4:45 LRN Sportscast Feb 15

The LSU Board of Supervisors voted last week to add Sue Gunter’s name to the court in the P-MAC along with dale Brown’s despite pleas from Brown supporters who believe it takes away an honor given to Brown. Longtime assistant coach for both Brown and Gunter Bob Starkey says Brown’s accomplishments are undeniable, but Gunter did a lot with fewer resources than the men’s program…

Cut 19 (25) “…the shore”

Saints head coach Dennis Allen announced the hiring of five new coaches including new defensive coordinator Joe Woods. Woods has spent the last 19 years as an NFL Coach and most recently as the DC for the Browns for the last three seasons.

LSU Women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey was named as a candidate on the Naismith Coach of the Year late season watchlist. Mulkey has led the Tigers to a 23-1 record with only four games remaining in her second season at LSU. Mulkey won AP Coach of the year after a 26-6 campaign during her first season in Baton Rouge and has led a team with nine new players and only one returning member of last year’s squad who played significant minutes. Mulkey joins a watch list of 50 coaches that will be cut down to ten and then four before the coach of the year is announced in late March.

The Pelicans return to action tonight as they visit the Lakers. The Pels are currently seventh in the West fighting to make it out of the play-in tournament with only one game separating them from the fifth-place Clippers. LA on the other hand is looking to turn their season around and make a push for the play-ins after some key trade-deadline moves. Currently 13th in the conference, they’ll be without Lebron James tonight and former Pelican Anthony Davis is probable for the contest but has been struggling with injuries.  New Orleans will be without Zion Williamson and Dyson Daniels and the Lakers are 5-point home favorites. Tip-off in the Staples Center is at 9:00.

LRN PM Newscall February 15

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one week until its petition signature deadline, and they say they are very close…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

The Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana second in the country for overall gun death rates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

______________________________________

Legislation to require parade organizations to pay for clean-up has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. West Monroe Representative Foy Gadberry says the litter control group, Ouachita Green, asked him to allow parishes and municipalities the ability to charge parade groups for clean-up.

Cut 3 (06) “…to do so.” 

Gadberry says litter across the state is an ongoing problem and parades are only making it worse. He says businesses along parade routes are also negatively impacted.

Cut  4 (12)  “…of thing.” 

Gadberry says he’s received positive feedback from fellow lawmakers on the legislation and that House Bill 23 would allow each municipality to create its own ordinances to establish fees for permits.

Cut 5 (12) “…their needs.”

The regular session begins on April 10th.

_______________________________________________

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one more week to gather the petition signatures needed, and says they are very close. On Tuesday, “No LaToya” reports needing just over 1000 names. Group organizer Eileen Carter says New Orleans residents who want change in their city need to take action…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…NoLaToya.org.” 

Carter says a large number of New Orleanians seek to replace Mayor Cantrell because they are not satisfied with her office’s handling of city services, like trash collection, street maintenance, drainage, sewers and police protection. Carter says when confronted with complaints, the mayor often goes on the offensive…:

Cut 7 (08)  “…across the board.” 

The “No LaToya” group must hand in over 49-thousand signatures to the Orleans Registrar of Voters by a week from today. They must then all be verified before the petition goes to the governor. Carter says they will succeed in getting their signatures and they hope Governor Edwards will schedule the recall with all due haste…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…an immediate way” 

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Another round of severe weather will impact the state today and tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says north, central and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather starting this afternoon into tomorrow morning

Cut 9 (08) “…impact Louisiana”

Mardi Gras parades rolling in the New Orleans area should be fine tonight, but the threat for severe weather exists tomorrow in southeast Louisiana…

Cut 10 (09) “…day tomorrow” 

________________________________________________

The Violence Policy Center says based on 2021 CDC data Louisiana ranks second in the country for having a gun death rate of 28.42 per 100-thousand people. V-P-C executive director Josh Sugarmann says Louisiana consistently ranks in the top every year…

Cut 11 (08)  “…unintentional deaths.”

Sugarmann says Mississippi leads the nation in overall gun death rate, following by Louisiana, New Mexico, Wyoming and Alabama. He says all five states have weak gun violence prevention laws

Cut 12 (09) “…gun laws”

Sugarmann says on the flip side, the states with the lowest gun death rates have strong gun laws that ban certain types of firearms, ban large capacity magazines and restrict sales and possession for certain individuals. He says local governments in Louisiana looking to reduce gun violence have their hands tied…

Cut 13 (11) “…do anything” 

Massachusetts leads the nation with a gun death rate of 3.54 per 100-thousand. In Louisiana, household gun ownership is at 47-percent.

3:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

The Secretary of Louisiana Department of Transportation is stepping down. Governor John Bel Edwards office has announced that DOTD Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson will retire from state service effective March 4th; just over two weeks away. The governor says Wilson’s work will “continue to bear fruit for years to come.” Wilson’s exit fuels speculation he will run for governor, as a Democrat, this fall.

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one week until its petition signature deadline, and they say they are very close…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

 

Top of the “bad lists”? A new report from the Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana near the top for our rate of gun deaths; just over 28 per 100-thousand persons. VPC’s Josh Sugarmann says Mississippi is tops, followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, Wyoming and Alabama…and all five states have somewhat lax gun laws…:

CUT 12(09)      “…gun laws.”

He says local government s that may want stricter gun laws find themselves trumped by state law.

Legislation to require parade organizations to pay for after-parade clean-up has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. West Monroe Representative Foy Gadberry says the litter control group, Ouachita Green, asked him to allow parishes and municipalities the ability to charge parade groups to recover clean-up costs…:

CUT 03(06)      “…to do so.”

Gadberry says litter is a statewide problem and parades only make it worse.

2:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

The Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana second in the country for overall gun death rates. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

Cut 02  (30)      “…Palermo.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the retirement of DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson. Wilson will step down as March 4th, which fuels speculation he will be a Democrat candidate for governor this fall. Edwards calls Wilson “the most effective DOTD secretary in state history.”

 

Here’s a proposed state law a lot of us can get behind; a bill to require parade krewes to pay for clean-up after they’ve had their run. West Monroe Rep. Fox Gadberry says his bill would allow local governments to create their own ordinances to establish fees for permits…:

CUT 05(12)      “…their needs.”

He says parade organizations should take some responsibility for the mess their events create.

More bad weather is expected across Louisiana again; particularly tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says says north, central and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather starting this afternoon into tomorrow morning…:

CUT 09(08)      “…impact Louisiana.”

Weather should clear by Friday and good for Mardi Gras Weekend parades.

1:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

Severe weather will impact the state today and tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says north, central, and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tomorrow morning. Mardi Gras parades rolling in the New Orleans area should be fine tonight, but the threat for severe weather exists tomorrow in southeast Louisiana…

Cut 10 (09) “…day tomorrow” 

 

The Violence Policy Center says based on 2021 CDC data Louisiana ranks second in the country for having a gun death rate of 28.42 per 100-thousand people. V-P-C executive director Josh Sugarmann says Louisiana consistently ranks in the top every year

Cut 11 (08)  “…unintended deaths.”

Mississippi has the highest overall gun death rate.

Legislation to require parade organizations to pay for clean-up has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. West Monroe Representative Foy Gadberry says litter across the state is an ongoing problem and parades are only making it worse. He says businesses along parade routes are also negatively impacted.

Cut  4 (12)  “…of thing.” 

 

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one more week to gather enough signatures needed. Group organizer Eileen Carter says a large number of residents are not satisfied with Cantrell’s handling of city services, like trash collection, street maintenance, draining and police protection, and when confronted with Cantrell often goes on the offensive…:

Cut 7 (08)  “…across the board.” 

12:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

Another round of severe weather will impact the state today and tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says north, central, and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather starting this afternoon into tomorrow morning.

Cut 9 (08) “…impact Louisiana”

Mardi Gras parades rolling in the New Orleans area should be fine tonight, but the threat for severe weather exists tomorrow in southeast Louisiana…

And speaking of parade, legislation to require parade organizations to pay for clean-up has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. West Monroe Representative Foy Gadberry says the litter control group, Ouachita Green, asked him to allow parishes and municipalities the ability to charge parade groups for clean-up.

Cut 3 (06) “…to do so.” 

The regular session begins on April 10th

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one more week to gather the petition signatures needed, and they say they are very close. On Tuesday, “No LaToya” reports needing just over 1000 names. Group organizer Eileen Carter says New Orleans residents who want change in their city need to act…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…NoLaToya.org.” 

 

The group must have over 49-thousand signatures to the Orleans Registrar of Voters office a week from today.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The losing streak for the LSU men’s basketball team is up to 13 after losing at Georgia 65 to 63 last night. The Bulldogs scored the winning bucket with a layup with five seconds left. KJ Williams was the only LSU Tiger in double figures as he had 18 points and nine rebounds. The Tigers had 19 turnovers.

The Pelicans are in L-A tonight to face the Lakers in the final game before the All-Star Break. C-J McCollum is questionable for the Pels with a right ankle sprain. Lebron James is also questionable with an ankle sprain media reports indicate he’s expected to play. New Orleans enters the game with a 30-28 and in seventh place in the Western Conference. L-A is 26-and-32.

The Derek Carr sweepstakes are officially underway as the Raiders have released the four-time Pro Bowl Q-B after nine seasons with the franchise. The Saints, Panthers, Titans and Jets are potential landing spots. The Saints are reportedly 59-million dollars over the 2023 salary cap, but could save some money by releasing Michael Thomas, Jameis Winston and Andrus Peat.

Just two days to go before the start of the college baseball season and six-foot-six right-hander Paul Skenes is expected to get the start when top ranked LSU opens the season against Western Michigan. Skenes was at Air Force the last two seasons. Last year, he recorded a 2.96 ERA and had 96 strikeouts. Skenes believes learning from LSU pitching coach Wes Johnson will only make him better…
cut 20 (17) “….a huge blessing”

Ragin Cajuns baseball head coach Matt Deggs announces Jake Hammond is his opening night starter…
cut 16 (11) “…strike zone”
U-L Lafayette opens its season on Friday with a weekend series at Rice.

11:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office will present evidence today to a grand jury claiming that three adults and a teenager raped LSU student Madison Brooks before she was killed by a passing car. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there’s been talk the D-A will pursue first-degree rape charges, which carries a higher penalty if convicted…

Cut 8 (07)  “…get it.”
Lake Charles Police have arrested 46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia, and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur for their alleged involvement in the death of Allen Babineaux in January of 2000. L-C-P-D Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says his department re-opened the cold case over a year ago.

Cut 13 (13)  “…two suspects”.

After a 40-year wait, victims of a flood in Tangipahoa Parish – caused by I-12 road work – will soon see compensation. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police has released more information on last week’s police shooting where an 18-year-old suspected carjacker was shot in Shreveport. L-S-P says the suspect, Zechariah Stutts, pointed a gun at officers during a foot chase. Stutts was shot in the hip, a non-life-threatening injury and he’s been charged with attempted first-degree murder.

10:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

A grand jury convenes in Baton Rouge today to hear evidence against three of the four men arrested in the alleged rape of LSU student Madison Brooks. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says he would be shocked if the grand jury doesn’t issue an indictment if the DA is actively seeking one.

Cut 7 (08) “…an indictment.”

A fourth suspect, who is 17 years old, will have his case handled in the juvenile court.

46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur are in custody and facing murder charges in a fatal shooting that took place in 2000 at a Lake Charles nightclub. L-C-P-D Deputy Chief Franklin Fondell says Allen Babineaux died on New Year’s Day in 2000 and the family can start to have closure…

Cut 14 (07)  “…waiting for healing”
Victims of a 1983 flood in Tangipahoa Parish, caused by the construction of Interstate 12, will soon see compensation. A judge this week gave final approval to a $101-million class action settlement. Plaintiffs’ attorney Jean-Paul Layrisson says the

process of getting compensation from the state Department of Transportation to the over 1,000 families, businesses, and individuals impacted can begin…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…their lawful heirs.” 

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is running for President in 2024. In 2021, Haley said she would not run against Trump if he ran again and that she’d support him. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says a lot has changed for Haley and for Trump in recent years…:

Cut 11 (10)  “…his personality.”

 

9:30 LRN Newscast

A grand jury meets today to hear evidence against three men accused of participating in the alleged rape of LSU student Madison Brooks shortly before she was killed by a passing car. .
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleans Police is charging a 15-year-old with negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of another 15-year-old from Warren Easton High School. Tyler Ellis, described as a straight A student, died from a gunshot wound after he was shot Monday night. Ellis is the second Warren Easton student to die in a shooting in two weeks.

Lake Charles Police announce the arrest of two individuals who were involved in the murder of 27-year-old Allen Babineaux, who was fatally shot at a nightclub in 2000. Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight says they will present their evidence to a grand jury next week…
cut 15 (07) “….in the making”
46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Shreveport are the two men charged in the case.

A state judge has given final approval to a 101-million dollar class-action settlement for victims of a massive flood in Tangipahoa Parish in 1983. It’s been determined the newly constructed I-12 disrupted water flow flooding hundreds of homes and nearly 100 businesses in Ponchatoula.
cut 5 (06) “…long ride”
That an attorney for the plaintiffs, Jean-Paul Layrisson, who hopes the process of getting money from the state to his clients will be a quick one.