AAA says more Americans are expected to travel this 4th of July Holiday period than ever before. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore provides a detail account of what happened July 17th when a gunman began firing on Baton Rouge officers. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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AAA says this Fourth of July Holiday weekend travel period, which begins Friday, will be historic as more Americans are expected to take to the skies, roads, rails and waterways than ever before. Spokesman Don Redman says they’ve never seen numbers like this…:

Cut 3 (08) “even more than last year”

The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as June 30th, through Tuesday July 4th. Redman says with 1.25 million more travelers than last year, 2017 will be marked as the most traveled Independence Day holiday weekend ever..:

Cut 4  (08) “growing economy”

With a current statewide average for a gallon of gasoline at a low $2.05, Redman says families are more comfortable going long distances for the popular summer getaway. He says they also credit people feeling great about the economic climate…:

Cut 5  (05)  “people out to travel”

He says 37.5 million people will be driving to their destinations, and 3.44 million will fly which is a 4.6% increase over last year.

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East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore gave an extensive review of what happened last July when a gunman ambushed Baton Rouge Police officers, killing three and wounding three. Moore provided the public with the shooter’s suicide note. He says its clear Gavin Long came to Baton Rouge to inflict pain on police officers…

Cut 6 (10) “didn’t matter”

Long said in his suicide note that many will be surprised by what he’s done, but something had to be done to punish “bad cops.” Long’s attack on the officers came less than two weeks after a white police officer fatally shot a black man in Baton Rouge. Moore’s presentation lasted about an hour. He replayed the chilling  dispatch call when Long opened fire on Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola and others…

Cut 7 (11)  “shooting from “

Moore says Long’s attack on the officers lasted nearly 14 minutes. He showed surveillance video that illustrated the intensity of the shootout, but video showing the officers being fatally shot was edited. He says Deputy Garafola was very brave as he fired shots at Long, while also tending to Officer Matthew Gerald who was also fatally shot….

Cut 8 (14) “Benny’s warehouse

Moore says a Special Response Team was on stand-by because of the recent protests and were on the scene in minutes. He says SWAT officers fired a total of 89 rounds and Long had a total of 45 bullet wounds. The D-A says the officers who killed Long were completely justified and he was ready to die that day too based on his suicide note….

Cut 9 (11)  “get your award”

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The state department of health has found brain eating amoebas in the water systems in both Terrebonne and Ouachita parish. State health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says while the water is safe to drink and bathe in, people should make sure it does not get in their nose.

Cut 10 (10) “serious infection”

The amoeba causes an infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue. Louisiana has had three deaths from this amoeba that came from drinking water. Guidry says they know at this time of year they have to be diligent about looking for it and addressing it because it thrives in warm water.

Cut 11 (08) “rid of it”

These two systems also had the amoebas in 2015. Guidry says the Department of Health is asking the two systems to treat the water with more chlorine to get rid of the amoebas.

Cut 12 (10)  “60 days”

For more information on how to keep your water clean, visit ldh.la.gov.

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Lots of people will be celebrating Independence Day, and law enforcement will be out to make sure they do so safely with its “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Trooper Jesse LaGrange with State Police says officers will be on patrol looking for impaired drivers, with saturated patrols and DWI checkpoints.

Cut 13 (09) “in alcohol”

State Police reports five families in our state lost loved ones in crashes during the 2016 July Fourth weekend. LaGrange encourages everyone to designate a sober driver if they plan to drink. He says it’s important to know how you’re getting home before you start drinking.

Cut 14 (10) “crashes happen”

Staying sober protects not only other drivers, but law enforcement as well. Last Fourth of July weekend, Sterlington Police Officer David Elahi was killed when he was struck by a drunk driver while assisting someone on the side of the road.

Cut 15 (10) “every year”

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Doctors at LSU Health New Orleans hope to reduce the rate of cancer deaths with the Louisiana Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is starting a flag football league he hopes will catch on throughout the nation. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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President Donald Trump says a new sugar trade agreement with Mexico is “a very good one for both Mexico and the U.S.” General Manager of the American Sugarcane League Jim Simon (See-moan) says the U.S. brought a trade case against Mexico because they flooded our market with subsidized sugar. He says this agreement should end Mexico’s illegal dumping practices.

Cut 3 (11) “dumping practices”

The International Trade Commission found Mexico guilty of dumping huge quantities of sugar into the U.S. market. Simon says the market flooding deflated prices, which hurts local farmers. He’s says this agreement should create a more stable market.

Cut 4  (09) “foreign producers”

Simon says while they’re pleased with the agreement, any trade agreement is only as good as how well it’s enforced. He says now that the plan is in place, we move into the enforcement phase.

Cut 5  (09)  “new agreement”

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LSU Health New Orleans has made a plan to reduce cancer deaths in Louisiana over the next five years. Director of the Louisiana Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Donna Williams, says the Louisiana Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan will help ensure people have access to the health services they need.

Cut 6 (11) “them early”

Williams says about half of all cancers can be prevented or detected early and cured. She says treatment for early stages of breast cancer is minimal compared to a late stage, and cervical cancer can also be treated or even prevented.

Cut 7 (09)  “entirely”

Williams says the plan is about making sure people can get into the doctor’s office to get these preventative services. She says they’re also working in the communities to reduce some of the factors that contribute to cancer, like obesity and smoking.

Cut 8 (08) “other cancers”

Williams says Louisiana is currently ranked fourth in the nation for deaths from cancer.

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Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is launching a co-ed youth flag football league he says would be an alternative to tackle football. He says Football ‘N America, or FNA, will be the premium youth co-ed flag football league for K-8th grade, and registration begins tomorrow…:

Cut 9 (11)  “dot com”

Brees says he’s also going to help out by providing FNA coaches with personal video tutorials and starter playbooks. He says he didn’t put pads on until his freshman year in high school, and flag football not only taught him great fundamentals about the sport…:

Cut 10 (11) “adversity”

Brees says many people aren’t comfortable putting their young kids in tackle football before high school because of the heightened concern these days about things like concussions and neck injuries. He says flag football is a safe, fun and friendly way to get your kid involved with football…:

Cut 11 (11) “lifelong fans”

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The state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control suspends the license of Reggie’s Bar near the LSU campus following a sting operation by Baton Rouge Police. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says officers patrolled Tigerland after learning of fights that were taking place in the parking lot of the strip of bars.

Cut 12 (10)  “inside the bar”

McKneely says officers made 37 arrests during the Monday night sting operation. He says 16 of those arrested were between 16 and 18-years-old. He says a variety of charges were handed down, all misdemeanors.

Cut 13 (08) “resisting”

Reggie’s Bar has had its alcohol permit suspended, and the ATC is scheduled to discuss the matter in an emergency hearing next week. McKneely says they want to make sure everyone is safe and having fun responsibly.

Cut 14 (10) “of responsibility”

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