10:30 Newscast January 28th

Attorneys representing the suspects accused of participating in a rape of LSU student Madison Brooks, before she died, say she was not raped. Attorney Ron Haley says Brooks consented to have sex with two individuals in a vehicle before she was dropped off

Haley says there’s also video of a conversation from inside the car after Brooks and two men engaged in sexual activity that will show a rape did not occur.

Cut  4 (06)  “…very clear” 

A plan to streamline COVID vaccination protocols is under consideration. And because it doesn’t look like COVID is going away anytime soon Hassig feels an annual COVID booster that targets the newest variants and like flu shots will also remove confusion. Advisors also recommend removing the name-brand confusion. Hassig says when you go in for your flu shot you aren’t worried who about who produced it.

Cut 13 (10) “…every year.” 

Somebody missed out on 50-thousand dollars. The Louisiana Lottery says the deadline to claim a Powerball ticket worth 50-thousand dollars expired Thursday. The ticket was purchased at Fisherman’s One Stop on L-A 22 in Ascension Parish. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says it’s common for prizes to go unclaimed

Cut 6 (10)  “…larger ones” 

The President of Southeastern Louisiana University, in Hammond, says he will retire at the end of the current school year. 

During his 14 years at Southeastern, Crain has led the university through setbacks from state budget cuts, multiple hurricanes (most recently Ida) and the pandemic. He’s also seen it through the launch of new degree programs, numerous facility upgrades and advances in academic achievement and sports…:

Cut 10 (10) “…you’re proud of.” 

A plan to streamline COVID vaccination protocols is under consideration. The FDA advisory panel is recommending a transition to an annual vaccination routine similar to flu shots. Tulane epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says such a plan could encourage those skeptical of the vaccine to get protected. And because it doesn’t look like COVID is going away anytime soon Hassig feels an annual COVID booster that targets the newest variants and like flu shots will also remove confusion. Advisors also recommend removing the name-brand confusion. Hassig says when you go in for your flu shot you aren’t worried who about who produced it.

 

9:30am Newscast January 28th

Attorneys representing the four men facing rape charges in the alleged sexual assault of LSU student Madison Brooks say there’s video evidence that will show their clients are innocent.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A plan to streamline COVID vaccination protocols is under consideration. The FDA advisory panel is recommending a transition to annual vaccinations. Tulane epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says annual boosters tailored to protect against specific variants, similar to how flu shots work.

Cut 14 (12)   “…step forward.”

Thursday was the deadline to claim a $50-thousand prize from a July 30th Powerball drawing. It was sold in Ascension Parish. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says once prize money is expired it’s deposited into an unclaimed prize fund…

Cut 8 (11)  “…second chance drawings” 

One of the suspects arrested for the alleged rape of  LSU student Maddison Brooks is now facing a first- degree rape charge in Livingstion Parish for a seprate a;;eged incident that took place in walker in 2020. Detectives with the walker police department issued a warrant for Kavion walker friday jan 27th, after a witness came foward about the alleged incident. Washington turned himself in to the livingston parish detention center friday night. He’s now facing a first degree rape charge.

 

8:30 Newscast January 28th

Attorneys representing the suspects accused of participating in the rape of LSU student Madison Brooks, before she died, said she was not raped. Attorney Ron Haley says Brooks consented to have sex with two individuals in a vehicle before she was dropped off

Cut 3 (13) “…factually inaccurate.” 

Haley says there’s a video of Brooks leaving the vehicle unharmed and in good health.

Haley says there’s also a video of a conversation from inside the car after Brooks and two men engaged in sexual activity that will show a rape did not occur.

The President of Southeastern Louisiana University, in Hammond, is retiring at the end of the current school year. Dr. John Crain says he announced his retirement now, so a proper search could be done to find their next president…:

Cut 11 (07)  “…academic year.”

Crain has been president since 2009, and a faculty member for over 35 years.

 

An FDA advisory panel is proposing a plan to simplify COVID vaccines. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The LHSAA Convention ended with a decision by high school principals to hold another meeting in June to discuss the definition of select and non-select schools. The playoff formats for basketball, baseball, and softball will go on as planned, which means for basketball there will be five divisions for select schools and five for non-select schools

 

10:30 LRN Newscast January 14

Senator Bill Cassidy is proud of what he’s accomplished for Louisiana over the past year. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1(33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Reader- Ticktoc star Waffler69 whose real name was Taylor Claydorm according to media outlets died this week at the age of 33. He was from lafayette with over 1.7 million followers and 32.8 million likes on his social platform.

Kumho (Coo-moe) Tires announces plans to construct a 350-thousand-square-foot warehouse and future plans for a distribution center in Franklin. Brandy Christian President of the Port of New Orleans says it’s a significant multi-million-dollar investment in St. Mary Parish

Cut 6 (12)  “…as well.” 

Seimone Augustus is considered the greatest women’s basketball player from Louisiana and on Sunday LSU will unveil a statue of the former All-American. It will be located near the Maravich Center. Lady Tigers Coach Kim Mulkey says Augustus is very deserving of the statue

Cut 12 (12) “…Olympics”

 

LRN Newscast 3:30

 

Niagara Bottling announced its plans to invest $160 million in a state-of-the-art production facility near Hammond. The company – headquartered in Diamond Bar, California – operates more than 40 production facilities with over 7,000 employees worldwide. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, says this is a great company to work for.

Cut 3

The first person who officially declared candidacy is Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy. He’s an independent, who says the fact that he is not aligned with either big political party makes him the best choice for voters. After years in the courtroom, he’s ready to look toward the Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion

Cut 8 

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office arrest a Gray teen in connection with a social media threat that he was attempting to acquire a gun and bring it to HL Bourgeois High School Thursday. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Blake Tabor says The juvenile’s name and age have not been revealed, but more information will be released once it’s available. He says the investigation is ongoing.

Cut 11

Freshman LSU quarterback Walker Howard has reportedly entered the transfer portal. The Lafayette native guided St. Thomas More to a state championship in 2020 and this past season appeared in two games for the Tigers. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says it’s hard for Tiger fans to see Walker leave after one season…

Cut 13

5:30 Newscall

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says he’s not running for governor. The state’s junior senator sent a letter to his closest supporters thanking them for their encouragement but says he’s looked deep into his heart and decided not to run. Kennedy’s letter stated he believes he can do more for the state and country by serving in the US Senate. To date, only Attorney General Jeff Landry has announced his official campaign for governor.

Drivers are seeing a spike in gasoline prices, but it should not last long. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Congress remains in limbo until a new Speaker of the House is chosen and after multiple attempts, it remains undecided. GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has been nominated five times and has yet to garner enough votes. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says voting for speaker, unlike other issues, is a lengthy process.

Cut 12 (13) “…this case 34 names.”  

Hot and dry weather, than a late summer flood, then more hot and dry weather resulted in more than 500-million dollars in crop losses for Louisiana farmers in 2022. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto says parts of northeast Louisiana saw 18 inches of rain during a week-long period in late August,

 Cut 6 (12)  “…quality reduction” 

 

3:30 Newscast Dec 9

Thursday was a big day for northeast Louisiana high school football as both Ouachita Christian and Oak Grove won state titles. O-C-S won its eighth state title in school history with a 28-14 victory over Vermilion Catholic. Coach Steven Fitzhugh won his sixth state championship at the Monroe school…

Cut 3
The U-S House has approved 858-billion dollars for national defense and hundreds of millions of dollars will go towards Louisiana’s military bases. Congressman and House Armed Services Committee member Mike Johnson says Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish will receive 125-million dollars to construct a Weapons Generation facility….

Cut 12

The defense spending bill still needs U.S. Senate approval which is expected

It still remains to be seen who’s in or out for the 2023 gubernatorial race as several candidates wait to see if Senator John Kennedy makes it official. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll conduct a poll this weekend to see if he’ll run or not. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says until Kennedy decides a poll is obsolete.

Cut 6
AARP launches an interactive mobile friendly digital tool to help Louisiana Veterans understand their healthcare options. Director of Advocacy and OutReach, Lorie Lucas says Military families can use this one stop resource to navigate new PACT Act benefits and health care options at the following website.

Cut 9

 

 

1:30 Newscast

Lt Governor Billy Nungesser is conducting a poll this weekend as he contemplates running for governor. But one political analyst says it’s too soon. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding everyone that Election Day is on Saturday some things he wants people to remember is that Polls open at 7:00am and close at 8:00pm. People in line at 8:00pm will be able to vote. Voters can find their polling location and see election results using the G-E-A-U-X vote app.

The U-S House has approved 858-billion dollars for national defense and hundreds of millions of dollars will go towards Louisiana’s military bases. Congressman and House Armed Services Committee member Mike Johnson says Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish will receive 125-million dollars to construct a Weapons Generation facility.

Johnson says hes glad  federal legislation rescinds the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military…

Cut 14

AARP launches an interactive mobile friendly digital tool to help Louisiana Veterans understand their healthcare options. Director of Advocacy and OutReach, Lorie Lucas says Military families can use this one stop resource to navigate new PACT Act benefits and health care options at the following website.

Cut 9

 

5:30 Newscast

 

Three Southern University band members were killed in a crash involving an 18-wheeler last night. The students were reportedly on their way home to Texas for Christmas break. State Police are investigating and say Tyran Williams, Dylan Young, and Broderick Moore were killed while trying to change a flat tire.

Moran says multiple first responders worked the accident.

Cut 16 

The University is now offering grief counseling to students.

 

Troopers from Louisiana state police are investigating a single fatal crash   on LA Highway 40 near Highway 445 when the accident occurred. Trooper William Huggins says the investigation will include obtaining phone records and crash data recordings. Huggins says that’s similar to a Blackbox recording on a plane and it has valuable information like…

Cut 11

After responding to four overdose deaths in a 72-hour period over the weekend, police in Monroe have one suspect in custody. Detective Matt Schmitz says 47-year-old Jarrell Lee Walker has been arrested facing several charges including two counts of negligent homicide. Schmitz says they are still waiting on toxicology reports, and they believe fentanyl is suspected to be involved in the deaths. As for the other two overdose deaths…

Cut 7 

A new statewide poll shows a majority of Louisianans accept climate change as a reality, but feel it’s not up to the U.S. alone to address it. John Couvillon, with JMC Analytics & Polling, says the survey of over 600 residents found a majority (42%) feel it’s a real problem…:

cut 3

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

According to Walgreens’ flu tracker, Louisiana leads the country in cases. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen announced Andy Dalton will be the starting quarterback moving forward even with Jameis Winston a full participant in practice. Coach Allen’s decision was performance-based.

The offense under Dalton has been one of the top-ranked in both yards and points, and Allen said Dalton will keep the starting job if that trend continues. Dalton and the Saints will host the 2-4 Raiders at noon this Sunday.

_______________________________________________________________________

Louisiana shrimpers say their industry is in shambles. They say rising fuel costs, lax testing of imports, and most of all, competition from foreign imports are the culprits. Acy Cooper is President of the Louisiana Shrimp Association.

He says the imported shrimp is not only bad for the economy, but it’s also bad for consumers’ health. He cites a Consumer Reports study on shrimp safety.

Cut 7 (11) “..trash coming in”

Tomorrow, Southeastern Louisiana University will begin providing independent scientific monitoring of the Lake Maurepas ecosystem. The goal is to see where the lake stands before Air Products begins its project to inject captured carbon emissions into wells deep beneath the lake.

Dan McCarthy is the dean of Southeastern’s College of Science and Technology.

Cut 3 (11) “..recognize changes”