LRN Newscast 14:30 January 27, 2015

Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies are searching for at least two suspects involved in a double homicide in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says they believe the suspects killed the victims then stole their vehicles….
cut 11 (04) “to rob them”
The victims are identified as thirty-seven-year-old Chad Nichols of Doanldsonville, and 29 year-old Benny Booker of Prairieville.

A teen, wanted in connection to a weekend robbery in Acadia Parish, has been found dead in a field just east of Crowley. The body was identified as 18-year-old Slye Mier (mere) of Crowley. Rayne Police were involved in a chase after the robbery with a vehicle that Mier and the another suspect were in…
CUT 5 (10) Q: ‘the investigation”
That’s Acadia Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan
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According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out?
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The former Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a 16 year-old student will be going to trial in May. Shelly Dufresne faces the charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile; which is a felony Trial proceedings will begin May 20th.

PM LRN Newscall January 27

As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says the search for a teen, wanted in connection to a weekend robbery, ended unexpectedly when the suspect was found dead. Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan says officers responded to a call from a crawfisherman who discovered a body in a field just east of Crowley…

CUT 3 (08)  “face down”

The body was identified as 18-year-old Slye Mier (mere) of Crowley. Trahan says after the Sunday night robbery, Rayne Police were involved in a chase with a vehicle that Mier and the other suspect, a juvenile, occupied. She says when the pursuit ended, both Mier and the juvenile fled on foot…

CUT 4 (07)  “in the field”

Authorities say Mier’s death is being classified as suspicious, although the exact cause of death is unknown at this time. Mier’s body has been taken to Calcasieu Parish for an autopsy. Trahan says their investigation is ongoing…

CUT 5 (10)  “the investigation”

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As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of Louisiana high school students find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston are in the Big Apple on a school trip. Director of Student Activities Elizabeth Walker says yesterday’s curfew cancelled the Broadway show they planned to attend, but they are making the best of the situation…

CUT 6 (09)  “what we can”

Walker says the group totals 27 people, including 14 students. She says that, even with the weather conditions being less than optimal, they are taking in as much of New York as they possibly can, including Central Park…

CUT 7 (08)  “experience for us”

Walker says the eight inches of snow made this a fun and memorable trip for everyone in the group. She says they are scheduled to fly back home tomorrow…

CUT 8 (11) “fun to do”

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Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies are searching for at least two suspects involved in a double homicide in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says around 3:30pm yesterday they arrived at the scene of a reported shooting and found 37-year-old Chad Nichols dead on the front lawn of his house..:

CUT 9 (10)  “did not survive”

Bacala says 29-year-old Benny Booker of Prairieville was also found shot in the doorway of the residence and he succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. He says as of right now they don’t know who is responsible for these murders…:

cut 10 (10)  “Booker’s vehicle”

Bacala says the suspects killed the victims then one drove away in a 2008-2011 white BMW 3 series vehicle and the other stole Bookers vehicle which is a 2007 white Dodge Magnum. He says investigators are actively searching for both cars. Bacala says they believe the victims were targetting by the shooters…:

cut 11 (04)  “to rob them”

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According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s possible, as the price of crude oil has stabilized between $45 and $48 a barrel…

cut 12 (09)  “of a plateau”

But Redman says there is also a chance that we could still see prices slip as we head into February…

cut 13 (06)  “into spring”

Redman says the drop in fuel costs is astounding, especially when you compare prices to this time last year…

cut 14 (09)  “a year ago”

13:30 Newscast January 27th, 2015

According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says that is possible as the price of crude oil has stabilized between $45 and $48 a barrel…:
CUT 12 (09) “of a plateau”
Redman says you can definitely expect to see gas prices moving up later in February as we start heading into spring.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says the search for a man, wanted in connection to a weekend robbery, ended unexpectedly when the suspect was found dead. Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan says Rayne Police were involved in a chase with a vehicle occupied by a juvenile and 18-year-old Slye Mier of Crowley who eventually got away on foot…:
CUT 4 (07) “in the field”
Authorities say Mier’s death is being classified as suspicious, but the exact cause is unknown at this time.

As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

The State Department of Health and Hospitals sets up a program that encourages Louisiana residents to take control of their health. The program is called “Own Your Own Health”. It’s a three month wellness challenge that can assist residents in living a healthier lifestyle. The challenges are meant to motivate Louisianians to make small daily steps to a healthy life. You can sign up at oyohla-dot-com.

 

12:30 Newscast January 27th, 2015

As the northeast gets pounded by a horrible blizzard, a group of Louisiana high school students find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston are in the Big Apple on a class trip. Director of Student Activities Elizabeth Walker says yesterday’s curfew cancelled the Broadway show they planned to attend, but they are hanging in there…:
CUT 6 (09) “what we can”
She says they are a group of 27 including 14 students.

State Police is assisting in an investigation about an ATM scheme where customer’s debit card numbers and pins may have been compromised along the I-10 corridor. Whitney Bank issued a statement acknowledging they found devices called “skimmers” on ATM machines and as a precaution have reissued about 7100 debit cards.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says they are looking for possibly two suspects involved in a shooting that left two dead in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Balaca says the victims are 37-year-old Chad Nichols and 29-year-old Benny Boooker. He says as of right now they don’t know who is responsible for these murders…:
CUT 10 (10) “Booker’s vehicle”
He says anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

LSU defensive back Jalen Mills is reportedly headed to court in April for battery. If found guilty of simple Battery, Mills could face up to 6 months in jail. The LSU football player vehemently denies the allegations.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 27

The Pelicans are on a season-high four game winning streak after beating the Philadelphia 76ers 99 to 74 last night. Anthony Davis had several big-time dunks and finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and five block shots. The Pels go for five in a row on Wednesday against the Nuggets.

In college hoops last night…Northwestern State easily defeated Nichollls State 80 to 51. Ta’Jon Welcome had 18 points and career-high seven rebounds to go along with three steals.

Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi defeated Southeastern Louisiana 70 to 61, Incarnate Word rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to beat McNeese State 86 to 84 and Southern lost to Alabama State 63 to 59 in overtime.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a two-year, two-million dollar contract for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele when the board meets Friday in Shreveport. The deal is 300-thousand dollars less than what John Chavis made in his final season with LSU.

And in a college football scheduling note….F-B schedules-dot-com reports that the Ragin Cajuns will host Northwestern State on September 12th. An official announcement is expected this week. And LSU has announced that spring practice will begin March 7th and the Spring game is set for April 18th.

In recruiting news…Neville standout Kavonte Turpin has decided he’ll play his college football at TCU. Plaquemine tight end Joe Keller has reportedly given a verbal pledge to Nicholls State.

In college baseball news…the Ragin Cajuns 2016 recruiting class has been rated as the best in the Sun Belt Conference, according to Perfect Game. Two of the top players in that class are from Louisiana…Nick Lee from Longville and Hogan Harris, a left-handed pitcher at St. Thomas More.

11:30 Newscast January 27th, 2015

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says they are investigating a double homicide in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says they got the call Monday around 3:30pm and when they arrived at the scene they located 37-year-old Chad Nichols dead on the front lawn of his house..:
CUT 9 (10) “did not survive”
Bacala says the suspects got away in a white 2008-2011 BMW 3 series and they stole Bookers white 2008 white Dodge Magnum. Cops are looking for both vehicles and if anyone has information to please call authorities.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says the search for a man, wanted in connection with a weekend robbery, ended when he was found dead. Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan says deputies responded to a call from a crawfish farmer who discovered a body in a field just east of Crowley…:
CUT 3 (08) “face down”
She says Mier’s death is being classified as suspicions but right now they don’t know how he died.

Louisiana’s budget picture continues to get worse because of falling oil prices. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 3 (32) “reporting”

Authorities say a man fatally stabbed his girlfriend in Lake Charles before taking his own life in Lincoln Parish later the same day. They say 22-year-old Octavia Jack was found murdered in an apartment then 30-year-old Christopher White, Jack’s boyfriend, was later located by the LPSO in a rural part of Lincoln parish a few hours later with what authorities described as “a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

 

10:30 Newscast January 27th, 2015

The Revenue Estimating Conference says due to the tumbling price of oil, a 103 million dollar reduction will have to be made this fiscal year by state government. Chief economist for the Louisiana legislature Greg Albrecht…:
CUT 13 (09) “is bad”
This means the Jindal Administration will have to make cuts in the next few weeks.

Gas prices are down another 3 cents in Louisiana from last week. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $1.87 according to the American Automobile Association.

The Governor is in Lafayette today. A release from his office indicates Jindal will be attending a ground breaking ceremony at the Lafayette Economic Development Authority at 1:20pm.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals sets up a program that encourages Louisiana residents to take control of their health. Scott Carwile has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

A man who the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s office was looking for on an armed robbery warrant was found dead in a field by a crawfish farmer. Authorities says 18-year-old Slye Mier was face down and his body had no apparent signs or markings that would indicate how he died. The Calcasieu Coroner office is performing an autopsy and more details will be released at that time.

 

09:30 Newscast January 27, 2015

State Police are among several law enforcement agencies looking into an ATM scheme along the I-10 corridor. Emelie Gunn has more….

cut 2 (29) “reporting”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says two men were gunned down in Donaldsonville yesterday afternoon. They say 37-year-old Chad Nichols and 29-year-old Benny Booker of Prairieville were shot in front of Nichols home. Nichols was pronounced dead at the scene. Booker was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Authorities were informed by witnesses that two white vehicles were seen fleeing the home shortly after the shooting. The investigation is ongoing.

The Revenue Estimating Conference says falling oil prices will result in an 103-million dollar reduction in spending this fiscal year by state government. State government watchdog CB Forgotston says he believes state government can handle that without a dramatic reduction to state services…

cut 15 (07) “unfilled positions”

And based on economists projections, the REC has increased the budget deficit for next fiscal year to one-point-six billion dollars.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals sets up a program, called “Own Your Own Health”, that encourages Louisiana residents to take control of their health. Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Director Rudy Macklin says one aspect of the program is called “Own Your Own Health Now” which helps you make the correct choices regarding your own wellness…

cut 6 (07) “your own health”

You can sign up at oyohla-dot-com.

08:30 Newscast January 27, 2015

Louisiana’s budget picture continues to get worse because of falling oil prices. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (32) “reporting”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a fire in an abandoned home in Natchitoches has claimed the life of one person. They say, once inside the home, firefighters discovered the body inside a bedroom. It’s reported that, while the home had been unoccupied for a while, it had been the site of drug-related activity and frequented by transients. An autopsy is planned to determine the cause of death and possibly the identity of the deceased.

An investigation is underway looking into an ATM scheme where customer’s debit card numbers and pins may have been compromised by “skimmers” along the I-10 corridor. State Police Sgt. Nick Manale says “skimmers” are placed to look like they are part of the ATM and steal some of the bar code information off of a card as well as the PIN number entered into the machine…

cut 9 (09) “look into”

Manale says people need to be watching their accounts and statements to check for possible fraudulent charges.

Company officials say Entergy’s new power plant in suburban New Orleans will reduce fuel costs and produce reliable and affordable power for customers. Ninemile 6 is the first power plant Entergy has opened in Louisiana in 30 years. Spokesperson Mike Burns says Ninemile 6 was completed under budget and ahead of time…

cut 11 (11) “721 million dollars”

07:30 Newscast January 27, 2015

The Revenue Estimating Conference determined that the state faces a 103-million dollar reduction in spending this fiscal year. And based on economists projections, they have increased the budget deficit next year by another 203-million dollars. Chief economist for the Louisiana legislature, Greg Albrecht says weak oil prices are to blame…

cut 14 (10) “fiscal year with”

The 103-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year means, the Jindal administration will be forced to make cuts in the next few weeks.

State Police are assisting in an investigation looking into an ATM scheme where customer’s debit card numbers and pins may have been compromised along the I-10 corridor. Sgt. Nick Manale says people need to be watching their accounts and statements to check for possible fraudulent charges…

cut 8 (09) “own accounts.”

Whitney Bank has issued a statement acknowledging that they found devices called “skimmers” on ATM card receptors.

Entergy has cut the ribbon on a new power plant in suburban New Orleans that company officials say will reduce fuel costs and produce reliable and affordable power for Louisiana customers. Entergy Spokesperson Mike Burns says Ninemile 6 is already using 30 percent less fuel than other natural gas combustion plants…

cut 10 (07) “in 2016″

This is the first power plant Entergy has opened in Louisiana in 30 years.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals sets up a three month wellness challenge, called “Own Your Own Health”, that can assist residents in living a healthier lifestyle. Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Director Rudy Macklin says to help keep participants on-track, they’ll receive daily e-mail…

cut 5 (09) “based on age”

For more information and to sign up go online to oyohla-dot-com.