Governor Edwards and legislators held a prayer vigil at the State Capitol for the 50 people killed at an Orlando gay nightclub. House Speaker Taylor Barras says dozens of people lost their lives while celebrating life…
cut 14 (12) “…to reconcile”

The mass shooting in Orlando has saddened LGBT groups in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff palermo

Tests indicate the Bayou Corne sinkhole has stablized as we approach the four year anniversary of when the ground started giving way and swallowing up trees. Assumption Parish Director of Emergencey John Boudreaux says some of the mandatory evacuations have been lifted, but there is still an area under a voluntary evacuation…
cut 10 (07) “…is completed”
The company, Texas Brine, has been blamed for creating the sinkhole.

The Associated Press is reporting Louisiana has spent one-million dollars over the last three years fighting a lawsuit that seeks to get the court system to mandate air conditioning on death row at Angola. The story says it would cost about a million dollars for an air conditioning system that would satisfy a federal judge overseeing the case.

And there’s been no new developments in the search for a Baton Rouge school administrator, who is pregnant and hasn’t been seen since last week. Authorities believe her co-worker, who she had an affair with, has something to do with her disappearance.

A moment of unity was held in the State Capitol today as Governor Edwards and legislators honored and prayed for the victims of the Florida mass shooting. At least 50 people were killed when a gunman attacked a gay nightclub in Orlando. Governor John Bel Edwards says when freedom is threatened, all of our freedoms are threatened…
cut 12 (08) “…and hate’
Forum for Equality executive director Sara Jane Brady says the shooting demonstrates there’s still much hatred and prejudice aimed towards homosexuals…:
CUT 6 (10) “our expression”
It’s been reported New Orleans native, 39-year-old Leonel Melendez, is in a coma suffering after he was shot in the head. A former Lafayette resident, 27-year-old Frank Hernandez, is also said to be one of the 49 people shot dead by the gunman.

That large sinkhole in Assumption Parish has stabilized as we approach the four year anniversary of when the ground started sinking at Bayou Corne. But Assumption Director of Emergency Preparedness, John Boudreaux, says the sinkhole will continue to grow in size over the next few decades
cut 11 (09) “…slower progress”
The sinkhole currently covers 35 acres.

The Desoto Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still searching for answers in the death of a 21-year-old woman, as the murder charges against the suspect were dropped. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says they originally booked 33-year-old Jarrod Earl Johnson of Logansport for the murder of Maranda Whitton, but they let him go after the autopsy’s findings…:
CUT 3 (10) “cause of death”
Whitton’s body was found in a pond near Logansport last Friday.

We are getting news that two people with ties to Louisiana were among the victims in the mass shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub. Twenty-seven-year-old Frank Hernandez, a former Lafayette Parish resident, was one of 49 killed and 39-year-old Leonel Melendez, a New Orleans native, is in a coma after he was shot in the head. Forum for Equality executive director Sara Jane Brady…
cut 7 (09) “…our community”

A vigil was held in the Rotunda of the State Capitol for the victims of the Orlando mass shooting. Governor John Bel Edwards says all of our hearts are broken…
cut 13 (10) “…senseless tragedy”
Edwards has ordered US and State of Louisiana flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset on Thursday.

The giant sinkhole in Bayou Corne seems to have stabilized. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (25) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

DeSoto Parish investigators are trying to determine how 21-year-old Maranda Whitton was killed. Her body was found in a pond near Longansport last Friday. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says the coroner is waiting on more information before determing a cause of death, but in the meantime the investigation is ongoing…
cut 15 (06) “…on that”
33-year-old Jarod Johnson is a person of interest in Whitton’s death.

Legislators return to Baton Rouge today as they continue this special session that’s attempting to solve a 600-million dollar revenue shortfall. So far many republicans are taking a strong stance against additional taxes. Republican Kenner Representative Julie Stokes hopes a compromise can be reached…
cut 15 (09) “…founded on”

A Transportation Infrastructure Investment Task Force has been formed by the governor that will come up with suggestions on how to fund critical roadway projects. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson…
cut 11(11) “…to act”
Wilson says they’ll make their recommendations to Governor Edwards.

The US House has passed legislastion that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10.25 tax on every barrel of oil. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Chairman Brian Hanks says the tax would be a job killer…
cut 8 (08) “…of bankruptcy”
Hanks is hopeful the Senate approves a similiar piece of legislation.

A poll on the third district Congressional race shows Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is getting 39-percent of the vote, while law enforcement officer Clay Higgins is receiving 18-percent. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins is in good position to make the runoff…
cut 5 (10) “….is everything”
All other candidates in the race are receiving eight percent or less.

DeSoto Parish authorities have tentatively identified a body found in a pond in Logansport as 21-year-old Miranda Whitton. She was reported missing on Monday. The sheriff’s office says 33–year-old Jarrod Earl Johnson of Logansport has been charged with second-degree murder and he’s been booked into the DeSoto Detention Center.

Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred outside the Salvation Army in downtown Monroe. Authorities say two males got into a fight, one of them was stabbed with a knife, while the other was fatally shot.

A license is not required to fish this weekend on Louisiana waterways. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries does this every year as way to attract new anglers to the sport of recreational fishing. LDWF biologist Meghan Macmenamin says some popular fishing areas have been stocked…
cut 5 (06) “….the weekend”
The LDWF is also hosting some fishing rodeos as part of the two-day license free weekend.

Sea lice have been posing a problem for swimmers at Gulf Coast beaches this summer. Texas A&M Corpus Christi biology professor Dr. Kim Withers says the pesky little creatures are actually jelly fish larvae. She says they get under clothes, so people may be better off skinny dipping…:
CUT 6 (10) “their nematocysts”
Withers says the jellyfish larvae should clear out in a couple of weeks.

A Luling man has been arrested after he allegedly shot his neighbor’s cat with a bow and arrow. Sheriff Greg Champagne says 33-year-old Cody Dupre was charged with felony cruetly to animals and his bond was set at 30-thousand dolllars…
cut 13 (06) “…somebody’s pet”
Champagne says fortunately the arrow did not hit any of the cat’s vital organs and the feline is expected to make a full recovery.

An assistant principal at a middle school in Baton Rouge is in police custody as authorities search for a missing 40-year-old pregnant teacher. The two work at Brookstown Middle and Baton Rouge Police Corporal L’Jean McKneely says they believe 39-year-old Robert Marks has something to do with Lyntell Washington’s disappearance and a massive search is underway …
cut 11 (08) “…St. Francisville area”
Marks was arrested after they found the woman’s three-year-old child wandering alone and Marks was the last one to have contact with the little girl.

The governor’s chief of staff, Ben Nevers, says if the legislature only approves 223-million dollars in new taxes in this session, it could lead to hospitals closing and funding for the TOPS scholarship program cut in half. So far, the Republican-controlled House has only been willing to raise that much money. Many GOP legislators say taxes have been raised enough and the state has to spend its money more wisely.

A fishing license is not required this weekend if you want to drop a line in a public waterway. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries holds a no fishing license weekend every year in the hopes of attracting new anglers. LDWF biologist Meghan Macmenamin says there’s also several events going on in conjunction with the free recreational fishing days….
cut 4 (09) “…in Cameron”
For more information, go to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website.

LSU has decided to pitch Alex Lange in Game 1 of the Super Regional Series against Coastal Carolina. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Lange, along with Jared Poche and Hunter Newman pitched really well in last weekend’s Regional, but the Tigers need better performances from their middle relievers…
cut 16 (08) “…three guys”
The Super Regional Series gets underway Saturday night at Alex Box Stadium.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is searching for a pregnant woman whose 3-year-old daughter was found wandering alone Thursday morning. Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says 39-year-old Robert Marks is arrested for child desertion, and they do suspect foul play in the disappearance of 40-year-old Lyntell Washington…
CUT 10 (08) “for him”
Arrest records indicate the child told detectives that her mother was in the lake. Marks is an assistant principal in East Baton Rouge Parish, and Washington is also employed within the system as a teacher.

A St. Charles parish man has been arrested after he allegedly shot his neighbor’s cat with a bow and arrow. Sheriff Greg Champagne says the cat apparently wandered onto 33-year-old Cody Dupre’s property…:
cut 12 (04) “hunting arrow”
Champagne The cat is going to be okay. Dupre’s bail was set at $30,000 and he’s been able to post bond.

DeSoto Parish authorities are working to identify a female body that was found in a small pond in Logansport. Folks in that area have been looking for a missing 21-year-old woman, who was last seen on Monday. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle tells K-T-B-S TV that it’s too soon to know if the body is that of Miranda Whitton.

Sea lice has been producing rashes for several Gulf Coast swimmers. Texas A-and-M-Corpus Christi biology professor, Doctor Kim Withers, says sea lice are actually jelly fish larvae and they tend to sting humans when they get trapped under a person’s clothes. Withers says the irritation caused by the bites usually goes away after 24 hours, but it can become very severe…
cut 8 (06) “….and vomiting”
Withers says the best thing people can do is limit the amount of colthes they wear in the water.

And LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri has named Alex Lange his starting pitcher for game one of tomorrow night’s Super Regional Series against Coastal Carolina.