaux, who is set to get a 47-percent increase to raise her annual salary to 405-thousand dollars. The LSU gymnastics team has finished in the top four in the country in the last three seasons.

LSU women’s basketball coach Nikki Fargas is set to get a three-year contract extension. The Lady Tigers have made the NCAA Tournament the last two years.

Big game for former LSU star Alex Bregman as he had four hits last night including his 13^th home run of the season as Houston blanked the Blue Jays seven to nothing.

___________________________________________________________________

Arkansas is one win away from its first national championship in baseball. The Razorbacks took game one of the championship series of the C-W-S with a 4-1 win over Oregon State last night. The Hogs scored all of their runs in the fifth inning and had just two hits in that inning as Beavers starting pitcher Luke Heimlich couldn’t find the strike zone. Game two is tonight at 6 PM.

The Baton Rouge Soccer Club has reportedly fired one of its coaches after he was arrested on allegations he repeatedly sexually assaulted one of his female players in Connecticut several years ago. 42-year-old Adam Allerton is facing multiple counts of second and fourth-degree sexual assault. The executive director of the Baton Rouge soccer club said they took significant precautions to ensure the safety of their players.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced plans to close the current recreational, seven days per week red snapper season at 11:59 PM on July 8^th. Depending on the number of red fish caught this summer, it’s possible the red snapper season will re-open during the weekends in August.