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”

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.