The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it will use the announced BP settlement money to ensure Louisiana will remain Sportsman’s Paradise for years to come. The agreement means the state will receive at least $6.8 billion for damages associated with the 2010 oil spill. LDWF Secretary Robert Barham…:
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Details of the complex settlement will be worked through over the next 60 days according to state leaders.

State Police say that same-sex couples in Louisiana will be able to change their name on their driver’s license starting today. The Office of Motor Vehicles is letting folks alter their license and vehicle registration. The move shows Louisiana continues to get in line with the US Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage.

Gubernatorial Candidate John Bel Edwards begins his statewide tour today. Michelle Southern has more on how this will help his campaign…:

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The family of the 12 year old boy from Watson who died after a utility terrain vehicle accident on July 4th has set up a GoFundMe Account online to help with hospital and funeral expenses. The St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested the driver of the UTV, 36-year-old Joshua Tharpe, and charged him with vehicular homicide. Investigators believe Tharpe made a sharp turn and flipped the vehicle, killing the boy.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards is on the campaign trail today as he kicks off his first statewide tour. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards needs to get his name out there as most voters don’t know much about him…:
CUT 12 (07) “at all”
The planned tour includes 25 cities across Louisiana as well as impromptu stops through Sunday.

The Department of Health and Hospitals says the summer is a great time to get kids vaccinated as the upcoming school year rapidly approaches. DHH Immunization Medical Director Dr. Frank Welch says children first entering school need proof they’ve had vaccinations for polio, mumps and measles, hepatitis, chickenpox and diphtheria…:
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Secretary of State Tom Schedler announces a major overhaul of the state’s geauxBIZ-dot-com website making it easier to start a business in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
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The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office arrests a man for allegedly raping a woman he met over social media. They say 25-year-old Matthew Melancon met the victim at her apartment after they’d been chatting online for about four to five months. It was there that cops believe the suspect drugged then abducted the woman. Melancon was released on a $40,000 bond.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says the portion of the $6.8 billion in the 2010 Gulf Oil spill BP penalty money the agency is getting will go towards ensuring Sportman’s Paradise thrives for years to come…:
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DHH reminds parents to vaccinate children as the school year is rapidly approaching. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Secretary of State Tom Schedler announces a major overhaul of the state’s geauxBIZ-dot-com website. It allows business owners to complete the legal steps necessary to start a business in one easy visit. Schedler says feedback from the site has been overwhelmingly positive as they work out a few kinks..:
CIT 5 (09) “working smooth”
Again that’s geauxBIZ.com (geaux spelled the Cajun way.)

Louisiana Radio Network asked the 4 major gubernatorial candidates about what they’d plan to do in rebuilding Louisiana’s coastline. US Senator David Vitter says serious projects need to take place right away…:
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Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says he’s committed to implementing the coastal restoration master plan…:
CUT 9 (09) “into the plan”

Secretary of State Tom Schedler announces a major overhaul of the state’s geauxBIZ-dot-com website. The website was launched in 2009 as a way for people to easily find information necessary to start and maintain a business. Schedler says this upgrade to the site means doing business in Louisiana just got easier…:
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Again that’s geauxBIZ.com (geaux spelled the Cajun way.)

Extremely tragic 4th of July for one Livingston Parish family as a 12-year-old boy from Watson loses his life after being thrown from a utility terrain vehicle. The 36-year-old driver was arrested. Apparently the two were riding on wet sand when Joshua Tharpe made a sudden turn causing the child to fall from the vehicle. The St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office charged Tharpe with vehicular homicide.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still looking for a man in an apparent drowning at Niblett’s Bluff Park located between Tommey and Starks, Louisiana. The investigation revealed 28-year-old Shannon Godfrey was celebrating the 4th of July with family when he jumped into water to retrieve a ball during a game and never resurfaced. Divers have been unable to locate him and the search continues.

Louisiana Radio Network asked the 4 major gubernatorial candidates about what they’d plan to do in rebuilding Louisiana’s coastline. Amite Representative John Bel Edwards on the announced billions in BP settlement money for the 2010 Gulf oil spill…:
CUT 7 (09) “no other purpose”
Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle..:
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We’ll have US Senator David Vitter and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne’s response in the upcoming newscast.

Gubernatorial candidate Democrat Amite Representative John Bel Edwards begins his first statewide tour today. He’ll be in Amite this afternoon, New Orleans this evening, covers Acadiana tomorrow then continues to hit every corner of the state through Sunday, July 12th. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards needs to get his name out there…:
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The St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office says a 12-year-old boy was killed in a utility terrain vehicle crash on the 4th of July and the vehicle’s driver was arrested. They believe 36-year-old Joshua Tharpe of Denham Springs made a sharp turn on an area of wet sand which caused the vehicle to flip and pin the young victim underneath killing him. Tharpe is charged with vehicular homicide and posted $100,000 bond.

As the new school year is quickly approaching, The Department of Health and Hospitals is reminding parents to get their children vaccinated as required by law. DHH Immunization Medical Director Dr. Frank Welch says now is the perfect time to prevent diseases like measles, mumps, the flu and whooping cough…:
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A 14-year-old was arrested in Bossier City after detectives discovered the juvenile could be responsible for the stabbing death of a 91-year-old woman he was believed to be robbing inside her home. The teen was charged with first degree murder in the death of Ludella Scott and was transferred to the Wade Juvenile Detention Center.

Fourth of July fireworks will be lit across the state tonight; and while they can be can be beautiful, they can also be extremely dangerous. DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says 40% of all fireworks injuries happen to children under the age of 15, so she says to parents, consider attending the numerous public displays…
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Not to mention, it’s cheaper.

Heads up for swimmers in Louisiana lakes and the Gulf this weekend, as the Department of Health and Hospitals says to be aware of open wounds while swimming. The reason is a flesh-eating bacteria, and State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says to pay attention to areas of the skin that look infected, and seek medical help quickly…
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There will be as many as 7 of 8 BESE board members who will be on the ballot for an upcoming fall election, and the president has yet to decide whether or not he will run. Chas Roemer has been a strong supporter of Common Core, and his decision will loom large for the curriculum’s acceptance in the future. The BESE Board has endorsed the testing in the past, but that could change with those 8 seats up for grabs in the October 24th election.

It’s the fourth of July in Louisiana, and the release date Bayou Teche Brewing’s limited edition beer. Here’s Emelie Gunn on what makes it so special…
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Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law a bill which now doubles littering fines…
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If you’re planning to take a dip in the water this weekend, DHH is reminding everyone to avoid salt or brackish water – if you have an open wound. The reason is a flesh-eating bacteria. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says there are about 5 to 15 Louisiana cases every year, so if you happen to notice an infected area of your skin after a swim, seek medical attention right away.
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A bill which gives protection to victims of domestic violence has been signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal. The bill by Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome will help with safe housing for victims, and give landlords the power to evict any abusers…
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The Department of Children and Family Services is urging parents and caregivers to be careful with fireworks around children during this weekend’s festivities. DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says that although fireworks can be beautiful, adults need to be aware of the danger to children. She cites a statistic in a report from 2013…

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It’s the Fourth of July, and the Department of Children and Family Services reminds parents to use caution…
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There have been several hoilday road fatalities Friday across the state. A Kenner woman died in a two-vehicle crash Friday on I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish. The victim is 66 year-old Yvonne Gooch. In Terrebonne Parish, 27 year-old Marc Boudreaux from Houma, died in a single-vehicle crash. And on I-20 near Tallulah, a California woman was killed after a collision with an 18 wheeler. State Police remind you to drive with caution and don’t drink and drive.
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Fines for littering are now double what they were in the state, after Governor Bobby Jindal signs into law a measure which raises the $75 fine up to $150…
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That’s Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russle, who adds you should also remove your fireworks this weekend.

Also signed into law, a new measure which gives victims of domestic violence more housing protection. The law allows violence victims to break there lease in an abusive situation, and also ensures that victims will not be evicted because of their situation….
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That’s the bill’s author Baton Rouge Representative Sharon Weston Broome.

Fireworks are fun but the Department of Children and Family Services is urging parents to be careful when mixing fireworks and kids. DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier is encouraging folks not to let children handle fire crackers and to remain involved in all activities with the young ones for the holiday…:
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Sonnier says around the Independence Day weekend, children under the age of 15 accounted for 40% of firework related injuries according to a 2013 report.

Fines for littering are now double what they were after Governor Jindal signs into law a measure which stiffens the penalty for trashing up the state. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says it’s not hard to pick up after yourself…:
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She encourages folks to be sure they pick up disposed fireworks this weekend.

While many people will be out on Louisiana’s lakes and rivers this 4th of July, the Department of Health and Hospitals urges folks to be aware of open wounds when swimming. Flesh eating bacteria are more prone to grow in brackish water during the summer and State Health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says there have been four reported cases so far..:
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Arnaudville’s Bayou Teche Brewing is releasing a new beer for the 4th of July holiday and donating proceeds to military families. President Karlos Knott says 45 dollars from every case and keg of 31 Stout purchased will go to families of the 31 United States service members who lost their lives in the force mission in Afghanistan…:
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Knott says 31 Stout will be released on Independence Day at the brewery and throughout the state.

The Department of Children and Family Services is urging parents and caregivers to be careful with fireworks around children during this weekend’s festivities. DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says that although fireworks can be beautiful, adults need to be aware of the danger to children. She cites a statistic in a report from 2013…:
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Sonnier says parents might consider attending public firework displays with their kids.

It’s a beautiful day and lots of folks are out on Louisiana’s lakes, rivers and beaches celebrating the July 4th Holiday. The Department of Health and Hospitals urges folks to be aware of open wounds when swimming because of potential bacteria in salt or brackish water. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says if you do suspect infection on a cut, get help right away…:
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Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law a bill which now doubles littering fines. Eric Gill reports…:
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Another bill Jindal signed into law this week gives domestic violence victims more housing protection. Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome sponsored the measure and says this law will help prevent further victimization of those being abused…
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The law allows domestic violence victims to break their lease to leave an abusive situation.