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”

Several people were arrested today outside Baton Rouge Police Headquarters who were protesting the Alton Sterling shooting on the one year anniversary. The march was mostly comprised of members of the New Black Panther Party and the detainments came as some refused to leave over not having a permit to protest. Authorities say seven people were booked on misdemeanor charges.

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is receiving backlash over a video he made during a tour of the Auschwitz Memorial. In it, Higgins said while in a former gas chamber that the United States is now more vulnerable to terror like the Nazi regime…:
Cut 5 (12) “is protected”
But Auschwitz Memorial tweeted that a former gas chamber should be a place for mournful silence, not a stage. Higgins’ office has yet to comment.

The ACLU of Louisiana argued before the Fifth Circuit Court of appeals today on behalf of inmate Christopher Ware who doesn’t want to cut his hair due to religious beliefs. But the Department of Corrections has a grooming policy they say is for safety reasons. ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman..:
Cut 10 (13) “minority religion”

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has received backlash from the Auschwitz Memorial after he filmed and narrated a video in a gas chamber of the former Nazi concentration camp 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”
Officials with the memorial say this is a place for mournful silence, not to be used as a stage.

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”

Louisiana is now on board with Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Utah and Washington, as Governor Edwards signed into law a measure to allow students to bring sunscreen to school. Kristin Hellquist with the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association 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”

Arguments were heard today before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Christopher Ware, 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 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”

Congressman Clay Higgins made a video commentary while at the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, but officials with the memorial aren’t happy…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University have updated their annual hurricane season predictions, calling for above average activity for the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. CSU forecasters are calling for 15 named storms, eight of which will become hurricanes. Three of those classified as major. Earlier predictions had called for 14 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes.

Students in Louisiana will now be allowed to bring and use sunscreen at public schools under a law recently signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. Kristin Hellquist with the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association says this is due to great work by 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 religious discrimination against prisoners is prohibited, and it’s fitting that oral arguments were heard on the day after the 4th of July…:
Cut 11 (08) “be heard today”
The ACLU filed the suit on behalf of Christopher Ware.

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”
Higgins’ office has yet to comment on the controversy.

Louisiana is now the 6th 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..:
Cut 6 (09) “as well”

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 religious discrimination against prisoners is prohibited.

A 2-year-old child has died at a hospital after being found unresponsive in a pool over the weekend in Ponchatoula. The child is the fourth to die by drowning in the parish recently.

Alton Sterling was fatally shot at a Baton Rouge convenience store during a confrontation with two white police officers a year ago today. Some are frustrated that the officers are still on paid leave and that federal charges weren’t brought down. But the lawyer for officer Blane Salamoni, John McLindon, says the case is no in the state’s hands and they are offering help…:
Cut 13 (09) “activity here”
Others are calling for the cops to at least be fired.

The 10th 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 wearing a nice business outfit to a job interview makes a big first impression…:
Cut 6 (07) “am changing”
She says they are collecting gently used professional wear at Men’s Wearhouse throughout the month.

The state department of transportation is mourning the loss of one its workers who was killed while fixing potholes near New Iberia…:
Cut 3 (31) “Jeff Palermo”

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. Deputy Glenn Springfield says the men have been identified…:
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Their charges included attempted first degree murder.

One year ago today, Alton Sterling was fatally shot at a Baton Rouge convenience store during a confrontation with two white police officers. The federal investigation did not bring forth any charges against officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake. State charges could be filed, but Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says that could be another six months at least…:
Cut 11 (09) “the investigation”
An attorney for one of the officers says they are also ready for a conclusion to this.

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 unfortunately the death of a highway construction worker while performing their job happens too often.:
Cut 15 (09) “in Louisiana”
The worker is 63-year-old Paul Featherston.

The 10th annual national suit drive is underway. Emelie Gunn has more on how these suits benefit former inmates returning to society…:
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A 2-year-old child has died at a hospital after being found unresponsive in a pool over the weekend in Ponchatoula. The family of Nash Bennett has started a YouCaring fundraiser for the parents to help with medical and funeral expenses. The child is the fourth to die by drowning in the parish recently, as a nine-year-old girl drowned in a swift current on the Tangipahoa River and there were drownings in Bedico and Loranger also.

One year after Alton Sterling was shot by Baton Rouge police at a convenience store, many are still waiting for justice…:
2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is receiving backlash over a video he made during a tour of the Auschwitz Memorial. In it, Higgins said while in a former gas chamber that this is why the US military must be invincible, and homeland security ramped up. But Auschwitz Memorial tweeted that a former gas chamber should be a place for mournful silence, not a stage. Higgins’ office has yet to comment.

Men’s Wearhouse has launched its 10th annual National Suit Drive, a month-long initiative that collects gently-used professional clothing for Americans transitioning back into the workforce. Founder and president emeritus of Refined By Fire Ministries Elain Ellerbe says the Michael Ellerbe Legacy Suit Drive is the chance for the public to contribute to a person’s reintegration into society…:
Cut 5 (09) “the opportunity”
Donations will be collected at Men’s Wearhouse stores throughout July.

Three brothers have been arrested in Monroe after one of the men allegedly shot at an Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy during a traffic stop. Deputy Glenn Springfield says during the stop, Audley, Ladarrian and Rakin Alexander all exited the vehicle..:
Cut 7 (09) “three suspects”
All three face charges including 1 count of attempted first degree murder.

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 cops. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says many are disappointed there is still no resolution in this case…:
Cut 10 (09) “a conviction”
The federal investigation did not bring forth any charges against officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake. Salamoni’s attorney John McLindon says it’s been a rough year for his client. But he says his client has received a lot of support…:
Cut 12 (09) “to do”
McLindon says Salamoni and his family are also ready for a conclusion to this.

DOTD is mourning the loss of one its employees who was killed while fixing potholes near New Iberia. Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says 63-year-old Paul Featherston was standing behind a dump truck when he was struck by 88-year-old Allen Olivier of St. Martinville…:
Cut 14 (10) “this happened”
At this time, no charges have been filed.

The 10th Annual National Suit Drive is underway to help releasing offenders look for a job and be dressed for the part. Founder and president emeritus of Refined By Fire Ministries Elaine Ellerbe says they are collecting gently used professional wear to distribute to former inmates…:
Cut 4 (10) “they are”
You can donate through any Men’s Warehouse or your local parole office.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he will not release the private voter information the Trump Administration requested.
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This Independence Day will continue to be a hot one as there is no cloud coverage and a minimal chance of rain. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we can expect more hot summers days through the week.
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Tonight will be filled with fireworks celebrating the 4th of July but the State Fire Marshal’s office is reminding Louisianans to stay safe when lighting pyrotechnics. Deputy Chief Brandt Thompson advises those who put on a private show to be sober, wear safety goggles, and have a hose or bucket of water nearby.
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The Louisiana SPCA is also encouraging pet owners to keep their animals calm during firework shows. Ana Zorrilla with the SPCA says today is one of the busiest says in terms of animals getting lost from their homes. She says it’s important pets have a proper ID tag
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She also says pets should be kept inside while lighting fireworks.

It’s very important to keep safety in mind this 4th of July when it comes to fireworks. Brant Thompson with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says it’s estimated fireworks cause over 18-thousand fires each year in the US, which includes approximately 2-thousand structures and vehicles, resulting in millions of dollars with of damages.
Cut 7 (09) “July 4”

He encourages revelers to take advantage of many organized celebrations throughout the state where fireworks are conducted by professionals.

Watching out for pets this Independence Day is also very significant. Ana Zorrilla with the Louisiana SPCA says dogs are less anxious when tired so she advises pet owners to play fetch before the fireworks begin. She says you can also distract your pet with toys during fireworks.
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Secretary of State Tom Schedler is keeping Louisiana voter’s information private even after a request to release the info from the Trump Administration. Schedler received a similar request from the Department of Justice under the Obama Administration. He says he didn’t give out the information then and he won’t do it now.
Cut 11 (08) “never will”
He says the request asks for private information like social security number and mother’s maiden name.
It’s a hot and sticky 4th of July and State Climatologist Barry Kiem warns people to stay hydrated as there is no cloud coverage. He says there is almost no chance of rain and winds are pumping in high humidity levels from the Gulf of Mexico.
Cut 12 (09) “low 100s”