Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler will not seek reelection, but will not resign despite being named in a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
The severe flu season in Louisiana has relented, as health officials report fewer cases, than in late December and January. Over one in ten doctor visits were flu related at one point. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says it’s now down to 3.5 percent. He credits an aggressive flu shot drive for the decrease…

Cut 4 (10) “less flu.”
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Public Service Commission staffer Hunter Coleman is being hailed as a hero, after he dove into cold water in Shreveport to pull a motorist out of vehicle that crashed into a pond on Monday night. Four people, including three children, were saved, but the driver died at nearby hospital. Coleman says he doesn’t remember much, from heroic effort.

Cut 7 (12) “the pond”

The severe flu season in Louisiana has relented, as health officials report fewer cases, than in late December and January. Over one in ten doctor visits were flu related at one point. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says it’s now down to 3.5 percent.
Louisiana seems to have been hard hit with the flu bug this year, but Welch says the state is faring better than other areas…
Cut 6 (11) “flu cases.”
He adds if you are sick with the flu, stay at home and isolate yourself while contagious.
US Senator John Kennedy is urging the pardon board not to grant a medical furlough today to convicted killer Clyde Giddens, who was convicted in the brutal murder of Urline Bamburg in Red River. Giddens was sentenced to life in prison in 1964 after pleading guilty.
Kennedy says this case shows the governor’s criminal justice program is flawed.
Cut 12 (06) “be revamped”
Gidden’s parole hearing will be held today.
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Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about sexual harassment allegations made against him. An employee filed a lawsuit claiming Schedler made unwanted advances to her, and even sent her a sex tape. Schedler admits to an affiar with the accuser, but denies the claim of stalking or harassment. The state’s election chief intends to fight the allegations and not step down. In closing, Schedler said he knows he has disappointed his family and the people of Louisiana…
Cut 15 (10) “the allegations.”
Schedler says he will not seek reelection in 2019.
The LSU Tigers basketball team advanced in the NIT with an emotionally charged 84-76 victory over the Ragin Cajuns inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. UL Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin said they should have been the home team, but LSU Coach Will Wade fired back in the postgame press conference and said the Tigers played a much tougher schedule and in the end they were the better team…
Wade called a timeout with 12 seconds left in the game and he got into a shouting match with Marlin. Each coach received a technical foul. LSU’s first year head coach wouldn’t say what was said…

Cut 18 (13) “said though”

The severe flu season is easing up in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo found out by how much…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”
Public Service Commission staffer Hunter Coleman is being hailed as a hero, after he dove into cold water in Shreveport to pull a motorist out of vehicle that crashed into a pond on Monday night. Four people, including three children, were saved, but the driver died at nearby hospital. Coleman says he doesn’t remember much, from heroic effort.
Coleman says the rescue was a reminder about the power of community in the face of disaster.

Cut 9 (11) “in need.”

Coleman serves as an enforcement agent in the office of PSC member Foster Campbell. The woman who died has been identified as 40-year-old Megan Victoria Brown of Shreveport.
==————
US Senator John Kennedy is urging the pardon board not to grant a medical furlough today to convicted killer Clyde Giddens, who was convicted in the brutal murder of Urline Bamburg in Red River. Giddens was sentenced to life in prison in 1964 after pleading guilty. While Giddens’ case has not been decided, Kennedy blames Governor John Bel Edwards for the murderer’s chance at freedom.

Cut 11 (08) “free program”—-
Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about sexual harassment allegations made against him. An employee filed a lawsuit claiming Schedler made unwanted advances to her, and even sent her a sex tape. Schedler admits to an affiar with the accuser, but denies the claim of stalking or harassment.
Schedler says since this suit is in litigation, he can’t comment, but assures the public the truth will eventually come out…

Cut 14 (07) “gossip columns.”

US Senator John Kennedy is calling on the pardon board today to reject convicted murderer Clyde Giddens’ appeal for a medical furlough. Matt Doyle spoke to the senator.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”
Public Service Commission staffer Hunter Coleman is being hailed as a hero, after he dove into cold water in Shreveport to pull a motorist out of vehicle that crashed into a pond on Monday night. Four people, including three children, were saved, but the driver died at nearby hospital.
Coleman says the vehicle wrecked 30 yards from the shore, in water that was nearly 15 feet deep. He says he and a few other good Samaritans swam out and immediately began retrieving people from the car. Coleman grabbed 64-year-old Kathy Brown.
Cut 8 (09) “I could.”
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Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about sexual harassment allegations made against him. An employee filed a lawsuit claiming Schedler made unwanted advances to her, and even sent her a sex tape. Schedler admits to an affiar with the accuser, but denies the claim of stalking or harassment. The state’s election chief intends to fight the allegations and not step down…

Cut 13 (07) “my legs.”
The severe flu season in Louisiana has relented, as health officials report fewer cases, than in late December and January. Over one in ten doctor visits were flu related at one point. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says it’s now down to 3.5 percent. The CDC says the flu season can last as late as May. Welch says if you have so far avoided the flu, don’t count yourself out just yet…

Cut 5 (05) “get vaccinated.”

The LSU Tigers basketball team advanced in the NIT with an emotionally charged 84-76 victory over the Ragin Cajuns inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. UL Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin said they should have been the home team, but LSU Coach Will Wade fired back in the postgame press conference and said the Tigers played a much tougher schedule and in the end they were the better team…

Cut 16 (19) “…three type matchup”

Duop (Dew-op) Reath led the Tigers with 26 points and 11 rebounds. The Tigers will play Monday night in Utah against the Utes who beat U-C Davis 69-59. The Cajuns finish with a record of 27-7.

_________________________________________________________________________

The Pelicans are at San Antonio tonight.

The Saints were busy on the first day of NFL free agency, New Orleans signed linebacker DeMario Davis from the New York Jets to a three-year deal. He’s a six-year vet who had 97 solo tackles and five sacks last season.

Cornerback Patrick Robinson is back with the Saints on a four-year, 20-million dollar deal. Robinson spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Saints. Last year, he played well as a nickel corner for the Super Bowl champion Eagles.

With Chase Daniel signing with the Bears, New Orleans needed a veteran back-up QB and they agreed to terms with Houston’s Tom Savage. Savage has started nine games with the Texans.

The recently released Jordy Nelson is expected to visit the Saints. The wide receiver was cut by Green Bay to clear salary cap space to sign Jimmy Graham.

And Tyrann Mathieu has been released by the Arizona Cardinals after reportedly refusing to take a pay cut.

In college baseball, LSU thumped South Alabama nine to four as AJ Labas (Lay-biss) threw six shutout innings for his first win. Southeastern Louisiana upset Mississippi State 11-5.

Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler will not seek reelection, but will not resign despite being named in a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
The severe flu season in Louisiana has relented, as health officials report fewer cases, than in late December and January. Over one in ten doctor visits were flu related at one point. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says it’s now down to 3.5 percent. He credits an aggressive flu shot drive for the decrease…

Cut 4 (10) “less flu.”
====———————————————————————–

Public Service Commission staffer Hunter Coleman is being hailed as a hero, after he dove into cold water in Shreveport to pull a motorist out of vehicle that crashed into a pond on Monday night. Four people, including three children, were saved, but the driver died at nearby hospital. Coleman says he doesn’t remember much, from heroic effort.

Cut 7 (12) “the pond”
US Senator John Kennedy is urging the pardon board not to grant a medical furlough today to convicted killer Clyde Giddens, who was convicted in the brutal murder of Urline Bamburg in Red River. Giddens was sentenced to life in prison in 1964 after pleading guilty. Kennedy says the crime is so grotesque that Giddens does not deserve a second chance.

Cut 10 (12) “stray dog.”

Commodities

A somber Tom Schedler spoke for the first time since allegations of Sexual harrasment. Governor John Bel Edwards and even some in his own party have asked Schedler to resign as Secretary of State immediately. Schedler says since this suit is in litigation, he can’t comment on it now, but assures the public that the truth will eventually come out…

Cut 14 (07) “gossip columns.”

Schedler has admitted to having a relationship with the victim, but didn’t harass or stalk her.

An Opelousas woman is in jail after allegedly killing her uncle because of his “constant chattering.”  St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 49-year-old Melissa Ann Credeur (Cra-ter) initially accused, John Ray Gautreaux, of raping her while she slept. When she woke up, she told authorities he was not breathing and started beating him. Guidroz had some contact with her recently when she admitted to some mental issues, which may have led to this murder…

Cut 5  (10) “our conversation.”.

Now that Saints QB Drew Brees is sticking around, he has confirmed he was offered more money to play elsewhere. Brees says he wanted to make sure the team had the financial flexibility to build a roster capable of making the Super Bowl.

Cut 10 (10) “ultimate goal”

Brees new two year deal is worth 50 million dollars with 27 million guaranteed the first year.

A Denham Springs man was arrested on 130 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. 56-year-old Jesse Sloane was located by state police a couple of months ago after a video reported shared by Slaone involved juvenile porn. The case remains under investigation and more charges are pending.

With the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Matt Doyle.

The regular session continued big committee hearings in both chambers, But the big news was Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler’s press conference addressing a scandal involving one of his former employees.

Schedler spoke publicly for the first about the incident that came to light three weeks ago after his former secretary filed a lawsuit claiming he made unwanted advances to her and even sent her a sex tape.

Schedler denied any wrongdoing and says he will fight the allegations…

Cut 13 (08)  “arrest someone.”

There were bipartisan calls for his resignation. Schedler assures the public that the truth will eventually come out after litigation.

Cut 14 (07) “gossip columns.”

The Republican says this is not a good time to leave. Schedler says while he will remain in office, he will not seek reelection in 2019.

Schedler admits to having an affair, but denies ever stalking or harassing.

As the legislature haggles over building a budget that includes a billion dollars of cuts, private companies who work with the state are ringing alarm bells about the effect of potential budget cuts.

Private health care providers warn the consequences would be dire. If the Department of Health sustains the kinds of cuts being discussed, public-private facilities would be on the chopping block. Our Lady of the Lake President Scott Wester says those cuts would mean the end of their partnership with the state, LSU, and LDH.

Cut 10 (07) “our agreement.”

Wester says that would end care for tens of thousands of patients with a variety of health issues.

Cut 11 (11) “Baton Rouge”

Wester says the cuts also eliminate OL’s residency program, which hosts hundreds of LSU Medical students

Secretary of State Tom Schedler is not resigning…
cut 30 (10) “…would be cowardly”
Schedler made his first public comments this afternoon since an employee in his office filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him. The Republican says this is not a good time to leave, with the state in the process of buying new voting machines and there’s also a new commissioner of elections.

An Opelousas woman is in jail after allegedly killing her uncle because of his “constant chattering.” St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 49-year-old Melissa Ann Credeur (Cra-ter) initially accused, John Ray Gautreaux, of raping her while she slept. When she woke up, she told authorities he was not breathing and started beating him. But Guidroz says after questioning Credeur, the real story came out…
cut 3 (04) “…kill him”
Guidroz says Credeur used a variety of items to beat the victim, including a paint brush.

Zachary Police Chief David McDavid is angry at a judge about one of his officers being killed in the line of duty this week. Christopher Lawton was working undercover when 33-year-old Albert Franklin allegedly crushed the officer with a rental truck. Just three months ago, McDavid complained about District Judge Trudy White lowering Franklin’s bond on an unrelated crime.
Cut 6 (11) ” a problem.”
McDavid knew back then that Franklin was dangerous, he is appalled that Judge White reduced Franklin’s last bond.

Saints Drew Brees spoke today about his new two year, 50 million dollar contract. Brees says he always planned on returning, but last season’s success made the decision that much easier.
Cut 9 (08) “the future.”
Last season, Brees completed an NFL record 72-percent of his passes last season.