State leaders and community activists from around the nation met with President Obama to talk about ways the relationship between the public and police officers could be improved. Governor John Bel Edwards at State Police Col Mike Edmonson were included. Edmonson says we have to find a way to move forward and to find solutions to the problems facing the country…:
CUT 5 (08) “it before”
Edwards said in a statement law enforcement officers must carry out their duty to protect and serve in a manner that earns the trust of the public, but at the same time everyone must make their voices heard in a constructive way.

LSU football coach Les Miles discussed the police shooting of Alton Sterling today at SEC Media Day. Miles says he hopes his players can help unite the capital city during this tough time…:
cut 12 (06) “is home”
About 80% of drivers have road rage, according to a new survey from AAA. Halen Doughty has more…:

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

AAA reports gas prices are falling in the summer months. They say the current statewide average for a gallon of regular in Louisiana stands at $2.04, which is down almost a nickle from the same time last week.

Governor John Bel Edwards and State Police Col Mike Edmonson are back from their meeting with President Obama and other leaders from around the country. Edmonson says during the meeting they discussed the divide between the public and law enforcement. He says police have a difficult job to do, and for the most part, they do it well.

CUT 4 (09)  “anybody in”

Edmonson says everyone at the meeting walked away with a renewed strength to say we can do better.

According to a new survey from AAA, 8 out of 10 drivers admit to having road rage. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says most respondents admitting to driving aggressively at least once in the past year.

CUT 9 (11) “gestures”

Redman says it’s important not to escalate a situation if you become the target of someone’s road rage.

The Old Governor’s Mansion in Opelousas caught fire last night. No one was injured, but the mansion is a total loss. Police say the building was completely engulfed in flames when they arrived. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. The house was home to the governor during the Civil War when Union soldier occupied Baton Rouge.

Hot air balloons are flying high over Shreveport-Bossier, as the 2016 U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships are underway. Event Manager Sheila Norman says the price for a ticket to the balloon rally at the door is 10 dollars for adults and 8 dollars for kids but through Saturday, anyone can go to Super 1 Foods or Brookshire’s to get an 8 dollar ticket. She says this is the first year Shreveport-Bossier has held a duel event and the first time the National Championships have been hosted here.

CUT 7 (08) “the wall”

The National Hot Air Balloon Championship and Red River Balloon Rally are expected to bring 25-thousand people to the area.

Governor John Bel Edwards and State Police Col. Mike Edmonson met with President Obama to discuss ways to build community trust and ensure justice for all Americans. Edmonson says one of the key things they discussed in the four hour meeting is the importance of listening to one another….
cut 3 (09) “…to respond”
Edmonson says everyone at the meeting left with a renewed strength to say we can do better.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other local groups are suing law enforcement in Baton Rouge, claiming they violated demonstrators’ first amendment rights while protesting the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman says police showed up to a peaceful protest in riot gear and started wrongfully arresting people:
cut 14 (07) “been before”
Governor Edwards has defended law enforcement by calling the response to the protests as “moderate.”

Tragedy has struck the Baton Rouge Zoo again, as three monkeys died after a fatal encounter with dogs that broke into the exhibit. Zoo spokesperson Kaki Heiligenthal (High-leh-gen-thal) says two dogs somehow got into the zoo, and they were not able to get into the spot-nose guenons’ habitat,…:
cut 11 (10) “and attacks”
The monkeys were aged 29, 22 and 18.

The 2016 U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships are now underway in Shreveport-Bossier. Event Manager Sheila Norman says this weekend is comprised of two different events, in the morning 31 hot air balloons will compete against each other in different tasks. She says the afternoons will feature the Red River Balloon Rally…
cut 6 (08) “…on Saturday”
Officials expect the hot air balloon championships will have a 6-million dollar economic impact on the area.

The ACLU of Louisiana feels Baton Rouge Police violated the rights of protesters, and they’ve filed a lawsuit against the department. The suit also calls for a temporary restraining order against BRPD. ACLU-LA Executive Director Marjorie Esman…:
CUT 16 (11) “protest peacefully”
The governor has described the police protest response as “moderate.”

The two Democrats in the US Senate race are making their case as to why they should be elected in November. Attorney Caroline Fayard says she wants to take on equal pay…:
CUT 8 (11) “this issue”
Public Service Commisioner Foster Campbell says minimum wage will be a priority…:
CUT 9 (10) “helps business”

Three monkeys at the Baton Rouge Zoo have died following a fatal encounter with two dogs that got into the exhibit. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Old Goernor’s Mansion in Opelousas burned down early this morning, and authorities say it’s a total loss. The Prudhomme House was the home of Governor Thomas Moore in the 1860s, and efforts had been underway to restore the site with the goal of using it as a Civil War museum. No one was in the home when the fire started. Investigators are trying to determine the cause.

The ACLU of Louisiana and other local groups are suing the Baton Rouge Police Department, claiming they violated individuals’ first amendment rights during protests over the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Executive Director Marjorie Esman…:
CUT 15 (08) “it looks like”
Governor Edwards has defended law enforcement by calling the response to the protests as “moderate.”

Domestic dogs killed three monkeys at the Baton Rouge Zoo this week, and officials are still trying to figure out what exactly happened. Spokesperson Kaki Heiligenthal (High-leh-gen-thal) says the dogs breached a fence and were not able to enter the spot-nose guenons’ habitat, but got close enough that they were able to grab the monkeys. She says they are still trying to find the dogs…:
CUT 13 (09) “have missed”
In 2010, dogs got on to the grounds of the zoo one night and killed 17 flamingos.

The two major democrats in the race for U.S. Senate are speaking about their campaign. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Alexandria Police Department is moving towards equipping its officers with body cameras. Councilman Ed Larvadain (LAR-vuh-dane) says in the event of an escalated incident, they want evidence of what happened…:
CUT 5 (08) “quick decisions”
Larvadain says they hope to have the body cameras within the next 6 to 9 months.

Several law enforcement agencies are being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union. They feel protesters’ rights were violated during the weekend marches in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement following his meeting with President Barack Obama and other leaders throughout the nation on ways to improve police/community relations. He said law enforcement officers must carry out their duty to protect and serve in a manner that earns the trust of the public, but at the same time everyone must make their voices heard in a constructive way that brings us closer together and makes progress a reality.

Once again workers at the Baton Rouge Zoo are mourning the deaths of some of their animals. This time domestic dogs somehow got into the zoo and managed to kill 3 monkeys. Zoo spokesperson Kaki Heiligenthal (HI-leh-gan-thall) says they are still trying to find the spot where the fence was breached so it can be repaired…:
cut 12 (09) “impervious”
The monkeys’ deaths this month come after the zoo experienced the loss of two giraffes, a tiger, a golden lion tamarin and a few other animals.

The Alexandria Police Department is moving towards equipping its officers with body cameras. Councilman Ed Larvadain (LAR-vuh-dane) says the city has the $800,000 to purchase the cameras for 130 police officers. Larvadain says this is an issue of safety and accountability…:
cut 4 (12) “the violence”

The American Civil Liberties Union and other local groups are suing the Baton Rouge Police Department, claiming they violated individuals’ first amendment rights while protesting the shooting death of Alton Sterling. ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman says police showed up to a peaceful protest in riot gear and started wrongfully arresting people:
cut 14 (07) “been before”
Governor Edwards has defended law enforcement by calling the response to the protests as “moderate.”

Tragedy has struck the Baton Rouge Zoo again, as three monkeys died after a fatal encounter with dogs that broke into the exhibit. Zoo spokesperson Kaki Heiligenthal (High-leh-gen-thal) says two dogs somehow got into the zoo, and they were not able to get into the spot-nose guenons’ habitat,…:
cut 11 (10) “and attacks”
The monkeys were aged 29, 22 and 18.

The two major democrats in the U.S. Senate race are laying out their ideas about what they will do if elected to the seat being vacated by David Vitter. Attorney Caroline Fayard, who is the youngest candidate in the race, says she’s trying to outwork the other candidates. She says she will bring a fresh voice and a new message to D.C…:
CUT 7 (09) “in Louisiana”
Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says his message is simple…:
Cut 10 (09) “particular issues”
The election will be held November 8th.

Several law enforcement agencies are being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union for violating protesters’ first amendment rights during the weekend marches in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards and State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson are among a group of elected officials, law enforcement personnel, community advocates and faith leaders who met with President Obama at the White House this afternoon. According to the governor’s office, they discussed how to keep the public safe, build community trust and ensure justice for all Amercians.

A Louisiana elementary school teacher has been nominated for the national LifeChanger of the Year award, which is presented to teachers who are making a difference in the lives of their students. Gary Jackson created a step team called “Golden Steppers” for young boys in his school. He says it’s important to help students grow both inside and outside the classroom.

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Winners will be announced in spring of 2017.

The now former Richland Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Accused of leaving a K-9 in a hot car, then lying about it after the dog died, plead guilty in the case. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says if John Cummings had just been honest about what happened, he probably wouldn’t have been in as much trouble…:
cut 10 (05) “dog died”
Lancaster says Cummings will have pay restitution for the K-9 which totaled more than $8,000.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups file a lawsuit against Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies over how they’ve handled citizens who have protested the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman says officers used excessive force against peaceful protesters…
cut 16 (12) “…peacefully”
Governor Edwards has defended the actions by police by calling their response as “moderate.”

15-year-old Cameron Sterling, the son of Alton Sterling said today his father was a good man and taught him to be kind. One of the Sterling family attorneys, Justin Bamberg, also spoke and says they have questions about the ability to seek justice in Louisiana…:
CUT 5 (09) “an indictment”

Congressmen Cedric Richmond and Garret Graves have teamed up to introduce legislation that would provide funding for police training on ways to de-escalate confrontations, and help provide law enforcement access to non-lethal weapons…
CUT 6 (10) “non-compliant”
Graves says companies are developing weapons that are stronger than a taser gun that could subdued an individual.

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Deputy who left his police K-9 in a hot car has plead guilty to criminal charges. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says John Cummings entered a guilty plea for one count of animal cruelty and one count of criminal mischief for writing a false police report….
CUT 9 (09) “other part”
Cummings lost his job at the sheriff’s office over the K-9’s death.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups have filed a lawsuit against Baton Rouge Police, State Police and other law enforcement agencies over how they treated people who were protesting the police shooting death of Alton Sterling. ACLU of Louisiana executive director Marjorie Esman says the lawsuit alleges police used excessive force and wrongfully arrested invividuals.
cut 14 (07) “…before”
Governor Edwards has defended law enforcement by calling their response moderate.

Cameron Sterling, the son of Alton Sterling, spoke publically today for the first time since his father was fatally shot. Cameron says he wants people to continue to protest, but do so peacefully….
cut 4 (07) “…whatsoever”
Congressmen Cedric Richmond and Garret Graves have come together to create a bill to address the growing violence between law enforcement and the public. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor Edwards and State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson met with the President today at the White House to discuss building communtiy trust.

Meanwhile, layoff notifications have been sent to some members of Governor Edwards’ state as his office must restructure its personnel because of a one-million dollar budget cut.