17:30 Newscast March 4th, 2015

Sources say the New Orleans Saints have released running back Pierre Thomas from the team. The 30-year-old will save the Black and Gold $1.735 million dollars against the salary cap. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says it’s a heart breaking move, but not really a surprise…:
CUT 13 (09) “a year too late”
New Orleans needs to continue to move or lay-off some players by March 10th to get below the salary cap.

Louisiana State Police are preparing for precipitation and freezing temperatures as the National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Winter Storm WArning for much of the northern part of the state until 9am tomorrow morning. Winter precip could include freezing rain, sleep and possibly snow in much of north and central Louisiana.

Governor Bobby Jindal today announced that EPIC Piping would be making a $45.3 million dollar capital investment in Livingston Parish to establish an advanced facility and corporate headquarters. The project is to create 560 new direct jobs with an average daily salary of $56,600 plus benefits.

As officials with the US Army visited the Leesville area last night to listen to the concerns of folks in the community surrounding reductions to the Vernon Parish base, people once again lined the streets in support of keeping things as is. Fort Polk Progress Chairman Michael Reese says the church venue was filled as they made the presentation to the military…:
cut 12 (10) “and city hall”
Personnel reductions are being considered at about 30 bases across the country.

 

 

LRN newscast 16:30 03-04-15

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for parishes north of I-20, ahead of a strong cold front moving through the state this evening…
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

According to sources close to the New Orleans Saints, the club will be releasing popular 8 year veteran running back Pierre Thomas. Thomas signed on as an undrafted free agent in 2007, and was a key component of the Saints Superbowl win against the Colts in 2009. The Saints may be also looking to trade linebacker Curtis Lofton.
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Tonight, there is be an event at Southern University to discuss the case of Victor White III’s case of being shot and killed while handcuffed in the back of an Iberia Parish Sheriff deputy’s squad car. The mother of Victor White III’s child has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Sheriff and the deputy, and Monroe Attorney Carol Powell Lexing says they are discussing this case and others….
CUT 11 (10) Q: “of these cases”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is dead after officers responded to reports that a suspect was shooting a gun into the air in the middle of a street near the Schriever. Overpass…:
CUT 6 (07) “in the air”
Captain Dawn Foret says when officers got there, they detained 49 year old Troy Brady in the middle of the road with a shotgun, then he became unresponsive and later died.

16:45 Sportscast March 4th, 2015

There’s a report that New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas will be released from the team. The move would result in salary-cap space for the Black and Gold who need the extra cash. Thomas was set to make $2.1 million next season and $2.2 million in 2016 according records.

It’s also being reported that the Saints are looking to trade linebacker Curtis Lofton. The 28-year-old led New Orleans in tackles last season, but has a salary cap number of just over nine million dollars in 2015.

Also, Saints free safety Jarius Byrd tweeted out today that he’s been officially cleared for the 2015 season. Byrd missed most of the 2014 campaign after injuring his knee.

And there’s also a report the Broncos and Peyton Manning are in the final stages of a revised contract that will result in a four-million dollar cut in pay for the New Orleans native. The five-time NFL MVP is entering his 18th season and he would make 15-million dollars under the revised deal.

In the NBA…the Pelicans host the Detroit tonight, Anthony Davis is questionable with an injured shoulder.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts the Tennessee Volunteers tonight. The Tigers are 10-and-6 in league play. LSU guard Keith Hornsby says they are trying to close out the regular season on a strong note….
cut 18 (13) “….to us”
The Volunteers have lost five in a row, a losing streak that started with a loss to LSU on Valentine’s Day. Tip-off tonight is at 6 PM.

At the girls Top 28 tournament tonight, …Ville Platte hosts Mansfield in a Class 3-A semi-final match-up. Ville Platte lost in the state title game last year. Also tonight….a class two-a semi-final contest as top-seeded Pickering battles 29th seeded Lakeview.

Earlier today, fourth seeded Stanley upset top seeded Florien 43-38 to reach the Class B championship game on Friday.

 

LRN Newscast 15:30 03-04-15

With a strong cold front about to move through the state this evening, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for parishes north of I-20. Gary Chatelain, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says rain is forecast for the area today, then things will change when the front comes through…
CUT 3 (10) “and power lines”
Chatelain adds it should not be quite as bad as North Louisiana’s last storm.

Score one for President Obama, as the US Senate has failed to override the president’s veto of a bill to begin construction on the Keystone Oil Pipeline. The final vote was 62-47; just four votes shy of what was needed for the override. Republican insiders say they play to attached the pipeline measure to another bill in the future.
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A man in Shriever is dead after officers responded to reports that the suspect was shooting a gun into the air in the middle of the street. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office Captain Dawn Foret says 49 year-old Troy Brady was sitting down in the road with a shotgun, and when he was detained, he became unresponsive…
CUT 8 (08) Q: “pronounced dead”
An autopsy is pending.

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in federal court against Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and a deputy in Victor White III’s death by White’s mother. White died from a gunshot wound while handcuffed in the backseat of the deputy’s squad car. The Iberia Sheriff’s Department claims White shot himself, but the attorney hired by the family, Monroe attorney Carol Powell Lexing says the feds are now involved…
CUT 10 (07) Q: “hear from them”

LRN Newscast 14:30 03-04-15

For all Louisiana parishes north of I-20, there’s a a Winter Storm Warning is in effect ahead of a strong cold front that will move through the state this evening. Gary Chatelain, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says there will be rain developing first…
CUT 5 Q: “the Ark-La-Tex”
He says the winter weather should not be as severe as last time in North Louisiana, since the ground is warmer. But icy conditions on bridges and overpasses will be an issue.

US Army officials payed a visit to Vernon Parish last night to listen to citizen concerns about reductions at Fort Polk. Army evaluators stayed until about 10:30pm at a local church in Leesville, listening to dozens of people expressing how important the base is…
CUT 13 (10) Q: “statewide issues”
That’s Fort Polk Progress Chairman Michael Reese.
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The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is dead after officers responded to reports that the suspect was shooting a gun into the air in the middle of the street…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The LSU men’s basketball team plays its final home game of the year tonight as they host the Tennessee Volunteers at six pm in the Maravich Center. These two teams met in Knoxville on Valentine’s Day and it was all LSU as they won by 18 points. The Volunteers bring a five-game losing streak to Baton Rouge. LSU has won its last three and they are ten and six in league play.

PM Newscall March 4th, 2015

 

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for parishes north of I-20, ahead of a strong cold front that will move through the state this evening. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is dead after officers responded to reports that the suspect was shooting a gun into the air in the middle of the street. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for parishes north of I-20, ahead of a strong cold front that will move through the state this evening. Gary Chatelain, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says rain is forecast for the area today and that could become a problem as that front descends across north Louisiana…

CUT 3 (10)  “and power lines”

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect through tomorrow morning. Chatelain says a Winter Weather Advisory is also in effect along and south of I-20. He says areas under this advisory will not be hit as hard as areas north of the interstate…

CUT 4 (06)  “noon or so”

Chatelain says this weather event should not be as severe as last week’s, especially on roadways. He says warmer ground temperatures will melt a lot of the ice on roads, but the main concern is bridges and overpasses freezing over. He says this cold front will mainly bring freezing rain to the state…

CUT 5 (05)  “the Ark-La-Tex”

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The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is dead after officers responded to reports that the suspect was shooting a gun into the air in the middle of the street. Captain Dawn Foret says they got several 911 calls early this morning with reports of a man who was running in the middle of the road with the weapon near the Schriever Overpass…:

CUT 6 (07)  “in the air”

Foret says when cops responded they located 49-year-old Troy Brady sitting in the middle of the road with a shot gun near him…:

CUT 7 (08)  “unresponsive”

Foret says Brady was detained and then shortly after he became unresponsive…:(Foret says there were no obvious signs of trauma to Brady so they’ve ordered an autopsy to determine cause of death.)

CUT 8 (08)  “pronounced dead”

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The mother of Victor White III’s child has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and a deputy in White’s death. White died from a gunshot wound while handcuffed in the backseat of the deputy’s squad car. Monroe attorney, Carol Powell Lexing, who represents White’s family, says reason for the lawsuit is simple…

CUT 9 (07)  “accountable for it”

Calls to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department have not been returned. It has been one year since White died while in custody. The Sheriff’s Department and coroner claim that White shot himself while handcuffed in the police car. White’s family disputes this claim. Powell Lexing says federal authorities are still looking into this case…

cut 10 (07) “hear from them”

The suit claims that Ackal inadequately trains deputies and tolerates the use of exessive force. It also alleges Cpl. Justin Ortis, who arrested White, beat him and failed to protect his safety while in custody. Powell Lexing says there will be an event at Southern University tonight to discuss White’s case and similar cases…

cut 11 (10)  “of these cases”

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As officials with the US Army visited the Leesville area last night to listen to the concerns of folks in the community surrounding reductions to the Vernon Parish base, people once again lined the streets in support of keeping things as is. Fort Polk Progress Chairman Michael Reese says the church venue was filled as they made the presentation to the military…:

cut 12 (10)  “and city hall”

Reese says the Army evaluators stayed until about 10:30pm and believes they understand the level of support they enjoy across the state…:

cut 13 (10)  “statewide issue”

Personnel reductions are being considered at about 30 bases across the country. Reese says they believe the visitors from the military heard loud and clear that the entire state of Louisiana does not support yet another troop reduction at Fort Polk…:

cut 14 (06)  “those evaluators”

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13:30 Newscast March 4th, 2015

A winter storm warming is in effect for parishes north of I-20 from this evening through tomorrow morning. Gary Chatelain with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says a winter weather advisory is also in effect along and south of I-20. He says those areas won’t be hit as hard as northern parishes…:
CUT 4 (06) “noon or so”
Chatelain says this weather event should not be as severe as last week’s.

The mother of Victor White III’s child has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and a deputy in White’s death. White died from a gunshot wound while handcuffed in the backseat of the deputy’s squad car. Monroe attorney, Carol Powell Lexing, who represents White’s family, says reason for the lawsuit is simple…:
CUT 9 (07) “accountable for it”
Calls to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department have not been returned.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is dead after officers responded to reports that the suspect was shooting a gun into the air in the middle of the street. Captain Dawn Foret says 49-year-old Troy Brady may have been firing shots into the air while running down the road and that’s where cops found them…:
CUT 7 (08) “un responsive”
She says Brady later died at a hospital and there were no obvious signs of trauma so an autopsy has been ordered.

Lots of people showed up to support Fort Polk to Army officials yesterday in Vernon Parish. Personnel reductions are being considered at about 30 bases across the country. Fort Polk Progress Chairman Michael Reese says they believe the visitors from the military heard loud and clear that the entire state of Louisiana does not support yet another troop reduction at Fort Polk…:
CUT 14 (06) “those evaluators”

 

12:30 Newscast March 4th, 2015

As officials with the US Army visited the Leesville area last night to listen to the concerns of folks in the community surrounding reductions to the Vernon Parish base, people once again lined the streets in support of keeping things as is. Fort Polk Progress Chairman Michael Reese says the church venue was filled as they made the presentation to the military…:
CUT 12 (10) “and city hall”
Personnel reductions are being considered at about 30 bases across the country.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s office says a 25-year-old man from Crowley is charged with second degree murder after allegedly running over and killing a teenager with his vehicle shortly before midnight. They say Landricy Robinson allegedly tried to get away from a fight which is when he hit 16-year-old Antoinette Rochon of Rayne who died as a result.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for parishes north of I-20, ahead of a strong cold front that will move through the state this evening. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Gas prices jumped two cents from the day before. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $2.24.

 

11:30 Newscast March 4th, 2015

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for parishes north of I-20, ahead of a strong cold front that will move through the state this evening. Gary Chatelain, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says rain is forecast for the area today and that could become a problem as that front descends across north Louisiana…:
CUT 3 (10) “and power lines”
The Winter Storm Warning is in effect through tomorrow morning. Chatelain says a Winter Weather Advisory is also in effect along and south of I-20. He adds this event should not be as bad as we saw last month.

Governor Bobby Jindal will be in Livingston Parish this afternoon. A release from his office indicates the Governor will be making an economic development announcement at 2pm at the Livingston Courthouse.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a man is dead after officers responded to reports that the suspect was shooting a gun into the air in the middle of the street. Captain Dawn Foret says they got several 911 calls with reports of a man who was running in the middle of the road with the weapon near the Schriever Overpass…:
CUT 6 (07) “in the air”
Foret says 49-year-old Troy Brady was found by cops laying in the street with a gun and after he was detained he became unresposive and later died. An autopsy has been ordered to determine cause of death.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office says they are investigating a single vehicle crash in Mooringsport which happened this morning around 2:30am. They say the vehicle ran off the road and flipped onto its roof before slamming into a patch of trees. The driver died at the scene. He is not being identified at this time.

 

11:40 Sportscast March 4th, 2015

The LSU men’s basketball team seeks its fourth straight victory tonight as the Tigers host Tennessee. The Volunteers have lost five in a row, but LSU guard Keith Hornsby says despite Tennessee’s struggles they can’t look past them…
cut 17 (09) “….battle of course”
LSU is 10-and-6 in the SEC and hoping to win its last two regular season games so that they can lock up a top four seed in the SEC Tournament, which means they would receive a double bye.

The Pelicans are one game back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference heading into tonight’s home game against the Detroit Pistons. There’s a chance Anthony Davis will play tonight for the Pels as he’s listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. The Thunder host Philadelphia tonight at 7:00, a game they will likely win, so New Orleans also needs to get a victory.

The LSU baseball team improved to 11-and-1 on the season last night with an eight to one victory over Stephen F Austin. Danny Zardon hit his second home run of the season and Kyle Bouman struck out a career-high six hitters. LSU will host Grambling State this afternoon.

In other action today….the Ragin Cajuns host Northwestern State. U-L Lafayette is coming off a series victory over Alabama, while the Demons have won four in a row, including a seven to nothing victory over ULM last night.

Southeastern Louisiana hosts Southern. The Lions have won four in a row as well, as they defeated Alcorn State 13 to 3 last night. Southeastern’s Kyle Keller struck out eight to get the win.

Louisiana Tech was scheduled to be at Arkansas tonight, but that game has been cancelled because of the weather.

So the attention turns to the Bulldogs basketball game tomorrow night against Southern Miss. A win for Tech and they win an outright Conference USA Championship.

ULM is also home tomorrow as they host Georgia State in a battle for first place in the Sun Belt.