A Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot in the line of duty. It happened along a busy road around 12:20 this afternoon. J-P-S-O spokesperson, Colonel John Fortunato, says the deputy, 50-year-old David Michel, approached a suspicious pedestrian and a struggle ensued. Authorities say the suspect pulled the gun from his waistband and shot the deputy several times. The suspect is in custody.

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore is not sure yet if he’ll prosecute a Baton Rouge mother who was arrested after allegedly beating her children for breaking into someone’s home. Police say 30-year-old Schaquana Spears was charged with two counts of child cruelty for whipping her three children with an electrical cord. Moore understands parents need to discipline their children.

CUT 3 (11)  “been pretty”

People from all over the nation have taken to social media in support of Spears’ actions.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a bill into law that will regulate drone use in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Sen. Dan Claitor authored the measure and says under his bill, you could be charged with criminal trespassing if you use a drone to peep on your neighbors.

CUT 6 (10) “that’s prohibited”

Claitor says there are some exceptions included in his bill.

The state Department of Transportation cancels plans to rehabilitate the Jimmy Davis Bridge over the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier and instead they decide to build a new four-lane bridge. DOTD spokesperson Cindy Dorfner says they aren’t sure at this point how much the new bridge will cost or when it will be complete, but the old bridge will remain open during the construction. She says they have to get the design process started first.

cut 10 (07)  “the bridge”

Dorfner says this new bridge will mean less congestion and an easier drive for commuters.

(Please note update to JPSO story.)

The story about the Baton Rouge mother who allegedly beat her children for breaking into a house, then was arrested, is receiving outrage from across the country. BRPD says 30-year-old Schaquana Spears was charged with two counts of child cruelty. It’s now in the hands of DA Hillar Moore, who is not sure if he’s going to prosecute…:
CUT 4 (11) “criminality there”
Authorities say the 10, 12, and 13-year-olds broke into a neighbor’s house and stole a hover board, electronics, and socks, and mom wasn’t happy about it.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office is reporting an officer has been shot and killed on the Westbank. The cop was reportedly shot during a pedestrian stop. Police said they had two people detained and that one of the individuals was described as the suspected shooter. K9 and helicopter had to be called in for the manhunt. We’ll have more on this as it develops.

The lawyer of a Marksville City Marshall accused of fatally shooting a 6-year-old boy has filed a motion to move the trial out of Avoyelles Parish. 31-year-old Derrick Stafford’s attorney, Christopher LaCour, says with all the media coverage he doesn’t believe Stafford can get a fair trial in this parish…:
cut 12 (09) “is corrupt”
Stafford and Greenhouse are set to go to trial this fall.

Instead of repairing the Jimmy Davis Bridge over the River River in Shreveport-Bossier, DOTD says they’ve decided just to build a brand new bridge. Spokeswoman Cindy Dorfner says this will mean less congestion and an easier drive for commuters…:
CUT 9 (12) “and forth”
She says they aren’t sure at this point how much the new bridge will cost or when it will be complete.

The Baton Rouge mother who was arrested after allegedly beating her sons for robbing a neighbor’s house might not have to stand trial, according to District Attorney Hillar Moore. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (24) “I’m Don Molino”

Under a pair of bills signed by Governor John Bel Edwards that go into law immediately, flying a drone to spy on or harass people is prohibited. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says there are some exceptions…:
CUT 7 (08) “an exception”
He adds that if you fly a drone into your neighbors yard by mistake, that is not a crime.

The state Department of Transportation cancels plans to rehabilitate the Jimmy Davis Bridge over the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier. DOTD spokeswoman Cindy Dorfner says they instead decided to build a new four-lane bridge. She says the old bridge will remain open during construction, and right now they are getting the design process underway…:
CUT 10 (07) “the bridge”
She says this new bridge will mean less congestion and an easier drive for commuters.

A Baton Rouge woman has been placed under arrest by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office for allegedly pretending to be a cop and taking someone into custody with toy handcuffs at a casino. Deputies learned 23-year-old Georgetta Augillard didn’t work for any law enforcement agency and she was booked with false imprisonment and fraudulent portrayal of a cop.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law two bills that will regulate drone use in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Sen. Dan Claitor authored one of the measures. He says under his bill, you could be charged with criminal trespassing if you use a drone to peep on your neighbors…:
CUT 6 (10) “that’s prohibited”
The law goes into effect immediately.

East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore is not sure yet if he’ll prosecute a Baton Rouge mother who was arrested amid charges she beat her kids for breaking into someone’s home. Police say 30-year-old Schaquana Spears was charged with two counts of child cruelty for whipping her three children with an electrical cord. Moore understands parents need to discipline their children:
CUT 3 (11) “been pretty”
He says the degree of physical discipline will be reviewed.

4th Congressional District candidate and former Opelousas lawmaker Elbert Guillory says he should be chosen to head to D.C. because he has the coconuts to handle Congress. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the interesting political commercial is an attention grabbing tactic to build name recognition outside of Acadiana…:
CUT 1 (10) “big way”
Guillory said in the YouTube ad that, in Louisiana, when someone has courage to stand up to others, we say that she or he has coconuts.

The state gives away 1.6 billion dollars in local tax revenue for the industrial exemption program, which benefits large manufacturers. That’s according to Together Louisiana and spokesperson Broderick Bagert says school districts, parishes and other local entities are missing out on these dollars…:
cut 11 (03) “tax money”
But others say this exemption draws big companies to Louisiana.

Lawmakers still haven’t raised enough revenue in the special session that ends tomorrow to fill the budget deficit for next fiscal year. Governor John Bel Edwards has asked for $600 million dollars in additional funding, but Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says the hole is probably bigger than that…:
CUT 16 (08) “being down”
The Senate says they are going to try once again to bring back a bill regarding personal income taxes that the House as already rejected, but leaders in the lower chamber say they don’t see the votes changing.

Beginning today, cops in New Orleans are changing the way they deal with people who possess pot, but State Police says troopers are not on board. NOPD says officers have been instructed to issue a citation similar to a traffic ticket to people caught with a small amount of marijuana. But State Police says they are responsible for enforcing Louisiana’s laws and they want to remain consistent from New Orleans to Shreveport.

Attorney General Jeff Landry and law enforcement officers are partnering to stop the production and distribution of child pornography. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A statewide network of civic organizations says the state grants billions of dollars in local tax revenue to benefit large manufacturers, when that money would be better served going to things like schools a police. Together Louisiana spokesman Broderick Bagert says they are calling on the governor to change the program, which he is allowed to do under the constitution…:
CUT 12 (08) “on them”
But others say this exemption is given out all over the country and without it Louisiana stands to lose businesses to other states.

With two days left in special session, lawmakers are struggling to raise enough money to tackle the state’s massive budget deficit. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says the supplemental budget bill is currently in the Senate Finance Committee and TOPS is funded at around 70-percent. He says other areas still don’t have adequate funding…:
Cut 15 (10) “prisons”
Alford says the state’s budget hole is likely more than $600 million.

A woman from Minden died and two others were injured in a Webster Parish, two vehicle crash, according to State Police. They say 33-year-old Kevin Liker of Dubberly tried to pass two vehicles in a no passing zone, when he struck a pickup truck head-on. The passenger in the truck, 66-year-old Linda McCoy was not buckled up and sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Investigators believe speed and alcohol were factors in the incident which is under investigation.

Former state legislator Ebert Guillory has released an interesting ad in support of his candidacy for the 4th district Congressional race. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Attorney General Jeff Landry and law enforcement are teaming up to tackle cyber-crimes against children. State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson says parents can help by keeping a close eye on their kids online…:
CUT 5 (10) “with them”
The venture is dubbed Operation Broken Heart.

The industrial tax exemption program that benefits large manufacturers is costing local governments 1.6 billion dollars a year, according to Together Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Senate leaders say they are going try again to make moves that would help fill the state’s budget deficit for next fiscal year. The session must end tomorrow night. Senate President John Alario told reporters he hopes to revive an individual income tax measure which was struck down by the House, but lawmakers in the lower chamber say they don’t see votes changing.

Former state senator Elbert Guillory is in the race for the 4th Congressional District seat, and he’s running a very unique YouTube ad to gain voters’ support, by using coconuts as a metaphor. He can be seen in the ad standing behind a podium, holding a mesh bag with two coconuts…:
CUT 7 (12) “has coconuts”
Political analyst Pearson Cross thinks this is a “Donald Trump” move by Guillory…:
CUT 10 (09) “the person”
Cross is becoming less politically correct is an emerging trend among candidates.

An unidentified deputy in West Baton Rouge Parish has been suspended without pay for failing to perform a proper inmate headcount, after failing to notice one of the prisoners put a dummy in his bed to trick the officer into thinking he was sleeping. The inmate ended up coming back to the prison with 2 bags of pot according to authorities.

With two days left in special session, lawmakers are struggling to raise enough money to tackle the state’s massive budget deficit. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says legislators are just short of raising 300 million dollars
of the $600 million the governor requested. He says conservatives in the House aren’t budging…:
cut 14 (11) “more revenue”
He says the shortfall for next fiscal year is likely more than $600 million.

The state gives away 1.6 billion dollars in local tax revenue for the industrial exemption program, which benefits large manufacturers. That’s according to Together Louisiana and spokesperson Broderick Bagert says school districts, parishes and other local entities are missing out on these dollars…:
cut 11 (03) “tax money”
But others say this exemption draws big companies to Louisiana.

Attorney General Jeff Landry and law enforcement are teaming up to tackle cyber-crimes against children. Landry says since April, 57 alleged perpetrators have been arrested for the distribution and possession of child pornography as part of “Operation Broken Heart”…:
cut 4 (09) “that exploitation”
State Police is assisting in the effort to reduce internet crimes against children.

According to the latest campaign finance reports for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. $4.7 million dollars has been paid to a Louisiana business which makes the infamous “Make American Great Again” hats. Ace Specialties in Lafayette’s owner is also listed as an official point of contact for the Trump for President store.