06:30 Newscast August 19th, 2014

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office confirms the body that was found along the levee in Donaldsonville last week is that of 15-year-old Brandon Augusta. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says they’ve been investigating this case as a homicide since they discovered the body…:
CUT 10 (10) “by the pathologist”
He says the case is very much under investigation but they don’t have enough evidence at this point to make an arrest.

Beginning today, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights from Lafayette to Denver, CO. The flight will be offered seven days a week departing at 4PM. Lafayette Regional Airport Director Michael Burrows says, in part, this flight is in response to oil and gas industry workers traveling to the northwest corridor…:
CUT 7 (04) “being direct”
He says so far the direct flight to Denver from Lafayette is poplular.

Louisiana’s private sector labor force grew to an all-time high in July. Statistics show just over 2.1 million people are employed across the state. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says several industry sectors hit all-time employment records in July…:
CUT 13 (13) “number of sectors”
He says every part of the state will benefit from the employment growth.

AM Newscall August 19, 2014

The LSU Ag Center is conducting research to determine the extent of damage done by feral hogs in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has that…:

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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Beginning today, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights from Lafayette to Denver, CO. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 2 Audio (29) “reporting”

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Louisiana’s private sector labor force grew to an all-time high in July with just over 2.1 million people employed statewide. Eric Gill has more…

Cut 3 Audio  (32) “reporting”

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The LSU Ag Center is conducting research to determine the extent of damage done by feral hogs in Louisiana. Forestry economist Shaun Tanger says they’ve been getting reports from farmers and landowners about property damage, but they want to get a better picture of the problem with a couple of detailed surveys…:

Cut 4  (13)  “feral hog damage”

Tanger says they want to get an idea of overall damage feral hogs are causing and, from there, what can be done about the problem. He says Louisiana has never done a study like this…:

Cut 5  (12)  “1.5 billion”

Tanger says the animals cause major damage to agricultural crops because they can be used for wallows, for forage and for protection. He says the first step to reaching a resolution to the problem is to find out exactly how big the problem is…:

Cut 6 (10)  “to fix that problem”

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Beginning today, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights from Lafayette to Denver, CO. The flight will be offered seven days a week departing at 4PM. Lafayette Regional Airport Director Michael Burrows says, in part, this flight is in response to oil and gas industry workers traveling to the northwest corridor…

CUT 7 (04) “being direct”

Burrows says the airport will receive additional revenue through landing fees and passenger facility charges. He says this direct flight is not only attractive to the oil and gas industry, but recreational travelers will take advantage of it as well…

CUT 8 (07)   “for ski season”

A fifty seat jet will transport passengers from Lafayette to Denver. Burrows says initially, Lafayette’s direct flight to Denver seems to be popular…

CUT 9 (11)  “flights go on”

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The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office confirms the body that was found along the levee in Donaldsonville last week is that of 15-year-old Brandon Augusta. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says they’ve been investigating this case as a homicide since they discovered the body…

cut 10 (10)  “by the pathologist”

Bacala says the cause of death has not yet been determined. He says now that they’ve received confirmation that the deceased is Augusta, the investigation is full steam ahead…

cut 11 (11)  “make an arrest” 

He says investigators are making progress in the case, but they are not at the point, right now, to make an arrest. Bacala asks anyone with information about this homicide, to please contact the Sheriff’s Office…

cut 12 (07) “say something”

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Louisiana’s private sector labor force grew to an all-time high in July. Statistics show just over 2.1 million people employed across the state. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says several industry sectors hit all-time employment records in July…

Cut 13 (13)  “number of sectors”

While the labor force grew to record numbers in July, the state’s unemployment rate rose to 5.4 percent, up from 5 percent in June. Eysink thinks that may partially be due to more people joining the workforce in Louisiana to look for work…

Cut 14 (08)  “for work now”

He says every part of the state will benefit from the employment growth. Eysink says the commission has looked at short-term and long-term forecast models and they show the job market in Louisiana has a strong future…

Cut 15  (12)   “through 2022″

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Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is on track to see his first action of the preseason when New Orleans visits Indianapolis on Saturday night. Brees has spent most of this training camp recovering from an oblique injury, but has taken a majority of the snaps with the first team offense the last two days. Coach Sean Payton liked what he saw from number nine yesterday

Cut 16  (13)   “fairly well”

Saturday makes the third preseason game and then we’ll see some roster cuts. One guy that’s fighting for a roster spot is rookie wide receiver Brandon Coleman. Payton says he likes what he’s seen from the former Rutgers standout and he looked good during yesterday’s drills…..

Cut 17  (16)   “that’s encouraging”

A priority for Saturday’s preseason game against the Colts will be to reduce the number of penalties called against the team. The Black and Gold were flagged 22 times for 184 against Tennessee on Friday. Linebacker Curtis  Lofton says they came away with a victory last week, but there’s room for improvement

Cut 18 (11)  “tough defense”

17:30 Newscast August 18, 2014

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still looking for the person or persons responsible for the death of a 7-year-old child who was shot while traveling in a car with his family. Spokeswoman Casey Hicks says two children in the back seat of the car were shot — one was grazed with a bullet and she’s expected to be okay…

cut 7 (05) “dead on the scene”

The deceased child is identified as Terrez Coleman.

A Shreveport woman faces a second-degree murder charge after allegedly stabbing a 40-year-old man during an argument. Shreveport Police Corporal Marcus Hines says the victim, Isaac McClain, had a verbal dispute with his live-in girlfriend. Hines says the girlfriend called her friend, 36-year-old Valerie Bass, to the residence and that’s when the homicide occurred…

cut 3 (09) “medical center”

Bass faces life in prison, if convicted.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says a Denham Springs couple is under arrest after being found passed out in a vehicle with their two young children in the back seat. Col. John Fortunato says investigators were called to the parking lot of a closed restaurant in Metairie Sunday afternoon…

cut 9 (09) “vehicle”

When questioned, 41-year-old Michael Pierce and his 34-year-old wife, Melanie, each admitted to injecting heroin earlier in the day. Both were charged with child endangerment and several drug related charges.

Education Superintendent John White told the Baton Rouge Advocate the education department’s website was shut down today because the Jindal administration refused to make a payment. A spokesperson for the division of administration says that was not the case and called it a technical glitch. Jindal’s office and the Department of Education are involved in a legal battle over Common Core. The website was up and running again by midday. A statement from the education department said they are glad the bill was paid.

16:30 08-18-14

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still looking for the person or persons responsible for the death of a 7-year-old child who was shot while traveling in a car with his family. Michelle Southern has that…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy has confirmed this afternoon the body that was found Thursday afternoon along the levee at Donaldsonville is that of 15 year-old Brandon Augusta. Authorities do suspect foul play, and anyone with information should call Crimestoppers.

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Education Superintendent John White told The Baton Rouge Advocate the education department’s website was down today because the Jindal administration refused to make a payment. A spokesperson for the division of administration says that was not the case and called it a technical glitch.
CUT 12 (10) “be doing”
That’s the Executive director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, Keith Courville.

A couple from Denham Springs has been arrested following a report of them leaving their two small children in the back seat while they were passed out in their car parked in Metairie…:
cut 11 :06 sec. Q: “heroin addiction”
That’s Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Colonel John Fortunato who says 41 year-old Michael Pierce and 34 year-old Melanie Pierce were arrested on drug charges and child endangerment.

15:30 08-18-14

A Denham Springs couple is under arrest after being found passed out in a vehicle with their two young children in the back seat in a Metairie parking lot. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Col. John Fortunato says they got the call around 2:30 yesterday afternoon and found 41-year-old Michael Pierce and 34-year-old Melanie Pierce…:
CUT 10 (07) “from the vehicle”
The children were 4 years and 11 months old. When the couple was questioned, the suspects both admitted to injecting heroin earlier in the day.

While this hurricane season has been very light so far, today many people are remembering the anniversary date of Hurricane Camille slamming into the Gulf Coast 45 years ago today. Camille was one of the most destructive storms in US history, killing an estimated 150 people.
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Some questions being raised about the Education Department’s website being down today because of what Superintendent John White calls a refusal on the part of the governor to pay the bill…:
cut 14 :10 sec. Q: “being paid”
That’s Keith Courville, the executive Director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, who says he hopes that this was not based on the Common Core feud. The Jindal administration has said the missed payment was not on purpose.
A Shreveport man was stabbed to death yesterday morning following a confrontation with his live-in girlfriend. Forty year-old Isaac McClain was allegedly stabbed by a friend of his girlfriend, 36 year-old Valerie Bass at their residence…:
cut 5 :07 sec. Q: “life sentence”
That’s Shreveport Police Corporal Marcus Hines.

16:45 LRN Sportscast August 18

Don’t expect to see Saints tight end Jimmy Graham dunk the football through the goal posts during the regular season. Graham was penalized twice for his celebratory dunk of the football in Friday’s preseason game, and after the second time, he got an earful from Coach Sean Payton. Graham says you won’t see it in the regular season…
cut 30 (15) “…for the team’
Graham says he and Payton are also fine and there’s no problem between the two.

Four star defensive tackle Travonte Valentine has reportedly received clearance from the NCAA clearinghouse to play football at LSU. Once Valentine joins the team, he’ll have to practice without pads for a few days, but could be someone that Coach Les Miles depends on before the season is over.

The LSU football team will hold its final scrimmage before the start of the regular season tomorrow. Coach Les Miles says several players stood out on defense during Saturday’s scrimmage…
cut 17 (22) “….capable of doing”

Fall camp is over for the ULM Warhawks and Coach Todd Berry has settled on a starting quarterback. Pete Thomas, a transfer from North Carolina state, will take the first snap in the season opener against Wake Forest.

Louisiana Tech learned today that receiver Sterling Griffin has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Griffin had 33 catches for 357 yards last season.

 

14:30 08-18-14

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says a mother and father were arrested Sunday afternoon after being found passed out in a car with their children inside. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT 2 (35) “reporting”

According to numbers released today from the US Labor Department, the Louisiana unemployment rate has risen for the 3rd consecutive month to 5.4 percent. That’s still below the national unemployment rate at 6.2 percent.
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A car to car shooting in Baton Rouge has left a seven year-old boy dead, and the EBR Sheriff’s Department is looking for the shooter. …:
cut 8 :10 sec. Q: ‘of the sheriff’s office’
That’s Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks, who says another child was injured as well.
The Department of Education’s website was down today, reportedly because the Jindal administration did not make a payment…:
cut 13 :08 sec. Q: “the ball on”
That’s the Executive Director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Keith Courville who says he hopes it’s just a technical glitch and not a political move based on the Governor’s stance on Common Core. The Jindal administration has said the missed payment was not on purpose.

PM Newscall August 18, 2014

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still looking for the person or persons responsible for the death of a 7-year-old child who was shot while traveling in a car with his family. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says a mother and father were arrested Sunday afternoon after being found passed out in a car with their children inside. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT 2 (35) “reporting”

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A Shreveport woman is facing a charge of second-degree murder after she allegedly stabbed a 40-year-old man during an argument. Shreveport Police Corporal Marcus Hines says the victim, Isaac McClain, had a verbal dispute with his live-in girlfriend. Hines says the girlfriend called her friend, 36-year-old Valerie Bass, to the residence and that’s when the homicide occurred…

CUT 3 (09) “medical center”

Hines says when Bass arrived at the home, she too engaged in a verbal confrontation with McClain during which time Bass reportedly produced a knife…

CUT 4 (06) “his life”

The slaying occurred yesterday morning. Hines says Bass was detained at the scene of the home and arrested she was interviewed by detectives…

CUT 5 (07) “life sentence”

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The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still looking for the person or persons responsible for the death of a 7-year-old child who was shot while traveling in a car with his family. Spokeswoman Casey Hicks says it happened after a shopping trip over the weekend when the family of five was in motion and another car passed in the other lane…:

CUT 6 (08)  “had been shot”

Hicks says two children in the back seat of the car were shot — one was grazed with a bullet and she’s expected to be okay…:

CUT 7 (05) “dead on the scene”

The family has identified the little boy who suffered fatal injuries in the shooting as Terrez Coleman. Hicks says they are so far not determined a motive for the incident, but so far it appears to have been a random shooting. She says they are looking for the public’s help in this tragic case…:

CUT 8 (10) “of the sheriff’s office”

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The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says a Denham Springs couple is under arrest after being found passed out in a vehicle with their two young children in the back seat. Col John Fortunato says when investigators were called out by concerned citizens to the parking lot of a closed restaurant in Metairie Sunday afternoon around 2:30…:

CUT 9 (09) “vehicle”

Forunato says inside the vehicle with 41-year-old Michael Pierce and 34-year-old Melanie Pierce were there children, ages 4 and 11 months. He says when the couple was questioned, the suspects both admitted to injecting heroin earlier in the day…:

CUT 10 (07) “from the vehicle”

Fortunato says the suspects were each charged with possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor and child endangerment. He says they did find a small amount of heroin in the vehicle…:

CUT 11 (06) “heroin addiction

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Education Superintendent John White told the Baton Rouge Advocate the education department’s website was down today because the Jindal administration refused to make a payment. A spokesperson for the division of administration says that was not the case and called it a technical glitch. Executive director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, Keith Courville, says either way it’s disappointing

CUT 12 (10) “be doing”

After it was down this morning, the education department’s website was up and running again by midday. A statement from the D-O-E said they are glad that the bill was paid. Courville says he can’t understand why it wasn’t paid on time

CUT 13 (08) “the ball on”

Jindal’s office and the department of education are involved in a legal battle over Common Core. Courville hopes that wasn’t the reason why a website that contains important information for teachers was temporarily down…

cut 14 (10) “being paid”

 

13:30 Newscast August 18, 2014

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still looking for the person or persons responsible for the death of a 7-year-old child who was shot while traveling in a car with his family. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (29) “reporting”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says a Denham Springs couple is under arrest after being found passed out in a vehicle in Metairie yesterday. Authorities say inside the vehicle with 41-year-old Michael Pierce and his 34-year-old wife, Melanie, were there children, ages 4 and 11 months. They say, when questioned, the couple admitted to injecting heroin earlier in the day. The suspects were charged with child endangerment and several drug related charges.

Education Superintendent John White told the Baton Rouge Advocate the education department’s website was shut down today because the Jindal administration refused to make a payment. A spokesperson for the division of administration says that was not the case and called it a technical glitch. Executive director of the Associated Professional Eductators of Lousiana, Keith Courville, says either way it’s disappointing…

cut 12 (10) “be doing”

Jindal’s office and the Department of Education are involved in a legal battle over Common Core.

Louisiana State Police say a traffic accident on Louisiana Highway 421 in Ascension Parish has claimed the life of a pedestrian. Authorities say the incident happened before noon today and they have confirmed one fatality, so far. Highway 421 has been shut down in both directions between LA 934 and LA 621 in St. Amant while police investigate.

12:30 Newscast August 18, 2014

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still looking for the person or persons responsible for the death of a 7-year-old child who was shot while traveling in a car with his family. Spokeswoman Casey Hicks says two children in the back seat of the car were shot — one was grazed with a bullet and she’s expected to be okay…

cut 7 (05) “dead on the scene”

The family has identified the little boy who suffered fatal injuries in the shooting as Terrez Coleman.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says a Denham Springs couple is under arrest after being found passed out in a vehicle with their two young children in the back seat. Col. John Fortunato says investigators were called out by concerned citizens to the parking lot of a closed restaurant in Metairie Sunday afternoon…

cut 9 (09) “vehicle”

When questioned, 41-year-old Michael Pierce and his 34-year-old wife, Melanie, each admitted to injecting heroin earlier in the day. Both were charged with child endangerment and several drug related charges.

A Shreveport woman is facing a charge of second-degree murder after she allegedly stabbed a 40-year-old man. Shreveport Police Corporal Marcus Hines says the victim, Isaac McClain, had a verbal dispute with his live-in girlfriend. Hines says the girlfriend called her friend, 36-year-old Valerie Bass, to the residence. He says when Bass arrived at the home, she too engaged in a verbal confrontation with McClain during which time Bass reportedly produced a knife…

cut 4 (06) “his life”

If convicted, Bass faces life in prison.

Figures released today show two different stories about Louisiana’s job market. In July, the state’s unemployment rate was at 5.4 percent, up from 5 percent in June. However, in a separate survey, Louisiana employers reportedly added 7,700 workers to their payrolls, which is a record high.