1:30 PM LRN Newscast July 15

In the wake of an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, delegates are gathering at the Republican National Convention this week to formally nominate him for president. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

An early morning house fire in the Houma area Saturday claimed the lives of five people and a sixth person survived. Among the victims were three adults, a teenager, and a toddler. The surviving victim is a teenager. The fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Tony Hemker of Virginia was among the attendees at the political rally Saturday where an attempt on Trump’s life was made. Hemker was about 45 yards away from the stage. He says it wasn’t until after the Secret Service yelled clear then he got back and up and saw Trump raise his fist into the air.

Cut 7 (14) “…else happens.”

One person was killed, and two others seriously injured.

Fitness guru and New Orleans native Richard Simmons passed away on Saturday, as a child he reached 200 pounds and at age 10 he began to improve his health. In the 70s he opened an exercise studio in Los Angeles. Tulane Sports Performance Manager Mackie Shilstone…(Shill-stone) says Simmons used mass media to turn himself into a fitness icon…

Cut  13 (08) “..paid his dues.” 

He was 76.

11:30 LRN Newscast July 15

During the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, 50-year-old Tony Hemker of Virginia was in the crowd. He went with his wife’s uncle, who had removed his hearing aids because they were near an overhead speaker, about 45 yards from the stage. When he heard the shots Hemker turned to the right, saw a bullet go through a speaker and it fell to the ground.

Cut 6 (12) “…(x3) get down.”

A motive in the assassination attempt of Former President Trump is still not known. Two attendees were critically injured, and one man is dead. The twenty-year-old shooter was outside the rally on a rooftop and was killed by counter-snipers. Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy…

Cut 8 (10) “…to be condemned.”

Five people were killed in a house fire in the Houma area Saturday morning. A sixth person was able to escape. Authorities were called about 3:45. Among the victims, three adults, a teenager and a toddler. The surviving victim is a teenager. Authorities say they are looking at surveillance footage from neighbors and the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The blaze happened in the 300 block of Louise Lane.

 

As the temperature continues to climb, motorists may encounter a disruption known as road buckling. Louisiana DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says road buckling is a normal thing that happens to concrete roads in heat. Debris and moisture fall into the joints of concrete roads over time, and when it gets hot…

Cut 10 (11) “…triangle.”

 

2:30 LRN Newscast July 12

Daniel Callihan and Victoria Cox were indicted Thursday by a Mississippi grand jury for the murder of Callie Brunett of Loranger, her four-year-old daughter and the kidnapping of her six-year-old daughter. Callihan was indicted on one count of capital murder, two counts of kidnapping, three counts of sexual battery and one count of receiving stolen property. Victoria Cox was indicted on capital murder, kidnapping and sexual battery. Both face similar charges in Tangipahoa Parish.

Aaliyah (ah-lee-ah) Jack is also facing murder charges after leaving her two children in Calcasieu Parish, one who was found in a body of water behind the Welcome Center in Vinton and an infant who was found alive. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says when they found the four-year-old Monday night they asked the media for help and the child’s grandmother called them.

Cut 10 (09) “…kid was.”

 

LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it’s debatable if President Biden’s press conference last night to dispel rumors about his alleged cognitive decline was effective. With Biden all but refusing to step aside and no other clear Democratic candidate, Hogan thinks the Democrats are in a tight spot.

Cut 8 (11)  “…being questioned.”

The Democratic Convention will be held in August.

Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award Thursday night at the ESPYs and the audience also honored him with a momentous standing ovation. Former teammate Drew Brees presented Gleason with the award and Gleason’s son held it beside him during his acceptance speech.

Cut 3 (13) “…love y’all (clapping fades out).”

 

 

PM LRN Newscall July 12

Thursday night, Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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President Joe Biden held a press conference Thursday night to try and disprove rumors about alleged cognitive decline, but whether he accomplished that is debatable. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award Thursday night at the ESPYs and the audience also honored him with a momentous standing ovation. Former teammate Drew Brees presented Gleason with the award and Gleason’s son held it beside him during his acceptance speech.

Cut 3 (13) “…love y’all (clapping fades out).”

Gleason who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 established the Team Gleason Foundation that helps others with the incurable disease live life as full as possible.

Brees told the audience it would be a lie to say life for Gleason hasn’t been difficult since his diagnosis.

Cut 4 (11) “…his own story.”

Thirteen years ago, Gleason was told he had three years to live. When he learned he received the Courage Award, he reflected on what it meant. Confined to a wheelchair and able to use technology to speak Gleason says to be courageous we must first experience fear and suffering.

Cut 5 (14)  “…or suffering.”

Fellow teammates from the Saints 2010 National Championship team also joined Team Gleason in Los Angeles for the award.

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President Joe Biden held a press conference Thursday night to dispel rumors about alleged cognitive decline, but whether he accomplished that is debatable. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan says during the press conference, Biden got some details wrong…

Cut 6 (11) “…that’s to be seen.”

Some Democratic lawmakers are calling for Biden to step aside and let someone younger run after a dismal presidential debate performance left many wondering if Biden is suffering from some sort of memory-related illness. While Hogan says yesterday’s press conference went well for Biden…

Cut 7 (11) “…three and a half years.”

Hogan says Republicans want Biden to run against former president Donald Trump because they view him as a wounded candidate. With Biden all but refusing to step aside and no other clear Democratic candidate, Hogan thinks the Democrats are in a tight spot.

Cut 8 (11)  “…being questioned.”

The Democratic presidential nominee will be announced at their National Convention in August.

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Aaliyah (ah-lee-ah) Jack, the Lake Charles mother who abandoned her four-year-old son who was found dead behind a Welcome Center in Vinton Monday, and her infant that son found crawling from a ditch along I-10 Tuesday has also been charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says after she was located in Mississippi…

Cut 9 (13) “…in Calcasieu.”

Guillory says the case moved swiftly when they found the elder child in the water and sent out a release asking local media to help them identify the child. He says it was then the paternal grandmother of the children who called from Texas fearing who it was, and she also told them about the infant.

Cut 10 (09) “…kid was.”

Guillory was limited to what he could say about the case, he says Calcasieu Parish detectives went to Meridian, Mississippi to question Jack about the case but she asked for an attorney and the interview ended.

But he did say it was a miracle the infant was found alive after surviving the outer bands of Hurricane Beryl and on his own for two days. He says it’s been an emotional week and case.

Cut 11 (04) ” …forget.”

24-year-old Jack’s bond is set at $9.1 million and she’s also charged with failure to report a missing child.

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Cut 12 (04) “…happened.”

 

Cut  13 (08) “…happens.” 

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Cut  14 (08) “…of the United States.” 

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Cut 15 (13) “…not true.”

Cut  16 (10)   “…Thursday.”

 

1:30 LRN Newscast July 12

Former Saints player Steve Gleason received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s last night. Confined to a wheelchair and able to use technology to speak Gleason who was diagnosed with ALS in 2022, says to be courageous we must first experience fear and suffering.

Cut 5 (14)  “…or suffering.”

President Joe Biden held a press conference last night to dispel rumors about alleged cognitive decline, but whether he accomplished that is debatable. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan says during the press conference, Biden got some details wrong…

Cut 6 (11) “…that’s to be seen.”

The Democratic National Convention will be held next month.

Aaliyah (ah-lee-ah) Jack, the Lake Charles mother who abandoned her four-year-old son who was found dead behind a Welcome Center in Vinton Monday, and her infant that son found crawling from a ditch along I-10 Tuesday has also been charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says after she was located in Mississippi…

Cut 9 (13) “…in Calcasieu.”

Makeba Guidry-Payne of Opelousas says she was scammed by the 2KB Farm and Petting Zoo, that she paid for a family event last month and they were a no show. She made the reservation in March and paid $560 in April. After posting on social media about the incident and filing a report with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office she’s only received a $460 refund.  She told a Lafayette TV station she’s also planning to file a civil suit.

12:30 LRN Newscast July 12

Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award last night at the ESPYs and he received a momentous standing ovation. Former teammate Drew Brees presented Gleason with the award and the former Saints QB told the audience it would be a lie to say life for Gleason hasn’t been difficult since his diagnosis.

Cut 4 (12) “…his own story.”

Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 established the Team Gleason foundation that helps others with the incurable disease live life as full as possible.

Former LSU pitcher and current Pittsburgh Pirate Paul Skeens is having quite a week. He was just picked to be the starting pitcher for the National League in the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star game and yesterday he pitched a seven frame no hit against the Brewers. And did I mention he’s also the fifth-rookie pitcher to start the All-Star game? 

President Joe Biden held a press conference last night to try and disprove rumors about alleged cognitive decline, but whether he accomplished that is debatable. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

AM LRN Newscall July 12

Louisiana State Parks is celebrating 90 years with free admission on Saturday, July 13th. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health is advising the public to stay safe during dangerous heat. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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A Metairie youth pastor believes Louisiana should become an independent nation and no longer regulated by the Federal government. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Louisiana State Parks are celebrating their 90-year anniversary with free day-use admission to all Louisiana state parks and historic sites on Saturday, July 13. Assistant Secretary of State Parks Brandon Burris says waving the day-use fee will help…

Cut 4 (08) “…past 90 years.”

The State Parks Commission of Louisiana was created in 1934 and originally oversaw three state parks that totaled 298 acres. Today, they operate 21 state parks, 14 historic sites, and a preservation area that totals 45,000 acres. Throughout the years, Burris says, their mission statement has remained the same…

Cut 5 (10) “…to the public.”

Louisiana State Parks have playgrounds, disc golf, and even aquarium exhibits as well as hiking, fishing, and camping, including pet-friendly cabins. In fact, Burris says, Louisianians may not know the true draw of a park that could be just a short drive away.

Cut 6 (11) “…at those sites.”

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As heat advisories and excessive heat warnings pile up across the state, so do heat-related illnesses. Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says there are several easy measures you can take to prevent dehydration, heatstroke, and other heat-related illnesses.

Cut 7 (05) “…outdoor activity.”

Abraham says the best thing you can do to beat the heat is to stay inside and stay hydrated. He recommends that you start drinking water or low-sugar sports drinks as soon as you wake up. If you have to go outside for some time, Abraham recommends you…

Cut 8 (11) “…help a lot, too.”

Symptoms of heat illness include cold, clammy skin, excessive sweating, exhaustion, headaches and fainting. Abraham says athletes and those who work outside are especially prone to heatstroke, and he urges people to check in on those who might have trouble taking care of themselves.

Cut 9 (06)  “…grandmas, grandpas, whoever.

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State Treasurer John Fleming has been overseeing the state coffers for six months now and says in that short time his small office, with a staff of 71 people, has produced some impressive results. For example, in January he says the Unclaimed Property Division had a backlog of 2,500 claims.

Cut 10 (04) “…to 500.”

Last month the office mailed out almost 28,000 checks of unclaimed property totaling $5.1 million. Fleming credits a data match of addresses with the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

Fleming says he also served as lead on a movement to block an overtake of ExxonMobil by a group that was working with the retirement system for California state employees.

Cut 11 (11) “…annual revenue.”

During the legislative session, Fleming says he helped defeat a bill that would have stripped away oversite power that protects cities from getting into financial trouble with too much debt. And Fleming worked with Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews to have silver and gold declared as legal tender in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (10) “…the gold.” 

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Metairie youth pastor Larkin Jackson launches Free Louisiana, an organization dedicated to the goal of the Bayou State becoming an independent country. He says Louisiana is constantly ranked at the bottom compared to other states and the federal government is to blame.

Cut 13 (11)  “…that mess.”

He says Louisiana should be independent of states like California and New York.

In his job as a youth pastor at Southshore Baptist, Jackson says he wants to ensure young people continue to have the freedoms he had growing up, like the freedom of speech and the freedom to preach the gospel.

Cut 14 (13)  “…of California.”

Jackson says the values of the east coast and the west coast are sinking into middle America and he wants to stand against that.

He believes as an independent nation, Louisiana can secure freedom of religion and he fully supports the state law requiring public school classrooms to post the Ten Commandments.

Cut 15 (12)  “…we’re taking.”

Since launching the website FreeLouisiana.org on Thursday, he says he’s gotten positive feedback.

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Cut 16 (19) “…get better.” 

Cut 17 (18) “…as a person.”

Cut 18 (10)  “…whole career.”

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Cut 19 (19) “…adversity.” 

 

Cut 20 (22) “…overcome that.”

 

 

 

 

PM LRN Newscall July 11

In Shreveport, the National Weather Service has confirmed that 19 tornadoes in the Ark-La-Tex were a result of Hurricane Beryl and sixteen of the 19 tornadoes impacted northwest Louisiana. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

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In Lafayette Parish State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The National Weather Service has confirmed that 19 tornadoes in the Ark-La-Tex were a result of Hurricane Beryl. Shreveport National Weather Service Meteorologist Michael Berry says sixteen of the 19 tornadoes touched down in northwest Louisiana.

Cut 3 (11) “…onto cars.”

Berry says the tornadoes, ranged from EF0 to EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita (foo-gee-tah) Scale

The most severe damage was reported in rural areas, where several homes were destroyed. Several people sustained injuries and one 30-year-old woman was killed by an EF 1 tornado that originated in Bossier Parish.

Cut 4 (07) “…single-wide mobile home.”

Berry says the National Weather Service has been actively surveying impacted areas and he expects the number of confirmed tornadoes to increase.

Cut 5 (09)  “…will end up.”

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The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office has partnered with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office to share data to prevent voter fraud and ensure the accuracy of their voter registration lists. Joel Watson with the office in Louisiana says this will allow the states to share specific information.

Cut 6 (12) “…(x2) and Louisiana.”

It’s a crime to vote in two states simultaneously.

Watson says voters can be assured the office is taking painstaking measures to ensure their data is safe and secure.

Cut 7 (10) “…data safe.”

Watson says Alabama has memorandums of understanding with other states in sharing voter data to prevent fraud.

Cut 8 (08)  “…this year.”

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Friday morning Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy will be joined by Arkansas Senator John Boozman (Bozeman) and tour LSU Ag Center’s Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel. Cassidy says if Republicans gain the majority in the Senate, Boozman will become chair of the Senate Ag Committee.

Cut 9 (12) “…going on.”

Cassidy says these kinds of visits are vital when it pertains to the renewal of the Farm Bill. Cassidy says he’s always advocating for continued funding for the USDA Sugar Cane Research Facility in Houma.

Cut 10 (10) “…critical research.”

Cassidy says he looks forward to visiting the facility in St. Gabriel again because…

Cut 11 (13) ” …our state.”

The Farm Bill is up for renewal next year.

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Cut 12 (04) “…happened.”

 

Cut  13 (08) “…happens.” 

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Cut  14 (08) “…of the United States.” 

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Cut 15 (13) “…not true.”

Cut  16 (10)   “…Thursday.”

 

12:30 LRN Newscast July 11

The National Weather Service has confirmed that 19 tornadoes in the Ark-La-Tex were a result of Hurricane Beryl. Shreveport National Weather Service Meteorologist Michael Berry says sixteen of the 19 tornadoes touched down in northwest Louisiana.

Cut 3 (11) “…onto cars.”

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office has partnered with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office to share data to prevent voter fraud and ensure the accuracy of their voter registration lists. Joel Watson with the office in Louisiana says this will allow the states to share specific information.

Cut 6 (12) “…(x2) and Louisiana.”

It’s a crime to vote in two states simultaneously.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced a bill that would require the Department of Education to make the FAFSA form available each year on October 1st. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

11:30 LRN Newscast July 11

The National Weather Service office in Shreveport has updated their confirmation of tornadoes from Hurricane Beryl that impacted Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The number increased from 5 to 19. They expect to add to the list of confirmed tornadoes in the coming days. There was one fatality in Bossier Parish.

As insurance rates continue to climb, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents of Louisiana Ben Albright urges residents not to drop their homeowner’s insurance.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

An influential Republican donor has sent a letter to lawmakers pushing them to quickly vote on a constitutional convention to make changes to things like public school funding, the homestead exemption on property taxes, and more. LA-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says this would mean lawmakers would have to return to the capitol for a 4th time this year…

Cut 12 (09) “…lukewarm” 
Such a convention would have to be completed by September for changes to make it to the fall ballot.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced a bill requiring the Department of Education to make the FAFSA forms available on October 1st annually. Cassidy expects the bill to be received well by both parties. He says the bill is more common sense than political.

Cut 9 (11)  “…government.