07:30 Newscast, July 25th, 2017

A report from 24/7 Wall Street ranks New Orleans and Baton Rouge among the most segregated cities in the country…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Wounded Congressman Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish dialed in to a meeting on Monday of House Republican whips to thank them for their hard work, and that he hoped to continue his job through the recovery process. The House Majority Whip and 4 others were injured on June 14 when a gunman opened fire on a GOP baseball practice. Scalise has undergone several surgeries.

State officials are hoping to use a portion of Volkswagen’s $4.3 billion settlement over an emissions-rigging scandal to purchase propane-powered school buses. Louisiana’s cut is about $18 million, according to the DEQ. Louisiana Clean Fuels President Randy Hayden says propane buses would reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by over 92-percent…:
Cut 4 (11) “not good”
Thursday is the last day to apply for a share of the money.

National watchdog, Stop Animal Exploitation Now, believes the 100-thousand dollar fine against UL-Lafayette for animal abuse at its New Iberia primate lab isn’t good enough. Co-founder Michael Budkie says the USDA previously took significant action against another facility for killing a large number of animals…:
Cut 10 (07) “ULL”
UL-Lafayette does not admit wrongdoing at the Research Center.

 

06:45 Sportscast, July 25th, 2017

At Sun Belt Football Media Day in New Orleans, ULM players have a positive outlook for the upcoming season, despite winning just four games last year. Senior defensive end Caleb Tucker says players got comfortable with Coach Viator’s staff in 2016…:
Cut 17 (15) “this year”

Mark Hudspeth is entering his 7th season as head coach of UL Lafayette. His team has seven road games this year and the coach says none of them will be easy..:
Cut 18 (24) “at a time”
The Cajuns are projected to finish in the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt.

Saints Wide receiver Willie Snead has signed his exclusive rights free agent tag with New Orleans, according to the NFL transactions wire, locking him in for one year at $615,000. Linebacker Michael Mauti is rejoining the Saints. The Black and Gold begin training camp tomorrow in Metairie.

Fans hoping to attend the free practice sessions this weekend are scooping up the tickets. The Saints announced Monday that all spots for Saturday’s practice have been claimed, but a very limited number of seats are still available for Sunday. Fans must claim tickets at neworleanssaints.com in order to attend.

According to sources, the Pelicans and forward Darius Miller have agreed to a deal for the former Kentucky Wildcat to return to the team. The report indicates Miller officially signed a two-year deal Monday, with the second year being a team option.

Former LSU football coach Les Miles has been very vocal in expressing interest to coach again in any Power 5 position, and USA Today’s Dan Wolken reports the Mad Hatter is extremely interested in the Ole Miss vacancy.

Researchers at LSU say the 2017 NBA All-Star game had a $44.9 million dollar economic impact to the state of Louisiana. The study said visitors spent an estimated $23.7 million.

06:30 Newscast, July 25th, 2017

New Orleans and Baton Rouge are among the most segregated cities in the nation, according to a report from 24/7 Wall Street. Editor-In-Chief Doug McIntyre says that’s because of population concentration in the cities:
Cut 7 (07) “heavily black”
New Orleans came in at number six on the list, and Baton Rouge ranked thirteenth.

The hunt is on for a new chief of the Baton Rouge Police Department. Lt. Johnny Dunnam was appointed as interim when Chief Carl Dabadie resigned, but Dunnam is not a candidate for the full time position. East Baton Rouge Parish Constable Reginald Brown says it’s not surprising Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome would not keep the interim..:
Cut 13 (10) “new chief”
Broome had pushed for a new face to lead BRPD in the wake of the Alton Sterling shooting.

12 million dollars from the Volkswagen settlement will be distributed by the DEQ to projects that will benefit the community and propane fueled school buses could be a major investment. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

 

LRN AM NEWSCALL JULY 25, 2017

A report from 24/7 Wall Street ranks New Orleans and Baton Rouge among the most segregated cities in the country. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A National Watchdog believes the 100-thousand dollar fine against UL-Lafayette is not enough after allegations of animal abuse against monkeys. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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12 million dollars from the Volkswagen settlement will be distributed by the DEQ to projects that will benefit the community and propane fueled school buses could be a major investment. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The state Department of Environmental Quality will distribute 12 million dollars from the Volkswagen settlement to projects proposed by public agencies that offer long term benefits to the community. Thursday is the last day to submit a proposal.  Randy Hayden with the Louisiana Propane Gas Association says one option is to replace diesel fueled school buses 10 years and older with ones that run on propane, which would reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by over 92-percent.

Cut 4  (11) “not good”

Hayden says propane is less expensive than conventional fuels as the cost falls in between the price of oil and natural gas.

Cut 5  (09)  “comparable”

There is already a handful of school systems who use propane school buses, Lafayette, East Baton Rouge, Lafourche and Caddo Parishes. Hayden says East Baton Rouge used the historic flooding last August to start the process of switching over to propane powered school buses when they lost 168 vehicles.

Cut 6 (10) “vehicle”

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New Orleans and Baton Rouge are among the most segregated cities in the nation, according to a report from 24/7 Wall Street. New Orleans came in at number six on the list, and Baton Rouge ranked thirteenth. Editor-In-Chief Doug McIntyre says that’s because of population concentration in the cities.

Cut 7 (07)  “heavily black”

In both Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the black poverty rate is roughly 30 percent, while the white poverty rate is only about 10 percent. McIntyre says that demonstrates one big problem with segregation because black neighborhoods tend to be much poorer than white neighborhoods.

Cut 8 (10) “health outcomes”

In New Orleans, about 43 percent of the black population lives in black neighborhoods, compared to 32 percent in Baton Rouge. McIntyre says the fact that those groups of people are isolated from groups that have better outcomes means that segregation helps to keep those kinds of outcomes in place.

Cut 9 (08)  “over time”

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National watchdog, Stop Animal Exploitation Now, believes the 100-thousand dollar fine against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for animal abuse at its New Iberia research center does not go far enough. SAEN Co-founder Michael Budkie says the USDA previously took significant action against another facility for killing a large number of animals…

Cut 10 (07) “ULL”

This is the fifth largest fine levied against a laboratory in the U.S. University spokesperson Kathleen Thames released a statement saying these incidents occurred as part of routine housing and care of nonhuman primates. But Budkie disagrees as there are multiple occurrences of monkeys being neglected or killed.

Cut 11 (10) “hemorrhage”

Budkie says other allegations against the New Iberia laboratory claim three monkeys were lost during a transfer and were not found until they all died and one primate had a broken arm that was not treated for five days. He says entities that continue to criminally abuse animals should not be allowed to break the law.

Cut 12 (06) “ever again”

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The hunt is on for a new chief of the Baton Rouge Police Department. Lt. Johnny Dunnam was appointed as interim when Chief Carl Dabadie resigned, but Dunnam is not a candidate for the full time position. East Baton Rouge Parish Constable Reginald Brown says it’s not surprising Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome would not keep the interim in the position.

Cut 13 (10) “new chief”

Brown says he isn’t surprised Dabadie stepped down, as Broome has been trying to fire the police chief since she took office in January. Civil service laws prevented the mayor from ousting the chief. Brown says it appears as though she is trying to follow through with her campaign promises.

Cut 14 (10) “stepped down”

But Brown says the timing was a bit odd. Murder in Baton Rouge is up 70 percent from a year ago, according to the district attorney. Brown says that’s a sign of the times and growing disrespect for the law. He says now is the time for law enforcement agencies to come together and address the problem.

Cut 15 (10) “East Baton Rouge Parish”

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At Sun Belt Football Media Day in New Orleans, ULM players have a positive outlook for the upcoming season, despite winning just four games last season. Senior offensive lineman Frank Sutton says last year’s team performed better than most expected and they expect to do the same again this season…

Cut 16 (24)  “from there”

Senior defensive end Caleb Tucker says players are more comfortable heading into this season, after getting to know Coach Viator’s staff last year…

Cut 17 (15) “this year”

________________________________________________________________

Mark Hudspeth is entering his 7th season as head coach of UL Lafayette. The Cajuns are projected to finish in the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt. Hudspeth’s team has seven road games this year and the coach says none of them will be easy…

Cut 18 (24) “at a time” 

Jordan Davis has been named the starting quarterback. Hudspeth is expecting a big year from the junior in Texas…

Cut 19 (19) “security”

18:30 LRN Newscast July 24

In a move that doesn’t surprise many in the Capital City, Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie has announced his plans to retire. Newly elected Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome promised a new top cop, in the hopes of easing tensions between the community and police following the shooting of Alton Sterling. Political analyst and Baton Rouge Radio host Clay Young says Dabadie was willing to work on a strong partnership….
cut 8 (11) “…emotion”
Broome has named Lt. Jonny Dunnam as interim chief.

A plane crash in Union Parish has claimed the life of a 73-year-old man from Monroe. Sheriff Dusty Gates says David Lockard’s small, private plane crashed into Lake D’Arbonne yesterday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration is one site, trying to determine a cause for the crash.

Calcasieu Parish authorities make an arrest in the 2009 murder of 19-year-old Sierra Bouziard. Her body was found on the side of the road in Moss Bluff. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says 31-year-old Blake Russel was taken into custody today after police work and DNA techonology helped connect him to Bouziard’s murder…
cut 13 (09) “…weep with joy”
Russel was charged with second-degree murder.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says an arrest has been made in a fatal hit and run crash in Rayne. They say 42-year-old Ivy Roger had been charged with driving while intoxicated five times before, and was booked last night after hitting a bicyclist and fleeing the scene of the crash. Sheriff K. P. Gibson..:
Cut 10 (10) “to confirm it”
The victim, 61-year-old Ricky Joyner, died at the scene.

17:30 Newscast July 24

Gas prices are about 10 cents higher now than they were this time last year. That’s according to Don Redman with AAA, who says prices will continue to climb as we get closer to Labor Day. He says refineries are struggling to keep up with record high demand.

Cut 4 (11) “a gallon”

The statewide average is about $2.08 a gallon.

Today will be Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie’s last day on the force, as he just announced his retirement. Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome calls Dabadie an honorable man.

Cut 6 (10) “law enforcement”

Broome has talked about firing Dabadie since she was elected, but civil service laws prevented her from doing so.

After being arrested five times for drunk driving, a Rayne man is now behind bars for a fatal hit and run in which alcohol is believed to be a factor. Acadia Parish Sheriff K. P. Gibson says 61-year-old Ricky Joyner was riding his bike on the side of the road when he was struck by 42-year-old Ivy Roger.

Cut 9 (08) “with assistance”

So far Roger has been charged with vehicular homicide, hit and run, and driving under suspension.

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish have closed a 2009 cold case, as 31-year-old Blake Russell has been arrested for the murder of 19-year-old Sierra Bouzigard. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the two did not know each other, but the victim lived a risky lifestyle. But he says she did not deserve to die.

Cut 14 (07) “absolutely no reason”

16:30 LRN Newscast July 24th

High demand is driving up prices at the pump. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A veteran New Orleans Police officer has been shot for the third time in his career. Authorities say Christopher Abbott is recovering from a gunshot wound to the leg. He was in uniform working off-duty private security patrol when someone from a dark SUV fired one shot at him. The search is on for the shooter.

Carl Dabadie has announced he’s retiring as Baton Rouge Police Chief. East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said she’d like a new face at the department in the aftermath of the Alton Sterling shooting. Political Analyst and Baton Rouge radio host Clay Young says Dabadie probably had enough…:
Cut 7 (11) “time to move on”
Lt. Johnathan Dunnam has been named interim chief.

A Rayne man, who has five DWI charges on his record, has been arrested for his involvement in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a bicylist. Acadia Parish Sheriff K-P Gibson says 42-year-old Ivy Roger’s license is suspended and he should not have been driving at all….
cut 11 (08) “…for life”
61-year-old Ricky Joyner of Rayne was pronounced dead at the scene.

15:30 LRN Newscast July 24th

Gas prices are on the rise. Don Redman with AAA says gas prices in June were the lowest we’ve seen all year, which is unusual for the summer months, but we’re seeing an uptick at the pump…:
Cut 3 (09) “statewide”
Acadia Parish authorities arrest a man with a history of drunk driving arrests for a fatal hit and run. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Calcasieu Parish authorities have made an arrest in a 2009 cold case. The body of 19-year-old Sierra Bouzigard was found on the side of the road in November of 2009, and police have been searching for a suspect ever since. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they used phenotyping technology to create a suspect profile from DNA found on the victim, which led to today’s arrest of 31-year-old Blake Russel.
Cut 12 (08) “either one”
Mancuso says his agency was the first in the state to use the Snapshot DNA Phenotyping technology. Russel was arrested this morning in DeQuincy on a charge of second degree murder.

New Orleans Cops are looking for a dark SUV involved in the shooting of an officer working a private detail. The injured policeman, Officer Chris Abbott, was shot in the leg in what has described as a drive-by-shooting. It turns out Abbott was also injured by gunfire in 1998 and 2001.

LRN PM NEWSCALL JULY 24, 2017

High demand is driving up prices at the pump. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Acadia Parish authorities arrest a man with a history of drunk driving arrests for a fatal hit and run. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Gas prices are on the rise in the Bayou State. Don Redman with AAA says gas prices in June were the lowest we’ve seen all year, which is unusual for the summer months. He says we’re already seeing an uptick in prices at the pump.

Cut 3 (09) “statewide”

Redman says that’s almost 10 cents higher than we were this time last year. He expects prices will continue to climb as we get closer to Labor Day, as refineries struggle to keep up with this summer’s record demand for gasoline.

Cut 4  (11) “a gallon”

Redman says we could be looking at a 10 cent a gallon hike by the time we reach Labor Day. But he notes that’s an educated guess because a lot of factors affect prices at the pump, especially in the Gulf South.

Cut 5  (10)  “much higher”

The current statewide average is $2.08. That’s about a dime higher than a year ago.

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Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie has submitted his letter of retirement, and today will be his last day. It’s not a huge surprise as Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome had said since she took office that new leadership was needed at BRPD in the wake of the Alton Sterling shooting. She said Monday that Dabadie is an honorable man…:

Cut 6 (10) “to law enforcement”

Weston-Broome was not able to fire Dabadie without cause as the chief’s job is protected by civil service laws. But Political Analyst and Baton Rouge radio host Clay Young says Dabadie probably had had enough…:

Cut 7 (11)  “time to move on”

Weston-Broome ran a campaign on the promise that she’d appoint a fresh face to the department that would help ease tensions between people and police officers. But Young says Dabadie is not a person who would be unwilling to try to work with anyone to try to make the city of Baton Rouge and the community better…:

Cut 8 (11) “emotion”

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A Rayne man, with a history of DWI arrests, is behind bars after police say he hit a man on a bicycle while driving intoxicated. Acadia Parish Sheriff K. P. Gibson says 61-year-old Ricky Joyner of Rayne was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver, 42-year-old Ivy Roger, was nowhere to be found.

Cut 9 (08)  “with assistance”

Gibson says deputies were able to identify the driver and track him down inside the city limits of Rayne. He says they are waiting for toxicology results to charge Roger with a DWI, but he already faces a slew of criminal charges.

Cut 10 (10) “to confirm it”

Roger has already been charged with 5 DWIs, and Gibson says three of them were fairly recently. As Roger’s license is currently suspended, the sheriff says he shouldn’t have been driving at all.

Cut 11 (08) “for life”

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Calcasieu Parish authorities have made an arrest in a 2009 cold case. The body of 19-year-old Sierra Bouzigard was found on the side of the road in November of 2009, and police have been searching for a suspect ever since. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they used phenotyping technology to create a suspect profile from DNA found on the victim, which led to today’s arrest of 31-year-old Blake Russell.

Cut 12 (08) “either one”

Mancuso says his agency was the first in the state to use the Snapshot DNA Phenotyping technology. Russell was arrested this morning in DeQuincy on a charge of second degree murder. Mancuso says it means everything to give closure to the family, who have been waiting seven years for justice.

Cut 13 (09) “weep with joy”

The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. Mancuso says Russell did not know the victim at all. He says Bouzigard lived a “risky lifestyle” but did not elaborate because he says it doesn’t matter, and he doesn’t think it’s important.

Cut 14 (07) “absolutely no reason” 

14:30 LRN Newscast July 24

Triple-A is projecting gas prices will go up about a dime before the Labor Day Holiday. Fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s an educated guess, because a lot of factors affect gas prices, especially in the Gulf South…
cut 5 (10) “….much higher”
The current statewide average is $2.08. That’s about a dime higher than a year ago.

Calcaiseu Parish authorities have made an arrest in the 2009 murder of a 19-year-old female from Moss Bluff. At a press conference this afternoon, Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they arrested a man from DeQuincy…
cut 30 (08) “…second-degree murder”
In 2009, Sierra Bouzigard’s body was found on John Koonce Road. She died from blunt force trauma to the head.

In a move that doesn’t surprise many in the Capital City, Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie has announced his plans to retire. Newly elected Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome promised a new top cop, in the hopes of easing tensions between the community and police following the shooting of Alton Sterling. Political analyst and Baton Rouge Radio host Clay Young says Dabadie was willing to work on a strong partnership….
cut 8 (11) “…emotion”
Broome has named Lt. Jonny Dunnam as interim chief.

A plane crash in Union Parish has claimed the life of a 73-year-old man from Monroe. Sheriff Dusty Gates says David Lockard’s small, private plane crashed into Lake D’Arbonne yesterday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration is one site, trying to determine a cause for the crash. Lockard was the only person on the aircraft.