1:30 LRN Newscast Feb 17

Governor Edwards presented state lawmakers with his proposed $45.7-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. That figure represents a $460-million reduction from the current fiscal year, due to federal pandemic money expiring. Edwards proposes investing over $20-million additional pay for firefighter, police officers and – especially – teachers…:

CUT 09(11)      “…budget reflects that.”

He wants permanent salary increases of $3000 for every public school teacher and support staff pay hikes as well. He says revenues are expected to be higher than expected, and will pay for the raises. Last year, lawmakers gave teachers a one-time $3000 bonus, but Edwards want permanent salary raises this time.

 

Campaign fundraising totals are in for the candidates running for governor and Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has a big lead over his opponents. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

New Orleans Saints players Alvin Kamara and Chris Lammons have been indicted with battery and conspiracy to commit battery for an assault at a Las Vegas nightclub just over a year ago. Both Kamara’s and Lammons’ preliminary hearings are set for March 1. Two other men are also charged.

12:30 LRN NEWSCAST

Shreveport police, 23-year-old Alexander Tyler, was arrested and booked Thursday with negligent homicide in the officer-involved shooting death of an unarmed man who was trying to flee police on February 3rd. Tyler’s attorney says body cam footage shows 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley reaching for something before he jumped from a balcony and ran from officers…:

CUT 10 (10) “his direction”

 

Alonzo’s brother feels the shooting was not necessary:
Cut 13 (09) “no threat there”

The Bagley family is suing for $10 million dollars.

 

Carnival celebrations are underway this weekend and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are expecting huge crowds across the state this Mardi Gras. The New Orleans native says when he was elected Lt. Governor his goal was to see Mardi Gras grow in every corner of the state and in between.

CUT 8 (9) “…international visitors”

 

The Lafayette area is also ready to let the good times roll this weekend. Joe Giglio  with the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association says…:
CUT 14 (11) “fairs and festival”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Today is opening day for the top ranked LSU baseball team as they open the season this afternoon against Western Michigan. Coach Jay Johnson has a talented group and he plans to throw out different lineups each game…
cut 19 (20) “….doing that”
Because of cold weather tonight, first pitch for today has been moved up to 3 PM.
Louisiana Tech is expected to make a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. The bulldogs open the season tonight against BYU. The Bulldogs won 43 games last year and return preseason Conference USA Pitcher of the Year Jonathan Fincher and center fielder Cole McConnell, who drove in a school record 76 runs last season.
After failing to get a double-double in Sunday’s loss at South Carolina, Angel Reese came back with a vengeance last night as she scored a career-high  36 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to lead LSU to a 69-60 win over Ole Miss. Reese played all 40 minutes…
cut 27 (13) “…the win”
The Lady Tigers are at Florida on Sunday.
In other action, the Ragin Cajuns ended a two-game losing streak by beating rival ULM 84-67. Louisiana Tech lost its third straight as it fell to North Texas 72-62. After the game, Coach Talvin Hester confirmed reports that Cobe Williams, who is averaging 19 points a game has left the team. And Northwestern State won its ninth straight as the Demons defeated Southeastern 81=76.

11:30 LRN Newscast February 17

Body cam footage from the officer-involved shooting death on February 3rd of an unarmed man in Shreveport, Alonzo Bagley, has been released by state police and the cop who fired the shot has been charged with negligent homicide. Bagley family attorney Ron Haley says Alonzo was not a threat to anyone, and he only had a bottle with him before he ran from officers…:
Cut 11 (09)  “…happened here.”
The Shreveport Police officer, 23-year-old Alexander Tyler, was arrested Thursday morning.

Protesters arrested during a demonstration following Alton Sterling’s police shooting death in 2016 will receive a $1.17 million dollar settlement after the Baton Rouge City Council said their First Amendment rights were violated. Protester Cherri Foytlin:

CUT 9 (12) “an email”

Candidates for governor turned in up-to-date campaign finance reports this week and political newcomer Hunter Lundy of Lake Charles shows one-point-six million dollars on hand after lending himself one-point-four million dollars. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Lundy’s “no party” designation on the ballot can only take him so far

Cut  4 (04)  “…in Louisiana” 

Attorney General Jeff Landry has the most money on hand at five million dollars.

 

It’s the last weekend of carnival season and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are expecting huge crowds across the state this Mardi Gras. Nungesser says before COVID Louisiana had five record-breaking tourism years in a row and he’s grateful that parades are back to their pre-pandemic routes and krewes.

Cut 6 (11)  “…festival season.” 

And while the temperatures have dropped Nungesser doesn’t believe it will be a deterrent.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Candidates for governor had to turn in a campaign finance report this week and Attorney Jeff Landry has a huge advantage over his opponents. Landry has slightly more than five million dollars, plus a PAC supporting him has another one-point-five million dollars. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 3 (08) “…for governor.” 

State Treasurer John Schroder has the second highest amount of available campaign dollars at two-point-four million dollars.

 

Shreveport Police Officer Alexander Tyler is facing a negligent homicide charge in the shooting death of an unarmed Black man, 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley. The shooting happened on February third during a foot pursuit. Tyler’s attorney Dhu Thompson says his client only had a few seconds to respond…

        Cut 12 (12) “…in this case’

 

East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved a $1.17 million settlement for protesters after the death of Alton Sterling. The suit accuses Baton Rouge law enforcement of excessive force and violating protestors’ First Amendment rights. One of the plaintiffs, Cherri Foytlin, recalls the humiliation…

Cut 8 (13) “….that happened there”

A federal judge still needs to finalize the settlement.

 

Mardi Gras weekend has arrived. There are several parades scheduled all leading up to Fat Tuesday. Parade Chairman of the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association Joe Giglio (GIG-leo) says it non-stop parades in Lafayette on Tuesday…

Cut 16 (13) “….Thursday afternoon”

It looks like it will stay dry for this Mardi Gras weekend.

09:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

State Police have released body cam footage from the officer involved shooting death of an unarmed man in Shreveport, Alonzo Bagley, and the city cop accused of firing the shot, Alexander Tyler, has been charged with negligent homicide. Alonzo’s brother is happy State Police has been so transparent in releasing everything like the first call:
Cut 13 (09) “no threat there”
Tyler’s attorney says the body cam footage shows Bagley reaching for something before jumping off a balcony and fleeing police.

The state says it will drop lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says The Road Home Program was supposed to save the American Dream not squash it…:
Cut 4 (10) “protect that dream”
Thus, the Road Home Program is no more.

People protesting the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling will receive a $1.17 million dollar settlement from East Baton Rouge…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Campaign finance reports released this week show Attorney General Jeff Landry has a huge lead over other gubernatorial candidates in the 2023 race for Louisiana’s top office. The numbers showed Landry with $5.01 million, with the next closest being John Schroder with $2.4 million.

08:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

The white Shreveport police officer involved in the shooting death of an unarmed Black man has been arrested and charged with negligent homicide:
Cut 3 (35) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Campaign finance reports released this week in Louisiana’s 2023 Gubernatorial race show Attorney General Jeff Landry has $5.01 million dollars to work with, followed by John Schroder with $2.4 million. Speculation is on that the soon to be retired DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson would run as the only Democrat.

The Road Home Program is no more after the state announced it’s dropping lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many who used the money intended for home elevation to instead repair their homes were faced with legal action. Governor John Bel Edwards…:
CUT 6 (07) “collection efforts”
New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says a ”long bad dream” is over for thousands of south Louisiana homeowners.

The Lafayette area is ready to let the good times roll this weekend as Carnival celebrations officially get underway tonight. Joe Giglio (“GIG-leo”) with the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association says Saturday the Children’s Parade will roll at 12:30pm…:
CUT 15 (13) “typical Mardi Gras”

07:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

A Shreveport cop was arrested Thursday in the officer-involved shooting death of an unarmed man who was trying to flee police February 3rd. 23 year old Alexander Tyler is booked with negligent homicide. His attorney says body cam footage shows 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley reaching for something before he jumped from a balcony and ran from officers…:
CUT 10 (10) “his direction”
The Bagley family is suing for $10 million dollars.

Protesters arrested during a demonstration following Alton Sterling’s police shooting death will receive a $1.17 million dollar settlement after the Baton Rouge City Council said their First Amendment rights were violated. Protester Cherri Foytlin:
CUT 9 (12) “an email”

After 17 years, the Road Home program officially comes to an end, and lawsuits dismissed against those accused of misspending grants..:
CUT 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And Carnival celebrations begin across Acadiana tonight and Joe Giglio (“GIG-leo”) with the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association says come one, come all…:
CUT 14 (11) “fairs and festival”

06:45 LRN Sportscast, February 17th

The LSU Baseball season opens today against Western Michigan. The Tigers have dominated the preseason polls as the number one-ranked team in the country under second-year Head Coach Jay Johnson. LSU had both the top-ranked recruiting class and transfer class in the nation this off-season along with a strong roster of returning players. Junior first baseman Tre Morgan has been a star for the Tigers since arriving in Baton Rouge and has noticed a shift in the locker room ahead of this season. He says the team isn’t running from the expectations…:
Cut 17 (18) “all the way”
The game will begin at 3pm at Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has reportedly been indicted by a grand jury stemming from a 2021 Pro Bowl weekend assault in Las Vegas.

The Northwestern State men’s basketball team has now won 9 straight following last night’s 81-76 victory over Southeastern in Southland Conference play. Center Isaac Haney had a career-high 23 points in the game.

The UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team picked up an 84-67 victory over ULM last night. The Ragin Cajuns visit James Madison Saturday, while The Warhawks head to South Alabama.

The Nicholls State men’s basketball team came up short in a close 78-74 loss to Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Louisiana Tech Guard, the leading scorer for the Bulldogs, is reportedly no longer with the team. The official reason is “personal issues.” Tech dropped its third straight Thursday night with a 72-62 loss to North Texas.

McNeese played a close game and came away winners in a 78-76 overtime victory over Incarnate Word.

Angel Reese scored a career high 36 points as No. 5 LSU women’s hoops prevailed over Ole Miss at home, 69-60. The Tigers are now 24-1 overall and 12-1 in the SEC.

06:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

Fourteen people arrested during the 2016 protest of Alton Sterling’s police shooting death will receive $1.17 million. The East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved the settlement accusing Baton Rouge law enforcement of violating their First Amendment rights and using of excessive force. Protester, Blaire Imani, says this is a big win..:
Cut 7 (08) “is really big”
The settlement still has to be approved by a US District Judge.

The state says it will drop lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants for elevating their homes after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Governor John Bel Edwards says over 3000 persons were sued over allegedly misspending Road Home elevation grants…:
Cut 5 (12) “these grants anyway”
This means the Road Home Program is officially over.

State Police have released body cam footage from the February 3rd officer involved shooting death of an unarmed man in Shreveport, Alonzo Bagley, and the cop who fired the shot has been charged with negligent homicide. Bagley family attorney Ron Haley says Alonzo was not a threat to anyone, and he only had a bottle with him before he ran from officers…:
Cut 11 (09)  “…happened here.”
The Shreveport Police officer, 23-year-old Alexander Tyler, was arrested Thursday morning.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has reportedly been indicted by a grand jury stemming from a 2021 Pro Bowl weekend assault in Las Vegas. This means the case will now move to a district court in Sin City, with a date scheduled for March 2nd.