16:45 Sportscast, March 1st, 2017

The Saints are reportedly set to release high-priced safety Jairus Byrd. Byrd has three years left on a six-year, 54-million dollar contract. The move will save the Saints a reported three-point-two million dollars in cap space.

Making the rounds on a social media is a claim by Saints running back Mark Ingram that he and several other New Orleans’ players were turned away from a club in London for being, “too urban.” Ingram said they had reservations, but the establishment issued a statement saying they would never dismiss anyone based on race, however they’re an exclusive members club where entry is not guaranteed to anyone.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, former LSU running back Leonard Fournette weighed in at 240 pounds. During his time at LSU, Fournette’s listed weight was 235 pounds. He’ll run the 40 and perform in other skill drills on Friday.

And can they pull it off? It’s the final home game of the season tonight for the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers are trying to snap a school record 15-game losing streak.

The 2017 football schedules for the Ragin Cajuns and ULM were released today. UL Lafayette will have two Thursday night games, October 12th at home against Texas State and October 19th versus Arkansas State. ULM will have a primetime kick-off to begin the season when they visit Memphis on August 31st.

The Pelicans will look for their first win with DeMarcus Cousins tonight when New Orleans hosts Detroit..but they’ll have to do it without their new All-Star center. Cousins is suspended after receiving his 18th technical foul Sunday. New Orleans is 0-3 since acquiring Cousins, but Head Coach Alvin Gentry is optimistic the victories will come soon…:
Cut 17 (15) “what happens”
Tipoff tonight in the Smoothie King Center is 7pm.

 

16:30 Newscast, March 1st, 2017

Republicans are pleased with President Trump’s address to Congress last night, Democrats are not. Mr. Trump laid out his plans to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system, increase military spending and create jobs. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says the President’s speech should ease the minds of many skeptics…:
Cut 6 (10) “picture”
The Louisiana Democratic Party still doesn’t believe President Trump will make America great.

A Baton Rouge man convicted of beating his 5-year-old son to death was sentenced to life in prison today. 38-year-old Vernell Day Jr. was found guilty of second degree murder in the death of Jay’v’une Bergin in February, and learned his jail time today. One of the doctors who treated the child testified his injuries were as bad as what you might see in a car crash. Bergin died in August of 2014.

Two Sulphur residents are dead after a fire broke out in their home early this morning. Sulphur Fire Chief Dan Selph says they suspected the two were inside, but they had to make the difficult decision not to get aggressive and enter the burning home…:
Cut 13 (10) “to go inside”
The victims were a 58 year old woman and a 68 year old man.

Grambling President Rick Gallot is back from his trip to Washington where he met with President Donald Trump on the administration’s commitment to making historically black colleges and universities a priority. He says they’re hoping Congress will will bolster Mr. Trump’s action…:
Cut 15 (09) “be welcome”
HBCU Presidents are calling for $25 billion dollars for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities.

 

15:30 Newscast, March 1st, 2017

Louisiana HBCU leaders are pleased with the president’s commitment to making historically black institutions a priority. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A video of an escaped inmate flying through the air in a truck while trying to evade Webster Parish cops is going viral. Sheriff Gary Sexton says it’s a miracle nobody was hurt, especially considering the truck landed on top of a vehicle occupied by a woman…:
Cut 5 (09) “this today”
He says thankfully 18-year-old Kevonte Austin is back in custody.

Two Sulphur residents are dead after a fire broke out in their home early this morning. Sulphur Fire Chief Dan Selph says the fire was called in by a neighbor and a witness who saw it from the interstate. He says when crews arrived it was evident that entering the home was not an option. He says it was a full blown defensive attack…:
cut 12 (11) “later confirmed”
The victims were a 58 year old woman and a 68 year old man.

Early national polls indicate that a majority of viewers approved of the speech by President Donald Trump last night before Congress. But executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk still doesn’t believe President Trump will make America great again:
CUT 7 (11) “that bar”
Louisiana’s Republican delegation believes President Donald Trump sent the right message.

 

LRN Newscast 14:30 March 1st

Louisiana Republican elected officials are encouraged by the message President Donald Trump delivered to Congress and a nationwide television audience last night. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says Mr. Trump hit a home run…
cut 8 (09) “…America first”
But executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk says while the President spoke with a measured tone, actions speak louder than words….
cut 9 (10) “….last night”
Handwerk says he remains unconvinced that the Republicans in Washington will be able to install a better health care system that’s currently in place.

It’s a much quiter atmosphere on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on this Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras 2017 concluded at midnight last night with no major incidents on Fat Tuesday.

Louisiana HBCU leaders are pleased with the president’s commitment to making historically black institutions a priority….
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting. Trooper Jesse Lagrange says last night Houma Police was involved in a standoff with a man who barricaded himself inside a home and shots were fired..
cut 11 (09) “…becomes available”
The identity of the man who was killed has not been released.

LRN PM Newscall March 1st

Louisiana’s Republican delegation approves of President Donald Trump’s message to Congress last night but Democrats are still skeptical. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Louisiana HBCU leaders are pleased with the president’s commitment to making historically black institutions a priority. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

An escaped work release inmate is once again behind bars after a high speed chase in Webster Parish that ended with a vehicle going airborne. Webster Sheriff Gary Sexton says deputies pulled over a vehicle for speeding down Highway 371. He says after the driver stepped out of the truck, 18-year-old Kevonte Austin took off, and deputies set up a roadblock to catch him.

Cut 3 (12) “sitting in the car”

A video of the crash shows the truck veering into the ditch to avoid the roadblock before flying over 10 feet in the air over a fence and into the parking lot of Nicky’s Restaurant, where the unsuspecting woman was sitting in her vehicle. Sexton even after crashing the vehicle, Austin wasn’t giving up without a fight.

cut 4  (11) “to the ground”

The suspect was reportedly travelling 115 miles per hour when he came upon the roadblock.  Sexton says given how recklessly the suspect was driving, it’s a miracle no one was hurt, especially the woman who was in her car when the truck landed on top of it.

Cut 5  (09)  “this today”

Sexton says Austin has been booked on charges of attempted first degree murder of a police officer for trying to run over a deputy, attempted auto theft, and numerous traffic offenses.

_________________________________________________________

Louisiana’s Republican delegation believes President Donald Trump sent the right message in last night’s address in front of Congress. Mr. Trump laid out his plans to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system, increase military spending and create jobs. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says the President’s speech should ease the minds of many skeptics.

Cut 6 (10) “picture”

Early national polls indicate that a majority of viewers approved of the speech and more optimistic about the future of the country. But executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk remains a non-believer that President Trump will truly make America great again…

CUT 7 (11)  “that bar”

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garrett Graves says Trump’s address to Congress was the best he’s ever given. He says this speech was a homerun for Trump and it was very patriotic…

Cut 8 (09) “America first”

Handwerk says he remains unconvinced that the Republicans in Washington will be able to install a better health care system that’s currently in place. He says while the president spoke with a measured tone last night, actions speak louder than words.

Cut 9 (10)  “last night”

_________________________________________________________

A man is dead following an officer involved shooting in Houma on Tuesday night. State Trooper Jesse Lagrange says the Houma Police Department was involved in an incident with a barricaded subject when the shooting occurred.

Cut 10 (07) “the shooting”

Lagrange says they are not releasing the any details about the deceased man at this time. As LSP’s investigation into the shooting is ongoing, he says they are also not releasing any details about what may have led to the incident.

cut 11 (09) “becomes available”

_________________________________________________________

Two Sulphur residents are dead after a fire broke out in their home early this morning. Sulphur Fire Chief Dan Selph says the fire was called in by a neighbor and a witness who saw it from the interstate. He says when crews arrived it was evident that entering the home was not an option. He says it was a full blown defensive attack.

cut 12 (11) “later confirmed”

Selph says the victims were located in a part of the home that did not sustain as much fire damage as the rest of the house. He says the official cause of death for the 58-year-old woman and the 68-year-old man will be confirmed by the coroner. He says it was a tough decision to make on scene not to get aggressive and enter the burning home.

Cut 13 (10) “to go inside” 

________________________________________________________

Grambling President Rick Gallot is back from his trip to Washington where he met with President Donald Trump on the administration’s commitment to making historically black colleges and universities a priority. Gallot says, from a funding standpoint, it makes a huge difference when the White House has promised to be involved…:

cut 14 (09) “we’re encouraged”

HBCU Presidents are calling for $25 billion dollars for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities. Gallot says they’re hoping Congress will will bolster Mr. Trump’s action…:

Cut 15 (09) “be welcome”

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is under fire for making a controversial statement that HBCUs are pioneers in school choice, when in fact many were established because they were the only option for black students. Gallot says he understands DeVos is committed to school choice, but perhaps her comments were misguided…:

Cut 16  (09)  “white schools”

13:30 Newscast, March 1st, 2017

Louisiana’s Republican delegation approves of President Donald Trump’s message to Congress last night but Democrats are still skeptical…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A man is dead following an officer involved shooting in Houma on Tuesday night. State Trooper Jesse Lagrange says the Houma Police Department was involved in an incident with a barricaded subject..:
Cut 10 (07) “the shooting”
He says no other details are being released while the investigation is ongoing.

Grambling President Rick Gallo is back from his trip to Washington where he met with President Donald Trump on the administration’s commitment to making historically black colleges and universities a priority. Gallo says, from a funding standpoint, it makes a huge difference when the White House has promised to be involved…:
CUT 14 (09) “we’re encouraged”
HBCU Presidents are calling for $25 billion dollars for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities.

With today marking the start of Lent, it’s a big time time of the year for the state’s seafood industry. Chairman of the state’s seafood promotion and marketing board, Chalin DeLaune, says there’s a good supply of crawfish and oysters, but shrimp production is down in this state….
cut 26 (10) “…as well”

 

12:30 Newscast, March 1st, 2017

Louisiana’s Republican delegation believes President Donald Trump sent the right message in last night’s address in front of Congress. Mr. Trump laid out his plans to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system, increase military spending and create jobs. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says this should ease the minds of skeptics..:
Cut 6 (10) “picture”
But the Louisiana Democratic Party says they still don’t believe that President Trump will truly make America great again.

Making the rounds on a social media is a claim by Saints running back Mark Ingram that he and several other New Orleans’ players were turned away from a club in London for being, “too urban.” Ingram said they had reservations, but the establishment issued a statement saying they would never dismiss anyone based on race, however they’re an exclusive members club where entry is not guaranteed to anyone.

An escaped work release inmate is once again behind bars after a high speed chase in Webster Parish that ended with a vehicle going airborne. Webster Sheriff Gary Sexton says they caught up with the suspect and set up a road block to try to stop him from racing down the road…:
Cut 3 (12) “sitting in the car”
18-year-old Kevonte Austin faces numerous charges including attempted murder for allegedly trying to run over a deputy. No one was injured in the incident, and the entire thing was captured on video that is quickly going viral.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, former LSU running back Leonard Fournette weighed in at 240 pounds. During his time at LSU, Fournette’s listed weight was 235 pounds. He’ll run the 40 and perform in other skill drills on Friday.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 1st

At the NFL Scouting Combine, former LSU running back Leonard Fournette weighed in at 240 pounds. During his time at LSU, Fournette’s listed weight was 235 pounds. He’ll run the 40 and perform in other skill drills on Friday.

The Saints are reportedly set to release high-priced safety Jairus Byrd. Byrd has three years left on a six-year, 54-million dollar contract. The move will save the Saints a reported three-point-two million dollars in cap space. Byrd had two interceptions last season and for the most part failed to make big plays during his three seasons in New Orleans.

The 2017 football schedules for the Ragin Cajuns and ULM were released today. UL Lafayette will have two Thursday night games, October 12th at home against Texas State and October 19th versus Arkansas State. ULM will have a primtime kick-off to begin the season when they visit Memphis on August 31st.

After a four-three win over 20th ranked Arkansas last night, Louisiana Tech hosts the Razorbacks again today at 3 PM. Tech has won 15 straight on its home field, the longest winning streak in college baseball.

Also today, Southeastern Louisiana is at 10th ranked Vanderbilt. The Commodores defeated the Lions 9-6 last night. ULM visits McNeese State. Last night the Warhawks easily defeated Jackson State 10-2.

Also last night, LSU defeated Nicholls State three to two. Greg Deichmann drove in the winning run with a base hit in the 7th inning…
cut 30 (11) “…Deichmann”
LSU now gets ready to play top ranked TCU on Friday night in Houston.

It’s the final home game of the season tonight for the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers are trying to snap a school record 15-game losing streak.

And the Pelicans will look for their first win tonight since the DeMarcus Cousins trade when they host the Detroit Pistons. But Cousins will not play tonight. He’s been suspended by the league for tonight’s game for picking up his 18th technical foul.

11:30 Newscast, March 1st, 2017

There’s been another call for State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson to resign. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The man accused of driving drunk when he plowed through a crowd of parade goers during Endymion in New Orleans has had his bail quadrupled. 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto had 22 additional counts stacked onto his booking including 10 new aggravated charges based on how severe the victims’ injuries were. Total bail went from $125,000 to $545,000.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the case of a man who died in a house fire in St. Mary Parish on Mardi Gras Day. They say initial indications are that the deadly blaze was caused by an electrical wall outlet in the wood-framed home, and claimed the life of 79-year-old Lionel Bonin Jr. The victim’s wife told investigators that her husband saved her first, then ran back into the residence.

The Texas agriculture commissioner has approved a poison that farmers and ranchers can use to kill destructive feral hogs, so when will Louisiana get on board? Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Kaput Feral Hog Lure could become available here in a month or two, but it will only be sold to those individuals who receive proper training…:
Cut 14 (09) “this product”
It’s estimated there are 500-thousand feral hogs in Louisiana and they are known for destroying fields and pastures.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast March 1st

Republican members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation are very pleased with President Donald Trump’s address to Congress last night. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise likes what he’s seeing from the President when it comes to creating jobs…
cut 30 (10) energy industry”

There’s an estimated 500-thousand feral hogs in Louisiana that are known for destroying fields and pastures. A product is available and it has been approved in Texas to kill off wild pigs. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says his office is still trying to determine how it can be used safely here….
cut 16 (08) “…of regiments”
Strain says it will only be sold to those individuals who receive proper training.

The Lenten season is underway which raises the demand for seafood. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Bankrate.com ranks Louisiana the fourth worst state for first time home buyers. Analyst Claes Bell says one reason for the low ranking is a tight housing market. He says construction is not keeping up with demand.
Cut 4 (10) “first time buyers”