08:30 Newscast May 13, 2015

The debate over whether Louisiana should keep the controversial Common Core education standards in place ramps up at the state capitol today. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (29) “reporting”

In a narrow vote, the state Senate advances an equal pay bill to the House. New Orleans Senator Ed Murray’s legislation would ensure that all employees receive the same pay for the same kind and quality of work. It also lays out a course of legal action if a worker is underpaid. The measure is expected to run into problems in the House Labor Committee, which killed two similar equal pay proposals this legislative session.

A new statewide Southern Media and Opinion Research poll shows Republican Senator David Vitter’s lead in the governor’s race is growing. Vitter received 38-percent in the poll followed by Democrat John Bel Edwards with 25-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Vitter would have to suffer a catastrophic melt down with his white support not to make the runoff…

Cut 6 (08) “early in a race”

Republican Jay Dardenne finished third with 17-percent of those surveyed, while Republican Scott Angelle got five-percent.

The Attorney General’s Criminal Division Director Kurt Wall says two former St. John the Baptist Parish Water Works employees were convicted for covering up their failure to properly collect water samples from testing sites where a brain eating amoeba was found. Wall says 55-year-old Kevin Branch of LaPlace and 43-year-old Danielle Roussel of Paulina, were covering the areas where the amoeba was discovered…

cut 18 (09) “troubling fact”

Wall says both were sentenced to one year in parish prison, with that sentence suspended, and 6 months probation.

07:30 Newscast May 13, 2015

The House Education Committee is scheduled to debate legislation today that would remove the controversial Common Core education standards from public schools and replace it with one developed by Louisiana residents. But Barry Erwin, president of the Council for a Better Louisiana, says ditching Common Core for another education curriculum is a wrong move for the state…

cut 9 (09) “several years now”

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris authored the bill and says it’s time to come up with a better assessment.

A new statewide poll by Southern Media and Opinion Research shows Republican Senator David Vitter leading with 38-percent of the vote with fellow Republicans Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle receiving 17 and 5-percent respectively. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the poll also shows there’s very few white voters who are undecided, which is bad news for Vitter’s opponents…

cut 5 (07) “to Vitter”

Democrat John Bel Edwards came in second place with 25-percent.

The Attorney General’s office says two former St. John the Baptist Parish Water Works employees were convicted Tuesday for covering up their failure to properly collect water samples from testing sites. The Department of Health and Hospitals later found a brain eating amoeba at those sites. Kurt Wall directs the criminal division at the AG’s office…

cut 17 (10) “what happened here”

Wall says 55-year-old Kevin Branch of LaPlace and 43-year-old Danielle Roussel of Paulina, both pleaded guilty to false swearing.

LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport researchers are working on a new drug that could possibly help cure addiction. Dr. Nick Goeders says EMB-001 blocks the body’s stress responders which interferes with triggers that lead to cravings…

cut 12 (05) “going to relapse”

Goeders says many people enter treatment centers and do fine while they are there, but when they come back to their old lives and encounter triggers that lead to cravings, they begin using again.

06:45 Sportscast May 13, 2015

New Orleans Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps says the decision to release Monty Williams as head coach was one agreed to by everyone within the organization. Williams led the Pels to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, but Demps says the firing decision was not based on what did or did not happen…

cut 14 (08) “moving forward”

Demps says he is going to lead the coaching search which is underway immediately.

In college baseball, the number one ranked LSU Tigers rolled past UNO last night 9-1. Grayson Byrd went 2-5 at the plate and had four RBIs to highlight the Bayou Bengals 12-hit effort. LSU improves to 44-8 as they travel to South Carolina for a three game series beginning Thursday night.

And LSU will play that series with second baseman Jared Foster. Foster had been declared academically ineligible for the rest of the season, but his eligibility was restored after an appeal.

Seth Stevens’ walk-off home run gave Nicholls State a 5-4 win over UL-Lafayette last night at Ray Diddier Field. The win gives the Colonels their first season sweep of the Ragin’ Cajuns since 1996 and extends Nicholls current winning streak to nine games. With the loss, the Cajuns fall to 31-20 overall and will head to Monroe to face ULM in their final regular season Sun Belt series. The Colonels improve to 33-16-1 on the season as they will travel to Natchitoches to wrap up the regular season against Southland Conference rival Northwestern State.

Speaking of the Demons, they fell to Louisiana Tech 13-8. Junior Zac Burger and Senior Colby Johnson each hit a grand slams for the Bulldogs in the contest. Northwestern falls to 29-20. Tech improves to 24-25 and they’ll host Marshall in their regular season finale this weekend.

Southern Miss scored six runs in the fourth inning on their way to beating Tulane 8-4. The Green Wave drops to 31-20 on the year and will travel to Memphis to take on the Tigers in a three game series beginning tomorrow night.

06:30 Newscast May 13, 2015

A new statewide poll shows Republican Senator David Vitter is separating himself even more as the front-runner in the governor’s race. In a survey conducted by Southern Media and Opinion Research, 38-percent of respondents said they would vote for Vitter, his closest challenger is Democrat John Bel Edwards at 25-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat…

cut 4 (08) “the conservatives”

Republican Jay Dardenne finished third in the poll as he received support from 17-percent of those surveyed, while Republican Scott Angelle got five-percent.

Researchers at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport are working on a new drug that could possibly help cure addiction. Dr. Nick Goeders says they’re looking at whether or not the pill “EMB-001″ would work for people who have certain dependencies…

cut 11 (10) “leads to relapse”

He says it may be three to five years before it can go to market.

Legislation will be debated today that would remove the controversial Common Core education standards from public schools and replace it with one developed by Louisiana residents. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris authors the bill and he says Common Core was implemented with little public input and now parents see it’s not good for our students…

cut 7 (09) “democratic process”

Opponents of the measure say ditching Common Core for another education curriculum is a wrong move for the state as schools are wrapping up the second full year of implementation of Common Core. Harris’s measure will be heard in the House Education Committee.

AM Newscall, May 13th, 2015

A new statewide poll shows Republican Senator David Vitter’s lead in the governor’s race is growing. Scott Carwile has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

The debate over whether Louisiana should keep the controversial Common Core education standards in place ramps up at the state capitol today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

Researchers at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport are working on a new drug that could possibly help cure addiction. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

A new statewide poll shows Republican Senator David Vitter is separating himself even more as the front-runner in the governor’s race. In a survey conducted by Southern Media and Opinion Research, 38-percent of respondents said they would vote for Vitter, his closest challenger is Democrat John Bel Edwards at 25-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat…

cut 4  (08)  “the conservatives”

Republican Jay Dardenne finished third in the poll as he received support from 17-percent of those surveyed, while Republican Scott Angelle got five-percent. Pinsonat says the poll also shows there’s very few white voters who are undecided, which is bad news for Vitter’s opponents

Cut 5  (07)  “to Vitter”

Pinsonat says Vitter would have to suffer a catastrophic melt down with his white support not to get into the runoff against Democrat John Bel Edwards…

Cut 6 (08)  “early in a race”

______________________________________

The House Education Committee is scheduled to debate legislation today that would remove the controversial Common Core education standards from public schools and replace it with one developed by Louisiana residents. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris authors the bill and he says Common Core was implemented with little public input and now parents see it’s not good for our students…1

CUT 7 (09)  “democratic process”

Harris says Common Core has created chaos in the state’s public schools and it’s time to come up with a better assessment test and curriculum…

Cut 8  (09)  “last time” 

But Barry Erwin, president of the Council for a Better Louisiana, says ditching Common Core for another education curriculum is a wrong move for the state…

Cut 9 (09)  “several years now”

Erwin says schools are wrapping up the second full year of implementation of Common Core. He says there were some bumps in the road at first, but things are proceeding along just fine now….

Cut 10 (08) “quite a bit”

______________________________________

Researchers at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport are working on a new drug that could possibly help cure addiction. Dr. Nick Goeders (geh-derz) says they’re looking at whether or not the pill “EMB-001” would work for people who have certain dependencies…:

cut 11 (10) “leads to relapse”

Goeders says many people enter treatment centers and do fine while they are there, but then they come back to their old lives and encounter triggers that lead to cravings then they begin using again. He says EMB-001 blocks the body’s stress responders which interferes with triggers that lead to cravings…:

cut 12 (05)   “going to relapse”

Goeders says the drug is being developed in partnership with Embera Neuro and they estimate it may be three to five years before it can go to market. He says the difference between their drug and other drugs that aim to block people from getting high or feeling the effects of drugs, EMB-001 goes directly after the cravings…:

Cut 13 (07)  “in the first place”

______________________________________

New Orleans Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps says the decision to release Monty Williams as head coach was one agreed to by everyone within the organization. Williams led the Pels to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, but Demps says the firing decision was not based on what did or did not happen…:

Cut 14 (08) “moving forward”

Demps says he is going to lead the coaching search which is underway immediately. It’s been reported that the GM and Williams did not see eye to eye on many personnel moves, but Demps says he didn’t see it that way…:

Cut 15  (11)  “talked a lot”

Demps says he personally talked to certain players, including star Anthony Davis, about the decision to let Williams go after the fact but he’s keeping those conversations private. He believes the program will be attractive to potential coaches during the search…:

Cut 16  (09)  “right direction”

______________________________________

The Attorney General’s office says two former St. John the Baptist Parish Water Works employees were convicted Tuesday for covering up their failure to properly collect water samples from testing sites. The Department of Health and Hospitals later found a brain eating amoeba at those sites. Kurt Wall directs the criminal division at the AG’s office.

Cut 17 (10)  “what happened here”

Wall says 55-year-old Kevin Branch of LaPlace and 43-year-old Danielle Roussel of Paulina, both pleaded guilty to false swearing. Branch was convicted on two counts and Roussel on one count. Wall says the two were lying about taking samples and also lying about chlorine levels. He says they were covering the areas where the brain eating amoeba was discovered

Cut 18 (09) “troubling fact’

Wall says both were sentenced to one year in parish prison, with that sentence suspended, and 6 months probation. He says they are appreciative to all who helped in this investigation…:

Cut 19 (12)  “very helpful”

 

17:30 Legislative Update, May 12th, 2015

The debate legislation that would remove the controversial Common Core education standards from public schools and replace it with one developed by Louisiana residents hits committee Wednesday. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris authors the bill and he says Common Core was implemented with little public input and now parents see it’s not good for our students…:
CUT 7 (09) “democratic process”
But Barry Erwin, president of the Council for a Better Louisiana, says ditching Common Core for another education curriculum is a wrong move for the state…:
Cut 9 (09) “several years now”
The bill comes up in the House Education Committee.

A bill by Gonzales Representative Johnny Berthelot that would double littering fines is headed to the full Senate. The House bill advanced out of the Senate Environmental committee Tuesday. Berthelot says the additional revenue would go towards law enforcement retirement…:
CUT 6 (09) “retirement systems”
Under the measure, first offense fines for simple lit erring would go to $150 up from $75.

New Orleans Representative Austin Badon says this year’s anti-discrimination bill should come up in committee next week. He says the legislation would protect someone from being fired someone from a job or denied housing because of sexual orientation. The Louisiana Family Forum has stepped up to oppose similar bills in the past but Badon says they shouldn’t stand in judgement of anyone…:..:
CUT 15 (11) “discrimination”
He says we need to pass this law to send the message that Louisiana is a friendly place to live and work.

 

LRN Sportscast 16:45 May 12

In a stunning move, the Pelicans announced the firing of head coach Monty Williams after five seasons, which included two trips to the playoffs. Jake Madison, a writer for a blog website called Bourbon Street Shots, says the move is surprising considering Owner Tom Benson recently wrote a letter expressing support for Williams, who just guided the Pels to the postseason. But Madison says general manager Dell Demps apparently wanted to go in another direction…
cut 14 (14) “…do that”
Williams told W-W-L TV that the decision made by the franchise hurts and this is the “toughest loss” he’s had in his career.

And the Saints have announced they’ve signed first round pick linebacker Stephone Anthony and third round pick, cornerback P-J Williams. Both contracts are four-year deals.

The number one ranked LSU baseball team begin its last road trip of the regular season as they visit UNO tonight. The Tigers have some question marks with the postseason right around the corner. Closer Jesse Stallings blew another save last weekend and the Tigers haven’t settled on a third weekend starter. But Coach Paul Mainieri says every team in college baseball has its issues, but championship teams overcome their weaknesses…
cut 18 (17) “…get it done”
First pitch tonight against the Privateers is at 6:30.

In other action tonight…Nicholls State looks for its ninth straight win as the Colonels host U-L Lafayette. The Cajuns have lost four of their last six. Louisiana Tech, who has won 11 straight non-conference games, hosts Northwestern State. The Demons have won five in a row overall.

LRN Newscast 16:30 05-12-15

State Treasurer John Kennedy says the state needs far more oversight and transparency in government contracts in light of a recent report by the state Legislative Auditor. It shows Louisiana has nearly 15,000 contracts worth about $21 billion with no real way to keep track of many of them…
CUT 9 (10) “nobody can find”

A double littering fine bill is closer to becoming law, as it passes the House and goes to the Senate Environmental Committee today. The bill by Gonzales Representative Johnny Berthelot would give the additional revenue to the arresting officers retirement fund. Jennings Senator Dan Morrish just wanted to make sure that was the case…
CUT 8 (11) Q: “The general fund”
————————-
An image in Champions Square that has Darren Sharper on it will be coming down soon. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

The other team owned by Tom Benson has fired their head coach. The Pelicans announced the firing of Monty Williams today, and that move caught a lot of fans and sports writers and reporters off guard. The Pelicans finished the season with a record of 45-37 and the 8th position in the Western Conference, earning New Orleans its first postseason berth in four seasons.

LRN Newscast 15:30 05-12-15

More oversight and more transparency with state government contracts. That’s what State treasurer John Kennedy wants in light of a recent report from a Legislative auditor. With $250 million dollars in contracts that are not in the tracking system, he’s hopeful this will be the year it becomes law…
CUT 11 (11) Q: ‘his signature’

Those who litter could face double fines if the bill by Gonzales Representative Johnny Berthelot goes into law. After House passage, the bill advanced to the Senate Environmental Committee today. Livingston Senator Dale Erdey asked Berthelot about how much money that would mean for the arresting officers’ retirement fund…
CUT 7 (12) Q: “dollars a year”
——————————–
A stand-off this morning with Shreveport Police, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputies and some federal agents has ended with two people dead, and another injured. A woman was shot and killed at the residence, and the second victim was taken to University Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. Officers later discovered the unidentified shooter was found dead inside the home from an apparent self inflicted gunshot.

The future of the New Orleans Pelicans will not include head coach Monty Williams, as he was fired today. While many were surprised at the move, writer Jake Madison with Bourbom Street Shots, says he suspects that Williams may have been a bit bull headed by not adapting to his players…
CUT 14 (14) Q: “never gonna do that”
Pelicans Vice-President Mickey Loomis said it was not an easy decision to make.

LRN Newscast 14:30 05-12-15

State Treasurer John Kennedy says the state needs more oversight over state government contracts in light of a report by the Legislative Auditor…
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

The Champion Square image of Tracy Porter interception to seal the deal for the Saints Super Bowl win in 2010 is coming down. The issue is not with the former Port Allen High School star; the problem is Darren Sharper running behind him. With Sharper pleading guilty to sex crimes in three states, Saints officials say they say some images need to be “freshened up.”
—————————-
The reported power struggle between New Orleans Pelicans’ GM Dell Demps and head coach Monty Williams has been resolved. Head coach Monty Williams has been fired, even after taking the team to playoffs for the first time in four seasons…
CUT 13 (14) Q: “out of a job”
That’s Jake Martin with Bourbon Street Shots.

State Police announce the arrest of the driver of a vehicle wanted in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist last week in Terrebone Parish. 53-year-old Toni Friloux (FREE-lou) of Houma faces charges in the death of 46-year-old Robert Clowder, Jr…
CUT 3 (09) “that night”
That’s State Trooper Evan Harrell.