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.

CUT 9 (09) “necessary action”

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…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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.
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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.

A robbery at a fast food restaurant in Kenner left a 21-year-old woman dead from stab wounds early this morning, and a suspect has reportedly been taken into custody. Kenner Police say an armed robbery call came from the Raising Canes around 130 this morning, and cops arrived to find the 21-year-old victim suffering multiple stab wounds. 23-year-old Josh Every is believed to be a possible suspect. The victim was identified as Taylor Friloux.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson tells The Advocate he believes the trooper in the body slamming viral video acted appropriately. LSP spokesperson Melissa Matey says the cop was helping a bar get 39-year-old Michael Hoffman out because he was drunk, and that’s when the suspect fought and resisted. She says he was eventually arrested…:
CUT 14 (10) “the peace”
Edmonson says state police have not opened an internal investigation.

US Senator Bill Cassidy has filed legislation that seeks to cut some of the red tape in the event of a public health emergency, such as Ebola or Zika outbreaks. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

No one got all of the numbers right in the Mega Millions drawing last night, so the huge jackpot gets even bigger. An estimated $415 million ($286 million cash) jackpot is up for grabs on Friday. The jackpot has been rolling since it was last won in Washington on March 8 at $157 million… The record Mega Millions jackpot is $656 million – three tickets shared that jackpot on March 30, 2012, according to Lottery Officials.

The Kenner Police Department is investigating the case of a Raising Cane’s manager who was stabbed overnight while at work and is currently in a hospital fighting for her life. They say an armed robbery call came in around 130 this morning, and cops arrived to find the 21-year-old victim suffering multiple stab wounds. Officers believe three people were involved in this incident, and they are currently attempting to locate the suspects.

US Senator Bill Cassidy has filed legislation that seeks to help prepare for potential health emergencies, like outbreaks of Ebola and Zika. The measure would wave some red-tape regulations and authorize about $1.5 billion to control the outbreak when a health emergency is declared. Cassidy says this will allow response agencies to take appropriate action quickly…:
Cut 9 (08) “in hand”
Cassidy says the threat for a health emergency could be looming, as another Zika case has recently been confirmed in Louisiana.

The VA clinic in Lake Charles will break ground today. Emelie Gunn has more on the benefits the new facility will have for veterans in the region…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

New Orleans is named one of the top destinations where revelers like to go to celebrate the 4th of July. Wallethub spokeswoman Jill Gonzales says The Big Easy ranked high in entertainment and food options, attractions, cost to party and weather. She says the forecast was the only metric bringing New Orleans down to #3…:
CUT 12 (08) “like zero”
Gonzales says New Orleans ranked number one for the number of festivals and events taking place this weekend, many of which are free.