LRN Newscast 14:30 10-21-14

Early voting has begun and many Louisianians were in line at the 8:30am opening.
CUT 2 (33) “reporting”

The honor roll for schools is growing. There are now 241 schools earning a state performance grade of “A;” and that’s up from 187 from last year. State Superintendent John White says he’s impressed with the high school results…

CUT 7 (04) Q: ‘achieving basic’
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There’s been an arrest of a ULM freshman basketball player for allegedly raping a female student he had arranged to meet online…

CUT 14 (09) Q: “against him”

That’s University spokesperson Donna Bernard, who says the alleged incident occurred Sunday night.

 

A third man involved in the 2010 murder of Rayville Police Sergeant Thomas Alexander has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the case. Anthony Oatis was sentence to 21 years in prison for his involvement…

CUT 4 (08) Q: ‘all three cases’

That’s District Attorney Mack Lancaster. The other two men-Richard Long and Robert Walker- are both serving life sentences. Long for first degree murder; Walker for second degree murder.

13:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

The number of Louisiana Public Schools earning a state performance grade of an A has gone up from 187 to 241 this year, according to the Department of Education. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

The woman killed in the French Quarter Sunday morning after a drunk driver crashed into a pole that fell on her, has been identified as 21-year-old Taylor McGonigle from the East Baton Rouge Parish town of Baker. The driver, 37-year-old Tevest Vance has been charged with vehicular homicide. McGonigle would have turned 22 on Monday.

A freshman ULM basketball player is under arrest for allegedly raping a female student he’d arranged to meet online. University spokeswoman Donna Bernard says the alleged incident occurred Sunday night after they were told 18-year-old Roderick Taylor talked to the female student on a social media site…:
CUT 12 (10) “occurred”
Taylor is charged with forcible rape and has been suspended from the basketball team indefinitely.

Many Louisianians have already cast their ballot for the November 4th election as early voting kicked off today. These voters we spoke with say the big one for them is the US-Senate race…:
CUT 10 (14) “get done”
Early voting runs through next Tuesday but polls are closed Sunday.

PM Newscall October 21, 2014

The number of Louisiana Public Schools earning a state performance grade of an A has gone up from 187 to 241 this year, according to the Department of Education. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

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Early voting began this morning and many Louisianians were in line at the 8:30am opening. Michelle Southern reports.

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Officials say a third man involved in the 2010 murder of Rayville Police Sergeant Thomas Alexander has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the case. Alexander was killed while responding to a burglary at a home in Richland Parish. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says they are happy to get a third plea in this case…

CUT 3 (11) “murder occurred”

Anthony Oatis entered a guilty plea to a manslaughter charge and was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Previously, Richard Long pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and Robert Walker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Both are serving life sentences. Lancaster says it’s difficult to get pleas in these kind of cases…

CUT 4 (08)  “all three cases”

He commends the work of law enforcement to collect evidence that lead to guilty pleas of all three men. Lancaster says this crime still sticks with the people of Rayville because of Deputy Alexander’s willingness to go out of his way to help others. He says this burglary happened outside of Rayville and Alexander was a town deputy…

CUT 5 (08)  “unnecessary murder”

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The number of Louisiana Public Schools earning a state performance grade of an A has gone up from 187 to 241 this year, according to the Department of Education. Education officials released the reports earlier today. Superintendent John White says numbers are up because schools are responding to what they have been asked to achieve…

CUT 6 (12)  “on state tests”

School performance scores are primarily based on student test scores. This year’s school report card also shows 10 Louisiana school districts earning an A and no school districts in the state receiving an F grade. White says high schools are performing better across the state…

CUT 7 (04) “achieving basic”

1335 schools were included in this report. White says this year’s scores come as the department raises the bar for public schools across the state…

CUT 8 (11) “school report cards”

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Early voting is underway as of today and people started lining up at the 8:30am opening to cast their ballot for the November 4th election. The Secretary of State’s Office is calling this the biggest election Louisiana has had in decades and these voters we spoke with today told us why they prefer to early vote…:

CUT 9 (13)  “out of the way”

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says statewide, there are over 2400 positions and issues on the ballot and over 4400 candidates. These voters we spoke with say the big one for them is the US-Senate race…:

CUT 10 (14)  “get done”

To find out where you can early vote log on to geauxvote.com or download the Geaux Vote app. Schedler is encouragining voters to bring a sample ballot with you to the polls so the lines can move faster. This woman we spoke with told us she was ready with what her husband gave her…:

CUT 11 (13) “early

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A freshman ULM basketball player is under arrest for allegedly raping a female student he’d arranged to meet online. University spokeswoman Donna Bernard says the alleged incident occurred Sunday night after they were told 18-year-old Roderick Taylor talked to the female student on a social media site…:

CUT 12 (10) “occurred”

Bernard says the alleged victim filed a report with the ULM Police Department the next morning…:

CUT  13 (09) “the charge”

Bernard says ULM Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom made an announcement about Bernard’s status on the team following the arrest…:

cut 14 (09) “against him”

12:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

The number of Louisiana Public Schools earning a state performance grade of an A has gone up from 187 to 241 this year, according to the Department of Education. Education officials released the reports earlier today. Superintendent John White says numbers are up because schools are responding to what they have been asked to achieve…:
CUT 6 (12) “on state tests”
This year’s school report card also shows 10 Louisiana school districts earning an A and no school districts in the state receiving an F grade.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office says an arrest has been made in the October 11th hit and run that left a 6 month old child injured after a truck rammed into a house. They say 28-year-old Dustin Wayne Lasseter was the owner of a vehicle spotted Monday with damage that matched evidence collected at the scene. The man was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center for hit and run and reckless operation.

Former President Bill Clinton tells a crowd of Mary Landrieu supporters in Louisiana yesterday he doesn’t see how the senior senator is not a clear favorite in the state’s US Senate race over her republican challengers. Clinton says Landrieu has a history of getting things done…:
CUT 27 (13) “loud cheers”
Early voting began this morning for the November 4th election and members of both parties are working hard to get out the vote for this massive Louisiana ballot with important races and issues. Polls are open through October 28th, excluding Sunday, and are open from 8:30am-6pm.

11:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

Early voting is underway as of today and people started lining up at the 8:30am opening to cast their ballot for the November 4th election. The Secretary of State’s Office is calling this the biggest election Louisiana has had in decades and these voters we spoke with today told us why they prefer to early vote…:
CUT 9 (13) “out of the way”
To find out where you can early vote download the Geaux Vote app.

ULM Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom says the freshman basketball player who is charged with the forcible rape of a female student is suspended indefinitely from the team. Officials with the university say 18-year-old Roderick Taylor allegedly arranged on social media to meet the victim in a parking lot on campus where she reported the incident took place. Taylor is booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center.

Officials say a third man involved in the 2010 murder of Rayville Police Sergeant Thomas Alexander has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the case. Alexander was killed while responding to a burglary at a home in Richland Parish. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says they are glad to have a third plea in this case…:
CUT 3 (11) “murder occurred”
Previously, Richard Long pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and Robert Walker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Both are serving life sentences.

State Education Officials have released the performance grades for Louisiana public schools and while there are no longer anymore F districts according to the report, there are 104 F schools. The DOE says the good news is that schools earning an A or B has gone up from 575 a year ago to 607 this year.

10:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

You can cast your ballots early for the November 4th election now and through October 28th. The hours are 8:30am to 6pm, excluding Sunday. The Secretary of State’s office says this is the biggest election Louisiana has had in decades and you can bring a set sample ballot with you to the polls with the app GeauxVote (geaux spelled the cajun way.)

There was a big rally for US Senator Mary Landrieu Monday staring former President Bill Clinton…:
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The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says a 20-year-old sprinter on LSU’s track team was arrested for allegedly raping a woman at an off-campus party over the weekend. They say Nathaneel Joseph Mitchell-Black was booked into prison and remained in jail Monday afternoon on a $100,000 bail after a woman reported the alleged incident to cops. The suspect denies the allegation.

The Louisiana Heroin Summit hosted by State Police is underway today with the purpose of addressing the recent rise in heroin use and overdose deaths from the drug here. Trooper Jared Sandifer says they encourage the public to attend the all day event at BREC Independence Park in Baton Rouge as heroin is a huge problem and it’s important to sit down and address it…:
CUT 9 (07) “could be passed”
He says in Louisiana last year there were at least 310 heroin-related arrests which is significantly higher than the year prior.

09:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

The early voting period for the November 4th election kicks off today and runs through October 28th. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (31) “reporting”

A University of Louisiana at Monroe freshman basketball player has been arrested on a charge of forcible rape. Authorities say 18-year-old Roderick Taylor, Jr. was taken into custody after allegedly raping a victim on campus who he arranged to meet with online. Taylor has been suspended indefinitely from the basketball team.

Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about the increase of heroin use in Louisiana. Trooper Jared Sandifer says last year there were at least 310 heroin-related arrests made by LSP and law enforcement agencies across the state…

cut 8 (11) “in 2012″

The event is being held at the BREC Independence Park Theatre and the public is urged to participate.

Two St. John the Baptist Parish utilities workers have been indicted for falsifying records that lead to the discovery of a deadly amoeba in the parish’s drinking water supply in August. Kurt Wall with the state Attorney General’s office says the parish government is fully cooperating and taking corrective steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen again…

cut 12 (10) “from here forward”

Kevin Branch of LaPlace and Danielle Roussel of Pauline were each charged with one count of malfeasance in office and one count of filing and/or maintaining false public records.

08:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

Former President Bill Clinton spoke at a campaign rally for Senator Mary Landrieu in Baton Rouge Monday. During a nearly 30-minute speech, Clinton spoke about Landrieu’s efforts to help college students afford their education, her support for a higher minimum wage and chairmanship of the Senate Energy Committee…

cut 15 (12) ” I do”

Election day is November fourth, but early voting begins today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says for sample ballots and early voting locations, you can go online to geauxvote-dot-com. Schedler says he expects a voter turnout between 45 and 50-percent for this US Senate election…

cut 6 (12) “high participation”

Early voting will take place through October 28th from 8:30AM to 6PM, excluding Sunday.

Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about heroin use and address the recent rise in heroin deaths. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (33) “reporting”

The woman killed in the French Quarter Sunday morning after a drunk driver crashed into a pole that fell on her, has been identified. The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Taylor McGonigle of Baker. The driver, 37-year-old Tevest Vance has been charged with vehicular homicide. McGonigle would have turned 22 on Monday.

07:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

Former President Bill Clinton was in Baton Rouge Monday and spoke at a Senator Mary Landrieu campaign rally. Landrieu’s main opponent, Bill Cassidy, constantly ties Landrieu and her voting record to policies supported by President Obama. But Clinton says Louisiana voters should not look at the Senate race as a chance to vote against Obama…

cut 14 (07) “crowd that’s right”

Clinton says Landrieu has a history of getting things done in the Senate.

Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about heroin use and address the recent rise in heroin deaths. Trooper Jared Sandifer says Col Mike Edmonson is going to be the keynote speaker and joined by several other people from around the state who know a lot about heroin…

cut 7 (11) “the area”

Sandifer says last year there were at least 310 heroin-related arrests made by LSP and law enforcement agencies across the state.

Early voting for the November 4th election kicks off today. This year’s election is highlighted by a hotly contested US Senate race. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says voters should expect a lengthy ballot…

cut 5 (06) “available, statewide”

Early voting will take place through October 28th, excluding Sunday.

Two St. John the Baptist Parish utilities workers have been indicted in connection with an investigation into a deadly amoeba which was found in the parish’s drinking water in August. Kurt Wall with the state Attorney General’s office says the workers were reporting satisfactory chlorine levels, but DHH did random testing and discovered, instead, the amoeba. He says that’s when State Police stepped in and decided to check GPS coordinates on the employees’ vehicles…

cut 11 (13) “correctly”

Kevin Branch of LaPlace and Danielle Roussel of Pauline were each charged with one count of malfeasance in office and one count of filing and/or maintaining false public records.

06:45 Sportscast October 21, 2014

The U-L Lafayette Ragin Cajuns look to keep their winning ways going on Tuesday nights when they host Arkansas State in a matchup of unbeaten teams in Sun Belt play. Coach Mark Hudspeth’s team has won its last three games played on Tuesday, dating back to last season…

cut 16 (21) “Arkansas State team”

Tonight’s game can be seen nationlly on ESPN Two.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has named Louisiana Tech linebacker Terrell Pinson as their College Defensive Player of the Week. Pinson had two interceptions and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the Bulldogs win over Texas San Antonio. Grambling quarterback Johnathan Williams is their Offensive Player of the Week, while LSU punt returner Tre’Davious White was tapped as Special Teams Player of the Week.

LSU gets another chance to beat a team ranked in the Top 5 this Saturday when they host the third ranked Ole Miss Rebels. The Tigers lost earlier this season to number 5 Auburn and Mississippi State who is now number one. Coach Les Miles thinks his improving defense is up to the challenge…

cut 18 (21) “that matchup”

Kick off is scheduled for 6:15PM.

The Saints are 2-and-4, but they are in second place and not that far behind division leader Carolina, who is 3-and-3-and-1 on the season. But Coach Sean Payton says the players are not worried about the standings…

cut 20 (11) “ourselves”

The Saints host Green Bay this Sunday night.