A federal lawsuit alleges two Orleans Parish inmates were held in jail for five months after completing their sentences, and they are seeking restitution. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A sales tax holiday begins today just in time for Back to School, but it’s not tax free. Consumers will pay 3-percent instead of 5%. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns…:
Cut 5 (10) “from taxes”
She says it was more beneficial for retailers when the law allowed for tax free weekend.

If anything is ever going to be done about the massive dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, experts say new approaches must be taken. To shrink the oxygen depleted region from the size of New Jersey to the size of Delaware, it would take a 59 percent reduction in the amount of nitrogen runoff. That’s according to Eugene Turner who co-authored a report on the oxygen-deprived area. He says this would take changes at every level of government…:
Cut 15 (08) “nitrogen released”
He said other methods include altering fertilizer application rates and improving nutrient management.

The White House announced its nominations for federal judgeships in Louisiana’s Western District. President Trump selected Terry Doughty of Rayville and Michael Juneau of Lafayette. Both nominations will be reviewed by the US Senate Judiciary committee, and the approval process in the past has taken about two months.

The National Federation of Independent Business isn’t pleased with the sales tax discount weekend…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Researchers say bold new approaches need to be taken to shrink the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. One way to do that would be to plant perennial crops like wheat in farms that runoff into the Mississippi…:
Cut 13 (09) “as well”
That’s Eugene Turner who co-authored a report on the oxygen-deprived area that cannot support marine life.

Four people arrested near the U.S.- Mexican border then held on charges related to the shooting death of a man from Livingston Parish in July, are now behind bars in Livingston Parish. The group was implicated in the death of 61-year-old Rick McBride.

Crawfish have been found in Michigan and that state’s Department of Natural Resources is not happy. They say the red swamp crayfish damage earthen structures and compete aggressively for food and habitat, disrupting the food chain for many species in the water. LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Specialist Greg Lutz says while crawfish are well adapted to our geography…:
Cut 10 (08) “introduced”
Red swamp crayfish are a prohibited species in Michigan.

A day after Billy Cannon’s 80th birthday, the winner of the 1959 Heisman Trophy found out he will be forever enshrined on LSU’s campus. It was unanimously approved by the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. The depiction and location are expected to be announced in a few months, according to LSU Athletics.

Today and tomorrow, Louisianans will be able to purchase school supplies and other items at a reduced state sales tax rate of 3-percent, compared to the normal 5-percent. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says it was more beneficial for retailers when the law allowed for tax free weekend…:
Cut 4 (10) “discount”
She says they hope legislators will one day change it back.

A federal lawsuit filed in Baton Rouge alleges two Orleans Parish inmates were kept in jail for five months after their sentences were served. Attorney Emily Washington with the Macarthur Justice Center says they’re seeking restitution…:
Cut 9 (08) “in custody”
She says Jessie Crittindon and Leon Burse were eligible for release in August 2016, but they stayed in the River Bend Detention Center in Lake Providence until January 2017.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is not pleased that crawfish have been found in one of their lakes and a retention pond. Jeff Palmero has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Parents shopping for back to school supplies can save a few dollars in a variety of ways this weekend. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says not only will customers save two percent on the sales tax of their purchase this Friday and Saturday, they can also keep their receipts for later savings on school supplies.

Cut 11 (12) “home schools”

Today the body of a 7-year-old boy was found in Shreveport, after he was swept away in a storm drain on Tuesday. Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler expressed sorrow for Daysean Combest’s mother Mary Edmond.

Cut 13 (09) “love and support”

The little boy was last seen playing near a ditch just before heavy rains began.

Could you survive in the woods of Belize Naked and Afraid? A West Monroe man did just that, as he’ll appear on tonight’s episode of the Discovery Channel show. Some contestants in the 21 day challenge are survivalist experts with years of training, but not Dustin Campbell.

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Campbell is the second Ouachita Parish man to take part the challenge.

Community members are weighing in on plans to replace the Calcasieu River Bridge at a public meeting at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Deidra Druilhet with DOTD says the construction would extend from the I-10/I-210 interchange on the west side of the river to the interchange on the east side.

Cut (09) “enhance safety”

On Friday and Saturday customers can save two percent on the state sales tax during the annual sales tax holiday. Byron Henderson with the state department of revenue says the savings will apply to the first $25-hundred of the purchase price of each eligible items.

Cut 10 (12) “state sales tax”

The tax break does not apply to meals at restaurants, services, or vehicles.

A West Monroe man appears on tonight’s episode of Naked and Afraid after spending time in the Belize wilderness with no clothes, food, or water. Dustin Campbell says until now, he never swam with a crocodile or tried the bizarre foods the Belize forest had to offer.

Cut 5 (10) “they’re nasty”

The episode airs tonight on Discovery Channel.

The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is the biggest one ever measured…

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US Senator John Kennedy sent a letter to East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome about misuse of federal dollars. Kennedy says the BRAVE funds are meant to reduce crime and support police, but instead they’re going to people like Arthur Silky Slim Reed, who recently said justice was served when a gunman killed three police officers. A spokeswoman for Mayor’s Office said the mayor received the letter and “will be in communication with the senator.”

There are multiple ways for consumers to save a few dollars during the sales tax holiday this weekend. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says not only will customers save two percent on the sales tax of their purchase, they can also keep their receipts for later savings on school supplies.

Cut 11 (12) “home schools”

Today officials found the body of a 7-year-old boy who was swept away in a storm drain in Shreveport on Tuesday. Daysean Combest was last seen playing near a ditch just before heavy rains began. Shreveport Mayor Ollie Taylor says this is every parent’s worst nightmare.

Cut 14 (10) “and support”

A California man who was speeding down I-12 is behind bars after police discovered two pounds of marijuana hidden in cereal boxes. 23-year-old Donald Roots-Scott of Sacremento reportedly told police his license was expired and he had pot in the vehicle. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute, expired license, and speeding.

A West Monroe man lived ‘Naked and Afraid’ in Belize, and his experience will air tonight on the Discovery Channel show. The show thrusts two strangers into the wilderness with no clothes, no food, and no water for 21 days. Dustin Campbell says bugs never bit so hard and nights have never been so long.

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Campbell says you’ll have to watch the episode tonight at 8 to find out if he made it through the whole 21 day challenge.

Shreveport officials made a heartbreaking announcement about the 7-year-old who was swept away in a storm drain. They say Daysean Combest’s body was located this morning, in a deep pool near a railroad about 2 miles from where he was swept away. Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler expressed sorrow for the child’s mother, Mary Edmond…:
Cut 13 (09) “love and support”

It’s back to school time and the annual sales tax holiday weekend kicks off tomorrow. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says for items that are eligible, the two percent savings applies to the first $2,500 of the purchase price of each item…:
Cut 10 (12) “state sales tax”
The tax break does not apply to vehicle purchases, food in restaurants, or taxable services.

The state Department of Transportation will host a public meeting tonight at the Lake Charles Civic Center to discuss replacing the Calcasieu River Bridge. Deidra Druilhet with DOTD says at this time there is no money available for a new bridge, but it’s time to build a new one with today’s standards…:
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The meeting is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A West Monroe man survived in the wilderness of Belize completely naked. Dustin Campbell will appear on tonight’s episode of “Naked and Afraid” on Discovery Channel. He says he is NO survivalist like others who appear on the show…:
Cut 4 (10) “I went”
Campbell says you’ll have to watch the episode tonight at 8 p.m.

Parents stocking up on back-to-school supplies can save a few dollars this weekend during the annual sales tax holiday. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says most purchases are only subject to three percent of the state sales tax this Friday and Saturday….:
Cut 9 (10) “school supplies”

Could you survive in the forests of Belize “Naked and Afraid?” Halen Doughty has more from the West Monroe man who did just that…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The state Department of Transportation will host a public meeting tonight at the Lake Charles Civic Center to discuss replacing the Calcasieu River Bridge. Deidra Druilhet with DOTD says the purpose of the open-forum is to give the community a chance to see the future plans and receive feedback. She says the construction would extend from the I-10/I-210 interchange on the west side river to the interchange on the east side…:
Cut 6 (09) “enhance safety”
The meeting is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Officials in Shreveport say the body of missing seven-year-old Daysean Combest has been found. He’s been missing for three days. His mother says Daysean was in a drainage ditch during a heavy rainstorm and he was swept away.