06:30 Newscast, July 3rd, 2017

The new fiscal year is underway and 38,000 state employees will see a two percent pay raise, but not just yet. State civil service director Byron Decoteau says traditionally state employees were eligible for a four percent performance adjustment on October 1, but that won’t happen this year…:
Cut 7 (09) “January 1″
The higher wages will cost the state an additional 48-million dollars this year.

Public school students will be required to be taught cursive writing this year. A law by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell went into effect on July 1st, after being approved in 2016. She says this gave school systems more time to prepare…:
Cut 4 (09) “right now”
The mandate says cursive writing should be included in lesson plans by the 3rd grade.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is among 10 in the Senate who have sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell requesting that he cancels August Recess…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

An Assumption Parish Sheriff’s deputy was killed in a crash Sunday, according to state police. He is identified as 21-year-old Seth Bourgeois of Thibodaux.

 

AM Newscall July 3rd, 2017

This year all public school students in Louisiana will learn cursive writing, thanks to a new law by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is among 10 in the Senate who have sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell requesting that he cancels August Recess. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Louisiana farmers and ranchers impacted by the 2016 floods are eligible for recovery grants. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Public school students will be required to learn cursive writing this year, as a bill by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell went into effect on July 1. Mizell’s bill passed during last year’s legislative session, but it didn’t take effect right away. She says this gave school systems more time to prepare.

Cut 4  (09) “right now”

Mizell says she’s visited about 15 schools since passing the legislation last year. She says the kids she’s spoken with are excited about learning how to write in cursive. She’s especially thrilled these kids will be able to sign their names.

Cut 5  (10)  “a signature”

The law requires students to be taught cursive writing by the third grade, but it does not outline how long teachers should spend on the matter. Mizell says she wanted to leave that up to the school districts and the teachers.

Cut 6 (10) “the curriculum”

________________________________________________________

The new fiscal year is underway and 38,000 state employees will see a pay raise. A two percent pay hike was approved. State civil service director Byron Decoteau says traditionally state employees were eligible for a four percent performance adjustment on October 1, but that won’t happen this year.

Cut 7 (09)  “January 1″

Law enforcement and child welfare workers specifically will see higher pay in the hopes of combating high turnover rates. So Decoteau says prison guards and probation officers are among the state workers that will see an even higher pay on January 2.

Cut 8 (04) “modest increase”

The higher wages will cost the state an additional 48-million dollars this year. But Decoteau says raises help combat a high turnover rate in state government, which is also costly.

Cut 9 (10)  “in turnover”

__________________________________________________________

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is among 10 Senate Republicans calling for the cancellation of the August recess in order to address issues that demand immediate attention. Kennedy says the current Senate calendar shows only 33 potential working days remaining before the end of the fiscal year and they’ve yet to approve meaningful reforms…

Cut 10 (10) “infrastructure bill”

Kennedy says changes are still being made to the Senate health care reform bill and he’s waiting to see if the final product is better than so-called Obamacare…

Cut 11 (08) “for it”

Kennedy says Congress has three months to extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which expires September 30th. He says a budget and 12 appropriations bills before that date also has to be approved to avoid a government shutdown…

Cut 12 (09) “through August”

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Farmers and ranchers who were impacted by last year’s floods could be eligible for recovery grants. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the state has $10 million to help affected farmers. He says it is part of the $1.6 billion Congress appropriated for flood recovery.

Cut 13 (07) “the flooding”

Strain says to qualify, you must have had at least $10,000 in uninsured losses. He says they’re also doing what they can to make sure all farmers and ranchers are aware of this opportunity.

Cut 14 (10) “accepting applications”

Strain says the floods caused more than $100 million in agriculture losses, and this is something his office has worked for since the floods. He says there needs to be a better system in place to help farmers after disasters.

Cut 15 (09) “Stafford Act”

____________________________________________________________

The Pelicans have re-signed free-agent guard Jrue Holiday to a five-year, 126-million dollar contract. Pelicans insider and Bourbon Streets Shots writer Jake Madison says it was a signing that had to happen for the Pels to compete in the difficult Western Conference….

Cut 16 (19)  “the West”

Holiday’s return gives the Pelicans three star players along with big men Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Madison says the Pelicans do not have a lot of salary cap flexibility to add more firepower, but they have enough money to sign a good three-point shooter…

Cut 17 (18) “last season”

Madison says the Holiday signing assures that the Pelicans will be in contention for a playoff spot….

Cut 18 (11) “Western Conference” 

 

LRN AM Newscall July 3rd

This year all public school students in Louisiana will learn cursive writing, thanks to a new law by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is among 10 in the Senate who have sent a letter to Senate Major League Mitch McConnell requesting that he cancels August Recess. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Louisiana farmers and ranchers impacted by the 2016 floods are eligible for recovery grants. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

__________________________________

Public school students will be required to learn cursive writing this year, as a bill by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell went into effect on July 1. Mizell’s bill passed during last year’s legislative session, but it didn’t take effect right away. She says this gave school systems more time to prepare.

Cut 4  (09) “right now”

Mizell says she’s visited about 15 schools since passing the legislation last year. She says the kids she’s spoken with are excited about learning how to write in cursive. She’s especially thrilled these kids will be able to sign their names.

Cut 5  (10)  “a signature”

The law requires students to be taught cursive writing by the third grade, but it does not outline how long teachers should spend on the matter. Mizell says she wanted to leave that up to the school districts and the teachers.

Cut 6 (10) “the curriculum”

________________________________________________________

The new fiscal year is underway and 38,000 state employees will see a pay raise. A two percent pay hike was approved. State civil service director Byron Decoteau says traditionally state employees were eligible for a four percent performance adjustment on October 1, but that won’t happen this year.

Cut 7 (09)  “January 1″

Law enforcement and child welfare workers specifically will see higher pay in the hopes of combating high turnover rates. So Decoteau says prison guards and probation officers are among the state workers that will see an even higher pay on January 2.

Cut 8 (04) “modest increase”

The higher wages will cost the state an additional 48-million dollars this year. But Decoteau says raises help combat a high turnover rate in state government, which is also costly.

Cut 9 (10)  “in turnover”

__________________________________________________________

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is among 10 Senate Republicans calling for the cancellation of the August recess in order to address issues that demand immediate attention. Kennedy says the current Senate calendar shows only 33 potential working days remaining before the end of the fiscal year and they’ve yet to approve meaningful reforms…

Cut 10 (10) “infrastructure bill”

Kennedy says changes are still being made to the Senate health care reform bill and he’s waiting to see if the final product is better than so-called Obamacare…

Cut 11 (08) “for it”

Kennedy says Congress has three months to extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which expires September 30th. He says a budget and 12 appropriations bills before that date also has to be approved to avoid a government shutdown…

Cut 12 (09) “through August”

____________________________________________________________

Farmers and ranchers who were impacted by last year’s floods could be eligible for recovery grants. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the state has $10 million to help affected farmers. He says it is part of the $1.6 billion Congress appropriated for flood recovery.

Cut 13 (07) “the flooding”

Strain says to qualify, you must have had at least $10,000 in uninsured losses. He says they’re also doing what they can to make sure all farmers and ranchers are aware of this opportunity.

Cut 14 (10) “accepting applications”

Strain says the floods caused more than $100 million in agriculture losses, and this is something his office has worked for since the floods. He says there needs to be a better system in place to help farmers after disasters.

Cut 15 (09) “Stafford Act”

____________________________________________________________

The Pelicans have re-signed free-agent guard Jrue Holiday to a five-year, 126-million dollar contract. Pelicans insider and Bourbon Streets Shots writer Jake Madison says it was a signing that had to happen for the Pels to compete in the difficult Western Conference….

Cut 16 (19)  “the West”

Holiday’s return gives the Pelicans three star players along with big men Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Madison says the Pelicans do not have a lot of salary cap flexibility to add more firepower, but they have enough money to sign a good three-point shooter…

Cut 17 (18) “last season”

Madison says the Holiday signing assures that the Pelicans will be in contention for a playoff spot….

Cut 18 (11) “Western Conference” 

 

10:30 LRN Newscast July 1

East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore provided extensive details on what happened when law enforcement officers were ambushed in Baton Rouge last July. Moore replayed the chilling dispatch call when the gunman, Gavin Long, opened fire on Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola and others…:
Cut 7 (11) “shooting from”
Moore says Long came to Baton Rouge to inflict pain on police officers, because of the fatal police shootings of black men.

If you’re vacationing for the 4th of July Holiday, you’re not alone. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says 44 million Americans are expected to travel and that means 2017 will be the most traveled Independence Day holiday ever..:
Cut 4 (08) “growing economy”
He says 37.5 million people will be driving to their destinations, and 3.44 million will fly which is a 4.6% increase over last year.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler has yet to decide if they’ll provide voter identification information to a commission set by President Donald Trump investigating voter fraud. The panel is seeking names, birth dates, addresses and partial Social Security numbers. The President tweeted a number of states are refusing to give this information and he asks what are they trying to hide.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is among 10 Senators who want to see the upcoming August recess cancelled, because they’ve yet to pass meaningful tax and health care reform. Kennedy says changes are still being made to the Senate health care reform bill and he’s waiting to see if the final product is better than so-called Obamacare…
Cut 11 (08) “for it”
No word on if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will cancel the August recess.

09:30 LRN Newscast July 1

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says Gavin Eugene Long came to Baton Rouge last summer to inflict pain on police officers. Moore released many more details on last July’s attack on law enforcement where Long killed three officers. The D-A says the officers who killed Long were completely justified and he was ready to die that day too based on his suicide note….
cut 9 (11) “…get your award”
Moore says SWAT officers fired a total of 89 rounds and Long had a total of 45 bullet wounds.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon both said at the 95th Louisiana Farm Bureau Annual Convention that they both plan on running for re-election in 2019.

Thanks to routine water testing, the Louisiana Department of Health found a brain-eating amoeba in the North Monroe Water system and in a Terrebonne Parish water system. State Health officer, Doctor Jimmy Guidry….
cut 11 (08) “….rid of it”
Guidry says the water is safe to drink, but make sure it does not go up your nose, where it can impact the brain tissue.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is among 10 Senate Republicans calling for the cancellation of the August recess in order to address issues that demand immediate attention. Kennedy says the current Senate calendar shows only 33 potential working days remaining before the end of the fiscal year and they’ve yet to approve meaningful reforms…
cut 10 (10) “…infrastructure bill”
Kennedy says changes are still being made to the Senate health care reform bill, but he says if the final product is better than so-called Obamacare, he’ll vote for it.

08:30 LRN Newscast July 1st

East Baton Rouge D-A Hillar Moore presented a detailed account of last July’s deadly ambush on law enforcement. Moore says Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola was very brave as he fired shots at the gunman, while also tending to Officer Matthew Gerald, who was also fatally shot….
cut 8 (14) “….Benny’s warehouse”
Officer Montrell Jackson was also killed in the attack.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler has yet to decide if they’ll provide voter identification information to a commission set by President Donald Trump investigating voter fraud. The panel is seeking names, birth dates, addresses and partial Social Security numbers. The President tweeted a number of states are refusing to give this information and he asks what are they trying to hide.

Louisiana farmers and ranchers impacted by the 2016 floods are eligible for recovery grants. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

AAA says more people than ever are expected to hit the road this Fourth of July weekend. Spokesperson Don Redman says low gas prices are one factor and the public feels good about the economic climate.
Cut 5 “to travel”
Over 37 million people will drive to their vacation destinations.

07:30 LRN Sportscast July 1st

The Pelicans have reportedly signed their starting point guard Jrue Holiday to a five-year, 120 million dollar deal. The contract also includes incentive clauses that could pay Holiday up to 150-million dollars and the agreement also contains a player option for a fifth year. Signing the 27-year-old is the Pelicans top priority this offseason after he averaged 15 points and seven assists last year.

But the Western Conference continues to get tougher. As Oklahoma City traded for Paul George to give MVP Russell Westbrook a star player to work with.

First year LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has received a major commitment from the state’s top basketball player. Javonte Smart of Scotlandville High in Baton Rouge has given a verbal pledge to the Tigers. He’s six-foot-four and has already been named Mr. Basketball for the state two times. Kansas, Kentucky, and UCLA were also very interested in Smart.

LSU finished the 2017 season as the consensus number two team in the country in college baseball. So how do the Tigers look heading into the 2018 season? They lose their top two starters in Alex Lange and Jared Poche, but they return a good nucleus of position players, Antoine Duplantis, Zach Watson, Josh Smith and Jake Slaugther. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says a good group of freshmen is also coming in…
cut 18 (14) “…point too”
Doolittle is a catcher from Jupiter, Florida, while Storz is from Brooklyn. He’s 6-foot-6 and can play in the outfield as well. The Detroit Tigers selected him in the 31st round, but he’s expected to play at LSU next year.

LSU signee and West Monroe star Jacob Pearson has officially signed with the Los Angeles Angels. He was chosen 85th overall by the Angels in last month’s MLB draft.