12:30 LRN Newscast December 14

A grand jury meets today in the case of 10 LSU Phi Delta Theta brothers who are charged in connection with the death of Maxwell Gruver. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Cut 30 …students cheering”

That’s the reaction of students at T-M Landry College Preparatory after 16-year-old Ayrton Little of Breaux Bridge learned he was accepted to Harvard. The viral video shows Little and his classmates sitting around a computer and when he gets the notification, the room goes nuts.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has sent a letter to the Department of Revenue urging the state to seek back tax payments from Mike Edmonson after an audit found he lived rent free for the nine years when he served as Superintendent of State Police. Kennedy says the audit shows Edmonson received over 400-thousand dollars of freebies.

Cut 12 (11) “all that”

The governor’s office says Kennedy is seeking headlines again and point out that he did nothing about Edmonson’s arrangement when he served as state treasurer.

The U-S Post Office says today is the day to mail packages via ground service, if you want ensure that gift arrives in time for Christmas. And Twana Barber with the U-S Postal Service says you only have a few more days to get those Christmas cards out…

Cut 9 (09)  “By Christmas”

11:40 LRN Sportscast December 14

LSU offensive line coach Jeff Grimes has been named as the offensive coordinator at BYU today. Tiger Rag Magazine reports head coach Ed Orgeron has already found a replacement in Los Angeles Chargers offensive line assistant James Cregg. Cregg and Orgeron were on staffs together at Tennessee and USC and Cregg was an assistant when they won Super Bowl 50.

LSU has several draft-eligible juniors who could enter the NFL draft. Cornerback Donte Jackson knows a decision has to be made soon, but right now the focus is on the Fighting Irish…
cut 18 (20) “…Notre Dame”
Kick-off against Notre Dame is at noon on New Year’s Day.

Bruce Feldman with Sports Illustrated reports Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry has emerged as a favorite to become the next head coach of the Ragin Cajuns. Pry guided one of the best defenses in college football this past season. He also served as an assistant at UL Lafayette from 2002 to 2006, helping the Cajuns win a share of the 2005 Sun Belt Championship.

In basketball, the LSU Tigers defeated Houston 80-77 last night. The Bayou Bengals got a big game from Aaron Epps who set career highs with 26 points and 16 rebounds. Head Coach Will Wade on his senior from Ball, Louisiana…
cut 29 (15) “…proud of him”
The Tigers are 6-and-2 and host Stephen F Austin on Saturday.

In the NBA, the Pelicans bounced the Bucks 115 to 108.

11:30 LRN Newscast December 14

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes former State Police leader Mike Edmonson owes the state back taxes for free housing and other benefits. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A 71-year-old jail inmate who started serving a prison term while still a teenager will get his first parole hearing early next year.   Henry Montgomery was sent to prison after killing an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy in 1963.  Recently the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juveniles have not been given a chance to argue for their release after getting life sentences without possibility for parole.

A grand jury meets for the first time today to determine if 10 LSU fraternity members should be charged in connection with Maxwell Gruver’s suspected hazing death. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the accused individuals have the opportunity to testify and tell their side of the story…

Cut 3 (11) “….telling him to drink”

All ten are facing a charge of hazing and one of the defendants has also been charged with negligent homicide.

A report gives Louisiana a “D” grade on efforts to improve financial literacy in high schools. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds passed a law in 2016 on this subject. Reynolds believes financial literacy is not being taught as extensively as it should, because schools are judged on how well students achieve in math and English…

Cut 15 (08) “…backburner”

Reynolds says he plans to discuss the issue with BESE.

10:30 LRN Newscast December 14

A Grand Jury hearing begins today in the Maxwell Gruver hazing death at LSU in September.  Police say the 18-year-old was forced to drink 190 proof alcohol as part of a fraternity pledge with Phi Delta Theta.  10 LSU students were arrested.   His mother, Rae Ann Gruver spoke out on ABC’s Good Morning America calling the incident murder.  Both parents hope their son’s death makes others aware of the importance of reporting hazing if they witness it…

A Tulane researcher has received a 414-thousand-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to study why males have more impulse control issues than females.  Jill Daniel from Tulane’s Brain Institute says there are differences in the connection between the pre-frontal cortex and the area of the brain that control impulses, which makes a person more compulsive…

Cut 9 (13)  “good idea.”

A recent report from the Champlain College’s Center for Financial Literacy gives Louisiana a “D” for financial literacy education.  Jeff Palermo spoke with a legislator who recently passed a financial literacy law…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo .”

Louisiana once again ranks 49th out of 50 states in a health ranking report.  CEO of United Health Care of Louisiana Joe Ochipinti (Occa-pin-ti) says the Bayou State ranks near the bottom because a quarter of it’s residents smoke which increases other health related problems…

Cut 4  (08) “lung cancer.” 

09:30 LRN Newscast December 14

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes the Louisiana Department of Revenue should collect taxes from former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson for “fringe benefts” he received while serving as a cabinet secretary. Kennedy says a yet to be released state audit has found Edmonson received taxpayer funded perks that include housing, cable TV, dry cleaning and meals.

Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 10 (10) “…some degree”
The governor’s office also says why is Kennedy speaking up now about Colonel Edmonson’s benefits. Kennedy could have done so when he served as a state treasurer.

A parole hearing takes place today for a 71-year-old inmate who was convicted of fatally shooting a sheriff’s deputy when he was 17-years-old. A Supreme Court ruling paved the way for Henry Montgomery of Baton Rouge chance at freedom.

Louisiana ranks 49th in the United Health Foundation’s health rankings. Only Mississippi is worse. But United Health Care of Louisiana CEO Joe Ochipinti says obesity and premature death rates have decreased over the last year. Ochipinti says another good factor is the number of uninsured in Louisiana has seen a substantial decrease…
cut 5 (08) “….people coverage”
But he says Louisiana has seen an increase in cardiovascular deaths, with smoking a main factor.

A “Report Card on Efforts to Improve Financial Literacy in High Schools” gives Louisiana a “D”, down from a “B” grade two years ago. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds authored a 2016 law that requires financial literacy to be taught in high schools, but it appears some schools only teach personal finance as another existing course of study…
Cut 14 (04) “gets taught.”
Reynolds plans to discuss the issue with BESE.

08:30 LRN Newscast December 14

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson owes the state back taxes, because of a yet to be released state audit discovered he lived rent free and used prisoners to cook, clean and walk his dog…..
cut 13 (12) “…pay them”
Governor John Bel Edwards says when the report from the auditor is final, he will address all findings. In the meantime, the governor says the state should continue to have confidence in the L-S-P….
cut 11 (11) “…difficult circumstances”
Edmonson retired in March after it was learned four state troopers had taxpayers fund a trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

Louisiana is near the bottom in state health rankings. Kelley Ray has more on the United Health Foundation’s report…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Cut 30 …students cheering”
That’s the reaction of students at T-M Landry College Preparatory after 16-year-old Ayrton Little of Breaux Bridge learned he was accepted to Harvard. The viral video shows Little and his classmates sitting around a computer and when he gets the notification, the room goes nuts.

07:30 LRN Newscast December 14

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes former State Police leader Mike Edmonson owes the state back taxes for free housing and other benefits. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The parents of the LSU fraternity pledge who died during an alleged hazing incident appeared on A-B-C’s Good Morning America today. Maxwell Gruver’s mother, Rae, says she hopes her son’s death will force underage college students to not feel scared to call authorities immediately if someone has too much to drink.

A Tulane researcher has received a 414-thousand-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to study why males have more impulse control issues than females. Director of the Tulane University Brain Institute Jill Daniel says if they are able to determine why males are more vulnerable to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and addiction, it will lead to better treatment…
Cut 7 (05) “that behavior.”
She says their study will look at how the prefrontal cortex of the brain produces undesired behavior.

A report gives Louisiana a “D” grade on efforts to improve financial literacy in high schools. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds passed a law in 2016 on this subject and he plans to discuss with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to make sure students are receiving adequate financial literacy education….
cut 16 (12) “…of the process”

06:45 LRN Sportscast December 14

Changes are coming to LSU’s coaching staff. Tiger Rag Magazine reports that LSU offensive line coach Jeff Grimes is leaving to become the new offensive coordinator at B-Y-U. But head coach Ed Orgeron has already found his replacement and he is the assistant offensive line coach for the Los Angeles Chargers, James Cregg. The Syracuse, New York native was on the Broncos staff when they won Super Bowl 50 and has served on coaching staffs with Orgeron at Tennessee and U-S-C.

LSU starting Q-B Danny Etling is familiar with the Tigers bowl opponent, Notre Dame. Etling grew up in Indiana, attended games in South Bend and also played against Notre Dame, while at Purdue. Etling says it is a little bit ironic his final college game will be against the Golden Domers…
Cut 17 (14) “game plan”

Three of the six Saints players who were injured in New Orleans’ loss to Atlanta were at practice yesterday, including rookie running back Alvin Kamara. Starting left guard Andrus Peat, who missed the Falcons game, practiced on a limited basis. New Orleans hosts the Jets this Sunday.

Nice win last night for the LSU basketball team as they outmuscled Houston 80-77 in the PMAC. Head coach Will Wade…
cut 28 (09) “….in the country”
Senior Aaron Epps from Ball, Louisiana had his best game in a Tiger uniform with 26 points and 16 rebounds. And freshman point guard Tremont Waters had another nice night with 17 ponts, six assists and a blocked shot in the final seconds to secure the victory.

Anthony Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Pelicans overcame 21 turnovers to beat Milwaukee 115 to 108. The Pels visit Denver on Friday.

06:30 LRN Newscast December 14

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has sent a letter to the Department of Revenue urging the state to seek back tax payments from Mike Edmonson after an audit found he lived rent free for the nine years when he served as Superintendent of State Police. Kennedy says the audit shows Edmonson received over 400-thousand dollars of freebees.
Cut 12 (11) “all that”
The governor’s office says Kennedy is seeking headlines again and point out that he did nothing about Edmonson’s arrangement when he served as state treasurer.

CEO of the United Health Care of Lousiiana Joe Ochipinti says the state has seen a decrease in obesity, premature death rates and the number who are uninsured, but Louisiana still ranks 49th in their annual health rankings…
cut 6 (09) “…to see”
Ochipinti says this should serve as a call of action to make changes in our lifestyles.

A Tulane researcher has landed a 414-thousand dollar federal grant to study why males are more vulnerable to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and addiction. Director of the Tulane University Brain Institute Jill Daniel says their study will look at how the prefrontal cortex of the brain produces undesired behavior…
cut 8 (11) “…organized differently”
Daniel says if they can see how the brain produces more impulse control issues for males over females, it can lead to better treatment.

AM Newscall December 14

Louisiana is near the bottom in state health rankings.  Kelley Ray has more on the United Health Foundation’s report…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

______________________________________

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes former State Police leader Mike Edmonson owes the state back taxes for free housing and other benefits. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________________

A recent report from the Champlain College’s Center for Financial Literacy gives Louisiana a “D” for financial literacy education.  Jeff Palermo spoke with a legislator who recently passed a financial literacy law…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo .”

____________________________________________________

Louisiana once again ranks 49th out of 50 states in a health ranking report.  America’s Health Rankings Annual Report analyzes 35 health guidelines.  CEO of United Health Care of Louisiana Joe Ochipinti (Occa-pin-ti) says the Bayou State ranks near the bottom because a quarter of it’s residents smoke and that in turn raises other health related problems…

Cut 4  (08) “lung cancer.” 

Ochipinti have seen some positive health developments in the Bayou State.  He says obesity and premature death rates have decreased over the last year.  Ochipinti says another good factor in the report is the number of uninsured in Louisiana has seen a substantial decrease…

Cut 5  (08)  “people coverage.”

Ochipinti says education and healthy lifestyles are the key to lowering sickness and death rates, and people need to take this report seriously in order to make improvements…

Cut 6 (09)  “to see.”

________________________________________________________

A Tulane researcher has received a 414-thousand-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to study why males have more impulse control issues than females.  Director of the Tulane University Brain Institute Jill Daniel says if are able to determine why males are more vulnerable to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and addiction, it will lead to better treatment…

Cut 7 (05)  “that behavior.”

Daniel says they know impulsive behavior issues start when a person is a child and continue into adulthood.  She says their study will look at how the prefrontal cortex of the brain produces undesired behavior…

Cut 8 (11) “organized differently.”

There are potential sex differences in the connection between the pre-frontal cortex and the area of the brain that control impulses.  She says they believe that is what makes a person, male or female, more impulsive…

Cut 9 (13)  “good idea.”

________________________________________________________

Col. Mike Edmonson is under public scrutiny for how he spent taxpayer money during his time as the leader of state police. Governor John Bel Edwards says the investigation continues and the legislative auditor has released a preliminary report.

 

Edmonson retired in March after a travel-scandal involving four of his troopers. That incident is still under investigation. The state legislative auditor has also released a preliminary report that shows Edmonson may have received special taxpayer funded treatment for housing, food and chauffer service for his wife. Edwards says when the report from the auditor is final, he will address all findings. He says the people of Louisiana should have confidence in the State Police.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy sent a letter to the state Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson asking to collect Edmonson’s unpaid state income taxes for the alleged fringe benefits he received while serving as the LSP Superintendent. He says Edmonson received over 400-thousand dollars of freebees from Louisiana taxpayers.

Cut 12 (11) “all that”

Kennedy says Governor John Bel Edwards raised taxes on the residents of Louisiana but not a member of his own cabinet. He says he wrote the letter to Secretary Robinson strictly regarding the information he found in the legislative auditor’s report.

Cut 13 (12)  “pay them”

_________________________________________________________

A “Report Card on State Efforts to Improve Financial Literacy in High Schools” gives Louisiana schools a “D”, down from a “B” grade just two years ago.  Minden State Representative Gene Reynolds authored a 2016 law that requires financial literacy to be taught in high schools, but it appears some schools are only teaching personal finance as another existing course of study…

Cut 14 (04) “gets taught.”

Reynolds believes financial literacy is not being taught as extensively as it should, because schools are judged on how well students achieve in math and English…

Cut 15 (08) “backburner”

Reynolds says he plans to discuss with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to make sure students are receiving adequate financial literacy education…

Cut 16  (12)  “of the process”

Only three other states Montana, Vermont and Wyoming got a “D” grade while the District of Columbia got the lowest grade of an “F”.

_________________________________________________________

LSU starting Q-B Danny Etling is familiar with the Tigers bowl opponent, Notre Dame. Etling grew up in Indiana, attended games in South Bend as a kid and also played against Notre Dame, while at Purdue. Etling says it is a little bit ironic his final college game will be against the Golden Domers…

Cut 17 (14) “game plan”

LSU has several draft-eligible juniors who could enter the NFL draft. Cornerback Donte Jackson knows a decision has to be made soon, but right now the focus is on the Fighting Irish…

Cut 18 (20) “Notre Dame.”

Jackson says he speaks with former LSU players who are now in the NFL, like TreDavious White, about whether he should come back for his senior season…

Cut 19 (24)   “thinking about it”