Election season officially kicks off today with the start of qualifying. As many as eight well-known candidates for US Senate are expected to file paperwork — five Republicans, two Democrats and one Independent. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillion says Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany poses a threat to GOP front-runner, State Treasurer John Kennedy:
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He says Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is favored to make the runoff.

In the Congressional races, Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the competition for the 1st District seat should be an interesting one. Mayor Kip Holden is running against fellow Democrat and incumbent Cedric Richmond. Pinsonat says there has been word of former KKK member and former state Senator David Duke eyeing the 2nd congressional seat occupied by Steve Scalise:
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Candidates will sign-up at the Secretary of State’s office between today and Friday.

The community faith-based organization Together Baton Rouge outlines their plan to move the Capital City forward following the tragic shootings of Alton Sterling and three Baton Rouge police officers. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Last night, hundreds of bikers gathered on the highway where two Baton Rouge city cops and one sheriff’s deputy were killed on Sunday. They took a short ride to the Baton Rouge Police headquarters — not far from the site of the tragic incident. The bikers said the distance was short, but the message they were spreading could go a long way. Nearly every bike was decorated with a blue strip or black and blue flag.

The community and faith-based organization, Together Baton Rouge, lays out a plan on how to move the Capital City forward in the wake of the ambush on Baton Rouge police and the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. Rev. Lee Wesley says one of the first things that needs to be done is getting help to people who struggle with mental health problems…:
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Wesley says the group will hold “We the People” meetings over the next 6 months to allow people to voice their concerns on both sides.

Governor John Bel Edwards will be joined by State Police Col Mike Edmonson today for his month call in radio show, “Ask the Governor.” In a statement, the governor says he plans to discuss public safety and the recent tragedies that have taken place in Baton Rouge. The show will be carried live beginning at 2:06pm on the Louisiana Radio Network.

The Congressional races in Louisiana officially kick-off today with the start of qualifying. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat predicts the third congressional district seat will be the most competitive with some big names and heavily funded candidates trying to make it into the runoff:
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Candidates will sign-up at the Secretary of State’s office between today and Friday.

In the US Senate race, as many as eight well-known candidates are expected to file paperwork, five republicans, two democrats and one independent.

The community faith-based organization Together Baton Rouge outlines their plan to move the Capital City forward following the tragic shootings of Alton Sterling and three Baton Rouge police officers. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Funeral services for two of the Baton Rouge police officers killed in the ambush have been announced. The viewing for Officer Matthew Gerald will begin Friday at 9am at Healing Place Church, and the service begins at 11. Visitation for Cpl. Montrell Jackson begins at 9am on Monday at Living Faith Christian Center, and the service will follow at 11.

After two weeks of tragedy in the south, the community is coming together to Back the Badge. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has set up a web page for people to donate to a fund for the fallen Baton Rouge officers. BRAF Communications Director Mukul Verma says they have already raised over $33-thousand and more donations are still coming in.

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He says donations can be made at BRAF.org, and every contribution helps.

According to an analysis by WalletHub, three cities in Louisiana rank as the most stressed out in the nation. Shreveport is No. 6, New Orleans No. 8 and Baton Rouge came in at 13th. Michelle Moore is a Doctor of Psychology at LSU Health New Orleans. She says the report shows Louisianans have high anxiety about things like money, health, and safety…:

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A memorial fund for the families of the fallen Baton Rouge police officers has been set up by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. Communications Director Mukul Verma says the East Baton Rouge First Responders Fund was established in 1988. He says donations can be made at BRAF.org, and every contribution helps.

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Verma says they have already raised over $33-thousand and more donations are still coming in.

The autopsy findings of the three officers killed in the police ambush have been released. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says each officer’s death was ruled a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds. He says the shooter’s autopsy will be today.

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Five people from Albany were killed in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler in Alabama. 32-year-old Carrie Jones and her two children, 7-year-old Trinity and 4-year-old Jackson lost their lives in the wreck, as well as, 58-year-old twin sisters, Judy Madere and Trudy Herbert. The driver of the big rig was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to an analysis by WalletHub, three cities in Louisiana rank as the most stressed out in the nation. Michelle Southern reports.

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The autopsy findings from East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola and Baton Rouge Police Officers Montrell Jackson and Matthew Gerald have been released. EBR coroner Beau Clark says it’s especially difficult for his office to perform autopsies on police officers, because they work so closely with them on many cases.

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Clark says each officer’s death was ruled a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds, and he’ll perform the shooter’s autopsy today as well.

Three Louisiana cities rank as very stressful. Shreveport is No. 6, New Orleans No. 8 and Baton Rouge came in at 13th. Dr. Michelle Moore with LSU Health New Orleans says that, especially in the case of New Orleans, even though we’re known for having nonchalant attitudes, crime is probably one of the biggest factors in the ranking…:

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Moore says the report shows Louisianians have high anxiety about things like money, health, ability to cope and safety

Law enforcement around the state are seeing tremendous community support following Sunday’s tragedy in Baton Rouge. That’s according to Pineville Police Deputy Chief and President of the Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police, Darrell Basco, who says people have taken to social media in particular to show love for police officers.

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The families of the fallen officers will soon get a check thanks to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, which has been collecting donations at BRAF.org. Communications Director Mukul Verma says East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux is on the committee that decides how the money will be used to assist these families.

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Verma says the East Baton Rouge First Responders Fund was established in 1988, and it has given over $150-thousand to families of officers who were killed or wounded in the line of duty.

The autopsy of the three law enforcement officers killed in the police ambush have determined each officer’s death was ruled a homicide because of multiple gunshot wounds. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says the autopsy on the shooter, Gavin Long, will be today. He says this an incredibly sad case for him to work…
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Funeral Services for Baton Rouge Police Officer Matthew Gerald will take place on Friday and Officer Montrell Jackson will be laid to rest on Monday. Funeral Services for Deputy Brad Garafola have not been set.

Law enforcement around Louisiana and across the nation are morning from Sunday’s attack in Baton Rouge and now police are deciding where to go from here. Pineville Police Deputy Chief and President of the Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police, Darrell Basco, says they’re seeing amazing support from police all over the country…
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Five people from Albany were killed in a head-on collision with a tractor trailer in Alabama. 32-year-old Carrie Jones and her two children, 7-year-old Trinity and 4-year-old Jackson lost their lives in the wreck, as well as, 58-year-old twin sisters, Judy Madere and Trudy Herbert. The driver of the big rig was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to an analysis by WalletHub, three cities in Louisiana rank as the most stressed out in the nation. Michelle Southern reports.
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The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has set up a memorial fund to help the families of the fallen Baton Rouge officers. Halen Doughty has more…:
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President of the Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police, Darrell Basco, says the show of community support and donations for law enforcement is heart warming…:
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He says they are also getting additional help with the force in Baton Rouge from department’s around the state and nation.

According to an analysis by WalletHub, three cities in Louisiana rank as the most stressed out in the nation. Shreveport is No. 6, New Orleans No. 8 and Baton Rouge came in at 13th. Michelle Moore is a Doctor of Psychology at LSU Health New Orleans. She says the report shows Louisianians have high anxiety about things like money, health, ability to cope and safety…:
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Shreveport was No. 3 on the list for the most work related stress, and Baton Rouge topped the list for fewest psychologists per capita.

There’s a growing buzz about Melania Trump’s speech last night at the Republican National Convention as some felt it was extremely similar to one Michelle Obama made in 2008. Former Jefferson Parish President and a Louisiana delegate at the convention in Cleveland, John Young, says at the end of the day the Trump campaign needs to deal with the issue and move on but they might need to make some changes to the staff…:
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After two weeks of tragedy in the south, the community is coming together to Back the Badge. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has set up a web page for people to donate to a fund for the fallen Baton Rouge officers. BRAF Communications Director Mukul Verma says they have already raised $30-thousand and more donations are still coming in…:
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He says donations can be made at BRAF.org.

Not only are officers getting a lot of community support, but departments around the state and nation are coming in to help out in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police President, Darrell Basco in Pineville says he’s not worried that the fatal ambush will deter people from wanting to become cops…:
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He says it’s great after this type of event that we see support of the public across the state, not only in Baton Rouge.

There is some controversy that the speech Melania Trump made at the Republican National Convention last night sounded very similar to Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention. Former Jefferson Parish President and a Louisiana delegate at the convention in Cleveland, John Young, says if it’s true, the campaign needs to admit it and move on:
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He says they might need to make some changes to Trump’s staff.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for two of the officers who were killed in Baton Rouge on Sunday. A viewing for BRPD Officer Matthew Gerald will be held Thursday at Resthaven in Baton Rouge, then again at Healing Place on Friday before services. The burial for Gerald will be at the Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary. Corporal Montrell Jackson’s visitation, Services and burial will take place beginning at 9am Monday at Living Faith Christian Center in Baton Rouge.