A new report by AAA and Columbia University finds older adults who stop driving are almost two times more likely to suffer from depression than those who remain behind the wheel. They also found that non-driving elderly are nearly 5 times more likely to enter a long term care facility. Don Redman with AAA says this isn’t that surprising…:
CUT 10 (07) “our freedom”
He says if you find your parents are no longer able to drive, it’s important you help them remain mobile.

State Superintendent of Education John White announces two daycare centers in the state have had their licenses revoked. He says while the majority of child care providers do an excellent job taking care of kids, there are a couple who refuse to follow the law…:
CUT 13 (10) “the state”
He says that incident was reported out of Baton Rouge and the other revoked license a daycare in Bossier City.

So called “revenge porn” will officially be outlawed in Louisiana as of tomorrow when over 260 new measures hit the books. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says nobody should be posting private explicit pictures of people without their permission and this new law sends a powerful message…:
CUT 4 (11) “line somewhere”
Violators of the law could face up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The Monroe Police Department says they are investigating a double homicide that took place Thursday where it appears two men shot each other. Cops responded to reports of shots fired on Third Street where they learned an altercation took place between Cameron Mahoney and Deanjello Parson that lead to them both taking a bullet from the other. Witnesses report the two looked like they were engaging in some type of purchase.

Over 260 bills passed in this year’s legislative session become law on August 1st. Jeff Palermo looks at two of the new laws…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

The State Department of Education has revoked the licenses of two day care centers in Louisiana. Our Blessings Christian Daycare Learning Center in Baton Rouge was inspected after a complaint was lodged with the department that a child was left at a restaurant during a field trip in May and didn’t report the incident to authorities or parents. The Storybook Daycare and Discovery Zone in Bossier City also had its license revoked.

Lake Charles Police announce that they have solved an aggravated rape case from October of 1999. Deputy Chief of Police, Mark Kraus, says the seven month investigation culminated in an arrest warrant for 45-year-old Austin Mott. Kraus says advances in technology led to them getting a DNA match from the physical evidence…:
CUT 7 (07) “against a child”
In the 1999 incident, the victim was severely beaten and sexually assaulted while jogging at the Lake Charles Civic Center. He says this is part of their re-opening of several cold cases they are working hard to solve.

Gas prices continue their rapid decline. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular in Louisiana is $2.41 which is 6 cents lower than last week.

One of the 260 new laws going into effect tomorrow which were approved in the last legislative session doubles littering fines across the state. Fines for simple littering will go from $75 to $150 and up to $1000 for subsequent offenses. Susan Russell, Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, says they support anything that increases the litter enforcement effort…:
CUT 5 (06) “in our state”
Improper disposal of items like furniture and appliances could end up costing offenders $10,000 under the new law.

State Police say a 15-year-old was arrested Thursday afternoon after leading authorities on a high-speed chase in Rapides Parish while driving a stolen car. Cops learned a 2015 Chrysler 200 was stolen in Avoyelles Parish and were able to locate it less than an hour later. The juvenile responded by fleeing reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. He was apprehended and charged with unauthorized use of a movable, speeding, aggravated flight from an officer, no driver’s license, and resisting arrest.

Eight Louisiana schools are ranked in Forbes’ 2015 list of America’s Top Colleges. Tulane got the state’s highest ranking at number 134. LSU, Louisiana Tech, Centenary College, Loyola-New Orleans, UL-Lafayette, UNO and Southeastern Louisiana also made the list. The report ranks the top 650 public and private higher education institutions in the country.

It’s not too late for the Who Dat nation to head to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia where the Saints are holding training camp. Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau Spokesperson Kristi Godby says in small town West Virginia, they don’t have an NFL team so they’re welcoming the Saints with open arms for a second straight year.
Cut 10 (11) “New Orleans”
She says feel free to escape the heat and head to watch the Saints practice in their crisp West Virginia air.

Over 260 bills passed in this year’s legislative session become law tomorrow. It will now be illegal to post or share nude images of someone on the internet without their consent. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes brought the bill and says “revenge porn” has destroyed lives…:
CUT 3 (07) “that they’re used”
Violators could face up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Motorists heading west out of Baton Rouge should expect more delays this weekend. DOTD says starting at 8pm, one lane near Grosse Tete will be closed for repair. The lane reopens Monday. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says the public can stay up to date on all roadwork by visiting their website…:
CUT 9 (06) “ahead of him”
He advises drivers to use detours to avoid the heavy delays.

Police in Kenner say a 63-year-old man from Metairie died when he was crushed by a dump truck bed he was working under. They say Albert Brooks was working for Bennet Trucking and the truck supports gave way when he was between the bed and frame. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

A rare blue moon will light up the sky tonight. But Emelie Gunn reports on what you can expect to see…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Police have released 911 calls from the night of the Lafayette theater shooting. Cops believe 59-year-old John Houser began to leave with the crowd rushing out of the theater, but turned around when he saw officers had already arrived and turned the gun on himself…

cut 15 (15) “right at people”

Houser killed two women and injured 9 others during the shooting at the Grand 16 movie theater.

Tonight, the night sky will light up with what’s known as a blue moon. LSU Astronomy Professor Brad Schaeffer says there’s an urban myth that strange things happen during a full or blue moon which studies have debunked…

cut 6 (07) “full moon”

A blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month.

DOTD warns drivers of heavy delays tonight due to a lane closure on I-10 west between Baton Rouge and Lafayette.Scott Carwile has more…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

The Shreveport Fire Department says a house fire in west Shreveport has claimed the life of a toddler. They say the 18-month-old boy’s father tried to rescue the child, but was unable to reach him as flames spread through the house. The man was able to remove two other children from the blaze. Firefighters found the little boy and he was rushed to a local hospital where he later died. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Cops have released 911 calls from the Lafayette Theater shooting the night of July 23rd. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (32) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy is under arrest accused of sex charges against a minor. State Police arrested 25-year-old John Roy Griffith of Pineville for one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile and one count of computer sex solicitation. Griffith worked as a Communications Officer and there is no initial indication that Griffith conducted this behavior while on the job. Specifics of the charges have not been released.

The State Department of Transportation is warning motorists heading west on Interstate 10, west of Baton Rouge that they could encounter heavy delays this weekend. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says starting at 8 p.m. tonight, one lane near exit 139 will be closed for repair.

cut 7 (10) “some time”

Mallett says the lane will reopen on Monday, August 3rd at 6 a.m.

If you want to head to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia to attend Saints training camp, Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau Spokesperson Kristi Godby says it’s not too late. In fact, she says there’s a local airport which puts you 10 minutes away from the Saints location…

cut 12 (09) “get here”

If you’re looking to hit the road, White Sulphur Springs is about a 13 hour drive from New Orleans.

Authorities have released 911 calls from the night of the deadly Lafayette movie theater shooting. 59-year-old John Houser opened fire and killed two women and injured 9 others at the Grand 16. Police say Houser wasn’t in the theater long before he stood up and began methodically firing shots at people…

cut 14 (12) “by the Corner Bar”

Authorities say Houser suffered from a series of extreme mental problems and had even been committed by his family in 2008.

The State Department of Transportation says motorists should expect heavy delays this weekend on I-10 West, west of Baton Rouge. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says one lane near exit 139 will be closed for repair beginning tonight. He advises drivers to take any detour they can to stay out of the expected congestion…

cut 8 (11) “US 190″

A blue moon will be visible in the night sky tonight. LSU Astronomy Professor Brad Schaeffer says there’s really no scientific reason why it’s called a blue moon other than it’s the second full moon of the month…

cut 5 (10) “for anybody”

Unfortunately, Schaeffer says the moon will not look blue in color.

It’s not too late for the Who Dat nation to head to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia to check out Saints training camp. Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau Spokesperson Kristi Godby says fans that come to the Greenbrier will finally be able to escape the extreme southern heat…

cut 11 (11) “or not”

Godby says the Patriots will be making a special appearance toward the end of training camp to have a scrimmage against the Saints.

In addition to the chilling surveillance footage from just moments before the deadly Lafayette movie theater shooting, cops have also released 911 calls from the night of July 23rd. 59-year-old John Houser opened fire during the film around 7:28pm. Two women died and 9 others were injured at the Grand 16…

cut 13 (11) “older man”

The two women killed in the shooting are identified as 21-year-old Mayci Breaux and 33-year-old Jillian Johnson.

The night sky will light up tonight with what’s known as a blue moon. LSU Astronomy Professor Brad Schaeffer says the moon will not look blue, but it’s referred as a “blue moon” because it’s the second time in a calendar month that there’s been a full moon…

cut 4 (06) “doesn’t matter”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the phenomenon only occurs once every three years.

It’s not too late for the Who Dat nation to head to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia where the Saints are holding training camp. Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau Spokesperson Kristi Godby says in small town West Virginia, they don’t have an NFL team so they’re welcoming the Saints with open arms for a second straight year…

cut 10 (11) “New Orleans”

Godby says last year they received many Louisiana visitors and expect to see more this year as training camp continues through August 20th.

Cops have released 911 calls from the Lafayette Theater shooting the night of July 23rd. Michelle Southern reports…:
cut 3 (32) “…reporting”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office announces one of their own deputies has been arrested for indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer sex solicitation. Twenty-five-year-old John Roy Griffith of Pineville was taken into custody as hit home by State Police investigators. He’s worked as a communications officer at the sheriff’s office for nearly two years.

The Slidell Police Department says a group of organized criminals were busted for stealing nearly half a million dollars at businesses with ATMs and check cashing outlets over the past year. Sgt. Daniel Seuzeneau says two suspects were arrested after trying to steal 12 grand from the Cash Cow in Slidell. He says the pair had a sophisticated scheme going…:
CUT 12 (07) “would respond”
36-year-old Marvin Hudson and 44-year-old Allden Jones are charged with burglary and cops say there could be more people involved.

We saw a couple of 100-degree readings in the state today. Danielle Manning, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says a weak cold front will move across the state as we approach the weekend…
cut 6 (08) “…quite as a humid”

And in sports….the preseason coaches football poll came out today. LSU is ranked 13th.

Baton Rouge Police say a Morgan City man wanted for a Lafayette shooting death, was killed during a shootout with police and US Marshals yesterday. Thirty-seven year-old Lawrence Blackburn -who was accused of killing 18 year-old Dravin Stevenson – was found hiding in a Baton Rouge apartment complex, where the gunfire erupted.

The LSU football team comes in at number 13 in the preseason coaches’ poll. Here’s Jeff Palermo with more…
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
—————————
State-wide heat advisories and an extreme Heat Warning for northeast Louisiana were the norm today, as several locations matched or broke previous high temperature records. There is some relief on the way in the form of a cold front…
CUT 7 (08) Q: ‘nearly as high’
That’s Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service.

In Slidell, police have made two arrests as part of a group of organized criminals that are accused of stealing nearly a half million dollars from check cashing outlets and business ATM’s. Thirty-six Marvin Hudson and 44-year-old Allden Jones, were arrested after trying to steal $12,000 from the Cash Cow in Slidell. Slidell Police Sgt. Daniel Souzeneau says there may be more arrests in this operation…
CUT 14 (08) Q: ‘down everybody’