If you’re planning on hitting the road for the 4th of July Holiday weekend, you won’t be alone by a long shot. Triple A Spokesperson Don Redman says close to 43 million people will be traveling over the next several days. He says with gas prices at their lowest level in 5 years, the entire country has saved about 60 billion dollars that would normally have gone into the gas tank..:
Cut 5 (07) “other expenses”
The current statewide average for a gallon of regular in Louisiana is $2.10.

The Kenner Police Department says a second suspect has been arrested in the Raising Cane’s armed robbery and murder of a manager. 21-year-old Taylor Friloux died at a hospital from multiple stab wounds in the incident. A former employee of the establishment, 23-year-old Joshua Every, was the first to be arrested and charged with first degree murder. The Kenner police chief says he will announce additional details at a news conference today.

Lawmakers adjourned from the second special session a week ago today, and they passed 6 constitutional amendment proposals that will appear on the November ballot. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Treasurer John Kennedy was one of three major GOP candidates in the US Senate race to appear at forum in Baton Rouge Wednesday. He says he is strong enough to go to Washington and take his country back…:
Cut 15 (11) “DC”

The statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign begins today, as law enforcement seek to reduce drunk driving this Fourth of July weekend. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The state’s highest court has suspended two 18th District judges without pay. Their region covers Iberville, Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge parishes. The Supreme Court suspended Judge Robin Free for a year for four violations — including interrupting a meeting between prosecutors and a victim’s family, and making in appropriate comments. Judge James Best was suspended 15 days for ending probation early for a sex offender who was a friend.

Three of the major Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by David Vitter appeared at a debate in Baton Rouge to discuss why they should be elected on November 8th. Congressman Charles Boustany says it’s time to get serious about solving Louisiana’s problems…:
Cut 13 (11) “the table”
The other two GOP candidates on hand were State Treasurer John Kennedy and Congressman John Fleming. Democrat Foster Campbell did not attend.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal is accused in a lawsuit of calling one of the federal prosecutors in his pending civil rights case a “sorry son of a B Jew bastard.” It’s alleged the comments were made during a secretly recorded conversation, and Ackal’s defense attorney said the could not comment without first hearing the tape.

Starting today through Monday, more Americans than ever are expected to be hitting the road for the 4th of July weekend. Triple A Spokesperson Don Redman says close to 43 million people will be traveling over the holiday, which is five million more than Memorial Day. He says it’s going to be a very busy time on the roadways…:
cut 4 (10) “this holiday”
He attributes the increase in travelers to the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in 5 years.

The man accused of stabbing and killing a Raising Cane’s manager in Kenner was a former employee of the fast food establishment. Cops say 21-year-old Taylor Friloux died Wednesday morning at a hospital from stab wounds to the head, neck and chest she received in the robbery. The suspect is identified as 23-year-old Josh Every, a police are looking for a second suspect. Every will face first-degree murder and armed robbery charges.

The second special session ended a week ago today, and lawmakers proposed several constitutional amendments to be decided by voters in November. President of the Public Affairs Research Council, Robert Travis Scott, says there will be six changes on the ballot in the fall. He says one of them would change the state’s corporate income taxes…:
CUT 7 (08) “they pay”
He says some of the amendments are rather technical, so voters need to do their homework.

The defense lawyers for Cardell Hayes, the man accused of fatally shooting Saints player Will Smith, do not want the trial to take place during football season, according to an article in The Advocate. Currently, the trial is set to begin September 20th. Hayes’ attorneys believe any trial date during the season could cause unfair bias against their client.

Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street has released a report indicating Horizon Entertainment and Productions claimed over $1 million in fraudulent tax exemptions. Stephen Street says his office is recommending additional changes to the state’s film tax credit program to prevent fraudulent claims because Louisiana cannot afford it…:
CUT 8 (10) “been issued”
The company denies claiming excess expenses in the 2011 filming of The Sean Payton Show and the documentary Saintsational.

The Louisiana Interstate Highway System turns 60-years-old today. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Wilson says we have an interstate system to be proud of. He says only 26% of the pavement is in poor or mediocre condition.
cut 14 (10) “and maintain”

But Wilson says if we want to keep up our interstate we’re going to have to make some investments.

A 21-year-old was killed during an armed robbery at the Raising Cane’s in Kenner. Michelle Southern reports…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Baton Rouge man is in the ICU after contracting a flesh-eating bacteria in Mississippi last week. Dick Empson reportedly had to have his leg amputated because of the infection and is currently in a medically induced coma. Doctors told family members that the survival rate for this kind of infection is 20% to 30%. This type of bacteria has been discovered at beaches along the Gulf Coast, and people are advised not to enter the water with open cuts or sores.

Inspector General Stephen Street has issued a report that shows film company Horizon Entertainment and Productions claimed $1 million in fraudulent tax exemptions. Street says Horizon made 263 online wire transfers to make it look like they spent $2 million, which they claimed as expenses on the tax credit application.

Cut 7 (07) “that money”

Horizon denies doing anything wrong.

Today the Louisiana Interstate Highway System turns 60 years old and the Department of Transportation has released a state of the interstate report. DOTD Secretary Sean Wilson says our system is very valuable, effective but sometimes over capacity. He says if we want to keep up our interstate we’re going to have to make some improvements.

Cut 13 (10) “investment”

A Raising Cane’s manager has died after being stabbed multiple times during an armed robbery in Kenner. Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser says two armed men confronted employees when they were taking out the trash after closing.

Cut 3 (11) “the business”

Glaser says 21-year-old Taylor Friloux died in the hospital after being stabbed during the robbery.

State Police say an off duty Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy is facing a DWI. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says Tara Whitney was pulled over in Houma after an officer noticed she wasn’t wearing her seat belt. He says the trooper noticed an open alcohol container and Whitney showed signs of impairment so a field sobriety test was conducted.

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LaGrange says Whitney has been placed on leave until the investigation is complete.

The Inspector General’s Office has issued a report that shows a film company claimed over $1 million in fraudulent tax credits. Halen Doughty has more…
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The defense lawyers for Cardell Hayes, the man accused of fatally shooting Saints player Will Smith, do not want the trial to take place during football season. Currently, the trial is set to begin September 20th. Hayes’ attorneys believe any trial date during the season could cause unfair bias against their client. Hayes is charged with second degree murder of Will Smith and attempted murder for shooting Smith’s wife Racquel.

An armed robbery at a Kenner Raising Cane’s has left a 21-year-old woman dead. Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser says the victim is Cane’s employee Taylor Friloux. Reportedly, 23-year-old Josh Every is in custody after an employee identified him as being involved and police are still searching for other suspects…
CUT 5 (09) “that vehicle”

The Louisiana Interstate Highway System turns 60 today. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Wilson says our system is effective but sometimes over capacity. He says travel has increased by 43% on Louisiana’s interstates from 2000 to 2014…
cut 15 (08) “miles traveled”

Wilson says they’re going to work on improving parts of I-10 and I-20 to make room for more travelers.

A 21-year-old was killed during an armed robbery at the Raising Cane’s in Kenner.
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Inspector General Stephen Street says a film company claimed over $1 million in fraudulent tax exemptions in Louisiana in 2011. Street says Horizon Entertainment and Productions claimed excess expenses for the filming of The Sean Payton Show and Saintsational documentary.
CUT 6 (08) “at all”

 
A Webster Parish man has died after he was hit by two vehicles while walking in the road. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 67-year-old Tommy Helms was initially struck by 57-year-old Brenda Smith, which knocked him into the other lane, where 66-year-old Barbara Mills was driving.
cut 12 (06) “Chevrolet Malibu”

Reichardt says the investigation is ongoing, and toxicology reports are pending.

The Louisiana Interstate Highway System turns 60-years-old today. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Wilson says we have an interstate system to be proud of. He says only 26% of the pavement is in poor or mediocre condition.
cut 14 (10) “and maintain”

But Wilson says if we want to keep up our interstate we’re going to have to make some investments.

The state’s film tax credit program took another hit today as the Louisiana Inspector General released a report indicating Horizon Entertainment and Productions claimed over $1 million in fraudulent tax exemptions. Stephen Street says his office is recommending additional changes to the state’s film tax credit program to prevent fraudulent claims because Louisiana cannot afford it…:
CUT 8 (10) “been issued”
The company denies claiming excess expenses in the 2011 filming of The Sean Payton Show and the documentary Saintsational.

The UL-System appointed Leon Sanders, vice president of finance and administration at Grambling State, to act as the school’s leader while the job search is underway. President Willie Larkin’s resignation is effective tomorrow. The UL-System says they are currently accepting applications for the job and hope to do interviews at their July 26th meeting.

State Police say an off duty Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy is facing a DWI. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says Tara Whitney was pulled over in Houma after an officer noticed she wasn’t wearing her seat belt, then was found to be intoxicated with an open container. He says Whitney, who was placed on leave from the shierr’s office, faces multiple charges…:
cut 10 (10) “no seat belt”

Today the Louisiana Interstate Highway System turns 60 years old and the Department of Transportation has released a state of the interstate report. DOTD Secretary Sean Wilson says our system is very valuable, effective but sometimes over capacity. He says if we want to keep up our interstate we’re going to have to make some improvements…:
Cut 13 (10) “investment”
He says travel has increased by 43% on Louisiana’s interstates from 2000 to 2014, and only 26% of the pavement is in poor or mediocre condition.

Kenner Police say an armed robbery at a Raising Cane’s left a 21-year-old employee dead from multiple stab wounds. Chief Michael Glaser says the victim is identified as 21-year-old Taylor Friloux…:
CUT 4 (08) “while inside”
Glaser says they are still working to identify possible suspects in the crime. Cane’s issued a statement saying they are deeply saddened by the loss of one of their crew member’s and they are working with the Kenner Police Department in an active investigation.

Officials said they have now removed another portion of the area near the giant south Louisiana sinkhole from any evacuation orders. The Assumption Parish Police Jury reported the area west of Grand Bayou along LA 70 is no longer under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders because of the sinkhole, with the exception of a residential area near Bayou Corne.

Inspector General Stephen Street has announced that a film company claimed over $1 million in fraudulent tax exemptions in Louisiana. Street says Horizon Entertainment and Productions, in the filming of The Sean Payton Show and the documentary Saintssational, transferred a small amount of money 263 times in one day to make it look like they spent more than they did so they could claim it on their taxes…:
CUT 7 (07) “that money”
Horizon denies doing anything wrong.

A man has died after being hit by two vehicles while walking down the road in Webster parish. Senior State Trooper Michael Reichardt says 67-year-old Tommy Helms was walking down Highway 371 around 1 am…:
Cut 11 (09) “Mr. Helms”
Reichardt says the investigation is ongoing, and toxicology reports are pending.

An armed robbery at a Raising Cane’s in Kenner left a 21-year-old shift manager dead from multiple stab wounds. Cops say the robbery happened just before 1:30 am. Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser (Glazer) says two Cane’s employees were confronted by armed men when they took the trash out after closing…:
CUT 3 (11) “the business”
He says 21-year-old Taylor Friloux was stabbed outside and inside and she later died. 23-year-old Josh Every is the possible suspect reported in custody.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards asked the Board of Regents and colleges and universities not raise tuition for the upcoming school year. He said he kept his word about protecting higher education and he doesn’t want anymore of a burden to be placed on students and families. Still no word on whether the governor will line item veto language in the budget bill that fully funds TOPS in the fall, but pays for less than half in the spring.

Inspector General Stephen Street has announced that a film company claimed over $1 million in fraudulent tax exemptions in Louisiana. Street says Horizon Entertainment and Productions claimed excess expenses in the 2011 filming of The Sean Payton Show and the documentary Saintsational…:
CUT 6 (08) “at all”
He calls on the legislature to put tighter regulations on the film tax credit program to prevent this type of fraud. Horizon denies doing anything wrong.

State Police say an off duty Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy is facing a DWI. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says Tara Whitney was pulled over in Houma after an officer noticed she wasn’t wearing her seat belt. He says the trooper noticed an open alcohol container and Whitney showed signs of impairment..:
CUT 9 (09) “necessary action”
He says Whitney has been placed on administrative leave.