9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Tech is ranked as the second best public university in the state according to the U-S News and World Report’s Best Global Universities list. The rankings focus on a university’s academic research and reputation. Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships Doctor Sumeet Dua says the University’s Physics program was also recognized for its global research…
cut 8 (12) “…over the years”

Newspapers across the state are publishing the names of individuals who have money with the state’s Unclaimed Property Trust Fund. The money went into the fund between September 2021 and August of this year. Treasurer John Schroder says they hope to return the unclaimed money, but if they don’t….
cut 11 (08) “….for everybody”
Unclaimed Property can be money from unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, stock dividends and even rent or utility deposits.

We continue to look at the constitutional amendments on the November eighth ballot. Today we discuss Amendment three, which would allow civil service employees to support campaign activities of family members who run for office. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says people who oppose the amendment say it opens the door to abuse and public perception problems…
cut 6 (11) “….officials have”
But supporters of the amendment say civil service workers should be able to support family members if they are running for political office.

We are five days away from Halloween. Macie Breaux works at Southern Costume Company in New Orleans and she’s seen all kinds of different costume choices…
cut 14 (10) “….here in New Orleans”
Breaux says the premiere of the TV series Interview with a Vampire has inspired several of their customers.

7:30 LRN Newscast Oct 26

Early voting for the November 8th election is underway through next Tuesday. In addition to congressional and local races, your ballot will include eight proposed constitutional amendments. Today we take a look at proposed Amendment Three with Public Affairs Research Council’s Stephen Procopio. As it stands now, public employees – civil servants – cannot engage in any political activity.

CUT 04(10)      “…with their families”

If approved, the change would affect about 51-thousand state and local government workers. However, those who work in registrars’ or clerks of court’s offices would still be prohibited.

A Baton Rouge teacher has been fired, after allegations of inappropriate behavior with students at a previous job came to light. Woodlawn High terminated Vincent Hoang once they learned of alleged grooming, sexual assaults and even giving bad grades to students who rebuffed advances while a teacher at Episcopal High. An alleged victim filed suit against Hoang.

 

U.S. News and World Report ranks Louisiana Tech as the 2nd best public university in the state in its best global universities list…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

Southern University is in Jackson, Mississippi this weekend to play rival Jackson State…but so is ESPN’s College GameDay. This should be great national exposure for both schools. It will likely also mean some sort of feature during the popular TV show involving a Southern player, coach or tradition. Southern is 5 -2, Jackson state is 7-0.

6:30 LRN Newscast Oct 26

State Treasurer John Schroder says there are tens of millions in the state’s Unclaimed Property fund, and his office wants to reunite the money with its rightful owners. Schroder says the database of people with money waiting for them continues to grow…:

CUT 10(07)      “…44-million dollars.”

Schroder says amounts owed can be fairly small and sometimes pretty large. To see if you have money, check your local paper or go online to “LACashClaim.org”

Louisiana Tech University ranks as the second-best public university in the state on the U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities List. Tech’s Executive Associate President for Research and Partnership, Dr. Sumeet Dua says the rankings focused on the university’s reputation and academic research…:

CUT 07(13)      “…pursue.”

 

A candidate for city council in Crowley faces felony cruelty charges. Christopher George Sr. was arrested in late September. His lawyer says he is embroiled in a bitter custody battle for his kids and the allegations made against him are “patently false.” George is still in the race for that council seat.

So, what costumes should you expect to show up at your door or Halloween party this year? A New Orleans costumer says the TV screen has inspired some of the most popular costumes…:

CUT 03(33)      “…Thorington.”

5:30 LRN Newscast Oct 26

According to Walgreens’ flu tracker, Louisiana leads the country in cases. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen announced Andy Dalton will be the starting quarterback moving forward even with Jameis Winston a full participant in practice. Coach Allen’s decision was performance-based.

The offense under Dalton has been one of the top-ranked in both yards and points, and Allen said Dalton will keep the starting job if that trend continues. Dalton and the Saints will host the 2-4 Raiders at noon this Sunday.

_______________________________________________________________________

Louisiana shrimpers say their industry is in shambles. They say rising fuel costs, lax testing of imports, and most of all, competition from foreign imports are the culprits. Acy Cooper is President of the Louisiana Shrimp Association.

He says the imported shrimp is not only bad for the economy, but it’s also bad for consumers’ health. He cites a Consumer Reports study on shrimp safety.

Cut 7 (11) “..trash coming in”

Tomorrow, Southeastern Louisiana University will begin providing independent scientific monitoring of the Lake Maurepas ecosystem. The goal is to see where the lake stands before Air Products begins its project to inject captured carbon emissions into wells deep beneath the lake.

Dan McCarthy is the dean of Southeastern’s College of Science and Technology.

Cut 3 (11) “..recognize changes” 

4:30 LRN Newscast Oct 25

Flu and RSV cases are up among children, but when do you need to seek medical help…?

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has recommended closure of a St. John parish elementary school due to toxic exposure. The EPA says the 5th Ward school in Reserve is very close to the Denka chemical plant, and there’s danger from possible cancer causing agents in the plant’s emissions. The state Department of Environmental Quality says it’s looking into it.

 

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is trying to fill 400 vacancies in a hurry. So they’re hosting job fairs around the state through December 15th.  Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they’re looking for people with big hearts…:

CUT 03(10)      “…to help families.”

For information on available jobs go to “DCFS.la.gov”

Tomorrow night’s Powerball jackpot is at $700-million; the 5th largest in the game’s history. Louisiana Lottery’s Dustin Annison says be sure to sign the back of your ticket…and even if you don’t win the Big Money, check to see if you’ve won additional prizes..:

CUT 13(11)      “…prize tier.

Tickets are on sale until 9 pm tomorrow night.

3:30 LRN Newscast Oct 25

Early Voting is underway for the November 8th election. There are eight Constitutional Amendments on the ballot, but the author of one of them, Amendment 7, wants voters to REJECT it. Brusly Rep. Edmond Jordan’s amendment is intended to prohibit involuntary servitude; slavery. However, he says the ballot language will confuse voters. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin…:

CUT 06  (08)        “…further than intended.”

Jordon hopes we’ll all vote “NO”, and he will tweak and reintroduce the proposed amendment next year.

The Powerball Jackpot reaches $700-million for Wednesday night’s drawing; the fifth largest jackpot in Powerball history. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says it has a cash value of $335.7-million: a lot of money for fairly small risk…:

CUT 12  (07)        “…three dollars.”

Tickets will be on sale until 9 pm tomorrow night.

 

Folks looking for reasons for rising crime in New Orleans’ French Quarter need look no further than the Department of Public Works. About a fifth of all the street lights in the Quarter are broken or burnt out. A full third are damaged in some way or form. With the darkness comes the crime. City officials say they’re working to get the lights back ASAP.

RSV and flu cases are on the rise among children and Ochsner Health Center for Children in Baton Rouge pediatrician Dr. Brannon Perilloux says it’s no coincidence the surge comes as COVID restrictions are relaxed. He says the biggest spreaders for kids are daycares, preschools, and schools themselves…:

CUT 11(10)      “…get it.”

By the way, if you didn’t know…RSV stands for Respiratory Syncitial Virus, and causes minor cold-like symptoms. There’s no vaccine for that yet, but Perilloux urges you to get your kids their annual flu shot soon.

2:30 LRN Newscast Oct 25

There’s been a significant rise in cases of the flu and RSV in Louisiana kids. So, when you should you seek medical help if your kid is sick…?

CUT 02  (33)        “…Thorington.”

The man who allegedly burned down an abandoned hotel in Sulphur has been arrested. The Quality Inn had been shuttered since Hurricane Laura in 2020. It was virtually destroyed by the blaze. 27-year-old Nathan Thomasini, from Washington state, is under arrest for arson, burglary and injury by arson.

 

The Department of Children & Family Services seeks to fill about 400 job openings with all due haste, so they’re having job fairs across the state in mid-December. DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says the response so far has been good…:

CUT 05  (09)        “…will be.”

For details on what positions are open, go online to “DCFS.la.gov”

The state lawmaker who authored one of the 8 Constitutional Amendments on the November 8th ballot is now asking you to vote “no” on it. Brusly Representative Edmond Jordan says the bill was meant to officially abolish slavery from Louisiana law books, but he says language within the bill could confuse voters…:

CUT 08  (11)        “…do it.”

That’s Barry Erwin with the Council for a better Louisiana, CABL.

1:30 LRN Newscast Oct 25

The suspected gunman in Friday’s early morning shooting at an off-campus fraternity house at Southern University, 22-year-old Jaicedric Williams was out on bond and had posted bond twice within a month, in October of 2020 on separate domestic violence and attempted armed robbery charges. Bail for the 11 counts of attempted murder from the Friday shooting was denied.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services might be looking for you! DCFS needs to fill 400 vacancies in a hurry—so they’re changing their hiring process.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

RSV and flu cases are on the rise among children and Dr. Brannon Perilloux, a pediatrician at Ochsner Health Center for Children says in 2020 they didn’t see hardly any flu cases and RSV cases decreased dramatically but since COVID restrictions eased both are making a comeback.

Cut 10 (10) “…comes through.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is asking voters to vote against his proposed Constitutional Amendment seven because the ballot language is confusing. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin also opposes the amendment that deals with a form of slavery and but because of how it’s written, it may actually broaden the use of involuntary servitude

Cut 7 (06) “..in the constitution”

Early voting for the November 8th election began today.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is holding several hiring fairs this fall to fill open positions. Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they are looking to fill jobs in both of their major programs. Family support—helping low-income people get food—But especially child welfare.
Cut 4 (06) “…adoption worker.”
Walters says the next hiring fair is tomorrow in Slidell.

RSV and flu cases are on the rise among children and Dr. Brannon Perilloux, a pediatrician at Ochsner Health Center for Children in Baton Rouge says when you should seek medical care depends on how your child is reacting. For example, if they have a significantly high fever or they feel really bad and Tylenol isn’t helping bring them in.
Cut 9 (08) “…your pediatrician. “
But if they are behaving as normal they don’t necessarily need to see the doctor.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is headed for London on a mission to help improve Louisiana’s costs for insurance and reinsurance….
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is trying to fill 400 vacancies in a hurry. So they’re hosting job fairs around the state through December 15th. Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they’re looking for people with big hearts.
Cut 3 (11) “..family.”
More about the specific jobs is available at D C F S. LA. GOV.

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is asking voters to vote against his proposed Constitutional Amendment seven on the November 8th ballot, because he says the ballot language is confusing. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin also opposes the amendment that deals with a form of slavery…
cut 6 (08) “…intended”
Erwin says the intent of the amendment was to restrict the use of involuntary servitude, to make sure it’s only permitted as a form of criminal punishment.

Early voting begins today for the November 8th election and the ballot contains eight constitutional amendments. President of the Public Affairs Research Council Steven Procopio says Constitutional Amendment two would increase the homestead exemption for veterans with a 100-percent service-connected disability rating….
cut 11 (07) “…paying property taxes”
The amendment, if approved, would also establish a sliding scale of additional property tax exemption for persons with a partial military service-related disability.

The candidates running against Republican incumbent John Kennedy in the U-S Senate are trying to drum up support. Democrat Syrita Steib is a political newcomer who runs a non-profit that helps females restore their lives after they were incarcerated…
cut 14 (10) “…they’re on”