12:30 Newscast July 20,2017

State Superintendent of Education John White says he is committed to his job after speculation he may lose it because he was not reconfirmed by the Senate during the legislative session. White says he’s made great strides in his years as superintendent and students are showing improvement.
Cut 7 (10) “same test”
A lawsuit seeking to remove White as superintendent was dismissed, because only a few elected officials, including the governor, have the authority to take such legal action.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s unemployment rate has dropped a half-percent since January 2016. Based on the latest numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission its at five-point-seven percent. Edwards predicts when the June employment numbers are released, it will be even lower….
cut 11 (09) “…increasing”

 

A Grant Parish man missed the birth of his child after he was arrested for speeding his wife to the hospital. Halen Doughty has the story…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A heat advisory is in effect for the northern part of the state until 7 p.m. Friday.

Here’s a look at commodities.

11:40 LRN Sportscast July 20th

LSU defensive end Isaiah Washington is no longer on the Tigers football team as he’s announced that he’s transferring. The former Karr standout missed much of spring practice because of academic reasons and missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in preseason camp. Washington appeared in just six games during his LSU career, all of them coming during his 2015 freshman season.

While making the rounds at ESPN, LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron said quarterback Danny Etling is 90-percent healthy as he continues to recover from back surgery. Coach O also said on the Paul Finebaum show that he expects pass rusher Arden Key to be ready towards the beginning of the season as he rehabilitates from shoulder surgery. He says Key has resumed running.

And the Saints have placed former LSU wide receiver Travin Dural and fellow rookie defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence on the non-football injury list.

Sam Houston State is the unanimous favorite to repeat as Southland champs. The Bearkats return 2016 Walter Payton Award winner Jeremiah Briscoe at quarterback. Central Arkansas is picked to finish second. McNeese, who is coming off a disappointing six-and-five campaign is picked to finish third. Southeastern Louisiana is picked to finish fourth, Nicholls who is a surging program under coach Tim Rebow is picked to finish fifth and Northwestern State, who won just one game last year, is picked to finish 10th in the 11-team league.

LSU says a new videoboard inside the Maravich Center on the LSU campus will be the largest center hung videoboard in college basketball. Installation is expected to be completed later this month. The two sideline high-definition screens will each measure 42 feet by 21 feet. The boards facing the baseline measure 24 feet by 20.5 feet.

11:30 LRN Newscast July 20th

State Education Superintendent John White could be on his way out, because he was not reconfirmed by the Senate during the legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says confirmation is a legal requirement for White to keep his job. But White says …
Cut 6 (11) “our kids”
A lawsuit seeking to remove White as superintendent was dismissed, because only a few elected officials, including the governor, have the authority to take such legal action.

Edwards is pleased with job growth in the Bayou State. The governor says several sectors of the economy are improving, especially health care thanks to the expansion of the Medicaid program.
Cut 10 (11) “more people” (2x)

Work begins this week to waterproof the first six floors of the State Capitol. Jacques Berry with the Division of Administration says scaffolding is up around the base of the building. And he says the front doors to the tallest building in the city will remain closed over the next year.
Cut 3 (07) “of caution”
Berry says the two entrances on the ground level will remain open.

A Dad rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital missed the birth of his child after being arrested in Rapides Parish. Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says one of his officers clocked Zak Evans’ vehicle doing 108 in a 55 mph speed zone. He says the officer witnessed more dangerous driving as he attempted to pull over Evans…
cut 13 (09) “…off the road”
An ambulance took Evans’ wife to the hospital, where she gave birth to a girl, but the Dad now faces several charges.

10:30 LRN Newscast July 20th

The heat index is already over 100-degrees in some places as the northern half of the state is under a heat advisory until Friday night. The National Weather Service says afternoon temps will climb into the mid to upper 90s. When combined with the humidity, the heat index can reach 109 degrees.

Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says one of his officers clocked an expecting Dad going 108-miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour speed zone as they were making their way out of Grant Parish. He says when officers finally pulled over Zak Evans and got him out of the vehicle, he was livid….
cut 14 (11) “….at the glass”
An ambulance took Evans’ wife Bridget to a local hospital where she gave birth, and Evans was arrested on charges of flight from an officer and careless operation, as well as ticketed for speeding.

Could state Education Superintendent John White’s job be in jeopardy? Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Meanwhile in DC, Louisiana’s Congressional delegation is working on legislation to limit annual federal flood insurance rate hikes to 10-percent. U-S Representative Clay Higgins says homeowners nationwide would approve of this…
cut 9 (11) “…happened everywhere”

09:30 LRN Newscast July 20th

An expecting father rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital missed the birth of his child after being arrested in Rapides Parish. Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says one of his officers clocked Zak Evans’ vehicle doing 108 in a 55 mph speed zone. He says the officer witnessed more dangerous driving as he attempted to pull over Evans…
cut 13 (09) “…off the road”
An ambulance took Evans’ wife to the hospital, where she gave birth to a girl, but the Dad now faces several charges.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s been encouraged by the latest employment numbers which show the state’s unemployment rate dropping and the number of employed increasing. Edwards says they are also seeing positive signs in the Lafayette area, the heart of the state’s oil and gas sector….
cut 12 (08) “….this too”
June employment numbers could be out tomorrow.

St. Landry Congressman Clay Higgins is spearheading an effort to reform the National Flood Insurance Program as the current one expires September 30th. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Elected officials from Louisiana are sending prayers to Arizona Senator John McCain who has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of brain tumor. Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy describess Senator McCain a fighter and Junior Senator John Kennedy calls McCain a colleage, friend and American hero. Medical experts say Cain has a slim chance of beating this type of brain tumor.

08:30 LRN Newscast July 20

Jefferson Parish authorities are trying to determine who killed an 84-year-old woman found strangled in her bed at a Metairie senior facility. At first it was determined Pauline Ballon died of natural causes, but an autopsy revealed she was choked to death. Detectives have not established a motive or suspects.

A Grant Parish man missed the birth of his child after he was arrested for speeding his wife to the hospital. Halen Doughty has the story…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s unemployment rate has dropped a half-percent since January 2016. Based on the latest numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission its at five-point-seven percent. Edwards predicts when the June employment numbers are released, it will be even lower….
cut 11 (09) “…increasing”
Edwards says even the state’s oil and gas sector is showing positive signs.

Female military veterans will have a new support system, as the state Department of Veterans Affairs is set to launch monthly Coffee Conversations. Cordinator Alex Juan says this will offer a place for military women to talk about issues affecting them. She says the discussions will be live streamed and open to all female vets.
Cut 4 (07) “the conversation”
For more information go to the state department of veterans affairs website.

07:30 LRN Newscast July 20th

Governor John Bel Edwards is pleased with job growth and creation in the Bayou State. On his monthly radio call in show, the governor said several sectors of the economy are improving, especially health care thanks to expansion of the Medicaid program.
Cut 10 (11) “more people” (2x)

A central Louisiana man rushing his expecting wife to the hospital is facing several charges after law enforcement clocked him traveling 108-miles an hour and driving recklessly. Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says they understand it was an emergency, but…
cut 15 (09) “…a wife”
Zak Evans missed the birth of his child, because he was arrested.

Louisiana’s Congressional delegation is behind an effort to reform the National Flood Insurance Program. Congressman Clay Higgins is one of the co-sponsors and the Republican from St. Landry Parish says the proposal would protect policyholders from skyrocketing premiums. He says currently, rates can increase annually by as much as 25 percent.
Cut 7 (09) “more reasonable”
The state Department of Veterans Affairs is set to launch a monthly program called “Coffee Conversations” and it’s designed to help female military veterans. Coordinator Alex Jaun says military women can be more hesitant to seek services from the VA and she provided a personal example…
cut 5 (09) “….his medicine”
For more information go to the state department of veterans affairs website.

06:45 LRN Sportscast July 20th

While making the rounds at ESPN, LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron said quarterback Danny Etling is 90-percent healthy as he continues to recover from back surgery. Orgeron also repeated that Etling goes into preseason practice as the starter, but the other QBs on the roster will compete for his job. Coach O also said on the Paul Finebaum show that he expects pass rusher Arden Key to be ready towards the beginning of the season as he rehabilitates from shoulder surgery.

Saints rookies have reported for training camp and the team has placed former LSU wide receiver Travin Dural and defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence on the non-football injury list. The team has not said why.

Conference USA Media Days are underway in Dallas and Southland Football Media Day is today in Houston. Sam Houston and Central Arkansas are considered the favorites to win the league this year.

LSU baseball has welcomed 18 newcomers to the roster and 11 of them are pitchers. The Tigers have to replace their entire weekend rotation, so several of these hurlers will have a chance at becoming the Sunday starter. Veterans Zack Hess and Caleb Gilbert are expected to be the Friday and Saturday starters. Coach Paul Mainieri says Josh Smith will start at shortstop next season and Jake Slaughter will play at either third or second. LSU opens the 2018 campaign by hosting Notre Dame next season.

In major league baseball…former LSU standout Kevin Gausman threw six innings of four-hit ball as the Orioles trounced Texas 10-2. Another former Tiger, Mikie Mahtook, blasted a two-run homer in the 9th for Detroit, but the Royals came back to beat the Tigers four to three.

And the Baton Rouge Advocate reports veteran point guard Rajon Rondo’s one-year deal with the Pelicans is worth three-point-three million dollars.

06:30 LRN Newscast July 20th

Could state Education Superintendent John White’s job be in jeopardy? Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Meanwhile, in Washington DC, Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation is working on legislation to reform the National Flood Insurance Program. U.S. Representative Clay Higgins says it’s their desire to limit rate increases to no more than 10-percent a year….
cut 8 (07) “….a window”
The current flood insurance program expires September 30th.

Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says one of his officers clocked an expecting Dad going 108-miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour speed zone as they were making their way out of Grant Parish. He says when officers finally pulled over Zak Evans and got him out of the vehicle, he was livid….
cut 14 (11) “….at the glass”
An ambulance took Evans’ wife Bridget to a local hospital where she gave birth, and Evans was arrested on charges of flight from an officer and careless operation, as well as ticketed for speeding. Evans told KALB-TV that he didn’t have time to look at the speedometer because he was worried about his wife and baby.

LRN AM Newscall July 20th ###Updated newscall corrected spelling of Creola Police Chief

St. Landry Congressman Clay Higgins is spearheading an effort to reform the National Flood Insurance Program as the current one expires September 30th. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Could state Education Superintendent John White’s job be in jeopardy? Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A Grant Parish man missed the birth of his child after he was arrested for speeding his wife to the hospital. Halen Doughty has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Female military veterans will have a new support system, as the state Department of Veterans Affairs is set to launch monthly Coffee Conversations in August. Female veterans outreach coordinator Alex Juan says this will offer a safe space for military women to talk about the issues affecting them. She says the discussions will be live streamed and open to all of female veterans in the state.

Cut 4  (07) “the conversation”

Louisiana is home to more than 32,000 women veterans. Juan says military women can be more hesitant to seek services from the VA than their male counterparts because females are not always well-received. She says she even ran into a similar incident yesterday morning.

Cut 5  (09)  “his medicine”

Juan says this is about changing the conversation and recognizing that both men and women serve their country. She says it’s also an opportunity for these women to talk about specific struggles they’ve faced with someone who can understand.

Cut 6 (12) “so many of them”

Female veterans interested in serving as program coordinators are encouraged to call 225-219-5005.

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Louisiana’s Congressional delegation is getting behind an effort to reform the National Flood Insurance Program. Congressman Clay Higgins is one of the co-sponsors and the Republican from St. Landry Parish says the proposal would protect policyholders from skyrocketing premiums. He says currently, rates can increase by as much as 25 percent annually.

Cut 7 (09)  “more reasonable”

The current National Flood Insurance Program expires on September 30th, which is why there is a big push reauthorize the program for another six years. Higgins says it’s their desire to limit rate increases to no more than 10 percent a year.

Cut 8 (07) “a window”

Higgins says the bill authorizes $500 million per year for six years for flood control programs. He says flooding is a problem all over the country, which is why this legislation has support from both Republicans and Democrats.

Cut 9 (11)  “happened everywhere”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is pleased with job growth and creation in the Bayou State. On his monthly radio call in show, the governor said several sectors of the economy are improving, especially health care thanks to expansion of the Medicaid program.

Cut 10 (11) “more people”

Edwards says in January of 2016, the state’s unemployment rate was at 6.2-percent and the latest numbers show the unemployment rate in May of 2017 was 5.7-percent and predicts that will drop even lower when the June numbers are released.

Cut 11 (09) “increasing”

Edwards says Lafayette, the hub of the state’s oil and gas sector, is also making great strides. He says in the last year and a half, the city saw four separate months of steady job increases.

Cut 12 (08) “this too”

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A man rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital missed the birth of his child after being arrested in Rapides Parish. Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says one of his officers clocked a vehicle doing 108 in a 55 mph speed zone. He says the officer witnessed more dangerous driving as he attempted to pull over Zak Evans.

Cut 13 (09) “off the road”

Landry says the officer radioed ahead to Pineville, where officers set up a road block because Evans would not stop. He says when officers finally pulled over Evans and got him out of the vehicle, he was livid.

Cut 14 (11) “at the glass”

An ambulance took Evans’ wife Bridget to a local hospital, and Evans was arrested on charges of flight from an office and careless operation, as well as ticketed for speeding. Evans told KALB-TV that he didn’t have time to look at the speedometer because he was worried about his wife and baby. Landry says they understand it was an emergency, but there was still a safety concern.

Cut 15 (09) “and wife”

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