06:45 Sportscast, July 8th, 2016

The Red Sox have acquired former LSU star Aaron Hill from the Milwaukee Brewers for a Triple-A right-hander and Double-A infielder. Boston says they were looking for a right-handed hitter infielder that could third base, and that Hill fits that spot and makes them better. Hill is batting .283 with 8 homers, and 29 RBIs in 78 games this season.

The New Orleans Pelicans will take on the Lakers today in the Las Vegas Summer LeAgue opener.

Former Louisiana Tech small forward Jaron Johnson was announced by the NBA Development League as one of 14 members of the Select team which will compete in the Samsung NBA Summer League in Las Vegas that tips off today.

Five former LSU athletes took another step on their Road To Rio on Thursday at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials as Rodney Brown advanced to the men’s discus final in the field and Quincy Downing, Jasmin Stowers, Tenaya Jones and Cassandra Tate each advanced to semifinals on the track at Hayward Field.

UL Ragin’ Cajuns track and field student-athletes Morgann Leleux and Alena Hrusoci will look to punch their respective tickets to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games when they each compete in qualifying meets beginning Friday.

A former teacher and assistant basketball coach at Fontainebleau High has been arrested for having sexual relations with a student. Emelie Gunn has more”
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

 

 

06:30 Newscast, July 8th, 2016

President Barack Obama says Americans should be deeply troubled by the fatal police shootings of two black men in Louisiana and Minnesota. Mr Obama says the deaths of Alton Sterling of Baton Rouge and Philando Castile of St. Paul are not isolated incidents and they reflect racial disparities that continue to plague this country…:
CUT 7 (10) “under the law”

Since then the President has said he’s horrified that a protest in Dallas over the murders of Sterling and Castile turned deadly. Cops say 5 Dallas officers were killed and 6 others injured by what appeared to be snipers in calculated positions. One suspect is reportedly dead and three others in custody.

Meanwhile though authorities in Louisiana say threats are going around here, none of them are credible and the public should be cautious when it comes to sharing erroneous reports on social media. State Police say fake threats can unnecessarily alarm the public and divert resources and attention away from the important task at hand.

In the latest development in the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling, sources say there was only one of the two officers involved that fired their weapon. They say it was Blane Salamoni who is believed to have fired all of the shots. An autopsy conducted by the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office revealed that Sterling died of multiple gunshot wounds to his back and chest.

A former Fontainebleau High School teacher and coach has been arrested amid allegations he had sex with one of his students. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says 37-year-old William Leto made contact with the student through social media and then began grooming her to trust him. He says the suspect faces many charges…:
Cut 10 (10) “a juvenile”

 

13:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

Emelie Gunn has the latest on the investigation into the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Meanwhile friends are taking up for Sterling. His former employer at a local Baton Rouge restaurant, Brandon Boutin, says Sterling was likely asking the officers why they were confronting him because he wasn’t doing anything wrong:
CUT 5 (11) “both sides”

People throughout north Louisiana are gathering today to mourn the loss of 28-year-old Sterlington Police Sgt. David Elahi (eh-lah-hee), who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop. Rev. Chad Brooks was a friend of Elahi’s and will officiate the funeral service today. He says more than anything, Elahi loved to help people, which he did not only as a police officer, but through his other endeavors, including an inflatable jumper company he owned…:

cut 11 (12) “for people”
Brooks says Elahi had been involved in law enforcement with Monroe Police, Union Parish Sheriff’s Department, and finally with Sterlington Police.

Lottery officials say the Mega Millions jackpot has increased to $540 million dollars for tomorrow night’s drawing. They say sales leading up to the next jackpot have been skyrocketing which is why they raised the amount. The cash option for tomorrow night’s prize is worth an estimated $380 million dollars.

 

12:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

A former employer of 37-year-old Alton Sterling is speaking up on behalf of the man who was shot and killed by Baton Rouge Police Officers. Brandon Boutin hired Sterling to be a line cook at a local Baton Rouge restaurant. He says that Sterling was known as the “CD man,” and that it wasn’t unusual to see him outside the store where he died trying to make a living…:
CUT 4 (08) “for a long time”
He says despite Sterling’s criminal past, he was working hard to straight out his life and make sure everything was on the up and up.

Was the shooting of Sterling justified? That’s the question many are asking. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says he was present when members of the Baton Rouge Police Department began interviewing the two officers involved…:
cut 12 (05) “they took”
The officers, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake are on paid leave.

The religious organization, Together Baton Rouge, believes the federal investigation into the fatal police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling’s should not just examine whether the shooting was justified. Rev. Lee Wesley believes things like false arrest, aggravated battery, assault with a deadly weapon, and second degree murder should also be considered…:
CUT 9 (07) “as well”
Wesley hopes that if any federal or local laws have been violated, the US Department of Justice will recommend charges against the officers.

This evening, Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver remarks at a prayer vigil with community leaders, faith leaders, and elected officials from around the Baton Rouge area.

 

11:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

Governor John Bel Edwards meets this afternoon with the U.S. Attorneys, FBI, and State Police in regards to the fatal police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling. Deputy Chief of Staff for the governor, Julie Baxter Payer, says Edwards’ goal is to have a full and thorough investigation and maximum transparency…:
CUT 6 (10) “to justice”
Cops have said they believe Sterling was armed at the time of the shooting. Brandon Boutin was an employer of Sterling’s at a local Baton Rouge restaurant. He says Sterling was a good person who was never looking for trouble…:
CUT 3 (10) “grown up”
Authorities say the investigation could go on for a month or more.

People throughout north Louisiana are gathering this afternoon when 28-year-old Sterlington Police Sgt. David Elahi (eh-lah-hee), who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop, will be laid to rest. Rev. Chad Brooks was a friend of Elahi’s and will officiate the funeral service today…:
Cut 10 (05) “being fun”
Elahi is survived by his fiancé Danna Parsley and 2-year-old daughter Alba, as well as an expected child due in January.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a man from Natchez drowned after he fell overboard from his boat on the Tensas River in Catahoula Parish while hunting for frogs. They say 44-year-old Carroll Dobson was with his two sons when he stopped the vessel and stood up before going over. LDWF is leading the investigation, and say it’s believed Dobson was drinking alcohol at the time of the incident and was not wearing a life jacket. They say his sons weren’t wearing life jackets either.

 

09:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

The US Department of Justice and the FBI is now handling the case of the police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg expects this investigation to last about a month…:
Cut 6 (10) “in Baton Rouge”
Cell phone videos are going viral that show two cops on top of Sterling in an altercation outside a gas station before shooting him. ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman says officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II had just 7 years of experience between them and, with 122 black people killed by law enforcement this year alone, something needs to be done…:
CUT 9 (07) “to do”
Cops say Sterling was armed when he was shot and killed.

Funeral services will be held today for the Sterlington Police officer who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Officials with Louisiana’s movie industry are excited Governor Edwards has called on Louisiana Economic Development to conduct an extensive review of the state’s film tax credit program. Executive Director of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association, Robert Vosbein (Voz-bean)…:
Cut 13 (07) “incentive program”

 

08:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

The US Department of Justice will investigate the fatal police shooting in Baton Rouge. Emelie Gunn on what happens next..:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Executive Director of the Louisiana ACLU, Marjorie Esman, says in order to prevent these types of police shootings from happening, officers need more training. She’s concerned about the body cameras not being in use in the Sterlington case..:
CUT 8 (12) “a problem”

People throughout north Louisiana are gathering today to mourn the loss of 28-year-old Sterlington Police Sgt. David Elahi (eh-lah-hee), who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop. Rev. Chad Brooks was a friend of Elahi’s and will officiate the funeral service today. He says Elahi was kindhearted as an officer and genuinely cared for the people he helped…:
cut 12 (10) “better place”
Elahi is survived by his fiancé Danna Parsley and 2-year-old daughter Alba, as well as an expected child due in January.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are questioning the parents of a 2-year-old body whose body was found on the Mississippi River levee near the Huey P Long Bridge. It’s reported that a family member of the child called the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office to report the boy missing on Tuesday, and now the investigation is being taken over by JPSO. Additional information is not available at this time.

 

07:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

The FBI and the US Department of Justice are handling the case of the police shooting death of 37 year old Alton Sterling. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg says the officers could face charges if it’s determined Sterling’s rights were violated and if excessive force was used..:
CUT 5 (09) “subdued him”

The ACLU is demanding answers..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Jefferson Parish authorities say the deceased body of a 2 year-old boy has been found on the Mississippi River levee. The boy’s body was found near the Huey P. Long bridge on the east bank. It’s reported the boy’s parents are being questioned at the sheriff’s office. Additional details are not being released at this time.

Governor Edwards has called on Louisiana Economic Development to conduct an extensive review of the state’s film tax credit program. Executive Director of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association, Robert Vosbein (Voz-bean), says the state has issued $1.4 billion in tax credits in the past 8 years, and lawmakers capped the program at $180 million last year. Vosbein says putting a cap on the program hurt the industry…:
cut 14 (08) “had before” 2x
About 36 other states have similar tax incentives, which means producers have other options for filming destinations.

 

06:45 Sportscast, July 7th, 2016

ESPN is reporting that Baton Rouge native Langston Galloway has agree to terms with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 24-year-old guard averaged 7.6 points in 25 minutes per game last season for the New York Knicks. Galloway was born in the Capitol City and attended Christian Life Academy. The Pelicans open the Vegas Summer league against the Lakers tomorrow night in a game that will be televised by ESPN.

The Saints have signed a veteran defensive end three weeks before the team reports to West Virginia for the start of training camp. Tapp is a 13 year vet that will provide the team with some help with the pass rush. He was a 2nd round pick out of Virginia tech for the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, but has mostly been a back-up in recent years. He played in all 16 games last season for the Detroit Lions and recorded 26 tackles and 2 sacks while forcing 2 fumbles.

LSU is among the teams predicted to reach the 2017 College World Series by Baseball America. In its annual “Eight for Omaha” projection released this week, The Tigers are joined by East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Long Beach State, Oregon State, South Carolina and TCU as the favorites to play in next year’s CWS.

LSU hitting coach Andy Cannizaro reportedly met with officials from his alma mater, Tulane, on Wednesday, regarding their vacant head coaching job. Former Green Wave coach David Pierce was named Texas’ baseball coach on June 29. Current Southeastern coach Matt Riser has also interviewed for the gig.

SEC Media Days get underway on Monday in Birmingham, and LSU Head coach Les Miles and The Tigers will take the stage on Thursday, along with Ole Miss and South Carolina. The Mad Hatter will be joined by running back Leonard Fournette, center Ethan Pocic and defensive back Tre’Davious White. Pocic has been named to the 2016 Rimington Watch List.

06:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

So what happens now that federal agencies will lead the investigation into the fatal police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling from Baton Rouge? Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg says the extensive probe begins with FBI agents trying to determine if lethal force was necessary…:
cut 4 (11) “their discretion”
Cell phone videos are going viral that show two officers, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II, on top of Sterling in an altercation outside a gas station before shooting him. Executive Director of the Louisiana ACLU, Marjorie Esman, says there are too many unknowns in the incident…:
CUT 7 (07) “the ground”
Police say Sterling was armed when he was shot.

People throughout north Louisiana are gathering today to mourn the loss of 28-year-old Sterlington Police Sgt. David Elahi (eh-lah-hee), who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop. Rev. Chad Brooks was a friend of Elahi’s and will officiate the funeral service today…:
Cut 10 (05) “being fun”
Elahi is survived by his fiancé Danna Parsley and 2-year-old daughter Alba, as well as an expected child due in January.

Most of the state remains under a heat advisory which will be in effect from late this morning into this evening. The National Weather Service says the heat index could reach as much as 110 degrees in some areas. They say the impacts could include heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and people should drink more water than you usually would and try to minimize time in direct sun.