The new Louisiana transportation task force meets today to discuss recommendations to improve our roadways. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has had a lot on his plate during his first few months in office, including a budget crisis, three legislative sessions, flooding throughout the state, and now protests in Baton Rouge. Halen Doughty has more on how the governor has handled these challenges…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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New details have been released in the death of Alton Sterling. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A transportation task force created by Governor John Bel Edwards holds its first meeting today. The panel will make various recommendations that could lead to major changes for Louisiana’s roadways. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the task force holds its first meeting as the state faces a nearly 13-billion dollar backlog in transportation projects…

cut 4  (10)  “go forward”

The recommendations from this task force will be brought to the legislature in 2017. Wilson says the average Louisiana driver pays about 100 dollars in state gas taxes a year and gasoline taxes have not been increased in 30 years. He says increasing gas taxes are one way to create additional funding and they’ll look at other revenue raising measures as well methods.

Cut 5  (10)  “ongoing ivestment”

Wilson says they could improve congestion on Interstate 10 by building another Mississippi River bridge, widening I-10 and constructing new interchanges, but how do we pay for those projects and maintain existing roads…

Cut 6 (11) “revenue stream”

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With a historic budget crisis, torrential flooding in March, three legislative sessions, and now massive protests in the Capital City, Governor John Bel Edwards has certainly had a lot to deal with since taking office. ULM political science professor Dr. John Sutherlin says there likely hasn’t been another governor in office who’s had so much on his plate during the first few months of his term.

CUT 7 (08)  “administration”

Sutherlin says everyone thinks they can do the governor’s job better, until they become governor. He says it’s very easy for people to be critical, and that’s just a part of American politics.

Cut 8  (10)  “and different”

Sutherlin says Edwards has done a fairly good job of managing situations that he did not create, and it’s unlikely that he will get a break anytime soon. He says it still remains to be seen how the governor will handle situations that he can control and what will come of all the work on the budget.

Cut 9 (12)  “certainly next”

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Louisiana is ranked the third safest state for older drivers. That’s according to a report from Caring.com and Chief Caring Expert Dayna Steele says Louisiana isn’t as well populated as other states, so there are not as many people are on the roadways. She also says the state’s strict rules for older drivers could play a part in the positive ranking…

Cut 10 (10) “license renewals”

Steele says 11-percent of people killed in car crashes in Louisiana are 65 and older and that age group makes up 14-percent of the population. She hopes this study sparks conversations and action with family members and loved ones who might not need to be driving anymore.

cut 11 (10) “driving then”

Steele says it’s concerning that many elderly people go in person to take the renewal test and fail yet still come out with licenses.

cut 12 (07) “kind of crazy”

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A bill by Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham has won the approval of the US House that seeks to defund a 2015 executive order from President Obama that could drive up the costs of building in Louisiana. Abraham says the President’s order would also make flood insurance more expensive for Louisiana residents.

Cut 13 (12)  “flood insurance”

Abraham says the order scraps the base flood commonly used to determine flood risk and replaces it with a new one that takes into account future flooding from climate change. He says the science behind this new floodplain is arbitrary and the order is unnecessary.

cut 14 (10)  “working well”

Abraham says this order imposes unjustified regulations in the name of combating climate change. He says this order is bad for Louisiana because it could drive more businesses and workers away from the Bayou State.

Cut 15 (12) “scientific basis”

Abraham says he does expect the Senate to approve the bill.

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Looking ahead to the college football season, Auburn is a team that has the potential to get off to a fast start. Auburn’s first five games are home, including match-ups against LSU on September 24th and ULM on October first. Head coach Gus Malzahn says the first five games will not be easy, starting with Clemson on September 3rd

Cut 16  (21)  “season goes” 

Malzahn has yet to decide on a starting quarterback this season. Jeremy Johnson,  returning starter Sean White and junior college transfer John Franklin the Third will battle for snaps this fall. Auburn’s coach says the guy who gives them the best chance to win, will be the starting QB…

Cut 17 (19)  “quarterback strengths”

LSU visits Florida on October 8th and the Gators have yet to settle on a starter this season. Luke Del Rio is the favorite to win the job and Florida head coach Jim McElwain says Austin Appleby is also competing for that job….

Cut 18 (13) “takes that step”

More protests are expected in Baton Rouge as demonstrators cry out for justice in the death of Alton Sterling, and law enforcement look to keep the peace. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says his office has recused itself from the Alton Sterling investigation. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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More protests are expected today in Baton Rouge as people from Louisiana and other states call for justice in the police shooting of Alton Sterling. State Police Major Doug Cain says police will be there to help protestors exercise their first amendment right, so long as it’s lawful and peaceful.

CUT 3 (09)  “right away”

Fifty people were arrested in yesterday’s protest for marching in the street, bringing the total number of protestors arrested this weekend to around 200. Many of individuals arrested yesterday were from out of state and charged with obstruction of a highway. Cain says police will do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe.

CUT 4 (10)  “quick action”

The federal investigation into Sterling’s death is still not complete, and Cain says police don’t know how long the protests will continue. But he says law enforcement will be there to protect citizens and their rights for as long as it takes.

CUT 5 (11)  “if necessary”

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A 15 month old child that went missing overnight in Rapides Parish was located hours later in a briar patch across the street from the Tioga home. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the sheriff’s office says they were called to the residence around 7:30 this morning, and the search lasted less than an hour…:

CUT 6 (07) “covered in ants”

Carnline says the parents last saw the child around 3am asleep, and it’s unknown at this time how the 15 month old got out of the house. He says they are just grateful they were able to find the child so quickly…:

CUT 7 (08) “child has”

Carnline says the condition of the child is unknown at this time. He says the toddler was responsive when located…:

CUT 8 (04) “very weak”

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Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore has announced that he will recuse himself and his office from the investigation into the police shooting of Alton Sterling. Moore says he has no direct relationship with either officer involved, but he is close with the parents of Officer Blane Salamoni.

CUT 9 (11) “be appointed”

According to a report released by Moore’s office, Salamoni’s mother was the Violent Crime and Crime Scene Commander during most of Moore’s time in office, and Salamoni’s father has commanded the department’s special operations unit during the same time period. Protestors have been calling for justice since Sterling’s death, and Moore says that’s what he is trying to give them.

cut 10 (10)  “the community”

Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a statement saying the US Attorney’s Office has told the Louisiana Department of Justice that the state will not have access to the investigation until the federal case is complete. Moore says it’s best to just let the feds do their work first.

Cut 11 (08) “their investigation”

Landry’s office will appoint a prosecutor for any state charges that may be filed after the federal investigation has been conducted.

===================================================

The ACLU of Louisiana says the Baton Rouge Police Department used illegal and excessive force on protesters this weekend. People have for days been in Baton Rouge marching over what they believe was the wrongful cop killing of Alton Sterling. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says the use of violent, militarized tactics during a peaceful gathering was not necessary…:

cut 12 (06) “was not happening”

Most of the arrests made were of people from out of town, and the charges stem from obstructing roadways. Esman says treating a peaceful public as though they are going to start a riot does not help improve relations that are already strained…:

Cut 13 (09)  “repaired”

EBR DA Hillar Moore says they are going to investigate every case closely..:

cut 14 (09)  “everything”

There are those who claim many of the protesters arrested Sunday were on private property, but BRPD says those cases were of people who had already broken the law by trying to block the interstate. Moore says, while the cases are still under investigation, once a law has been broken it’s been broken.:

cut 15 (08) “at the hospital”

Qualifying for the US Senate race is only 10 days away for the November election. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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It was a very tense weekend in Baton Rouge with numerous protests taking place over the police shooting of Alton Sterling. Jeff Palermo has story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A St. John the Baptist Parish Deputy who was injured in a 2012 shooting will get a new kidney today, courtesy of a brother in blue. Halen Doughty has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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There’s only 10 days left before the qualifying for the US Senate race and just under four months before the election. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Democrat Foster Campbell has the support of Governor John Bel Edwards, which gives him an advantage over the other Democrat in the race, Caroline Fayard.

cut 4  (11)  “votes”

Pinsonat says State Treasurer John Kennedy the Republican front-runner, as fellow GOP candidates Rob Maness and Congressmen Charles Boustany and John Fleming seek to cut into Kennedy’s lead. He says Kennedy’s name recognition poses a challenge for his opponents.

Cut 5  (08)  “sit around”

Pinsonat says with qualifying next week, the race should heat up soon, but it will be an expensive run for all the candidates.

Cut 6 (06) “of them”

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The recent acts of violence across the country have many people asking what can be done to improve race relations in a country that seems more and more divided. LSU associate sociology professor Dr. Lori Martin says resolving the problem starts with acknowledging that there is one. She says what we need is an open and honest dialogue about racial issues.

CUT 7 (10)  “the issue”

Martin says racial problems are real, and they have real consequences because tragedies like the Dallas attack are occurring far too often. But she says the racial issues are part of a larger social problem.

Cut 8  (09)  “and disadvantage”

Martin says we as a society have the chance to turn the recent horrors into something positive, if we can come together and make a change.

Cut 9 (12)  “traumatic events”

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A St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputy is donating his kidney to a fellow officer. Robert Ardeneaux is scheduled to have the surgery today to donate his kidney to Jason Triche, a St. John the Baptist Parish Deputy whose kidneys are failing due to health problems from a 2012 shooting. Ardeneaux says he looked into becoming an organ donor after a conversation with a friend sparked his interest.

Cut 10 (09) “just phenomenal”

Triche was injured in s shooting that took the lives of two officers, Jeremy Triche (no relation to Jason Triche) and Brandon Neilson. Triche has struggled with health problems since the shooting. Ardeneaux says once he found out who would get his kidney, it made the decision a lot easier.

cut 11 (11) “to do”

Ardeneaux says he hopes this shows people that police officers are still human. He says they are just like everyone else, but at the end of the day they have a job to do and that’s to protect their community.

cut 12 (10) “have families”

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Well over 100 protesters were arrested over the weekend in Baton Rouge as there were several tense exchanges between law enforcement and individuals angry who are angry over the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Here’s the reaction of the crowd after one of the protesters was taken into custody in the middle of the street…

Cut 13 (08)  “let him go”

For the last six days, people took to the streets to express their frustration with the shooting of a black man by a white Baton Rouge police officer. Most of the arrests were for obstruction for allegedly standing in the street. Governor John Bel Edwards is glad violence has not broken out at the protests…

cut 14 (11)  “incite them”

There’s been concerns that people outside of Louisiana will come here to cause trouble at one of these demonstrations. Edwards says law enforcement will be quick to respond to any unlawful action…

Cut 15 (06) “in Louisiana”

This group of protesters stood their ground on one side of the street, while on the other side there was a large of police and SWAT team members in riot gear looking to disperse the crowd…

Cut 16  (09)  “don’t shoot” 

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SEC Media days begin today in Hoover, Alabama as this annual event is considered the unofficial kick-off to the football season. Alabama is the defending national champs and they go into this season as a favorite to win the SEC West, but Lyn Scarborough of Lyndy’s Magazine says the Crimson Tide has a question mark at quarterback…

Cut 17 (11)  “spring game”

Scarborough says Tennessee is the clear cut favorite to win the East Division. He says the Volunteers return 19 starters from a team that went 9-4 and they have a favorable schedule…

Cut 18 (09) “Florida at home”

Many believe LSU has a good chance to get back to the SEC Championship game. The Tigers return most of their skill position players, add a defensive coordinator that is highly thought of and they host Alabama. Dennis Dodd of C-B-S-sports-dot-com says after nearly losing his job last year, Coach Les Miles enters this season on the hot seat…

Cut 19 (12) “administration”

Dodd says quarterback Brandon Harris’ play will likely determine how for LSU goes this season. Dodd says Harris has to be more accurate as a passer this year….

Cut 20 (13) “great things”

Police around the state are preparing for a possible attack in Louisiana following the tragic shooting in Dallas that took the lives of five police officers and left seven others wounded. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The funeral for 40-year-old Shannon Labit, who was shot and killed by an Iberia Parish Sheriff’s deputy, is today. Emelie Gunn has more on the case…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

===================

Law enforcement around the state are gearing up for a potential threat in Louisiana following the Dallas attack that left five police officers dead and seven injured. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson says there is concern that something similar could happen in Louisiana because a suspect in the Dallas shooting told police he was upset about the police violence in Baton Rouge and Minnesota.

CUT 3 (07)  “for that”

Edmonson says police have been investigating riot threats that have been made on social media and asks the public to be on the lookout for suspicious activity. He says police are preparing to handle any situation that may arise. He says they will monitor any protests this weekend to protect citizens’ right to protest peacefully.

CUT 4 (07)  “called upon”

Edmonson says they are working on race relations between law enforcement and the public. He says in order for people to respect authorities, they have to be able to trust them. He says that starts with transparency and communication.

CUT 5 (06)  “individual effort”

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With multiple videos surfacing, many people are wondering was the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling justified. LSU Criminal Law Professor Ken Levy says no it wasn’t. He says based on the two videos released by bystanders, things aren’t looking good for the two Baton Rouge police officers.

CUT 6 (07) “that basis”

Levy says police did have reason to believe that Sterling was armed, but just having a gun doesn’t give police the right to shoot. He says given the position Sterling was in, officers could not have reasonably believed that he posed a threat to them.

CUT 7 (10) “for it”

Levy says from watching the videos, he believes a manslaughter charge is warranted here.

CUT 8 (09) “much better“

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Funeral services are today for 40-year-old Shannon Labit (La-beet) of New Iberia who was fatally shot early Sunday during a standoff with Iberia Parish Sheriff deputies. Labit’s nephew, Jeremy Randazzo, says the lack of specialized training to handle encounters with individuals suffering from mental illness led to his uncle’s unnecessary death.

CUT 9 (10) “different occasion”

State Police is currently conducting the investigation into the shooting. Trooper Brooks David says they know one deputy fired at least one round striking Labit after he approached deputies with a knife. Randazzo says Labit has struggled from paranoid schizophrenia since he was a teenager but would never go up to police with a weapon in his hand. He says the amount of officers that showed up to respond to the stabbing in the area is what caused Labit into a manic episode.

cut 10 (11)  “on him”

Randazzo says witnesses are coming forward telling his family the incident shouldn’t have gone this way. He says they’re hoping to get the federal government to investigate the shooting.

Cut 11 (10) “this point”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is urging the public to let the Justice Department take the time it needs to conduct a thorough investigation into the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. He says the agency will be professional and transparent during the process and wants everyone to be patient because the investigation may take a while…

cut 12 (09) “put together”

The governor says this investigation team is extremely professional and there will be no leaks of information.

Cut 13 (10)  “be patient”

Edwards says we’re now going to have a renewed focus on training and retraining police officers. He says new standards of behavior will be developed between law enforcement and citizens.

cut 14 (10)  “to be”

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Tangiaphoa Parish Sheriff deputies arrest five individuals after they allegedly kept an autistic 22-year-old woman locked up in a cage at a residence in Amite. Jeff Palermo has more on this disturbing story…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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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”

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President Barack Obama hopes the fatal police shootings this week in Louisiana and Minnesota will lead to a renewed effort to improve the trust between law enforcement and black communities. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Statistics published by Huffington Post show that since 2005, 13 officers have been convicted of murder or manslaughter in on-duty fatal shootings, even though there have been hundreds of police shootings during that time. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says it’s too early to tell if there will be a conviction in the Alton Sterling case but the cell phone videos of the shooting are not good for the officers…

cut 4  (10)  “whole story”

The shooting of Sterling, who is black, has led to public outrage from many African Americans. Meche says there is tremendous pressure on the Justice Department to bring forth charges.

Cut 5  (08)  “what happens”

Meche says we haven’t seen a lot of convictions when it comes to fatal police shootings, but that’s all changed now with cell phone videos.

Cut 6 (10) “certain ways”

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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”

The President says there’s a lack of trust between law enforcement and their communities….

Cut 8  (10)  “the same”

The President created a task force in 2014 that came up with modern policing guidelines and he urges police departments to implement these recommendations which would replace the misunderstandings many African-Americans have with their local authorities…

Cut 9 (09)  “these recommendations”

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A former Fontainebleau High School teacher and coach has been arrested for having sexual relations with one of his students. Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office 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 victim confirmed she and Leto had sexual contact multiple times…

Cut 10 (10) “a juvenile”

Seuzeneau says right now there is only one victim that police are aware of…

cut 11 (09) “come forward”

Seuzeneau says the victim was not on the basketball team, where Leto was an assistant coach but she was in one of his classes at Fontainebleau. He says they will not tolerate this kind of behavior and Leto will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

cut 12 (08) “a teacher”

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Houston-based Kinder Morgan plans to expand its pipeline operation in the Bayou State which will mean 300 construction jobs in northeast Louisiana. Vice-president of public affairs, Allen Fore, says this project will help the state build upon its energy industry….

Cut 13 (09)  “state of Louisiana”

Kinder Morgan currently employs nearly 650 workers in Lousiana. He says jobs of these new construction jobs will start out between 20 and 30 dollars an hour …

cut 14 (10)  “very active industry”

Pipelines and natural gas connectors will be built in Madison, Richland, Franklin and Rapides parish. In addition to Louisiana, Fore says construction jobs will be available in 2017 and the project will be finished in 2018 …

Cut 15 (09) “in other states”

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During an emotional press conference, people cried out for justice following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on federal agencies to investigate the fatal officer involved shooting which left 37-year-old Alton Sterling dead. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (25)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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There are cries for justice as result of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling by a Baton Rouge police officer. During an emotional press conference, the president of the Baton Rouge branch of the NAACP, Mike McClanahan, called out the Baton Rouge Police Department for not releasing the security footage of the shooting. He says this incident is only one of many.

CUT 3 (14)  “black lives”

Sterling, who is black, was killed after a struggle with two white policemen. Officers confronted him after receiving a call about a man with a gun in the area. McClanahan not only called for a federal investigation into the matter, he also demanded that those he believes are responsible step down from their positions, including the Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie.

CUT 4 (07)  “the guts”

The mother of Sterling’s son, Quinyetta McMillian, also spoke at the press conference. Sterling’s oldest son, 15-year-old Cameron, became emotional watching his mother speak about his father. McMillian blames the media for making this harder on her family, especially her son, by showing cell phone footage of the incident.

CUT 5 (11)  “be shown”

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Governor John Bel Edwards spoke out about the recent officer involved shooting which resulted in the death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling of Baton Rouge. Edwards is calling on federal agencies to investigate the fatal shooting…

CUT 6 (10) “the FBI”

Edwards says State Police will also assist if needed. He says Louisiana is known for coming together as a community in difficult circumstances, so during this time we need to come together.

CUT 7 (10) “torn apart”

The names of the two officers involved have been released as Blane Salamoni, who has been on the force for 4 years and Howie Lake, who has been in the department for three years. The governor says this is a very serious matter…

CUT 8 (07) “the least”

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Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie says 37-year-old Alton Sterling was armed when he was shot by police officers outside a convenience store, but they still have questions on how this tragedy occurred. Dabadie offered the media the information about the shooting they have at this time. He says someone called 911 saying that a black man selling CDs threatened them with a gun.

CUT 9 (06) “his life”

During a press conference earlier this morning, Baton Rouge NAACP president Mike McClanahan called for Dabadie to resign. Dabadie says he has worked with McClanahan for the past few years on resolving problems like this, and he believes McClanahan was speaking out of emotion.

cut 10 (10)  “truth out”

Dabadie says they have turned audio and video evidence of the incident to the US Justice Department so they can conduct a “transparent, neutral investigation.” He says no stone will be left unturned.

Cut 11 (10) “accountable”

===================================================

Most of Louisiana is under a heat advisory today. Kent Kuyper with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says temperatures are in the mid to upper 90s this afternoon and we don’t see much of a cool down at night.

cut 12 (08) “spilling in”

Kuyper says rain is what usually tends to cool us off in the summer. He says unfortunately, there is very little chance for precipitation over the next few days.

Cut 13 (07)  “next week”

Kuyper says the hottest part of the year typically comes around the first two weeks in August. He says it’s important to take precautions when going outside so you don’t get overheated.

cut 14 (10)  “cold water”

A federal law suit has been filed over seven Louisiana abortion laws enacted this year. Emelie Gunn has more on the case…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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 Governor Edwards announces Louisiana Economic Development will take a deep look into the state’s film tax incentive program. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana has received a 60-million dollar grant that officials say will help alleviate traffic congestion in Lafayette and Baton Rouge. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Abortion providers in Louisiana have filed suit over seven abortion laws enacted this year. The Center for Reproductive Rights brought forward the federal suit to keep the rules from taking effect on August 1. But Deanna Wallace with Louisiana Right to Life says these laws are needed, because abortion doctors refuse to consider common sense protections for the safety of women.

cut 4  (08)  “in Louisiana”

 The lawsuit seeks to get a judge to determine the state’s new 72 hour waiting period for a woman to get an abortion is illegal and they are also challenging the ban of the so-called dismemberment abortion, which is commonly used in the second trimester. But Wallace says these laws are common sense regulations…

Cut 5  (05)  “barbaric procedures”

 But Janet Crepps, Senior Counselor at the Center for Reproductive Rights, says these laws deny women their right to access abortion in Louisiana. She says the laws passed that prohibit medication abortion and increase the waiting time to 72 hours are extremely burdensome.

Cut 6 (10) “whatsoever”

Crepps believes the Supreme Court’s ruling last week to block a Texas law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals will help their case…

CUT 7 (07)  “accountability”

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Just in time for summer vacations, drivers are seeing prices go down at the pump. AAA spokesperson Mike Right says we could see gas prices below $2 a gallon before the end of the summer.

Cut 8  (12)  “a gallon”

Gas prices have been falling for the past few weeks, and Right says that’s unusual during the summer months. He says this time last year, the statewide average was $2.55 a gallon, and today the average is $2.08.

Cut 9 (03)  “long time”

Right says the decline is due to lower crude oil prices and an abundant supply with not enough demand. He says although we’re seeing demand go up in the US, that doesn’t seem to be the case in other countries.

_______________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state’s Economic Development department will take a comprehensive look at the Louisiana’s film tax incentive program. With reports that movie industry jobs are fleeing to other states, LED Secretary Don Pierson says it’s time to see how they can help Hollywood South…

Cut 10 (09) “our state”

Changes were made to the state’s film tax incentive program in 2015. Legislators agreed to put a cap on the credits redeemed, as a way to cut down on costs to the state. Pierson admits there has been some uncertainty in the industry and that’s something they want to address.

cut 11 (09) “this market”

Pierson says they’ll make recommendations on how to reform the program and legislators will get a chance to vote on them next year. He says they want to find a happy medium between keeping the industry going and ensuring the credits don’t become too expensive for the state.

cut 12 (07) “the industry”

___________________________________________________________

Louisiana is set to receive 60-million dollars in federal grants that will benefit significant road projects in the state. The grant will be used to improve and expand I-10 between Lafayette and the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. And Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says this federal money will allow the state to use dollars to address the bottleneck on I-10 east as you come over the Mississippi River Bridge from West Baton Rouge parish.

Cut 13 (10)  “Interstate 110”

Graves says the work on Interstate 110 should begin by 2017 to fix the only part of the country where the interstate goes down to one lane. The grant comes as a result of the federal FASTLANE Program, and Graves helped bring that money to Louisiana. Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says this grant will allow the state to prepare for other important transportation projects.

cut 14 (10)  “as we speak”

Wilson says also in the planning stage is the I-20 to 220 interchange into Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport. The secretary says this federal money will help the state pay for roadway projects that have been ignored for years.

Cut 15 (08) “excited about that”

_____________________________________________________

LSU student-athletes, coaches, and support staff will undergo sexual harassment sensitivity training and awareness classes. Deputy Athletic Director Eddie Nunez says they are increasing their efforts on this topic after troubling reports of sexual assaults involving athletes at other schools.

Cut 16  (06)  “have been” 

Only two other schools conduct this kind of training, according to LSU President F. King Alexander. Nunez says their classes will be very broad and address everything from human relations risks to prevention of harassment and abuse.

Cut 17 (10)  “do arise”

Nunez says everyone in the athletic department will attend these classes throughout the year. He says the initial training for the Tigers’ 400 athletes and 250 employees will be led by former Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe’s firm. He says they hope to do this every year and continue to reinforce it.

Cut 18 (10) “end of the year”

Gunshots rang out in a Shreveport neighborhood on Independence Day, killing one man and leaving another in the hospital with injuries. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A Gonzales man is behind bars today after cops say he allegedly shot his ex girlfriend in the face on the side of the interstate. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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One man is dead and another is in the hospital following a shooting in Shreveport on Independence Day. Cpl. Marcus Hines says 33-year-old Antonio Collins and 32-year-old Exzavious Thomas were next door neighbors who got into a dispute over fireworks that turned violent.

CUT 3 (11)  “gunshot wounds”

Hines says Collins suffered a fatal shot to the chest, and Thomas was also injured but is expected to recover. Hines says the two neighbors were arguing over shooting fireworks.

CUT 4 (12)  “both men”

Hines says Thomas has only been charged with a single count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm, after interviews with witnesses indicate the shooting may have been self-defense.

CUT 5 (08)  “wounding Collins”

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A man is dead after an officer involved shooting early this morning outside of a convenience store in Baton Rouge. Cpl. L’ Jean McKneely says officers responded to an anonymous tip that someone had a gun in the area and it needed to be checked out by authorities. He says that’s when a scuffle occurred and 37-year-old Alton Sterling was shot and killed by an officer.

CUT 6 (08) “witnesses”

Sterling was pronounced dead and McKneely says only one officer fired his weapon. He says they’ll learn more about the shooting after reviewing video tape from body cameras, in car cameras and surveillance video from the convenience store.

CUT 7 (07) “it all”

The convenience store clerk told a Baton Rouge TV station he saw Sterling carrying a gun but did not have it out at the time of the shooting. McKneely says one officer is on administrative leave and the investigation is ongoing.

CUT 8 (05) “officers there”

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State Police is increasing its efforts to enforce the “Move Over” law, in light of several officers who have been hit while on the side of the road. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says the law applies to all emergency vehicles, including police, firefighters, EMS, and tow trucks. He says people need to watch out for these vehicles when they are on the side of the road.

CUT 9 (10) “their speed”

In the past week, officers in both Sterlington and St. John the Baptist Parish have been hit by vehicles while on the side of the road, and one of the Sterlington officers was killed. Sandifer says if you cannot get over the other lane, it’s important to at least slow down. He says you can not only get a ticket for not moving over, but you can seriously hurt or kill someone.

cut 10 (05)  “emergency vehicles”

According to the “Move Over America” campaign, over 70% of Americans have not heard of “move over” laws. Sandifer says it’s about safety for these people and also just treating others as you would want to be treated.

Cut 11 (11) “they can”

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Hundreds of Louisiana workers will be out of work as a result of GE Oil and Gas in Pineville closing its doors. Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says the company is closing its Pineville facility to move its operation to their other location in Jacksonville, Florida. He says he is disappointed to see this company move to another state.

cut 12 (10) “different here”

The plant closing will result in 269 of the company’s 289 employees encountering permanent layoffs. Fields says they have known this was coming since December and they are looking into repurposing the GE plant.

Cut 13 (08)  “that facility”

Fields says the city will do as much as possible to help the employees who are laid off. He says they have also been trying to prepare for the impact this will have on the economy in central Louisiana.

cut 14 (08)  “immediate impact”

Blue Sky Innovations in Lafayette has announced they will lay off all hourly employees by the end of the month and all salaried positions by the end of the year. The company has already issued a notice ending an existing contract and resulting in 55 layoffs.

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A Gonzales man is behind bars today after the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says he allegedly shot his ex girlfriend in the face while she was trying to get away from him in her vehicle. Chief Deputy Bobby Webre says 26-year-old Jarvis McNair followed the victim at a high rate of speed before stopping in Sorrento…:

cut 15 (08) “at the hospital”

Webre says the victim, 36-year-old Shondrica Dejoie, died from a gunshot wound to the mouth. He says McNair is facing several charges…:

cut 16 (08) “jail now”

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Governor John Bel Edwards approved legislation that would front load the TOPS program in the new budget. Halen Doughty has more on how students feel about this change…

CUT 1 (25) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Colorado State University forecast team has upped the number of anticipated named storms in 2016 by one. Don Molino reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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The pharmaceutical company, Sanofi, agrees to develop cancer immunotherapy drugs that were discovered by an LSU Health Shreveport professor and scientists at a university in Poland. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The budget for this fiscal year front-loads state spending on the TOPS scholarship program. This means students on TOPS will have their tuition funded for the fall semester but only have 42-percent covered in the spring. LSU student Ally Balthazar has been on the scholarship program for the last three years and her parents pay out of pocket for the expenses left over

cut 4  (09)  “I graduate”

LSU President F. King Alexander doesn’t support the front-loading of the program, because he believes it will be difficult for students to get financial aid for the spring semester. Balthazar says she still plans on applying for federal student aid for the spring semester…

Cut 5  (10)  “I graduate”

Balthazar says the TOPS program not being fully funded puts a financial struggle on her family and there’s also extra pressure to do better in school…

Cut 6 (09) “TOPS anymore”

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The Colorado State University forecast team has upped the number of anticipated named storms in 2016 by one. In June they called for 14 named storms, now they predict 15. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the change is due to the fact that there are already 4 named storms on the books this year. He says that’s the most ever for this early in the season…:

CUT 7 (11)  “telling us somethin”

The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November. The updated forecast calls for 6 storms to become hurricanes, and two of those major systems with winds of 111 per hour or more. Keim says the forecast for the season is still made up of counter-balancing forces, as a La Nina is expected to take effect at the heart of the hurricane season…:

Cut 8  (09)  “fewer storms”

Historically, the most active part of the hurricane season is August and September. Keim says the peak is around September 10th…:

Cut 9 (12)  “considerably”

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The town of Welsh, located in in Jefferson Davis Parish, is now the official The Home of the Cajun Dictionary.” Mayor Carolyn Louviere says the town’s long time former late pastor, Father Jules Daigle, wasn’t pleased with the way Cajun French was spoken and wrote two books on the language. She credits Welsh’s city council for taking steps to get this official designation…

Cut 10 (07) “was passed”

Louviere says copies of “A Dictionary of Cajun Language” and “Cajun Self Taught” by Father Daigle can be purchased in Welsh and on Amazon. She says the town will hold a special celebration on their new designation…

cut 11 (10) “Daigle’s work”

Louviere says everyone in the town is proud to call Welsh “The Home of the Cajun Dictionary.” She says Father Daigle would be happy with the accomplishment.

cut 12 (08) “honor him”

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A deal has been struck to develop cancer immunotherapy drugs first discovered by LSU Health Shreveport professor Doctor Robert Rhoads and scientists at the University of Warsaw in Poland. Immunotherapy is already used in treatment of melanoma and prostate cancer. Rhoads says pharmaceutical company Sanofi has paid a licensing fee to see if immunotherapy could work with other types of cancer

Cut 13 (06)  “own cancer”

Rhoads says immunotherapy would not have the toxic side effects of current chemotherapy drugs and it would direct a person’s immune system to attack cancer cells until the last one is gone.

cut 14 (06)  “traditional method”

Rhoads, who lost both of his parents to cancer, is excited Sanofi will seek to develop this treatment to other cancers. He says it takes hundreds of millions of dollars for biotechnology companies to bring a new drug to the market and hopefully Sanofi will have success

Cut 15 (11) “make it”