8:30 and 10:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Legislature is poised to pass a bill that would ban abortions, even in the cases of rape and incest if the U-S Supreme Court reverses Roe versus Wade. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says this bill makes it clear what would happen in Louisiana if Roe versus Wade is overturned.

Cut 6  (10) “…and fines.” 

Doctors or others who perform abortions if it becomes illegal will face a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

The Senate unanimously approved a bill to punish landlords who illegally evict their tenants. This issue became particularly pervasive following Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida. Cashauna Hill, Executive Director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center…

Cut 10 (12) ” …think twice.” 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve noticed a concerning trend when conducting routine checks for personal floatation devices on private boats. Lt. Tim Fox says many PFDs do not meet the required standards.

Cut 3 (07) “…approved.”

By law, you are required to have US Coast Guard-approved PFDs that are properly sized for any intended wearers and enough for everyone aboard the vessel.

The LSU Tigers made quite a rally last night to advance in the Hattiesburg Regional. The Bayou Bengals entered the eighth inning down seven runs but erupted for ten runs in the eighth inning to beat Kennesaw State 14 to 11. It’s the largest comeback in an LSU regional since 1998 when LSU trailed Cal State Fullerton 7-0 and won 13-11. The unbelievable comeback puts LSU into a winner’s bracket game against Southern Miss today at 6 PM.

1:30 LRN Newscast June 3

The Louisiana Legislature is poised to approve an anti-abortion law that clarifies what happens if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Entergy Louisiana customers be prepared for bills to increase by an average of $25. The utility provider says rising natural gas costs and restoration expenses are the reason for the increase which will be reflected in June bills.

The Senate unanimously approved a bill punish landlords who illegally evict their tenants. Thirty-nine other states, including both Alabama and Texas, already have such laws. Cashauna Hill, Executive Director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center says Louisiana can finally start catching up to the rest of the country.

Cut 11 (11)  “…doesn’t make sense.” 

Hill says this is a major victory for the state’s 1.4 million renters.

The Louisiana Department of Health marks a historic milestone in its efforts to treat those diagnosed with hepatitis C. Assistant Secretary of Health Kim Hood says the outbreak had reached epidemic proportions but through a modified pharmaceutical program more than 11-thousand Louisianans have received treatment.

Cut 13 (05) “…of Louisiana.”

For more information visit HepCuredLA.org

12:30 LRN Newscast June 3

The Louisiana Legislature is poised to pass a bill that would ban abortions, even in the cases of rape and incest if the U-S Supreme Court reverses Roe versus Wade. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps says it would be unfair to ask a teenager sexually assaulted by a relative to give birth to a child if the rape led to a pregnancy…

Cut 8 (10) “…we are.” 

Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says a pregnancy as a result of rape and incest is horrific for the woman, however….

Cut 9 (05) “…this situation.”

The House voted for the bill 72-25 and it now heads to the Senate. Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports an abortion ban if Roe versus Wade is overturned, but he also supports exceptions for rape and incest.

Thursday the Senate unanimously approved HB 160, which would punish landlords who illegally evict their tenants. This issue became particularly pervasive following Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida. Cashauna Hill, Executive Director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, says this is a major victory for the state’s 1.4 million renters.

Cut 10 (12) ” …think twice.” 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve found several boaters using personal floatation devices that aren’t US Coast Guard approved, which is required by law. And another issue Lt Tim Fox says agents are seeing is among inflatable life jackets.

Cut 4  (10) “…separately.”

5:30 LRN Newscast June 2

Lt. Colonel Chris Eskew, who was the head of State Police internal affairs when Ronald Greene died in L-S-P custody, tells state lawmakers he saw no criminal activity when he watched the violent body camera video of Greene’s arrest. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle provided the line of questioning

Cut 3 (13) “..no ma’am.”

Later on in the meeting, Eskew changed his answer. He explained he was reluctant to answer for fear it could harm the ongoing investigations into Greene’s death. Marcelle sees it as State Police officials trying to protect each other…

Cut 5  (10) “..bring down.”

Governor Edwards is scheduled to testify before the committee on June 16th.

A House bill to allow concealed carry without a permit was heavily amended by Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert in a Senate committee. The original bill to allow non-felons over the age of 21 to carry concealed now creates provisions for schools to appoint a teacher to serve voluntarily as a school protection officer. Lambert says that person will be certified.

Cut 7 (11) “…right now.” 

Because the amendment completely removed concealed carry language, West Monroe Senator Jay Morris, who had his Constitutional Carry bill vetoed by the governor last year, asked Lambert why House Bill 37 can’t keep its original intent and provide school protection officers.

Cut 8 (06) “…the other.” 

With the session ending on Monday, Lambert says this is the only way legislators can address school safety.

11:30 LRN Newscast June 2

A House bill to allow concealed carry without a permit was heavily amended by Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert in a Senate committee. The original bill to allow non-felons over the age of 21 to carry concealed now creates provisions for schools’s to appoint a teacher to serve voluntarily as a school protection officer. Lambert says that person will be certified.

Cut 7 (11) “…right now.” 

Because the amendment completely removed concealed carry language, West Monroe Senator Jay Morris, who had his Constitutional Carry bill vetoed by the governor last year, asked Lambert why House Bill 37 can’t keep its original intent and provide school protection officers.

Cut 8 (06) “…the other.” 

With the session ending on Monday, Lambert says this is the only way legislators can address school safety.

Lt. Colonel Chris Eskew, who was the head of State Police internal affairs when Ronald Greene died in L-S-P custody, tells state lawmakers he saw no criminal activity when he watched the violent body camera video of Greene’s arrest. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle provided the line of questioning

Cut 3 (13) “..no ma’am.”

It’s only day two of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, but researchers at Colorado State University have increased their projections of just how active this season will be. Alex DesRosiers says the latest models point to 20 named storms. The main reason? El Nino, which helps prevent storms from forming, is highly unlikely this year.

Cut 12 (08) “…quite some time.”  

Hurricane season ends November 30th.

5:30 LRN Newscast May 31

After passing in the House and a Senate committee, a so-called Constitutional Carry bill gets re-assigned to a second committee hearing. Kevin Gallagher reports on what that may mean…:

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement  saying, “In light of recent gun violence in Buffalo and Uvalde, gun safety discussions and action involving expanded background check and red flag laws are very much in order.”

A bill that would result in civil penalties against state and local governments and educational institutions that required proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for entry into government facilities is closer to final legislative passage. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s convinced the Senate Judiciary C Committee to pass his bill…

Cut 12 (10) “…as sick.”  

New Orleans Senator Gary Carter voted no on the legislation, he expressed concerns about local governments facing a civil fine for trying to stop the spread of the disease…

Cut 14 (10)  “…this” 

 

Bagley’s bill, which passed in the House last month on a 59-26 vote, heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

PM LRN Newscall May 31

Major changes go into effect for hunting and fishing licenses tomorrow. Brooke Thorington has more on what you need to know before reeling in the next big one.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

LSU meteorologists and climatologists are predicting another busy storm season. David Grubb has the story…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

Major changes for hunting and fishing licenses and fees go into effect tomorrow. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says even though a current license doesn’t expire until the end of June, any license that’s purchased tomorrow going forward…

Cut 3 (11) “..fiscal year.”

McClinton says the basic hunting license will see an increase of $5 to $20 annually.

Cut 4  (12) “…add ons.”

A residential basic freshwater fishing license will cost an additional $7.50 annually, but McClinton says the license has been broadened to include additional fishing options…

Cut 5  (11) “…gear fee.”

A saltwater license is also increasing by $7.50 but like the basic freshwater license, it has also been expanded to include additional fishing methods.

McClinton says another big change this year is a required $5 license for roadside crabbing. He says this is so they can survey license holders and have a better idea of how many crabs are being removed from fisheries.

Another new feature among hunting and fishing licenses is the automatic license renewal option so you don’t have to worry about being caught off guard with an expired license. For specific fees and price changes visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website.

___________________________________________________

Tomorrow is the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season and there’s the potential for tropical development in the Gulf of Mexico this week. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says a Pacific hurricane by name of the Agatha made landfall in southern Mexico yesterday and there’s a good chance its remanents could reform near the southeastern Gulf of Mexico

Cut 6  (11) “…into the Bahamas.” 

Wetherbee says if you are heading to Florida later this week, there’s the possibility this system could ruin outdoor activities in the Sunshine State…

Cut 7 (10) “…northeasterly direction.” 

Wetherbee says confidence is growing that we could see our first named storm of the season…

Cut 8 (06) “..this weekend” 

_____________________________________________________

LSU held a virtual media briefing on the eve of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season in anticipation of another active summer. Dr. Paul Miller, assistant professor of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, was instrumental in developing a new forecasting model. After reviewing all of the atmospheric data for the month, Miller says…

Cut 9 (09) “…this year.”

Miller says that LSU has compared its data with other sources and feels comfortable with projecting five named storms in the gulf this year, another higher than usual output.

Cut 10 (09) ” …historical baseline.” 

Louisiana has been pounded by major storms over the last few years, experiencing some of the worst hurricanes in the history of the state. Another five projected named storms will do little to ease the anxiety of residents, but on the bright side, Miller says it has been and could be worse.

Cut 11 (12)  “…at this moment.” 

_____________________________________________________

A bill that would result in civil penalties against state and local governments and educational institutions that required proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for entry into government facilities is closer to final legislative passage. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s convinced the Senate Judiciary C Committee to pass his bill…

Cut 12 (10) “…as sick.”  

Bagley’s bill, which passed in the House last month on a 59-26 vote, heads to the Senate floor for more discussion. Private citizen Christy Haik spoke in support of the legislation during committee testimony today…

Cut 13 (07) “…overreach”

New Orleans Senator Gary Carter voted no. He expressed concerns about local governments facing a civil fine for trying to stop the spread of the disease…

Cut 14 (10)  “…this” 

 

__________________________________________________

 

Cut 15 (09) “…rainfall” 

 

Cut  16 (08)  “…their businesses“

 

12:30 LRN Newscast May 31

Major changes for hunting and fishing licenses and fees go into effect tomorrow. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the basic hunting license will see an increase of $5 to $20 annually.

Cut 4  (12) “…add ons.”

And tomorrow is the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season and there’s the potential for tropical development in the Gulf of Mexico this week. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says there’s the possibility this system could ruin outdoor activities in Florida later this week

Cut 7 (10) “…northeasterly direction.” 

And it could be the first named storm for the Atlantic and it would be Alex.

Louisiana is well-represented in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.”

For fans looking to drive to those regional destinations, they’ll find the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.22 that’s according to Triple-A.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast May 31

According to the Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast A full recovery is not expected until next year and the number of jobs in the state remains about 5-percent below pre-COVID levels. University Louisiana at Lafayette economist Gary Wagner says consumer spending remains relatively strong, but vehicles and recreational goods saw a decline in the first quarter of this year…

Cut 6 (11)  “…the year.”

 

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office has released a report to the state legislature designed to help the state attract and retain a capable teaching workforce. State auditor Ed Seyler (Sailor) says the state also could improve teacher retention if salaries in areas with high housing costs were higher…

Cut 9 (09)  “…this state.”

Tomorrow is the start of the 2022 hurricane season and there are still thousands living in trailers as a result of Hurricane Ida. Terrebonne Planning and Zoning Director Christopher Pulaski says it’s something they have to prepare for if another storm approaches southeast Louisiana…

Cut 12 (09) “…10 thousand people.” 
Governor Edwards has said that congregate shelters for evacuees will return this year. The state didn’t do that the last two years because of COVID.

The bracket is out for the NCAA baseball tournament. After going 1-2 at the SEC tourney, it wasn’t a shock when Baton Rouge was left off the list of Regional host sites. Tigers coach Jay Johnson says once that happened, he could read the tea leaves on where his team was headed…

Cut 13 (12) “…a surprise.”

9:30 LRN Newscast May 31

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office has sent a report to state lawmakers that looks at teacher retention and certified teachers’ impact on student achievement. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Authorities are searching for two 19-year-olds who escaped from Acadiana Center for Youth around 1 p.m. on Monday. A Command Center has been established at the facility to assist in their arrests. Anyone with information is asked to call local law enforcement immediately.

According to the Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast, A full recovery is not expected until next year and the number of jobs in the state remains about 5-percent below pre-COVID levels. University Louisiana at Lafayette economist Gary Wagner says the Houma-Thibodaux and Lafayette metro areas are expected to experience the fastest job growth in the state…

Cut 5 (07) “…strongest growth.”

Hurricane season officially begins tomorrow and there are still roughly 400 households, representing about 12-hundred people, in Terrebonne Parish awaiting FEMA trailers. Parish Planning and Zoning Director Christopher Pulaski says people are frustrated…

Cut 10 (08) “…nine months out.”
Pulaski says there are about nine-thousand people living in more than three-thousand trailers from either the state or FEMA.