09:30 Newscast, April 25th, 2017

A bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana goes before a Senate Committee today. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says, as a Catholic, he believes we should promote life, not snuff it out…:
Cut 5 (10) “any safer”
He also feels the death penalty doesn’t make an fiscal sense here.

Governor John Bel Edwards is launching an ad campaign which promotes his tax plan for the legislative session. The centerpiece of the idea, to place a new tax on businesses while reducing individual income taxes, did not get a warm reception from Republicans in the House Ways and Means committee. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards is looking out for his low income supporters…:
Cut 14 (10) “businesses”
Supporters of the plan say it would give 90% of residents in the state a tax cut.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser isn’t happy about the Liberty Place monument in New Orleans being taken down. The monument commemorated a group of white supremacists who fought against the racially integrated police force in 1874. But Nungesser says there are structures all over the world that memorialize darker parts of history..:
Cut 12 (09) “take em down”
The New Orleans City Council voted to remove four confederate-era monuments, which Mayor Mitch Landrieu says will all come down soon.

A Destrehan teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with an underage high school student is set to go on trial today in Jefferson Parish. Shelley Dufresne was one of the teachers allegedly involved in a threesome with another teacher and the 16-year-old boy at a Kenner apartment. She avoided a felony conviction when she pleaded guilty to obscenity in St. Charles Parish, but Jefferson Parish prosecutors will pursue felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile charges.

 

08:30 Newscast, April 25th, 2017

The death penalty in Louisiana would be gone under a measure set to be heard before a Senate Committee today. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says the state does not get a return on the dollars by killing prisoners convicted of murder…:
Cut 6 (08) “the drugs”
The measure would not affect individuals currently on death row.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is not happy about the removal of the Liberty Place monument in New Orleans, and says he’s going to do everything he can to protect the other Confederate era structures…:
Cut 11 (11) “to stand on”
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the city has a right to control its own property. The other monuments also set to be secretly removed are of Confederate generals Robert E Lee, P.G.T. Beauregard and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to begin an ad campaign aimed at pushing his tax reform plan. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes the goal of the administration’s commercial is to blame Republicans for the state’s current failing system…:
Cut 15 (11) “help him”
The PAC, Rebuild Louisiana, is paying for the ad.

Five-time Grammy nominee, singer/songwriter, Hunter Hayes of Breaux Bridge, is teaming up with Heartgard Plus and Warrior Canine Connection for a new campaign called “Heartgardians.” It’s designed to raise awareness about the positive impact dogs have on veterans and service members. Hayes you can enter for a chance to win a trip to Nashville by nominating a veteran.:
Cut 8 (09) “Warrior Canine Connection”
You can enter by using the hashtags #NominateAVeteran and #Sweepstakes on social media.

 

07:30 Newscast, April 25th, 2017

A bill that would get rid of the death penalty in Louisiana is slated to go before a Senate Committee today. Don Molino has more…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

It’s expected Governor John Bel Edwards will launch an ad campaign this week promoting his tax reform plan. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat:
Cut 13 (10) “this ad”
The administration is pushing a proposal to place a new tax on businesses while reducing individual income taxes.

Country music sensation and Breaux Bridge native Hunter Hayes is taking time out of his busy schedule to help connect veterans with the healing power of dogs, through the Heartgardians Sweepstakes. Hayes says he decided to get behind the effort when he found out about the Warrior Canine Connection program…:
Cut 7 (09) “as a companion”
You can find out more about the sweepstakes online at heartgardians.com.

And speaking of talent from the Acadiana region — named Hunter, singer Hunter Plake will find out tonight if he advances to the top 11 on NBC’s The Voice. The Frost native performed last night as a top 12 finalist.

ESPN is reporting former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson finalized a 2 year deal with the New Orleans Saints. It’s worth a reported $7 million dollars. So it should be a good Monday Night football game when New Orleans opens the 2017 regular season against Minnesota.

 

06:45 Sportscast, April 25th, 2017

According to ESPN, former Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson is now a Saint. Adam Schefter tweeted early this morning that New Orleans and AP reached a two year deal. Sideline reporter on the Saints Radio Network, Kristian Garic….:
Cut 18 (21) “run the football”
Peterson is 32-years-old and played in just three games last season, because of a knee injury. Interestingly enough, the Saints play The Vikings in Monday Night Football action — week 1.

Louisiana College’s head football coach Dennis Dunn is expected to step down from his position there to become the new coach for Pineville High School. The announcement is slated to be made during a Pineville news conference this morning. Dunn coached in the Shreveport area for 19 years — most of those at Evangel when the Eagles amassed nine LHSAA titles.

After a tough weekend in Lexington, LSU is back on the road tonight to face in-state foe Tulane. The Green Wave have won three straight over the Tigers, including a seven to six decision in Baton Rouge last month. Coach Paul Mainieri says beating a rival is not the main motivation…:
Cut 16 (19) “good ball”
LSU is 4-7 on the road this year and they are in the middle of a seven-game road trip.

Riding a season-high eight-game win streak, the 20th-ranked UL-Lafayette baseball team will take on Texas tonight in Sugar Land. Southeastern hosts Alcorn State after taking 2 of 3 from Nicholls over the weekend. Northwestern State hosts Mississippi Valley State and Grambling hosts Texas College.

 

 

06:30 Newscast, April 25th, 2017

Governor Edwards is set to release a TV ad aimed at building support for his tax reform plan….:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana goes before a Senate Committee today. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says given the state’s massive budget problems, this punishment makes no fiscal sense:
Cut 4 (08) “death row”
He says the measure would apply to capital crimes committed after July 31st.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is not happy the Liberty Place monument in New Orleans was taken down under the cover of night. He feels Confederate monuments are part of Louisiana’s history…:
Cut 10 (10) “it stop”
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the city has the right to remove statues it owns.

GLO Airlines says it’s shutting down this week after filing for bankruptcy – but not for good. Officials with the New Orleans based company, which offers regional flights to and from The Big Easy and cities including Shreveport, Little Rock, Memphis, Tennessee and Huntsville, said in a news release it plans to resume flights in about a week. They said its aircraft operator terminate its contract with GLO in an unjustified action.

AM Newscall April 25,2017

A bill that would get rid of the death penalty in Louisiana goes before a Senate Committee today. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

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Country music superstar Hunter Hayes of Breaux Bridge is getting behind an effort that connects service dogs with veterans. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Governor Edwards is set to release a TV ad aimed at building support for his tax reform plan. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana goes before a Senate Committee today. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says this would end the death penalty for first degree murder and rape offenses committed after July 31st. He says given the state’s massive budget problems, this punishment makes no fiscal sense.

Cut 4  (08) “death row”

The former prosecutor says he used to be in support of the death penalty, but his views have shifted because of moral and religious beliefs. Claitor, who is Catholic, says we should promote life, not snuff it out.

Cut 5  (10)  “any safer”

The measure would not affect individuals currently on death row. Claitor says other states that don’t have the death penalty, have a lower homicide rate. He says Louisiana does not get a return on the dollars by killing prisoners convicted of murder.

Cut 6 (08) “the drugs”

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Country music sensation and Breaux Bridge native Hunter Hayes is taking time out of his busy schedule to help connect veterans with the healing power of dogs, through the Heartgardians Sweepstakes. Hayes says he decided to get behind the effort when he found out about the Warrior Canine Connection program….:

Cut 7 (09)  “as a companion”

Heartgardians is a consumer sweepstakes that gives people nationwide the opportunity to nominate a US Service Member or Veteran to win a trip to Nashville, and a year’s supply of Heartgard Plus. Hayes says you can enter by using the hashtags #NominateAVeteran on Twitter or Instagram..:

Cut 8 (09) “Warrior Canine Connection”

Hayes says, as a huge pet lover since his days growing up in Acadiana, he wants to help get the word out about a dog’s profound ability to help heal a heart, and the importance of keeping our furry friends protected from heartworm disease. He encourages his friends in Louisiana to take part, and promises he’ll be visiting soon…:

Cut 9 (08)  “you guys”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is not happy the Liberty Place monument in New Orleans was taken down under the cover of night. The monument commemorated a group of white supremacists who fought against the racially integrated police force in 1874. Nungesser says the monuments should stay in place because they’re part of Louisiana’s history.

Cut 10 (10) “it stop”

The New Orleans City Council voted to remove four confederate-era monuments, including statues of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and P.G.T. Beauregard. Nungesser says he’s doing everything he can to make sure the rest of the city’s monuments remain in place.

Cut 11 (11) “to stand on”

Nungesser suspects the removal of the monuments, which have been there for a hundred years, is a political move by Democratic Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who’s been pushing to take them down since 2015. But he says there are monuments all over the world commemorating darker parts of history

Cut 12 (09) “take em down”

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It’s expected a 30 second commercial from Governor John Bel Edwards will hit the airwaves this week, promoting his budget plan. The governor is pushing a proposal to place a new tax on businesses while reducing individual income taxes. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he doesn’t have much support from legislators.

Cut 13 (10) “this ad”

The governor is recommending this tax plan as a way to offset 1.3 billion dollars in temporary sales taxes that are set to expire next year. Pinsonat says Republicans are not overly concerned with the higher sales taxes but Edwards is looking out for his low income supporters.

Cut 14 (10) “businesses”

The PAC, Rebuild Louisiana, is paying for the ad. Pinsonat says the goal of Edwards’ ad is to blame the Republicans for the state’s failing tax plan.

Cut 15 (11) “help him”

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After a tough weekend in Lexington, LSU is back on the road tonight to face in-state foe Tulane. The Green Wave have won three straight over the Tigers, including a seven to six decision in Baton Rouge last month. Coach Paul Mainieri says beating a rival is not the main motivation…

Cut 16 (19) “good ball”

LSU is 4-7 on the road this year and they are in the middle of a seven-game road trip. Mainieri knew this would be a difficult part of their schedule…

Cut 17 (19)  “nothing’s easy”

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There are reports the Saints and future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson are moving closer to agreeing on a three-million dollar contract. Sideline reporter on the Saints Radio Network Kristian Garic says it would be a smart and bold move if the Black and Gold can get this deal done…

Cut 18 (21)    “run the football” 

Peterson is 32-years-old and played in just three games last season, because of a knee injury. Garic believes A-P has one more good year left…

Cut 19 (14)   “take you”

Garic says if the Saints sign Peterson, they’ll probably still draft a running back later this week…

Cut 20 (13)   “would be”

17:30 LRN Newscast April 24th

The centerpiece of Governor John Bel Edwards plan to overhaul Louisiana’s tax structure did not receive a warm reception from Republicans in the House Ways and Means committee. The governor is proposing a Commercial Activity Tax on businesses as a way to generate revenue to make up for the one-point-three billion dollars in temporary sales taxes that expire next year. But Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey fears this tax on business sales will hurt economic development efforts….
Cut 13 (08) “10 billion dollar projects”
Discussion on this bill resumes on Tuesday.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee approves a proposal to exempt diapers and tampons from the state sales tax. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says the constituion already exempts essential items like water, food, and prescriptions from the states sales tax. The measure heads to the Senate floor.
A bill that will be heard before the House Transportation Committee could eliminate inspection stickers on personal vehicles in most parishes. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”
A bill to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana goes before a Senate Committee Tuesday. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says given the state’s massive budget problems, this punishment makes no fiscal sense. The District Attorneys association opposes the the legislation.

16:30 LRN Newscast April 24th

Republican lawmakers expressed their concerns today in the House Ways and Means committee over Governor John Bel Edwards plan to impose a gross recepits tax that would result in over 400-million dollars in revenue from a tax paid by businesses. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says this tax would be passed along to the citizens…
cut 12 (09) “…double taxation”
Franklin Representative Sam Jones is sponsoring the bill and reminded legislators that the other part of the plan is to reduce individual income taxes….
cut 10 (08) “….get a tax cut”
There will be more testimony on this legislation tomorrow as interest groups and the public will have their chance to testify.

A measure to be heard before the House Transportation Committee would eliminate inspection stickers on personal vehicles in most parishes. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says he filed the bill because the inspection stickers do not lead to safer roads.
Cut 7 (06) “stickers on”
Inspection stickers will still be required in the five-parish Baton Rouge area, because federal law mandates it, due to air quality concerns.

Contractors removed one of the four controversial confederate monuments in New Orleans early this morning. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the work of taking the Liberty Place monument down was done in the middle night for the safety of the workers. The statue honors the killing of police officers by white supremacists. Landrieu says they’ll move to remove the three other monuments sooner rather than later.

LSU Footbal Coach Ed Orgeron said today that quarterback Danny Etling had a minor procedure on his back and he’ll be okay.

16:45 LRN Sportscast April 24th

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport says the Saints are closing in on a deal to sign future hall of fame running back Adrian Peterson. A contract has not been agreed up on yet, but the number being thrown around is 3-million dollars for 2017. The 32-year-old Peterson appeared in just three games last season, because of a knee injury.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says quarterback Danny Etling underwent a minor back procedure this morning, but he’ll be ok. Etling did not perform well in the spring game as he completed 4-of-11 passes for 53 yards and an interception. Orgeron on the play of all his QBs……
cut 18 (17) “….LSU Quarterback”

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola has been placed on the 10-day disabled list. The Phillies say the 23-year-old from Baton Rouge has a strained lower back. He’s made just three starts this season and has an ERA of 4.50.

The LSU baseball team has a record of 10-8 in league play after dropping two of three from Kentucky. The Wildcats lead the East Division, while Mississippi State leads the West. The Tigers are tied for fourth in the West.

The Ragin Cajuns won their eighth straight yesterday as they defeated Little Rock five to three. UL-Lafayette still has a slim lead over UT Arlington for first place in the West division. ULM did not help the Cajuns as they were swept by UT Arlington this past weekend.

For the first time since 1992, McNeese State won a series in Natchitoches over Northwestern State. The Cowboys are 18-3 in the Southland. The Cowboys have a two lead over Stephen F Austin and Sam Houston. McNeese travels to Sam Houston next weekend.

15:30 LRN Newscasts April 24th

During the overnight hours, New Orleans city contractors began removing the first of four Confederate monuments. The Liberty Place monument was taken away at around 5:30 this morning in pieces on a flat bed truck. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says this statue was put up to honor the killing of police officers by white supremacists…
Cut 3 (10) “strong today”
Landrieu says they were taken down in the middle of the night for the safety of the workers. Tulane Professor Richard Marksbury said on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster that it was extreme for police to have snipers on hand for the removal…
cut 5 (10) “…with that”
Landrieu says three other Confederate statues will be taken down sooner rather than later.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Major Wendell Raborn says they are receiving a lot of tips regarding the murder of an 80-year-old woman early Saturday morning in New Iberia…
cut 16 (11) “…their neighborhoods”
Authorities says bullets flew through the front door of Bertha Hill’s home and she was fatally struck multiple times.

A northwest Louisiana lawmaker wants to put an end to the need of an inspection sticker for your vehicle. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley believes the stickers are more about money than safety…
cut 9 (10) “….my opinion”
Bagley’s bill will be heard soon in the House Transportation Committee. State Police uses some of the money from the purchase of the sticker to fund their operations.