People with disabilities can save money without losing their benefits, thanks to a new program from the State Treasurer’s Office and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a bill into law requiring driver’s education courses to teach students how to act during a traffic stop. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

Miscues cost the Tigers as the Florida Gators snatch a national championship away from LSU. Jeff Palermo has a recap of last night’s baseball game….

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

__________________________________

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance and the State Treasurer’s Office launch a new savings program to help people with disabilities. Tyana Dequana with LOSFA says the LA ABLE program enables people with disabilities to put money aside for future expenses.

Cut 4  (11) “benefits as well”

Dequana says people can save up to $14,000 a year without losing those benefits. But once the account reaches $100,000, social security payments would end until the amount goes back under that threshold. She says this comes as a relief to many with disabilities who will finally be able to do something to help themselves for the future.

Cut 5  (10)  “might come along”

Dequana says this will be a vital program especially for families with young disabled children with medical expenses. She says this gives families a chance to have a savings account so these kids can have the same opportunities as every other child.

Cut 6 (12) “those expenses”

For more information visit able.ofsa.la.gov.

________________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards signs into law measures aimed at keeping both motorists and police officers safe during a traffic stop. One of the new laws set to go into effect August 1 is by Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown and it requires driver’s education courses to teach soon to be drivers about what to do during a traffic stop because every situation is unique.

Cut 7 (10)  “officer’s directions”

The governor also signed into law Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti’s legislation, which is similar to the House bill. Brown believes the training can reduce the risk of a routine traffic stop becoming violent, if everyone knows how to respond. He says while police officers receive training on how to conduct the stops, it’s important for us as citizens to react appropriately as well.

Cut 8 (10) “steering wheel”

The Office of Motor Vehicles will provide the course material from the Louisiana Commission of Law Enforcement. Brown says many motorists become anxious during traffic stops, and so are the officers.

Cut 9 (10)  “heinous criminal”

__________________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes a bill to provide freedom of expression on college campuses. In his veto message, Edwards said the legislation by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris was a solution in search of a problem. But Harris says freedom of speech is under siege on many college campuses around the country.

Cut 10 (08) “for Louisiana”

The bill would have created a protocol for Louisiana universities to handle controversial speakers on campus. It came in response to University of California Berkley officials cancelling a scheduled appearance by conservative political commentator Ann Coulter.  The Republican legislator said he was attempting to protect free expression and freedom of speech on college campuses.

Cut 11 (11) “of doing that”

Harris says he’s surprised by the veto because the administration did not express concerns as the bill moved through the process. Harris has been a vocal opponent to many of the governor’s proposals, and he hopes the veto wasn’t politically motivated. He believes this was an important bill that should have been signed into law.

Cut 12 (11) “in America”

____________________________________________________________

Jimmy D. Long Sr. School of Math, Science, and the Arts is the new official name of the Natchitoches high school, as the governor signed the bill adding the name of the late state lawmaker to the school’s title. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson authored the legislation. He says it’s not a big change, but it’s an important change.

Cut 13 (12) “in that way”

Thompson says they didn’t want to do anything that would impact the funding and operation of the school or its students. That’s why for all practical purposes, the school will go by its original name of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.

Cut 14 (09) “will change”

Thompson says there will be no expense associated with the name change. The board that oversees the school will decide how and when to make the transition. Long is one of LSMSA’s founding fathers and Thompson says he’s glad this simple act will honor Long’s legacy.

Cut 15 (09) “for Louisiana”

____________________________________________________________

Tough ending to a great season for the LSU baseball team as they lost 6-1 to the Florida Gators, who swept the Bayou Bengals in the CWS finals to win their first national championship. The Tigers trailed  the whole game, but had chances to take the lead in the 7th and 8th innings, but shortstop LSU Kramer Robertson says it didn’t work in their favor…

Cut 16 (14 )  “whole career”

It appeared LSU tied the game at two in the 7th inning, but a runner’s interference call took a run off the board. The umpire ruled Jake Slaughter slid directly into the shortstop covering second base on a double play instead of into the bag. Josh Smith, who scored on the play, had to return to third base because of the interference call. Here’s how Coach Paul Mainieri saw it…

Cut 17 (15) “correct call”

Mainieri was emotional at the start of the postgame press conference. He talked about how last summer affected him as Baton Rouge suffered through riots, police shootings and deadly flooding. He wanted to accomplish something good…

Cut 18 (25) “to do” 

The loss ends the LSU playing careers for several great Tigers like Jared Poche, Alex Lange, Greg Deichmann, Cole Freeman and Kramer Robertson. Robertson says he has no regrets…

Cut 19 (19) “last forever”

Lawyers representing Alton Sterling’s children file a wrongful death lawsuit in state court seeking unspecified damages. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The state will study whether it would be a good idea to raise the minimum age to buy smokes to 21. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

Tiger fans will soon have a new brew of their own, as Louisiana’s own Community Coffee gears up to launch an LSU Blend full-bodied special dark roast coffee. Community Coffee spokesperson Jodi Conachen says the Baton Rouge based company was born wanted to honor its roots. She says all fans of the purple and gold will love the new LSU Blend.

Cut 3 (10) “your Tigers”

Conachen says this is a great way for a local company to show support for their flagship university. She says the LSU Blend will launch in July and run through football season.

Cut 4  (09) “Winn Dixie”

Conachen says the special dark roast blend is already extremely popular in Tiger Country. She says they believe Tiger fans will enjoy the coffee and showing off their love for the Bayou Bengals.

Cut 5  (09)  “a little while”

________________________________________________

This year’s Fourth of July gas prices are the lowest since 2005. Senior petroleum analyst Patrick Dehaan with GasBuddy.com says prices have been sliding over the last few weeks. He says believe it or not, prices at the pump are lower now than they were on January 1.

Cut 6 (09) “hit the road”

Dehaan says if you’re driving on the Fourth, expect roadways to be crowded as families take advantage of the drop in gas prices. He says prices usually peak around May when refineries finish up maintenance and transition to summer grade gasoline, and we usually see a slight decline after that.

Cut 7 (08)  “at the pump”

Dehaan says prices are even cheaper now than they were this time last year. He says Louisiana drivers will save even more compared to other parts of the country. The statewide average of $2.06 a gallon is well below the national average of $2.25.

Cut 8 (08) “refining capacity”

_________________________________________________________

Lawyers representing Alton Sterling’s children have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Baton Rouge, it’s police department and police chief and the two white police officers involved in last summer’s fatal shooting of the black man. Attorney Chris Stewart says a culture of racial bias among Baton Rouge cops fueled the shooting…

Cut 9 (09)  “BRPD”

The U.S. Justice Department has already said they will not pursue charges against Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake the 2nd.  Salamoni fired six bullets into the 37-year-old man’s body after a brief physical struggle. But Attorney Michael Adams says Sterling’s children lost a father because of poor police training and racist attitudes

Cut 10 (12) “racial bias”

Adams says they’ll use testimony from current and former Baton Rouge Police officers to back up their case that there is a pattern of racist behavior and excessive force by the B-R-P-D….

Cut 11 (08) “get there”

he lawsuit was filed in state court in Baton Rouge. The Baton Rouge Police Department is not commenting. Adams says the suit seeks unspecified damages…

Cut 12 (11)  “5 children “

__________________________________________________________

A House Resolution out of the recent legislative session calls on the State Health Department to study the feasibility of increasing the age to purchase tobacco produces to 21. It’s by West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman who says one of the things they want the state to examine is the impact of being more mature before you can buy smokes..:

Cut 13 (11) “to do”

Hoffman has gotten behind many anti-smoking measures as a legislator including tobacco tax increases and laws against lighting up on a school campus. He knows there will be some push back to this idea, but he says people who are former smokers will approve…:

Cut 14 (09) “start smoking”

Hoffman says the study will be completed before the start of the next regular legislative session. He says there is evidence that increasing the age limit would mean more people would never consider smoking..:

Cut 15 (04) “start at all”

____________________________________________________________

Two new laws were passed to address the opioid epidemic, but East Baton Rouge Parish coroner Dr. Beau Clark says more can still be done. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The Edwards administration is very concerned about the Republican Senate healthcare bill, while others are encouraged. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

LSU’s backs are against the wall again. Jeff Palermo reports the Tigers need to win tonight to force a third and deciding game of the CWS championship series…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

__________________________________

Even after lawmakers passed two laws aimed at addressing the state’s opioid epidemic, experts say more can be done to solve the growing problem. East Baton Rouge Parish coroner Dr. Beau Clark says the new laws are phase one, which is to stop creating new addicts by limiting opioid prescriptions. But he says many people are already living with an addiction, and they need treatment.

Cut 4  (10) “takes place”

Clark says the challenge with treating these people is that rehabs are not funded on the state level, which is why many addicts end up in prisons. He says addiction is an illness that belongs in a medical facility, not the judicial system. But he says that takes money.

Cut 5  (11)  “the right thing”

In 2016, 34 people died of heroin overdoses in East Baton Rouge Parish, and there’s already been 20 overdose deaths in 2017. Clark says another key component to addressing the opioid epidemic is getting drug dealers off the streets. He says it will take law enforcement targeting drug cartels that bring heroin into the state.

Cut 6 (11) “their addiction” 

________________________________________________________

A father and son have been cited for killing a Louisiana black bear in Iberia Parish. Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says agents found the bear shot to death in November of 2015. He says the bullet was pulled from the bear during a necropsy.

Cut 7 (09)  “from the bear”

Einck says an extensive investigation followed resulting in the citation against 59-year-old Elie Dupre and his 15-year-old son. Both are from New Iberia. He says the charge of illegally killing a Louisiana black bear carries serious penalties.

Cut 8 (10) “ten thousand dollars”

The bear was a 9-year-old female that was part of a long term monitoring program and wore a tracking device. Einck says while this bear provided a lot of essential data to LDWF, it’s important to protect all Louisiana black bears because they are a protected species.

Cut 9 (11)  “it is disturbing”

__________________________________________________________

The Republican Senate healthcare bill has the Edwards administration very concerned about the future of healthcare in Louisiana. State Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says if passed as is, the bill would result in up to 500,000 Louisianans losing their insurance.

Cut 10 (11) “affordable care now”

Gee says this bill also does not address one of the biggest concerns that came after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, like the rising cost of health insurance. She says the Senate’s plan will actually drive up insurance costs even more.

Cut 11 (09) “problem worse”

Gee says this healthcare bill could also impact the state’s economy. She says it ties healthcare reimbursement to medical inflation. She says that could mean Louisiana’s budget would upswing up to a billion dollars from one year to the next.

Cut 12 (09) “lot of tweaking”

Supporters of the bill say it will save federal dollars and lower insurance premiums for patients. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills likes that the bill repeals the federal mandate to purchase insurance. He says it all comes down to making healthcare affordable for as many people as possible.

Cut 13 (10) “did not comply”

____________________________________________________________

A three-run fourth inning was the difference last night as Florida held on for a 4-3 victory over the LSU Tigers in Game 1 of the championship series of the CWS. LSU starting pitcher Russell Reynolds was excellent through three innings, but three consecutive walks in the 4th inning led to three Florida runs. LSU Coach Paul Mainieri wishes he took Reynolds out after the 3rd inning…

Cut 14 (10) “back fired”

Despite the 3-0 deficit in the 4th inning, LSU battled back to close the gap to one run on two occasions, but couldn’t get over the hump. Mainieri says it was a great effort by his players…

Cut 15 (11) “shot tonight”

LSU needs to win tonight to send the series to a third and deciding game. Mainieri says he’s still confident the Tigers can win their seventh national championship, because of the starting pitchers that are scheduled to throw in Games 2 and 3…

Cut 16 (12)  “long stretch”