10:30 Newscast January 6th, 2015

According to the Des Moines Register, Governor Bobby Jindal is scheduled to have two closed door meetings with conservative religious leaders in Iowa today. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Arraignment proceedings will be held Thursday for Will Hayden, formerly the star of the now cancelled Sons of Guns reality show. Hayden is charged in East Baton Rouge Parish with two counts of aggravated rap and one count of forcible rape. Hayden owned Red Jacket Firearms but the gun company cut ties with him after his arrests.

The Mardi Gras season officially kicks off today which means it’s King Cake time. It’s Twelfth Night and this season will be shorter as Mardi Gras falls early this year on February 17th. There’s a story in The Wall Street Journal saying King Cakes no longer come with the baby inside due to a concern over lawsuits. Gambino’s Bakery owner Sam Scelfo says they are traditionalists and leave the baby in the cake but leave plenty of indicators letting people know it’s in there…:
CUT 9 (10) “one before”
He says they typically sell between 70,000-75,000 King Cakes in any given season.

And we’ve got a chilly start to the season as most of the state woke up to frosty temps because a large ridge of Canadian high pressure is advancing southward. High temperatures this afternoon with be in the 50s across most of the state but by tomorrow the northerly winds increase and Wednesday night will likely be one where your pipes, pets and plats will need attention.

 

09:30 Newscast January 6, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal is back in Iowa today for two closed door meetings with conservative religious leaders. According to the Des Moines Register, the meetings will take place in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Jindal is looking to shore up his support among this group of voters…

cut 4 (08) “presidential nomination”

Stockley says these are important meetings to determine how serious of a presidential hopeful Jindal can be.

Angola warden Burl Cain says he has not taken any steps to install a cooling system on death row despite a federal court’s ruling to lower the heat levels. That federal ruling is currently under appeal. Cain says death row was built in 2005 and has a natural ventilation system so it’s not even the hottest part of the prison…

cut 15 (09) “it’s hot”

Cain says it would be too expensive to add any type of cooling system at the prison.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Cut Off man is under arrest charged with his fourth offense DWI. They say 50-year-old Trent Callais was found sleeping in his vehicle in a fast food restaurant’s drive-thru lane. Authorities say Callais appeared to be impaired and he performed poorly on a field sobriety test. Callais was booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail on a $50,000 bond.

King Cake season is officially underway on this Twelfth Night and it’ll be a short one with Mardi Gras falling early this year on February 17th. Michelle Southern reports.

cut 2 (29) “reporting”

08:30 Newscast January 6, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal is scheduled to have two closed door meetings with conservative religious leaders in Iowa today. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley calls this part of the process the “invisible primary”, where candidates try to win endorsements and backing before the actual contests. He says this will have an important impact on Jindal’s decision to run, or not to run, for president…

cut 6 (11) “invisible primary”

According to the Des Moines Register, the meetings will take place in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.

Doctor Bill Cassidy will be sworn in as a US Senator today. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross anticipates since Cassidy has a medical background, he’ll find some issues that he can be an expert on…

cut 12 (12) “quite heavily”

He says Louisiana will now have a unified voice on issues that the Senate debates with Cassidy and Senior Senator David Vitter.

Angola warden Burl Cain says he has not taken any steps to install a cooling system on death row despite a federal judge’s ruling to reduce the heat levels. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (28) “reporting”

A federal judge has sentenced a Bastrop tax preparer to more than three years in prison for filing fraudulent tax returns. 41-year-old Claudia Mays received a 39 month sentence in prison for filing 15 tax returns using stolen identities and false information. Mays was also ordered to pay more than $94,000 in restitution. 53-year-old Carla Inzina of Bastrop, who assisted Mays, was sentenced to three years probation.

07:30 Newscast January 6, 2015

Louisiana will have two Republicans in the US Senate after Doctor Bill Cassidy is sworn-in today. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the state loses clout in the Senate, with Cassidy replacing three-term democratic Senator Mary Landrieu. But he says Louisiana can make up for it by having Cassidy and Senior Senator David Vitter working together in a Republican controlled Senate…

cut 11 (11) “might seem”

According to the Des Moines Register, Governor Bobby Jindal is scheduled to have two closed door meetings with conservative religious leaders in Iowa today. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Iowa is important because it’s the first primary and evangelicals and conservatives are important because of their participation. He says these meetings are very important to Jindal’s hopes…

cut 5 (11) “financial backing”

Angola warden Burl Cain says he has not taken any steps to install a cooling system on death row. A federal judge has ruled that the state needs to take more measures to cool off death row during the hot summer months. Cain says they couldn’t just reduce the heat levels on death row, it would have to be the entire prison…

cut 14 (10) “another prison”

The ruling is currently under appeal.

King Cake season is officially underway but it will be a short one with Mardi Gras falling so early this year on February 17th. Gambino’s Bakery owner Sam Scelfo says they typically sell between 70,000-75,000 King Cakes in any given season and offer almost 70 different flavors…

cut 8 (07) “as we can”

He says the bulk of the pastry cakes they sell go two weeks before Mardi Gras.

06:45 Sportscast January 6, 2014

Louisiana Tech has lost its defensive coordinator. Manny Diaz has been hired by Mississippi State to be the Bulldogs new defensive coordinator. Diaz helped Tech win the Conference USA western division title and his defense was ranked 22nd in the nation in points allowed and 17th in rush defense. Jonathan Ford, publisher of Bleed Tech Blue, says Diaz gave the Bulldogs’ defense an identity…

cut 16 (13) “find another one”

While Tech loses a defensive coordinator, they do add a quarterback. Jeff Driskel, who threw for 34-hundred yards at Florida, is transferring to Tech for his final year of college eligibility.

In other college football news…Nola.com reports that Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson has reached out to LSU about possibly transferring to Baton Rouge after he graduates in May. Since Golson would be a graduate transfer, he could be eligible to play for the Tigers in 2015.

Eric Gordon returned to the Pelicans lineup last night, but it wasn’t enough as the Washington Wizards defeated New Orleans 92-85. Gordon scored 6 points in 33 minutes in his return from a shoulder injury. Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans lead all scorers with 21 apiece as the Pels fall to 17-17. The Pelicans hit the road to take on the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night.

A full slate of college hoops action last night:

In the Sun Belt – UL-Lafayette improves to 3-0 in conference play after knocking off Appalachian State, 80-64. And ULM defeated Arkansas State 70-61.

In the Southland Conference – UNO opened their conference season with a 72-67 win over Lamar. Sam Houston stuffed the visiting Demons from Northwestern State, 75-64. McNeese falls to Houston Baptist, 68-56. And Stephen F. Austin remains undefeated in conference play after downing Southeastern Louisiana, 81-66.

And in the SWAC – Texas Southern squeezed by Southern, 59-58 and Grambling loses to Alabama A&M, 67-46.

06:30 Newscast January 6, 2015

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal is scheduled to have two closed door meetings with conservative religious leaders in Iowa. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Jindal is looking to shore up his support among this group of voters…

cut 4 (08) “presidential nomination”

Jindal is thinking about a presidential run in 2016 and Iowa is important because they host the first primary.

Doctor Bill Cassidy will be sworn in as a US Senator today giving Louisiana two republicans in the US Senate. What will that mean for the Bayou State? U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Louisiana will have a unified voice on issues that the Senate debates…

cut 10 (10) “other issues”

Cross says Louisiana loses clout in the US Senate, with Cassidy replacing three-term democratic Senator Mary Landrieu.

King Cake season is officially underway on this Twelfth Night and it’ll be a short one with Mardi Gras falling so early this year on February 17th. Gambino’s Bakery owner Sam Scelfo says the bulk of the pastry cakes they sell go two weeks before Mardi Gras no matter what day it falls in the year…

cut 7 (10) “we’re excited about it”

Scelfo says they’ve been selling a bunch of King Cakes so far already this year but they expect to be extremely busy today.

AM Newscall January 6th, 2015

According to the Des Moines Register, Governor Bobby Jindal is scheduled to have two closed door meetings with conservative religious leaders in Iowa today. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

King Cake season is officially underway on this Twelfth Night and it’ll be a short one with Mardi Gras falling so early this year on February 17th. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

___________________________________

Angola Warden Burl Cain says he has not taken any steps to install a cooling system on death row despite a federal judge’s ruling to reduce the heat levels. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 3 (28) “reporting”

________________________

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal is scheduled to have two closed door meetings with conservative religious leaders in Iowa. According to the Des Moines Register, the meetings will take place in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Jindal is looking to shore up his support among this group of voters…

cut 4  (08)  “presidential nomination”

Jindal is thinking about a presidential run in 2016 and Iowa is important because they host the first primary. Stockley adds that evangelicals and conservatives are also important because of their participation in the primary. He says these meetings are very important to Jindal’s hopes…

Cut 5  (11)  “financial backing”

Stockley says these are important meetings to determine how serious of a presidential hopeful Jindal can be. He calls this part of the process the “invisible primary”, where candidates try to win endorsements and backing before the actual contests. He says this will have an important impact on Jindal’s decision to run, or not to run, for president…

Cut 6 (11)  “invisible primary”

___________________________________________________

King Cake season is officially underway on this Twelfth Night and it’ll be a short one with Mardi Gras falling so early this year on February 17th.  Gambino’s Bakery owner Sam Scelfo says the bulk of the pastry cakes they sell go two weeks before Mardi Gras no matter what day it falls in the year.:

CUT 7 (10)  “we’re excited about it”

Scelfo says they’ve been selling a bunch of King Cakes so far already this year but they expect to be extremely busy today. He says they typically sell between 70,000-75,000 King Cakes in any given season. Scelfo offers almost 70 different flavors…:

Cut 8 (07)  “as we can” 

There’s a story in The Wall Street Journal saying King Cakes no longer come with the baby inside due to a concern over lawsuits. But Scelfo says they are traditionalists and leave the baby in the cake but leave plenty of indicators letting people know it’s in there…:

Cut 9 (10)  “one before”

________________________________________

Doctor Bill Cassidy will be sworn in as a US Senator today giving Louisiana two republicans in the US Senate. What will that mean for the Bayou State? U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Louisiana will have a unified voice on issues that the Senate debates

Cut 10 (10) “other issues” 

Cross says Louisiana loses clout in the US Senate, with Cassidy replacing three-term democratic Senator Mary Landrieu. But he says the state can make up for it by having Cassidy and Senior Senator David Vitter working together in a republican controlled Senate…

cut 11 (11) “might seem”

Cross anticipates since Cassidy has a medical background, he’ll find some issues that he can be an expert on…

cut 12 (12)  “quite heavily”

_____________________________________

Angola Warden Burl Cain says he has not taken any steps to install a cooling system on death row. A federal judge has ruled that the state needs to take more measures to cool off death row during the hot summer months. The ruling is currently under appeal. Cain says it would be too expensive to add any type of cooling system at the prison…:

Cut 13 (07)  “I can’t afford it”

Cain says they couldn’t just reduce the heat levels on death row, it would have to be the entire prison…:

Cut 14 (10)  “another prison”

Cain says he’s not aware of any other prison being facing legal action for having extreme hot conditions but Angola seems to be popular place to sue. He says death row was built in 2005 and has a natural ventilation system so it’s not even the hottest part of the prison…:

Cut 15  (09)  “it’s hot”

____________________________________

Louisiana Tech has lost its defensive coordinator. Manny Diaz has been hired by Mississippi State to be the Bulldogs new defensive coordinator. Diaz helped Tech win the Conference USA western division title and his defense was ranked 22nd in the nation in points allowed and 17th in rush defense. Jonathan Ford, publisher of Bleed Tech Blue, says Diaz gave the Bulldogs’ defense an identity

Cut 16  (13)  “find another one”  

While Tech loses a defensive coordinator, they add a quarterback. Jeff Driskel, who threw for 34-hundred yards at Florida, is transferring to Tech for his final year of college eligibility. The fifth-year senior is allowed to play in 2015 for the Bulldogs. Ford says Driskel didn’t perform as well as expected at Gainesville, but he’ll bring some much needed experience to the quarterback position in Ruston…

Cut 17 (14)  “FBS level”

Tech needs to replace fifth-year senior quarterback Cody Sokul, who led the Bulldogs to a victory in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Ford says Driskel is your likely starter in 2015 and could have a lot of success…

Cut 18 (14) “that stature”

 

17:30 Newscast January 5th, 2015

It’s another election year in Louisiana and Angola Warden Burl Cain’s name has been thrown around as a possible candidate for Governor. He was in Baton Rouge today and says he’s still thinking about it..:
CUT 15 (09) “old Burl”
Cain says he’s a civil servant and he’ll have to resign if he runs so he’ll cross that bridge when he gets to it, if he gets to it.

Sad story out of Alexandria as cops say a man was accidentally shot and killed by another man who was playing with a gun. Lt. Brooks Fairbanks says 29-year-old Kendall Smith is charged with negligent homicide after a 29-year-old victim was located with a single gunshot wound…:
CUT 9 (05) “pronounced deceased”
Faibanks says after a tragedy like this it’s good to send the reminder that you should never ever handle a firearm in a reckless manner.

The Kenner Police Department says New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Junior Galette was arrested today and booked with domestic abuse battery. They say the incident involved a female acquaintance who sustained injuries including blood coming out of her ear when her earring was apparently ripped out. Lt. Brian McGregor read the victim’s statement:
CUT 12 (06) “I couldn’t breathe”
Galette told cops the woman was a dancer he brought home the night before and not his paramour.

Republican lawmakers are looking to move past the controversy surrounding House Majority Whip, Republican Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie, over a speech he gave 12 years ago to a white supremacist group. Incoming Utah Representative Mia Love told ABC’s “This Week” that Scalise should remain in the party leadership…
cut 4 (11) “American people done”
Love is the first black female Republican elected to the House.

 

LRN Sportscast 16:45

Saints linebacker Junior Galette was arrested on a charge of simple battery domestic violence, which is a misdemeanor. Kenner Police Lt. Brian McGregor says Galette allegedly struck a woman who spent the night at his home. McGregor read the statement that the victim provided…
cut 12 (06) “…I couldn’t breathe”
Galette’s cousin, Terrence Banks, was also arrested. The woman, who says she’s Galette’s personal assistant, allegedly had blood coming from her ear and scratches on her face. The linebacker has told police that the woman was a dancer and the fight started over money for a cab.

In college football news…Nola.com reports that Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson has contacted LSU about transferring. Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel has announced he’s transferring to Louisiana Tech and Tech defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is leaving for the same job at Mississippi State.

After missing the last 21 games because of a shoulder injury, shooting guard Eric Gordon is expected to play tonight for the Pelicans, who are hosting the Washington Wizards. Head Coach Monty Williams says Gordon will provide a jolt to the team…
cut 18 (12) “…been missing”
Gordon is averaging almost 10 points a game. Tyreke Evans is questionable, because of an illness. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

In college basketball…Ragin Cajuns junior Shawn Long was named as the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week. Long averaged 20.5 points and nine rebounds last season. The Cajuns are at Appalachian State tonight. U-L-M hosts Arkansas State. The Warhawks are undefeated at home this season.

McNeese State’s Desharick Guidry has been named the Southland Conference Player of the Week. The Cowboys host Houston Baptist tonight.

LRN Newscast 16:30 January 05, 2015

Republican lawmakers are looking to move past the controversy surrounding the new House Majority Whip Republican Congressman Steve Scalise, over a speech he gave 12 years ago to a white supremacist group…
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest says Scalise once referred to himself as -quote- David Duke without baggage.

It’s possible we’re getting close to the bottom of the dramatic drop in gas prices. Gasbuddy.com reports some areas have increased slightly as refineries are about to shift production to their summer blends of gas.
—————————-
New Orleans Saints linebacker Junior Galette has been arrested and charged with domestic abuse battery. Galette told cops that the woman he brought home was a dancer, but the victim claims she was his assistant. Gallett’s cousin, 27-year-old Terrance Banks of Newark, New Jersey was also arrested for allegedly jumping her…
cut 13 (12) “jump me again”
That’s Kenner Police Lt. Brian McGregor reading the victim’s statement.

There could be another name on the Louisiana Governor candidate list. Angola Warden Burl Cain, although he said in Baton Rouge today he’s just thinking it over….
CUT 16 (10) Q” “to be’