It’s a hot afternoon across Louisiana and it’s resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a heat advisory for the northern half of the state until Thursday night. State Cliamatolgist Barry Keim says heat indexes could reach 108-degrees over the next couple of days…
cut 10 (09) “…all the time”

East Baton Rouge Coroner, Doctor Beau Clark, says the body found in a ditch in Iberville Parish yesterday was shot in the head, but he’s unable to to make a positive identification because of advance stages of decomposition. Authorities believe the body is that of a pregnant woman from Baton Rouge. Clark says the female victim was pregnant at the time of her death.

LSU announces they’ve developed a plan so that visiting bands can perform halftime shows of the field of Tiger Stadium. The plan involves re-configuring seating areas in the South End Zone.

Motorists caught texting and driving behind the wheel will face a fine of 500-dollars as a result of a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The fine was previously 175-dollars. State Police Major Doug Cain says they do issue tickets for this offense. He says they are made aware a person is playing with their phone while behind the wheel, based on the driver’s actions…
cut 5 (09) “…stop sign”

Despite objections from business lobbyists, a senate committee approved legislation that would result in a large tax break being taken away from manufacturing facilities. Jim Pattersons with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says these tax incentives help our state’s economy…
cut 13 (10) “…this state”
The measure would generate 146-million dollars in tax money.

A Senate panel has approved a bill that would make manufacturing facilities decide between taking an industrial tax exemption or receiving an inventory tax credit. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the state is struggling financially and can’t afford to give businesses large tax breaks…
cut 12 (10) “…like this”
Opposition came from business lobbyists who say this bill will hurt economic development efforts.

FEMA is encouraging Louisiana residents to download a smart phone app that can provide timely information during emergencies. FEMA administration Craig Fugate
cut 8 (10) “…your family”
The app is available in the iTunes store and on Google play.

The northern half of the state is under a heat advisory until 7 o’clock tomorrow night. Emelie Gunn reports it’s hot across the entire state…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

A federal hearing took place today in Baton Rouge about the hot conditions at Angola’s Death Row. Several inmates are pushing the state to install air conditioning. But the state is arguing that cold showers, ice and fans are there to help the inmates stay cool. The fifth circuit court of appeals ruled last year that death row inmates are not entitled to air conditioning.

The governor has signed a bill into law that increases the fine for texting and using social media while driving from $175 to $500 for a first offense. Don Molino has more…
voicer 1 (27) “…I’m Don Molino”

A heat advisory is in effect for north Louisiana through Thursday and south Louisiana is feeling the heat too. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a high pressure system is responsible for our first real taste of summer this year…
cut 11 (10) “…high temperatures”

A former deputy with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is under arrest amid charges he had sex with a juvenile while he was on duty. Cops say 31-year-old William Lanoux of Prairieville is charged with malfeasance in office and 1st degree rape. Deputies say the juvenile was considered a runaway when she allegedly met Lanoux on social media and the two went off to have sex. Upon Lanoux’s arrest he was immediately terminated.

FEMA is encouraging Louisiana residents to download their smart phone app, which they say can be very helpful during an emergency, like when a hurricane is approaching. FEMA administration Craig Fugate says the app gives you a checklist to follow in the palm of your hand even if you lose cell service…
cut 6 (10) “…an emergency”
Fugate says the app will also send you weather alerts for up to five locations.

The House Ways and Means Committee will consider a bill today that would scale back a tax deduction that benefits many upper income wage earners. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the legislation would generate an additional 120-million dollars in revenue, but it won’t stay on the books permanently….
CUT 13 (12) “the books”
The Republican Party of Louisiana opposes the legislation, while Governor Edwards says it’s needed to help reduce potential budget cuts.

Governor Edwards has signed a law that increases the fine for texting or using social media while driving from 175-to-500-dollars. Major Dough Cain hopes the increased fines will lead to drivers putting down the phone while behind the wheel…
cut 4 (08) “…everybody else”
Cain says they do issue tickets for this offense.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for north Louisiana through tomorrow night. Heat indexes will reach 105 to 108 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 9 (09) “…summer is here”

Lotte (Low-tay) Chemical and Axiall have broken ground on a three billion dollar chemical manufacturing complex in Lake Charles. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this joint venture will be investing $3 billion and create more than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs. Pierson expects the plants will be up and running by 2019.

The fines for texting or using social media while driving have been increased from $175 to $500 for a first offense, as a bill has just been signed into law by the governor. Major Doug Cain with State Police says they see this is a lot in crashes caused by distracted driving…:
CUT 3 (10) “pulling out”
Drivers could pay a fine of up to $1,000 for a subsequent offense, under the new law which goes into effect immediately.

FEMA has released a smartphone app to help residents get prepared for potential natural disasters. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says the app offers a checklist of preparedness information in the palm of your hand, even if you lose service. He says the FEMA app has many features…:
CUT 7 (06) “anything else”
The FEMA app is available in the iTunes store and on Google Play.

Louisiana is now in compliance with a federal identification law, as Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the REAL ID Act into law. Halen Doughty has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests three people amid allegations tey stole over $31,000 from an elderly victim. They say the suspects worked as sitters for the woman.

U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson has scheduled a hearing today to determine if death row inmates at Angola should have air conditioning. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says this court battle is wasting over a million dollars in taxpayer money and it’s not likely that the judge will overturn a ruling that air conditioning must be installed on death row…:
CUt 6 (10) “he decides”
The state came up with their own heat remediation plan that consists of fans, ice chests, and cold showers for the prisoners, rather than AC.

A former deputy with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is under arrest amid charges he had sex with a juvenile while he was on duty. Cops say 31-year-old William Lanoux of Prairieville is charged with malfeasance in office and 1st degree rape. Deputies say the juvenile was considered a runaway when she allegedly met Lanoux on social media and the two went off to have sex. Upon Lanoux’s arrest he was immediately terminated.

Lotte (Low-tay) Chemical and Axiall have broken ground on a three billion dollar chemical manufacturing complex in Lake Charles. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says with these jobs coming to southwest Louisiana it will help make up for the employment losses in the oil and gas industry…:
Cut 8 (10) “construction workers”
Pierson expects the plants will be up and running by 2019.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the REAL ID Act into law, bringing Louisiana into compliance with the 2005 federal ruling that created national identification standards in the wake of 9/11. He reminds opponents that it’s not mandatory to get one…:
CUT 12 (07) “an airplane”
That’s by 2020. The OMV anticipates they will be issuing REAL IDs in the fall.

Law experts say the cost of the court battle over whether or not air conditioning should be installed on death row at Angola is costing taxpayers more than $1 million dollars. Another hearing on the matter is scheduled for today. Legal analyst Tim Meche says says Judge Jackson will not likely reverse his ruling of installing air conditioners in death row, which would cost about a million dollars. He says this argument is a big waste of taxpayer money…:
Cut 5 (06) “air conditioning”
One of the state’s arguments is that by letting the inmates win, you’re opening up a floodgate of litigation from prisoners throughout the country.

The REAL ID Act has been signed into law, putting Louisiana in compliance with federal regulations. Opponents argued this is government overreach, but Governor John Bel Edwards says getting a REAL ID is not mandatory…:
CUT 11 (08) “their option”
The OMV anticipates they will begin issuing REAL ID licenses in the fall.

Lotte (Low-tay) Chemical and Axiall have broken ground on a three billion dollar chemical manufacturing complex in Lake Charles. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this joint venture will be investing $3 billion and create more than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs…:
CUT 9 (10) “our citizens”
Pierson expects the plants will be up and running by 2019.

Officials say an autopsy on the body that was found in Iberville Parish yesterday will be done by 3pm. Investigators believe it’s possible the remains are of the missing pregnant Baton Rouge teacher, 40-year-old Lyntell Washington. Authorities say that’s why BRPD is the lead agency in the case. 39-year-old Robert Marks faces aggravated kidnapping and child desertion charges because Washington’s child was left abandoned in a parking lot. The DA says Marks could face additional charges if DNA confirms the body is that of Washington.

It looks like Governor John Bel Edwards may not reach the goal of raising the $600 million dollars needed to fill the budget hole. That’s according to Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com. He says lawmakers do plan to take up a once-failed measure that would limit itemized deductions on personal income taxes, because they are trying to come up with a compromise…:
CUT 13 (12) “the books”
He says that would raise $120 million, on top of the $220 million already approved.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne will join Edwards today on the third edition of the radio show, Ask The Governor. Dardenne’s office is the one responsible for the state budget, and the two plan to discuss the deficit today and potential solutions. The program airs at 2pm and is carried by affiliate stations of the Louisiana Radio Network.

Lotte (Low-tay) Chemical and Axiall begin construction on a massive chemical manufacturing complex in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson has scheduled a hearing today to determine if death row inmates at Angola should have air conditioning. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says with all the legal fees the state spent fighting this, window units could’ve been placed in that area of the prison…:
cut 4 (08) “taxpayer money”
The state is trying to argue they could add fans, ice chests and cold showers for the prisoners, instead of AC.

Lawmakers are once again bringing up a bill that would limit itemized deductions on personal income taxes, in another attempt to fill the state’s $600 million dollar shortfall. The measure was narrowly rejected in House Ways and Means last week, and Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says he doesn’t think the committee is interested in approving anymore tax measures:
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He says this bill would raise an estimated $120 million in addition to the $220 million already approved by the lower chamber.

A former deputy with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office was immediately fired from his job after his arrest on charges related to alleged sexual relations with a juvenile while he was on duty. Authorities say 31-year-old Detective William Lanoux was working when he set up a tryst with a girl he met on social media. He claimed to authorities he thought the girl was 18, but she was actually a 14-year-old runaway. Lanoux is charged with first degree rape and malfeasance in office.

Louisiana is now in compliance with a federal identification law, as Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the REAL ID Act into law. Halen Doughty has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Lotte (Low-tay) Chemical and Axiall break ground on a three billion dollar chemical manufacturing complex in Lake Charles. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this investment will create hundreds of quality jobs…:
CUT 7 (08) “indirect jobs”
He expects the plants to begin operations in 2019.

A Baton Rouge federal judge has scheduled a hearing today to decide if Angola death row inmates should have air conditioning. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A former deputy with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is under arrest amid charges he had sex with a juvenile while he was on duty. Cops say 31-year-old William Lanoux of Prairieville is charged with malfeasance in office and 1st degree rape. Deputies say the juvenile was considered a runaway when she allegedly met Lanoux on social media and the two went off to have sex. Upon Lanoux’s arrest he was immediately terminated.

Cops say the badly decomposed body of a woman was located in Iberville Parish on Tuesday, and it could be that of the missing school teacher from Baton Rouge. The remains were turned over to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroners office, according to authorities. They say DNA testing and an autopsy is being performed to determine if the body is that of 40-year-old Lyntell Washington.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the REAL ID Act into law, bringing Louisiana into compliance with the 2005 federal ruling that created national identification standards in the wake of 9/11. Edwards says these ID’s will be required for air travel, even domestic, in the near future…:
Cut 10 (08) “an airplane”