Small business optimism is down because of the uncertainty surrounding the federal healthcare bill. That’s according to a survey from the National Federation of Independent business. But state director Dawn Starns says they saw an uptick in inventory satisfaction and plans to increase inventory, which she says is promising.

Cut 5 (11) “part of the year”

Job openings and job creation plans saw declines in June.

Louisiana is home to the fourth rudest drivers in the country, according to a new survey from Kars4Kids. Spokesperson Ari Finkelstein says motorists in the Bayou State are not keen on waiting in lines.

Cut 6 (10) “that scenario”

Louisiana also ranks 43 in the nation for using turn signals.

State Police and suspects are telling two different versions of an officer-involved shooting that left one man dead in Mamou. The victim’s girlfriend, 21-year-old Dequince Brown, is facing an attempted murder charge for biting the officer on the neck as he shot 27-year-old Dejuan Guillory. Her attorney, Joe Long, says that’s outrageous.

Cut 11 (10) “attempted murder”

Long made the comments in an interview with PenPoint News. LSP says Guillory attacked the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputy before the shooting.

A grand jury handed down a murder indictment against 25-year-old Christopher Landry of Denham Springs, who is accused of killing a sensual massage therapist at his home last month. Landry reportedly told authorities he strangled 24-year-old Kayla Denham because she tried to steal his wallet. Landry is being held in the Livingston Parish Detention Center on a $250-thousand bond.

The girlfriend of the man who was fatally shot by an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been released from jail after posting $75,000 bond. State Police say 21-year-old Dequince Brown attacked the deputy during the struggle with 27-year-old Dejuan Guillory who was killed. Brown’s lawyer, Joe Long, says Guillory was begging for his life and was yelling at his client…:
Cut 10 (12) “shoot you”
Long made the comments in an interview with PenPoint News Publisher Daniel Bangeul (Bain-Gal). State Police say they are reviewing dash cam video of the incident.

A grand jury returned a second-degree murder indictment for the man accused of murdering a massage therapist at his home in Livingston parish. 25-year-old Christopher Landry of Denham Springs allegedly killed 24-year-old Kayla Ann Denham of Baton Rouge.

The National Federation for Independent Business’ monthly Index on Small Business Optimism finds a decline in job openings and job creation..:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana drivers are jerks on the road according to a driving awareness campaign that promotes courteous driving. Speeding up to prevent someone from passing us and failing to use our turn signals puts us 4th worst in the US. Kars4Kids spokesman Ari Finkelstein hopes letting the public know about this bad rating will encourage them to realize these are human drivers not just cars..:
Cut 8 (09) “stressful roads”

A recent survey finds Louisiana drivers are the 4th rudest in the country. The survey by Kars4Kids is a driving awareness campaign that promotes courteous driving. Spokesperson Ari Finkelstein says a lot of southern states performed poorly when it came to being courteous while driving…:
Cut 7 (11) “Georgia”
He says Louisianans ranked 43 in the country when it comes to using turn signals.

Elio Motors in northwest Louisiana has been fined over half a million dollars by the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission who says the three-wheel car making company violated state law. Commission spokesman Keith Marcotte told KEEL in Shreveport that Elio argued their pre-purchase program was just for reservations…:
Cut 13 (09) “separate arrangement”
The $545,000 fine was handed down Monday.

The girlfriend of the man who was shot and killed by an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputy has hired a lawyer who disputes information released by State Police on the incident. Authorities say 27-year-old Dejuan Guillory was shot in a struggle with the deputy, and that the girlfriend, 21-year-old Dequince Brown, attacked the cop. But Brown’s lawyer, Joe Long, said his client was trying to keep the deputy from killing her boyfriend:
Cut 9 (11) “three more times”
Long made the comments in an interview with PenPoint News Publisher Daniel Bangeul (Bain-Gal).

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a stolen giraffe display from a local business. They say the giraffe is 10 feet tall, weighs approximately 200 pounds and is made out of sheet metal. It is valued at $1,000 and anyone with information on this theft of a giraffe is urged to contact authorities.

A survey by Kars4Kids finds Louisiana motorists are the 4th rudest in the country. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A day before qualifying begins, New Orleans Representative Walt Leger announces he will not run to be the next mayor of the city. He said in an email that, “despite a clear path to victory” he wants to keep his public service focused on working hard and studying issues within the state legislature. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell also said his ongoing work in the capitol will keep him out of City Hall.

Elio Motors in northwest Louisiana has been fined over half a million dollars by the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission who says the three-wheel car making company violated state law. Commission spokesman Keith Marcotte told KEEL in Shreveport that vehicle makers or sellers in Louisiana have to have a manufacturers and dealers license..:
CUT 12 (10) “either of those”
Elio has yet to produce a vehicle.

Small business optimism dipped in June, according to the National Federation for Independent Business. State director Dawn Starns says it’s because there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the federal healthcare bill…:
Cut 4 (10) “rest of the year”
On the positive side, the index found an uptick in inventory satisfaction among small businesses, as well as plans to increase inventory.

The National Federation for Independent Business’ monthly Index on Small Business Optimism finds a decline in job openings and job creation for June. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

New Orleans-based Glo Airlines has decided to suspend service beginning Saturday while it searches for a new operator. GLO Founder and CEO Trey Fayard said he will return to its Mid South cities once the right partner is found.

Blue Cross Blue Shield has launched a tool called SmartShopper aimed at making it easier for customers to browse healthcare procedures. David Hochheiser (Ho-heiser) is a senior vice president for BCBS and says this will help patients make an informed decision…:
Cut 12 (08) “10-thousand dollars”
Visit bcbs.com for details.

The Louisiana Motor Vehicles Commission has fined Shreveport’s Elio Motors $545 thousand for not adhering to Louisiana law when it comes to regulations regarding automobile distribution in the state. The three wheel car making company has yet to produce vehicles for sale.

Small business optimism dipped in June, according to the National Federation for Independent Business. State director Dawn Starns says they saw increased optimism at the beginning of the year entering the new administration, but that has since dwindled due to gridlock in Congress. She blames the uncertainty surrounding the federal healthcare bill…:
Cut 3 (10) “so hard”
On the positive side, the index found an uptick in inventory satisfaction among small businesses, as well as plans to increase inventory.

The Jeanerette Police Department announces one of their officers has been arrested on a Medicaid fraud warrant out of East Baton Rouge by officials with the state Attorney General’s Office. She is identified as 38-year-old Shekeitha Lewis, and has been placed on administrative leave according to the chief. An Iberia Parish Sheriff’s deputy was booked on the same charges and fired according to reports.

A recent survey finds Louisiana drivers are the 4th rudest in the country. The report is by Kars4Kids, a driving awareness campaign that promotes courteous driving. SpokesmanAri Finkelstein says they asked drivers around the US questions about different driving scenarios. He says Bayou State motorists are not too keen on waiting in lines:
Cut 6 (10) “that scenario”
He says Louisiana also ranked last in how often they care to signal.

LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron says Quarterback Danny Etling is nearly 100-percent after undergoing back surgery, but he’s not ready to name him the starter and wants the other Q-Bs on the roster to step up…:
Cut 13 (08) “you like em”
Orgeron says if the season started today, Etling would be the starter.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron likes his team as it heads into the 2017 season. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

SEC Commisisoner Greg Sankey says the league is open to a 14-week season, with two bye weeks. But Sankey says he does not want to move the start of fooball practice to even earlier into the summer.

Speaking the start of football practice, Coach O says edge rusher Arden Key will not be ready as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
At SEC Media Days today it’s Georgia, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Florida. The Bulldogs are looking to improve a defense that ranked 110th in the country last year. Gators Head Coach Jim McElwain will be asked about his quarterback situation. Competing for snaps are former LSU commitment Feleipe Franks, Kyle Trask, Luke Del Rio and Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire.

The Pelicans are 0-3 in Summer League Action after losing to Brooklyn 95-66. Guard Quinn Cook continues to be a bright spot as he had 20 points, knocking down six of his first 11 shots. Cheick Diallo was just 3-of-9 from the field. The dynamic duo DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis watched the game from the stands.

Tonight is the Major League Baseball All-Star. Former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu is representing the Colorado Rockies for a second time in his career. LeMahieu is hitting .307 with 4 home runs and 41 RBIs. He has been dealing with a groin cramp, so it’s unclear how much he’ll play tonight.

The U.S. Senate is waiting on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to make changes to proposed legislation that would repeal and replace the country’s health care law. President Donald Trump is pushing congress to pass a bill before they recess in August. Republican Bill Cassidy says if they can’t agree on a complete health care overhaul, federal lawmakers should at least address the rising premiums.
Cut 6 (07) “later action”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission and the state Department of Health are hosting workforce summits as they try to hire people to work with the developmentally and intellectually disabled. Executive Management Officer for the Office of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities Tiffany Dickerson says they hope to help healthcare providers better recruit employees.
Cut 8 (10) “organization”

The first summit begins today at the Jefferson Parish East Bank Regional Library in New Orleans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has created Smart Shopper to help members make informed decisions when it comes to getting a medical procedure. That’s according to David Hochheiser (Ho-heiser) who says for example if you need a colonoscopy, Smart Shopper can help a customer see how much it costs at a nearby hospital..
Cut 11 (10) “will be”
LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says quarterback Danny Etling has almost completely recovered after undergoing back surgery but isn’t ready to name him the starter for the season opener against BYU. Orgeron says the team lost a lot of talent last year but says the younger players have to step up, like Devin White, who could start at middle linebacker.
Cut 15 (09) “to do”