There are now barricades surrounding the Robert E. Lee statue in New Orleans. It is one of the three monuments that are still slated to be removed as a result of a city council vote two years ago. New Orleans Police put the barricades up. Mayor Mitch Landrieu is anxious to remove these monuments, but has said they will not come down until Jazz Fest is over. The two-weekend music festival ends Sunday.

The state Department of Veterans Affairs is concerned about the spending plan the House has approved. Undersecretary Homer Rodgers says it could lead to the closure of two veteran’s cemeteries. He says the cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville are a miniature Arlington National Cemetery and require a lot of upkeep.
Cut 7 (08) “our veterans”
Rogers hopes the Senate will restore the funding when they take up the budget in the coming weeks.

A Zachary man has been arrested after making threats against law enforcement on Facebook. The post referenced the DOJ’s decision not to bring forth charges against the officers involved in the Alton Sterling case, saying “It’s time Baton Rouge u didn’t learn from the police killing.” State Trooper Bryan Lee says police take these type of threats seriously…:
Cut 4 (10) “the community”
Thomas is charged with terrorizing.

A Sulphur man has been arrested for threatening a driver with his gun. State Police Sgt. James Anderson says 24-year-old Matthew Savoie was driving in the left lane on I-10 when another vehicle approached, and the two exchanged words as the other driver passed.
Cut 12 (11) “morning’s incident”
Savoie was arrested yesterday morning and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.

The Louisiana State Police along with a special prosecutor assigned by Attorney General Jeff Landry is now looking to see if Officers Howie Lake and Blane Salamoni violated state laws during the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. Baton Rouge Attorney Beau Brock says it was a smart move by Landry to have LSP lead this investigation
Cut 11 (07) “of force”
Sterling’s family is hopeful the A-G office will seek justice for Sterling.

The Senate Transportation Committee approves a bill that requires traffic signs to be posted ahead of speed cameras. The proposal by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is similar to one that passed last year requiring warning signs for red-light cameras. He says this prevents municipalities from using these cameras as a money grab.
Cut 3 (07) “perfect sense”
The bill heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.
The full House is debating the budget bill this morning that would cut 235-million dollars more than Governor John Bel Edwards wanted from the state Department of Health’s budget. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says they would like to only spend 97.5-percent of available revenues to avoid mid-year budget cuts.
Cut 4 (09) “of health”
But Edwards administration officials oppose the House GOP’s budget plan and claim it will lead to significant cuts to all state agencies. State Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says these cuts were made without talking to state agency leaders….
cut 7 (08) “…other programs”
Gee says 120 inpatient beds for psychiatric patients would be eliminated and efforts to combat the Zika virus would be halted if this budget plan is approved.

The family of Alton Sterling is grieving all over again, after the Department of Justice announces no federal charges will be filed against the Baton Rouge police officers involved in his shooting. Sterling’s aunt Sandra Sterling is hopeful the state’s investigation will bring forth criminal charges against the officers.
Cut 8 (12) “remember his name”
Baton Rouge Attorney Beau Brock says new information released by the U.S. Justice Department will play a huge factor in the state case…
cut 12 (10) “…they have”
Attorney John McLindon who represents officer Blane Salamoni told L-R-N that he believes the results of the state investigation will be the same and that no charges will be handed down against the officers.
The full House has convened this morning to discuss the proposed budget for next fiscal year that would cut 235-million dollars more than the governor recommended from the department of Health. Michelle Southern has more…..
voicer 1 (30) “….I’m Michelle southern”

There are thousands without power in southwest Louisiana this morning as a result of the severe storms that moved through yesterday. Several roads also remain impassable because of high water. Public schools closed in Allen, Jeff Davis and Beauregard Parishes.

Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Jeff Palermo…
cut 10 (11) “….like it was nothing”
That’s Andricka Williams, a mother to three of Alton Sterling’s children, reacting to the Department of Justice’s decision not to file charges against two officers involved in his shooting death.

But Attorney General Jeff Landry announces State Police and a special prosecutor will look to see if the officers’ conduct violated state laws Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Funeral services are this morning for Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Beard, who was killed in a single vehicle wreck while responding to a burglar alarm over the weekend. The funeral service begins at 11 AM at First Baptist Church in West Monroe and he’ll be laid to rest at Mount Vernon Baptist Chuch.

At the state capitol today, the full House meets to debate and vote on a proposed budget for next fiscal year. House Republican leaders are proposing to spend 97.5 percent of the recommended revenue that the Revenue Estimating Conference expects the state to have next fiscal year. Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says if this strategy was used last year, mid-years cuts would not be needed…
cut 5 (09) “….year cuts”
The Edwards administration opposes this strategy as they say it will lead to significant cuts to state services.

The US Justice Department has decided against filing federal charges against the officers involved in Alton Sterling’s death, but Sterling’s family hopes the state comes to a different conclusion. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

It was a peaceful night last night in Baton Rouge, but there was a driving rain storm. Governor John Bel Edwards has this message for those who plan to protest…
cut 20 (06) “…peacefully”

Governor Edwards is urging legislators in the House to reduce the size of cuts that’s been approved by the Appropriations Committee. Next year’s spending plan will be debated on the House floor today and the proposed budget as it stands now allocates 235-million dollars less to the Department of Health than what the governor recommended. LDH Secretary Rebekah Gee says although the Health department has a big budget, it doesn’t mean it’s full of waste…
cut 6 (09) “….this state”
Gee says House Republicans never asked her about the implications of the proposed cuts.

Also at the capitol, quite a bit of discussion in the halls over the Department of Justice’s decision not to pursue civil rights charges in the Alton Sterling case. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson is calling on Attorney General Jeff Landry to gather all of the facts to see if state criminal charges apply…
cut 15 (07) “…this community”

Federal prosecutors says there’s insufficient evidence to bring civil rights charges against two Baton Rouge police officers in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. But it’s possible that Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake could face charges on the state level. Attorney General Jeff Landry says State Police will investigate the case. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson says based on the facts she’s seen, an indictment is warranted…
cut 16 (11) “…seems just”
Baton Rouge attorney Beau Brock says there is a high burden of conduct when it comes to determining if a person’s civil rights were violated. He says state statutes require only general criminal intent, which is a much lower standard.
cut 13 (06) “…be proved”

The full House will debate today the proposed budget for next fiscal year that would cut 235 million dollars more than the governor recommended from the department of Health. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”