5:30 LRN Newscast Aug 7

The Ponchatoula Police Department has arrested a 16-year-old boy after he threatened to kill two female school mates. Police Chief Bry Layrisson says the suspect told other students that the two girls would not make it past the first day of school….
cut 13 (08) “…or not”
Layrisson says it’s the first time his department acted on a school threat before the school year begins.

State Police are urging motorists to slow down as kids head back to the classroom. Trooper Eddie Thomas says to be mindful of school zones along your commute and to pay extra attention to your surroundings.

Cut 9 (09) “…school season.”

School zones are also cellphone-free zones.

The Mobile City Council approved funding for the Gulf Coast Amtrak Train Service running from New Orleans to Mobile with a 6-0 vote. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says with platforms ready in New Orleans and the Mississippi cities the next steps are getting the platform and station track completed in Mobile…

Cut 6 (06) “..start date.”

Ross says the service is projected to begin in the spring of 2025

Today was Purple Heart Day, and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs encouraged the public to wear purple. LDVA Program Manager and Purple Heart recipient William McInnis says…

Cut 3 (07) “…keep the country free.”

Purple Heart Day is a time to pay tribute to those who have shown extraordinary bravery and selflessness in the line of duty.

10:30 LRN Newscast Aug 7

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging the public to wear purple today to mark Purple Heart Day. LDVA Program Manager and Purple Heart recipient William McInnis emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these brave individuals.

Cut 3 (07) “…keep the country free.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries along with other organizations are offering a reward of $12,500 to anyone who can help them with information to find and convict the person responsible for killing an endangered Whooping Crane earlier this year. LDWF District 5-A Supervisor, Lt. Wendell Vaughn…

Cut 14 (10)  “…of Mamou.”

Whooping Cranes had not been seen in Louisiana since 1950 until an effort to reintroduce them began in 2011.

An updated August hurricane forecast continues to predict a well above-average Atlantic Hurricane season. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The Ponchatoula Police Department has arrested a 16-year-old boy after he threatened to kill two female schoolmates. Police Chief Bry Layrisson says the suspect told other students the two girls would not make it past the first day. Layrisson says he can’t remember having to stop a school threat before a school year began.

4:30 PM LRN Newscast Aug 6

Triple-digit high temperatures are expected across the state this week, as highs will threaten to break records. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana is baking under another heat dome…

Cut 6 (10) “..Gulf of Mexico.”

Keim says when it’s this hot, visits to the emergency room increase with people suffering from heat-related illnesses.

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics compares the pairing to another Democratic presidential pair: Barack Obama choosing Joe Biden as his VP in 2008.

Cut 11 (10) ” …for president.”

Before serving as governor, Walz was a teacher, member of Congress, and command sergeant major in the Army National Guard

19-year-old Jacob Michot of Marksville has been arrested in connection with the July 22nd murder of Gary P. Normand. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Department says Michot is charged with Principle to Second Degree Murder and Possession of Stolen Things related to the murder. APSO expects more arrests in the case

Former LSU pole vaulter and Louisiana native Mondo Duplantis set another world record at the Paris Olympics. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 1 (31) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

11:30 LRN Newscast Aug 6

Former LSU pole vaulter and Lafayette native Mondo Duplantis vaulted 20 and a half feet to break the world record for the ninth time and win a gold medal at the Olympics. Duplantis says he didn’t think about setting a record, but it all hit him once he hit the ground.

Cut 4 (12) “…freaking out.”

Duplantis, who competed for his mother’s home country of Sweden, began pole vaulting as a child in his backyard in Lafayette.

And speaking of records, triple-digit high temperatures are expected across the state this week setting new record highs. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says even the early morning temperatures are going to be brutal…

Cut 8 (11)  “…to those records.”

If you must be outside, take breaks, stay hydrated and wear loose-fitting clothing.

As kids return to the classroom Dr. Michelle Yetman, a clinical psychologist with LSU Health Shreveport, says there are several important things parents can do to make sure your child is prepared for the school year mentally, physically and emotionally.
Cut 10 (10) “…as well.”
She says children should get into their school routines now to make the transition easier.

 

The Humor and Harmony Festival in Shreveport is this Thursday through Sunday. Rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is the mastermind behind the event that will be held at the G-Dome. Visit Shreveport-Bossier President and CEO Stacy Brown says the G-Dome is a nightlife venue that holds over 4-thousand people.

Cut 15 (05)  “…as well.”

It will feature musical acts and comedians, and it’s estimated that 30-thousand people will visit downtown Shreveport for the event.

10:30 LRN Newscast Aug 8

Triple-digit high temperatures are expected across the state this week and LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says when it’s this hot, visits to the emergency room increase with people suffering from heat-related illnesses. He says if you are going to be outside for long periods, where loose fitting clothing…

Cut 7 (12) “…little bit.”

 

At the Olympics, former LSU pole vaulter and Lafayette native Mondo Duplantis, who competed for his mother’s home country of Sweden, vaulted 20 and a half feet to break the world record for the ninth time and win a gold medal. Duplantis says in the moment, he wasn’t focused on getting the world record, he just focused on making the jump.

Cut 3 (11) “…really good.”

Duplantis started pole vaulting as a child in his backyard in Lafayette.

Having a baby is difficult and according to a recent WalletHub study it’s much harder in Louisiana, WalletHub Analyst, Cassandra Happe says the low ranking was largely due to challenges in the healthcare category where the Bayou State came in 49th due to issues like a high infant mortality rate and …

Cut 8 (11) “…birthweight.”

Overall Louisiana is ranked 8th worst state to have a baby.

It’s time to head back to school and because your child won’t always tell you if they are struggling at school, LSU Health Shreveport Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Yetman, recommends establishing communication with their teacher, but the level of communication should be relative to your child’s age.

Cut 12 (12) “…certain things.”

PM LRN Newscast Aug 5

State Attorney General Liz Murrill is filing a brief against the lawsuit filed against the state’s Ten Commandments law requiring them to be displayed in classrooms. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A public affairs research official says he just doesn’t understand some of the reasons why Governor Jeff Landry’s office withholds certain records from the public. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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State Attorney General Liz Murrill is filing a brief against the lawsuit filed against the state’s Ten Commandments law requiring a poster of the biblical text to be displayed in all public school classrooms. Murrill says the suit that’s been filed by several advocacy groups is premature.

Cut 3 (13) “…constitutional rights.”

Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the law is patently unconstitutional and he expects the state will lose the case at the district and appellate court levels. He says the really interesting thing will be to see what happens in two or three years when the case makes it to the US Supreme Court.

Cut 4 (07) “…will happen”

Murrill says the high-profile case is being handled internally through her solicitor general.

Cut 5 (05)  “…outside counsel.”

Ciolino says it’s a political move by the Governor and the State Attorney General for the Ten Commandments law to go before the now extremely conservative US Supreme Court.

Cut 6 (08) “…realm of possibility.”

After the law was signed in June and lawsuits were filed, a federal judge ruled classrooms could not display the Ten Commandments until at least November 15th.

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Louisiana residents have a right to request information under the state constitution, and though the governor has legal avenues to deny those requests, President of Public Affairs Research Council Dr. Steven Procopio says some of the denials from Governor Jeff Landry’s office either don’t apply or aren’t legal.

Cut 7 (10) “…that they wanted.”

For example, Procopio says, legislative privilege doesn’t apply to the governor, and the deliberative process exemption was revoked under former governor Bobby Jindal. He adds Landry’s office only had 65 information requests in his first few months in office and should have been able to respond to all of them.

Cut 8 (11)  “…to those records.”

Procopio stresses that the governor has legal avenues to refuse information, but says that Landry’s office can’t try to invoke just anything to keep records out of the public eye. Precopio says freedom of information is important since…

Cut 9 (12) “…in our constitution.”

Landry says such restrictions are necessary to allow officials to speak to each other without fear of those conversations becoming public or weaponized.

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Wall Street is reacting today after last week’s news that the unemployment rate increased. Economist Dr. Loren Scott says history indicates, according to the Sahm (pronounced Sham) Rule, that we’re in a recession anytime the unemployment rate increases a half percentage point more than the last 12-month average.

Cut 10 (12) “…problem here.”

Scott says a change in the unemployment rate might mean more people are filing for unemployment versus more people losing jobs. It might not be necessarily all doom and gloom.

Cut 11 (11) ” …this point.”

In the meantime, Scott says people should not panic, be cautious, but don’t panic. He doesn’t believe it will be a deep recession, especially compared to 2008.

Cut 12 (11) “…long recession.”

Without fail the Sahm Rule has observed the initial phase of a recession when the average U.S. unemployment rate is at least half a percentage point higher than the 12-month low.

____________________________________________________________________

Cut  13 (05) “…all the way down.” 

 

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Cut  14 (08) “…those things.”

 

Cut 15 (12) “…really important.”

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Cut  16 (10)   “…Thursday.”

 

11:30 LRN Newscast Aug 5

State Attorney General Liz Murrill is filing a brief against the lawsuit filed against the state’s Ten Commandments law requiring a poster of the biblical text to be posted in all public-school classrooms. Murrill says the suit that’s been filed by several advocacy groups is premature.

Cut 3 (14) “…constitutional rights.”

Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the law is patently unconstitutional and he expects the state will lose the case at the district and appellate court levels. He says the really interesting thing will be to see what happens in two or three years when the case makes it to the US Supreme Court.

Cut 4 (08) “…will happen”

The school bell is about to ring but one thing that won’t be ringing is a cellphone.  Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored a bill to keep phones from becoming a distraction for both teachers and students.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the classroom”

Mizell says she’s interested to see if the cellphone ban will impact future LEAP scores.

Two new special needs playgrounds are coming to Louisiana State Parks, including special play equipment, shaded areas, benches, and picnic tables. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says when he took office, he realized a lot of parks weren’t special needs friendly…

Cut 10 (09) “…inviting and welcoming.”

In addition to the playgrounds new state park cabins also have amenities for special needs.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast Aug 5

The school bell is about to ring, but one thing that won’t be ringing is a cell phone. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored a bill to keep phones from becoming a distraction for both teachers and students.

cut 13 (10) “…the classroom.”

In her research, Mizell says many psychologists pointed out that students paying attention to a phone all the time instead of talking to each other was having detrimental effects on learning how to interact with other humans.

 

Attorney General Liz Murrill and Governor Jeff Landry are holding a press conference this morning to discuss the state’s Ten Commandments Law, requiring them to be displayed in public school classrooms including colleges that receive state funding. The law is facing litigation, and a federal judge has issued an order that they cannot be posted before November 15th. The presser is being held at the Louisiana Department Justice in Baton Rouge.

 

Two new special needs playgrounds are coming to Louisiana State Parks. Sean Richardson has the story.

cut 3 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

 

Some good news for both Louisiana job seekers and employers as weekly unemployment claims drop. According to WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe (Happy), they compared week-to-week data as well as year-to-year data, and it appears Louisiana is seeing a long-term shift.

cut 5 (10) “…last year.”

AM LRN Newscall Aug 5

There’s encouraging news for Louisiana job seekers and employers. Colleen Crain has more on the latest from Wallet Hub.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A new Louisiana Law allowing surgical castration of those convicted of raping a child under the age of 13 becomes active this month. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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Two new special needs playgrounds are coming to Louisiana State Parks. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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Some good news for both Louisiana Job Seekers and Employers as weekly unemployment claims drop. According to WalletHub Analyst, Cassandra Happe (Happy) The Bayou State stood out as one of the states that had the lowest increase in the number of people seeking unemployment benefits.

Cut 4 (12) “…the last week.”

Happe says WalletHub compares week-to-week data as well as year-to-year data and it appears Louisiana is seeing a long-term shift.

Cut 5 (10) “…last year.”

Happe says employees seem to be more engaged with the companies employing them. And as far as employment in the Bayou state is concerned, Happe believes the future could be bright.

Cut 6 (09) “…further down.”

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A new Louisiana Law allowing surgical castration of child rapists becomes active this month. Author of the legislation, Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, says in her work, that she’s received countless devastating reports of child sexual abuse, some cases resulting in a child’s death or life-altering damage, and something more had to be done to stop it.

Cut 7 (10) “…more children.”

Males and Females over the age of 17 convicted of sexual abuse of a child under 13 face surgical castration. While some argue the punishment is cruel and unusual, Barrow says Judges have discretion, but the rape of a child forever changes them. Others argue the surgery will not deter all offenders. Barrow agrees…

Cut 8 (12) “…(x2) them incarcerated.”

Barrow says drastic measures needed to be taken and since the law passed the conversation has changed. She hopes the threat of losing a part of one’s anatomy will prevent child abusers from offending…

Cut 9 (11)  “…the last.

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Two new special needs playgrounds are coming to Louisiana State Parks, including special play equipment, shaded areas, benches, and picnic tables. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says when he took office, he realized a lot of parks weren’t special needs friendly…

Cut 10 (09) “…inviting and welcoming.”

The playgrounds are coming to Bogue Chitto and Fontainebleau state parks. Nungesser says these two playgrounds are just the beginning, as he envisions special needs-friendly structures beyond playgrounds in all 19 state parks.

Cut 11 (12) “…out in the water.”

In addition to the playgrounds, Nungesser points out that new state park cabins have amenities for special needs. He says these projects are to make sure everyone can enjoy Louisiana state parks, no matter the accommodations they might need.

Cut 12 (12) “…special need.”

The playgrounds are expected to be completed in October.

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The school bell is about to ring but one thing that won’t be ringing is a cellphone.  Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored a bill to keep phones from becoming a distraction for both teachers and students.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the classroom”

When the bill was in committee at the legislature, Mizell says award-winning educators testified that cell phones were among the biggest issues when trying to keep a student’s attention.

Cut 14 (08)  “…value in it,”

In her research, Mizell says many psychologists pointed out that students paying attention to a phone all the time instead of talking to each other was having detrimental effects on learning how to interact with other humans.

Cut 15 (11)  “…the phone.

Mizell says she’s interested to see if the cellphone ban will impact future LEAP scores.

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Cut 16 (19) “… feeling that.” 

 

Cut 17 (16) “…younger players.”

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Cut 18 (11)  “…from everybody.”

Cut 19 (18) “…to do it.”

Cut 20 (20) “…we want.”

4:30 LRN Newscast Aug 2

With the school bell about to ring, Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says administrators are trying to get things in place before students return to the classroom. He says finding certified teachers is already difficult enough but when you factor in that principals are retiring, and that position is filled with a teacher…

Cut  13 (05) “…all the way down.” 

According to the National Education Association, 80% of teachers report having to take on extra tasks to make up for staffing shortages.

New weekly polling averages show Trump’s lead over Harris decreasing by at least one point for a third straight week. Even though we are still months away from the election, pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics suggests the actual deadline to reverse poll sliding is much closer.

Cut 10 (11) “…in October.”

 

Several new laws in Louisiana are now in effect. Among them is when a person is found guilty of distributing fentanyl, they’ll serve at least 10 years but no more than 40 years in jail without the possibility of parole. And the penalty for those convicted of human trafficking and when the victim is under 18, it’s life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31) …I’m Mel Bridges.”