This Friday and Saturday is the state’s annual sales tax holiday where shoppers will only have to pay 3-percent sales tax on purchases. Department of Revenue Spokesperson Byron Henderson says the exemption applies to the first 25-hundred dollars of the purchase price of each eligible item, not the entire transaction…:
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With school starting, Henderson says this is a great weekend for parents to do their back to school shopping.

A man in Baton Rouge is facing charges amid allegations he ordered his pit bulls to attack workers who came to his home to cut electricity because he’d not paid his bill. It’s reported that 47-year-old Michael Barcia then instructed the dogs to attack two responding sheriff’s deputies. He faces charges of aggravated assault and public intimidation.

Attorney Lance Unglesby denies allegations that Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa bribed Gonzales city council candidate, Wayne Lawson, to drop out of the race. Jeff Palermo has more on the case…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana has received $400-thousand from the Centers for Disease Control to fight Zika. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health says there have been 17 Zika cases in Louisiana, and all of them have been travel related. But he says there is a possibility for local transmission in Louisiana because the mosquito that carries the virus is active here.

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A 5-year-old has died after his 9-year-old brother accidentally shot him while they were home alone. Col. John Fortunato with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says police received a call from the children’s mother, 29-year-old Generra Brown, and when first responders arrived at the scene, they made a horrific discovery.

Cut 3 (09) “the face”

Fortunato says Brown has been booked on one count of child desertion.

Today marks the 4 year anniversary of the Assumption Parish sinkhole in Bayou Corne. Michelle Southern reports…

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Human remains found in the Grand Canyon are believed to be those of a Louisiana woman who’s been missing since April. Rangers located the remains near the South Rim and believe the body is that of 22-year-old Diana Zacarias of Natchitoches. Officials say she arrived at the canyon the day before she was reported missing, but the National Park Service was unable to locate her after several days of searching.

The Department of Transportation has received a $60 million federal FASTLANE grant to widen and repave Interstate 10 between the I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says there are a lot of transportation improvements needed in Louisiana, btut this project best fits the criteria for this grant.

Cut 7 (08) “in Louisiana”

Construction is expected to begin in January.

The Centers for Disease Control has given Louisiana $400-thousand to fight Zika. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health says pregnant women need to take extra precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. He says that means removing standing water from their yards and watching out for mosquitoes when they are outside.

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A 9-year-old boy accidentally shot his little brother in the face while playing with a handgun. Col. John Fortunato with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says the boys’ mother, 29-year-old Generra Brown, was not home at the time of the shooting.

Cut 5 (07) “elderly neighbor”

Fortunato says no charges have been filed at this time.

Police say a Thibodaux woman has been arrested after stealing over $6-thousand from her employer to pay for braces. Thibodaux police spokesperson David Melancon says 20-year-old Travaunta Bentley was booked for felony theft and released on a $3,500 bond. He says this criminal act was a slap in the face to everyone who works hard to pay for their education.

Cut 16 (07) “in life”

There’s good news for travelers who regularly take I-10 between the I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says they will soon begin the process of widening the interstate, and construction should begin in January. He says both lanes will remain open during roadwork…:
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Wilson says a $60 million federal grant will pay for the repaving and widening of I-10.

A 5 year old child has died in Jefferson Parish after he was accidentally shot in the face by his 9 year old brother. Col. John Fortunato says the two boys were playing in a closet when they came across a handgun…:
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He says the mother was with a neighbor at the time. No arrests have been made at this time.

Today marks the 4 year anniversary of the Assumption Parish sinkhole in Bayou Corne. John Boudreaux is the Emergency Preparedness Director at Assumption Parish. He says this is one of those situations that you never think could happen to you, but a reminder about why it’s so important to always been prepared for anything…:
cut 10 (10) “emergency response”
He says most of the people have moved on, but about 15 residents remain in the area.

An employee has been arrested in Thibodaux for allegedly stealing money from her register at work in order to pay for braces and her education. Thibodaux Police spokesperson David Melancon says 20-year-old Tralvaunta Bentley pocketed a lot of money in just over two weeks…:
cut 15 (07) “her till”
Bentley was charged with felony theft and released on a $3500 bond.

Construction will soon begin on I-10 between the I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Basin…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana has received $400-thousand from the Centers for Disease Control to fight the Zika virus. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health says it will be used to educate both OBGYNs and at-risk pregnant women about the virus, and help them learn about what medical action needs to be taken if a woman gets Zika…:
cut 12 (08) “on it”

Today marks the 4 year anniversary of the Assumption Parish sinkhole in Bayou Corne, and leaders say many residents have moved on — but there are some who don’t want to let go. John Boudreaux is the Emergency Preparedness Director at Assumption Parish. He says this has been an unprecedented event…:

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Boudreaux says most residents are pleased with their settlements from Texas Brine and have established their lives elsewhere, but there are still about 15 who remain in the area.

The National NAACP President submitted to Attorney General Loretta Lynch a list of recommendations for action to address issues between police/community relations. The focus is on re-entry and law enforcement training programs.

The Department of Transportation announces they will soon begin the process of widening Interstate 10 between the I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson believes widening the road to three lanes in both directions will alleviate congestion…:
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Wilson says a $60 million federal FASTLANE grant will pay for the repaving and widening of I-10.

A 5-year-old has died after being shot accidentally by his 9-year-old brother. Col. John Fortunato with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says police received a call from the children’s mother, 29-year-old Generra Brown, and when first responders arrived at the scene they made a horrific discovery…:
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Fortunato says no charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.

It’s back to school time and as many parents put their kids school supply list together and start loading up on uniforms, the the Louisiana Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers that many of those expenses are tax deductible. The sales tax holiday will also be held Friday and Saturday which gives consumers a break on state sales taxes for most purchases made.

A Louisiana man is fighting to receive survivor benefits after his husband died. Marjorie Esman with the ACLU of Louisiana says William Conley passed away in February of 2015, and his husband Gerald Beem has been trying to get social security benefits ever since….:
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The ACLU is taking legal action, but the Louisiana Family Forum doesn’t seem them winning this case because gay marriages were not recognized in Louisiana at the time of Conley’s death.

A gay man from Louisiana who was married in California in 2014 is fighting for survivor benefits following the death of his husband. The ACLU of Louisiana says even though gay marriage was not legal here at the time, the unity should still be recognized. But Gene Mills with the Louisiana Family Forum does not agree…:
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William Conley passed away in February of 2015, and his husband Gerald Beem has been trying to get social security benefits ever since.

State Police say alcohol and excessive speed are suspected factors in a Deridder crash that claimed the life of the 18-year-old driver. They say around 12:30 this morning, Angela Vidrine was speeding when she ran off the road and smashed into a tree. Vidrine was not wearing a seat belt and sustained fatal injuries. Three other passengers that were buckled up had minor injuries.

A Lafayette man faces a first-degree murder charge for allegedly strangling his ex-girlfriend to death. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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The office of Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton was vandalized again for the second time in less than a year. She says following the break-in, messages were left throughout the office with the name of someone who works at the courthouse, the word “taxes,” and what appeared to be an address:
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She says the offender also changed the locks at her office for some reason.

A gay Louisiana man is seeking legal action to receive survivor benefits after his husband died. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman says even though gay marriage was not legal in Louisiana when the two men were married in California in 2014, the marriage should still be recognized:
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But the Louisiana Family forum doesn’t see Gerald Beem winning this case.

A Lafayette man is behind bars for allegedly brutally strangling his ex girlfriend to death. Lafayette Police Cpl. Paul Mouton says 37-year-old Sheree Williams was found Monday, and they believe 33-year-old Jonathan Aubrey was at her house the prior day…:
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Williams is charged with first degree murder.

A lawsuit has been filed that seeks to toss a law that requires eyebrow threaders to have an estheticians license. The salon process is the practice of shaping eyebrows using a cotton thread. Institute for Justice attorney Meagan Forbes says not only are eyebrow threaders losing their jobs, but it’s hurting businesses as well…:
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But Louisiana Board of Cosmetology Executive Director Steve Young says health concerns arise with any kind of hair removal and people should also make sure their cosmetologist is licensed….:
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The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 5-year-old boy was shot and killed in Marrero when his 9-year-old brother found a gun. The gun went off as the two were in a closet and the little boy was pronounced dead on the scene. Apparently the mother was assisting an elderly neighbor at the time. The investigation is ongoing.