Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the 2019 capital outlay bill which will provide one-point-five billion dollars in new funding for construction and infrastructure improvement projects. 94-million dollars is for construction of roads and bridges, 246-million for education construction projects and 40-million for water infrastructure projects.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries raises the nutria bounty from $5 to $6 per tail in the hopes it will entice hunters to step up the fight against the invasive species. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Former Marksville Deputy Marshal Norris Greenhouse Junior, sent to jail for his role in the shooting death of a six-year-old boy during a 2015 car chase, is a free man after serving less than two years of a 7.5 year sentence for negligent homicide and malfeasance. Legal analyst Franz Borghart says inmates convicted on non-violent charges typically do not serve their entire sentence
Cut 3 (10) “…25-percent”
The state department of corrections says Greenhouse earned the early release by completing pre-release and anger management programs, earning an associate degree and time served.

Law enforcement has arrested 18 people in Terrebonne and LaFourche Parishes and confiscated a million dollars in street value drugs as part of a seven-month sting operation called “Operation Murder Gang Meltdown. Terrebonne Parish Chief Deputy Terry Daigre says State Police also assisted in the investigation….
cut 10 (10) “….the way”

Former Marksville Deputy Marshal Norris Greenhouse Junior, sent to jail for his role in the shooting death of a six-year-old boy during a 2015 car chase, is a free man after serving less than two years of a 7.5 year sentence for negligent homicide and malfeasance in office. Legal analyst Franz Borghart says some might be disappointed by his early release, but state law allows for it…

Cut 5 (05) “…this case.”

The other Marskville deputy involved in the shooting, Derrick Stafford, is serving a 40-year sentence for a manslaughter conviction.

“Operation Murder Gang Meltdown”, a cross agency narcotics taskforce in Terrebonne Parish results in multiple arrests and the ziezure of 90 pounds of meth after two years. Terrebonne Parish Chief Deputy Terry Daigre says the name of the operation wasn’t just pulled out of thin air…

Cut 11 (11) “…murder gang.”

The street value is estimated at a million dollars.

A female is recovering after being shot and being dumped off on the side of Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge after allegedly being shot by a man who was driving the car she was riding in before being left on the road.  Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says s the suspect, 28-year-old Gerry Byrd, fled to Mississippi where he was shot by law enforcement, and was brought back to Baton Rouge to be treated for his injuries.

Cut 8 (09) “…at this time.”

The incident originally occurred near the I-110 split

The Louisiana Department or Wildlife and Fisheries is raising the bounty on nutria tails for the season that starts November 1^st. LDWF biologist Catherine Normand says the bounty program has been in place since 2002, and has resulted in reducing the toll the invasive species of rodent has taken on the wetlands.

Cut 12 (09)   “…the upcoming season.”

“Operation Murder Gang Meltdown”, a cross agency narcotics taskforce in Terrebonne Parish is nearing an end after the arrests of two suspects and the seizure of significant amounts of drugs. Terrebonne Parish Chief Deputy Terry Daigre…

Cut 9, 10 seconds, as well

The operation was named after the group at the center of the narcotics trade, who called themselves “The Murder Gang”.

A female is recovering after being shot and being dumped off on the side of Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge.  Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says police responded to call about a woman walking on the interstate near the I-110 Split.

Cut 6 (10) “…of the interstate.”

A suspect in the shooting was later shot by authorities after fleeing to Mississippi.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Former Marksville Deputy Marshal Norris Greenhouse Junior, sent to jail for his role in the shooting death of a six-year-old boy during a 2015 car chase, is free after serving less than two years of a 7.5 year sentence. Attorney General Jeff Landry says he’s disappointed by Greenhouse’s early release but Legal analyst Franz Borghart says…

Cut 4

Department of Corrections says Greenhouse earned the release by completing anger management programs.

Senator John Kennedy spoke at the Baton Rouge Press Club and during the address, he gave his thoughts on the current state of the Governor’s race.  believes the race will be a close one but adds that Governor Edwards has the advantage of money and media…

Cut 11 (10) “…know that’s true.”

Kennedy did not endorse one of the two Republicans in the race.

Former Marksville Deputy Marshal Norris Greenhouse Junior, sent to jail for his role in the shooting death of a six-year-old boy during a 2015 car chase, is a free man after serving less than two years of a 7.5 year sentence for negligent homicide and malfeasance in office. Legal analyst Franz Borghart says inmates convicted on non-violent charges typically do not serve their entire sentence

Cut 3 (10) “…25-percent”

With the start of July, a new fiscal year is underway and that means more money for K-12 education and public school teachers. And Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says this year’s budget surplus will allow the government to invest more in the state’s oldest, and youngest citizens…

Cut 5    (12) “…start” 

Early childhood education received 18.8 million in new funding this year.

Fourteen alligator snapping turtles that have been raised with the care of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are now swimming in the wild as part of a program to replenish the species.  LDWF biologist Charles Battaglia says since 2012, the program has raised and released several hundred turtles in an effort to protect the younger turtles from predators such as raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and some fish.

Cut 8 (08) “…problem with them.”

The federal government is scheduled to decide next year whether to declare the turtles as endangered or threatened.

Senator John Kennedy spoke at the Baton Rouge Press Club and during the address, he gave his thoughts on the current state of the Governor’s race.  Kennedy says he’s spoken with President Trump about the election but did not disclose many more details.

Cut 10 (08) “…things his way.”

Teacher pay raises and K-12 funding increases headlined this year’s budget debate, but a few other areas are seeing funding increases, mostly thanks to the budget surplus. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

This evening Governor Edwards will officially dedicate a section of Northwest Evangeline Thruway in honor of former Governor Kathleen Blanco. Edwards will join other local and state officials and unveil the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Highway at 5:30 today. 76-year old Blanco has been battling cancer and entered hospice care in April.

More than 200 US mayors, including the leaders of Shreveport, Monroe, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge are returning home after they spent five days in Honolulu at the United States Conference of Mayors. One of the topics they discussed was the 2020 Census and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says they studied best practices for obtaining the most accurate count of residents in their cities…

Cut 14 (11) “…federal dollars.”

Fourteen alligator snapping turtles that have been raised with the care of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are now swimming in the wild as part of a program to replenish the species.  LDWF biologist Charles Battaglia says while the numbers in Louisiana are doing okay, elsewhere the population is showing red flags.

Cut 7 (07) “…declining as well

The Federal government is scheduled to decide next year whether to declare the turtles as endangered to threatened.

U-S Senator John Kennedy says he’s keeping a finger on the pulse of the upcoming Governor’s race. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A man suspected of shooting a woman during a carjacking in Baton Rouge during the overnight hours was shot by police about an hour later in Woodville, Mississippi at a gas station. The extent of the injuries to the suspect is not known. The woman wounded in Baton Rouge was found on the interstate around 2 AM.

With the start of July, a new fiscal year is underway and that means more money for K-12 education and public school teachers. And Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says after a decade of higher ed funding decreases, the state has turned a corner…
Cut 4 (11) “…TOPS.”
Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says that’s two years in a row for higher ed funding increases.

Louisiana wildlife and fisheries is doing its part to build up the alligator snapping turtle population, which is on the verge of being declared an endangered or threatened species. Fourteen alligator snapping turtles were released in Caldwell Parish. LDWF biologist Charles Battaglia says it may not seem like the turtles serve a huge role, but fishermen see the value…
Cut 9 (09) “…when you’re fishing.”

U.S. Senator John Kennedy spoke at the Baton Rouge Press Club and during the address, he gave his thoughts on the current state of the Governor’s race. Kennedy says he’s spoken with President Trump about the election but did not disclose many details…
Cut 10 (08) “…things his way.”
Kennedy says he likes the Republican challengers, Eddie Rispone and Ralph Abraham, and predicts one of them will break out and be a tough opponent for Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards.

Four mayors from Louisiana are returning from the U-S Conference of Mayors gathering in Hawaii. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says climate change was a major topic….
cut 15 (05) “…to help”
The U-S Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution calling on Congress to pass legislation that imposes a price on carbon emissions sufficient enough to reduce emissions in line with ambitions detailed in the Paris Agreement. Mayors from New Orleans, Shreveport and Baton Rouge were also at the conference.

Former Marksville deputy marshal Norris Greenhouse is out of jail after serving less than two years of a seven-year prison sentence for his role in the 2015 fatal shooting of six-year-old Jeremy Mardis. Greenhouse was convicted of negligent homicide and malfeasance in office. The Department of Corrections says Greenhouse’s time was reduced after participating in prison programs and earning an associate degree. He also received credit for time served.

Next year, alligator snapping turtles could be declared as endangered or threatened, but biologists with the LDWF are working to reduce the need for that classification. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

With the start of July, a new state budget is in effect. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says this fiscal year the state has allocated millions of dollars more towards public education and there are also new funds for school safety…
cut 6 (07) “….the state”
State Police says they’ll have more information about the fusion center in the near future.

U-S Senator John Kennedy says this year’s governor’s race is wide open. Polls show Democratic governor John Bel Edwards leading his two Republican challengers, Ralph Abraham, and Eddie Rispone. Last year, the thought was Kennedy would get in the race as well, but he has not reconsidered…
cut 12 (07) “…get into the race”
The sign-up period to put your name on the October ballot is August 6th to the 8th.

222 US mayors, including the leaders of Shreveport, Monroe, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge are returning home from five days of the United States Conference of Mayors in Hawaii. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says they got an opportunity to learn how to generate federal dollars for much needed economic development and infrastructure needs back home…
Cut 13 (09) “…locally”
And with the 2020 Census right around the corner, Mayo says they studied best practices for obtaining the most accurate count of residents in their cities.

During the overnight hours, Baton Rouge Police responded to the I-10 bridge where they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound walking on the interstate. Investigators believe she was shot by a man who she gave a ride to. No other details are known.

Teacher pay raises and K-12 funding increases headlined this year’s budget debate, but a few other areas are seeing funding increases, mostly thanks to the budget surplus. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Next year,  alligator snapping turtles could be declared as endangered or threatened, but biologists with the LDWF are working to reduce the need for that classification. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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Senator John Kennedy says he’s keeping a finger of the pulse of the upcoming Governor’s race.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________

Yesterday marked the beginning of the new fiscal year, and while the budget battle was focused on K-12 funding increases and teacher pay raises, Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne pointed out a few other areas that got some love.

The decade has been defined by higher ed funding decreases, but Dardenne says the state has turned a corner…

Cut 4 (11) “…TOPS.”

Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed noted that’s now two years in a row for higher ed funding increases.

Dardenne says this year’s budget surplus will allow the government to invest more in the state’s oldest, and youngest citizens…

Cut 5    (12) “…start” 

Early childhood education received 18.8 million in new funding this year.

School shootings are at the front of many parent’s minds and Dardenne says they’ve allocated new funds to school safety.

Cut 6 (07) “…the state”

Dardenne says it does not appear likely that the state will face any mid-year budget cuts.

 ________________________________________

Fourteen alligator snapping turtles that have been raised with the care of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are now swimming in the wild as part of a program to replenish the species.  LDWF biologist Charles Battaglia says while the numbers in Louisiana are doing okay, elsewhere the population is showing red flags.

Cut 7 (07) “…declining as well.”

The federal government is scheduled to decide next year whether to declare the turtles as endangered or threatened.  Battaglia says since 2012, the program has raised and released several hundred turtles in an effort to protect the younger turtles from predators such as raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and some fish.

Cut 8 (08) “…problem with them.”

Battaglia says while it may not seem like the turtles serve a huge role in the ecosystem, fishermen may see the value in them.

Cut 9 (09) “…when you’re fishing.”

The turtles were released in the Boeuf Wildlife Management Area in Caldwell Parish.

__________________________________

Senator John Kennedy spoke at the Baton Rouge Press Club and during the address, he gave his thoughts on the current state of the Governor’s race.  Kennedy says he’s spoken with President Trump about the election but did not disclose many more details.

Cut 10 (08) “…things his way.”

Kennedy believes the race will be a close one but adds that Governor Edwards has the advantage of having plenty of money and mainstream media connections.

Cut 11 (10) “…know that’s true.”

Kennedy stopped short of endorsing one candidate and says although he likes all three candidates, either of the two Republican candidates, Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone or Congressman Ralph Abraham would do a better job than Governor Edwards.

Kennedy was at one time considered a favorite to run as a Republican against Edwards before deciding against entering the race late last year.  The Senator says the current candidates have not made him reconsider that decision.

Cut 12 (07) “…get into the race.”

_________________

222 US mayors, including the leaders of Shreveport, Monroe, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge are returning home from five days of the United States Conference of Mayors in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says they got an opportunity to learn how to generate federal dollars for much needed economic development and infrastructure needs back home…

Cut 13 (09) “…locally”

And with the 2020 Census right around the corner, Mayo says they studied best practices for obtaining the most accurate count of residents in their cities…

Cut 14 (11) “…federal dollars.”

The diverse cast of mayors from every corner of the US each shared their experiences with climate change, from wildfires in California, to tornadoes and floods in Louisiana…

Cut 15 (08) “…to help”

The Pelicans made a splash at the start of the NBA free agency last night by using their cap space on two widely respected veterans at positions of need. The team nabbed, free agent 3 point specialist, shooting guard JJ Reddick. Locked on Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison says Reddick is exactly what the young team needed.

Cut 6 (10) “…Washington.”

The Pels also traded for Utah for Center Derrick Favors.

Two men are dead following a break-in at a Shreveport home early Sunday morning. A female witness who lived there told investigators that her ex-boyfriend, broke into the home and shot her current boyfriend, a Barksdale airman. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says there were five children in the home…

Cut 5 (08) “…get to safety.”

The children were aged 6 to 17.

A new LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center study finds eating more will keep those who exercise regularly from losing more weight. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (32) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A new fiscal year budget for Louisiana goes into effect today. The spending plan contains funding increases for K-through-12 education, public colleges and early childhood education, which will allow more low-income families to receive assistance so their children can attend pre-K education. TOPS also received a 15 million dollar bump in funding, and state leaders do not expect any midyear cuts will be needed.