An annual statewide survey from LSU finds that consumer confidence has fallen below the nation for the first time in recent years. Michael Henderson, research director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says the Louisiana Consumer Sentiment Index fell by six points from the end of the third quarter of 2014 to the end of the first quarter this year…
CUT 3 (06) “six months earlier”
He says the main culprit is the drop in oil prices.

The Sheriff’s Office in St. Helena Parish says a 12 year-old boy is dead following a a Fourth of July accident involving a UTV. Detective Joe Chaney says 36-year-old Joshua Tharpe of Baton Rouge was charged with vehicular homicide, and he says they are still working to determine what happened and if Tharpe was being negligent..:
cut 13 (07) “homicide”
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The Office of Motor Vehicles began issuing drivers’ licenses today for same-sex married couples who wish to legally have the same last name of their spouse. State Police Lt. JB Slaton says for ALL motorists, licenses will now be good for 6 years instead of four. He says it will cost four dollars more, but it should lead to shorter lines…
cut 11 (10) “going to help”

It’s called “computer vision syndrome,” and a rising number of younger people are suffering, stemming from too much time on smart phones and tablets. Dr. Monica Monica, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, says the extended close vision call actually cause the eye muscles contract, and dry eyes…
CUT 8 (09) Q: “devices’
And she advises to take periodic breaks.