The National Federation for Independent Business’ monthly Index on Small Business Optimism finds a decline in job openings and job creation for June. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

A survey by Kars4Kids finds Louisiana motorists are the 4th rudest in the country. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Small business optimism dipped in June, according to the National Federation for Independent Business. State director Dawn Starns says they saw increased optimism at the beginning of the year entering the new administration, but that has since dwindled due to gridlock in Congress. She says there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the federal healthcare bill.

Cut 3 (10) “so hard”

That’s why job openings and job creation plans saw declines in the NFIB’s monthly Index of Small Business Optimism. Expectations for better business conditions and expected sales also dropped. Starns says businesses can’t plan for the future because of all the uncertainty on the federal level.

Cut 4  (10) “rest of the year”

On the positive side, the index found an uptick in inventory satisfaction among small businesses, as well as plans to increase inventory. Starns says that’s a promising sign.

Cut 5  (11)  “part of the year”

________________________________________________

A recent survey finds Louisiana drivers are the 4^th rudest in the country. The survey by Kars4Kids is a driving awareness campaign that promotes courteous driving. Spokesperson Ari Finkelstein says they asked drivers around the country questions about different driving scenarios. He says Bayou State motorists are not too keen on waiting in lines…

Cut 6 (10) “that scenario”

Finkelstein says Louisianans also ranked 43 in the country when it comes to using turn signals. He says a lot of southern states performed poorly when it came to being courteous while driving.

Cut 7 (11)  “Georgia”

Louisiana did rank fairly well when it came to being considerate of other motorists when merging. Finkelstein hopes letting the public know about this bad rating will encourage them to realize they share the road with other humans, not just cars.

Cut 8 (09) “stressful roads”

__________________________________________________________

The girlfriend of the man who was shot and killed by an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputy has hired a lawyer who disputes information released by State Police on the incident. Authorities say 27-year-old Dejuan Guillory was shot in a struggle with the deputy, and that the girlfriend, 21-year-old Dequince Brown, attacked the cop. But Brown’s lawyer, Joe Long, said his client was trying to keep the deputy from killing her boyfriend:

Cut 9 (11)  “three more times”

State Police say Guillory struck the deputy in the head, knocking him to the ground, which started the physical confrontation. Long claims Guillory was begging for his life because he has three kids, but the deputy was out to kill. He says the deputy was also acting unprofessionally which escalated the situation..:

Cut 10 (12) “shoot you”

State Police say they have the deputy’s dash cam which they are analyzing, and there is a lot of work to be done on this investigation. Brown has been charged with attempted first degree murder of a police officer for jumping on the deputy’s back and biting him. Long says the charge is outrageous…:

Cut 11 (10) “not attempted murder”

Long made the comments in an interview with PenPoint News Publisher Daniel Bangeul (Bain-Gal). Brown was released from the Evangeline Parish jail Tuesday after a judge set her bond at $75,000.

__________________________________________________________

Elio Motors in northwest Louisiana has been fined over half a million dollars by the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission who says the three-wheel car making company violated state law. Commission spokesman Keith Marcotte told KEEL in Shreveport that vehicle makers or sellers in Louisiana have to have a manufacturers and dealers license..:

Cut 12 (10) “either of those”

Elio has yet to produce a vehicle, but they have a pre-purchase program which the commission says is breaking laws against car companies selling directly to consumers. Attorneys for Elio said they view their system as taking reservations for vehicles…:

Cut 13 (09) “separate arrangement”

The $545,000 fine was handed down Monday. The production, which was supposed to take place in the former GM plant in Shreveport, has been delayed since 2013 due to lack of funding. Marcotte says he has no problem with Elio, but they need to follow the same rules as everyone else…:

Cut 14 (10)  “of a large nature”

The U.S Senate is back from its July Fourth recess. Don Molino spoke with GOP Senator Bill Cassidy on the prospects of the Senate passing a health care reform bill…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

The state’s largest health insurer has a new tool to help its members find  the lowest-cost when it comes to common medical procedures. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron likes his team as it heads into the 2017 season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________________________________

The U.S. Senate is waiting on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to make revisions to proposed legislation that would repeal and replace the nation’s health care law. Republican Bill Cassidy says the initial Senate healthcare plan doesn’t have enough support, so he hopes McConnell uses some of the ideas the senior Senator from Louisiana suggested months ago…

Cut 4  (12) “Obamacare”

Senate Democrats have called on McConnell to work with them on coming up with legislation to improve America’s Health Care system. Cassidy says since there are 52 Republicans in the US Senate, they need to come up with a bill that has the support of some Democrats…

Cut 5  (11)  “$6,000 deductibles”

President Donald Trump is urging Congress to pass a health care bill before they leave for the August recess. Cassidy says if they can’t agree on a complete health care overhaul, federal lawmakers should at least do something about rising premiums…

Cut 6 (07) “later action”

________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Workforce Commission will host a series of workforce summits as they seek to hire qualified individuals to work with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Executive Management Officer for the Office of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities Tiffany Dickerson says the goal is to become a conduit for healthcare providers.

Cut 7 (10)  “workforce commission”

The first summit is today in New Orleans at the Jefferson Parish East Bank Regional Library from 9 am to 3 pm. Dickerson says there is a high rate of turnover in this industry as employees are often paid minimum wage or slightly above. She says the summit is designed to benefit healthcare providers when it comes to recruiting individuals to work with those with disabilities and the aging population.

Cut 8 (10) “their organization”

Additional summits are scheduled to take place Thursday in Lafayette and Friday in Alexandria. Dickerson says the outcome of the summits is to streamline and improve the hiring practices of providers, bring down onboarding costs and identify training opportunities.

Cut 9 (11)  “with supporting”

________________________________________________________

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has a new way for its members to make an informed decision when it comes to getting a medical procedure. It’s called Smart Shopper and David Hochheiser (Ho-heiser) says it’s available on the Blue Cross website…

Cut 10 (11) “or live”

Hochheiser says for example, if a Blue Cross member is told they need a colonoscopy, SmartShopper, can help the customer see how much it costs at nearby hospital or clinics….

Cut 11 (10) “will be”

Hochheiser says if a customer needs an MRI they can use SmartShopper and they’ll likely notice a wide range in costs for the same medical service. He says this tool will help patients make an informed decision…

Cut 12 (08) “10-thousand dollars”

_________________________________________________

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says Quarterback Danny Etling is nearly 100-percent after undergoing back surgery, but he’s not ready to name him the starter for the season opener against BYU. Orgeron says he wants the other Q-Bs on the roster to compete for the job and get an evaluation from new offensive coordinator Matt Canada…

Cut 13 (08) “you like em”

Incoming freshmen Lowell Narcisse, sophomore Justin McMillan, redshirt freshman Lindsey Scott and true freshman Myles Brennan will compete against Etling for starting Q-B. Orgeron says if the season started today, Etling would be the starter. At SEC Media Day, Orgeron was asked about Florida naming the LSU game on October 7th as its homecoming game…

Cut 14 (09) “be a battle”

LSU lost a lot of talent off of last year’s defense. Orgeron says younger have to step up, including former North Caddo star Devin White, who could be a starter at middle linebacker…

Cut 15 (09) “need to do”

____________________________________________________

A report on Louisiana voter registration finds a decline in white Democrats and steady gain of Republican and Independent voters. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

A Kenner teen has been arrested for allegedly beating an elderly couple with a hammer in their home. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

There’s been a large decline in the number of whites registered as Democrats since 2001. JMC Analytics and Polling analyst John Couvillon says when President George W. Bush took office in 2001, white Democrats comprised 35-percent of the Louisiana electorate or 951-thousand voters. Today, the percentage of white Democrats is 18-percent…

Cut 3 (05) “registered Democrats”

Couvillon says there’s been a steady gain in registered Republicans and Independents. 22-percent of the electorate consisted of registered Republicans in 2001, now the percentage is up to 30-percent. He says the percentage of registered Independents is also up eight-percent since 2001…

Cut 4  (11) “major parties”

Couvillon says Louisiana’s electorate has also become more diverse since 2001. He says Black voter registration comprised 29-percent of the electorate at the beginning of the Bush administration and is 31-percent today and there are substantial gains with other race groups…

Cut 5  (07)  “66-percent”

Of those currently registered to vote in Louisiana, 44-percent are Democrat, 30-percent Republican and 26-percent Independent.

________________________________________________

A 16-year-old has been arrested after allegedly beating an elderly couple with a hammer inside their Kenner home. Police responded after a 70-year-old woman walked to her neighbor’s home covered in blood asking for help for she and her 89-year-old husband. Kenner Police Lt. Brian McGregor says the teen also stole the victims’ vehicle and they learned he drove to Baton Rouge…

Cut 6 (07) “Baton Rouge”

McGregor says the juvenile was arrested in Baton Rouge. He says the brutal attack happened Sunday afternoon after a petty argument between the juvenile and the elderly couple.

Cut 7 (09)  “said no”

The hammer used to beat the senior citizens was found inside the home with blood and hair on it. McGregor says the 16-year-old did odd jobs around the victims’ home. He says the couple remains in critical condition.

Cut 8 (08) “hospitalized”

McGregor says the juvenile’s name has not been released and he faces charges of two counts of attempted first degree murder, theft of a motor vehicle, and aggravated burglary.

__________________________________________________________

The number of high school seniors filling out financial aid forms for post-secondary education is up 7 percent over last year. Senior Educational Technology consultant, with the state department of education, Stephanie Marcum says they have made a big push to let students know that FAFSA isn’t just for students going to traditional college…:

Cut 9 (11)  “to pay for”

65% of students are submitting FAFSA paperwork this year compared to 58% last year, an increase of 3100 kids. Marcum says when people hear “financial aid” they think loans, but she says that’s a very small aspect of what you find out through FAFSA…:

Cut 10 (09) “TOPS award”

Marcum says they also saw an increase in financial aid applications when TOPS wasn’t fully funded last year. She says they expect the numbers to continue to go up when filling out FAFSA becomes a requirement for seniors next year…:

Cut 11 (05) “they’re eligible”

__________________________________________________________

Governor Bobby Jindal’s ex-budget chief, Angele Davis, joins the pool of candidates running for state treasurer. Republican state senator Neil Riser, Republican former state representative John Schroder and Democratic attorney Derrick Edwards are the others seeking the post vacated by U.S. Senator John Kennedy. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says none of the candidates are known statewide.

Cut 12 (07) “stand for”

State Representative Julie Stokes dropped out of the race after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Pinsonat says Davis has the experience to successfully fill this position…

Cut 13 (09) “knows it”

Both Schroder and Riser also have budget experience, because of their time in the state legislature. The election is October 14^th and qualifying begins Wednesday. Pinsonat says it’s a wide open race.

Cut 14 (06)   runoff”“

A new study finds our pets are getting bigger and bigger, and a local vet warns against letting your furry friend get too fat. Michelle Southern reports..:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

21 young diamondback terrapins return home to the Louisiana barrier island. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

SEC Football Media Days begins in Hoover, Alabama today. Jeff Palermo reports the LSU Tigers are one of the first teams to appear at the annual media blitz…

Cut 3 (30) “Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________________________________

Have you ever thought of your pets as being fat or skinny? A Banfield Pet Hospital’s 2017 State of Pet Health report found Louisiana ranks No. 5 for non-obese dogs, and No.6 for slim cats. But Dr. Nancy Welborn with the LSU School Of Veterinary Medicine says while your pet may not be obese, even an overweight furry friend faces serious health risks…:

Cut 4  (10) “about the obese”

The Banfield report found that one in three pets who visited their facilities in 2016 was overweight or obese. Welborn says a healthy weight could prolong a pet’s life and delay chronic disease. She says pets are becoming more and more like members of the family, and the easiest way to show dogs and cats how much we love them is by giving them food…:

Cut 5  (11)  “Oreo cookies”

Welborn says another way to prevent too much weight gain in our pets is to read the recommendations on the bag of food, and use a measuring cup before dumping dinner into a bowl. She advises against ever feeding your pet from the table, and it’s a habit to never start because your pup or kitten won’t know the difference..:

Cut 6 (09) “like we do”

________________________________________________________

A group of 21 11-month old diamondback terrapin turtles are back at a Louisiana Barrier Island after being moved to hatch. The turtle’s nests were dug up and moved to another location during the restoration of Cheniere Ronquille, after the 2010 BP spill. State Wildlife and Fisheries endangered species biologist Keri Landry says their actions are helping to protect the diamondback population.

Cut 7 (10)  “islands”

Landry says the diamondback terrapin is believed to be the only turtle to live in brackish water and can grow up to 10 inches long. She says the turtles had to be moved because they would not survive during the restoration project.

Cut 8 (08) “hatch out”

LDWF worked with NOAA and Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to release the 21 young turtles. The diamondback terrapin are listed as “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Habitat loss is one reason why, so Landry says it was important to restore this barrier island northeast of Grand Isle.

Cut 9 (08)  “busy down”

________________________________________________________

Abortions in the Bayou State have decreased by 4-percent from 2015 to 2016, according to numbers by the state Department of Health. Ben Clapper with Louisiana Right to Life says this is the second year in a row that abortion numbers have dropped.

Cut 10 (08) “our community”

Nearly 9-thousand abortions were performed in 2016 down from 93-hundred in 2015 and just over 10-thousand abortions reported in 2014. Clapper credits the decrease to more people valuing the life of an unborn child…

Cut 11 (10) “the womb”

According to the data, women categorized as “nonwhite” accounted for 70-percent of abortions performed in 2016. Clapper says many women who had abortions last year were unmarried and 35 girls under the age of 15 had an abortion.

Cut 12 (10) “adoption”

Louisiana Radio Network placed calls to Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights, but they went unreturned.

_________________________________________________

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron returns to SEC Football Media Day today  in Hoover, Alabama. Orgeron’s last appearance was in 2007 as the head coach of Ole Miss. The Rebels went 3-9 that year and Orgeron was fired. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Coach O will be asked numerous times today how he’s changed as a coach

Cut 13 (10) “receives him”

LSU running back Derrius Guice, wide receiver D.J. Chark and defensive end Christian LaCourture will join Orgeron at SEC Football Media Day. Worsham says we might get an indication of how Guice will be used in the Tigers new offense…

Cut 14 (11) “Derrius Guice”

Worsham says he’s interested to hear from Orgeron how LSU’s defense will be just as dominated as they were last year, despite losing so many impact players to the NFL….

Cut 15 (10) “Kendall Beckwith”

____________________________________________________

Baton Rouge founded Raising Cane’s has been named the fastest-growing chain in the US for 2017 by Nation’s Restaurant News. Don Molino reports…:

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

Two young men have been arrested after allegedly severely beating an elderly man in a road rage incident in Slidell. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Interstate 10 East between Sorrento and Gramercy will be closed again this weekend to repair the on ramp bridge connecting U.S. 61 and I-10. The closure begins at 9 p.m. tonight and is set to reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday. Rodney Mallett with the state Department of Transportation advises motorists to be prepared to have an alternate route if traveling to New Orleans.

Cut 3 (09) “61”

Mallett says another route would be to take U.S. 61, also known as Airline Highway into Laplace and get back on I-10. He advises motorists to determine an alternative route before starting their journey.

Cut 4  (07) “511la.org”

Mallett says the onramp, which goes over interstate 10, was hit by a truck that was not small enough to go underneath it. The damaged section was removed in March and repairs have been ongoing at a site next to the interstate. He says they decided to remove the ramp in order to prevent more than just a couple of closures.

Cut 5  (08)  “be repaired”

________________________________________________

Raising Cane’s has been named the fastest-growing chain in the US for 2017 by the industry publication Nation’s Restaurant News. It says the Baton Rouge founded chicken establishment did $640.5 million dollars in sales in 2016, up 26 percent from the prior year. Matt Massey is the Regional Vice President at Cane’s. He says this is a great honor…:

Cut 6 (11) “everyday”

Cane’s has nearly 330 locations, including 50 in Louisiana, but is growing rapidly with 59 new restaurants popping up in the past year. Massey says their mission is about more than just serving tasty chicken tenders with toast and amazing secret sauce…:

Cut 7 (09)  “love what they do”

Rounding out the Top 5 are Jersey Mike’s Subs, Marco’s Pizza, Wingstop and Chick-fil-A. Massey says they are providing more than $6.5 million in work that supports their local communities…:

Cut 8 (08) “in their causes”

__________________________________________________________

A 73-year-old Slidell man was brutally beaten during a road rage incident just before noon yesterday. Slidell Police responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call from a witness who saw two young men attacking the elderly man inside his vehicle. Detective Daniel Seuzeneau says when officers arrived…

Cut 9 (09)  “house”

Seuzeneau says police found the disoriented man nearby with severe injuries. He says when questioned, McCraney said the man almost hit he and Young as they were crossing the road so they began yelling and the victim pulled over…

Cut 10 (10) “was up”

Seuzeneau says the victim was transported to University Medical Center in New Orleans due to the severity of the injuries to his face and head. He says Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal calls this is a heinous act and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Cut 11 (11) “penalties”

__________________________________________________________

One of the officers wounded in the deadly ambush on cops in Baton Rouge last year is suing leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement. On July 17th, 2016, 29-year-old Gavin Long killed three officers and wounded three others in a targeted attack. The suit accuses Black Lives Matter of inciting violence. But legal analyst Tim Meche doesn’t see this going far

Cut 12 (10) “first amendment right”

Meche says another reason he doesn’t see any money being recovered is because Black Lives Matter likely doesn’t have any assets to be seized. He feels this suit has been brought to make a political point..:

Cut 13 (08) “as a result”

Long had posted videos on the internet calling for retaliation against cops over what he called oppressive treatment of African Americans. Meche says you’d have a hard time holding anyone accountable for the actions of a person who is clearly insane…:

Cut 14 (09) “crazily”

The suit’s description of the plaintiff matches East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Tullier who is still hospitalized. The plaintiff attorneys are Donna Grodner and Denise Vinet. Baton Rouge Attorney Beau Brock says they’ll have to show that the protests following the shooting of Alton Sterling sparked Long into attacking Baton Rouge law enforcement…

Cut 15 (08) “into it”

____________________________________________________________

A state lawmaker is battling breast cancer. Jeff Palermo reports a lot of people are pulling for Kenner Republican Julie Stokes to win the fight…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Once again, Louisiana ranks number one in the Tax Foundation’s study for the highest sales tax rate in the country. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

A cat suffering from a gunshot wound to the face is expected to make a full recovery. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (30) “Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________________________________

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the deadly August south Louisiana flood, the head of Louisiana’s Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says they are ramping up on spending the federal grant money designed to help flood victims get back in their homes. Forbes says they have reimbursed some families for the work that’s already been done

Cut 4  (09) “for them”

Forbes says one of the complaints they’ve heard from flood victims is that there’s not enough money available to provide assistance. He says they actually have enough to help out a whole bunch of folks….

Cut 5  (09)  “help you”

Forbes says flood victims seeking assistance to rebuild must fill out a survey that can be found at Restore-dot-LA-dot-gov. He says a majority of grants that have been handed out, went to individuals who have finished rebuilding….

Cut 6 (11) “area”

________________________________________________________

The Tax Foundation has updated its national review of sales tax rates and  Louisiana continues to rank number one with a combined state and local sales tax rate averaging just above 10-percent. Director of state projects for the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says Louisiana has one of the highest local sales tax rates in the nation….

Cut 7 (12)  “10.02 percent”

The other states in the top five are Alabama, Washington, Arkansas and Tennessee is ranked number two behind Louisiana. He says the Bayou State has high sales taxes, because its property taxes are lower than most states thanks to the Homestead Exemption

Cut 8 (12) “of revenue”

Drenkard says when you combine sales, property and income taxes, Louisiana is one of the least tax burdened states. He says we are actually tied with Texas. But he says Louisiana can benefit from tax reform, because it has one of the most complex tax structures in the nation…

Cut 9 (10)  “Louisiana”

________________________________________________________

A Denham Springs couple has discovered a cat suffering from a gunshot wound to the face when the feline walked up to the front door of their home. The Humane Society of Louisiana Executive Director Jeff Dorson says the cat has received medical attention and is getting the care he needs…

Cut 10 (09) “has survived”

Dorson says the cat has been nicknamed “Scar face”. He says it’s amazing that given the horrendous injury, he has so much will to live.

Cut 11 (06) “amazing story”

Dorson says they are working with law enforcement to determine who could’ve shot the cat. He says the cat will undergo reconstruction and extraction surgery.

Cut 12 (10) “full recovery”

Dorson encourages anyone who can to donate for the surgery costs on the Humane Society’s website.

_________________________________________________

Kenner Representative Julie Stokes bows out of the State Treasurer’s race because of cancer. Stokes says she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and faces at least five months of chemotherapy. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Stokes is a highly regarded and respected state lawmaker…

Cut 13 (12) “fiscal questions”

Stokes was set to qualify for the State Treasurer’s race next week. Dubos says the Republican was considered one of the favorites to win…

Cut 14 (10) “Acadiana”

Former state legislator John Schroder from Covington and Columbia Senator Neil Riser have been on the campaign trail for John Kennedy’s old job. Former Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis might also run. Dubos expects a very competitive race…

Cut 15 (06) “strong campaigns”

Stokes says she hopes to be fully recovered by the time the 2018 legislative session begins.

Bad news for LSU baseball as pitcher Eric Walker will miss the 2018 season due to Tommy John surgery. Jeff Palermo has more….

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting that left a man dead and an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputy injured. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

Education leaders are letting teachers and students know what policy changes can be expected when they head back to class in August. Debbie Meaux, Louisiana Association of Educators President, says a new law was recently signed by the governor that would limit testing time, to 2% of a student’s learning time…:

Cut 3 (10) “that area”

Meaux also says that teachers and administrators will be engaging with a new accountability system. She says in addition to grading schools based on how students do on tests, there will also be a new element that looks at how kids’ are growing and improving..:

Cut 4  (11) “their peers”

Meaux says expects with these tighter grading changes, some of the highest scoring schools and districts will be impacted negatively, at least at first…:

Cut 5  (10)  “their scores”

________________________________________________

An Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Deputy has been injured and a man is dead after an officer involved shooting in Mamou. State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says the deputy responded to a call of an attempted burglary after 4 o’clock this morning. He says the officer confronted 27-year-old Dejuan Guillory and an altercation occurred between the two.

Cut 6 (04) “the scene”

It’s not clear how the officer was injured. Moreau says the investigation is ongoing and the deputy is in stable condition.

Cut 7 (06)  “seeking treatment”

__________________________________________________________

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri announced today that pitcher Eric Walker will undergo surgery for a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow, causing him to miss the 2018 season. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says this is bad news for the Tigers as they expected him to be the starting Friday night pitcher.

Cut 8 (10) “isn’t good”

The surgery is known as the Tommy John surgery where the ligament is replaced by a tendon from somewhere else in the body. Moran says Walker’s injury means there will e three new weekend starters for the 2018 season.

Cut 9 (09)  “around that”

Walker first complained of discomfort in his forearm before the College World Series. He tried to pitch in a game in Omaha, but left in the third inning, because he felt the pain reach his elbow. Moran says this surgery was inevitable, regardless of Walker’s pitching during the College World Series.

Cut 10 (11) “the fall”

__________________________________________________________

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agents arrested five boaters for allegedly operating their vessel while intoxicated during their Operation Dry Water Weekend. LDWF Spokesperson Adam Einck says agents were on patrol with a heightened awareness for impaired boat operators. He says driving a boat drunk comes with the same dangers as driving a car drunk.

Cut 11 (10) “fatalities”

Those arrested ranged in ages from 47 to 21 and most of the arrests took place in south Louisiana. Einck says the penalties for receiving a DWI on the water are the same as one on the road.

Cut 12 (10) “a car”

__________________________________________________________

A two-year-old Lockport boy is another child who has died in a rash of drownings around Louisiana. Lt. Brennan Matherne with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says around noon on the 4^th of July deputies responded to a call of a child found unresponsive in the bottom of a pool. He says Kevin Cortez III was last seen playing with other kids inside the home…

Cut 13 (10) “CPR”

Matherne says Cortez was taken to the hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead. He says the Cortez’s were at an Independence Day family gathering.

Cut 14 (07) “drowned in

__________________________________________________________

It looks as if there is a mayoral shift in Louisiana has five major cities in the state have or will see a new leader in the last two years. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Four children have died in a rash of drownings in Tangipahoa Parish, so the state’s child welfare agency is urging parents to be vigilant of water safety. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Forecasters at Colorado State University have increased the number of hurricanes predicted this season. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (31) “Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________________________________

On the one year anniversary of the shooting death of Alton Sterling, seven people were arrested during a protest at Baton Rouge Police Headquarters. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says four men and three women  members of the New Black Panther Party tried to push through a barricade. He says one officer was hurt.

Cut 4  (11) “injured officer”

McKneely says one female protester injured her knee and received medical treatment. He says the seven individuals arrested were booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Cut 5  (05)  “arrest”

Authorities say a film crew was on hand to film the 25 to 30 Black Panther members protesting. McKneely says they are investigating who and where these protesters are from.

Cut 6 (10) “area”

________________________________________________________

It looks as there is a mayoral shift moving through the state as five of Louisiana’s biggest cities have experienced a change in power over the last two years. That’s according to, Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com, who says right now it’s difficult to tell if there are ties that bind but….

Cut 7 (10)  “some way”

Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport and soon to be New Orleans have recently seen a change. Alford says the most interesting thing about these elections is only one candidate was able to flip a seat, Republican Nic Hunter replaced Democrat Randy Roach in Lake Charles. He says New Orleans residents will select a new mayor in the fall.

Cut 8 (09) “New Orleans”

Alford says political change isn’t something that Louisiana typically sees in politics but that could all change with this new wave of mayors. He says the biggest teller of change is looking back years down the road and seeing what positive impacts were made.

Cut 9 (10)  “Louisiana”

________________________________________________________

A two-year-old boy is now the fourth child to die in a rash of drownings in Tangipahoa Parish. The state Department of Children and Family Services is advising parents of water safety during the summer months. Mona Michelli with the DCFS Division of Child Welfare says this is a time to be vigilant.

Cut 10 (10) “of water”

Louisiana had the second highest rate of drownings in the nation from 2013 to 2015 with 71 children dying, according to the state Health Department. Michelli says teach children to swim with a partner, never alone. She also adds, keep toys out of the pool area when not in use.

Cut 11 (10) “no occur”

Michelli says pool owners should install a fence with a locked gate around a pool that is beyond a child’s reach. She also adds it’s smart for parents to learn CPR in the event of an emergency and know the signs of drowning.

Cut 12 (08) “TV”

_________________________________________________

Colorado State University hurricane forecasters are now calling for an above average hurricane season as they’ve upped their total of named storms to 15. Lead researcher Phil Klotzbach says they predict eight hurricanes. He says the higher numbers are because of an uptick in sea surface temperatures along with…

Cut 13 (11) “hurricanes”

Klotzbach says they previously predicted 14 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes but…

Cut 14 (10) “or greater”

The CSU forecast team says there is a 38-percent chance a major hurricane will make landfall along the Gulf of Mexico coast. Klotzbach says active seasons typically have more landfalling hurricanes.

Cut 15 (10) “managment”

____________________________________________________

Congressman Clay Higgins made a video commentary while at the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, but officials with the memorial aren’t happy. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Minden Representative Gene Reynolds has decided not to step down from his position as the leader of the House Democratic Caucus. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is receiving some backlash from the Auschwitz Memorial after he filmed and narrated a video in a gas chamber of the former Nazi concentration camp in Poland. Officials with the memorial say this is a place for mournful silence, not to be used as a stage. In the video, Higgins said it was a message for Americans to explain why our military must be invincible.

Cut 3 (10) “squared away”

Before entering the gas chamber, a plaque explains the memorial is to be a silent place to respect the victims’ memory. Higgins said in the video that nobody should ever forget that this happened, and America should never let its guard down..:

Cut 4  (07) “quite shocking”

Higgins’ office says the Congressman is not ready to respond to the tweet from the museum at this time. In the video, Higgins says the United States is now more vulnerable to terror like the Nazi regime.

Cut 5  (12)  “is protected”

________________________________________________

Louisiana is now the 6^th state to allow students to bring and use sunscreen at public school, after Governor John Bel Edwards signed the measure into law. Kristin Hellquist with the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association says skin cancer can be preventable and it’s important to start protection at a young age.

Cut 6 (09) “as well”

Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Utah and Washington are the other states with similar laws regarding sunscreen in public schools. Hellquist hopes this law brings awareness to the dangers of skin cancer, along with the choice to bring sunscreen to school.

Cut 7 (10)  “be appropriate”

Hellquist says this is a step in the right direction to being proactive in the efforts to limit the risks associated with sun exposure. She says it’s a great victory to see how successful the legislation became with the hard work from many dermatologists and surgeons.

Cut 8 (09) “for us”

__________________________________________________________

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments today in the case of a Rastafarian inmate with dreadlocks who doesn’t want to cut his hair as prison rules state because it goes against his religious beliefs. ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman says they filed the suit against the Department of Corrections on behalf of Christopher Ware…:

Cut 9 (11)  “religious beliefs”

Esman says Ware’s right would be violated by the DOC’s grooming policy which prohibits dreadlocks. She says the DOC argues it’s a safety issue, but they don’t require women to cut their hair that short…:

Cut 10 (13) “minority religion”

Esman says religious discrimination against prisoners is prohibited. She says it’s fitting that oral arguments were heard on the day after the 4th of July…:

Cut 11 (08) “be heard today”

__________________________________________________________

Minden Representative Gene Reynolds has decided not to step down from his position as the leader of the House Democratic Caucus, saying he will finish out his term as chairman. He says many people from both parties reached out and asked him to stay on and make sure the person who moves into the position knows what all goes on behind the scenes…:

Cut 12 (09) “pull the party together”

Lawmakers need to address a $1.2 billion dollar shortfall in an expected special session, and Reynolds feels his experience is needed in these turbulent times. He also says that there needs to be a dialogue with this emerging middle of the road group of lawmakers…:

Cut 13 (12) “special session”

Reynolds has served as chairman since the election of Governor John Bel Edwards. He says lawmakers from both sides of the aisle need to roll up their sleeves and take care of business…:

Cut 14 (08) “70 votes that we need”

The 10^th annual national suit drive is underway. Emelie Gunn has more on how these suits benefit former inmates returning to society…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

One year after Alton Sterling was shot by Baton Rouge police at a convenience store, many are still waiting for justice. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

The state department of transportation is mourning the loss of one its workers who was killed while fixing potholes near New Iberia. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________________________________

The 10^th Annual National Suit Drive is now underway to help releasing offenders look for a job and be dressed for the part. Founder and president emeritus of Refined By Fire Ministries Elain Ellerbe says they have partnered with Men’s Warehouse and the Department of Corrections to collect gently used professional wear and distribute them to former inmates. She says this gives individuals released from prison the confidence and assurance to be successful.

Cut 4  (10) “they are”

The annual effort is known as the Michael Ellerbe Legacy Suit Drive as Elain’s husband was the former pre-release director at Dixon Correctional Institute. Ellerbe says this is the chance for the public to contribute to a person’s reintegration into society.

Cut 5  (09)  “the opportunity”

Over 16,500 individuals are released from prison into Louisiana communities each year. Ellerbe says they collect both men and women’s professional wear from suits and sports coats to ties and other accessories. She says wearing a nice business outfit to a job interview makes a big first impression.

Cut 6 (07) “am changing”

If you would like to donate and are not located new a Men’s Warehouse, contact your district probation and parole office.

________________________________________________________

Three brothers have been arrested in Monroe after one of the men allegedly shot at an Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy after a traffic stop early yesterday morning. Deputy Glenn Springfield says during the stop, Audley, Ladarrian and Rakin Alexander all exited the vehicle…

Cut 7 (09)  “three suspects”

Springfield says it’s a miracle the officer wasn’t hit. He says the three brothers were booked into the Ouachita Correction Center and have been identified as….

Cut 8 (08) “Alexander”

Springfield says two shots were fired at the deputy when the three men exited the car. He says the Alexander’s face multiple charges.

Cut 9 (09)  “firearm”

________________________________________________________

One year ago today, Alton Sterling was fatally shot at a Baton Rouge convenience store during a confrontation with two white police officers, resulting in riots, protests, a federal investigation, and even an ambush on Baton Rouge police. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says many are disappointed there is still no resolution in this case, as residents in his district are crying out for justice.

Cut 10 (09) “a conviction”

The federal investigation did not bring forth any charges against officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake. State charges could be filed after Attorney General Jeff Landry conducts his investigation into the incident. But James says that could be another six months at least.

Cut 11 (09) “the investigation”

Salamoni’s attorney John McLindon says it’s been a rough year for his client. But he says Salamoni has received a lot of support because he did what he had to do.

Cut 12 (09) “to do”

McLindon says Salamoni and his family are also ready for a conclusion to this. He says they’ve offered to help the AG any way they can in the state investigation.

Cut 13 (09) “activity here”

_________________________________________________

The state department of transportation is mourning the loss of one its employees who was killed while fixing potholes near New Iberia. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says 63-year-old Paul Featherston was standing behind a dump truck when he was struck by an elderly driver…

Cut 14 (10) “this happened”

State Police is investigating the fatal accident. At this time, no charges have been filed against the driver, 88-year-old Allen Olivier of St. Martinville. Mallett says unfortunately the death of a highway construction worker while performing their job happens too often…

Cut 15 (09) “in Louisiana”

Mallett says it appears this tragic accident could have been prevented as the workers made it clear that ongoing road work was taking place….

Cut 16 (07)  “as possible”

____________________________________________________

LSU left fielder Antoine Duplantis has been chosen as the next Tiger to wear the number eight jersey. In a tradition started Mikie Mahtook, the player who wears number eight on the LSU baseball team goes to the upperclassmen who exemplifies leadership and dedication to the program. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Duplantis is an obvious choice…

Cut 17 (13) “he’s fast”

In other LSU baseball news, pitcher Eric Walker will meet with a physician with Texas Rangers tomorrow. Walker’s season ended during the College World Series, because of discomfort in his throwing arm. Moran says if the injury to Walker keeps him out of the 2018 season or forces him to miss extended period of time, it opens another spot in the weekend rotation…

Cut 18 (15) “the draft” 

__________________________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball program recently picked a verbal commitment from one of the top point guards in the country. Ja’Vonte Smart from Scotlandville High School in Baton Rouge has chosen to stay home and play for the Tigers. Scotlandville Head Coach Carlos Sample says Smart will give you everything he has….

Cut 19 (20) “will compete”

First-year Will Wade has made his mark on the recruiting trail already. Since being hired in March, Wade signed a 2017 recruiting class that’s ranked in the Top 20 and he’s brought some excitement to the program. Sample says Smart should flourish at LSU…

Cut 20 (16) “another level”