2:30 LRN Newscast Sept 16

A 21-year-old LSU student was found shot to death early today in Baton Rouge. BRPD spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Allison Rice was found inside her car, on a well-travelled street close to the city’s downtown area. He says the investigation is in the early stages…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…we’re collecting.”

Rice was a marketing major at LSU. She had been partying with friends at a club last night.

Tragedy in Jefferson parish, as three kids die in a Gretna house fire this morning. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says arson is not suspected, but the cause hasn’t yet been determined…:

CUT 12  (06)        “…sad situation.”

The children were 3, 7 and 15 years of age.

 

Louisiana rapper Mystikal will be arraigned Monday on charges of 1st degree rape, domestic battery and drug possession. The artist – real name Michael Tyler – faces a life sentence if convicted of the rape charge alone. Tyler is from New Orleans, but lives in Ascension Parish.

LSU and the Saints are home underdogs this weekend, which is rare for both teams not to be favorite at home. Jeff Palermo has more on the games in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and other matchups…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

1:30 LRN Newscast Sept 16

Amid reports that our state has some very unsafe drivers, 2021 saw an alarming increase in traffic fatalities and an all-time high for pedestrian deaths…:

Cut 01  (32)      “…Thorington.”

After a high speed chase through two parishes – Lafayette and Vermillion – one of Acadiana’s most wanted was nabbed by lawmen this week. 200-year-old Gavin Garnica, of Abbeville, was wanted for numerous drug offenses, carjacking, domestic battery, witness intimidation and more. He’s now behind bars.

 

Three children were tragically killed in a Gretna house fire this morning. Jefferson Parish Sherriff Joe Lopinto says a 3-year-old, 7-year-old, and a 15-year-old victim were all from the same family…:

CUT 11(11)      “…to those injuries.”

He says they do not suspect arson at this time, but investigators are still doing their thing.

Seven Louisiana schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools. The winning schools are located in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Lafayette. St. Landry and St. Tammany parishes. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it’s exciting news…:

CUT 06(07)      “…our schools.”

Three Louisiana schools are recognized as “Exemplary High Performing.” They are the LSU Lab School and St. James Episcopal Day School in Baton Rouge and South Highlands Elementary Magnet School in Caddo Parish.

4:30 LRN Newscast Sept 15

Thibodaux Police make a second arrest in the death of 15-year-old Jairen Cole, who was shot several times in side a home there over the weekend. Earlier this week detectives arrested a 15-year-old for the crime. The second suspect arrested is only 12. TPD spokesman Clint Dempster says it’s sad when juveniles get into these situations…:

CUT 07    (05)   “…it’s heartbreaking.”

The incident remains under investigation. The motive for the crime is yet unknown.

The website DivorceAnswers.com says 38-percent of Louisiana couples who wanted to part ways wound up staying together for economic reasons. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says he’s not surprised. Life is expensive, and divorce or legal separation can be costly and troublesome…:

CUT 14   (11)   “…financial standpoint.”

 

State Police are looking into an officer-involved shooting in Shreveport Wednesday. Troopers say cops responded to a call of a man loading guns into a vehicle, and when confronted he pointed a gun at them. They fired; hitting him. 32-year-old Charles Anthony is in critical condition.

A portion of last weekend’s historic football matchup between LSU and southern went viral after a loopy Tigers fan wandered onto the field…:

CUT 01    (33)    “….Thorington.”

 

 

3:30 LRN Newscast Sept 15

Thibodaux Police make a second arrest in the death of 15-year-old Jairen Cole, who was shot multiple times inside a home on Saturday. Earlier this week detectives arrested a 15-year-old boy. The second boy arrested is only 12. TPD spokesman Clint Dempster says

Thibodaux Police make a second arrest in the death of 15-year-old Jairen Cole, who was shot multiple times inside a home on Saturday. Earlier this week detectives arrested a 15-year-old boy. The second boy arrested is only 12. TPD spokesman Clint Dempster says it’s sad to see juveniles in these situations…:

CUT 07(05)      “…it’s heartbreaking.”

The incident still remains under investigation. The motive for the crime is unknown as yet.

The website DivorceAnswers.com says 38-percent of Louisiana couples who wanted to part ways, wound up staying together for economic reasons. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says he’s not surprised. Divorce or legal separation can be costly and troublesome…:

CUT 14(11)      “…financial standpoint.”

 

State Police are looking into an officer-involved shooting in Shreveport Wednesday. Troopers say cops responded to a call of man seen loading weapons in his vehicle, and when confronted he pointed a gun at them, causing them to fire on him. 32-year-old Charles Anthony is in critical condition.

A portion of last weekend’s historic match-up between LSU and Southern went viral after a loopy Tigers fan wandered onto the field…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

The incident still remains under investigation. The motive for the crime is unknown as yet.

The website DivorceAnswers.com says 38-percent of Louisiana couples who wanted to part ways, wound up staying together for economic reasons. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says he’s not surprised. Divorce or legal separation can be costly and troublesome…:

CUT 14(11)      “…financial standpoint.”

 

State Police are looking into an officer-involved shooting in Shreveport Wednesday. Troopers say cops responded to a call of man seen loading weapons in his vehicle, and when confronted he pointed a gun at them, causing them to fire on him. 32-year-old Charles Anthony is in critical condition.

A portion of last weekend’s historic match-up between LSU and Southern went viral after a loopy Tigers fan wandered onto the field…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

2:30 LRN Newscast Sept 15

Thibodaux Police make a second arrest in the death of 15-year-old Jaren Cole, who was shot multiple times inside a home there last weekend. Earlier this week, detectives arrested a 15-year-old male, charging him murder. TPD spokesman Clint Dempster says the second suspect in only 12…:

CUT 06(08)      “…definitely involved.”

The incident still remains under investigation. The suspected motive is still being withheld at this time. If you have further information contact Thibodaux Police.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy says if cities and towns want to reduce crime, they need to hire more cops. A recent study shows New Orleans could have the highest murder rate per capita in the nation for the first half of 2022. Kennedy says New Orleans needs to double its force and retain veteran cops…:

CUT 09(06)      “…retiring in droves.”

He says improving morale among cops will also help retain them.

 

The website DivorceAnswers.com discovered that 38 percent of Louisiana couples that seek separation renege due to financial dependency. Legal Analyst Doug Sunseri says Some couples conclude that the financial burden weighs more than the actual divorce, even the most complex situations can result in spouses staying together to avoid financial consequences…:

CUT 13(11)      “…case base.”

During the LSU-Southern game when an extra man walked onto the field the officer who ended up tackling him was Baton Rouge PD Spokesperson Don Coppola. On Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge, Coppola talked with Brain Haldane about how video of the incident has gone viral…:

CUT 03(12)      “…been bad.”

The clip has even made Sean Hannity’s TV show on Fox News.

4:30 LRN Newscast Sept 14

A nationwide survey of small business owners finds that inflation continues to be a serious problem. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Baton Rouge Police report a whole family – father, mother and child – were killed Tuesday morning in a fiery hit-and-run crash on Interstate 110. Officers say 48-year-old Chris Fisher was changing lanes, when he hit another vehicle, then the concrete guardrail. The other driver left the scene. Also killed were 3-year-old Christopher Fisher III and 41-year-old Laterrica Williams, the boy’s mom.

 

Tropical Depression Number Seven is in the Atlantic, but still five or more days away from reaching Haiti or Cuba. National Weather Service New Orleans forecaster Danielle Manning says keep an eye on what it does…:

CUT 07(06)      “…more clear.”

Manning says the Saharan Dust along with dry air over the Caribbean has affected their ability to predict storm movement.

Ten Louisiana sports figures are to be inducted into the state’s sports Hall of Fame, including Eli Manning, Paul Mainieri, LSU pitching ace Paul Byrd and WNBA star Alana Beard. Hall of fame director Doug Ireland says she was a standout in high school in Shreveport, At Duke and in pro ball…:

CUT 14(12)      “…for years.”

The official induction comes next summer.

3:30 LRN Newscast Sept 14

Nearly a third of small business owners nationwide say inflation is the single largest problem in running their business. The survey was by the National Federation of Independent Business, who state director Dawn McVae, says spending and plans to spend by small business owners remains historically weak and uncertainty remains high. She hopes 2022 can still end on a high note…:

CUT 05(10)      “…the year.”

A consumer Price Index Report released this week showed annual price inflation hit eight-point-three percent in August; a one-tenth of a percent drop from July.

After the FBI raided the Bossier City Police HQ in August, a grand jury returns an indictment for the head of the Bossier police union. Harold “BJ” Sanford is charged with conspiracy and conspiracy to obtain illegal drugs by fraud. Few other details are available at this time.

 

Tropical Depression Number Seven formed today in the Atlantic, about 800 miles west of the Lesser Antilles, and on a general track toward the Gulf. National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Danielle Manning says the system should reach Haiti be early next week…:

CUT 06(09)      “…out to sea.”

Steering currents could take the system to the East Coast. Also the mountains of Haiti and Cuba could tear it up altogether.

Speaking of weather, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are pretty high, and one way to combat that is planting more trees. LSU AgCenter’s Heather Kirk-Ballard says it’s ironic that in Louisiana we chop so many down for fear of hurricane damage…:

CUT 09(07)      “…grow pretty quickly.”’

A single tree can pull 48 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere in one year.

2:30 LRN Newscast Sept 14

Tropical Depression Number Seven formed in the Atlantic this morning. New Orleans National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says it’s about 800 miles west of the Lesser Antilles. She says it’s expected to remain on a westward track and reach Haiti by Monday. She says this is no time to let your guard down…:

CUT 08(10)      “…time of year.”

It will likely be a week or more before we know if this system poses any threat to our coast.

New inductees into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame: Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri to name a few. Hall of Fame director Doug Ireland says Mainieri’s 641 wins in 15 years made him a shoe-in…:

CUT 13(12)      “…the class.”

 

Today, carbon dioxide levels in the Earth’s atmosphere are the highest they’ve been in about 800 thousand years. An expert from LSU’s AgCenter says there’s something you can do that’s actually very easy…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Golsby”

A West Baton Rouge Parish school bus driver is charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and more after he allegedly detained a 13-year-old student on his bus alone, while professing his love for her. 33-year-old Christopher Taplin reportedly sent inappropriate texts to the girl. He’s been fired from his job.

5:30 LRN Newscast Sept 13

State health officials say ninety percent of the new COVID-19 cases in Louisiana are caused by the latest variant of the disease, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. This morning, Governor John Bel Edwards received the new bivalent COVID booster shot. He says the latest variants are highly transmissible…:

CUT 06(09)      “…people do that.”

This is the Governor’s 5th COVID shot. He also got his annual flu shot today.

A Caddo Parish substitute teacher is arrested for allegedly paying students to bully and assault another student. Sheriff’s spokesperson Bia Rolden says someone tipped school officials to what 24-year-old Aadrina Smith had done…:

CUT 09(14)      “…for money.”

She’s been fired from that job.

 

CVS Pharmacies in Louisiana add an extra measure of security against prescription drug thefts; time delay pharmaceutical safes. CVS Chief Policy Officer Tom Moriarty says time delay drug safes are now in place in all 133 CVS locations across Louisiana. He says this isn’t about loss prevention. It’s about keeping dangerous narcotics out of the wrong hands…:

CUT 14(12)      “…on the street.”

He says the time-lock drug safes are too much trouble for the average prescription drug thief to try to break into.

LSU’s beloved Bengal tiger mascot, Mike VII, observes a birthday today. The 410 pound Bengal-Siberian tiger mix is 6 years old. He celebrated with a big meaty birthday cake from his caregivers. The LSU veterinary school says Mike is in great health and has many more years ahead.

4:30 LRN Newscast Sept 13

Deputies in Caddo Parish arrest a substitute P.E. teacher at North Caddo Elementary Middle School, for allegedly paying five students to bully and assault another student. Sheriff’s spokesperson Bia Rolden says 24-year-old Aadrina Smith reportedly paid each boy $5 to do it. She says it’s shocking for a teacher to be involved in such behavior…:

CUT 11  (09)        “…somebody said something.”

Smith was arrested Monday. She has been released from her job at the school.

Policer in Thibodaux seek the person or persons who shot a 15-year-old Assumption Parish boy over the weekend. Lt. Clint Dempster says the victim, Jarian Cole, died while being transported to a hospital. He says murders are not something his city is accustomed to…:

CUT 05  (08)        “…the victim.”

 

This morning, Governor John Bel Edwards rolled up his sleeves for the fifth time to get the latest booster against COVID and is urging you to do the same…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

First they were dumped by their property insurance company after the 2020 and ’21 hurricanes, and now customers of Louisiana Citizens – the state’s last-resort property insurer – are facing a probable rate increase of over 60-percent come January 1st. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s working to attract new insurers, so citizens customers will have a cheaper private market option.