06:30 Newscast, April 27th, 2017

Louisiana’s roads, bridges and drinking water receive a D+ rating on the 2017 Report Card for Infrastructure produced by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Executive Director of the project is Dr. Kam Movassaghi (Mo-vuh-sah-gee)…:
10 (10) “of failure”
He hopes the legislature considers this report during discussions on bills that could help address these problems.

A measure approved in House Criminal Justice would include same sex couples in domestic abuse laws. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle supports the proposal…:
Cut 13 (06) “for prosecution”

A Jefferson Parish judge found former Destrehan high school teacher Shelley Dufresne not guilty on charges of unlawful carnal knowledge of a juvenile for allegedly having sex with a student. This means she doesn’t have to register as a sex offender.

Authorities in St. Landry Parish have arrested two Washington Elementary School teachers for allegedly bullying a student. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 44-year-old Ann Shelvin would tell an 11-year-old student to fight her classmates or receive a failing grade…:
Cut 7 (08) “other kids”
He says Shelvin’s teacher’s aid, 50-year-old Tracy Gallow, also encouraged students to fight the young girl. They’re both looking at serious charges.

The same week 13 UL-Lafayette players were arrested on similar charges, an LSU offensive lineman is also indefinitely suspended from his team for allegedly committing simple burglary of an apartment. Adrian Magee is accused of taking items ranging from an XBox to Gucci flip flops and $1200 cash.

 

LRN AM NEWSCALL APRIL 27, 2017

Two teachers in St. Landry Parish have been arrested for allegedly bullying an 11-year-old student. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Report Card for Louisiana Infrastructure gives the Bayou State a D+ for its roads, bridges and drinking water. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Two bills are heading to the House floor that would extend domestic violence protections to more couples in the Bayou State. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Festival International de Louisiane is underway in Lafayette, and festivalgoers are lining up to enjoy the festivities from all over the world. Kelly Strenge with the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau says there will be entertainers from as far away as Europe and Africa.

Cut 4  (07) “entertain you”

Strenge says attendees can even expect to see some big local names like Marc Broussard. She says this is a family friendly event, and during the weekend, there’s a section of the festival that’s just for kids. She says attendance is free, and they even have free parking at the Cajun Dome.

Cut 5  (10)  “to the festival”

Strenge says this year the Heritage Stage was removed because of budget constraints. She says in its place, they’ll have space for even more vendors. She says artists from all over the Bayou State come to the festival to show off their work.

Cut 6 (09) “type of merchandise”

The festival in downtown Lafayette lasts until Sunday.

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Authorities in St. Landry Parish have arrested two Washington Elementary School teachers for allegedly bullying a student. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the received reports from a parent that 44-year-old Ann Shelvin would tell her 11-year-old student to fight her classmates or Shelvin would fail her.

Cut 7 (08)  “other kids”

Guidroz says this isn’t the first time Shelvin has bullied students and those incidents are now under investigation. He says Shelvin’s teacher’s aid, 50-year-old Tracy Gallow, also encouraged students to fight the young girl and video footage shows Gallow physically bullying her.

Cut 8 (08) “old child”

Shelvin faces multiple charges including, contributing to child delinquency, as does Gallow, who received charges of simple battery and intimidation. Guidroz says it seems the teachers bullied the girl because they had a problem with one of her parents.

Cut 9 (10)  “mother”

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Louisiana’s roads, bridges and drinking water receives a D+ rating on the 2017 Report Card for Louisiana Infrastructure produced by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Executive Director of the Report Card project, Dr. Kam Movassaghi (Mo-vuh-sah-gee) says the state’s infrastructure needs immediate attention.

Cut 10 (10) “of failure”

Louisiana’s lowest scores are in drinking water and inland waterways, with D- ratings, while roads, bridges, and coastal waters earned D and D+ scores. Of the 9 categories graded in the last report in 2012, 8 of them got worse or stayed the same. Movassaghi believes the public is willing to pay a little more to live in a better environment.

Cut 11 (07) “protected neighborhood”

Movassaghi says we’re already paying more in hidden costs like wasted gas sitting in traffic, higher insurance, and lower property values. He says there are several bills filed for the session that could help address these problems, but that means getting the legislature to shell out more money.

Cut 12 (09) “function better”

Louisiana’s best scores were C- to C+ ratings for levees, ports, waste, and aviation.

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Two bills approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee seek to extend domestic violence protections to more Louisiana couples. One proposal by Harvey Representative Patrick Connick would include same sex couples in domestic abuse laws. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle supports the measure.

Cut 13 (06) “for prosecution”

Louisiana is one of two states that has the opposite sex language on the books for domestic violence laws. Jody Fortunato with the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office says they are running into problems handling felony domestic abuse charges against same sex couples.

Cut 14 (08) “can’t use it”

Another proposal by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno would include couples who are dating in the law. She says currently the laws only apply to couples who are living together or married. She says 41 other states cover dating partners in criminal laws.

Cut 15 (07) “in our laws”

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Tonight it’s round one of the NFL draft. The Saints have seven picks, five in the first three rounds. General Manager Mickey Loomis says they are looking to select players who can impact the team now and in the future…

Cut 16 (20) “in the future”

The Saints need pass rushers and cornerbacks to help a defense that’s ranked near the bottom in the NFL over the last three seasons. New Orleans will also look to boost the offensive line and possibly draft a quarterback as Quarterback Drew Brees is 38 and entering the final year of his contract. Loomis on the possibility of drafting a Q-B…

Cut 17 (12)  “that position”

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Draft Analyst Mike Detillier says 10 former LSU players could be drafted over the next three days, which would break the previous school record, which is nine set in 2014.  Jamal Adams will become the highest ever picked safety, if he’s a top four pick. Detillier believes it could happen…

Cut 18 (12)    “cover cornerback” 

There’s a good chance that Carolina, with the eighth overall pick, will take running back Leonard Fournette.  But Detillier says he could see a team like Philadelphia trade up and pick Fournette before the Panthers get to pick…

Cut 19 (14)   “anymore”

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Junior right-hander Alex Lange takes the ball tonight as LSU begins a three-game series at Alabama. The Tigers are 10-8 in the SEC and tied for fourth place in the West Division. Lange says LSU has yet to play its best baseball…

Cut 20 (16)   “successful season”

17:30 LRN Newscast April 26th ###Legislative Report###

The House Education Committee advances a measure that would ban corporal punishment in public schools. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton who says there is no proof that spanking a student changes behavior…:
CUT 11 (10) “in 2011″
The bill heads to the House floor.

Another measure heading to the House floor would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A bill that would ban so-called sanctuary city policies barely passed out the House Criminal Justice Committee. Chairman Sherman Mack broke a 7-7 tie by casting the final “yes” vote. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says her measure isn’t about discrimination, but putting America first. She says she raised her children in Mexico for 18 years…
Cut 13 (11) “of law”
The legislation targets New Orleans, because it’s police force has a policy that prohibits officers from questioning the immigration status of individuals who commit or report a crime. Researcher with the Jesuit Social Research Institute at Loyola University Sue Weishar….
Cut 16 (06) “public trust”
A lengthy debate on the House floor on this issue is expected as early as next week.

16:45 LRn Sportscast

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron announced today that offensive lineman Adrian Magee of Franklinton has been indefinitely suspended for a violation of team rules. A police report shows Magee was arrested earlier this month for felony burglary. He also allegedly stole cash, an X-Box, apparel, but later returned some of the items.

13 UL Lafayette football players were arrested for allegedly breaking into a dorm room and stealing several items totaling 24-hundred dollars. Lt. Billy Abrams with campus police says the student-athletes are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft…
cut 4 (08) “…that were stolen”
Football Coach Mark Hudspeth has suspended the 13 players from the team indefinitely. He apologized for the players actions and said they expect a higher standard from their student-athletes.

Tonight’s contest between nationally ranked baseball teams in Lafayette has been postponed to May 10th as a result of impending weather. UL Lafayette and McNeese State were scheduled to play tonight at Russo Park.

Earlier today it was Northwestern State over Mississippi Valley State 14-0. The Demons beat the Delta Devils by a combined score of 25-1 over two days.

Tonight, Nicholls is at Southern.

LSU left today for Tuscaloosa. The Tigers begin a three-game series at Alabama tomorrow night. The Bayou Bengals lost to Tulane last night nine to six. That’s four straight wins for the Green Wave in the series. The latest NCAA Tournament projection by D-1 baseball, does not have LSU hosting a regional, instead going to West Virginia.

In NFL news…former saints guard Jahri Evans has reportedly signed with the Green Bay Packers. The 33-year-old played his previous eleven seasons in New Orleans.

16:30 LRN Newscast

Not guilty is the verdict in the case of a former Destrehan high school teacher who allegedly had sex with a teen student in Jefferson Parish. One of the allegations claimed that Shelley Dufrense had a three some with a 16-year-old football player in 2014. The judge who handed down the verdict said Dufrense’s behavior was shameful, but the teen’s testimony was not believable. Dufrense previously pleaded guilty to an obscenity charge in St. Charles Parish.

On a six-to-five vote in a House committee, a bill to ban corporal punishment in Louisiana schools advanced to the House floor. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says it shouldn’t be up to educators to punish kids by paddling them….
cut 12 (10) “….their responsiblity”
Corporal punishment is currently allowed in just over half of Louisiana’s school districts.

The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a bill that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana, in the hopes of addressing a growing opioid epidemic. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo says 90 people die a day nationwide from opioid overdoses.
Cut 8 (11) “in 2014 alone”
The proposal by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply.

The House Education committee passed a bill that would require public schools to teach litter prevention and awareness to students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Executive director of the Louisiana School Board Association Scott Richard says they suppport efforts to prevent littering, but…
cut 7 (08) “…and make”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

15:30 Newscast April 26,2017

The House Education Committee advances a measure that would ban corporal punishment of any kind in public schools. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A former Destrehan High School teacher is found not guilty of two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Prosecutors accused 34-year-old Shelley Dufrense of having sex on two different occasions with a student in Jefferson Parish. But the judge found no evidence that it occurred. Dufrense previously plead guilty to obscenity in St. Charles Parish.

 

A measure that would man sanctuary city policies passes out of a House Committee on a tight 8 to 7 vote. Baton Rouge native Melissa Yarborough spoke out against the measure and says this bill states that communities are better off without illegal aliens. She says her life was flipped upside down when her fiancé was deported.
Cut 14 (11) “our community”

First-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana would be limited to a 7 day supply under a bill that advanced out of a House committee. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, who supports the measure, says doctors would also have to talk to their patients about the risks involved with taking pain pills to open a dialogue…:
Cut 9 (11) “treatment and recovery”

The measure now heads to the House floor for more discussion.

14:30 LRN Newscast April 26th

In a bit of a surprise development in the House Education committee, a bill to ban corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools barely advanced to the House floor on a six to five vote. Based on testimony, corporal punishment is allowed in 38 of the state’s 69 school districts.

 

Also heading to the House floor, is a measure that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

 

A bill that targets New Orleans for its so-called sanctuary city policy received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee. The NOPD prohibits officers from questioning the immigration status of individuals who commit or report a crime. Attorney General Jeff Landry says this policy puts New Orleans at risk of losing federal dollars…
cut 15 (08) “…funding”
New Orleans officials dispute the sanctuary city claim and say they follow all federal laws when it comes to immigration.

 

13 UL Lafayette football players were arrested for allegedly breaking into a dorm room and stealing several items totaling 24-hundred dollars. Lt. Billy Abrams with campus police says the student-athletes are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft…
cut 4 (08) “…that were stolen”
Football Coach Mark Hudspeth has suspended the 13 players from the team indefinitely.

LRN PM Newscall April 26th

A measure is heading to the House floor that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The House Education Committee advances a measure that would ban corporal punishment of any kind in public schools. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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More than a dozen UL-Lafayette football players have been suspended indefinitely from the team after allegedly robbing a dorm room on campus. Lt. Billy Abrams with the UL-Lafayette Police Department says 13 football players stole several items from a room in Huger Hall.

Cut 3 (10) “students were”

Abrams says at this time, police are unsure what led the football players to commit this crime. He says all of the students are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft.

Cut 4  (08) “that were stolen”

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A bill to require public schools to teach litter prevention and awareness to students from kindergarten to fifth grade passed out of the House Education Committee. Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful Susan Russell says educating young children on litter will help them become good environmental stewards.

Cut 5  (06)  “Louisiana”

The proposed law would require litter instruction be integrated into the existing science curriculum. Russell says it’s no secret Louisiana has a huge litter problem. She says the purpose of educating young students is to prepare them for tomorrow’s world.

Cut 6 (06) “about it”

Executive Director of the Louisiana School Boards Association Scott Richard also spoke before the committee. He says while they support the efforts to ensure the state is not at the top of the list for littering, it’s important to point out…

Cut 7 (08)  “and make”

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The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a bill that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana, in the hopes of addressing a growing opioid epidemic. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo says 90 people die a day nationwide from opioid overdoses.

Cut 8 (11) “in 2014 alone”

The proposal by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno would limit first-time opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply. The measure also requires doctors to tell their patients about the risks involved with taking pain pills. DeSalvo says this allows for an open dialogue between patients and their doctors.

Cut 9 (11)  “treatment and recovery”

The bill allows patients to request pharmacists not fill the entire quantity of opioid prescription if they don’t need it. DeSalvo says this will limit the number of extra pain pills people have in their medicine cabinets, which keeps them away from friends and family. She says this can prevent other people from getting addicted to painkillers.

Cut 10 (09) “using opioids”

The measure now heads to the House floor for more discussion.

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The House Education Committee advances a measure that would ban corporal punishment of any kind in public schools. House Bill 497 is by Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton who says there is no proof that spanking a student has actually worked at changing behavior…:

Cut 11 (10) “in 2011”

On a 6-5 vote, the measure now heads to the House floor. Norton said, in addition to corporal punishment possibly opening up to door to lawsuits, it shouldn’t be up to educators to punish kids by paddling them…:

Cut 12 (10) “their responsibility”

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A bill that would ban so-called sanctuary city policies barely passed out the House Criminal Justice Committee. Chairman Sherman Mack broke a 7-7 tie by casting the final “yes” vote. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says her measure isn’t about discrimination, but putting America first. She says she raised her children in Mexico for 18 years…

Cut 13 (11) “of law”

But Baton Rouge native Melissa Yarborough spoke in opposition. Yarborough says this measure states that communities are better off without illegal aliens. She says her life was flipped upside down when her fiancé was deported.

Cut 14 (11) “our community”

Attorney General Jeff Landry says this legislation will ensure that no jurisdiction in the state will attempt to invite illegal immigrants. He says the bill does not say Louisiana doesn’t support immigrants, but there is a rule of law to follow.

Cut 15 (08) “funding”

The legislation targets New Orleans, because it’s police force has a policy that prohibits officers from questioning the immigration status of individuals who commit or report a crime. Researcher with the Jesuit Social Research Institute at Loyola University Sue Weishar….

Cut 16  (06)  “public trust”

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13:30 Newscast, April 26th, 2017

A bill that would ban the policies of sanctuary cities barely passed out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says her measure isn’t about discrimination, but putting America first. She noted she raised her children in Mexico for 18 years…:
Cut 13 (11) “of law”
But those in opposition say deporting people is highly disruptive to families, businesses and communities.

The House Education Committee advances a measure that would ban corporal punishment of any kind in public schools. House Bill 497 is by Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton who says there is no proof that spanking a student has actually worked at changing behavior…:
CUT 11 (10) “in 2011”
Both bills head to the House floor.

The House Health and Welfare Committee advances a bill that would limit first-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana, in the hopes of addressing a growing epidemic. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo says the measure also allows patients to request pharmacists not fill the entire quantity of opioid prescription if they don’t need it…:
Cut 10 (09) “using opioids”
The measure now heads to the House floor for more discussion.

More than a dozen UL-Lafayette football players have been suspended indefinitely from the team after allegedly robbing a dorm room on campus. Lt. Billy Abrams with the UL-Lafayette Police Department says 13 football players stole several items from a room in Huger Hall…:
Cut 3 (10) “students were”
He says all of the students are charged with conspiracy to commit felony theft.

 

 

12:30 Newscast, April 26th, 2017

First-time opioid prescriptions in Louisiana would be limited to a 7 day supply under a bill that advanced out of a House committee. Former Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, who supports the measure, says doctors would also have to talk to their patients about the risks involved with taking pain pills to open a dialogue…:
Cut 9 (11) “treatment and recovery”
The measure now heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Kids would be required to be taught litter prevention and awareness in science class under a measure also headed to the full House. Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful Susan Russell says the purpose of educating young students is to prepare them for tomorrow’s world…
Cut 6 (06) “about it”

A bill that would prohibit the use of corporal punishment on children with disabilities in public schools passes out of the House Education Committee. Michelle Hurst with the state Developmental Disabilities Council says unfortunately students with ailments are often on the receiving end of this kind of discipline…:
Cut 11 (07) “behaviors”
This legislation is part of Governor Edwards’ legislative agenda.

Two teachers in St. Landry Parish are in trouble for allegedly asking other students to punish an 11-year-old classmate by fighting, or receive failing grades if they didn’t. The Washington Elementary teachers face charges including encouraging or contributing to child delinquency and simple battery.