07:30 Newscast May 19, 2015

Today the House Civil Law Committee is expected to hear a bill by New Orleans Representative Austin Badon that would protect someone from being fired from a job or denied housing because of their sexual orientation. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes this bill will be shot down…

cut 5 (10) “no to this” 2X

The committee is also expected to hear Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill.

An 11-year-old boy was killed in Ruston Monday after the car he was riding in got swept away in flash flood waters and he was trapped inside. Police Department spokesman Deputy Chief Clint Williams says a woman was taking her 11 and 7 year old grandsons to school when their vehicle got swept into a creek. He says they located the driver…:

cut 10 (11) “clinging to a tree”

Williams says the grandmother and the 7-year-old were rescued.

Today, the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hears legislation seeking to expand offshore drilling and provide Louisiana with additional dollars from oil and gas produced in federal waters off the state’s coast. Louisiana and three other gulf states currently receive hundreds of millions of dollars for hosting offshore energy production, but there’s a cap that money. Bill author, Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a raising of the cap with this bill…

cut 8 (10) “Security Act”

Cassidy’s bill would also allow for offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico in 2017.

It’s National Dog Bite Prevention Week, State Farm data shows that Louisiana ranks 14th in the United States in a 2014 analysis of dog bite injury claims. Spokesman Roszell Gadson says having the proper insurance coverage for your pet situation is an important aspect to being a responsible dog owner…

cut 15 (07) “have a pet”

06:45 Sportscast May 19, 2015

New men’s basketball coach Eric Konkol says he’s wants to build on a standard of excellence that’s already growing at Louisiana Tech. Konkol takes over for Michael White, who won three straight league titles. Konkol, who has been an assistant at Miami for the last four seasons, says he’s heard nothing but great things about the Bulldog basketball program…

cut 16 (19) “to me”

Last year, Tech won 27 games and they were second in Conference USA in scoring.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva tells the Baton Rouge Advocate that he doesn’t want the Tigers playing Texas A-and-M on Thanskgiving this year. It was played on Turkey day last year, but this year the game will be in Baton Rouge and Alleva says LSU will not play in Tiger Stadium on a Thursday as long as he’s with the school. The game could be played either on Friday or Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.

The start time for LSU Softball’s NCAA Super Regional game against Arizona Saturday at Tiger Park has been changed. Game one of the best of three series will now begin at 2PM. The change was made to lessen traffic issues for this weekend’s Bayou Country Superfest in Tiger Stadium. Sunday’s schedule for games is unchanged with game two starting at 4PM and game three, if necessary, beginning at 7PM.

LSU’s Paul Mainieri has been named the SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to a regular season league championship. LSU’s Alex Lange has been named Freshman of the Year after finishing second in the SEC with an ERA of 2.11.

Southeastern Louisiana sophomore outfielder Jacob Seward has been named Southland Conference player of the year. The Brother Martin grad is hitting .365 with 47 runs scored and 35 runs driven in.

It is reported that the Pelicans have received permission to interview Golden State assistant coach Alvin Gentry for their head coaching vacancy. Gentry’s name has popped up as one of the leading candidates for the position, along with Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau. It’s unclear when an interview with Gentry would take place as the Warriors begin the Western Conference finals tonight.

06:30 Newscast May 19, 2015

Today the House Civil Law Committee will hear Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill. Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person or entity on the basis of their religious views on marriage, while opponents feel this bill legalizes discrimination. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t think the outlook for this bill is good…

cut 4 (07) “probably not”

On the flip side, the committee is also expected to hear New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s anti-discrimination bill.

The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hears legislation today that seeks to expand offshore drilling and provides Louisiana with additional dollars from oil and gas produced in federal waters off the state’s coast. Recently elected Senator Bill Cassidy is the author of the bill that supporters say could create over 200-thousand jobs

cut 7 (08) “with that”

Louisiana and three other gulf states currently receive hundreds of millions of dollars for hosting offshore energy production.

To recognize National Dog Bite Prevention Week, State Farm compiled claims data and found that Louisiana ranks 14th in the United States in a 2014 analysis of dog bite injury claims. The company says it paid out nearly $3 million dollars here for dog bite claims last year. Spokesman Roszell Gadson says they want people to be mindful of safety when it comes to unfamiliar animals…

cut 13 (10) “proper shots”

Gadson says while an overwhelming majority of interactions with dogs don’t result in injury, most dog bites to children could be prevented.

AM Newscall, May 19th, 2015

The House Civil Law Committee will hear controversial legislation today that deals with discrimination against gays and same sex couples. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy’s bill to expand drilling in the Gulf and increase the revenues Gulf states receive for supporting offshore energy production receives a hearing today on Capitol hill. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

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To recognize National Dog Bite Prevention Week, State Farm compiled claims data and found that Louisiana ranks 14th in the United States in a 2014 analysis of dog bite injury claims. Michelle Southern reports.:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Today the House Civil Law Committee will hear Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill. Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person or entity on the basis of their religious views on marriage, while opponents feel this bill legalizes discrimination. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t think the outlook for this bill is good…

cut 4  (07)  “probably not”

The committee is also expected to hear a bill by New Orleans Representative Austin Badon that would protect someone from being fired from a job or denied housing because of their sexual orientation. Pinsonat believes this bill will be shot down as well…

Cut 5  (10)  “no to this” 2X

Pinsonat says there are already many laws on the books to protect individual rights and passing more of those laws is not popular among Louisiana voters…

Cut 6 (08)  “feel about it”

______________________________________

The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hears legislation today that seeks to expand offshore drilling and provides Louisiana with additional dollars from oil and gas produced in federal waters off the state’s coast. Recently elected Senator Bill Cassidy is the author of the bill that supporters say could create over 200-thousand jobs

CUT 7 (08)  “with that”

Louisiana and three other gulf states currently receive hundreds of millions of dollars for hosting offshore energy production. But there’s a cap on how much the states can receive, Cassidy is calling for a raising of the cap with this bill…

Cut 8  (10)  “Security Act” 

Cassidy’s bill would also allow for offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico in 2017. While the Obama administration has signed off on a plan to drill in the Artic Ocean north of Alaska, it’s held firm on a ban that prohibits drilling in the Eastern Gulf. Cassidy hopes his legislation can lift that ban

Cut 9 (08)  “for you”

_____________________________________

An 11-year-old boy was killed in Ruston Monday after the car he was riding in got swept away in flash flood waters and he was trapped inside. Police Department spokesman Deputy Chief Clint Williams says a woman was taking her 11 and 7 year old grandsons to school when their vehicle got swept into a creek. He says they located the driver…:

Cut 10 (11) “clinging to a tree”

Williams says the grandmother and the 7-year-old were able to remove themselves from the vehicle and they were rescued. He says they found the partially submerged car when the creek waters began to recede…:

cut 11 (05) “the 11-year-old”

Williams says they want to remind the public that you should never travel when there is water on the roadway, especially moving water…:

cut 12 (08)   “again”

______________________________________

To recognize National Dog Bite Prevention Week, State Farm compiled claims data and found that Louisiana ranks 14th in the United States in a 2014 analysis of dog bite injury claims. The company says it paid out nearly $3 million dollars here for dog bite claims last year. Spokesman Roszell Gadson says they want people to be mindful of safety when it comes to unfamiliar animals…:

Cut 13 (10)  “proper shots”

Gadson says while an overwhelming majority of interactions with dogs don’t result in injury, most dog bites to children could be prevented. He says parents should teach their kids not to trust strange dogs…:

Cut 14 (10) “from the owner”

Gadson says having the proper insurance coverage for your pet situation is an important aspect to being a responsible dog owner…:

Cut 15  (07)  “have a pet”

______________________________________

New men’s basketball coach Eric Konkol says he’s wants to build on a standard of excellence that’s already growing at Louisiana Tech. Konkol takes over for Michael White, who won three straight league titles. Konkol, who has been an assistant at Miami for the last four seasons, says he’s heard nothing but great things about the Bulldog basketball program….

Cut 16  (19)  “to me”

Last year, Tech won 27 games and they were second in Conference USA in scoring. During his introductory press conference, Konkol talked about his philosphy on offense

Cut 17 (19)  “great shot”

The Bulldogs have also been a team that liked to create turnovers and fast break opportunities on offense. Konkol says he wants to keep that style in place…

Cut 18 (18) “to them”‘

 

LRN Newscast 17:30 Legislative Report Monday May 18

Eleven revenue generating bills previously approved by the House were also passed by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The measures raise an estimated 615-million dollars. Benton Senator Robert Adley on why they need this legislation to pass…
cut 12 (10) “…hospitals and universities”
The senate panel also agreed to increase Louisiana’s cigarette tax by 32-cents, to 68-cents for a pack of cigarettes. But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell indicated the proposed tax could go up even more as the bill moves through the legislative process…
cut 14 (09) “…final disposition”
The bills head to the Senate Finance committee for more discussion.

Tuesday the House Civil Law Committee will hear Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill. Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person or entity on the basis of their religious views on marriage, while opponents say it legalizes discrimination. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t think the outlook for this bill is good…
cut 4 (07) “…probably not”
The committee is also expected to hear a bill by New Orleans Representative Austin Badon that would protect someone from being fired from a job or denied housing because of their sexual orientation. Pinsonat feels this bill will be shot down as well…
cut 5 (09) “…no to this”
The committee hearing gets underway at 9 AM.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 Monday May 18

Louisiana Tech named former Miami Hurricane assistant Eric Konkol as its new head men’s basketball coach today. Konkol replaces Michael White, who led the Bulldogs to three straight league titles. The Wisconsin native says he wants to build on that success…
cut 30 (23) “….what we are here to do”
Konkol has served as a long-time assistant to Jim Larranaga at George Mason and Miami.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva tells the Baton Rouge Advocate that he doesn’t want the Tigers playing Texas A-and-M on Thanskgiving this year. It was played on Turkey day last year, but the game this season will be in Baton Rouge either on Friday or Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.

There’s a belief that Saints third-round draft pick Garrett Grayson could be the heir apparent to Drew Brees. Grayson says he’s looking forward to learning from Brees…
cut 18 (20) “….a beat”
Grayson also says playing in a pro-style offense in college should help his transition into the NFL.

LSU’s Paul Mainieri has been named the SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to a regular season league championship. LSU’s Alex Lange has been named Freshman of the Year after finishing second in the SEC with an ERA of 2.11.

And Southeastern Louisiana sophomore outfielder Jacob Seward has been named Southland Conference player of the year. The Brother Martin grad is hitting .365 with 47 runs scored and 35 runs driven in.

LRN Newscast 16:30 05-18-15

Flash Flood Watches and Warnings have been issued across north Louisiana as heavy rains have pounded the area throughout the morning. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service says they’ve had reports in the Shreveport area of up to six inches of rain this morning…
CUT 3 (07) Q: “Bossier City area”
In Ruston, an unidentified 11 year-old boy died in a car that was swept away by rushing water. The driver and another child occupant were able to escape.

Governor Bobby Jindal has formed an exploratory committee to help him decide on whether or not to make a presidential run. He has been considering a run for several months and has stated he will make a final decision by the end of June. Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says this is not a surprising move…
CUT 6 (08) “of the moments”
=========================
Four arrests by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office have been made in connection of the death of a 54 year-old woman reported missing in April. Those arrested included her ex-husband, 64 year-old Hamid Ghassemi who alleged planned the murder for hire scheme to kill his 54 year-old wife Teherah, whose body was found in St. Helena Parish…
CUT 10 (09) Q; “a human body”
That’s State Police Col. Mike Edmunson. Daniel Richter of Walker, Skyler Williams and Tyler Ashpaul, both of Denham Springs, are all charged with first-degree murder.

The Louisiana cigarette tax increase of 32 cents has passed a Senate Panel, but as the legislative process continues to deal with the budget crisis, at least one lawmaker says that tax amount could go up even more…
CUT 14 (09) q” final disposition”
That’s New Orleans Senator JP Morrell.

LRN Newscast 15:30 05-18-15

As north Louisiana is pounded by rain today, rushing floodwaters in Ruston have claimed the life of an 11 year-old boy inside a car that was swept away. The driver and another child occupant were able to escape. In Columbia, sandbagging had be be done as more than 7 inches of rain fell; after that…
CUT 5 (10) Q: “Columbia, Louisiana”
That’s Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service in Shreveport.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office arrests four including the ex-husband of a 54-year-old woman who has been missing since early April in an apparent murder for hire plot. Detectives believe 64-year-old Hamid Ghassemi hired 33-year-old Daniel Richter of Walker and two other associates, to kill his wife Taherah. State Police Col Mike Edmonson says the confessions were chilling…:
CUT 9 (06) “no remorse”
===========================
With Governor Bobby Jindal still yet to decide whether he’ll run for president, he HAS formed an exploratory committee to look at his options. If he does decide to run, Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab says he has some work to do…
CUT 7 (11) Q: “gain some momentum”
Right now, Jindal is receiving rather low numbers in the polls.

A series of tax bills approved by a Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee, has also passed out of the House. Collectively, the bills should raise about 615 million dollars, but they are facing major opposition from business lobbyists. Benton Senator Robert Adley says he understands the concern, but huge cuts to higher ed and health care would be devastating…
CUT 13 (07) Q: ‘health care’

LRN Newscast 14:30 05-18-15

Flash Flood Watches and Warnings have been issued across north Louisiana. In Ruston, flooding claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy, as the car he was riding in was swept away by flood waters. The driver escaped; while another 7 year-old occupant was found clinging to a tree sometime later. He’s in stable condition.

The state senate begins the process of approving House-approved bills that raise an estimated 615-million dollars in state revenues. Jeff Palermo has the story….
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”
———————————
A South Louisiana apparent murder for hire plot has four people arrested. Sixty four year-old Hamid Ghassemi allegedly hired 33-year-old Daniel Richter of Walker, along with 17-year-old Skyler Williams and 20-year-old Tyler Ashpaul, both of Denham Springs to kill his wife, 54 year-old Tahereh Ghassemi. (Authorites found her body in St. Helena Parish, and did some quick work after that…)
CUT 11 (09) Q: “her body”
That’s State Police Col. Mike Edmonson who says the ex-husband paid the other three 10 thousand dollars to kill his wife.

Governor Bobby Jindal has formed an exploratory committee in efforts to help him in deciding whether or not to make a presidential run…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘the poll numbers’
That’s Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab.

LRN PM Newscall May 18

Governor Bobby Jindal has formed an exploratory committee in efforts to help him in deciding whether or not to make a presidential run in 2016. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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The state senate begins the process of approving House-approved bills that raise an estimated 615-million dollars in state revenues. Jeff Palermo has the story….

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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

Flash Flood Watches and Warnings have been issued across north Louisiana as heavy rains have pounded the area throughout the morning. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says they’ve had reports in the Shreveport area of up to six inches of rain this morning…

CUT 3 (07)  “Bossier City areas”

There have been reports of flash flooding across north Louisiana this morning. In Ruston, police say an 11-year-old was killed when the car he was riding in was swept away by flood waters. Hansford says up to 5 inches of rain fell in the Monroe area this morning…

CUT 4 (06)  “Caldwell Parish”

He says the Caldwell Parish town of Columbia has reported in excess of seven inches of rain this morning and sandbagging operations have been put in place. Hansford says these rains could last into the afternoon and dump a significant amount of additional rain across north Louisiana…

CUT 5 (10)  “Columbia, Louisiana”

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Governor Bobby Jindal has formed an exploratory committee in efforts to help him in deciding whether or not to make a presidential run in 2016. Jindal has been considering a run for several months and has stated he will make a final decision by the end of June. Michael Henderson, Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says this is not a surprising move…

CUT 6 (08)  “of the moments”

This is seen as a sign of how serious Jindal is about running for the GOP presidential nomination, despite the low numbers the governor has received in recent polls. Henderson says this exploratory committee will help Jindal gain financial support and get his name out there…

CUT 7 (11) “gain some momentum”

The exploratory committee has launched a website, BobbyJindal-dot-com, for supporters to receive updates on the governor’s efforts. Henderson says Jindal does not seem deterred by the lack of support the surveys indicate. He says it’s a little early too early in the process to place too much emphasis on poll numbers…

CUT 8 (10)  “the poll numbers”

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The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office arrests four including the ex-husband of a 54-year-old woman who has been missing since early April in an apparent murder for hire plot. Detectives believe 64-year-old Hamid Ghassemi hired a man who worked for him, 33-year-old Daniel Richter of Walker and two other associates, to kill Tahereh Ghassemi. State Police Col Mike Edmonson says the confessions were chilling…:

CUT 9 (06)  “no remorse”

Richter, 17-year-old Skyler Williams and 20-year-old Tyler Ashpaul, both of Denham Springs, are all charged with first-degree murder, second degree kidnapping and arson. Hamid Ghassemi is charged with principal to murder, kidnapping and arson and solicitation for murder. Apparently the three suspects who shot and killed the woman split $10,000 paid to them by Hamid Ghassemi for the murder of his ex-wife. Edmonson says this is pathetic…:

cut 10 (09) “a human body”

An autopsy revealed the victim died of a gunshot wound to the head. Detectives discovered Tahereh Ghassemi’s body Saturday buried in a heavily wooded area in St. Helena Parish. They say during questioning, Ashpaugh told detectives he went with Williams and Richter to the woman’s house where they put her in the trunk of her vehicle and transported her to the burial site. Edmonson commends law enforcement for bringing the family closure…:

cut 11 (09)  “her body”

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The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee approved a eleven tax bills that have also passed out of the House. The measures raise an estimated 615-million dollars to help stave off large cuts to public colleges and universities and the state’s health care system. Some of the bills reduce rebate and tax credit programs for businesses. Benton Senator Robert Adley on why they need this legislation to pass…

cut 12 (10)  “hospitals and universities”

All of the tax bills head to the Senate Finance Committee for more discussion. Many of them face heavy opposition from business lobbyist groups. Adley understands their concerns, but the legislature is trying to raise revenue to avoid major cuts to health care and higher ed

cut 13 (07)  “health care”

The senate panel also agreed to increase Louisiana’s cigarette tax by 32-cents, which means the state tax on a pack of cigs would be 68-cents. But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell indicated the proposed tax could go up even more as the bill moves through the legislative process

cut 14 (09) “final disposition”

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