08:30 Newscast December 3, 2014

More international tourists are visiting Louisiana and tourism officials are looking to capitalize on the trend. The Bayou State had an 18-percent increase in international visitors last year, the highest increase of any state in the nation according to the National Travel and Tourism Office. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says international tourists are great for Louisiana…

cut 6 (09) “prosperous industry”

The top four international markets for Louisiana tourism are Canada, UK, Germany, and France.

Louisiana Tech has receive a one-point-four million dollar grant to produce more secondary math and science teachers. Louisiana Tech’s interim dean of the College of Education, Doctor Don Schillinger, says because of the curriculum, the university has created many partnerships with local school districts to ensure the students get field experience….

cut 12 (10) “actual content areas.”

The grant is from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

After a community effort to save 13 Live Oak Trees along 182 in Jeanerette that were set to be cut down for safety reasons, the Department of Transportation says they’ve come up with a new plan. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (32) “reporting”

State Police say a 22-year-old man is dead after a two vehicle crash last night in Vermillion Parish. Authorities say Brandon Demette of Maurice was diving his motorcycle on LA 92 when he struck a truck, pulling both a trailer and a vehicle, as the truck was turning onto the highway. Demette was ejected from his motorcycle and received fatal injuries as a result.

07:30 Newscast December 3, 2014

Louisiana Tech is one of the five universities nationwide to receive a one-point-four million dollar grant to produce more secondary math and science teachers. The grant money comes from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Louisiana Tech’s interim dean of the College of Education, Doctor Don Schillinger, says the grant is for a five year time period but he hopes their teacher preparation will remain sustainable for many years to come…

cut 11 (08) “a long time.”

Schillinger says this grant focuses on the STEM area of education, which means science, technology, engineering and math.

State Police say a three vehicle crash in Tensas Parish has claimed the lives of two people. They say, for unknown reasons, a vehicle driven by 95-year-old Ralph Cooper of Newellton crossed the center line in the path of a Mack dump truck which was followed by another dump truck. Cooper’s vehicle struck the lead dump truck head-on and that truck was struck by the second dump truck. Cooper and his passenger, 90-year-old Jewel Lee of Newellton, were pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

There are more international tourists coming to Louisiana and tourism leaders are looking to capitalize on the trend. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says there are an increasing number of visitors from Brazil and Australia coming to Louisiana and there will be an effort to get more tourist from those countries to come to the Bayou State…

cut 5 (05) “more effective”

Louisiana had an 18-percent increase in international visitors last year, the highest increase of any state in the nation according to the National Travel and Tourism Office.

After a community effort to save 13 Live Oak Trees along 182 in Jeanerette that were set to be cut down for safety reasons, the Department of Transportation says they’ve come up with a new plan. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says the oaks are interfering with a measure that requires a 10 foot space between the road and any obstacle..:

cut 7 (12) “the safety needs”

The stretch extends 4.73 miles between the Iberia Parish line to La 670 in St. Mary Parish.

06:45 Sportscast December 3, 2014

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors are back. That’s because Miles’ alma mater, Michigan, is searching for a new football coach after firing Brady Hoke. LSU beat reporter for Gannett Newspapers, Glen Guilbeau, says Miles doesn’t want to leave LSU because of the young players and another great recruiting class for the upcoming season…

cut 14 (13) “20 years ago.”

He says Miles has been offered the Michigan job two previous times and said no and will likely say no again, if offered a third time.

In other college football news…The University of Alabama at Birmingham has announced they are dropping their football program. The school says they have to discontinue the program because of financial concerns. With UAB leaving Conference USA, rumors are circulating that UL Lafayette will fill their spot.

In college basketball action…Junior guard Josh Gray pumped in 25 points last night as LSU downed UMASS 82-60 in the PMAC. Jordan Mickey added 16 as the Tigers improve to 5-2. LSU hits the road to take on 16th ranked West Virginia tomorrow night.

It was Louisiana Tech over Northwestern State last night in Nachitoches, 99-88. Junior guard Alex Hamilton lead the Bulldogs with 30 points to improve Tech’s record to 6-1. The Demons, who were lead by Jalan West’s 27 points, fall to 3-4 on the season.

Southeastern Louisiana lead number nine Gonzaga at halftime, 33-32. But Gonzaga opened the second half with a 30-4 run to overwhelm the Lions, in the end, 76-54. Joshua Filmore scored 14 for SLU as their record falls to 2-6.

In the NBA…Reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant scored 27 points in his season debut for Oklahoma City, but it wasn’t enough as the Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104 last night at the Smoothie King Center. The Pels’ Tyreke Evans scored a game high 30 points, half of them in the fourth quarter.

06:30 Newscast December 3, 2014

Tourism leaders are looking to capitalize on the increasing trend of international tourists visiting Louisiana. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says they have been very aggressive in marketing Louisiana to international visitors and those efforts are definitely paying off…

cut 4 (10) “those efforts”

Dardenne says international tourists are great for Louisiana because they typically stay longer and spend more money.

Louisiana Tech is one of the five universities nationwide to receive a one-point-four million dollar grant to produce more secondary math and science teachers. The grant money comes from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Louisiana Tech’s interim dean of the College of Education, Doctor Don Schillinger, says they are very excited about this…

cut 10 (09) “across the region.”

Schillinger says the grant is for a five year time period.

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors are back. That’s because Miles’ alma mater, Michigan, is searching for a new football coach after firing Brady Hoke. LSU beat reporter for Gannett Newspapers, Glen Guilbeau, says Miles has been offered the Michigan job two previous times and said no and will likely say no again, if offered a third time…

cut 13 (12) “at best.”

Guilbeau says Miles won’t consider taking the job.

AM Newscall December 3, 2014

Tourism leaders are looking to capitalize on the increasing trend of international tourists visiting Louisiana. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

After a community effort to save 13 Live Oak Trees along Highway 182 in Jeanerette that were set to be cut down for safety reasons, the Department of Transportation says they’ve come up with a new plan. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (32) “reporting”

______________________________________

Rumors of Les Miles leaving LSU for Michigan are back again. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (28) “reporting”

______________________________________

Tourism leaders are looking to capitalize on the increasing trend of international tourists visiting Louisiana. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says they have been very aggressive in marketing Louisiana to international visitors and those efforts are definitely paying off…

cut 4  (10)  “those efforts”

He says the state had an 18-percent increase in international visitors last year, the highest increase of any state in the nation according to the National Travel and Tourism Office. Dardenne says there are an increasing number of visitors from Brazil and Australia coming to Louisiana and there will be an effort to get more tourist from those countries to come to the Bayou State…

Cut 5  (05)  “more effective”

The top four international markets for Louisiana tourism are Canada, UK, Germany, and France. Dardenne says international tourists are great for Louisiana because they typically stay longer and spend more money…

Cut 6 (09)  “prosperous industry”

______________________________________

After a community effort to save 13 Live Oak Trees along Highway 182 in Jeanerette that were set to be cut down for safety reasons, the Department of Transportation says they’ve come up with a new plan. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says the oaks are interfering with a measure that requires a 10 foot space between the road and any obstacle..:

CUT 7 (12)  “the safety needs”

The stretch extends 4.73 miles between the Iberia Parish line to La 670 in St. Mary Parish. Governor Bobby Jindal asked DOTD to preserve the trees because of their importance to the parish and the state. Mallett says they worked out new ways to help restore the ride quality of the roadway like adding signage and rumble striping…:

Cut 8 (09)  “and safely” 

Certain members of the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge rallied residents in support of saving the trees. DOTD had flagged the area due to a high number of crashes on the stretch over the last several years in which drivers were running off the road. Mallett says they realize the historical significance of the trees along the scenic byway…:

Cut 9 (11)  “happy”

______________________________________

Louisiana Tech is one of the five universities nationwide to receive a one-point-four million dollar grant to produce more secondary math and science teachers. The grant money comes from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Louisiana Tech’s interim dean of the College of Education, Doctor Don Schillinger, says they are very excited about this.

Cut 10 (09) “across the region.” 

Schillinger says the grant is for a five year time period but he hopes their teacher preparation will remain sustainable for many years to come.

cut 11 (08)  “a long time.”

Schillinger says this grant focuses on the STEM area of education, which means science, technology, engineering and math. He says because of the curriculum, the university has created many partnerships with local school districts to ensure the students get field experience.

cut 12 (10)  “actual content areas.”

__________________________________________

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors are back. That’s because Miles’ alma mater, Michigan, is searching for a new football coach after firing Brady Hoke. LSU beat reporter for Gannett Newspapers, Glen Guilbeau, says Miles has been offered the Michigan job two previous times and said no and will likely say no again, if offered a third time.

Cut 13 (12)  “at best.”

Guilbeau says Miles won’t consider taking the job. He says Miles doesn’t want to leave LSU because of the young players and another great recruiting class for the upcoming season.

Cut 14 (13)  “20 years ago.”

Michigan went 5 and 7 this season. And Guilbeau says it will take a lot of hard work to get Michigan to become a title contender again, while LSU is closer to competing for national titles.

Cut 15  (08)  “coming in.”

__________________________________________

17:30 LRN Newscast December 2

Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu and Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy went after each other in last night’s Senate debate. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Cassidy brought up the incumbent’s charter flight matter and Landrieu called the Congressman a liar for the so-called double billing incident — but there were no knockout blows…:
CUT 10 (11) “Louisiana politics”
Election Day is this Saturday.

A state audit of Grambling State University revealed equipment thefts totaling more than $130,000. Legislative Auditor Bradley Cryer says it was the university who discovered several items missing…
CUT 12 (08) “and fixtures”
One person has been arrested in connection with the thefts.

Tourism leaders are looking to capitalize on the increasing trend of international tourists visiting Louisiana. Scott Carwile has more…
cut 1 (29) “…reporting’

Speculation has started again that Les Miles is a candidate to be the next head football coach at Michigan. The Wolverines fired Brady Hoke today. Glen Guilbeau, of Gannett Newspapers, doesn’t see Miles taking the Michigan job, because he has a better situation at LSU…
cut 15 (09) “…coming in”

LRN Newscast 16:30 12-02-14

Democratic US Senator Mary Landrieu and her Republican challenger Bill Cassidy got into it last night…
CUT 2 (25) “reporting”

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors are back as Michigan Head Coach Brady Hoke has been fired…
CUT 20 (16) Q: “very best”
Miles responded to those questions last week.
——————————————-
The pitbull named Zeus WILL be able to stay with his family, following the Moreauville Town Council’s reversal of their vicious dog ban last night. Moving forward, Mayor Timmy Lemoine says the town now will adopt the Louisiana state statute in regard to dangerous dogs…
CUT 5 (08) “state statute”
An online petition to save Zeus received over 340 thousand signatures, and the town received numerous phone calls, along with pressure from PETA.

There’s been an arrest in connection with the Grambling State University theft of numerous metal units that were sold for scrap. The Legislative Auditor’s Office says the school discovered the thefts from some of their buildings, and have since outlined a plan to increase security for the future…
CUT 14 (05) Q: ‘a good track’
That’s Legislative Auditor Bradley Cryer.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 December 2nd

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors can start up again as the Wolverines have fired head coach Brady Hoke after a four-year run at the Ann Arbor school. Michigan was five and seven this past season. They’ve pursued Miles twice before, once in 2007 and again in 2010. Miles was asked last week about the possibility of the Michigan job opening up and here’s what he said….
cut 20 (16) “….very best”

In other college football news…UAB has announced its dropping football program, because of financial concerns. With UAB gone, could UL Lafayette fill their spot in C-USA. Stay tuned on that one.

Louisiana Tech plays this Saturday against Marshall in the Conference USA Championship game. Jerry Palm of cbs-sports-dot-com, says if the Bulldogs win, they could play in the Heart of Dallas Bowl against a team from the Big Ten….
cut 19 (13) “….Conference USA games”

In college hoops tonight…Louisiana Tech visits Northwestern State in what should be spirited game. The Demons are 3-and-3 on the year, while the Bulldogs are five and one.

LSU hosts UMASS at the PMAC for a six o ‘clock tip. The Minutemen beat the Tigers 92-90 last season.

NBA…the Pelicans will host Oklahoma city. Thunder star Kevin Durant will make his season debut tonight. Durant has been out because of a foot injury. Tip-off is at seven o’ clock.

LRN Newscast 15:30 12-02-14

A rather feisty Senate debate last night between Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu and Republican challenger Bill Cassidy. Landrieu attacked Cassidy for receiving taxpayer dollars for work as an LSU physician that he allegedly did not fully earn. While Cassidy continued to hammer Landrieu for the Obama agenda…
CUT 9 (10) “in others”
That’s UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s office says the 85-year-old Pollock woman who was viciously mauled by suspected stray dogs last week, died last night. Sheriff Steve Martin says they got a frantic call last Wednesday evening from Bobbie Cheveallier’s (shuh-VAHL-yay) neighbor…:
CUT 6 (10) “scare them away”
They’ve rounded up about 15 dogs so far in the investigation.

==========================

Efforts to keep a pit bull named Zeus in Moreauville from being separated from the family that owns him came to a happy conclusion for the family last night. Eric Gill has the story…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Authorities in Missouri have made an arrest of a New Iberia man in connection with the 2008 strangulation death of 61 year-old Judy Blanchard Landry. Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal says sixty-year old Keith Leleux will be extradicted back to New Iberia to face first-degree murder charges.

LRN Newscast 14:30 12-02-14

A rather spirited debate last night between Democratic Senator May Landrieu and Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy. Cassidy used the Obama voting card against Landrieu, while Landrieu countered with questions about his pay with the LSU Health System he did not earn.
CUT 11 (08) Q: “at all”
That’s ULL Political Science Professor Pearson Cross.

Sad story from Central Louisiana; as the elderly woman from Pollack who was mauled by dogs has died. Eighty-five year old Bobbie Cheveallier was attacked last week, and the search for the dogs continues…
CUT 8 (11) “for this”
That’s Grant Parish Sheriff Steve Martin.
—————————–
The controversial vicious dog ban in the town of Moreauville was liffted last night, allowing a pit bull named Zeus to stay with his family. Mayor Timmy Lemoine says they had gotten several complaint phone calls and PETA pressure…
CUT 4 (11) “shut down”

More than 130 thousand dollars in theft at Grambling State University has been revealed in a recent Legislative Audit report. One person has been arrested in connection with a variety of stolen metal units that were being sold for scrap. Auditor Bradley Cryer says, they’ve made some recommendations…
cut 13 (08) “in the future”
He feels confident that Grambling State University will be able to prevent future problems of theft.