AM Newscall October 15th, 2014

The Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2014 Louisiana Tax Amnesty program begins today giving delinquent tax payers a chance to settle their overdue debt with the state. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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There’s a new study out by the Williams Institute at the University of California in Los Angeles which shows allowing same sex couples to marry in Louisiana would be a huge boost to the economy. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The three major candidates in the US Senate race appeared in a televised debate last night. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 3 (31) “reporting”

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The Louisiana Department of Revenue is offering delinquent tax payers a chance to settle their overdue debt with the state. The 2014 Louisiana Tax Amnesty period begins today and runs through November 14. Deputy Secretary Jarrod Coniglio says this is a golden opportunity to get up-to-date on late taxes…

Cut 4  (13)  “that is due” 2X

He says, during the amnesty period, tax payers can settle their debt by paying 100-percent of delinquent taxes and 50-percent of interest owed. The department will waive the remaining 50-percent of interest and 100-percent of the penalty that is due. Coniglio says this year’s amnesty is offering something new, an installment plan…

Cut 5  (10)  “by May first”

He says with the installment plan, tax payers pay 20-percent down and the department will break up the remaining balance into six payments. Last year’s tax amnesty period collected $435 million that went into the state budget. Coniglio says this year’s goal is not quite as lofty…

Cut 6 (06)  “for this amnesty”

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The first meeting of a working group put together by state Senator JP Morrell to review sexual assault policies on Louisiana’s college campuses takes place today. The New Orleans lawmaker wants to craft legislation that seeks to prevent sexual assault incidents at higher education institutions in Louisiana. He says they will begin with education…:

CUT 7 (12)  “so to speak”

Morrell requested a report from the Board of Regents which asked colleges to give the number of sexual assault cases it’s handled and how they were investigated. He says these issues are handled differently from campus to campus…:

Cut 8 (06)   “to do”

Morrell says today’s meeting will be mostly introductory to try to figure out the key areas they would like colleges to address in implementing sexual assault policies for students…:

Cut 9 (09)  “onto college campuses” 

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According to a study by the Williams Institute at the University of California in Los Angeles, if same-sex couples were allowed to marry in Louisiana, it would mean an economic boost of over $28 million to the state over three years. Forum for Equality chairman John Denison..:

Cut 10 (13)  “basic civil right”

The study predicts 4,038 in-state same-sex couples would get married in Louisiana within the first three years. The figures show spending on those weddings by same-sex resident couples and their out-of-state guests would generate $28.3 million dollars in the same time frame. Denison says weddings are big business…:

cut 11 (12)  “in our restaurants”

Denison says study after study has demonstrated that marriage for same-sex couples creates jobs and adds significant revenue to Louisiana’s bottom line…:

cut 12 (13)  “right for them to marry”

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The three major candidates in the US Senate race appeared in a televised debate last night. Analysts’ have said that US Senator Mary Landrieu needed to take some shots as she’s trailing in the polls to Republican Challenger Bill Cassidy so she went after him early in the debate…:

Cut 13 (16)  ” for his record”

Congressman Cassidy’s theme during the majority of the 1 hour debate was about Landrieu voting with President Barack Obama 97% of the time and his intention to vote to get rid of Obamacare if elected…:

Cut 14 (16)  “then vote Bill Cassidy”

Retired Air Force Col Rob Maness took shots at both Landrieu and Cassidy and criticized President Obama in most of his answers…:

Cut 15  (16)  “kick the can down the road”

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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Class features a lot of star power. The eight-member class was announced Tuesday afternoon and there’s plenty of familiar names, led by LSU’s all-time leading rusher Kevin Faulk and former Ragin Cajuns star and Super Bowl quarterback Jake Delhomme. Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Doug Ireland….

Cut 16  (17)   “in Lafayette”

Ireland says the class also features three coach legends…Otis Washington, Pat Collins, Yvette Girouard

Cut 17  (21)   “like her”

The class also features former NBA point guard Avery Johnson of New Orleans, championship thoroughbred racing trainer Frank Brothers and former McNeese State standout Leonard Smith

Cut 18 (21)  “as a cornerback “

17:30 Newscast October 14th, 2014

Research is underway at Tulane into a finger-prick test which would identify whether or not someone had the Ebola Virus within minutes. Doctor Robert Garry says they are still in the testing phase but getting close with this…:
CUT 4 (10) “very promising”
Garry’s team received a two-point-nine million dollar grant last June to develop a speedy diagnostic test that health care workers could use.

Entergy reported thousands of customers remained without power Tuesday afternoon after a strong long of thunderstorms caused widespread damage Monday. Govenor Bobby Jindal, who declared a state of emergency yesterday, toured the Monroe/West Monroe area today to survey the damage. Jindal says they are working with affected areas and FEMA is sending preliminary teams to begin damage surveys.

Governor Bobby Jindal has sent a letter to the President seeking to restore funding that helps provide free funerals for military veterans. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte says the Obama administration allocates the across the board cuts. He says the National Guard’s ability to perform honor detail for military veterans who have passed will be severely impaired…:
CUT 12 (13) “right thing to do”
In the letter Jindal states that 1,100 military funerals were performed by the Louisiana National Guard last year and the cuts would bring that number down below 300.

LSU Coach Les Miles says its his hope quarterback Brandon Harris will get a chance to play Saturday against Kentucky. Miles says they wanted to get Harris on the field against Florida, but the opportunity never presented itself. Anthony Jennings is expected to start against the Wildcats. The last time he played in Tiger Stadium, he was booed off the field after committing three turnovers.

LRN Newscast 16:30 10-14-14

Scientists at Tulane University are feverishly working to develop a finger-prick test that could be used to quickly diagnose whether someone has the Ebola virus. Doctor Robert Garry says using a finger stick is a safer way, and they can get an answer quickly…

CUT 3 (07) ” 15 minutes”

He says it’s still in the testing phase, but in a few weeks they should be ready to present to the Feds.

 

Fire officials are investigating an early morning trailer fire in Thibodaux that claimed the lives of two people. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the fire department responded to the fire at around one o’clock this morning…

CUT 9 (10) “on the scene”

The names of the victims have not been released as of yet.

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People in the Monroe area are trying to pick up the pieces after severe thunderstorms rolled through the area Monday. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

 

Seven people have been arrested today for participating in an online sales scam. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says the suspects are believed to be members and affiliates of Romanian organized crime. The suspects are charged with federal racketeering for stealing approximately $1.4 million dollars from more than 500 people.

LRN Sportscast 16:45

The Ragin Cajuns receive some national TV exposure tonight as they face Texas State in a game that will be televised on ESPN Two in San Marcos, Texas. Tuesday is an unusual day to play a football game, but Coach Mark Hudspeth says his team proved they can handle the unique situation….
cut 17 (16) “….for this game”
Both teams enter tonight’s game with 1-and-0 records in Sun Belt play.

LSU Coach Les Miles says its his hope quarterback Brandon Harris will get a chance to play Saturday against Kentucky. Miles says they wanted to get Harris on the field against Florida, but the opportunity never presented itself. Jennings is expected to start against the Wildcats. The last time he played in Tiger Stadium, he was booed off the field after committing three turnovers.

The 2015 Lousiaina Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class was announced today and it’s a star-studded group of individuals, led by LSU’s all-time leading rusher Kevin Faulk. Former Ragin Cajuns star Jake Delhomme is also part of the class, and so is former ULM football coach Pat Collins, ex LSU and Cajuns softball coach Yvette Girouard and NBA player and coach Avery Johnson, who is from New Orleans and played at Southern. They will be officially enshrined on Saturday, June 27th.

The SEC will announce conference football games for the 2015 season tonight at six P-M. And the league has also announced that Commissioner Michael Slive will retire next summer. He’s been serving in that position for 13 years.

The Pelicans make their first appearance in the Smoothie King Center tonight as they host Houston in preseason action. Tyreke Evans will not play tonight, as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury he suffered during an offseason pick-up game. Evans hopes he can play on Thursday.

LRN Newscast 15:30 10-14-14

Some scientists at Tulane University are working hard to develop a finger-prick test to quickly determine if a patient has the Ebola virus. Jeff Palermo has the story….

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

 

With the storm from Monday, many power outages were reported because of the high winds. Point Coupee Parish had over 5 thousand people without power, along with some 11 thousand customers in New Orleans. An estimated 22 thousand people in Ouachita Parish were in the dark. Governor Bobby Jindal was in Monroe today to survery the damage.

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In a letter addressed to President Obama, Governor Bobby Jindal is urging him to restore funding that helps provide free funerals for military veterans. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte says it’s an important gesture…

CUT 13 (10) Q: “can do”

Without the funding, he says many families will be subject to financial strain.

 

With the early morning trailer fire in Thibobaux that killed two older adults, the investigation has not confirmed the presence of smoke alarms in the home. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there has been an uptick in fire deaths in the past few weeks…

CUT 11 (09) Q: “in your home”

The investigation into that fire continues.

LRN Newscast 14:30 10-14-14

A group of scientists at Tulane University are working to develop a finger-prick test that could be used to quickly diagnose whether a a patient has the Ebola virus. Doctor Robert Garry says for the federal government to allow the finger prick test, they have to show it’s safe and reliable. He says preliminary studies in West Africa have come at the cost…

CUT 5 (10) Q: “this outbreak”

He says they are still in the testing stages, but they are getting close.

 

The top 3 candidates in the Louisiana US Senate race are squaring off in a debate tonight at Centennary College in Shreveport. The debate between Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu, Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy and Tea Party candidate Rob Maness (MAIN us) will air statewide at 7pm on LPB.

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According to Monroe Police, the storms from Monday did a lot of damage, but there were no reports of serious injuries. Monroe resident Jason Wegner told LRN this reminded him how this type of weather damage can really happen anywhere…

CUT 8 (06) Q: “something everywhere”

Governor Bobby Jindal was in Monroe today to survey the damage, after he issued a state of emergency yesterday.

An early morning fire in Thibodaux this morning has claimed the life of two people inside a trailer…

CUT 10 (10) Q: “dead-end street.”

That’s State Fire Marshal Butch Browning who says the names of the 64 year-old and 70 year-old victims have not been released as of yet.

LRN PM Newscall October 14

A group of Tulane scientists are working at a feverish pace to develop a finger-prick test to quickly determine if a patient has the Ebola virus. Jeff Palermo has the story….

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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People in the Monroe area are trying to pick up the pieces after severe thunderstorms rolled through the area Monday. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

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A group of scientists at Tulane University are working  24-7 to develop a finger-prick test that could be used to quickly diagnose whether a a patient has the Ebola virus. Doctor Robert Garry says using a finger stick is a safer way to test for Ebola and they can get an answer in minutes

CUT 3 (07) ” 15 minutes”

Garry’s team received a two-point-nine million dollar grant last June to develop a speedy diagnostic test that health care workers could use. He says they are still in the testing phase, but getting close

CUT 4 (10)  “very promising”

Garry says for the federal government to allow the finger prick test to be used, they have to show its safe and doesn’t produce many false-positives. He says preliminary studies in West Africa are very promising, but it has come at the cost of human life

CUT 5 (10)  “this outbreak”

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People in the Monroe area are trying to pick up the pieces after severe thunderstorms rolled through the area Monday. The storms caused widespread damage and power outages throughout the area. Monroe resident, Jason Wegner, rode out the storm in his home. Wegner says as the wind began blowing harder, he heard a loud crash and his dogs yelping in the back yard…

CUT 6 (13)  “my living room”

Wegner says a tree destroyed his sun porch and part of it was sticking through the ceiling of his living room. Much of damage in Monroe is concentrated in the Garden District. Wegner says the Garden District features a lot of older trees…

CUT 7 (10) “down power lines”

According to the Monroe Police Department, there have been no reports of serious injuries. Wegner says this is a reminder that this type of weather damage can happen anywhere…

CUT 8 (06) “something everywhere”

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Fire officials are investigating an early morning trailer fire in Thibodaux that claimed the lives of two people. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the fire department responded to the fire at around one o’clock this morning…

CUT 9 (10)  “on the scene”

The names of the victims have not been released, but Browning says the male victim was 70-years-old and the female victim was 64-years old. He says when fire fighters arrived, about 75 to 80 percent of the trailer was in flames…

CUT 10 (10)  “dead-end street”

Browning says, at this point, their investigation has not confirmed the presence of smoke alarms in the home. He says there has been an uptick in fire deaths in the past few weeks. Browning says that’s troublesome since we haven’t gotten into winter, yet…

CUT 11 (09) “in your home

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Governor Bobby Jindal has sent a letter to the White House urging the President to restore funding that helps provide free funerals for military veterans. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte says the Obama administration is in charge of allocating the across the board cuts. He says the National Guard’s ability to perform honor detail for military veterans who have passed will be severely impaired…:

CUT 12 (13) “right thing to do”

LaCerte says many families will be severely impacted as a funeral service for a veteran is a powerful and symbolic gesture that our nation can provide….:

CUT 13 (10) “can do”

In the letter Jindal states that 1,100 military funerals were performed by the Louisiana National Guard last year and the cuts would bring that number down below 300. LaCerte says restoring funding for such ceremonies should be a top priority…:

cut 14 (12) “breach of trust”

13:30 Newscast October 14th, 2014

People in the Monroe area are trying to pick up the pieces after severe thunderstorms rolled through the area Monday. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

US Senator Mary Landrieu and two of her Republican Challengers, Congressman Bill Cassidy and Col Rob Maness will all debate for the first time today in the US Senate Race. It’s taking place in Shreveport and voters can watch on LPB starting at 7pm.

Governor Bobby Jindal is sending a letter to the federal government seeking to restore funding for military funerals. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte says the Obama administration is in charge of allocating the across the board cuts. He says the National Guard’s ability to perform honor detail for military veterans who have passed will be severely impaired…:
CUT 12 (13) “the right thing to do”
In the letter Jindal states that 1,100 military funerals were performed by the Louisiana National Guard last year and the cuts would bring that number down below 300 and restoring the funding should be a top priority.

The attorney for LSU defensive back Jalen Mills’s attorney entered a plea of not guilty for his client today on a misdemeanor simple battery charge. The junior is accused of punching a woman in May but his lawyer maintains Mills didn’t do it and they have several eyewitness accounts.

12:30 Newscast October 14th, 2014

Monroe area residents are in clean up mode today a terrible storm brought widespread damage to the area and left thousands without power. Entergy reports that now over 23,000 customers are in the dark in Ouachita Parish. Monroe resident Jason Wegner says the Garden District got the brunt of the damage due to so many old trees…:
CUT 7 (10) “down power lines”
ULM has cancelled classes for the remainder of the day and will give a status on tomorrow’s schedule this afternoon at 4pm. Governor Bobby Jindal is in the area meeting with local officials and surveying damage.

Fire officials are investigating an early morning trailer fire in Thibodaux that claimed the lives of two people. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they responded to the blaze around 1am…:
CUT 9 (10) “on the scene”
He says the female was 64-years-old and the male was 70.

A group of Tulane scientists are working at a feverish pace to develop a finger-prick test to quickly determine if a patient has the Ebola virus. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

It’s Gameday for the Ragin Cajuns football team tonight as they’ll face Texas State in a game that can be seen on ESPN Two at seven o’ clock in San Marcos, Texas. UL Lafayette beat the Bobcats 48-24 last season and both teams this year are 1-and-0 in league play.

After two straight games on the road, LSU begins a three-game homestand this Saturday against Kentucky. The 5-and-1 Wildcats are a much improved team over last season and Coach Les Miles says he’s impressed with Kentucky’s offense…
cut 19 (20) “…throw it”
Miles hopes Quarterback Brandon Harris will get to play this Saturday, after not getting on the field in the win over Florida.

Bad news for former LSU Tiger Stevan Ridley. The Patriots running back is reportedly out for the season, because of a torn ACL. Ridley has 340 rushing yards this season and two touchdowns.

The Saints are at Detroit this Sunday. Lions running back Reggie Bush says he’ll play after missing last Sunday because of a sprained ankle. It will be the first time Bush faces the Saints, since he was traded by the Black and Gold in 2011. Detroit’s supestar receiver Calvin Johnson also didn’t play Sunday, because of a high ankle sprain. Johnson may have to miss two more games, before he can play.

In the High school football polls…St. Thomas More in Lafayette remains ranked number one in Four-A. But district rival Breaux and South Terrebonne have moved into the top ten at number nine and ten respectively.

Tonight in NBA action….The Pelicans host Houston in the Smoothie King Center. These two teams were involved in a trade in the offseason that sent big man Omer Asik to New Orleans.