AM Newscall January 1,2016

Will 2016 result in a rise in oil prices? Don Molino spoke with an analyst…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino”

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With a new year, a handful of laws go into effect. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Saturday’s estimated Powerball jackpot climbs to an amazing $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this jackpot has been growing since November 4th. She says it’s been a while since we’ve seen a Powerball jackpot at this level…

Cut 3 (10) “at that time”

She says this is the largest Powerball jackpot since February’s $564 million jackpot. Chopin says when jackpots rise, more and more people play Powerball…

cut 4  (09)  “play responsibly”

She reminds new and regular Powerball players that it only takes one ticket to win, so play responsibly. The deadline to purchase tickets for the next drawing is Saturday at 9PM. Chopin says you shouldn’t be too quick toss your ticket if you don’t hit the jackpot…

Cut 5  (05)  “winning numbers”

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US oil prices fell 30-percent in 2015, so what could we expect in 2016? David Dismukes is the executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies and he says there needs to be an increase in demand for oil for prices to go back up, but he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon

Cut 6 (10)  “rebound in 16”

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of oil is going for 37-dollars a far cry from 2014 when oil was trading for 100-dollars a barrel. There’s a concen oil prices could approach 20-dollars in 2016, but Dismukes if it does reach that level, it won’t last long…

CUT 7 (10)  “for awhile”

The motoring public enjoys the low oil prices, because it’s led to the lowest gas prices in nearly seven years. But companies in the oil industry have been forced to layoff thousands. Dismukes says we might not see as many job losses in 2016…

Cut 8  (11)  “they do”

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The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to Louisiana smokers to help them quit in 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says any resident that started smoking before September 1, 1988 is eligible for free programs and services, including cessation medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling. He says there are also several other recommendations for those who want to quit.

Cut 9 (09)  “about you”

Pittman suggests removing all cigarette related things from your home, car or work and make sure you wash anything that smells like cigarettes. He says to plan for challenges when you’re trying to quit because you’re going to have cravings.

Cut 10 (08) “like that” 

Pittman advises smokers to chat with their doctor about nicotine replacement therapy or a prescription medication to stop. He says feel free to contact the Smoking Cessation Trust to get more information and to see if you qualify for free treatment.

cut 11 (11) “6346”

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Because of high river levels on the Mississippi River, the US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says they are closely monitoring crest projections

Cut 12 (09) “we’ll move forward”

2011 was the last time the flood control structure was opened.  Boyett says when the Bonnet Carre is opened, it helps to prevent a rising Mississippi River from spilling over its banks, causing damage to homes and businesses…

Cut 13 (05)  “certain rate”

Mississippi River flooding in the Midwest is resulting in numerous homes and businesses taking flood waters. Boyett says if they open the Bonnet Carre, it takes the pressure off Louisiana’s levee system and allows to flow out of harm’s way…

Cut 14 (06) “Lake Ponchatrain”

LRN Newscast 17:30 December 31

We say goodbye to 2015 tonight. One of the biggest stories in the state this year was the mass shooting at a Lafayette movie theater that killed three, including the gunman, and injured nine others. Here’s one man who survived the attack…
cut 3 (06) “…right at people”
At the state capitol, the budget was the big story. On two occasions, students from public colleges protested on the steps of the capitol over proposed cuts in state funding to higher education…
cut 5 (11) “….cheers”
Public colleges were able to avoid cuts in state funding.

Hoverboards will not be allowed on the LSU campus or in campus-run housing when the new year begins. The university has told students that the self-balancing scooters are a potential fire hazard when they are being charged.

State Police reminds everyone ringing in the New Year with alcohol, not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says to make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely before you start drinking, because once alcohol enters the body, your judgement becomes impaired…
cut 10 (10) “ride home”
Manale says State Police will be out in full force tonight.

Officials in northwest Louisiana are not expecting a repeat of the widespread flooding that took place in June when the Red River crested well above flood stage. It’s above flood stage again and it’s projected to crest at 31.5 feet in the Shreveport area on Saturday. Robert Jump, with the Caddo office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they don’t expect any water in homes or businesses…
cut 14 (09) “…be effected”

LRN Newscast 16:30 December 31st

2015 comes to a close tonight. Don Molino looks back at an eventful year in Louisiana…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”

With a new year, a handful of laws go into effect. One new measure creates stricter marriage license requirements in order to prevent illegal immigrants from getting married in Louisiana. There’s also new legislation designed to prevent fraud with the state’s film tax credit program. Both laws were approved by lawmakers earlier this year.

It’s New Year’s Eve and State Police urges motorists not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says they will have additional troopers on the highways to get drunk drivers off the road. He says if you suspect an impaired driver, notify L-S-P…
cut 11 (09) “that vehicle”
Manale says, if you’re going to drink, make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely.

One of the most popular gifts this holiday season is the hoverboard. But it’s also sending people to the hospital. Dr. Russell Russo, a New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon, says he’s seen a spike in hoverboard injuries in the past few weeks…
cut 7 (10) “hoverboard injuries”
Russo feels the problem with hoverboards is that people jump on them and assume they’re just going to learn to ride with no issues.

16:45 LRN Sportscast December 31

LSU is looking for a new defensive coordinator after Kevin Steele left the Tigers for the same job at Auburn. Footbally analyst Mike Detillier says Steele’s departure is not a big loss for LSU…
cut 30 (10) “…late in the season”
Detillier doesn’t believe LSU will promote someone currently on staff to become the team’s next defensive coordinator. He says they spoke with several people about this same job last year and they may go back to that list to fill this void.

Louisiana Tech has promoted Tim Rattay from outside receivers coach to quarterbacks coach. Rattay has been a Bulldog assistant the last three years after a record-setting career as a quarterback for Tech in the late 1990s. Rattay was promoted after offensive coordinator Tony Peterson left La Tech for the same job at East Carolina. No word on who the Bulldogs will hire to direct their offense.

A high school football prospect in northwest Louisiana has been arrested for a second time in the last several weeks. It’s being reported that Devin White was charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle and flight from an officer. White, who had a stellar career at North Webster, was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile in November. He’s being recruited by LSU.

The Saints are looking to close out the regular season on a strong note when they face the Atlanta Falcons. A win would give New Orleans a 7-9 record in 2015. Some young wide receivers have emerged this year. Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead have combined to catch 145 passes and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Drew Brees believes the future is bright for the Saints, because of those two…
cut 18 (19) “…a time”
New Orleans at Atlanta is noon Sunday.

15:30 LRN Newscast December 31

Law enforcement is asking those who plan on celebrating New Year’s away from home to avoid driving home drunk. State Police Sergeant Nick Manale…
cut 12 (08) “…these holidays safe”
Manale says they’ll have extra troopers on the highways tonight looking to arrest those who are impaired behind the wheel.

The hoverboard looks fun, but it also can be painful. New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon Russell Russo says he’s seen up to 10 injuries from hoverboard accidents in the past couple of weeks, compared to 6 in the previous four months. Russo says most hoverboard injuries occur when people try to step off the device…
cut 8 (09) “coming from”
Russo says take it slow when you first learn to ride a hoverboard and try to do it in a padded area or have someone close by to help in case you fall.

One of the big stories in Louisiana for 2015 was the election of Democrat John Bel Edwards as the state’s next governor. Here’s what Edwards had to say on election night…
cut 6 (08) “…others”
Edwards will be sworn in on January 11th.

The governor-elect has been involved in meetings with emergency prepardness officials regarding the rising Mississippi River and the Red River. The Red River is expected to crest above flood stage on Saturday in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Caddo Office of Homeland Secrurity and Emergency Preparedness deputy director, Robert Jump, says they learned valuable lessons from the June floods when the Red River busted out fo its banks…
cut 15 (11) “….pumps running”
Jump says they are not anticipating any flooding to homes and businesses with this latest event.

14:30 LRN Newscast December 31

As 2015 comes to a close Don Molino looks back at an eventful year in Louisiana…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

State Police is reminding people ringing in the New Year with alcohol to not drink and drive. LSP will be out in full force across the state with DWI checkpoints and proactive patrols looking to get impaired drivers off the roads. They urge revelers to make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely before you start drinking.

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Dr. Russell Russo, a New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon, says he has seen a spike in hoverboard injuries this holiday season. He feels the problem with hoverboards is that people jump on them and assume they’re just going to learn to ride with no issues. Russo says if you’ve received a hoverboard, it would be best if you learned how to properly ride it…

cut 9 (09) “jump on them”

He says most hoverboard injuries occur when people try to dismount the device

The Red River in the Shreveport-Bossier City area is expected to crest at 31.5 feet on Saturday, but officials are not expecting a huge impact to the public. Robert Jump, Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness deputy director, says they don’t predict the rising waters will cause any flood damage to businesses or homes…

cut 13 (10) “flaws are”

Jump says their largest impact right now is agriculture in the southern part of the parish

LRN PM Newscall December 31

2015 comes to a close tonight. Don Molino looks back at an eventful year in Louisiana…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Don Molino”

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There seems to be a spike in hoverboard injuries during the holiday season. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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2015 was filled with big stories in Louisiana. In July, the bayou state was in the national headlines when John Russell Houser opened fire inside a Lafayette movie theater, killing two people, injuring nine others and then turning the gun on himself. Here’s one man who survived the attack…

CUT 3 (06)  “right at people”

Also in 2015, Louisiana led the country in law enforcement officers killed while in the line of duty. Five were fatally shot, including State Trooper Steven Vincent. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says Vincent  attempted to help a stranded motorist near Lake Charles, when he was fatally shot

CUT 4 (07)  “celebrate his life”

At the state capitol, a huge budget shortfall dominated the discussion. On two separate occasions, students from public colleges protested on the steps of the capitol over proposed cuts in state funding to higher education…

CUT 5 (11)  “cheers”

The state’s budget problems will be a big story in 2016. In November, Louisiana voters chose Democrat John Bel Edwards as the man to fix the state’s fiscal mess…

CUT 6 (08) “others”

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One of the most popular gifts this holiday season is the hoverboard. But it seems that as soon as people unwrapped their hoverboard, it started sending them to the hospital. Dr. Russell Russo, a New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon, says he has seen a spike in hoverboard injuries in the past few weeks…

CUT 7 (10) “hoverboard injuries” 

Russo says he’s seen up to 10 injuries from hoverboard accidents in the past couple of weeks, compared to 6 in the last four months. He feels the problem with hoverboards is that people jump on them and assume they’re just going to learn to ride with no issues. Russo says most hoverboard injuries occur when people try to dismount the device…

CUT 8 (09) “coming from”

He says kids and people with osteoporosis are at a higher risk to suffer injuries from hoverboards. Russo says if you’ve received a hoverboard, it would be best if you learned how to properly ride it…

CUT 9 (09)  “jump on them”

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Louisiana State Police is reminding everyone ringing in the New Year with alcohol, not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says to make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely before you start drinking, because once alcohol enters the body, your judgement becomes impaired.

cut 10 (10)  “ride home”

Manale says State Police will be out in full force with DWI checkpoints, as well as, proactive patrols looking to get drunk drivers off the road. He says if you suspect an impaired driver, notify L-S-P.

Cut 11 (09) “that vehicle”

Manale says they want to make sure everyone has a safe and joyous New Year’s holiday this evening and that is all based on your decision to drink and drive or get a safe ride home.

cut 12 (08) “holiday safe”

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The Red River in the Shreveport-Bossier City area is expected to crest at 31.5 feet on Saturday, but officials are not expecting a huge impact to the public. Robert Jump, Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness deputy director, says regularly the river sits at about 18 feet but even with the higher crest, they don’t predict it will cause any flood damage to businesses or homes.

cut 13 (10)  “flaws are”

Jump says they’ve learned a lot of lessons from the Red River floods in June, which ruined many homes and businesses. He says flood control measures have been put in so they area can handle up to 37 feet of water.

cut 14 (09)  “be effected” 

Jump says their largest impact right now is agriculture in the southern part of the parish and they’ve already alerted farmers to move livestock to the dry side of the levee. He says they’re taking a different approach at keeping city infrastructure running.

cut 15 (11)  “pumps running”

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13:30 Newscast December 31, 2015

One of the top news stories in the state this year happened at the state capitol where a huge budget shortfall dominated the discussion. On two separate occasions, students from public colleges protested on the steps of the capitol over proposed cuts in state funding to higher education…

cut 5 (11) “cheers”

The state’s budget problems will also be a big story in 2016.

It’s New Year’s Eve and State Police is urging motorists not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says State Police will be out in full force with DWI checkpoints, as well as, proactive patrols looking to get drunk drivers off the road. He says if you suspect an impaired driver, notify L-S-P…

cut 11 (09) “that vehicle”

Manale says, if you’re going to drink, make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely.

There seems to be a spike in hoverboard injuries during the holiday season. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today is Burl Cain’s final day as warden at Angola State Penitentiary. Cain tendered his resignation after The Advocate newspaper published articles questioning whether his real estate deals with relatives and friends of inmates violated Department of Corrections rules. Cain has gained world-wide recognition for his efforts in reforming the prison and is the longest serving warden in Angola history.

12:30 Newscast December 31, 2015

One of the state’s top stories in 2015 is that Louisiana led the country in law enforcement officers killed while in the line of duty. Five were fatally shot, including State Trooper Steven Vincent. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says Vincent attempted to help a stranded motorist near Lake Charles, when he was fatally shot…

cut 4 (07) “celebrate his life”

Kevin Daigle faces a first degree murder charge in Vincent’s death.

State Police is reminding everyone ringing in the New Year with alcohol, not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says to make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely before you start drinking, because once alcohol enters the body, your judgement becomes impaired…

cut 10 (10) “ride home”

Manale says State Police will be out in full force tonight.

There seems to be a spike in hoverboard injuries during this holiday season. New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon Russell Russo says he’s seen up to 10 injuries from hoverboard accidents in the past couple of weeks, compared to 6 in the last four months. Russo says most hoverboard injuries occur when people try to dismount the device…

cut 8 (09) “coming from”

The hoverboard is one of the most popular gifts this holiday season.

No winning jackpot tickets were sold for last night’s $300 million Powerball drawing. Saturday’s estimated jackpot climbs to $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. The deadline to purchase tickets for the next drawing is Saturday at 9PM.

11:40 LRN Sportscast December 31

LSU is conducting another search for a defensive coordinator. After just one season, Kevin Steele has left the Tigers to do the same job at Auburn. LSU fans are wondering if Coach Les Miles will promote defensive line coach Ed Orgeron and make him the head man of the defense. NFL analyst Mike Detillier doesn’t see that happening…
cut 12 (05) “…the family”
LSU conducted an extensive search for a defensive coordinator last year and the names of some of the candidates were recently made public. Detillier says Miles may talk to some of those individuals again this year.

Louisiana Tech has lost its offensive coordinator to East Carolina. Tony Petersen has left the program, so Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz has promoted former Tech star Tim Rattay to quarterbacks coach. Rattay has spent the last three years as Tech’s outside receivers coach.

The Saints will take on the Falcons this Sunday. There’s been speculation for weeks that this could be quarterback Drew Brees last game in a New Orleans uniform. Brees doesn’t understand how these rumors get started and why they are reported…
cut 17 (19) “…I chuckle”
In other Saints news…running back CJ Spiller will not play in the regular season finale as he’s been placed on injured reserve. Spiller never lived up to expectations this season after having surgery on his knee during training camp.

The Pelicans host the Clippers tonight for a New Year’s Eve contest in the Smoothie King Center. Los Angeles played last night in Charlotte and beat the Bobcats 122-117. Tip-off tonight is at 7:00.