Thousands are gathered at the memorial for the fallen Baton Rouge police officers that’s taking place in Baton Rouge at this hour. Vice President Joe Biden, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Governor John Bel Edwards are expected to speak, as well as members from each of the officers families.

Bossier City Representatives Mike Johnson is urging voters to say yes to a constitutional amendment in the fall that would benefit families of fallen first responders. Michelle Southern reports..:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Tonight in Philadelphia, Hillary Clinton will make history by becoming the first woman to accept the presidential nomination from a major political party. LSU Political science professor Bob Mann says the former First Lady needs to reiterate that American is great, unlike Republican nominee Donald Trump’s campaign slogan.

Cut 8 (10) “United States”

Mann also says it would be wise for Clinton to own up to her mistakes during her speech.

Flash flood warnings are in effect for 15 parishes throughout the afternoon, and flash flooding has resulted in temporary road closures in Monroe. Mark Murphy with the National Weather Service says northeast Louisiana has been the hardest hit from the downpours…

cut 10 (08)  “Caldwell”

But Murphy says the rain will provide some relief from the heat.

Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson is asking voters to support a proposed constitutional amendment this fall that establishes a property tax exemption for surviving members of a fallen first responder. He says a vote in favor of Act 678 would be something that Louisianians can do to help these families in their time of great need…:
CUT 12 (05) “our law enforcement”
Johnson says this exemption would apply to the family home of the spouses of any member of the armed forces, National Guard or a law enforcement or fire protection officer killed in the line of duty.

Heavy rainfall in parts of north Louisiana, especially the Monroe area, has led to road closures and flash flood warnings throughout the day. Mark Murphy is with the National Weather Service in Shreveport…:
CUT 9 (06) “the region”
He says there is a flash flood warning in place for several parishes through this evening.

Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton will accept her party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention tonight in Philadelphia. So how do voters feel about the former First Lady? LSU Political Science Professor Bob Mann says to the public, Clinton is often seen as emotionally closed down, but there is a personal and caring side to her…:
CUT 7 (08) “from her”
He says the tone Clinton sets in her speech will be important, because not many people trust her.

Lake Charles Police Chief Don Dixon will hold a 3 p.m. news conference regarding the death of a 4-month-old baby. An LCPD news release indicates Dixon will discuss the investigation and its findings into the murder of the infant. No other information has been provided at this time.

Vice President Joe Biden and US Attorney General Loretta Lynch are in Baton Rouge today to pay respects to the three officers shot and killed in a police ambush. The memorial for the fallen officers begins at this hour at the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge.

Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton will accept the democratic nomination tonight. Emelie Gunn has more on what to expect from the former First Lady…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Baton Rouge Police Department, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office and State Police are hosting a memorial service this afternoon for the three officers who were killed on July 17th in an ambush on cops. The vigil is being held at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge and is slated to begin at 2. Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta Lynch will speak during the ceremony honoring Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald and Brad Garafola.

Another person has been arrested on felony charges accused of making threatening statements online — this time also towards US Senate candidate David Duke. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says 22-year-old Anthony Moore said in a YouTube video that, “If David Duke becomes senator for Louisiana, bro, I am killing this man.” He says Moore admitted it…:
CUT 4 (07) “and terrorizing”
Sandifer says Moore also indicated in the videos that he was going to kill over the Alton Sterling shooting.

There were no big winners in last night’s Powerball drawing which now jumps to $478 million dollars for Saturday — the 5th largest prize in the game’s history and 8th biggest ever in a US lottery. The drawing carries an estimated $330 million dollar cash value.

Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton will accept the democratic nomination at the Democratic National Convention tonight in Philadelphia. LSU Political Science Professor Bob Mann says the tone Clinton sets in her speech will be important, because not many people trust her…:
CUT 6 (09) “little bit”
He believes Clinton should own up to her mistakes and also reiterate that America is already a great country – to contradict Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump’s campaign slogan.

A Baton Rouge man is facing felony charges after threatening to harm US Senate candidate David Duke and claiming he would kill people for the death of Alton Sterling. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says 22-year-old Anthony Moore made the threats in two separate YouTube videos…:
CUT 3 (08) “for senator”
Moore was arrested on charges of terrorizing and cyber-stalking.

The Lake Charles Police Department says it will hold a news conference this afternoon at 3pm to discuss the murder of a 4 month old baby. They only say that they will release findings into the death and no other information was provided. More on this as it develops.

A memorial service honoring the three fallen Baton Rouge police officers will be held at 2pm today at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge. Casey Rayborn Hicks with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says she knows there are people who want to show support that maybe didn’t feel comfortable attending the services, and this is a way for them to do that:
CUT 7 (08) “a community”
Vice President Joe Biden, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Governor John Bel Edwards will speak at the memorial.

A flash flood warning is in place for several parishes in northeast Louisiana today until 345pm according to the National Weather Service. They say up to three inches of rain have already fallen, and Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.

Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta Lynch will speak this afternoon at a memorial for the three Baton Rouge law enforcement officers who were killed during an ambush on Sunday morning. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says it’s great to have our federal leaders present as the community tries to heal…
cut 8 (10) “….their sacrifice”
The vigil is set for 2 PM today.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand says one of his deputies is lucky to be alive after surveillance video shows a suspect pointing his gun at a deputy who was chasing him. Normand says his deputy killed the suspect, 17-year-old Devon Martes and he says don’t call Martes the victim in this situation…
cut 10 (09) “…dead officer”
The Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen’s Survivors Fund will give 250-thousand dollars to each of the families of the slain Baton Rouge police officers. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (29) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

We are seeing heavy rainfall across the northern half of the state today. A flash flood warning has posted until 12:30 this afternoon for Franklin, Richland and Madison Parishes. According to the National Weather Service, five inches of rain have fallen and an additional two to three inches of rain is expected.

Members of the community are invited today to attend a vigil for the three slain Baton Rouge officers. It will be held in Baton Rouge at the Healing Place Church beginning at 2pm. Casey Rayborn Hicks with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says the funerals of Officers Montrell Jackson and Matthew Gerald, and Deputy Brad Garafola were packed..:
Cut 9 (10) “of that”

The families of the cops will each receive $250,000 from the Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen’s Survivors Fund. Attorney General Jeff Landry, who chairs the fund’s review board, says they should receive lump sum checks in just a few weeks, once the board receives paperwork from courts and police departments…:
Cut 5 (07) “thereafter”

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said the dialogue has to change about shootings involving police. Normand made the statement, after one of his deputies shot 17-year-old Devon Martes on Tuesday night where Martes’s gun misfired when he tried to shoot the deputy after a brief chase. He says he keeps hearing that we need to develop trust between cops and the public:
CUT 12 (11) “abandoned it”
He says his deputy is lucky to be alive.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles said at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club Wednesday that kicker Colby Delahoussay, who was in a tragic double fatal car accident in Wisconsin, sustained injuries that will not end his career..:
CUT 2 (10) “real trauma”

A memorial is scheduled to take place today in Baton Rouge to honor the three officers who were killed last Sunday. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen’s Survivors Fund will give $250-thousand to each of the families of the slain cops. Attorney General Jeff Landry, who chairs the fund’s review board, says he called a special meeting so this money can get to the families as soon as possible…:
CUT 6 (08) “forward”

An armed teenager who was shot and killed by a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy tried to murder the cop over “freaking truck rims” — according to Sheriff Newell Normand. He read off the rap sheet of 17-year-old Devon Martes…:
CUT 11 (12) “trespass plead guilty”
Normand says Martes’ gun misfired and if it weren’t for that he may have a dead officer.

The New Orleans Saints are in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia for training camp, and many Black and Gold faithful are expected to head that way. The region was hit with devastating flooding about a month ago, but Kristy Godby with the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau, says the area has recovered and visitors will have a lot of fun…:
CUT 15 (08) “you are”
This is the third year the Saints have held their camp at the Greenbrier.

A memorial service honoring the three fallen Baton Rouge police officers will be held at 2pm today at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge. Vice President Joe Biden, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Governor John Bel Edwards will speak at the memorial. Casey Rayborn Hicks is with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. She says this shows that their local, state, and federal counterparts are coming together in this community’s time of need.
CUT 7 (08) “a community”
She says they are anticipating a massive turnout for the memorial.

At the Baton Rouge Rotary Club Wednesday, LSU coach Les Miles spoke about the shooter of Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald and Brad Garafola:
CUT 1 (05) “to me”
Also hit in the ambush attack on officers was Deputy Nicholas Tullier who remains in critical condition.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said the dialogue has to change about shootings involving police. Normand made the statement, after one of his deputies shot 17-year-old Devon Martes on Tuesday night where Martes’ gun misfired when he tried to shoot the deputy after a brief chase. Normand says his deputy, David Dalton, is lucky to be alive…:
Cut 10 (09) “dead officer”
He listed off items on Martes’ rap sheet which include a variety of drug and robbery charges starting when he was 14.

There were no big winners in the already massive Powerball jackpot last night which now grows to an estimated $478 million dollars. It’s the 5th largest Powerball prize of all time, and the 8th biggest in US lottery history. The next drawing will be held on Saturday.