16:45 LRN Sportscast July 13th

Alabama Coach Nick Saban and SEC Network Personality Paul Finebaum had a tense exchange over the arrest of Crimson Tide football players Cam Robinson and Hootie Jones, who allegedly were smoking pot inside a vehicle at a Monroe park last May. Drug and weapon charges were dropped against the players and Saban questioned why his guys were the only two arrested when there were four inside the vehicle…
cut 30 (22) “…in the public”
Finebaum told the Advocate Newspaper that Saban insinuated off-air that the cop was an LSU fan, which is why only the Alabama football players were arrested.

Many SEC schools will wait until preseason camp starts until they name a quarterback, but Texas A-and-M Head Coach Kevin Sumlin has already decided Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight is his guy. At SEC Media days, Sumlin was asked why he named Knight his starter…
cut 18 (15) “…happy there”

Big news for the LSU baseball team. Left-handed starting pitcher Jared Poche will return for his senior season. Poche turned down a chance to play in the San Diego Padres minor league system. He was 9-and-4 last season.

Two former LSU shortstops will compete against each other for the next four days at Zephyr Field in Metairie. Alex Bregman and the Frenso Grizzlies begin a four game series against the Zephyrs tonight. Austin Nola plays for New Orleans.

16:30 LRN Newscast July 13th

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups have filed a lawsuit against Baton Rouge Police, State Police and other law enforcement agencies over how they treated people who were protesting the police shooting death of Alton Sterling. ACLU of Louisiana executive director Marjorie Esman says the lawsuit alleges police used excessive force and wrongfully arrested invividuals.
cut 14 (07) “…before”
Governor Edwards has defended law enforcement by calling their response moderate.

Cameron Sterling, the son of Alton Sterling, spoke publically today for the first time since his father was fatally shot. Cameron says he wants people to continue to protest, but do so peacefully….
cut 4 (07) “…whatsoever”
Congressmen Cedric Richmond and Garret Graves have come together to create a bill to address the growing violence between law enforcement and the public. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor Edwards and State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson met with the President today at the White House to discuss building communtiy trust.

Meanwhile, layoff notifications have been sent to some members of Governor Edwards’ state as his office must restructure its personnel because of a one-million dollar budget cut.

15:30 LRN Newscast July 13th

Governor John Bel Edwards and State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson are among a group of elected officials, law enforcement personnel, community advocates and faith leaders meeting with President Obama at the White House this afternoon. According to the governor’s office, they are discussing how to keep the public safe, build community trust and ensure justice for all Amercians.

Alton Sterling’s oldest son spoke about his father and the ongoing protests at a press conference earlier today. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 1 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

In response to the Alton Sterling shooting, Louisiana Congressmen Garret Graves and Cedric Richmond file legislation to help local police officers get their hands on new non-lethal technologies. Graves says there’s equipment being developed that’s stronger than a taser, which could be used to subdue suspects. Graves says the bill is a step in the right direction…
cut 8 (09) “,…of this”

Monroe third-grade math teacher Gary Jackson has been nominated for the 2016-17 national LifeChanger of the Year award. Jackson created a step-team called “Golden Steppers” and if Jackson wins, he’ll get a cash award and so will his school, Barkdull-Faulk Elementary School. Jackson says he already knows how he’ll spend his award if he wins…
cut 14 (10) “..pay it forward”

LRN PM Newscall July 13th

Alton Sterling’s oldest son spoke about his father and the ongoing protests at a press conference outside the convenience store where his father was killed. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

================

Congressmen Cedric Richmond and Garret Graves have come together to create a bill to address the growing violence between law enforcement and the public. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

===================

This morning Alton Sterling’s oldest son called for peace at a press conference outside the convenience store where his father was fatally shot by police. 15-year-old Cameron Sterling says his father is a good man with a lot of people who love and care about him.

CUT 3 (08)  “good man” 2x

Sterling says now is the time for everyone to come together and not divide themselves. He says he wants people to continue to protest, but he doesn’t want there to be any more violence.

CUT 4 (07)  “whatsoever”

One of the Sterling family’s attorneys, Justin Bamberg, also spoke at the press conference. He says all the family wants is change, progress, and justice. He says they have questions about the ability to seek justice in Louisiana.

CUT 5 (09)  “an indictment”

===============================================

Congressmen Cedric Richmond and Garret Graves have teamed up to  introduce legislation that would give police training to de-escalate situations and help provide law enforcement access to nonlethal weapons. Graves says this comes after last week’s fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. He says this bill’s goal is to use new technology to bridge gaps between life and death.

CUT 6 (10) “non-compliant”

Graves says there are many new technologies out in the private sector and being developed to help officers stop suspects that are noncompliant without killing them. He says this bill includes police training on how to use the equipment and de-escalation techniques.

CUT 7 (08) “grant program”

Graves says this is a five year bill which provides 130 million dollars in grants in the first year. He says the legislation won’t solve all of our problems but it’s something we can do in the meantime to help reduce the number of deaths and violence we’ve recently seen.

CUT 8 (09) “of this”

==================================================

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Deputy who left his police K-9 in a hot car has plead guilty to criminal charges. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says John Cummings entered a guilty plea for one count of animal cruelty for leaving his K-9, Duke, in the car and one count of criminal mischief for writing a false police report. Lancaster says he was more disappointed about the report than the unfortunate accident that led to the dog’s death.

CUT 9 (09) “other part”

Lancaster says the deputy had to pay restitution for the dog and the money it cost to train the dog, which totaled more than $8,000. He says if Cummings had just told the truth about what happened, it probably would not have been as big of a deal.

cut 10 (05)  “dog died”

Lancaster says Cummings was sentenced to 6 months in jail for each offense to be served back to back. But he says both of the sentences were suspended, and Cummings’ employment was terminated immediately.

Cut 11 (07) “two years”

===================================================

A Louisiana elementary school teacher has been nominated for the 2016-17 national LifeChanger of the Year award. The award is presented to teachers who are making a difference in the lives of their students by being a positive influence and demonstrating leadership and excellence. Gary Jackson is a third grade math teacher at Barkdull-Faulk Elementary School in Monroe. Jackson says he is honored that one of his colleagues nominated for this award.

cut 12 (07) “being recognized”

Jackson created a step team called “Golden Steppers” for young boys in his school. He says it’s important to help students grow both inside and outside the classroom.

Cut 13 (11)  “uphold to”

Winners will be announced in Spring of 2017. Each winner of the award will receive a cash award with half the money going to the school and the other half going to the individual winner. Jackson says he already knows how he would spend his award if he wins.

cut 14 (10)  “it forward”

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11:40 LRN Sporscast July 13th

Alabama Coach Nick Saban says left tackle Cam Robinson and defensive back Hootie Jones will not face suspension if they change their behavior internally. Robinson and Jones were arrested in May in Monroe on drug and gun charges but the charges were dropped. Saban was also asked about the Alton Sterling shooting and protests and said mutual respect from both sides is needed to understand the problem.

On the football field, Mississippi State will have a different look, because quarterback Dak Prescott has moved on to the NFL. So far, a starting QB for the upcoming season has yet to be named, but Bulldogs Coach Dan Mullen is glad wide receiver Fred Ross is back after catching a school-record 88 passes last season…
Cut 17 (13) “the quarterbacks”
LSU’s Malachi Dupre is on the Biletnikoff Award Watch list, which goes to the nation’s top receiver each season. Louisiana Tech’s Carlos Henderson and Trent Taylor are also on the list.

Former LSU baseball star Alex Bregman is back in Louisiana as his Triple-A team, Fresno, is in town to face the New Orleans Zephyrs for a four-game series. Bregman has hit five home runs and has driven in 14 runs in his first eight Triple-A games and is coming off a three-hit performance in the Futures Game in San Diego.

In basketball…the Pelicans announced they’ve released guard Toney Douglas, who started in 18 games for New Orleans last season and averaged nearly nine points a game.

LSU hoops will compete in the Battle Four Atlantis Tournament in the Bahammas and it was announced today they’ll play Witchita on November 23rd at 11 AM. The Tigers would play either Baylor or VCU on the second day of the event.

18:30 LRN Newscast July 12th

Authorities say a pawn shop burglary in Baton Rouge is part of an alleged conspiracy to kill cops. Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie says four suspects allegedly robbed a pawn shop late Saturday night to steal guns and ammo. He says a police unit responded to the burglary and took one suspect into custody….
cut 7 (07) “…police officers”
Dabadie says three suspects are in custody, and one of them is 13-years-old. The search is on for the fourth suspect.

Governor John Bel Edwards tells the newly formed transportation task force that revenue options need to be considered to address the state’s nearly 13-billion dollar backlog in highway needs.
cut 3 (07) “…it happen”
The task force will meet over the next several months and submit recommendations to the state legislature for the 2017 session.

The Bossier Parish District Attorney’s office has decided not to file criminal charges in the deaths of Bossier City twins who died inside a hot pickup truck last month. D-A Schuyler Marvin says it was a tragic accident and there was no intent to cause their deaths by the mother who laid down when the kids wandered into the vehicle.

Two teenagers were mugged while playing Pokemon Go at a Shreveport Park. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

17:30 LRN Newscast July 12th

Authorities say three people have been arrested and a search is underway for a fourth person who were allegedly planning to kill police officers in Baton Rouge. Law enforcement learned of the plot during an investigation of a robbery of a pawn shop, where eight guns were stolen. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says one of the suspects confessed they planned to use the stolen weapons to kill officers.

Two Shreveport teenagers were mugged at a park while playing Pokemon Go. According to the mother of one of the victims, she says her son and a friend were approached by two men asking to borrow their cell phone and out of nowhere one of the teens was punched in the face…
CUT 9 (10) “your stuff”
Shreveport Police say two 17-year-olds were arrested and charged with First Degree Robbery and authorities are still searching for two other suspects.

Governor John Bel Edwards tells the newly formed transportation task force that revenue options need to be considered to address the state’s nearly 13-billion dollar backlog in highway needs. Edwards says the work conducted by this group will be very important to the state..:
CUT 5 (10) “deserves better”
The governor says the task force will present revenue raising recommendations for the legislature to consider in 2017.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain began a trade mission in Cuba today. Strain says a trade deal with Cuba could result in about 400-million dollars in Louisiana products over the next few years…
cut 8 (10) “….agriculture commodities”
Strain says Governor Edwards plans on visiting Cuba in early October.

16:45 LRN Sportscast July 12th

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton told the NFL Network he has yet to see regression in the play of quarterback Drew Brees. The two have been together since the 2006 season and Brees is coming off a very good season, where he threw for 48-hundred yards and 32 touchdowns. And he hit a home run at a celebrity softball game at the All-Star game in San Diego.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson celebrates his 89th birthday. He’s the third oldest owner in the NFL behind Chicago’s Virginia McCaskey and San Diego’s Alex Spanos.

Tonight is the Major League Baseball All-Star game. There are two players with Louisiana ties to the game. Former LSU pitcher Will Harris is making his first All-Star game appearance after sensational first half with the Houston Astros. And former Ragin Cajuns Jonathan Lucroy is in the All-star game for a second time in his career as he’s had a nice season for the Milwaukee Brewers.

LSU’s Kendell Beckwith has been named to the Butkus Award watch list which goes to the nation’s top linebacker.

LSU visits Florida on October 8th and the Gators have yet to settle on a starter this season. Luke Del Rio is the favorite to win the job and Florida head coach Jim McElwain says Austin Appleby is also competing for that job….
cut 18 (13) “…takes that step”

The Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 70-66 in summer league action last night. Buddy Hield had 23 points on 10 of 23 shooting, he was 3-of-12 from three point territory. Cheick Diallo had five points and seven rebounds.

16:30 LRN Newscast July 12th

Could Gasoline taxes go up soon? Halen Doughty reports the governor has explained to the new transportation task force there is not enough revenue to cover all the state’s highway needs…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

The governor used his line-item veto pen today to scratch 44-million dollars in construction projects from a bill approved during the second special session. Edwards says the state can’t afford them.

Now that we have an idea of how the Baton Rouge Police Department plans to defend the killing of Alton Sterling, experts believe the cops will claim they feared for their lives. A warrant filed this week by BRPD indicates Sterling resisted arrest, then the officers saw him reach for a gun before shooting. Legal analyst Tim Meche believes the cops will claim they had no choice, and:
cut 12 (10) “officers”
Meche says BRPD will argue the two cops legitimately feared for their lives.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain left for Cuba today to begin the process of trade negotiations. He says there are many products Cuba needs, that we have…:
CUT 7 (10) “that happen”
Strain says this visit will set the groundwork for another trip in October that will be led by Governor Edwards.

14:30 LRN newscast July 12th

Documents have been made public on what the two Baton Rouge police officers saw as they confronted Alton Sterling before he was fatally shot. In a search warrant and accompanying affidavit, the officers say Sterling resisted arrest, they saw a gun in his pocket and the policemen claim he tried to reach for the gun in his pocket. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this gives us a good idea on how the officers will claim they were justified in shooting Sterling…
cut 14 (03) “…their lives”
The US Justice Department is leading the investigation into Sterling’s death.

Governor John Bel Edwards tells the newly formed transportation task force that revenue options need to be considered to address the state’s nearly 13-billion dollar backlog in highway needs.
cut 3 (07) “…it happen”
The task force will meet over the next several months and submit recommendations to the state legislature for the 2017 session.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain arrives in Cuba today to talk about trade possibilites between Louisiana and the island nation. Strain says a trade deal with Cuba could result in about 400-million dollars in trade over the next few years…
cut 8 (10) “….agriculture commodities”
Strain says Governor Edwards plans on visiting Cuba in early October.

A Shreveport mom says her son and one of his friends were robbed at a park as they were playing Pokemon Go. The woman says their cell phones and other personal items were taken, but were eventually recovered….
cut 10 (10) “…their pocket”
Shreveport police say they’ve arrested a pair of 17-year-old and charged them with first degree robbery and they are searching for two other suspects.