10:30 LRN Newscast April 25

Senator Cleo Fields has a bill on the table that would require cable and internet service providers to provide rebates after disasters…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

The Coast Guard has suspended the search for three children in the Mississippi River. An eight-year-old girl, a 14-year-old girl, and a 15-year-old boy entered the water in Algiers near the Crescent City Connection Bridge before sunset on Saturday. A New Orleans TV station reports one of the girls fell into the water, prompting the other two to try and save her.

A bill to allow a sexual assault victim to receive a copy of their forensic medical exam if requested will be heard in the Louisiana Senate today. Bill Author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the healthcare provider who performed the examination must turn over the exam within two weeks of the request.  received.

Cut 5 (12) “…like that.”

Behind 30 points from Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans evened their best of seven playoff series with the Suns at two games apiece as New Orleans dribbled past Phoenix 118 to 103. Ingram becomes the first player in franchise history to score 30 points or more in three straight playoff games…

Cut 13 (10) “…right spot.”
Game five is Tuesday night in Phoenix.

9:30 LRN Newscast April 25

During an attempt to pull over a stolen Ford-450 in Labadivelle Sunday morning, State Police are now investigating and deputy-involved shooting with Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Deputies. LSP says after a short pursuit of 26-year-old Rhett Thibodeaux of Larose the suspect put the truck in reverse towards deputies, and a service weapon was discharged killing Thibodeaux as a result.
An LSU student-founded outdoorsman’s company wins big in a prestigious business plan pitching competition. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”\
A bill to allow a sexual assault victim, if requested, to receive a copy of their forensic medical exam is scheduled to be heard in the Louisiana Senate today. Bill author Senator Beth Mizell and STAR Legal Director Morgan LeMandare says they were told at a  sexual assault oversite commission meeting why victims are denied a copy of the report….
Cut 6 (12) “…through something (right).”
The Pelicans outscored Suns last night with a 118-103 victory to even up their opening-round series at two games each. It was an electric weekend in New Orleans, with sold-out crowds making their presence felt in both games. Pelicans coach Willie Green says it was something special.
Cut 14 (11) “…behind us.”
Next game is Tuesday night in Phoenix.

10:30 LRN NEWSCAST APRIL 23

For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
A four-year-old Baton Rouge toddler was found unresponsive as they were allegedly forced to drink alcohol. The coroner says China Record’s blood alcohol concentration was a deadly point-six-eight-zero. BRPD Spokesperson L’Jean McNeely says the victim’s grandmother 53-year-old Roxanne Record and mother 28-year-old Kadjah Record were both charged, even though the investigation indicates the grandmother forced the child to drink the whiskey.
Cut 4 (10) “…unconscious.”
McKneely says this is just one of many heartbreaking cases where a child’s life ended due to abuse. The case remains under investigation.
And Houma Representative Tanner Magee considers himself a music aficionado, and as one, something has bothered him for a very long time…the fact that the city of Memphis lays claim as the home of rock and roll. A trip to the legendary Sun Records studio years ago has inspired him to propose HB 889, which would create a rock and roll museum in New Orleans.
Cut 6 (12) “…comes to Memphis.”
The pill passed House Municipal and now heads to the floor for further debate.
I’m Erik Piccoli
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Should Louisiana increase the number of medical marijuana pharmacy licenses? That’s a debate underway in the ongoing legislative session. Current law provides for the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to issue no more than ten, but Gretna Representative Joe Marino has a bill to increase the limit to 25…
Cut 9 (12) “…access to it.”
The House Health and Welfare Committee has approved Marino’s bill and a full House vote is scheduled next week.
And the estimated Powerball jackpot for tonight’s drawing is at just over $400-million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says ticket sales always soar when jackpots get this high…:
Cut 13 (08) “…for two dollars.”
This drawing comes one day after the Powerball celebrated its 30 year anniversary
For the LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

9:30 LRN NEWSCAST APRIL 23

For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
A bill staking New Orleans’ claim as the birthplace of Rock and Roll is headed to the house floor. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (35)…I’m David Grubb.”
After a four-year-old Baton Rouge toddler was allegedly forced to drink alcohol and found unresponsive Thursday morning, her mother and grandmother are charged with first-degree murder. BRPD Spokesperson L’Jean McKneely says when officers arrived the family had already attempted to revive China Record by placing her in a tub of cold water.
Cut 3 (11) “…later die.”
Both women are being held in the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail and bond amounts have not been listed
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Louisiana Representatives are debating whether they should increase the number of medical marijuana pharmacy licenses with Gretna Representative Joe Marino proposing the limit be set to 25. Edwards believes it would be better to keep the number of licensed medical marijuana pharmacies to ten….
Cut 11 (11) “…to have too.”
Houma Representative Tanner Magee has a bill that’s passed House Health and Welfare that would allow current marijuana pharmacy license holders to have satellite locations.
And the estimated Powerball jackpot for tonight is at just over $400-million. This is far from the biggest Powerball jackpot ever. That was a $1.6-billion sum awarded in January 2016 to winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee. Chopin says it’s still good to observe three decades of Powerball with a chance for someone in Louisiana to become a millionaire…:
Cut 14 (09) “…that multi-state game.”
For the LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

8:30 LRN NEWSCAST APRIL 23

For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
Baton Rouge Police say a four-year-old died after being forced to consume a bottle of whiskey and her relatives are behind bars. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
And Houma Representative Tanner Magee is proposing a bill to create a rock and roll museum in New Orleans. The Dew-Drop-America’s Rock and Roll Museum would celebrate and promote the city and state’s rich musical heritage, as well as the social, cultural, and economic history of rock and roll music near the site of one of the most famous music clubs and hotels in the country.
Cut 7 (12) “…just music.”
I’m Erik Piccoli
A debate is underway in this legislative session on whether Louisiana should increase the number of medical marijuana pharmacy licenses. The legislation does not have the full support of the governor. John Bel Edwards says the framework for dispensing medical marijuana is still relatively new in Louisiana and adding more licensee holders could be unfair to the existing ones…
Cut 10 (10) “…problematic”
Current law states the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy can’t issue no more than ten licenses
And today marks 30 years since the multi-state, big money Powerball lottery game debuted, and Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the anniversary comes with one of the game’s top twenty jackpot amounts…:
Cut 12 (09) “…for Saturday’s drawing.”
For the LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

5:30 LRN Newscast April 22

5:30 (17) 8:30 (20) 3:30 6:30

After police say a grandmother allegedly forced a four-year-old Baton Rouge toddler to drink alcohol Thursday morning, Roxanne Record and the child’s mother Kadjah Record face first-degree murder charges. BRPD Spokesperson L’Jean McKneely says even though the grandmother forced a bottle of Canadian Whiskey on the child…

Cut 4  (10) “…unconscious.”

One of the debates this legislative session is should Louisiana increase the number of medical marijuana pharmacy licenses? Current law provides for the board of pharmacy to issue up to ten licenses, but there’s bill to increase it 25. Governor Edwards believes it would be best to keep the number at ten….

Cut 11 (11)  “…to have too.” 

The bill is scheduled to be heard in the full House next week.

Houma Representative Tanner Magee says while Memphis lays claim as the home of rock and roll he wants to set the record straight and give proper credit to New Orleans’ Dew Drop Inn and their role in rock history. He says it’s time for Louisiana to highlight its rock roots.

Cut 8 (10) “…all these things.” 

The pill passed House Municipal and now heads to the floor for further debate.

Friday is the 30-year anniversary of when Powerball, the multi-state lottery game debuted. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin…

Cut 14 (09)  “…that multi-state game.”

She says one way to celebrate is to buy a ticket, with the estimated Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is just over $400-million.

 

12:30 LRN Newscast April 22

After police say a grandmother allegedly forced a four-year-old Baton Rouge toddler to drink alcohol Thursday morning, Roxanne Record and the child’s mother Kadjah Record face first-degree murder charges. BRPD Spokesperson L’Jean McKneely says even though the grandmother forced a bottle of Canadian Whiskey on the child…

Cut 4  (10) “…unconscious.”

Legislators are debating if Louisiana should increase the number of medical marijuana pharmacy licenses. Current law provides for the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to issue no more than ten, but Gretna Representative Joe Marino has a bill to increase the limit to 25…

Cut 9 (12) “…access to it.”

The House Health and Welfare Committee has approved his bill and a full House vote is scheduled next week.

“Buckle Up in Your Truck” week kicks off tomorrow as patrol officers step up enforcement of seat belt usage inside trucks. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says they are targeting pick-up trucks because they are more likely to roll over in a crash…
cut 11 (08) “…even death”
Lambert says surveys also show drivers and passengers are less likely to buckle up when they are in a pick-up truck.

Pelicans fever is spreading across the state as the NBA team will host Game 3 of its playoff series with the Suns tonight. The series is tied at one game apiece and Rel Meyers, co-founder of The Pels 12 fan group, says fans are meeting up to support the team and local businesses as well…
cut 13 (11) “….local economy”
Tonight’s game in the Smoothie King Center tips off at 8:30.

11:30 LRN Newscast April 22

After a four-year-old Baton Rouge toddler was forced to drink alcohol and found unresponsive Thursday morning, her mother and grandmother are charged with first-degree murder. BRPD Spokesperson L’Jean McKneely…

Cut 3 (12) “…later die.”

The child’s blood alcohol content was a point-six-eight-zero. The victim’s grandmother, Roxanne Record, and mother Kadjah Record are both in custody. McKneely says the mother is charged because she did not try to intervene or call for help.

The House has yet to commit to Governor Edwards’ request to allocate half a billion dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. He says now is the time to do it, with a huge state surplus and federal infrastructure money…

Cut 7 (04) “…shining now”

The Senate has yet to weigh in on funding for a new Baton Rouge bridge.

Buckle-Up in your Truck week begins Saturday… Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement will focus on making sure pick-up truck drivers and their passengers are buckled up….

Cut 10 (11) “…your seatbelt”

Tonight is Game Three of the Pelicans playoff series against the Suns. It’s the first NBA home playoff game in New Orleans since 2018 and Rel Myers, co-founder of The Pels 12 Fan Group, says the flock will be ready…

Cut 15 (09)  “…in that first round.”

Tonight’s game at the Smoothie King Center is sold out. Tipoff is at 8:30.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 22

The Louisiana House approves the 38-billion-dollar budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st. With the session reaching the halfway point it’s unclear if legislators will fund Governor Edwards request for 500-million dollars for a new Mississippi River bridge. Edwards says the half a billion-dollar commitment will show the feds the state is serious about bridge construction.

Cut 8 (10)  “…our state”

A bill to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.25 is shortchanged four to one in Senate Labor. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says if you require businesses to raise wages, they’ll raise prices to consumers…:

CUT 22(11)      “…to live.”

The lone yes vote was from bill sponsor, Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow.

The “Buckle Up in Your Truck” campaign begins Saturday and runs until the end of the month. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement will focus on pick-ups because those drivers and passengers are less likely to buckle up….

Cut 12 (12) “…65-percent.” 

The success of the New Orleans Pelicans has led more birds of a feather flocking together and Rel Myers, co-founder of The Pels 12 fan group, says the franchise contacted her and other groups to provide support for the growing fanbase.

Cut 14 (10)  “…as well.”

The Pels play the Suns tonight at the sold-out Smoothie King Center. Tip-off is at 8:30.

4:30 LRN Newscast April 20

A bill to raise awareness about hunger among students at Louisiana colleges and universities advances in House Education.  Bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says as much as 40-percent of college students have food insecurities. UL System President Jim Henderson says the bill creates a task force to assist those students in need.

Cut 3 (09) “…a win-win.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

An effort to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated 9 to 2 in House Judiciary. The proposed constitutional amendment sought to limit sheriffs to no more than three consecutive full terms. Longtime St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says it’s not needed because there’s a 25-percent turnover among sheriffs every four years.

Cut 6  (11) “…important thing.” 

Almost four years after 26-year-old Heikeem Hebert was killed in Abbeville police make an arrest after the crime lab linked the weapon to a suspect who was already in jail on unrelated charges. Abbeville Police Spokesperson Johnathan Touchet says 36-year-old Daniel Simon of Erath was their suspect the whole time.

Cut 12 (08) “…attempted first-degree murder.” 

The Pelicans Brandon Ingram nearly had a triple-double last night as New Orleans beat Phoenix 125 to 114 to even their NBA playoff series at one game apiece. Prior to the season, BI promised they wouldn’t miss the playoffs this year, and he’s delivered all year.
Cut 9 (12) “…for us.”

Game three is Friday night in New Orleans.