A Lafayette man who allegedly did not observe the three foot rule when it comes to passing bicycles is now facing a charge of vehicular homicide in the death of a Baton Rouge elected official. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

An early morning jailbreak marks at least the fifth of the year from the Swanson Center for Youth.  Investigators say two teenage inmates escaped from the state juvenile prison in Monroe.  The duo stole a state vehicle and drove it more than 40 miles south to the town of Olla, where they were captured after an hours-long manhunt.

The 11^th Annual National Suit Drive is underway through the end of July.  The Louisiana Department of Corrections has once again partnered with Men’s Wearhouse to collect suits for offenders released from jail.  CEO of Refined by Fire Ministries, Elaine Ellerbe, says when a recently released inmate receives a suit, they then have the appropriate clothing to go on a job interview.

Cut 4  (05) “…who they were.”
For more information go to mwsuitdrive.com.

Bad news for Fourth of July revelers, its gunna rain. Thunderstorms that have the potential to produce heavy rainfall is in the forecast through Independence Day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says south Louisiana in particular could be looking at a lot of rain.  While the rain might be coming at an inconvenient time, Keim says it’s sorely needed for much of the state that is getting dangerously close to drought conditions.

cut 8 (11) “the state”

Governor Edwards is asking Louisiana residents to look before they lock their vehicle in an effort to avoid leaving children unattended in hot vehicles. Edwards says over the last 20 years in Louisiana, there were 27 pediatric vehiclular heatstroke deaths…
cut 12 (08) “….a tragedy”
Edwards says in this summer heat, the temperature inside your parked vehicle can quickly climb to over 110 degrees.

A 21-year-old Lafayette man is behind bars after his vehicle fatally struck a bicyclist and seriously injured another person in West Feliciana Parish on Saturday. State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says Nicholas Alexander failed to move over while attempting to pass the victims on LA 66…
cut 10 (05) “….three feet”
East Baton Rouge Metro councilman Anthony Amoroso was pronounced dead at the scene and his 71-year-old Thomas Clement suffered serious injuries.

If you have a suit, dress shirt, or jacket in the back of your closet, the state department of corrections and Men’s Wearhouse are asking you to donate it, so that prisoners released back into society can wear those clothes for a job interview. Elain Ellerbe is the founder of Refined by Fire Ministries and she says they are not just taking men’s suits…
cut 5 (07) “…professional wear too”
For information go to m-w-suit-drive-dot-com.

The state has improved the way residents can keep a better eye on how tax dollars are spent. The Louisiana Checkbook website mirrors efforts in other states to improve transparency. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says they want openness in government…
Cut 30 (09) “…in the nation.”
The website went online today at checkbook-dot-la-dot-gov.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections is once again partnering with Men’s Wearhouse and Refined by Fire Ministries as they collect suits for offenders who get out of jail.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A Lafayette man who allegedly did not observe the three foot rule when it comes to passing bicycles is now facing a charge of vehicular homicide in the death of a Baton Rouge elected official. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

State Police is reminding motorists about the three foot rule when passing bicycles following a fatal wreck on Saturday in  St. Francisville that killed avid bicyclist and East Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says 21-year-old Nicholas Alexander of Lafayette failed to reduce his speed and move over when he attempted to pass Amoroso and another bicylist on LA 66

cut 9 (07)  “of that.”

Lee says Alexander was booked into the West Feliciana Parish Jail on several charges, including negligent homicide

Cut 10 (05) “three feet”

Amoroso was pronounced dead at the scene, while fellow bicyclist 71-year-old Thomas Clement of St. Gabriel sustained serious injuries. Lee says Amoroso and Clement were wearing helmets and proper biking attire, but Alexander did a poor job of sharing the road

Cut 11 (09) “pay attention”

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Governor Edwards has released a video message asking Louisiana residents to look before they lock their vehicle in an effort to avoid leaving children unattended in hot vehicles. Edwards says over the last 20 years in Louisiana, there were 27 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths

Cut 12 (08)   “…a tragedy”

Edwards says in this summer heat, the temperature inside your parked vehicle can quickly climb to over 110 degrees, so leaving behind a child or pet in parked car to run a quick errand is discouraged

Cut 13 (06) “…you lock” 

A Lafayette man who allegedly did not observe the three foot rule when it comes to passing bicycles is now facing a vehicular homicide carge in the death of a Baton Rouge elected official….
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Rain chances will be high over the next few days, including Fourth of July. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is some good news…
cut 7 (11) “…the surface”
And Keim says we can use the rain.

The wife of LSU football coach Ed Orgeron nearly died in May of 2017. That’s according to a Sports Illustrated report. Kelly Orgeron, who was born with scoliosis, had two ten-hour surgeries to insert rods and screws into her spine and hips last year. One of the surgeons reportedly nicked her colon, caused her stomatch to swell, resulting in three weeks in the hospital and an additional surgery.

That woman who was pulled out of a burning car in Western Canada last week by a group of baseball players, including three from Southeastern Louisiana, continues to recover from her minor injuries. Evan Pace of Zachary was the first to get to 67-year-old Linda Jack, who was stunned her S-U-V ran off the road and started on fire. Pace says once they got her out of the burning vehicle, they took her to the nearest hospital….
cut 15 (11) “…back home”
The S-L-U players are playing summer baseball with a team based out of Washington State.

A 21-year-old driver from Lafayette is facing negligent homicide after hitting two bicyclists traveling in single file on LA 66 in St. Francisville. East Baton Rouge councilman Buddy Amoroso was killed and his 71-year-old friend serioulsy injured. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says Nicholas Alexander did not follow the three foot rule when it comes to passing bicycles…
cut 11 (09) “…pay attention”
Alexander was booked into the West Feliciana Parish jail.

Bad news for Fourth of July revelers, its gunna rain. Thunderstorms that have the potential to produce heavy rainfall is in the forecast through Independence Day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says south Louisiana in particular could be looking at a lot of rain
Cut 6 (10) “Monroe”
The good news is that temperatures will not be too hot with all of this rain in the area.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections is once again partnering with Men’s Wearhouse and Refined by Fire Ministries as they collect suits for offenders who get out of jail. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana launched a new website today so residents can track state spending. It’s checkbook-dot-la-dot-gov. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says the website will contain employee salaries, contract data and incentive spending on economic development projects. Berry says the website comes with a user friendly interface…
cut 12 (03) “….for the citizens”

State Police is reminding motorists about the three foot rule when passing bicycles following a fatal wreck on Saturday in St. Francisville that killed avid bicyclist and East Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says 21-year-old Nicholas Alexander of Lafayette failed to reduce his speed and move over when he attempted to pass Amoroso and another bicylist on LA 66
cut 9 (07) “of that.”
Lee says Alexander was booked into the West Feliciana Parish Jail on several charges, including negligent homicide.
Three Southeastern Louisiana baseball players are talking about the bravery they showed last week when they rescued a woman from a burning S-U-V in western Canada. S-L-U catcher Evan Pace says they were just doing what was right…
cut 14 (06) “..scary”
Pace’s teammates Trey Morgan and Kyle Schimpf and their summer league coach helped get the 61-year-old woman to safety with only minor injuries.
The 11th Annual National Suit Drive is underway through the end of July. The Louisiana Department of Corrections is once again partnering with Men’s Wearhouse and Refined by Fire Ministries as they collect suits to be given to offenders upon release, assisting them as they look for a job. CEO of Refined by Fire Ministries, Elaine Ellerbe, says it is a rewarding moment to see the change in a person when they receive the new suit.
Cut 3 (10) “…maybe even longer.”
For more information go to mwsuitedrive-dot-com.

With the fiscal cliff in the rear view mirror, attentions now turn to the upcoming Governor’s race next year. Republicans say they plan on using the special session results against the Governor, but Democrats are touting the results. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Johnson says the coalition’s ability to preserve healthcare and higher ed sends a strong message about the party’s values. He says expect Democrats to begin rallying behind one message in particular.

Cut 7 (09)  “focus on”

He says support personnel are also in that call.

Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he expects US Senator, John Kennedy to be Governor John Bel Edwards’ main opponent for the governor’s mansion. He says having Kennedy spearhead a conservative push in Louisiana next year will likely boost the profile of the 22 House Republicans who refused the final tax bill.

Cut 8 (09)  “revenue problem”

Three SLU baseball players saved a woman from a car fire in Canada. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

A 21-year-old is under arrest after striking and killing Baton Rouge Councilman Buddy Amaroso with his vehicle while the councilman was biking along LA 66 with a friend, who was also injured in the accident. Nicholas Alexander of Lafayette has been charged with negligent Homicide, Negligent Injuring, and Limitations of Passing bicycles.

Residents can keep a better eye on how tax dollars are spent as the state is rolling out a new website known as the Louisiana Checkbook.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) ”  I’m  Kevin Barnhart” 

A fireworks stand in Ruston has been ordered to cease operations after authorities discovered a dozen packages of the explosives were of prohibited sizes and grades. The Office of the State Fire Marshal issued the cease and desist order to Firth’s Fireworks on South Service road, that will shut down the stand’s operations for the 4^th of July holiday.

60-year-old Elie Dupre has been ordered to pay $2,500 after his 15-year-old son killed a black bear in 2015. The son didn’t escape punishment either after being given 100 hours of community service and having his hunting license suspended for a year. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Spokesperson Adam Einck says make sure you’re prepared before heading out for some hunting, and don’t shoot Black Bears.

Cut 17 (11)  “…may be hunting”

Three Southeastern baseball players alongside their coach saved a woman from a burning wreck of a car in the great north of Kelowna, Canada. The team was headed to a summer league game when SLU catcher Evan Pace says they saw smoke coming up out of a ditch alongside the road…

Cut 13 (12)  “…pretty quick” 

A week later, state leaders are beginning to get a firm idea of just what the special session will mean for the 2019 governor’s race. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Matt Doye.“

And a new sales tax rate for Louisiana is in effect as a result of the tax plan agreed upon in the last special session. The sales tax rate dropped from five to 4.45 percent.

The Louisiana Checkbook website debuts today. Policy Director of the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says it gives residents the opportunity to dig deep into the partciulars of how state government spends its money….
cut 11 (04) “…of state government”
Financial data of a handful of agencies are posted at checkbook-dot-la-gov and more will be added in the coming months.

A New Iberia father and son have been found guility of killing a Louisiana black bear back in 2015. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says the two were aware of their actions…
cut 16 (07) “….covered it up”
The 15-year-old has been ordered to serve 100 hours of community service and his hunting license has been suspended for a year. 60-year-old Elie Dupre has been ordered to pay a 25-hundred dollar fine.