13:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

Emelie Gunn has the latest on the investigation into the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Meanwhile friends are taking up for Sterling. His former employer at a local Baton Rouge restaurant, Brandon Boutin, says Sterling was likely asking the officers why they were confronting him because he wasn’t doing anything wrong:
CUT 5 (11) “both sides”

People throughout north Louisiana are gathering today to mourn the loss of 28-year-old Sterlington Police Sgt. David Elahi (eh-lah-hee), who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop. Rev. Chad Brooks was a friend of Elahi’s and will officiate the funeral service today. He says more than anything, Elahi loved to help people, which he did not only as a police officer, but through his other endeavors, including an inflatable jumper company he owned…:

cut 11 (12) “for people”
Brooks says Elahi had been involved in law enforcement with Monroe Police, Union Parish Sheriff’s Department, and finally with Sterlington Police.

Lottery officials say the Mega Millions jackpot has increased to $540 million dollars for tomorrow night’s drawing. They say sales leading up to the next jackpot have been skyrocketing which is why they raised the amount. The cash option for tomorrow night’s prize is worth an estimated $380 million dollars.

 

12:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

A former employer of 37-year-old Alton Sterling is speaking up on behalf of the man who was shot and killed by Baton Rouge Police Officers. Brandon Boutin hired Sterling to be a line cook at a local Baton Rouge restaurant. He says that Sterling was known as the “CD man,” and that it wasn’t unusual to see him outside the store where he died trying to make a living…:
CUT 4 (08) “for a long time”
He says despite Sterling’s criminal past, he was working hard to straight out his life and make sure everything was on the up and up.

Was the shooting of Sterling justified? That’s the question many are asking. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says he was present when members of the Baton Rouge Police Department began interviewing the two officers involved…:
cut 12 (05) “they took”
The officers, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake are on paid leave.

The religious organization, Together Baton Rouge, believes the federal investigation into the fatal police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling’s should not just examine whether the shooting was justified. Rev. Lee Wesley believes things like false arrest, aggravated battery, assault with a deadly weapon, and second degree murder should also be considered…:
CUT 9 (07) “as well”
Wesley hopes that if any federal or local laws have been violated, the US Department of Justice will recommend charges against the officers.

This evening, Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver remarks at a prayer vigil with community leaders, faith leaders, and elected officials from around the Baton Rouge area.

 

11:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

Governor John Bel Edwards meets this afternoon with the U.S. Attorneys, FBI, and State Police in regards to the fatal police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling. Deputy Chief of Staff for the governor, Julie Baxter Payer, says Edwards’ goal is to have a full and thorough investigation and maximum transparency…:
CUT 6 (10) “to justice”
Cops have said they believe Sterling was armed at the time of the shooting. Brandon Boutin was an employer of Sterling’s at a local Baton Rouge restaurant. He says Sterling was a good person who was never looking for trouble…:
CUT 3 (10) “grown up”
Authorities say the investigation could go on for a month or more.

People throughout north Louisiana are gathering this afternoon when 28-year-old Sterlington Police Sgt. David Elahi (eh-lah-hee), who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop, will be laid to rest. Rev. Chad Brooks was a friend of Elahi’s and will officiate the funeral service today…:
Cut 10 (05) “being fun”
Elahi is survived by his fiancé Danna Parsley and 2-year-old daughter Alba, as well as an expected child due in January.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a man from Natchez drowned after he fell overboard from his boat on the Tensas River in Catahoula Parish while hunting for frogs. They say 44-year-old Carroll Dobson was with his two sons when he stopped the vessel and stood up before going over. LDWF is leading the investigation, and say it’s believed Dobson was drinking alcohol at the time of the incident and was not wearing a life jacket. They say his sons weren’t wearing life jackets either.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast July 7th

Governor John Bel Edwards has a meeting scheduled for this afternoon with members of the US Attorney’s office, FBI and state police as the investigation into Alton Sterling’s death continues. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg on what takes place when federal government investigates an officer-involved shooting to see if the victim’s civil rights were violated…
cut 4 (11) “….their discretion”
Executive Director of the Louisiana ACLU, Marjorie Esman, says there are too many unknowns in the incident…
cut 7 (07) “…the ground”
Baton Rouge police say Sterling was armed when they encountered him. A second cell phone video of the shooting, shows one of the officers taking what appears to be a gun from his pocket after Sterling was shot.

The funeral is today for Sterlington Police Sergeant David Elahi (eh-lah-hee) who was killed over the fourth of July weekend when a suspected drunk driver plowed into him as he was working a traffic stop. Reverend Chad Brooks will officiate the funeral service and says Elahi loved to help people, which he did not only as a police officer, but through his other endeavors, including an inflatable jumper company he owned…
cut 11 (12) “…for the people”
Elahi leaves behind a two-year-old child and fiance who is expecting a child in January.

The Lafayette School Board will not change its Pledge of Allegiance policy despite an advocacy group’s request to change the policy after a student was allegedly mistreated at Acadiana High for not stand during the pledge. Students in Lafayette will continue to stand during the pledge, but do not have to recite it because of religious beliefs.

09:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

The US Department of Justice and the FBI is now handling the case of the police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg expects this investigation to last about a month…:
Cut 6 (10) “in Baton Rouge”
Cell phone videos are going viral that show two cops on top of Sterling in an altercation outside a gas station before shooting him. ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman says officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II had just 7 years of experience between them and, with 122 black people killed by law enforcement this year alone, something needs to be done…:
CUT 9 (07) “to do”
Cops say Sterling was armed when he was shot and killed.

Funeral services will be held today for the Sterlington Police officer who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Officials with Louisiana’s movie industry are excited Governor Edwards has called on Louisiana Economic Development to conduct an extensive review of the state’s film tax credit program. Executive Director of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association, Robert Vosbein (Voz-bean)…:
Cut 13 (07) “incentive program”

 

08:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

The US Department of Justice will investigate the fatal police shooting in Baton Rouge. Emelie Gunn on what happens next..:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Executive Director of the Louisiana ACLU, Marjorie Esman, says in order to prevent these types of police shootings from happening, officers need more training. She’s concerned about the body cameras not being in use in the Sterlington case..:
CUT 8 (12) “a problem”

People throughout north Louisiana are gathering today to mourn the loss of 28-year-old Sterlington Police Sgt. David Elahi (eh-lah-hee), who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop. Rev. Chad Brooks was a friend of Elahi’s and will officiate the funeral service today. He says Elahi was kindhearted as an officer and genuinely cared for the people he helped…:
cut 12 (10) “better place”
Elahi is survived by his fiancé Danna Parsley and 2-year-old daughter Alba, as well as an expected child due in January.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are questioning the parents of a 2-year-old body whose body was found on the Mississippi River levee near the Huey P Long Bridge. It’s reported that a family member of the child called the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office to report the boy missing on Tuesday, and now the investigation is being taken over by JPSO. Additional information is not available at this time.

 

07:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

The FBI and the US Department of Justice are handling the case of the police shooting death of 37 year old Alton Sterling. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg says the officers could face charges if it’s determined Sterling’s rights were violated and if excessive force was used..:
CUT 5 (09) “subdued him”

The ACLU is demanding answers..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Jefferson Parish authorities say the deceased body of a 2 year-old boy has been found on the Mississippi River levee. The boy’s body was found near the Huey P. Long bridge on the east bank. It’s reported the boy’s parents are being questioned at the sheriff’s office. Additional details are not being released at this time.

Governor Edwards has called on Louisiana Economic Development to conduct an extensive review of the state’s film tax credit program. Executive Director of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association, Robert Vosbein (Voz-bean), says the state has issued $1.4 billion in tax credits in the past 8 years, and lawmakers capped the program at $180 million last year. Vosbein says putting a cap on the program hurt the industry…:
cut 14 (08) “had before” 2x
About 36 other states have similar tax incentives, which means producers have other options for filming destinations.

 

06:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2016

So what happens now that federal agencies will lead the investigation into the fatal police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling from Baton Rouge? Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg says the extensive probe begins with FBI agents trying to determine if lethal force was necessary…:
cut 4 (11) “their discretion”
Cell phone videos are going viral that show two officers, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II, on top of Sterling in an altercation outside a gas station before shooting him. Executive Director of the Louisiana ACLU, Marjorie Esman, says there are too many unknowns in the incident…:
CUT 7 (07) “the ground”
Police say Sterling was armed when he was shot.

People throughout north Louisiana are gathering today to mourn the loss of 28-year-old Sterlington Police Sgt. David Elahi (eh-lah-hee), who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop. Rev. Chad Brooks was a friend of Elahi’s and will officiate the funeral service today…:
Cut 10 (05) “being fun”
Elahi is survived by his fiancé Danna Parsley and 2-year-old daughter Alba, as well as an expected child due in January.

Most of the state remains under a heat advisory which will be in effect from late this morning into this evening. The National Weather Service says the heat index could reach as much as 110 degrees in some areas. They say the impacts could include heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and people should drink more water than you usually would and try to minimize time in direct sun.

 

18:30 LRN Newscast July 6

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”

There are cries for justice as result of the fatal shooting. 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. McClanahan not only called for a federal investigation, but demanded that those he believes are responsible step down from their positions, including the Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie.

During a press conference earlier today, Baton Rouge NAACP president Mike McClanahan called for Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie to resign as a result of the shooting of Alton Sterling. 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.”

Much of Louisiana is under a heat advisory today. Kent Kuyper with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says temperatures reached mid to upper 90s this afternoon and we won’t see much of a cool down at night….
cut 12 (08) “…spilling in”

17:30 LRN Newscast July 6

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.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie says 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”

Dabadie says they have turned audio and video evidence of the incident to the US Justice Department

Quinyetta McMillian, the mother of Alton Sterling’s oldest son, also spoke at a press conference today. 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 by showing cell phone footage of the incident.

CUT 5 (11)  “be shown”

A heat advisory is in effect today for most of the state. Kent Kuyper with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles 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”