Two Louisiana police officers have died while on duty during this holiday weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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The state officers are urging those who are going to be holding their own fireworks show tonight to exercise extreme caution. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the most common injuries associated with pyrotechnical devices are on the hands and then the eyes…:
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It’s an extremely hot 4th of July in Louisiana today and much of north Louisiana is under a heat advisory until 7 tonight. Michael Berry with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says if you have outdoor activities today, make sure you take some breaks from that hot sun…:
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He says heat index values today could reach 105 in some parts of the state.

There is no shortage of Independence Day Events taking place around the state today. The USS KIDD’s Freedom Festival will take place today in downtown Baton Rouge, ahead of the fireworks show on the Mississippi River at 9pm. Chris Jay with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau says there will be an enormous Independence Day festival in Festival Plaza today…:
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It’s Independence Day and the State Fire Marshal urges caution when using fireworks. Butch Browning says if you’re buying fireworks make sure you use them in legal areas. He reminds consumers to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when lighting fireworks and always have a bucket of water nearby:
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Browning says children or those under the influence of alcohol should never be allowed to use fireworks.

A police officer in New Orleans collapsed and died while on Patrol in Bourbon Street over the weekend. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says 43-year-old officer Bryan Bordes loved his job and was a great guy…:
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The Orleans Parish coroner will conduct an autopsy, though it appears the officer’s death was of natural causes.

There are many events going on today to celebate Independence Day. Angie Manning with the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau on what’s going on in Lake Charles…:
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New Orleans will hold it’s 26th annual ‘Go 4th on the River,’ and there will be an huge Independence Day festival in Shreveport’s Festival Plaza today.

It’s going to be hot as a firecracker today and much of north Louisiana is under a heat advisory until seven o’ clock tonight. Michael Berry is with the National Weather Service in Shreveport…”
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He says there’s about a 40% chance of a cooling afternoon thunderstorm.

It’s been a difficult holiday weekend for law enforcement as two Louisiana police officers died while on duty in separate incidents. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says 43-year-old officer Bryan Bordes was working on Bourbon Street when he became ill early Sunday morning…:
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State Police say an impaired driver struck and killed a police officer and injured two others in Ouachita Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says Sterlington police officer David Elahi was conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of US Highway 165 early Sunday morning, when a pickup truck driven by 44-year-old Tracy Govan of Monroe plowed into Elahi. Reichardt says Govan faces multiple charges…:
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It’s Independence Day and many people will be shooting off fireworks. Emelie Gunn has some safety tips to take into mind while enjoying the holiday…:
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State Police say a deputy with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who allegedly came at the cop with a knife after a standoff. They say 40-year-old Shannon Labit of New Iberia is believed to have had stabbed two people earlier at a home before the standoff ensued. The deputy’s name is not being released at this time. The instigation is ongoing.

Governor John Bel Edwards has decided not to veto a measure that would “front load” the TOPS scholarship program. Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Joe Rallo says they support the governor. But those who oppose say this would put a massive burden on college students in the spring semester. Edwards did call this a disingenuous budgeting gimmick. Rallo says Edwards had a different plan in mind.
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Edwards says students should be prepared for cuts to TOPS in the fall, and an even bigger cut in the spring.

Louisiana is being sued over the seven abortion laws that were enacted during the legislative sessions. The Center for Reproductive Rights filed the federal suit to stop the rules from taking effect on August 1. This comes after the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn a Texas law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals. The suit attacks laws like the banning of dismemberment abortions and prohibiting the state from funding abortion clinics.

 
The Baton Rouge mom accused of whipping her kids after they robbed a house will not face any charges according to District Attorney Hillar Moore. 30-year-old Schaquana Spears was arrested on two counts of cruelty to a juvenile for whipping her two children with a cable after the burglarized a neighbor’s home. Moore says he doesn’t plan on changing his mind. Spears lost her job and custody of her kids after she was arrested.

It’s 4th of July weekend and that means people and pets will be enjoying the outdoors but the LSU Vet School wants to remind owners to watch out for heat exhaustion and heat stroke in their animals. Associate professor and veterinarian Dr. Kirk Ryan says the number one danger is leaving pets in a hot car but they can still get overheated playing outside. Ryan says there are steps pet parents can take to make sure their animals stay as cool as possible.
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Leaving an animal outside without enough water can not only hurt that pet, but it can also land a pet owned in jail because animal neglect is a crime.

Although Governor John Bel Edwards has called the legislation disingenuous, he has decided not to veto a measure that would front load the TOPS program. This means students on TOPS will have most of their tuition funded for the fall semester but only have 42-percent covered in the spring. Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Joseph Rallo says they support the governor…:
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Those who oppose the measure say it would place a huge burden on college students in the spring semester.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 2-year-old was saved after being left in a car on a 90 degree day while his mother and aunt were inside Walmart shopping. Employees noticed the little boy was by himself and still strapped in his car seat so they smashed the passenger side window. The windows in the vehicle had been rolled up and the car off for close to 30 minutes. The child was showing signs of heat stroke as he was sweating and had vomited. 37-year-old Shaun Buchanan and 25-year-old Cynthia Simmons were arrested on charges of child desertion and cruelty to a juvenile.

A driver has been ticketed for careless operation after hitting a State Police Trooper unit and causing the unit to hit an officer. LSP says the trooper was helping a disabled vehicle change a flat tire on I-55 when a truck, driven by 28-year-old Shane Matecum of Tickfaw, ran into the back of the police car. The trooper is in stable condition after being airlifted to the hospital.

Many people will be hitting the road over the 4th of July weekend and that means thieves will be on the lookout for vacant homes. State Farm saw 1,420 theft claims in Louisiana in 2015. State Farm spokesperson Roszell Gadson says July is the third highest month for home theft claims. He advises travelers to prepare your home if you’re going on vacation…
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Gadson says wait until you’ve returned home from vacation to post pictures or chat about your trip on social media because you never know who is watching your posts.

Governor John Bel Edwards is not going to veto the TOPS legislation that nearly funds all fall tuition, but cuts more than half for spring.
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A third suspect has been arrested in the robbery of a Kenner Raising Cane’s and stabbing death of the manager. 18-year-old Gregory Donald was pulled over while driving a car that appeared to be the same vehicle on the Cane’s surveillance video. Donald is facing multiple charges.24-year-old Mark Crockren and 23-year-old Joshua Every have also been charged with first degree murder along with other charges.

 
Abortion providers in the state have filed suit over seven abortion laws enacted this year. The Center for Reproductive Rights brought forth the federal suit to keep the rules from taking effect on August 1. This attacks measure like the 72 hour period a woman must wait before being able to get an abortion and the banning of dismemberment abortions.

Many Americans are expected to be spending time outside during this hot Independence Day weekend and the LSU Vet School wants to remind people to make sure your pets aren’t suffering from heat exhaustion. Associate Professor and veterinarian Dr. Kirk Ryan says people should monitor for signs of heat exhaustion in their pets and take necessary action if they think they’re animal is over heating.
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The governor approved language in the appropriations bill that would front load the TOPS program Edwards believes vetoing the legislation would cause chaos just weeks before the next semester begins. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo says they respect the governor’s opinion.
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Those who oppose say this would place a massive burden on students in the spring.

A lawsuit has been filed in attempt to restore voting rights to Louisiana felons. The suit states that prohibiting people released on parole or probation from voting in the state is unconstitutional. The suit was filed by the activist group called The Voice of the Ex-Offender. The Attorney General’s Office says they will review the lawsuit but believe the law is constitutional.

A driver has been cited after being involved in a crash that resulted in a State Police Trooper being hit by her own unit. Authorities say the trooper was helping a disable vehicle change a tire on 1-55 when a truck hit the unit which caused it to spin and hit the trooper walking along the shoulder. 28-year-old Shane Matecum of Tickfaw was been cited for careless operation. The trooper was airlifted to the hospital and is now in stable condition.

A deputy with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office has been arrested for solicitation of a prostitute. State Trooper Scott Moreau says the investigation into 48-year-old Stacy Bender revealed he had an inappropriate relationship. Moreau says Bender is looking at 12 charges…
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The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says Bender was a deputy for over 17 years and has been terminated.

The Pelicans did not make a huge splash on the first day NBA teams can sign free agents, but they filled a couple of needs. They added a small forward to their roster by inking six-foot-seven Solomon HIll to a four-year, 48-million dollar contract. Hill averaged fours points and three rebounds a game for the Indiana Pacers last season, but played well in the playoffs last season and is considered a good defender.

New Orleans has also reportedly signed free-agent guard E-Twaun (E-Twon) Moore to a four-year deal. Moore averaged eight points, two rebounds and two assists a game last season, while also hitting a career-high 45-percent from three-point land in Chicago.

In other basketball news…Former Brother Martin star Jordan Cornish is transferring from U-N-L-V to Tulane. The six-foot-six guard averaged six points a contest as a sophomore for the Running Rebels. He’ll have to sit out the upcoming season, because of NCAA rules.

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IN the final college baseball polls, the LSU Tigers finished the season ranked 12th. In the Baseball America poll, Coastal Carolina was ranked number one after winning the school’s first national championship. Arizona is ranked second, followed by Arizona, TCU, Oklahoma State and Florida. Tulane is ranked 19th and UL Lafayette is ranked 22nd.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine stands by a statement that he referred to the high school sports landscape as a “proverbial dumpster fire.” Bonine made the commement in a report to his collegaues at the National Federation of High School Associations. Bonine says there was no malice in the use of words as he explained what was going on in Louisiana with the public versus private school split.

The Saints were reportedly interested in signing former South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw, but he’s been signed by the Chicago Bears instead, who claimed him off waivers, after he was released by Cleveland.

Governor John Bel Edwards said he would not veto language in the appropriations bill that would “front load” the TOPS scholarship program. The governor added that student’s tuition would be mostly funded in the fall, but they’d have to cover more than half in the spring. Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Joe Rallo says they support the governor…:

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But those who oppose say this would place a massive burden on students in the spring.

As people spend time outside this holiday weekend, the LSU Vet School is advising pet parents to make sure their animals don’t get overheated. Associate professor and veterinarian Dr. Kirk Ryan says there are steps pet parents can take to make sure their animals stay as cool as possible.

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Forecasters say the heat index in Louisiana this weekend could reach 110 in some places.

Many Americans will be on the road for the 4^th of July holiday but that also means thieves will be on the prowl. Emelie Gunn has more on how to protect your home over the long weekend…

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A Livonia couple has been arrested on child sex charges. Police say 35-year-old Damien Kimble was raping his girlfriend’s daughter over the course of 9 years. The Livonia Police Chief says the victim, who is under 13-years-old, reported the crime herself. Kimble has been charged with aggravated rape, molestation, and carnal knowledge of a juvenile, and the unnamed mother was charged with principal to molestation and indecent behavior of a juvenile.

Surprisingly, the governor did not veto the language in the TOPS bill that front loads the program for the first semester. Governor John Bel Edwards says students should be prepared for cuts to TOPS in the fall, and an even bigger cut in the spring. But he said he believes vetoing the legislation would cause chaos just weeks before the next semester begins. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says they respect the governor’s opinion…:

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But Edwards has made it clear that he is not happy about this approach.

People who are travelling over the holiday weekend should keep in mind that criminals will also be out and about. State Farm spokesperson Roszell Gadson says installing an alarm system is always a good idea no matter what time of year. He says it’s smart to install timers for when you’re away on vacation.

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Gadson says July is the third highest month for home theft claims.

Louisiana has received $2.4 million for residents who are owed money from a settlement after the 2008 housing bubble burst, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. Kennedy says if your home was foreclosed during the financial crisis, you can go to LaTreasury.com to see if you have any unclaimed money.

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Kennedy says most of the money belongs to people in Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, Orleans, St. Tammany and Caddo parishes.

Forecasters say the heat index in Louisiana could reach 110 in some places this Fourth of July Weekend, and the LSU Veterinary School advises pet parents to protect their fur babies from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Associate professor and veterinarian Dr. Kirk Ryan says the number one danger is leaving pets in a hot car, but he says they can also get overheated when exercising outside.

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