10:30 LRN Newscast April 15

The state police investigation of the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette finds the suspect, 18-year-old Trevon Bonner shot at officers first after barricading himself in his home as they tried to serve an attempted murder warrant. Trooper Thomas Gossen says this is based on interviews with officers on the scene and body camera footage.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the better.”

Bonner later died at a local hospital early Thursday.

New COVID cases are up about 10% across the country in the past week and the average number of hospitalized COVID patients nationwide has increased by a hundred. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says they are keeping an eye on how things progress over the next few weeks…

Cut 12 (06) “…and deaths.” 
He says closer to home cases remain relatively flat. Yesterday the state reported 504 new cases.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” indicates two-thirds of respondents felt hurricanes hitting the Bayou State are stronger than ever. And while those storms often cause flooding, Manship School of Mass Communications research director Mike Henderson says only about 40-percent say flooding was worse in recent years…:

Cut 5 (11) “…in the past.”

The survey polled over 500 adult Louisianans.

Easter is a big weekend for crawfish boils and there are plenty of mudbugs to go around this season. And as the summer rains keep the ground wet, oxygen levels will rise, and crawfish will be even more active. LSU Ag Center professor Greg Lutz…

Cut 9 (09)  “…of the season.”

9:30 LRN Newscast April 15

State Police release more details about the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette early Thursday morning.  Trooper Thomas Gossen says when Lafayette Police tried to serve a warrant to suspect 18-year-old Trevon Bonner, he barricaded himself inside his home. Officers then used an armored vehicle to breach the door to give Bonner a phone so he could communicate with officers.

Cut 13 (10) “…striking Bonner.”

Bonner later died at a local hospital.

As COVID cases are beginning to increase again in certain parts of the country closer to home, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says case numbers along with hospitalizations remain relatively unchanged.

Cut 10 (12) “…concerned about.”

On Thursday the state reported 504 new cases.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss but aren’t worried it will affect them personally. Manship School of Mass Communications research director Mike Henderson says 85-percent of people surveyed fear that land loss is a serious problem…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…to future generations.”

The survey polled over 500 adult Louisianans of various ages and races.

Easter weekend is traditionally a popular time to have a crawfish boil and LSU Ag Center professor Greg Lutz says after a slow start to the season, things have improved. The recent rainfall and temps have provided a nice boost for mudbugs, and he expects supply should remain high into the summer months.

Cut 8 (11)  “…some years.”

 

8:30 LRN Newscast

According to the 2022 Louisiana survey, two-thirds of respondents say hurricanes impacting the state are stronger than those of the past and 87-percent say there should be elevation requirements for new construction areas of high-risk flooding…
cut 6 (13) “….subsidizing elevation”
That’s LSU Manship School associate professor Michael Henderson, who heads up LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab.

The CDC says coronavirus levels detected at two New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board sites have increased nearly 700-percent in the last two weeks. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s too soon to be concerned…
cut 11 (10) “…ups and downs’

State Police release more details about the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette after the suspect barricaded himself inside his home. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Shreveport Police were involved in an hours-long standoff during the overnight hours with a man suspected in the fatal shooting of a woman who was found inside a crashed vehicle near Byrd High School. That woman died at a local hospital and police reportedly discovered a man suspected in her death, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after police finally gained entry into a home in the Highland neighborhood.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The latest installment of the 2022 “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss but aren’t worried it will affect them personally.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is proposing to fine five insurance companies a combined 764-thousand dollars for improper activity following the 2020 hurricanes. They are United Property and Casualty Insurance, GeoVera Specialty Insurance, FedNat Insurance, Maison Insurance Company, and Allied Trust Insurance. The companies have 30 days to appeal.

Nationally new COVID cases are up about 10% over the past week and the average number of hospitalized COVID patients nationwide has increased by a hundred. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says they are keeping an eye on how things progress over the next few weeks…
Cut 12 (06) “…and deaths.”
On Thursday the state reported 504 new COVID cases, 60 hospitalizations, and 3 three fatalities.

It’s Good Friday, the start of an Easter weekend that will feature thousands of crawfish boils. LSU AgCenter aquaculture professor Doctor Greg Lutz says after a slow start to the season, there should be plenty of good mudbugs…
cut 7 (12) “….and prettier”

LSU baseball lost to Arkansas five to four last night, while the Cajuns clobbered ULM 14-2.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s defense let them down again last night in a five to four loss to Arkansas to open an SEC series. A Jacob Berry throwing error in the first inning led to an unearned run and shortstop Jordan Thompson failed to handle a hard ground ball on an RBI single in a decisive three-run seventh inning. The series resumes tonight at 6 PM in Fayetteville.

The Ragin Cajuns had a season-high 19 hits in a 14-2 win over ULM. Tyler Robertson was four for four with a career-high four RBI. Starting pitcher Brandon Talley struck out a career-high eight batters.

Nicholls upended Northwestern State eight to two as Devin Desandro threw six shutout innings. McNeese defeated UIW nine to three as leadoff man Braden Duhon had three hits. Southeastern Louisiana edged UNO five to four. The Privateers and Colonels are tied for first place in the Southland standings at 6-and-4.

The Pelicans face the Clippers tonight in Los Angeles and the winner advances to the Western Conference playoffs as the eighth seed. Second-round pick Herb Jones has pest on the defensive side of the ball and Brandon Ingram expects the rookie will come up big again tonight…
cut 17 (14) “…all year”
Tip off is at 9 PM.

Spring football wrapped up last weekend for the Ragin Cajuns. First-year head coach Michael Desormeaux is excited about this year’s group of players and looks forward to seeing if they can build on last season’s 13-win campaign…
cut 18 (19) “….do it though”

6:30 LRN Newscast

State Police has released more details into Thursday morning’s fatal officer-involved shooting that involved the Lafayette Police. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 19-year-old Trevon Bonner, who was wanted in the shooting of a 13-girl-old, started shooting at officers first after barricading himself in his home. Gossen says when Bonner fired his handgun at officers, several officers returned fire…..
cut 14 (08) “….it from there”
Lafayette P-D says the 13-year-old girl shot a few hours earlier is in critical condition.

The state health department reported 504 new COVID cases yesterday. On Wednesday, the number was only 275 new cases. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says 60 people are hospitalized with COVID and hospitalizations have been holding steady…
cut 10 (12) “….concerned about”

If you’re planning on boiling a few pounds of crawfish this weekend, David Grubb has good news for you…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

LRN AM Newscall April 15

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss but aren’t worried it will affect them personally. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

____________________________________

If you’re planning on boiling a few pounds of crawfish this weekend, David Grubb has good news for you…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

_____________________________________

State Police release more details about the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette after the suspect barricaded himself inside his home. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss, but aren’t worried it will affect them personally. Manship School of Mass Communications research director Mike Henderson says 85-percent of people surveyed fear that land loss is a serious problem…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…to future generations.”

The survey polled over 500 adult Louisianans of a variety of ages, genders and races. Henderson says another finding under the topics of coastal land loss was that two-thirds of respondents felt hurricanes hitting the Bayou State are stronger than ever, and their frequency is also increasing. Those storms often cause floods, but only about 40-percent said flooding was worse in recent years…:

Cut 5 (11) “…in the past.”

Dr. Henderson says the survey also asked about public policy to encourage mitigation against future hurricane and flood damage and losses…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…subsidizing elevation.”

However, he says, about 60-percent of respondents were solidly against property insurance rate increases in flood-prone or storm-prone areas. Find the report at “lsu.edu/manship/research”

________________________________________

With the holiday weekend approaching, many folks will be either hosting or partaking in a good crawfish boil. LSU Ag Center professor Greg Lutz says after a slow start to the season, there should be plenty of good eating.

Cut 7 (12) “…and prettier.”

Lutz says that recent temperatures and some timely rainfall have provided a nice boost for the crawfish crop, and the supply should stay high into the peak of mudbug season this summer.

Cut 8 (11)  “…some years.”

As the summer rains keep the ground wet, oxygen levels will rise and crawfish will get more active. Lutz says that means fatter and tastier crawfish. So grab your favorite boil mix, plenty of paper towels, and get to it.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of the season.”

_______________________________________

As COVID cases are beginning to increase again in certain parts of the country and the CDC extends the public transportation mask mandate until May 3rd, closer to home, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says case numbers along with hospitalizations remain relatively unchanged.

Cut 10 (12) “…concerned about.”

Kanter says they are seeing a slight increase in COVID infections via wastewater detection in Orleans Parish however it’s still too early to tell if it’s significant.

Cut  11 (10)  “…ups and downs.”  

Nationally new cases are up about 10% over the past week and the average number of hospitalized COVID patients nationwide has increased by a hundred. Kanter says they are keeping an eye on how things progress over the next few weeks and if they show signs of increasing severe illness.

Cut 12 (06) “…and deaths.” 

On Thursday the state reported 504 new COVID cases, 60 hospitalizations, and 3 three fatalities.

_______________________________________

State Police release more details about the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette early Thursday morning.  Trooper Thomas Gossen says when Lafayette Police tried to serve a warrant to suspect 18-year-old Trevon Bonner, he barricaded himself inside his home. Officers then used an armored vehicle to breach the door to give Bonner a phone so he could communicate with officers.

Cut 13 (10) “…striking Bonner.”

Bonner was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Officers were trying to serve an attempted murder warrant to Bonner after a 13-year-old girl was shot hours before his standoff with officers.

Gossen says it’s become common practice for state police to be asked to investigate whenever an officer-involved shooting takes place.

Cut 14 (08)  “…from there.”

Details that state police have released so far pertain to interviews with officers on the scene and body camera footage from the incident. Gossen says the investigation is ongoing.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the better.”

___________________________________________

The New Orleans Pelicans are already on their way to Los Angeles to prepare for Friday’s elimination game against the Clippers. A win puts the Pels in the playoffs for the first time in four years in a matchup with the Phoenix Suns. After beating the Spurs Wednesday night, coach Willie Green let the squad know, he’s not ready for this run to end.

Cut 16 (19)  “…pack a bag.”

The Pelicans Big 3 of Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Jonas Valanciunas combined for 81 points against the Spurs and they will have to come up big again versus LA. The X-factor for the Pels could be rookie forward Herb Jones, who has played well beyond his years. Ingram, for one, wouldn’t be surprised.

Cut 17 (14) “ …all year.” 

__________________________________________________________

Spring football has concluded in the Sun Belt Conference…In Lafayette, the Ragin Cajuns are in transition. After leading the U-L to its best season in program history, Billy Napier is now the head man at Florida and Mike Desormeaux has big shoes to fill. The first-year head coach is excited about this year’s group of players and looks forward to seeing if they can build on last season’s success.

Cut 18 (19) “ …do it though.” 

At UL-Monroe, Terry Bowden enters his second season leading the Warhawks. Last season was full of upheaval with more than 20 players joining the team during the summer through the NCAA transfer portal. Bowden says there’s much more continuity this season and that should make his team more competitive in a very tough league.

Cut 19 (15) _“…starting for us.” 

__________________________________________________________

5:30 LRN Newscast April 14

The Senate Transportation Committee approves a bill that would double the fine for a speeding ticket on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, which means the penalty would be 350-dollars. Senate President Page Cortez says driver behavior needs to change wrecks, injuries, and deaths on the bridge have more than doubled during the past decade…

Cut 11 (06)  “…correct lane.”  

Under the proposed law, drivers would receive a couple of warnings before they are issued a speeding ticket.

Port Allen Senator Rick Ward has released a 30-second campaign commercial. He’s asking folks to call their local legislator and demand they approve a proposal to put 500-million dollars towards a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge…
cut 6 (08) “…on Twitter.”
But some lawmakers would like to use that 500-million dollar elsewhere.

A bill to require healthcare providers to offer postnatal care and to screen patients for signs of postpartum depression passes unanimously in the Louisiana House. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis’ says House Bill 784 was written with input from a task force studying maternal mental health.

Cut 6  (10) “…our children.” 

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley shared with lawmakers how postpartum depression impacted his wife and that it eventually led to her suicide. He says postpartum depression impacts women from all walks of life.

Cut 8 (08) “…existence is.” 

The bill now advances to Senate Health and Welfare

4:45 LRN Sportscast April 14

In front of a raucous, sold-out crowd at the Smoothie King Center last night, the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs to advance in the NBA’s play-in tournament for the 8th and final playoff spot in the West. First-year head coach Willie Green has been the one constant for the Pelicans this season as the team climbed out of the cellar and back into contention. Green says the team showed how much it’s grown with last night’s performance.

Cut 14 (12) “…for our program.”

The Pelicans face the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night on the road, with the winner taking on top-seeded Phoenix in the Western Conference Playoffs.

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey adds a familiar name to her staff. Bob Starkey spent last season with Auburn but has two decades of experience on the sidelines in Baton Rouge. Starkey was on staff for all five of LSU’s Final Four appearances, including as interim coach in 2007.

LSU baseball begins a three-game series with Arkansas in Fayetteville tonight. The Tigers have won four in a row and are in a three-way tie with Auburn and Alabama for second place in the SEC West. Coach Jay Johnson says offensively, his team is becoming more than just the long ball, and that’s going to pay off down the road.

Cut 21 (15) “…we wanna be.”

First pitch tonight is set for 6:30, with righty Ma’Khail Hilliard taking the hill for the Tigers.

Tigers basketball coach Matt McMahon continues to fill out his roster with some new and some old faces. Yesterday, forward Mwani Wilkinson withdrew his name from the transfer portal and today guard Justice Williams announced he will do the same. LSU also adds another guard in North Carolina State transfer Cam Hayes. Hayes averaged seven points and two assists per game for the Wolfpack this past season.

4:30 LRN Newscast April 14

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Lafayette Wednesday night. Spokesman Trooper Tom Gossen says Lafayette PD were seeking to arrest 18-year-old Travon Bonner for the shooting of a 13-year-old girl earlier that evening. When he fired upon them, they returned fire; killing him. Gossen says LSP is going over testimony and body cam footage of the incident…:

CUT 05  (08)        “…into the home.”

Bonner’s alleged victim is in critical condition in a Lafayette hospital.

A bill that would double speeding fines along the 18-mile I-10 Atchafalya Basin Bridge clears the Senate Transportation committee. The measure also allows using cameras to catch speeders. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson is in support…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…it slows you down.”

The bill moves the Senate floor.

 

Legislation to increase awareness and require screenings of postpartum depression passes in the Louisiana House. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says at least three tornados impacted Bossier & Caddo parishes during fierce storms last night; all within 4 miles of one another. So far no one is reported seriously hurt, but SWEPCO says the storms killed power for tens of thousands of homes and businesses. It could be as late as Friday night before electricity is restored for all affected.