14:30 LRN Newscast October 16

An autopsy on an 11-month old East Baton Rouge child finds that the infant was shot, stabbed and beaten. Authorities have charged 33-year-old Fabian Smith with first-degree murder. Zachary Police Chief David McDavid says they responded to the home after another child in Smith’s house alerted a neighbor of what happened…
cut 8 (07) “….call 9-1-1”
Police are still searching for a motive.

In nearby Baker, police say a 13-year-old secretly gave birth to a child and then left the baby on her teacher’s front porch. The umbilical cord was still on the newborn. Police believe the girl gave birth to the child herself and her parents didn’t even know she was pregnant. The father is also believed to be 13-years-old. But Baker Police Chief Carl Dunn told a Baton Rouge TV station that the baby is fully healthy.

New Orleans will see it’s first female mayor in it’s history. Kelley Ray has more on the upcoming runoff election…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Voters approved all three constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says with the passage of amendment two, spouses of all first responders who die while on duty will receive a full property tax exemption and it’s retroactive….
cut 10 (10) “…valuable job”

13:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2017

The fire is out at the platform that was the site of an explosion last night on Lake Pontchartrain. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the platform is just a storage facility and owned by Clovelly Oil Company:
Cut 4 (12) “supply boat”
The Coast Guard is continuing to coordinate the search for a man missing since the explosion occurred.

The November 18th runoff will decide the first woman to be mayor of New Orleans, after LaToya Cantrell and Desiree Charbonnet advance from the first round of voting on Saturday. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is a historic first, but not a surprise two women in the runoff..:
Cut 14 (12) “have two”
Voter turnout for the Mayoral primary was 32 percent.

A 13-year-old girl left her newborn baby at the front step of a teacher’s home in Baker, according to cops. They say the teen told authorities she didn’t know what to do with the baby, so she left it at the teacher’s door and left. Apparently the teen’s parents didn’t know she was pregnant, and the girl gave birth alone in a bedroom. At this point they are not expecting any arrests.

Detectives in Baton Rouge are investigating a fatal shooting last night that left a 26-year-old dead after a homeowner claims he brandished a firearm and charged at him. BRPD Sgt. Don Coppola says the 36-year-old homeowner told police he was standing in his yard when he shot Clayton Bradford after a verbal altercation…:
Cut 15 (10) “crimes unit”
He says this is an ongoing investigation.

12:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2017

Authorities are still looking for a worker who may have gone missing after an explosion on a platform in Lake Pontchartrain last night. Four of the seven injured people have left the hospital while three are critically injured. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto is not releasing much information on the 8th worker that remains missing…:
Cut 5 (12) “find em”
They said the fire is almost out, and it doesn’t appear there is any pollution in the water.

City Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell and former Municipal Court Judge Desiree Charbonnet are headed to a New Orleans mayoral runoff; and the city will see it’s first female mayor ever. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says that makes this race far more interesting…:
Cut 12 (07) “sharp edged”
Voter turnout for the Mayoral primary was 32 percent.

The three constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot passed and are now law. President of the Public Affairs Research Council Robert Travis Scott says the first amendment which establishes a property tax exemption for construction work in progress will make things more certain for tax assessors…:
Cut 9 (11) “be taxed”
Amendment number two will give the spouses of volunteer firefighters, EMS, and paramedics who die on duty, a full property tax exemption. With the passage of amendment three, the state has created a new fund within the transportation fund.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 16

For the first time since 2013 the Saints have a winning record. New Orleans scored a franchise best three defensive touchdowns in one game to beat Detroit 52-38. The 52 points scored ties a club record for second most points scored in one game and the Black and Gold forced five turnovers, which is the most ever in the Sean Payton era. But Payton is not pleased about his team almost allowing the Lions to rally back from a 35-point deficit…
cut 19 (12) “…continue to win”
New Orleans is now 3-and-2 and they have a good chance at winning its fourth straight game this Sunday in Green Bay. That’s because Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone and could miss the rest of the season.

The LSU Tigers are once again ranked in the Top 25 polls after their historic come from behind win over Auburn. LSU trailed by 20 points, but roared back to beat their SEC West rival 27-23. The defense held Auburn to 64 yards in the 2nd half, D.J. Chark returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown and Connor Culp kicked two field goals in the final three minutes. Head Coach Ed Orgeron…
Cut 16 (20) “football game”
This Saturday the Tigers are at Ole Miss. The Rebels are 3-and-3 overall, 1-and-2 in the SEC. They are led by former Calvary Baptist Quarterback Shea Patterson. Kick-off is at 6:15.

11:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2017

The search continues for a missing worker after an oil and gas platform exploded in Lake Pontchartrain on Sunday….:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

We’re feeling significantly cooler weather today in Louisiana, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says we may have broken the back up summer…:
Cut 26 (07) “be over”
Most of the state will see highs just in the 70s today, and minimum temps in the upper 40s low 50s.

Zachary police a man allegedly murdered his 11-month-old baby. 33-year-old Fabian Smith is charged in the death of Jericho Smith. Police arrived on the scene Saturday to find the baby lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds. Zachary Police Chief David McDavid says Smith had allegedly locked other children outside…:
Cut 6 (08) “tragic event”
Smith has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to juveniles.

State Police say a 4-year-old was killed over the weekend after being struck by a vehicle in Iberia Parish. They say Raylen Jones of New Iberia had wandered outside of his home Saturday night without detection and ended up in the street. LSP responded to the accident around 10:30pm that night. Troopers, along with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Division are continuing the investigation.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast October 16

Three victims from last night’s energy platform explosion on Lake Pontchartrain remain in critical condition and the search for one of the workers continues today. Jefferson Parish EMS Director Mike Guilliot says seven people were taken to the hospital last night…

Cut 3 (12) “or discharge.”

 

Authorities say the rig is still burning and will eventually burn itself out. Officials say there is no pollution in the water.

A significant cold front moved through the Bayou State leaving us with some much needed relief. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the front has brought much cooler and drier Canadian air.  Afternoon highs will be in the 70s in northern parishes and low 80 in the coastal zone…

(CUT 7) (:11) “coastal parishes.

________________________________________________________________

State health officials say now is the time for Louisiana to get their flu shot as the influenza season is stating.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves authored legislation seeking to protect Cajuns, saying they are endangered, because of coastal land loss.  Graves believes the federal government has been mismanaging the Mississippi River system for years…

Cut 10 (08)  “primarily live.”

 

09:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2017

The fire continues to burn and the search for a missing worker continues following a platform explosion in Lake Pontchartrain Sunday night. Authorities in Jefferson Parish say the flame is burning at a very low pressure and could continue to for several hours, but it is contained. The name of the missing worker has not been released. Two workers are still being treated for burns; and one is in critical condition.

A significant cold front moved through the Bayou State leaving us with some much needed relief. State Climatologist Barry Keim says most of the state will see highs just in the 70s today, and minimum temps in the upper 40s low 50s. He says even though hot summer temperatures seem to be behind us; we can still expect a warmer than normal fall…:
Cut 9 (11) “currently getting”
He says today’s weather is what we can expect most of the week.

Louisiana US Representative Garret Graves introduced an amendment he said to make a point about coastal land loss; indicating the Cajun way of life should be added to the endangered species list….:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

It’s Halloween costume time and shops say it looks like people are going for the scary clowns this year because of the popular movie It. Store manager for Halloween Express in Baton Rouge DeMarcus Cox says they are seeing that trend with kids too, but the favorites among the little ones:
Cut 15 (05) “policeman “

 

08:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2017

Officials gave an update this morning on the oil platform explosion Sunday evening in Lake Pontchartrain. They confirmed that the search continues for one worker, 4 have been released from the hospital and two are being sent to a burn center — one of those in critical condition. They said the fire is still going, but it is under control and will burn itself out.

Looks like the Bayou State has gotten some much needed relief from the heat as a cold front passed through last night. Emelie Gunn has more..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State health officials are reminding Louisianans it’s time to get your annual flu vaccination. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Heath Dr. Parham Jaberi says many people think they can get the flu from the vaccine, but that’s not true…:
Cut 6 (10) “actual illness”
LDH will host flu vaccination clinics until December in all parts of the state.

Halloween is only two weeks away and Louisiana residents are rushing to find the hottest costume. Store manager for Halloween Express in Baton Rouge DeMarcus Cox says the most popular costume this year is Pennywise the Clown from the movie It. He says it looks like guys are going for scarier outfits for this Halloween…:
Cut 13 (08) “scream man”
Cox says the trends show even kids are looking to be scary with clown costumes.

 

07:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2017

7 people are hurt and one person is missing following an oil platform explosion in Lake Pontchartrain just north of Kenner. There are several federal agencies responding in search of the man. The City of Kenner issued a statement saying cleaning chemicals ignited on the surface of the oil rig platform which caused the blast.

State health officials say now is the time for Louisianans to get their flu shot, as the influenza season is starting. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves made a bit of a splash in the House Natural Resources Committee offering an amendment to the Endangered Species Act to include Cajuns as a way to call attention to coastal land loss. Graves said endangered species are given extra protections, but he feels the Cajun culture is also threatened…:
Cut 11 (13) “same protections.”
The amendment was shot down, but Graves said he wanted to make a point about how the feds should work with coastal Louisiana and not against.

You walked outside to beautiful weather today, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says summer might officially be behind us…:
Cut 7 (11) “coastal parishes”
He says this cool weather will stick around all week long.

 

06:45 Sportscast, October 16th, 2017

It was another wild Sunday in the NFL; and the Saints game was no exception. The Black and Gold nearly blew a 35-point lead, but an opportunistic defense preserved a 52-38 victory over the Detroit Lions. The Saints offense failed to get a first down in eight straight possessions in the second half, and Head Coach Sean Payton isn’t pleased:
Cut 19 (12) to win“
An interception in the end zone by Cam Jordan on a batted pass sealed the victory. Before that big play by Jordan, the Lions scored four straight TDs.

New Orleans takes on Green Bay next, and one of the biggest stories of the day is that Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone and is out indefinitely.

The Pelicans dropped their final preseason game falling to Memphis 142-101. The Pels open the regular season Wednesday against the Grizzlies.

LSU climbed back into the college polls, re-entering the AP Top 25 at #24, following a 27-23 comeback win over 10th ranked Auburn Saturday. Two weeks ago, some wondered if the Tigers would finish with a winning record. Now they are in position to compete for an SEC West title. Head Coach Ed Orgeron…:
Cut 17 (21) “have been”
It’s the Tigers largest come from behind win at home since 1949.

In the Sun Belt, ULM had a second half rally…but it fell short as the Warhawks dropped a Homecoming loss to Georgia State 47-37.

No. 23 Nicholls took a 29-20 Southland Conference win over Abilene Christian and the 5-2 Colonels now have its first three game winning streak since 2013.

Northwestern State barely missed a titanic upset of 9th ranked Sam Houston, but the Bearkats ended up with a 40-36 conference win.

Southeastern improves to 4-1 in Southland play with convincing 56-10 road win over Houston Baptist.

Tulane fell to FIU, 23-10.