08:30 LRN Newscast, February 25th

A grand jury in West Baton Rouge has indicted the Addis police officer involved in a high-speed chase that left two teenagers dead and one seriously injured on New Year’s Eve. 42-year-old David Cauthron is now formally charged with 2 counts of manslaughter, aggravated obstruction of a highway, negligent injury, malfeasance in office and reckless operation.

Congressman Garret Graves is feeling pressure to announce whether or not he’ll run for Governor. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s an embarrassment that gun charges were dropped by the Orleans Parish DA’s Office against 16 men arrested over Mardi Gras in The Big Easy. He says the system must do better as the crime issue in New Orleans is going to deter big conventions from coming here…:
Cut 14 (06) “the streets safer”
He’s calling for the dismissal of the assistant district attorney who made the decision.

Lent marks the official kickoff to crawfish season in Louisiana, so what’s it going to set you back this year? The Crawfish App compares the price of mudbugs in your local area, and co-founder Laney King says prices are down 5 percent over last year…:
CUT 3 (11) “$125 a sack”
You can check the prices near you by searching for The Crawfish App on your phone.

 

07:30 LRN Sportscast, February 25th

The LSU Baseball team gets a win Friday afternoon in Game One of the Round Rock Classic knocking off Kansas State 7-3. Paul Skenes struck out 11 of the 22 batters he faced through 6 innings, despite the Wildcat’s offensive start. The Tigers improved to 5-0 overall and will next face Iowa at noon today on Dell Diamond. The Hawkeyes are starting Brody Brecht, one of the best pitchers in college baseball with a fastball that’s registered at 100mph.

The Ragin Cajuns walked off BYU 2-1 in the third game of the four-game set in Lafayette. The final game of the series is scheduled for 1pm with The Cajuns sending right-hander Jackson Nezuh to the mound.

The New Orleans Pelicans, who are 7th in the Western Conference, will travel to face the Knicks this evening at 6:30. New Orleans is 30-and-30 on the year and are coming off a 115 to 110 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Elsewhere in college baseball action Friday, Northwestern State beats Seton Hall 6-1. Nicholls fell to Louisiana Tech 11-1. ULM fell to SIU Edwardsville 7-4. Southeastern edged Samford 6-5. McNeese got the victory over UT-Arlington 10-4. Grambling lost 10-4 to Alabama State in New Orleans.

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to build on its first win in 56 days as they travel to face Ole Miss tonight at 7:30. Both teams are 2 and 13 in SEC play and the Rebels announced the firing of coach Kermit Davis on Friday. According to Jeff Goodman of Stadium, former LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade has emerged as a candidate for the gig in Oxford.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team is now 3rd in the Sun Belt following a 74-64 Friday night victory over South Alabama to close out the regular season. ULM fell to Arkansas State 64-61 to close out the regular season for the Warhawks.

Northwestern State men’s basketball will play for a Southland Conference regular season championship today as the Demons visit Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Both teams are 12 and 4 in league play.

09:30 LRN Newscast, February 24th

A new research study finds that COVID-19 mandates put in place in many American cities made virtually no difference in stopping the spread of the virus. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University. He says they found people stood firm on their stance on the vaccine, but felt they’d be penalized for not getting it where mandates were in place…:
Cut 6 (12) “their behavior at all”
He says they found those who resisted the shots would simply go to a nearby city with no mandates to visit bars or restaurants.

State Police say a crash early Thursday morning claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman from Denham Springs in St. Helena Parish. They say two vehicles were involved in the incident and that Natalie Thompson was not restrained and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The other driver was not injured. It’s under investigation.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man has been arrested in connection to a 2010 murder. They say 30-year-old Montrey Paige of Loranger is booked with second degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Jamins Robinson of Independence who was killed nearly 13 years ago. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says Paige was 17 years old in 2010, but will still be charged as an adult…:
Cut 12 (07) “of Louisiana”

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the trucking industry – creating a gap between professional CDL-licensed drivers and delivering goods. Louisiana Motor Transport Association Director Renee Amar says hiring younger may be a solution…:
Cut 8 (09) “big rigs”
She says they are always looking for truckers who can be dedicated in the long term.

08:30 LRN Newscast, February 24th

Did citywide Covid vaccine mandates prevent the spread of the virus? A new study out of George Mason University says no. It was conducted by Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) who says they looked at infections and deaths in cities that mandated COVID vaccines and those that didn’t:
Cut 4 (11) “spread of COVID”
He says this wasn’t about the efficacy of the vaccine itself, but pointed to the fact that mandates didn’t change people’s minds about whether or not they chose to get the shot.

Shreveport Police say arrests have been made in both shooting incidents that took place during the Gemini Parade on Saturday. Corporal Chris Bordelon says the first shooting stemmed from an argument where a suspect shot a victim who is expected to survive. He says the second appeared to be an accident where a 17 year old was shot and killed. Both suspects have been charged…:
CUT 15 (03) “catch em”

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says a bicyclist was struck and killed this morning on La-1 near the Plaquemine-Sunshine Ferry westbank landing. State Police is investigating the incident and not releasing the victim’s name before notifying family.

The trucking industry is still being impacted by a shortage of drivers. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

Many areas of the state saw record highs Thursday and forecasters say the warm weather is expected to continue today.

07:30 LRN Newscast, February 24th

New research suggests citywide COVID vaccine mandates enacted in New Orleans and other cities may have been all for naught. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Livingston Parish Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday night declaring they are a Second Amendment Sanctuary Parish. It was a resolution by Councilman Jeff Ard who says it’s about adding a layer of protection of Second Amendment rights at the local level should the state or federal government try to tighten up gun laws.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man has been arrested in connection to a 2010 murder. They say 30-year-old Montrey Page of Loranger is booked with second degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Jamins Robinson of Independence who was killed nearly 13 years ago. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis said an eyewitness finally came forward..:
CUT 11 (11) “homicide occurred”
He says they hope this will bring the Robinson family some closure.

Shreveport Police have made arrests in both shooting incidents that took place Saturday night during the Krewe of Gemini parade. Corporal Chris Bordelon says of the first shooting which was non-fatal..:
CUT 13 (08) “Police Department”
He says in the other shooting someone accidentally shot and killed a 17-year-old and that suspect surrendered to police right away.

06:45 LRN Sportscast, February 24th

The top ranked LSU Baseball team will begin play today in the Round Rock Classic at 2pm as the Tigers face Kansas State. LSU is 4-0 and Paul Skenes will be on the hill for the Bayou Bengals after striking out 12 in his Tiger debut on Friday. The Wildcats are 4-1 and are expected to finish towards the bottom of the Big 12 Standings.

The LSU women’s basketball team gets win number 26 on the year, as the Tigers cruise to a 82-63 win over Vanderbilt in Nashville last night. Angel Reese had her 26th double-double and her 10th first half double-double of the season. The Tigers will now finish the regular season at home against Mississippi State at 5pm on Sunday.

The Pelicans fell to the Raptors last night in their first game after the All Star Break, 115-110. Brandon Ingram had 36 points in the losing effort. New Orleans will visit the Knicks on Saturday.

College hoops last night, Louisiana Tech falls to Western Kentucky 76-66.

In the Southland, UNO prevailed over Nicholls State in in-state rival action, 88-82. Southeastern beat Lamar 83-60. The Lions are 3rd in the conference. McNeese fell to Houston Baptist, 85-80. And Northwestern State got another win this time beating Incarnate Word 71-66. The Demons are 1st in the Southland with a record of 20-9.

The Ragin Cajuns Baseball team shut out BYU yesterday by a score of 11-0. UL-Lafayette is now 2-0 in the three game series which concludes today.

In other college baseball action around the state today, ULM hosts SUI Edwardsville. Southeastern hosts Samford. UL-Lafayette hosts BYU. Tulane hosts St. John’s. Nicholls State is at Louisiana Tech. McNeese State is at UT Arlington.

06:30 LRN Newscast, February 24th

A new research study finds that COVID-19 mandates put in place in many American cities made virtually no difference in stopping the spread of the virus. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University. He says they found that even if a citywide mandate was in place, people still did want they wanted.
CUT 5 (07) “change their decision”
Melo adds his research makes no statement on the vaccine itself or its effectiveness.

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the industry -creating a gap between professional licensed operators and delivering goods. Programs have been set up to assist in closing the gap. Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Director Renee Amar..:
Cut 7 (10) “…the workforce.”
She says lowering the legal truck driving age could help.

Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (00) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The wife of former Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider has died at the age of 53 alongside her husband at the couple’s studios in Holden. Alicia Allain, a native of Brusly, was a filmmaker and she and Schneider had been married since 2019. John made a social media post saying he is heartbroken but that his wife is living now living pain free.

09:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

State Police have released body cam footage from the officer involved shooting death of an unarmed man in Shreveport, Alonzo Bagley, and the city cop accused of firing the shot, Alexander Tyler, has been charged with negligent homicide. Alonzo’s brother is happy State Police has been so transparent in releasing everything like the first call:
Cut 13 (09) “no threat there”
Tyler’s attorney says the body cam footage shows Bagley reaching for something before jumping off a balcony and fleeing police.

The state says it will drop lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says The Road Home Program was supposed to save the American Dream not squash it…:
Cut 4 (10) “protect that dream”
Thus, the Road Home Program is no more.

People protesting the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling will receive a $1.17 million dollar settlement from East Baton Rouge…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Campaign finance reports released this week show Attorney General Jeff Landry has a huge lead over other gubernatorial candidates in the 2023 race for Louisiana’s top office. The numbers showed Landry with $5.01 million, with the next closest being John Schroder with $2.4 million.

08:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

The white Shreveport police officer involved in the shooting death of an unarmed Black man has been arrested and charged with negligent homicide:
Cut 3 (35) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Campaign finance reports released this week in Louisiana’s 2023 Gubernatorial race show Attorney General Jeff Landry has $5.01 million dollars to work with, followed by John Schroder with $2.4 million. Speculation is on that the soon to be retired DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson would run as the only Democrat.

The Road Home Program is no more after the state announced it’s dropping lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many who used the money intended for home elevation to instead repair their homes were faced with legal action. Governor John Bel Edwards…:
CUT 6 (07) “collection efforts”
New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says a ”long bad dream” is over for thousands of south Louisiana homeowners.

The Lafayette area is ready to let the good times roll this weekend as Carnival celebrations officially get underway tonight. Joe Giglio (“GIG-leo”) with the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association says Saturday the Children’s Parade will roll at 12:30pm…:
CUT 15 (13) “typical Mardi Gras”

07:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

A Shreveport cop was arrested Thursday in the officer-involved shooting death of an unarmed man who was trying to flee police February 3rd. 23 year old Alexander Tyler is booked with negligent homicide. His attorney says body cam footage shows 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley reaching for something before he jumped from a balcony and ran from officers…:
CUT 10 (10) “his direction”
The Bagley family is suing for $10 million dollars.

Protesters arrested during a demonstration following Alton Sterling’s police shooting death will receive a $1.17 million dollar settlement after the Baton Rouge City Council said their First Amendment rights were violated. Protester Cherri Foytlin:
CUT 9 (12) “an email”

After 17 years, the Road Home program officially comes to an end, and lawsuits dismissed against those accused of misspending grants..:
CUT 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And Carnival celebrations begin across Acadiana tonight and Joe Giglio (“GIG-leo”) with the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association says come one, come all…:
CUT 14 (11) “fairs and festival”