Auto insurance rates for Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau customers are going down later this summer. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards has requested a federal fisheries disaster declaration for Louisiana. Edwards says diverting Mississippi River water into Lake Ponchartrain has resulted in troubling mortality rates among oysters, declining fish catches and financial damage to the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry. The Bonnet Carre Spillway has been operated twice this year because of high levels on the Mississippi River.

A pastor was among the three pedestrians killed when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver on the Westbank Expressway in Jefferson Parish last night. State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were working on a stalled vehicle when they were hit and they flew off the elevated portion of the highway to their death…
cut 7 (09) “…roadway”
40-year-old Todd Williams of New Orleans is in jail and 49-year-old Claude Williams was a pastor at Celebration Church.

A 15-year-old is dead and two other minors are in critical condition after they were ejected from an SUV in a rollover crash south of Ponchatoula on Interstate 55 last night. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says they suspect the driver, 38-year-old Viola Oliver II, was impaired as she attempted to exit at US 51 when the vehicle began to roll…
Cut 12 (11) “…fatal injuries”

Two insurance companies are reducing their auto rates in Louisiana. Progressive is lowering their rates by two-percent, Louisiana Farm Bureau has proposed a four-percent decrease and this comes on the heels of State Farm’s announcement last year that they are lowering rates. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto insurance rates are leveling off, because the number of highway fatalities has done the same…
cut 4 (11) “….peak”
Donelon says competition among the different auto insurance providers is also driving auto rates down.

State Police say an impaired driver is to blame for a wreck that sent three victims flying off the elevated Westbank Expressway in Harvey. All three people died after a fall of about 100 feet. Trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were working on a disabled vehicle in the roadway…
cut 8 (11) “…in the lane of travel”
Dillon says they arrested 40-year-old Todd Williams of New Orleans and he’s facing numerous charges including three counts of vehicular homicide.

A deadly dispute over a man between a woman and her ex’s new love interest results in a 23 year prison sentence. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (29) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The former warden of the Avoyelles Correctional Center in Cottonport, Nate Cain was sentenced today to 38-months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty in March to two counts of federal wire fraud. His ex-wife, Tonia Bandy, received an eight month sentence. Prosecutors say the duo made fraudulent pruchases with public dollars, including gun parts.

Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau are dropping their auto insurance rates this year following a rate decrease earlier in the year from the state’s largest insurer, State Farm. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the three insurers combined account for just over 50 percent of all Louisiana auto policies…

Cut 3 (08) “…point four”

State Farm owns a million policies, Farm Bureau 220,000 and Progressive 175,000.

Three people are dead after an alleged drunk driver slammed into a vehicle that had broken down in the middle of US Highway 90B last night in Harvey. State Police trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were on the upper level of the overpass and standing near the broken-down car when the collision occurred.

Cut 6 (08) “feet drop”

A Houma woman is sentenced to 23 years in prison for stabbing another woman to death in a dispute stemming from relationships going sour. The altercation took place in July 2017 resulting in Miranda Gilley being charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutors say Gilley had invited the victim, 24-year-old Jessica McGehee, over to her apartment to fight. Gilley claimed she acted in self-defense. Terrebonne Parish DA Chris Erny says the jury had several options on the charges, but ultimately decided to go with a lesser charge of manslaughter, which carries a maximum 40-year sentence.

Cut 10 (06) “…still a homicide.”

A Houma woman is sentenced to 23 years in prison for stabbing another woman to death in a dispute stemming from relationships going sour.  The altercation took place in July 2017 resulting in Miranda Gilley being charged with second degree murder.  Terrebone Parish DA Chris Erny says after the two wrestled around, a tactical knife got involved in the deadly dispute.
Cut 9 (08) “…couple of times”
The jury later decided on a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Three people are dead after an alleged drunk driver slammed into a vehicle that had broken down in the middle of US Highway 90B last night in Harvey.  State Police trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were on the upper level of the overpass and standing near the broken-down car when the collision occurred.
Cut 6 (08) “feet drop”
The three were later pronounced dead by the Jefferson Parish Coroner.

A blockbuster trade sees former Pelican Anthony Davis headed to the Lakers in return for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and a bucket of first round picks. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

An Opelousas man is dead following a shooting at his home.  Police say 49-year-old Stanley Boxie died of multiple gunshot wounds after being ambushed in his driveway at 3am this morning.  The investigation is ongoing and there are no suspects at this time.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the feds have finally relented and will allow those who suffered damage in the 2016 floods, but received SBA loans, access to Louisiana RESTORE grant money. If you make above 120 percent of the area-median income, you won’t be immediately available and will need to file for a hardship waiver, but Cassidy says the barrier to receive that waiver should be set low enough to include people above that income line.
Cut 5 (11) “…grant.”

The latest USA Today report says ULM’s athletic budget ranks last among the 130 FBS schools. New ULM athletic director Scott McDonald is not using the lack of money as an excuse for not having success. McDonald says the school plans to invest in making the sure the student-athletes are getting the proper nutrition
Cut 8 (11) “…later in life”
_______________________________
Disgruntled Pelicans star Anthony Davis gets his wish and is traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for young guns Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, along with the 4th pick in this year’s draft and a bevy of future 1st round selections. But rumor have erupted that some, and possible all of the new acquisitions could be traded off to another team for an All-Star caliber player before the season’s start…
Cut 12 (11) “…Ingram.”
That’s Locked On Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison who says the team also received young shooting guard Josh Hart, and a pick swaps and 1st rounders from the Lakers that will functionally result in New Orleans owning Los Angeles’ draft through 2025.
A New Orleans police oficer was shot and wounded early this morning after responding to a report of an armed robbery. The officer was wounded in the left shoulder and taken to a nearby hospital. One of the suspects in the armed robbery is also beilved to have been shot.

Southwest Louisiana Republicans held the state’s first-ever gubernatorial straw poll over the weekend and U-S Representative Ralph Abraham was the winner. The third-term Congressmen received 180 votes, while Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone got 94 votes. The two GOP contenders are seeking to get into a November run-off with Governor Edwards.

Tensions are rising in the Mideast as the US alleges Iran is responsible for several recent attacks against oil tankers in the vital oil shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Dr. David Dismukes says political instability could lead to a rise in fuel costs…

Cut 13 (11) “..prices.”
AAA says the current statewide average for regular gasoline is $2.29.

Disgruntled Pelicans star Anthony Davis got his wish and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for young guns Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, shooting guard Josh Hart and multiple first round picks. Locked On Pelicans Podcast Publisher Jake Madison says it’s the best deal the Pels could get.
Cut 10 (11) “…Davis”
The Pelicans could trade the fourth overall pick in this week’s draft and get a young veteran in exchange.

The New Orleans Police Department says one of its officers is stable and alert after he was shot in a shootout with a suspect during a suspected armed robbery in uptown New Orleans this morning. The suspect was shot, while the officer was reportedly hit in the shoulder.

The Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East is an important stretch of waterway for the oil industry and that’s why the Trump Administration has made it clear they will take any measures necessary to keep it open, despite Iran’s attacks on tankers. If the tensions were to spill over into open conflict, LSU Center for Energy Studies Director, David Dismukes, says you would see a noticeable rise in gas prices…
cut 15 (08) “….very long”
So far we have not seen an increase in gas prices since the attacks occurred last week.

Louisiana’s Congressional delegation says the feds have finally relented and will allow those who suffered damage in the 2016 floods, but received SBA loans, access to Louisiana RESTORE grant money. Senator Bill Cassidy says if you make below 120 percent of the area-median-income, you will be immediately eligible for RESTORE, once the state writes some final rules.
Cut 4 (10) “…whole”
It’s expected to take a few weeks before the state finalizes its rules, so the wait continues.

The Pelicans have two new players to develop a core from after trading Anthony Davis to the Lakers. As part of the blockbuster deal, New Orleans received Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball in return. Locked on Pelicans Podcast publisher Jake Madison says they’re very young, and oozing with potential, starting with Ball…
Cut 11 (12) “shot.”
The Pelicans also received young shooting guard Josh Hart in the deal.

A New Orleans police officer has been shot in the shoulder in Uptown New Orleans. Authorities say a suspect with a “sub-machine gun” was also wounded and taken into custody after police surrounded a home in the area. Another suspect was also apprehended. The officer was rushed to University Medical Center.

A major hurdle has been cleared in efforts to help 2016 Louisiana flood victims who sought a Small Business Administration loan also receive federal aid through the Louisiana Restore program. The U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development has finally released the formal parameters so that flood victims can access the money.

But If you make above 120 percent of the area median income, you won’t be immediately available and will need to file for a hardship waiver, but Senator Bill Cassidy says the barrier to receive that waiver should be set low enough to include people above that income line.
Cut 5 (11) “…grant.”
Which means it will take a few months before homeowners actually get this money.

The Trump administration says the United States is willing to take all necessary measures against Iran to ensure the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East remains open. U-S has blamed Iran for attacking oil tankers in the straight. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director David Dismukes says because oil prices are set globally, keeping that channel open to traffic is a priority for energy producers…
Cut 14 (11) “…nations.”
At it’s narrowest, the Strait, is only 21 nautical miles long.

New ULM athletic director Scott McDonald is not using the lack of money as an excuse for not having success. The latest USA Today report says ULM’s athletic budget ranks last among the 130 FBS schools. McDonald, who was interim AD for nine months before getting the job full-time, says he understands the challenges
Cut 7 (10) “…right approach”
McDonald says the school plans to invest in making the sure the student-athletes are getting the proper nutrition