The US Justice Department announces no federal charges will be filed against the Baton Rouge police officers involved in the Alton Sterling case. Acting US Attorney Corey Amundson says the investigation took so long because DOJ carefully looked at the officers’ actions.

Cut 13 (18) “under federal law”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces State Police and a special prosecutor will determine if state charges apply. The family’s attorney Chris Stewart believes it should because the actions of the police officers that night were outrageous.

Cut 15 (12) “these officers” 2x

The officer who killed Alton Sterling has released a statement on the DOJ’s decision not to file charges. Officer Blane Salamoni’s attorney says this has been a trying time for him and his family. He says they’re glad to have this part behind them so they can move on to the state investigation.

A bill that would allow voters decide if military monuments should be removed, including those from the Civil War era, was approved by a House committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The U.S Department of Justice announces no federal charges against the two Baton Rouge police officers involved in the shooting of Alton Sterling. Acting US Attorney Corey Amundson says they had a lot of different experts who looked at the video evidence and witness testimony. He says the investigation took so long because they carefully looked at the actions of the officers…:
Cut 13 (18) “under federal law”
Now the Attorney General’s Office will begin its own separate review of the matter and has called on State Police to investigate whether the cops violated any Louisiana laws.

Baton Rouge Mayor President Sharon Weston Broome said in a news conference following the decision that it doesn’t mean the BRPD officers acted appropriately, it just means they didn’t meet the standard.

The state’s military monuments would be protected under a bill by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody headed to the House floor. Four are being removed in New Orleans, but this measure would mean war statues can no longer be taken down. Supporters of the measure say removing the monuments would be taking a step backwards because if those who don’t learn from history, will repeat it. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says we’ve already gone backwards in this country….:
Cut 6 (08) “ugly names”
he bill was approved by the House Municipal Committee on a 10 to 8 vote.

There are many notices in effect from the National Weather Service in Louisiana today. Due to a pair of potentially severe storm systems moving through, a flash flood watch is in effect through tomorrow morning from heavy rainfall, and a tornado watch is in effect till 5 for most of the bottom half of the state. State climatologist Barry Keim…:
CUT 26 (09) “for their formation”

Today the Justice Department announced that no federal civil rights charges would be brought against the Baton Rouge Police Officers involved in the Alton Sterling shooting. Acting US Attorney Corey Amundson said they had to make a decision based on the whether the cops acted with specific intent to do something that the law forbids…:
CUT 25 (17) “de-escelate it”
He added that they normally don’t make announcements explaining DOJ decisions, but they chose to in this case because it means so much to so many people. The family of Sterling made comments at the same time and indicated that they do not expect this is over, saying Attorney General Jeff Landry now has a great case.

A bill that would allow voters decide if military monuments should be removed was approved by a House committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A measure that attempts to end pay secrecy in the workplace died in the House Labor Committee on a 9 to 5 vote. Mandeville Representative Reid Falconer voiced his concerns that not every worker feels comfortable sharing their wages, and a mandate like this could cause problems.
Cut 7 (11) “everybody else”

Today the Justice Department announced that no federal civil rights charges would be brought against the Baton Rouge Police Officers involved in the shooting. Acting US Attorney Corey Amundson said they had to make a decision based on the whether the cops acted with specific intent to do something that the law forbids…:
CUT 25 (17) “de-escelate it”
He added that they normally don’t make announcements explaining DOJ decisions, but they chose to in this case because it means so much to so many people. The family of Sterling made comments at the same time and indicated that they do not expect this is over, saying Attorney General Jeff Landry now has a great case.

A bill that would allow voters decide if military monuments should be removed was approved by a House committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A measure that attempts to end pay secrecy in the workplace died in the House Labor Committee on a 9 to 5 vote. Mandeville Representative Reid Falconer voiced his concerns that not every worker feels comfortable sharing their wages, and a mandate like this could cause problems.
Cut 7 (11) “everybody else”

The family of Alton Sterling is speaking at this hour following its meeting with the Department of Justice on its decision regarding the fatal shooting of Sterling by cops. The report leaked yesterday that the DOJ would not press federal civil rights charges. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James wants people who are upset about this to keep in mind that a lot of things have changed here since the July 2016 shooting..:
CUT 11 (08) “remain peaceful”
Three arrests were made last night during a protest in Baton Rouge when those gathering allegedly tried to block a roadway and resisted arrest.

The DOJ is holding a news conference to officially make its announcement at 1pm, and it’s going to be a wet one. Much of central and south Louisiana are under a tornado watch until 5 PM today, and a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning as storm systems moves through bringing in lots of rain, damaging winds and possible hail and tornados. Rainfall totals could be up to 5 inches in some areas.

Four Confederate monuments in New Orleans are coming down, but the rest of the state’s military monuments would be protected under a bill by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody. The measure would prohibit the removal of any military monument from any war. Carmody says many of his family members fought for this country…:
Cut 3 (10) “of history”
Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith opposed the measure. She says too many people have not grown up, and many black people still have to endure prejudice…:
Cut 5 (09) “take on us”
The measure now heads to the House floor on a 10-8 vote.

The Department of Justice is going to make an announcement about its decision on the Alton Sterling case this afternoon at 1pm. News was leaked by the Washington Post yesterday that the DOJ was not going to press charges against the Baton Rouge Police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Sterling. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is disappointed that the family had to find out that way…:
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James says some people are disappointed in the decision itself.

There was a small mostly peaceful protest last night in front of the Baton Rouge Police headquarters, but three females were arrested and are facing some pretty serious charges for allegedly trying to block a major roadway. Those include aggravated obstruction of a highway, resisting an officer, and failure to disperse. One of the suspect’s was also charged with battery on a police officer for allegedly spitting on a cop.

There are two rounds of storms hitting Louisiana today. The first is moving through southwest Louisiana and making its way east in association with a warm front. Later this evening, forecasters say a squall line will move through the state bringing another potential for severe weather with the biggest threat being damaging winds, possible hail and the potential for tornados…and lots of rain. A flash flood watch is in effect for most areas until tomorrow morning. A tornado watch is posted through 5 this evening.

A lawmaker from Covington wants to make it easier for recall petitions to succeed in Louisiana, and his bill to do just that has cleared a House panel. The current rules state districts with more than 1,000 voters have 180 days to sign up a third of registered voters. Norco Representative Gregory Miller says he can see how that’s impossible…:
Cut 10 (10) “particular thing”
Large districts would need 20% of signatures under the measure headed to the house floor.

The governor’s office says the Department of Justice will announce its decision today on the Alton Sterling case at 11am, and it’s expected that there will not be charges handed down to the Baton Rouge officers involved in the fatal shooting. Legal analyst Tim Meche believes the cops had a right to do what they did when faced with an armed man who was resisting…:
Cut 14 (09) “a weapon”

A measure by Representative Paul Hollis that would make it easier to recall elected officials clears a House panel. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A bill to be heard in the House Labor Committee today would protect employees from retaliation for talking about their wages. Vice President of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana Charmaine Caccioppi says the legislation is the first step in prohibiting pay secrecy…:
Cut 6 (07) “right direction”
She says it doesn’t mean employers could discuss other’s income, just that employees couldn’t be reprimanded for discussing their own salary.

An active weather day is expected throughout the entire state today. There are two rounds of storms, one this morning and a squall line forecast to move in later this afternoon and into Thursday. A flash flood watch is in effect through Thursday morning, and a tornado watch until 5pm.

The Governor’s Office of Community Development is warning residents of emails and phone calls claiming flood-impacted families have been approved for grants. They say these messages are often scams to obtain personal information. Homeowners will get legit calls from the Restore Louisiana staff who will confirm who they are by referring to a survey account number.

The Governor’s Office now says an announcement will be made today from the Department of Justice on the Alton Sterling decision. Reports yesterday indicated the DOJ will not charge the Baton Rouge Police officers involved in the death of Sterling. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this isn’t surprising…:
Cut 13 (11) “his pocket”
Reports indicate the feds will meet with the Sterling family at 11am. State authorities could still conduct their own investigation of the fatal shooting.

Much of the state is now under a tornado watch until 5pm. There are a pair of storm systems slated to move in today into sunrise Thursday morning. There is also a flood watch issued from midday through sunrise tomorrow as heavy rainfall from strong to severe storms are expected to produce between 2 and 4 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Damaging winds, large hail, and possibly tornadoes are also the main threats associated with this system.

Legislation designed to end pay secrecy will be heard in the House Labor Committee today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A bill headed to the House floor would reduce the number of signatures needed on a recall petition in large jurisdictions. Representative Paul Hollis said he brought the measure after failure to remove from office a St. Tammany Parish Coroner who is now in federal prison. Norco Representative Gregory Miller says the recall laws are meaningless in voting districts of that size…:
Cut 11 (06) “large jurisdiction”

***The 7:30 newscast has been updated to include that the Governor’s Office now says an announcement from the DOJ on the Sterling case will be made today. And also the tornado watch in effect for most of the state until 5pm.***