The anti-tax organization, Americans for Prosperity, is running a radio ad that lets listeners know where they can go to find out of if their legislator voted to increase taxes in the recently completed legislative session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The New Orleans Police officer who originally arrested the man accused of killing Officer Daryle Holloway last month has has been arrested. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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An anti-tax organization is airing a radio ad that shines the spotlight on state lawmakers who voted to increase taxes and fees 700-million dollars in the last legislative session. The Louisiana chapter for Americans for Prosperity paid for the 30-second spot and its director Phillip Joffrion says it’s designed to educate voters

CUT 3 (06)  “across the state”

Several lawmakers who voted for the tax increases on businesses and individuals are up for re-election this fall or running for another public office. Joffrion says instead of solving budget problems, these legislators turned to short-term fixes…

CUT 4 (10)  “these situations”

Legislators who supported the tax increases say it was needed to prevent large cuts to colleges and public health care services. Joffrion says their website directs residents to louisiana-scorecard-dot-com to see if their legislator voted for 700-million tax increases

CUT 5 (10)  “tax reform”

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The New Orleans Police Department has made another arrest in connection with the shooting death of Officer Daryle Holloway last month, and this time, it’s another cop. Travis Boys was initially arrested by Officer Wardell Johnson before the suspect is alleged to have shot and killed Holloway in a squad car while handcuffed. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison:

CUT 6 (07)  “as evidence”

Johnson is charged with obstruction, malfeasance and theft and is on emergency suspension. Harrison says they believe Johnson also took bullets from the scene and then lied about it when questioned. He says this is disgusting, sloppy police work, with a clear intent to cover it up:

CUT 7 (08) “share that sentiment”

The judge has set Johnson’s bond at 30-thousand dollars. Harrison says they still do not know exactly how Boys gained a weapon that was used in the fatal shooting. He says at this point, they don’t believe Johnson knew Boys, but there is body camera evidence showing the officer gave a careless patdown..:

CUT 8 (10)  “after an arrest”

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The mother of a two year old child, who died after falling out of the window of a moving vehicle in Acadia Parish, was arrested this morning. State Police Trooper Brooks David says 32-year-old Amber Watson of Church Point was booked on charges of child desertion and no child restraint.

CUT 9 (07)  “to that”

Watson’s bond is set at 25-hundred dollars. David says the charge of child desertion comes from Watson putting her child in an unsafe position where he could not take care of himself. He says the toddler, Mitchell Watson, climbed from the backseat of the car into the passenger seat and fell out the front window.

cut 10 (09) “going on” 

The two year old child died on June 23^rd from injuries sustained from the fall. David says it’s important for parents to always be watching and pull over if necessary to ensure the child is safe at all times.

cut 11 (11) “around us”

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Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon warns residents that the top two months for vehicle thefts are July and August. Donelon says motorists should keep this in mind when leaving your vehicle unoccupied. He believes car thefts are more common during the  summertime because…

cut 12 (05)  “school students”

The state’s national ranking for stolen vehicles went from 18th in 2007 to 24th in 2013, but auto theft is still a serious problem in Louisiana. Donelon says this is considered a gateway offense for youth around the country and the state Department of Insurance is doing everything they can to combat this all too common crime.

cut 13 (11)  “vehicles”

Donelon advises drivers not to leave their windows down even in the southern Louisiana heat, especially with valuables in sight. He says following simple steps like taking your  keys out of the ignition and parking in well lit areas can protect you from car theft.

cut 14 (09) “auto theft”

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Governor Bobby Jindal signs into law a bill that allows firearm safety to be taught in public elementary schools. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A deal between the U.S. and Iran over a nuclear program could result in another downfall for oil prices. Jeff Palermo has more….

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo “

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The National Journal reports Republican Congressman Charles Boustany of Lafayette has told donors he plans on running for US Senate next year, if David Vitter’s gubernatorial campaign is successful. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Scott Carwile”

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The State Department of Agriculture has been put in charge of establishing the regulations for the legal dispensing of medical marijuana and Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says one of the big questions is how much they will need. Stain says he’s in talks with the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.

cut 4  (11)  “to produce”

The legislature has said medical marijuana will only be available to those suffering from glaucoma, cancer and a severe form of cerebral palsy. Strain says they also have questions on the development of the seed that will be used for medical marijuana.

Cut 5  (06)  “capacity have?”

Strain has been in touch with LSU and Southern’s Ag Centers about developing the drug. Strain says they will have an estimate of when the product will be completed once the production facility is built and when the volume of marijuana is decided. He says their main concern is that the product is pure for patients.

Cut 6 (09)  “be safe”

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Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law a bill that allows gun safety education to be taught in elementary public schools. The measure lets Louisiana’s schools provide age appropriate classroom instruction regarding firearm accident prevention and safety. Author of the legislation, Erath Rep. Blake Miguez, says the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Programs is like teaching kids “stop, drop, and roll” when on fire.

CUT 7 (06)  “a firearm”

The material,which can start being taught this fall, must be integrated into an existing course of study and specify that the purpose of the instruction is to promote protecting children. Miguez says the main purpose of the bill is to reduce the number of accidental gun deaths in Louisiana.

Cut 8  (08)  “bill does” 

Miguez says this bill will stretch far beyond the classroom. He says it levels the playing field and gives children who might not have firearm knowledge, the concept to not touch or play with a gun and alert an adult right away.

Cut 9 (07)  “is around”

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An agreement between the United States and Iran over that country’s nuclear program will likely lead to another downturn in oil prices. That’s according to the Executive Director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, David Dismukes, who says a nuclear deal will result in Iran putting billions of barrels of its oil on the market…

Cut 10 (10) “these barrels”

Dismukes says the market is already reacting to a possible deal as oil prices fell eight-percent yesterday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. He says drivers will also notice a substantial drop in prices at the gas pump as a result of the deal.

cut 11 (09)  “driving season”

Dismukes says financial troubles in Greece and China could will also help push oil prices, which is not good news for oil field service companies. He says this also might keep the market for drilling down and reduce jobs for Louisianians.

cut 12 (11)  “bit lower”

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The National Journal reports that Republican US Representative Charles Boustany has told donors he will run for US Senate next year, if Senator David Vitter is elected governor this year. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Boustany will be a strong candidate, but will likely face some tough competition from his own party…

Cut 13 (09)  “a lot of money”

Republican Congressman John Fleming of Minden and GOP state treasurer John Kennedy could also run for US Senate next year. The National Journal story says Boustany raised 700-thousand dollars in the second quarter of 2015. Cross says that shows Boustany is serious about becoming a US Senator…

Cut 14 (10) “raise and spend”

If Vitter is elected as governor, he will appoint a person to finish out the remainder of his term. Cross says that person will have a real leg up on the competition when the election take places for a full six-year term in 2016

Cut 15  (10)  “inside track”

An LSU survey that tracks consumer sentiment finds that consumer confidence in this state has fallen below the national average for the first time in recent years. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Eye doctors say they’re seeing a spike in the number of technology crazed youth suffering from computer vision syndrome. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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An annual statewide survey from LSU finds that consumer confidence in Louisiana has fallen below the nation for the first time in recent years. Michael Henderson, research director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says the Louisiana Consumer Sentiment Index fell by six points from the end of the third quarter of 2014 to the end of the first quarter of 2015…

CUT 3 (06)  “six months earlier”

While Louisiana’s consumer confidence was falling, consumer sentiment grew nationally by nearly 10-points. He says northwest Louisiana, southwest Louisiana and the New Orleans area all fell significantly below the national estimate, and the drop in oil prices and the effects it had on the state’s energy industry could be to blame

CUT 4 (07)  “similar pattern here”

LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab has tracked consumer confidence since 2012 and this is the first time consumer sentiment in the state is nearly 10 points below the nation. Henderson says since they conducted this survey, oil prices have stabilizied, slowing down lay-offs in the energy sector

CUT 5 (06)  “energy prices”

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The rising number of youth who are constantly on their cell phones and computers are putting strain on their eyes. Doctors say they’ve seen a growing amount of young patients suffering from computer vision syndrome. Dr. Monica Monica, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, says when looking at screens your blink rate decreases.

CUT 6 (10)  “syndrome”

Both eye strain and headaches are associated with prolonged exposure to the screens. Monica says our eyes are suffering the consequences of smart phone, computer and tablet use. She says those in the millennial generation and younger are especially affected by the harmful effects..:

CUT 7 (10) “taking breaks”

A recent study found 68 percent of millennials reporting digital eye strain. Monica says when looking at things close up, muscles in the eye actually have to contract, to change the shape of the lens, to focus. She says the best thing to do if you’re in front of a computer all day is to take periodic breaks…:

CUT 8 (09)  “devices”

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Same-sex couples who want to change their last name on their driver’s license to reflect the same name as their spouse can do so starting today. State Police Lieutenant JB Slaton says the Office of Motor Vehicles had to upgrade their computers so that it would allow a man to change his last name

CUT 9 (11)  “is working”

Slaton says couples who wish to change their name, must bring a certified marriage license, along with social security records

cut 10 (08) “social security level” 

Slaton says they also want to remind all residents, can get a six-year driver’s license, instead of a four-year license. He says it will cost four dollars more, but hopefully it will lead to shorter lines at the D-M-V…

cut 11 (10) “going to help”

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The St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office says a 12-year-old boy died on the 4th of July when riding on a utility terrain vehicle and the adult driver is arrested. Detective Joe Chaney says 36-year-old Joshua Tharpe of Baton Rouge and the juvenile were riding the UTV on a wet sand bar and took a sharp sudden turn…:

cut 12 (10)  “on the child”

Deputies did not release the boy’s name. Chaney says Tharpe was charged with vehicular homicide and has since been released on a $100,000 bond. He says they are still working to determine what happened and if Tharpe was being negligent..:

cut 13 (07)  “homicide”

A UTV is similar to an ATV but is larger. Chaney says you should always be careful on these types of vehicles…:

cut 14 (10) “safety guidelines”

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