06:30 Newscast December 15, 2014

Louisiana hopes to generate one-point-four million dollars in revenue by selling over seven-hundred underutilized state vehicles at auction. Division of Administration assistant commissioner Jan Cassidy says these vehicles are not being used enough by various state agencies, so the decision has been made to auction them off..

cut 13 (11) “one-point-four-million”

The vehicles will be auctioned off in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The United States Postal Service says if you are shipping by standard post, today is the last day to get that package in the mail for an on-time Christmas delivery. Spokesman McKinney Boyd says today is the post office’s busiest day where they’ll process in the neighborhood of 354,000 packages statewide…

cut 7 (09) “and letters tonight”

He says if you are shipping by First Class or Priority Mail, the deadline is Saturday for a Christmas delivery.
A man who was once the janitor at Port Barre Elementary School and years later became the principal is being featured in a People Magazine series called “Heroes Among Us.” Joseph “Gabe” Sonnier says on a day in the mid-80s the then-principal at the school told the janitor he knew he was very smart and capable of doing more with his life…

cut 10 (08) “to heart”

Sonnier says later he decided to go to school full-time while he continued working as the custodian. Sonnier, now 53, says he got his master’s degree and then was appointed principal at the same school where he worked as a janitor for 27 years.

AM LRN Newscall December 15

5th District Congressman-elect Ralph Abraham says he’s ready to begin his duties in Washington D.C. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

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The United States Postal Service says if you are shipping by standard post, today is the last day to get that package in the mail for an on-time Christmas delivery. Scott Carwile reports…

Cut 2 (31) “reporting”

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A man who was once the janitor at Port Barre Elementary School and years later became the principal is being featured in a People Magazine series called “Heroes Among Us.” Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 3 (31) “reporting”

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5th District Congressman-elect Ralph Abraham says he’s ready to begin his duties in Washington D.C. The Republican from Richland Parish says he’s already be told he’s secured assignments on the House Agriculture and Veterans Affairs committees…:

cut 4  (10)  “in the nation”

Abraham will be sworn in on January fifth and he expects the new Congress, will quickly act on a couple of important items ..:

Cut 5  (11)  “Obamacare”

Abraham is a physician, veteran, farmer and business owner. He says on the AG committee he’s going to push for looser EPA restrictions because farmers need freedom to grow a crop without a lot of government oversight. Abraham says as a doctor he realizes how vital it is that we properly take care of our Veterans which is not happening in many parts of the country…:

Cut 6 (11)  “and the right care”

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The United States Postal Service says if you are shipping by standard post, today is the last day to get that package in the mail for an on-time Christmas delivery. Spokesman McKinney Boyd says today is the post office’s busiest day where they’ll process in the neighborhood of 354,000 packages statewide…

CUT 7 (09)  “and letters tonight”

Boyd says they expect to process an additional 1.5 million cards and letters tonight. He says if you are shipping by First Class or Priority Mail, the deadline is Saturday for a Christmas delivery. Boyd says you can avoid lines at the post office by going to their website and schedule a free package pickup…

Cut 8 (07)  “pick it up” 

The web address is www-dot-usps-dot-com. For the true last minute shopper, December 23 is the deadline to send a package using Priority Mail Express. Boyd admits that most people communicate electronically these days, but says there is still nothing like receiving a Christmas card in the mail…

Cut 9 (09)  “many miles away”

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A man who was once the janitor at Port Barre Elementary School and years later became the principal is being featured in a People Magazine series called “Heroes Among Us.” Joseph “Gabe” Sonnier says on day in the mid-80s the then-principal at the school told the janitor he knew he was very smart and capable of going more with his life…:

Cut 10 (08) “to heart” 

Sonnier says later he decided to go to school full-time while he continued working as the custodian. He says after getting his associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree he began teaching a Port Barre Elementary School…:

cut 11 (09) “elementary”

Sonnier, now 53, says he got his master’s degree then was appointed principal at the same school where he worked as a janitor for 27 years. His story has inspired many people and Sonnier has been featured on several TV shows and magazines. He says this is his lesson to us all…:

cut 12 (11)  “or your dream”

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Louisiana hopes to generate one-point-four million dollars in revenue by selling over seven-hundred underutilized state vehicles at auction. Division of Administration assistant commissioner Jan Cassidy says these vehicles are not being used enough by various state agencies, so the decision has been made to auction them off

Cut 13 (11)  “one-point-four-million”

The vehicles will be auctioned off in East Baton Rouge Parish. Cassidy says these vehicles have been driven less than 15-thousand miles over the last year

Cut 14 (12)  “job done”

Cassidy they are constantly evaluating state inventory to make sure they are spending tax dollars appropriately and it’s been determined they reduce the number of state vehicles by over seven-hundred

Cut 15  (08)  “surplus vehicles”

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The Saints will try to get another win on the road tonight when they face the Chicago Bears. New Orleans went to the Windy City last year and won 26-18 as Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns

Cut 16  (14)       (Brees chuckles)

It’s been a frustrating season for the Saints, who have lost four in a row at home, but they’ve won their last two on the road. New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan says they’ve focused on being more consistent heading into tonight’s game

Cut 17  (17)   “get this win”

Jordan hopes the Saints defensive line can set the tone in tonight’s game by getting after Bears Quarterback Jay Cutler…

Cut 18 (11) “next coming”

10:30 LRN Newscast December 13

State Police say four people were killed early Friday morning as a result of a fiery head-on crash in Avoyelles Parish. Investigators say the driver of a Chevy pickup lost control and slammed into a Toyota Prius on Louisiana Highway 107, northeast of Marksville. Troopers are still working to identify all of the victims, but one of the persons killed was 59-year-old Kenneth Davis of Deville.

LaSalle Parish lawmen have made an arrest in the investigation into a bomb threat at Jena High School on Wednesday morning. The sheriff’s office has arrested 18-year-old Jaqurius Dequan Ogletree. He is not a Jena student and his bond will be set next week.

Haynesville and Many won state championships in football last night. In the One-A title game, Haynesville won its 17th state title in football by shutting out Mangham 16-0. Many won its first state title by beating Kinder 22-15.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has been indicted by an OrleansParish grand jury on two counts of aggravated rape. Michelle Southern has more…
cut 2 (31) “…reporting”

Monday will be the busiest day of the year for the US Post office. Spokesperson McKinney Boyd says you can avoid lines at your local post office by going their website and schedule a free package pickup…
cut 8 (07) “….pick it up”
Boyd says the December 23rd is the deadline to send a package using Priority Mail express.

09:30 LRN Newscast December 13

State Police say four people were killed in a fiery crash that took place in Avoyelles Parish early Friday morning. Authorities say a Chevy pickup collided with a Toyota Prius on Louisiana Highway 107, northeast of Marksville. After the collision, both vehicles became fully engulfed in flames. State Police have identified one of the victims, 59-year-old Kenneth Davis of Deville.

State Police say two Town of Franklinton employees are under arrest accused of stealing over $22,000 in water and utility payments from residents. Trooper Greg Marchand says 39-year-old Carmen Freemen and 42-year-old Caprice Dawson processed over 230 payments that were never deposited into the town’s account…
CUT 4 (07) “own personal gain”
They were arrested on many charges including felony theft and malfeasance in office.

5th District Congressman-elect Ralph Abraham says he’s ready to begin his duties in Washington D.C. Michelle Southern reports….
cut 1 (27) “…reporting”

In the Mercedes Benz Superdome tonight…Acadiana is seeking to win back-to-back state titles for the first time in school history as they take on Destrehan in the Class Five-A Championship game. Last night….Haynesville won the One-A title by shutting out Mangham 16-0, and Many is the two-A champs after beating Kinder 22-15.

08:30 LRN Newscast December 13

Louisiana hopes to generate one-point-four million dollars in revenue by selling over seven-hundred underutilized state vehicles at auction. Division of Administration assistant commissioner Jan Cassidy says these vehicles are not being used enough by various state agencies, so the decision has been made to auction them off…
cut 13 (11) “…one-point-four million”
The vehicles will be auctioned off in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Two employees from the Town of Franklinton are under arrest, accused of stealing over $22,000 in water and utility payments from residents. State Trooper Greg Marchand says they arrested 39-year-old Carmen Freemen and 42-year-old Caprice Dawson on several charges…
CUT 5 (06) “in Franklinton”
He says Freemen and Dawson processed over 230 payments that were never deposited into the town’s account.

Former Saints star Darren Sharper is now facing state and federal indictments based on cases that occurred in Orleans parish. He’s facing two counts of aggravated rape and federal drug charges as he allegedly drugged two female victims before sexually assaulting them in September of 2013. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says even though Sharper played for the Saints, he believes a future trial will be held in Orleans Parish…
cut 8 (10) “…anywhere else”

An unrestrained passenger in a car that was hit by an 18 wheeler on I-20 yesterday in Lincoln Parish has died after being ejected from the vehicle. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says the driver of the vehicle said she hit something in the road and lost control, eventually getting struck by an 18-wheeler…
CUT 10 (08) Q: “died at the hospital”
Reichart says 28 year-old Kimberly Henderson of Monroe died at a local hospital.

07:30 LRN Sportscast December 13

Haynesville and Many won state championships in football last night. In the One-A title game, Haynesville won its 17th state title in football by shutting out Mangham 16-0. KeAndre Harris had an 86-yard touchdown run. Many won its first state title by beating Kinder 22-15. Kentrell Maxie’s five-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the difference.

Today’s action at the Dome gets underway at noon as Livonia faces Amite in the Three-A title game. Neville will take on Warren Easton in the four-a championship and it’s Destrehan versus Acadiana for the Five-A Championship. Destrehan lost to Acadiana in the semifinals last year. Wildcats Coach Stephen Robichaux says his team knows what they are up against…
cut 19 (09) “…face em”
Destrehan is trying for its third state title in eight years, while Acadiana looks to go back-to-back for the first time in school history.

The Saints continue preparations for the Chicago Bears, who they’ll face on Monday night. New Orleans defense has allowed at least 27 points in its last five games. But they go up against a Chicago offense that’s yet to score 30 points in a game this season. The weather forecast in Chicago on Monday calls for a 50-percent chance of rain and temperatures in the 40s.

SEC football news…Will Muschamp is back at Auburn as that school’s defensive coordinator. And Ole Miss has finalized a new contract with head coach Hugh Freeze, who will make four-point-three million dollars next season.

In the NBA…Tykeke Evans had a season-high 31 points and 10 assists as the Pelicans beat Lebron James and the Cavaliers 119 to 114. Anthony Davis left in the first quarter with a chest contusion and did not return. Ryan Anderson added 31 points, while Lebron had 41.

In college hoops…LSU hosts Sam Houston State, while U-L Lafayette faces Centenary in the Cajundome.

LRN Newscast 17:30 December 12

Federal and state grand juries handed down indictments against former Saints safety Darren Sharper based on allegations that he sexually assaulted two drug-impaired women at his New Orleans apartment in September 2013. He’s also facing a simple rape charge for a separate incident that occurred in August 2013. Legal analyst Tim Meche says rape is typically a “he-said-she-said” argument in court…
cut 6 (13) “….about this case”

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office has charged a 48-year-old man in the stabbing death of his 45-year-old wife. Brian Anthony Porter faces a second-degree murder charge. The victim, Penny Porter, was found stabbed to death inside her apartment Friday morning. Authorities say the two were living together when the incident occurred.

A fatal accident involving an 18 wheeler Friday morning on I-20 in Lincoln Parish has claimed the life on an unrestrained passenger after she was ejected from the vehicle. State Police Trooper Michael Reichart…
CUT 11 (05) Q: ‘event of a crash’
The woman killed has been identified as 28-year-old Kimberly Henderson of Monroe.

A documentary dubbed the first comprehensive overview of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and aftermath, is being shown in select theaters across the country. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 5 (29) “…reporting”

LRN Newscast 16:30 12-12-14

Today was indictment day for former New Orleans Saints star Darren Sharper; first this morning by an Orleans Parish Grand Jury for two counts of aggravated rape of two women; then, this afternoon on federal drug charges-as it was alleged he drugged the women. As for as the rape case, Legal Analyst Tim Meche does not believe the trial will have to be moved from Orleans Parish…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘anywhere else’

State Police are investigating a fatal accident that happened this morning on I-20 in Lincoln Parish, which claimed the life of a woman who was not buckled up. Trooper Michael Reichart says 35-year-old Candace Henderson told police she hit something in the road…:
CUT 9 (08) “lane of travel”
That’s when an 18 wheeler hit her, ejecting and killing her passenger -28 year-old Kimberly Henderson of Monroe.

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State Police say two Town of Franklinton employees are under arrest, accused of stealing over 22 thousand dollars in water and utility payments from residents…
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

State Treasurer John Kennedy is urging Louisiana residents to check out the state’s unclaimed property database. He says over 500-thousand people are owed money from old checking accounts, insurance proceeds and oil and gas royalty payments. He says the unclaimed money can certainly help during the holiday season.

LRN Newscast 15:30 12-12-14

Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper has been indicted by an Orleans Parish Grand jury on two counts of aggravated rape. Michelle Southern with more…
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”
Sharper was also indicted this afternoon on federal drug charges.

A Crowley woman has died after she was hit in the parking lot of Cowboy’s Night Club in Scott. Twenty-two year-old Kylie Pannell died later at a local hospital. The driver-Chase Franks-was booked on OUI and vehicular homicide.
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A fatal accident involving an 18 wheeler in a crash this morning on I-20 in Lincoln Parish has claimed the life on an unrestrained passenger after she was ejected from the vehicle. State Police Trooper Michael Reichart says it’s another reminder…
CUT 11 (05) Q: ‘event of a crash’
The driver, 35 year-old Candace Henderson told police she hit something, lost control, then crossed over into the opposite lane of traffic.

Ticket sales are very brisk for the Music City Bowl in Nashville as LSU plays Notre Dame on December 30th. Out of 8 thousand tickets allotted, only about 700 remain. LSU Ticket Office Manager Brian Broussard says you can buy through Ticketmaster, but LSU’s tickets have better seats…
CUT 14 (10) Q: “100 level”
Broussard says Nashville is proving to be an attractive destination.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 December 12

The Class One-A and Two-A football championship games are tonight in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In the One-A title game, Mangham faces Haynesville. The two-a championship game will take place at 8:30 as Kinder matches up with Many.

Three more games tomorrow, including the Four-A title game between Warren Easton and Neville. Warren Easton is led by quarterback Deshawn Capers-Smith, who was named Louisiana Football Gatorade Player of the Year. Neville Coach Mickey McCarty says his defense will face a big challenge in trying to slow down Capers-Smith…
cut 17 (18) “….our offense”

Tonight in the Smoothie King Center…the Pelicans host the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron James is questionable, because of left knee soreness.

There’s only about 700 tickets left out of the 8,000 ticket allottment for LSU in the Music City Bowl, as the Tigers will play Notre Dame December 30th. LSU ticket office manager Brian Broussard, says he’s not surprised by the response, because of the opponent and it’s Nashville…
cut 13 (05) “…to visit’
Broussard says you can also purchase tickets through Ticketmaster, but the tickets LSU sells are in a better location.

It doesn’t look like South Carolina fans are exicted about traveling to Shreveport for the Duck Commander Independence Bowl. Reports say South Carolina has only sold seven-hundred of its eight-thousand allotted tickets.

Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton has been fined 82-hundred for his role in a fight that erupted last week after Carolina’s Cam Newton scored a touchdown. And former Saint, Darren Sharper,w as indicted today on aggravated rape charges for allegedly drugging and then having sex with two women in New Orleans last year.