The lawyer for one of the officers involved in the Alton Sterling shooting doesn’t believe state criminal charges will be handed down from the Attorney General’s office. The DOJ found no federal civil rights laws were broken in the incident. Blane Salamoni’s Defense attorney John McLindon says the feds got it right…:
Cut 9 (06) “to prosecute”

The Sterling family wants justice and there are others who aren’t happy with what the DOJ decided. That’s why the Baton Rouge Police Department is preparing for any possible protests that may come….:
Cut 14 (10) “need to be”
McKneely says aside from three arrests at a protest outside BRPD headquarters the night the decision was leaked, things have been pretty quiet in the Capitol City.

The Louisiana delegation is pleased the GOP bill which gets rid of much of Obamacare has been approved and sent to the Senate. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the American Health Care Act will get Washington out of the exam room, give flexibility to states, preserve reliable coverage for people with preexisting conditions and lower premiums.

The Senate Transportation Committee approves a bill that requires traffic signs to be posted ahead of speed cameras. The proposal by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter requires that the signs be clearly visible and at the same height of other street signs already in place. He says this is another added safety measure of the bill….:
CUT 5 (10) “dangerous situation”
The proposal was approved without objection and now heads to the full Senate.

A lawyer for Officer Blane Salamoni is optimistic no state charges will be filed against his client for the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

But Community Activist Gary Chambers said on Talk Louisiana that Sterling was shot 6 times and it was only by Salamoni, not the other officer. He says this gives the AG a great case for the state charges…:
Cut 7 (10) “shoot somebody”

Baton Rouge Police don’t expect any protests this weekend over the DOJ’s Sterling decision, but they’re prepared for anything. Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says cops are putting in lots of extra time..:
Cut 12 (09) “answering calls”
McKneely says aside from three arrests at a protest outside BRPD headquarters the night the decision was leaked, things have been pretty quiet in the Capitol City. But just in case, a couple of events have been cancelled downtown.

The House is taking part in what’s expected to be a day long debate over the state’s operating budget bill. One of the proposals scrapped today was one that would use $190 million dollars of federal disaster money for mitigation projects like the Comite River Diversion Canal. The move by Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges faced criticism amid concerns that money would be taken away from flood victims.

More details are coming out about the fatal encounter between Alton Sterling and two Baton Rouge police officers on July 5. Community activist Gary Chambers met with DOJ officials following yesterday’s announcement, and he detailed the meeting to Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana. Chambers says Officer Blane Salamoni’s actions that night are disturbing…:
Cut 6 (09) “end of that”
The DOJ found no federal civil rights laws were violated, and the case is now in the hands of state Attorney General Jeff Landry to determine if Louisiana charges should be brought. Chambers believes state violations are much easier to prove, but Salamoni’s attorney John McLindon says there was no criminal conduct in this case and federal prosecutors got it right…:
Cut 10 (06) “the officers”
McLindon expects just like the federal investigation, the state’s probe will take a long amount of time.

Hundreds of people came to West Monroe’s First Baptist Church to pay their respects to Deputy Justin Beard, who was killed while on-duty Sunday. He was responding to a burglar alarm in the middle of a severe thunderstorm. A funeral procession is currently taking place to Mount Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe.

The Advocate newspaper has obtained an email sent by LSU’s athletic department to its student-athletes that says they respect and support athletes decision to speak out about the Alton Sterling case, but they also tell them to be mindful of media attention it may bring. LSU is also asking players not to wear LSU gear if they protest on social media or in the public.

Governor John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry have not seen eye-to-eye on many state issues, but the governor is anticipating Landry’s office will lead a thorough investigation into the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling…:
Cut 14 (11) “is warranted”

The Department of Justice found that Howie Lake and Blane Salamoni did not violate federal civil rights laws in the incident. But the Sterling family is hoping for justice. Kimberly Pierson is the mother of Sterling’s 11-year-old son. She’s devastated about the DOJ’s decision…:
Cut 29 (08) “for him”
The AG’s office will now investigate whether the officers should face state criminal charges. One possible example would be manslaughter.

Street signs would be posted ahead of speed cameras under a bill headed to the Senate floor. The proposal was amended to require the notices to be within 500 feet of the camera, but no closer than 250 feet. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says this allows for proper signage to discourage the speeder with enough time to slow down safely…:
Cut 4 (11) “a problem”
The proposal was approved without objection in the Senate Transportation Committee.

The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly crash that claimed the life of a woman, and reportedly sent three children to the hospital. They say it happened this morning shortly after 9 a.m.

State Police say a pedestrian was killed in Union Parish last night after being struck by a vehicle. They believe a truck made a left turn onto a road and struck the pedestrian who was laying in the lane of travel. 54-year-old Robert Jester of Spearsville was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Louisiana State Police along with a special prosecutor assigned by Attorney General Jeff Landry is now looking to see if Officers Howie Lake and Blane Salamoni violated state laws during the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. Baton Rouge Attorney Beau Brock says it was a smart move by Landry to have LSP lead this investigation
Cut 11 (07) “of force”
Sterling’s family is hopeful the A-G office will seek justice for Sterling.

The Senate Transportation Committee approves a bill that requires traffic signs to be posted ahead of speed cameras. The proposal by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is similar to one that passed last year requiring warning signs for red-light cameras. He says this prevents municipalities from using these cameras as a money grab.
Cut 3 (07) “perfect sense”
The bill heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.
The full House is debating the budget bill this morning that would cut 235-million dollars more than Governor John Bel Edwards wanted from the state Department of Health’s budget. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says they would like to only spend 97.5-percent of available revenues to avoid mid-year budget cuts.
Cut 4 (09) “of health”
But Edwards administration officials oppose the House GOP’s budget plan and claim it will lead to significant cuts to all state agencies. State Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says these cuts were made without talking to state agency leaders….
cut 7 (08) “…other programs”
Gee says 120 inpatient beds for psychiatric patients would be eliminated and efforts to combat the Zika virus would be halted if this budget plan is approved.

The family of Alton Sterling is grieving all over again, after the Department of Justice announces no federal charges will be filed against the Baton Rouge police officers involved in his shooting. Sterling’s aunt Sandra Sterling is hopeful the state’s investigation will bring forth criminal charges against the officers.
Cut 8 (12) “remember his name”
Baton Rouge Attorney Beau Brock says new information released by the U.S. Justice Department will play a huge factor in the state case…
cut 12 (10) “…they have”
Attorney John McLindon who represents officer Blane Salamoni told L-R-N that he believes the results of the state investigation will be the same and that no charges will be handed down against the officers.
The full House has convened this morning to discuss the proposed budget for next fiscal year that would cut 235-million dollars more than the governor recommended from the department of Health. Michelle Southern has more…..
voicer 1 (30) “….I’m Michelle southern”

There are thousands without power in southwest Louisiana this morning as a result of the severe storms that moved through yesterday. Several roads also remain impassable because of high water. Public schools closed in Allen, Jeff Davis and Beauregard Parishes.

Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Jeff Palermo…
cut 10 (11) “….like it was nothing”
That’s Andricka Williams, a mother to three of Alton Sterling’s children, reacting to the Department of Justice’s decision not to file charges against two officers involved in his shooting death.

But Attorney General Jeff Landry announces State Police and a special prosecutor will look to see if the officers’ conduct violated state laws Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Funeral services are this morning for Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Beard, who was killed in a single vehicle wreck while responding to a burglar alarm over the weekend. The funeral service begins at 11 AM at First Baptist Church in West Monroe and he’ll be laid to rest at Mount Vernon Baptist Chuch.

At the state capitol today, the full House meets to debate and vote on a proposed budget for next fiscal year. House Republican leaders are proposing to spend 97.5 percent of the recommended revenue that the Revenue Estimating Conference expects the state to have next fiscal year. Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says if this strategy was used last year, mid-years cuts would not be needed…
cut 5 (09) “….year cuts”
The Edwards administration opposes this strategy as they say it will lead to significant cuts to state services.

The US Justice Department has decided against filing federal charges against the officers involved in Alton Sterling’s death, but Sterling’s family hopes the state comes to a different conclusion. Halen Doughty has more…
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It was a peaceful night last night in Baton Rouge, but there was a driving rain storm. Governor John Bel Edwards has this message for those who plan to protest…
cut 20 (06) “…peacefully”

Governor Edwards is urging legislators in the House to reduce the size of cuts that’s been approved by the Appropriations Committee. Next year’s spending plan will be debated on the House floor today and the proposed budget as it stands now allocates 235-million dollars less to the Department of Health than what the governor recommended. LDH Secretary Rebekah Gee says although the Health department has a big budget, it doesn’t mean it’s full of waste…
cut 6 (09) “….this state”
Gee says House Republicans never asked her about the implications of the proposed cuts.

Also at the capitol, quite a bit of discussion in the halls over the Department of Justice’s decision not to pursue civil rights charges in the Alton Sterling case. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson is calling on Attorney General Jeff Landry to gather all of the facts to see if state criminal charges apply…
cut 15 (07) “…this community”

Federal prosecutors says there’s insufficient evidence to bring civil rights charges against two Baton Rouge police officers in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. But it’s possible that Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake could face charges on the state level. Attorney General Jeff Landry says State Police will investigate the case. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson says based on the facts she’s seen, an indictment is warranted…
cut 16 (11) “…seems just”
Baton Rouge attorney Beau Brock says there is a high burden of conduct when it comes to determining if a person’s civil rights were violated. He says state statutes require only general criminal intent, which is a much lower standard.
cut 13 (06) “…be proved”

The full House will debate today the proposed budget for next fiscal year that would cut 235 million dollars more than the governor recommended from the department of Health. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The US Justice Department announces no federal charges will be filed against the Baton Rouge police officers involved in the Alton Sterling case. Acting US Attorney Corey Amundson says the investigation took so long because DOJ carefully looked at the officers’ actions.

Cut 13 (18) “under federal law”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces State Police and a special prosecutor will determine if state charges apply. The family’s attorney Chris Stewart believes it should because the actions of the police officers that night were outrageous.

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The officer who killed Alton Sterling has released a statement on the DOJ’s decision not to file charges. Officer Blane Salamoni’s attorney says this has been a trying time for him and his family. He says they’re glad to have this part behind them so they can move on to the state investigation.

A bill that would allow voters decide if military monuments should be removed, including those from the Civil War era, was approved by a House committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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