A record number of Louisiana students have achieved an ACT score of 18 or higher that will allow them to go to college. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

We’re paying less at the pump than in 12 years, according to AAA. Spokesman Don Redman says we’re paying about $1.99 a gallon right now in Louisiana, but that will probably keep going down before summers end…:
CUT 11 (07) “$1.94”

At the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to take part today in a round table discussion on how to help Americans with chronic health.

Disabled veterans will see an increase in their compensation beginning next year thanks to a bill by Congressman Ralph Abraham that has just been signed into law. Abraham says the bill will adjust the amount of compensation veterans receive for disability, dependents, and clothing allowance, as well as compensation for surviving spouses…:
cut 4 (08) “all together”
Abraham has been an advocate for veterans since he was elected to Congress in 2014.

Former LSU star shortstop Alex Bregman made his debut in the majors last night, playing third base for the Astros. He went 0-4 on the night in Houston’s 2-1 loss to the Yankees at Minute Maid Park, but he put on an incredible performance on defense. He was greeted with a standing ovation as he stepped into the batter’s box for the first time in the 2nd.

According to AAA, nationwide gas prices are at a 12 year low. Spokesperson Don Redman says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is about $1.99…:
Cut 10 (08) “a gallon”
He says drivers could see prices at the pump go down even more before the end of the summer.

More students than ever have achieved ACT scores that allow them to go to college, according to State Superintendent John White, who says the state’s composite ACT score has increased nearly a half a point since 2013. He says over 25-thousand students in the Class of 2016 scored an 18 or higher on the ACT…:
CUT 7 (08) “since 2012″
White says he credits this to the 2012 “ACT for All” initiative that allows students to take the exam at no cost.

After a nearly 4-hour meeting, the LHSAA Executive Committee decided Eddie Bonine will remain the director of the organization. Bonine referred to the LHSAA as a “proverbial dumpster fire” in a report to the N-F-H-S, which led to the special meeting that went into executive session. LHSAA President Vic Bonnaffee couldn’t elaborate what went into the decision to keep Bonine…:
Cut 13 (10) “no comment”
Before the meeting went behind closed doors, Bonine apologized for his dumpster fire comment.

Louisiana law enforcement is hosting a memorial for fallen officers on Thursday, and Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta Lynch are slated to appear. The service is set to begin at 2pm at the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge.

The last officer killed in the Baton Rouge police ambush has been laid to rest. Governor John Bel Edwards says Cpl. Montrell Jackson was a pillar of this community and used God’s gifts to make a difference for Baton Rouge and Louisiana. Jackson’s younger brother, 24-year-old Kendrick Pitts, spoke to Montrell and said he was loved by everyone…:

cut 10 (10)  “the whole world loves you”

Chairman of the House Transportation Committee Kenny Havard says the newly formed Transportation Taskforce will look at increasing the state’s gasoline tax to fund roadway maintenance. Havard says he is open to any other ideas to fund transportation projects, including tolls and public-private partnerships.

CUT 8 (09) “infrastructure”

A father and his two sons drowned in the Sabine River over the weekend. Beauregard Sheriff Rick Mosely says by the time his deputies arrived at the scene, it was already too late. He says they recovered 51-year-old Harlin Powel from the river, who was pronounced dead at the scene. He says search teams then began trying to locate the two boys.

CUT 4 (10)  “last night”

Mosely says it’s been about five years since anyone has drowned in that part of the river.

LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye returns to New Iberia today after surviving a fatal wreck in Wisconsin. Delahoussaye was in Wisconsin to participate in the Kohl’s Kicking Camp. He was participant in the camp last week and was scheduled to serve as a camp counselor this week. Delahoussaye’s coach at New Iberia High, Rick Hutson says Delahoussaye has attended that camp since high school and he’s thankful his former player only suffered minor injuries.

cut 14 (04)  “survived”

The last of the final goodbyes to the recently slain Baton Rouge Police
officers is taking place today as Corporal Montrell Jackson is laid to
rest. Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says law enforcement from throughout the
country have been pained by the deaths of the three cops, but he’s
confident they will come out of it stronger people…:
Cut 11 (12) “quality of life”
Jackson leaves behind a wife and baby boy.

Today, restaurants throughout the state are taking part in the 25 on the
25th event, which is a fundraiser benefiting the families of the three
officers who were killed. The establishments are putting 25% of proceeds
today into the memorial fund. You can find a list of restaurants
participating by using the hashtag 25onthe25th on Facebook or Twitter.

According to House Transportation Committee chairman Kenny Havard,
lawmakers will likely consider increasing the state’s gasoline tax during
the 2017 session. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye returns to New Iberia today after surviving a
fatal wreck in Wisconsin that killed two others. Delahoussaye’s coach at
New Iberia High, Rick Huston, says Delahoussaye suffered injuries that
require more medical attention..:
cut 12 (09) “from the accident”

The final of the three Baton Rouge law enforcement officers slain in an ambush on cops was laid to rest Monday. Thousands turned out for the funeral of BRPD’s Corporal Montrell Jackson who leaves behind a wife and baby boy, Mason. Governor John Bel Edwards says we have to make this world a better place for Mason:
CUT 10 (10) “his father”
Edwards says Jackson was a pillar of this community and used God’s gifts to make a difference in this community.

A family is in mourning today in Bearuegard Parish, as a father and his son and step-son drowned in the Sabine River. Sheriff Rick Mosely says the Sabine River is a popular swimming spot, but the current is stronger than it looks…:
CUT 5 (11) “safe spot”
51-year-old Harlin Powell is identified as the father.

Lawmakers will likely consider a bill to increase the state’s gasoline tax, when they meet for the 2017 fiscal session. That’s according to Representative Kenny Havard, who serves as chairman of the House Transportation Committee and sits on the newly-formed Transportation Taskforce. Havard says the state’s gasoline tax has not been raised in over 20 years and there are not enough funds to address the $12 billion backlog for transportation maintenance, much less any new projects…:
CUT 6 (10) “afloat”
Louisiana’s 20-cent gas tax ranks 41 in the nation.

The final of the three Baton Rouge law enforcement officers slain in an ambush on cops is being laid to rest today. Thousands turned out for the funeral of BRPD’s Corporal Montrell Jackson, a 32-year-old 10-year veteran of the department who leaves behind a wife and baby boy. Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to speak at the service at this hour.

The Democratic National Convention begins today in Philadelphia with 59 Louisiana delegates in attendance. Michael McHale is one of the delegates says and the Lake Charles resident expects this convention to be much different than last week’s Republican convention…:
Cut 10 (11) “Hillary Clinton”
McHale says Clinton is the most qualified candidate we’ve ever seen run for president.

Tragedy hit the Sabine River this weekend when a father and his two sons drowned in Beauregard Parish. Sheriff Rick Mosely says 51-year-old Harlin Powell’s 12-year-old son Dale Powell and stepson Robbie Merritt were swimming in the river when they began to struggle…:
CUT 3 (09) “unsuccessful”

The LHSAA executive committee meets today to discuss negative comments made by executive director Eddie Bonine. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Funeral services for fallen Baton Rouge Police Cpl Montrell Jackson will begin in this hour. Jackson is a 10 year vet with BRPD. Police Chief Carl Dabadie says he was Jackson’s instructor when he served as academy director.

Cut 13 (07) “this community”

Dabadie says Jackson is a true hero and a loving husband and father.

59 Louisiana delegates will be in attendance at the Democratic Nation Convention, which begins today in Philadelphia. Delegate Michael McHale says this convention will have a much different tone than last week’s Republican convention.

Cut (10) “Hillary Clinton”

McHale says Clinton is the most qualified candidate this race has ever seen.

Two dozen candidates have qualified for the US Senate race for the open seat in Louisiana. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell and attorney Caroline Fayard are the major Democrats in the race. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says if a Democrat can pull most of the party vote, they will have a good chance of making it to the runoff.

Cut 8 (08) “the floor”

Congressmen Charles Boustany and John Fleming, Col. Rob Maness, and former KKK leader David Duke are major Republican names in the race.

At a special meeting this afternoon, the LHSAA will discuss comments made by executive director Eddie Bonine’s in which he called the organization a “proverbial dumpster fire.” Bonine was signed on as executive director last year, and Executive committee member Tommy Hodges says he doesn’t see the LHSAA buying Bonine’s contract out.

Cut 6 (09) “or fashion”

A record 24 candidates will appear on the November ballot for the US Senate seat being vacated by David Vitter. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says State Treasurer John Kennedy is leading in the early polls. But Cross says Kennedy is going up against some big names:
CUT 7 (12) “around us”
He says with this many candidates in the race, anything is possible.

Baton Rouge Police plan to issue the final call for slain Corporal Montrell Jackson following his funeral today. Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to speak at the service. Jackson is the last of the three Baton Rouge cops gunned down in an ambush on law enforcement to be laid to rest. East Baton Rouge Deputy Brad Garafola’s funeral was held on Saturday and BRPD officer Matthew Gerlad’s was Friday.

The Democratic National Convention begins today in Philadelphia with 59 Louisiana delegates in attendance. Michael McHale is one and he feels Hillary Clinton will be the one who will truly move America forward…:
CUT 11 (10) “those roles”
McHale says Clinton is the most qualified candidate we’ve ever seen run for president in the US.

The LHSAA Executive Committee has a special meeting this afternoon where the only item on the agenda is to discuss the comments made by executive director Eddie Bonine that referred to the organization as a “proverbial dumpster fire.” Executive committee member Tommy Hodges says they’ll discuss the controversial statement…:
cut 4 (06) “the state”
But he disputes reports that they are seeking to buy out Bonine’s contract.

The last of the final goodbyes to slain Baton Rouge Police officers will take place today as Corporal Montrell Jackson is laid to rest. Two weeks before he was killed on the job, he made a post on Facebook pleading for people not to let hate infect their hearts — in the aftermath of the death of Alton Sterling during a confrontation with cops. Chief Carl Dabadie says after the Sterling shooting, he went to talk to BRPD officers…:
cut 14 (11) “our department”
Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to deliver Jackson’s eulogy at 11am.

59 Louisiana delegates get their turn today as the Democratic National Convention gets underway. Michael McHale of Lake Charles is one of them and he believes The Bayou State will get behind Hillary Clinton…:
CUT 12 (08) “Louisiana”

A Louisiana record 24 candidates are on the ballot in the November US Senate race. Jeff Palermo looks at how it shapes up…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Natchitoches Police Department says they are investigating the shooting death of a juvenile at a gas station. They say the 15 year old was struck by several bullets while in the parking lot and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities. The investigation is ongoing.