13:30 Newscast, October 23rd, 2015

Louisiana will get some much needed rain over the next five days. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A federal judge fines the state 50-thousand dollars as part of the case brought by Angola death row inmates, who say its too hot during the summer. Judge Brian Jackson says the fines are the result of state correction officials manipulating the court-order collection of temperature data on death row by installing awnings and using soaker hoses.

Tomorrow is Election Day … so who does it look like will make the runoff in the Governor’s race? Jeremy Alford with lapolitics.com says the surprise we could see when polls close at 8 is that Republican David Vitter is edged by either GOP candidates Jay Dardennne or Scott Angelle. He says Democrat John Bel Edwards should lead the primary field…:
CUT 13 (08) “high 30s”
Polls open tomorrow morning at 7am.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says they now have a handgun that was found in a student’s backpack at Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School. Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says they don’t think the child knew the weapon was in his bag and are investigating:
CUT 7 (08) “this time”
He says the student has been cooperative throughout the entire process.

 

12:30 Newscast, October 23rd, 2015

It’s election day tomorrow and polls will close at 8pm, so who will be in the runoff in the governor’s race? Don Molino has the story…:
CUT 2 (26) “I’m Don Molino”

Louisiana will get some much needed rain over the next few days. State Climatologist Barry Keim we’ve been in extreme drought and this wet weather will likely change all of that. He says we’ll be in an incredibly rainy pattern until at least Tuesday…:
CUT 3 (10) “of rain”

The Mississippi Cop who was refused access to a restaurant in Destin because he was wearing an LSU hat says he’s never going back, even though Harry T’s has issued an apology for “Unsportsmanlike conduct.” The fan is Don Bass with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi. He says following being told he was not welcome, he sent the owner an email…:
CUT 10 (11) “went from there”
Harry T’s is “very sorry” and is hosting an LSU party at the establishment tomorrow.

Gas prices keep dropping. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $1.97 down almost a nickle from last week says AAA.

 

LRN Sportscast 11:40 Oct 23

Two teams expected to have better records when the season started meet Sunday in Indianapolis as the Colts host the Saints. It’s a game where Saints quarterback Drew Brees has a chance to put up some big numbers. New Orleans is third in the league in passing, while the Colts are 29th in the NFL in pass defense. Kick-off on Sunday is at noon.

The LSU Tigers put their perfect 6-0 record on the line Saturday night in Tiger Stadium when they host Western Kentucky, who has a record of 6-1. LSU has done well this year getting to the opposing passer, but the Hilltoppers have allowed just eight sacks. Coach Les Miles explains the challenges his defense faces when it comes to rushing the Hilltopper quarterback…
cut 24 (10) “…and throw”
Kick-off is just after 6 PM on Saturday night

The Pelicans wrap up the preseason with a home game against the Miami Heat tonight . The team announced today that they’ve released Sean Kilpatrick and Chris Douglas Roberts. That puts New Orleans’ roster at 17 players. They’ll have to cut two more before the start of the regular season.

In the Southland Conference on Saturday…McNeese State looks to stay undefeated as they host Northwestern State for homecoming. Southeastern Louisiana is at Houston Baptist. The Lions are 2-and-2 in league play, while the Huskies are winless in the Southland. And Nicholls State, who is coming off a victory travels to sam Houston State, who is on a four-game winning streak.

Elsewhere…ULM is making the long trip to Idaho today, where they’ll play the Vandals tomorrow, while Louisiana Tech hosts Middle Tennessee, Grambling hosts Mississippi Valley and Southern is at Texas Southern.

Louisiana College takes on Kentucky Wesleyan.

There are several big high school football games on the schedule tonight. Airline is at Evangel, while Ouachia Christian hosts Mangham. In south Louisiana…St. Thomas More renews its rivalry with Teurlings Catholic, Eunice is at Church Point and Riverside visits St. Charles Catholic.

11:30 Newscast, October 23rd, 2015

As we head into tomorrow’s October primary, polls have shown Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards in a run-off. But Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says surveys out this week show Vitter is battling for that second spot…:
cut 12 (10) “this point”
You can vote tomorrow between 7am and 8pm.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office has secured a handgun after it was found in a Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School student’s backpack. Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says the student notified a teacher immediately after discovering the weapon in his bag…:
CUT 6 (10) “moves on”
He says they have an idea about what happened and are gathering information at this time.

Forecasters say some outliers from Hurricane Patricia in the Pacific could dump up to 5 inches of rain or more to some areas in Louisiana. The system is currently threatening Mexico and forecasters say wet weather is coming to our drought stricken state starting Sunday.

There was enough social media outrage this week over a restaurant in Destin, Florida denying a LSU fan inside during the Tigers/Gators game, that Harry T’s has now issued a “sincere apology.” The fan is Don Bass, the Chief Criminal Deputy at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi. He says he went to Harry T’s to meet up with some friends:
CUT 9 (07) “welcome here”
He emailed Harry T’s and they responded that LSU did not have a good name there. Bass posted it on Facebook, it went viral and the restaurant is now back peddling big time even offering an LSU scholarship donation.

 

10:30 Newscast, October 23rd, 2015

The Secretary of State’s Office is reminding you to vote tomorrow when polls are open between 7am-8pm. Spokesperson Meg Casper says you can easily see what’s on your specific ballot using the Geaux Vote app (geaux spelled the Cajun way). She says you only get 3 minutes in the voting booth so it’s a good idea to come prepared…:
CUT 5 (08) “very quickly”
Local radio stations throughout the state will be broadcasting election results in real time after polls close at 8.

The Alliance for Affordable Energy, has concerns about the proposed merger between Pineville-based Cleco and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. Logan Atkinson-Burke , with the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says Macauarie has a history of purchasing utilities and then raising rates. A Cleco spokesperson says Macquarie is committed to providing rate credits once the merger is approved.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon blames the Jindal administration for letters sent by the Office of Motor Vehicles seeking money from residents who at one time may have allowed their auto insurance to lapse. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Lake Charles Police Department says they will give another update today on the case of the 3-year-old baby who shot. They have already arrested 20-year-old Keylon Stevens in connection with the suspected home invasion and issued an arrest warrant for 24-year-old Diamond King who was at large as of Thursday afternoon. The baby is expected to survive.

 

LRN Newscast 09:30 Oct 23

Election day is tomorrow and polls are open from seven A-M to eight PM. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 1 (31) “…Emelie Gunn”

Rain is in the forecast for much of the state on election day. But heavy rainfall is expected to hit Louisiana on Sunday as a result of a low pressure system. Several inches of rain are expected to fall across the state from Sunday to Tuesday.

Alliance for Affordable Energy, is raising concerns that rate hikes could be in store for Cleco customers, if a proposed a merger with Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets is allowed to go through. But Cleco spokesperson Robbyn Cooper denies that allegation…
cut 10 (08) “….is approved”
The Louisiana Public Service Commission is expected to vote early next year on whether to approve the proposed Cleco merger.

Thousands of Louisiana drivers are seeking answers about a letter they received that says they face fines for allowing their car insurance to lapse. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the Office of Motor Vehicles should have had a better process in place for those who received these letters and he’ll meet with OMV Commissioner Stephen Campbell next week to talk about how to determine if a fine is warranted…
cut 12 (06) “….owed to the state”
Some of these cases are over a decade old.

LRN Newscast 08:30 October 23rd

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon believes the debt collection notices sent out by the state Office of Motor Vehicles to Louisiana citizens, claiming they are facing fines for allowing their auto insurance to lapse, is an attempt by the Jindal administration to plug a hole in the state’s budget. Donelon says if you have paperwork to dispute these allegations, contact the O-M-V….
cut 13 (10) “….collection efforts”
The OMV hotline is open from 8 AM to 8 PM, including Saturday and Sunday.

The Secretary of State’s office is anticipating a voter turnout of 45 to 50-percent for tomorrow’s October 24th primary. Spokesperson Meg Casper says they hope their prediction is wrong and over 50-percent of the electorate vote…
cut 6 (09) “….voice is heard”
Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM.

The Alliance for Affordable Energy, isn’t happy with the possible merger of Pineville-based Cleco and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. Logan Atkinson-Burke with the Alliance for Affordable Energy says it’s a bad and unfair deal for Cleco customers….
cut 7 (10) “…for them”
But Cleco spokesperson Robbyn Cooper says as part of the agreement, Macquarie has committed to providing rate credits for customers totally 65 million dollars over a ten year period…
cut 9 (04) “…even better’
The Louisiana Public Service Commission will decide early next year whether to approve the merger.

A federal judge fines the state 50-thousand dollars as part of the case brought by Angola death row inmates, who say its too hot during the summer. Judge Brian Jackson says the fines are the result of state correction officials manipulating the court-order collection of temperature data on death row by installing awings and using soaker hoses.

LRN Newscast 07:30 October 23rd

There are thousands of Louisiana residents upset over letters they’ve recived from the Office of Motor Vehicles that say they’re facing fines for allowing their auto insurance to lapse. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a person can dispute their fine…
cut 11 (10) “….indebtedness”
If you want to dispute the fines, call the OMV at (225) 925-6146 from 8 AM to 8 PM, including Saturday and Sunday.

The Secretary of State’s office is gearing up for a statewide election tomorrow, where the gubernatorial primary is the headliner on the ballot. Spokesperson Meg Casper says to see what’s on the ballot, go to Geaux Vote-dot-com…
cut 4 (10) “….real time”
Polls will be open tomorrow from 7 AM to 8 PM.

Some much needed rain is on its way to the Bayou State. The National Weather Service says we could see as much as seven inches come down between now and Wednesday. Rain chances are 100-percent for most of the state on Sunday.

A proposed merger between Pineville-based Cleco and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, has some left feeling uneasy. Don Molino has more…
cut 2 (31) “….reporting”

LRN Sportscast 6:45 Oct 23

LSU will have a walk-thru later today as they put the finishing touches on its preparations for Saturday night’s homecoming contest versus Western Kentucky. The Tigers have struggled on special teams this year. In the last two weeks, they’ve allowed a kickoff return and a punt return for a touchdown. Coach Les Miles says special teams have been an emphasis at practice this week…
cut 16 (15) “….we see”
Punter Jamie Keehn has also struggled this year as his average per punt is down five yards from last year.

The Saints are heading into Sunday’s game against the Colts as healthy as they’ve been all season. Left tackle Terron Armstead says he plans on playing after missing the last two games with a knee injury. Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is also back at practice.

There are several big high school football games on the schedule tonight. In north Louisiana….Airline is at Evangel, while Ouachia Christian hosts Mangham. In south Louisiana…St. Thomas More renews its rivalry with Teurlings Catholic, Eunice is at Church Point and Riverside visits St. Charles Catholic.

The Pelicans play their final preseason game of the year tonight as they take on the Miami Heat. The game will be played at the Smoothie King Center, which has a big new scoreboard this year. Forward Luke Babbit is listed as questionable to play, with a strained hamstring. The regular season begins Tuesday at Golden State.

Hockey is returning to Shreveport. The Shreveport Mudbugs will be a member of the N-A-H-L, which is a junior league, starting next year. Tommy Scott, who owned the franchise when the team ceased operations in 2011, has signed a lease for the team play at the Hirsch Coliseum. Before the puck drops, one-point-five million dollars in upgrades will occur at the Hirsch.

LRN Newscast 06:30 Oct 23

Tomorrow is election day. Polls will open at seven A-M and close at 8 P-M and you’ll need a photo ID to vote. Secretary of State spokesperson Meg Casper says there’s a time limit of three minutes in the voting booth…
cut 5 (08) “…very quickly”
The Secretary of State’s office predicts a voter turnout of 45 to 50-percent.

The Alliance for Affordable Energy, has concerns about the proposed merger between Pineville-based Cleco and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. Logan Atkinson-Burke , with the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says Macauarie has a history of purchasing utilities and then raising rates….
cut 8 (10) “…late cases”
A Cleco spokesperson says Macquarie is committed to providing rate credits once the merger is approved.

OMV offices continue to get a flood of calls and people coming to them, wanting answers about a letter that says they face fines for allowing their car insurance to lapse. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the Office of Motor Vehicles should have had a better process in place for those who received these letters and he plans to meet with OMV Commissioner Stephen Campbell next week to talk about how the insurance department can help determine if a fine is warranted…
cut 12 (06) “….owed to the state”
Some of these cases are over a decade old.

Authorities in Baton Rouge continue to search for one more suspect who was involved in the murders of an elderly couple, where robbery appears to be the motive. One man was arrested earlier this week in Florida after allegedly leaving the victims’ bodies at a truck stop in Hammond.