Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a bill that would give domestic violence victims with active restraining orders an opportunity to receive an expedited temporary concealed carry permit. Baton Rouge concealed carry instructor says this is a good law, because more and more people are seeking these permits, and this law moves certain domestic violence victims to the front of the line…
cut 10 (05) “…five years’
The new law goes into effect August 1st.

The city of New Orleans says they are taking extra steps to make sure this weekend’s Gay Pride Festival is a safe event in light of what happene last Sunday in Orlando. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says his officers have been planning, training and practicing for the last month for the event…
cut 13 (08) “…the city”
The governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness is asking residents to take the proper precautions during this heat wave that has heat indexes into the triple figures. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele for those working outside, be extra careful…
cut 4 (10) “…whenever possible”
This intense heat is expected to continue into tomorrow.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer says there’s evidence out there to support the theory that consuming very hot drinks could cause people to develop cancer of the esophagus. The deputy director of the LSU Health New Orleans Cancer Center, Doctor Edward Trapido, says constantly scalding your esophagus isn’t good for your health, but having about one hot cup a day shouldn’t be to harmful…
cut 8 (09) “…you’re fine”

Thousands of Louisiana state workers will not receive a pay raise this year. The Civil Service Commission voted to block annual pay adjustments for 38-thousand government employees. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne previously said the state couldn’t afford raises, because of budget problems.

Heat indexes are exceeding 100 degrees, and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness warns residents to take precautions. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

A review by the International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that drinking beverages above 149-degrees Fahrenheit could cause people to develop esophageal cancer. The Deputy Director of LSU Health New Orleans Cancer Center, Doctor Edward Trapido, says coffee drinkers shouldn’t worry, but it might be a good idea to add milk or cream to coffee to cool it down…
cut 7 (09) “…all day”
Trapido says hot drinks can cause damage to superficial cells in the upper esophagus.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is reportedly considering an offer to become the next head coach of the Texas Longhorns. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Texas’ interest in Mainieri could lead to him getting a pay raise at LSU…
cut 16 (10) “….Paul’s Mind”

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness is urging Louisiana residents to take precautions as the state is experiencing dangerously high temperatures this week. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says much of the state is under a heat advisory, as heat indexes are reaching triple digits. He says the biggest concern for people will be heat exhaustion….
cut 3 (09) “…need help”
A new study shows Louisiana parents average premium for car insurance increases by over 86-percent when they add a teen driver to an existing policy. Senior insuance analyst with Insurance-quotes-dot-com, Laura Adams, advises parents to take advantage of every discount available to them…
cut 9 (10) “….student discount”

During Governor John Bel Edwards weekly call-in show, he was asked if increasing the state’s gasoline tax could be used to address the state’s 600-million dollar shortfall. Edwards says he has established transportation task force that will look into revenue raising measures such as gas taxes, tolls, and other ideas. But he says those dollars will have to go towards transportation…
cut 11 (10) “….education”
The governor is hoping the House will pass a bill today that would decrease a state income tax deduction that many citizens who make over 100-thousand dollars enjoy.

Crowley Representative Jack Montoucet is set to be released from the hospital today after he was carried out of the Captiol on a stretcher yesterday. The 68-year-old complained of chest pains before he was rushed to a hospital, but it turned out he did not suffer a heart attack. No word on when he’ll return to the Capitol.

A House committee and a senate committee approved seperate bills that would generate revenue to address a 600-million dollar shortfall. In House Ways and Means, the panel on a 10-9 vote sent a measure to the House floor that would reduce a tax break for those who itemize on their tax returns. It would generate over 100-million dollars.

The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee moved a bill to the Senate floor that requires large manufacturing facilities to choose between two different property tax breaks they currently benefit from. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state is struggling financially and can’t afford to give businesses large tax breaks…
cut 12 (10) “…like this”
Opposition came from business lobbyists who say this bill will hurt economic development efforts.

The governor has signed a bill into law that increases the fine for texting and using social media while driving from $175 to $500. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

And the governor signs into law a measure that will require public and charter schools to teach cursive writing. LSU English professor Renee Casbergue says cursive is becoming a loss art and there might not be much use for it in the future….
cut 25 (09( “…signature”
The mandate goes into effect for the 2017-18 school year.

It’s a hot afternoon across Louisiana and it’s resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a heat advisory for the northern half of the state until Thursday night. State Cliamatolgist Barry Keim says heat indexes could reach 108-degrees over the next couple of days…
cut 10 (09) “…all the time”

East Baton Rouge Coroner, Doctor Beau Clark, says the body found in a ditch in Iberville Parish yesterday was shot in the head, but he’s unable to to make a positive identification because of advance stages of decomposition. Authorities believe the body is that of a pregnant woman from Baton Rouge. Clark says the female victim was pregnant at the time of her death.

LSU announces they’ve developed a plan so that visiting bands can perform halftime shows of the field of Tiger Stadium. The plan involves re-configuring seating areas in the South End Zone.

Motorists caught texting and driving behind the wheel will face a fine of 500-dollars as a result of a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The fine was previously 175-dollars. State Police Major Doug Cain says they do issue tickets for this offense. He says they are made aware a person is playing with their phone while behind the wheel, based on the driver’s actions…
cut 5 (09) “…stop sign”

Despite objections from business lobbyists, a senate committee approved legislation that would result in a large tax break being taken away from manufacturing facilities. Jim Pattersons with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says these tax incentives help our state’s economy…
cut 13 (10) “…this state”
The measure would generate 146-million dollars in tax money.

A Senate panel has approved a bill that would make manufacturing facilities decide between taking an industrial tax exemption or receiving an inventory tax credit. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state is struggling financially and can’t afford to give businesses large tax breaks…
cut 12 (10) “…like this”
Opposition came from business lobbyists who say this bill will hurt economic development efforts.

FEMA is encouraging Louisiana residents to download a smart phone app that can provide timely information during emergencies. FEMA administration Craig Fugate
cut 8 (10) “…your family”
The app is available in the iTunes store and on Google play.

The northern half of the state is under a heat advisory until 7 o’clock tomorrow night. Emelie Gunn reports it’s hot across the entire state…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

A federal hearing took place today in Baton Rouge about the hot conditions at Angola’s Death Row. Several inmates are pushing the state to install air conditioning. But the state is arguing that cold showers, ice and fans are there to help the inmates stay cool. The fifth circuit court of appeals ruled last year that death row inmates are not entitled to air conditioning.