16:30 LRN Newscast December 29

A Slidell man has been arrested for his alleged role in a “Nigerian Prince’ email scam. Kelley Ray has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says law enforcement will be on the lookout for drunk drivers during the holiday weekend. According to the Highway Safety Research Group at LSU, 76 people were injured and five people died in crashes involving alcohol on Louisiana roads during the 2016 New Year’s Eve holiday weekend.

LSU’s Matt Canada told reporters covering the Citrus Bowl he’d love to remain the offensive coordinator of the Tigers. Multiple media reports indicate the relationship between Canada and head coach Ed Orgeron is not good. Coach O had previously said he hoped Canada would land a head coaching gig. Canada says if a school wants you to be the head coach, they’ll call..:
Cut 5 (10) “gig going”
He says the focus right now is beating the Fighting Irish on Monday.

Sunday night will be a big night for fireworks in Louisiana, since it’s New Year’s Eve. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says if you are not a licensed pyro technician, do not try to put on a display that rivals what trained professionals do…
cut 13 (08) “…..lot of problems”
Browning says make sure you have at least 300 feet of clear space before launching fireworks.

15:30 LRN Newscast

Frigid cold weather will greet us for the start of the New Year. Chris Nuttall with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says North Louisiana will see temperatures fall into the teens…:
CUT 6 (11) “northern Louisiana”
Freddie Ziegler with the National Weather Service in Slidell says this extended cold snap will pull temperatures in south Louisiana well below normal too….
cut 10 (11) “…..of January”

Media reports indicate the relationship between LSU Coach Ed Orgeron and Offensive coordinator Matt Canada is frosty. Canada says he’d like to be the offensive coordinator in 2018, but the speculation is he will not be back.

An alleged middle man in a “Nigerian prince” email scam has been arrested in Slidell after an 18-month investigation. 67-year-old Michael Neu has been booked on 269 counts of wire fraud and money laundering. Slidell police spokesman Daniel Seuzeneau says finding the kingpin of these types of operations is almost impossible, but they are glad they nabbed Neu…
cut 15 (08) “…anybody else”
Authorities say Neu participated in hundreds of financial scams over the internet and phone and wired the money back to co-conspirators in Nigeria.

Fireworks will be going off across the state on New Year’s Eve. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says always read the package before firing the explosives…
cut 12 (07) “….to light it”
Browning says even with damp conditions, make sure you have at least 300 feet of clear space before launching your fireworks.

14:30 LRN Newscast December 29

LSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada met with the media at the Citrus Bowl, amid reports there’s an impending split between he and the Tigers following Monday’s contest versus Notre Dame. Canada says right now the focus is on the game, and the team is not impacted by the reports…:
CUT 4 (12) “that at all”
Canada was asked about his relationship with Head Coach Ed Orgeron and said both have the same goal to win.

Some really cold weather will impact the state when we ring in the New Year. North Louisiana will see low temperatures in the teens during the first part of next week and Chris Nuttall with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the breezy conditions will make it feel even colder…
cut 7 (05) “….Tuesday”
There is a slight chance for winter precipitation in north Lousiaina Sunday morning, but no accumulation is expected.
Three people were killed, including a three-year-old boy in a house fire early this morning in New Orleans East. A 70-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman were also pronounced dead. The New Orleans Fire Department says it took 14 fire companies about 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

A Slidell man has been arrested for his part in a “Nigerian Prince’ email scam. Kelley Ray has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

PM Newscall December 29

Offense Coordinator Matt Canada tells reporters he hopes to be back next season with the LSU Tigers. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

A Slidell man has been arrested for his part in a “Nigerian Prince’ email scam.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

________________________________________________________

LSU’s Matt Canada says he’d love to remain the offensive coordinator of the Tigers. Multiple media reports say Canada will leave the program following Monday’s game against Notre Dame, because of differences with Head Coach Ed Orgeron. Canada says his focus is beating the Fighting Irish in the Citrus Bowl…

Cut 3 (05) “get 10 wins”

Canada says speculation about his future has not impacted the players….

Cut 4  (12) “that at all” 

Canada was asked about his relationship with Orgeron and he said they both have the same goal and that is to win. After the regular season finale, Coach O expressed hoped Canada would land a head coaching job. Canada says if other schools want you to be a head coach, they’ll call you…

Cut 5  (10)  “gig going”

________________________________________________________

Frigid cold weather will greet us for the start of the New Year. Chris Nuttall with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says North Louisiana will see temperatures fall into the teens…

Cut 6 (11)  “northern Louisiana.”

Nuttall says as the cold air will sink south, it will create wind chills Louisiana typically does not see…

Cut 7 (05)  “Tuesday morning.”

North Louisiana may be in line for some freezing precipitation along and north of the I-20 corridor.  Nuttall says it won’t be a huge icing event though…

Cut 8 (10) “this time.”

Meanwhile, south Louisiana will not be able to escape the frigid temperatures.  Freddie Zeigler with the Slidell office of the National Weather Service says temps will drop well below freezing…

Cut 9 (10)  “the Lake.”

Zeigler says this extended cold snap will pull temperatures in south Louisiana well below normal.  At this time of year we should see temperatures around…

Cut 10 (11) “of January.”

 

Experts say to make sure you are dressed adequately for the cold weather, bring any pets inside and wrap outdoor exposed pipes to protect them from freezing.

 

__________________________________________

 

It will be a cold New Year’s Eve, with a chance of rain, but that won’t keep some from putting on their own fireworks show. With these conditions in mind, State Fire Marshal Chief Butch Browning says talk to an expert before planning out your display…

 

Cut 11 (08) “good advice.”

 

Every device is different, and Browning says you should always read the package before firing the explosives…

 

Cut 12 (07) “to light it.”

Licensed pyro technicians are professionals with rigorous training and yearly recertifications. Browning says if you aren’t one, then you should limit the size of your presentation…

Cut 13 (08)  “lot of problems.”

Browning says even with damp conditions, make sure you have at least 300 feet of clear space before launching your fireworks.

_________________________________________

A Slidell man is in jail on 269 counts of wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a “Nigerian Prince” e-mail scam.  67-year-old Michael Neu was arrested following an 18-month investigation.  Slidell Police spokesman Daniel Seuzeneau says they gave Neu a chance to admit to the scheme early in the investigation…

Cut 14 (13) “it again.”

Police says Neu allegedly served as the “middle man” of the operation.  Seuzeneau says even though this is a big break, finding the kingpin of these types of operations is near impossible…

Cut 15 (08) “anybody else.”

Seuzeneau says it appears Neu was acting alone, at least in Southeast Louisiana…

Cut 16  (07)  “have locally.”

Seuzeneau says be leery of a scam like that seems too good to be true, because usually it is.

____________________________________________________

 

13:30 Newscast, December 29th, 2017

Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada tells reporters he hopes to be back next season with the LSU Tigers…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

We’re going to kick off the New Year with chilly temperatures throughout the state. North Louisiana may be in line for some freezing precipitation along and north of the I-20 corridor. Chris Nuttall with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says it won’t be a huge icing event though…:
Cut 8 (10) “this time”

A Slidell man is in jail on 269 counts of wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a “Nigerian Prince” e-mail scam. 67-year-old Michael Neu was arrested following an 18-month investigation. Slidell Police spokesman Daniel Seuzeneau says they gave Neu a chance to admit to confess…:
Cut 14 (13) “it again”
He says Neu would allegedly tell people they had inherited a bunch of money in order to gain access to their bank account information.

A win on Sunday for the Saints and they clinch the NFC South. They have already locked up their first postseason appearance in four years. A win in Tampa Bay, means New Orleans will host a playoff game the next week. They could face either Atlanta, Carolina or Seattle in that first round playoff matchup.

12:30 Newscast, December 29th, 2017

Temperatures could fall into the teens in North Louisiana as we ring in the New Year, and the bottom half of the state won’t be spared either. Freddie Zeigler with the National Weather Service in Slidell says temps will drop well below freezing in South Louisiana..:
CUT (10) “the lake”
He says make sure you are dressed adequately for the cold weather, bring any pets inside and wrap outdoor exposed pipes to protect them from freezing.

With these conditions in mind State Fire Marshal Chief Butch Browning says you should talk to an expert before planning out your display…:
Cut 11 (08) “good advice”
He says even with damp conditions, make sure you have at least 300 feet of clear space before launching your fireworks.

LSU’s Matt Canada told reporters covering the Citrus Bowl he’d love to remain the offensive coordinator of the Tigers. Multiple media reports say Canada will leave the program following Monday’s game against Notre Dame, and Coach O had previously said he hoped Canada would land a head coaching gig. Canada says if a school wants you to be head coach, they’ll call..:
Cut 5 (10) “gig going”
He says the focus right now is beating the Fighting Irish.

11:40 LRN Sportscast December 29

Offensive coordinator Matt Canada says he’d love to be at LSU next season when asked by reporters during a media session in Orlando for the Citrus Bowl. Canada says he has not spoken to anyone about his future and the focus is on Monday’s game against Notre Dame. The 45-year-old says the speculation about his future has not impacted the players…
cut 4 (12) “…that at all”
Canada was asked about his relationship with Head Coach Ed Orgeron and he said they both have the same goal and that is to win.

A win on Sunday for the Saints and they clinch the NFC South. They have already locked up their first postseason appearance in four years. A win in Tampa Bay, means New Orleans will host a playoff game the next week. They could face either Atlanta, Carolina or Seattle in that first round playoff matchup.

35-year-old Will Wade won his 100th game of his coaching career last night as LSU defeated Memphis 71-61 in the FedEx Forum. The Tigers are 9-3 on the season and they’ll begin conference play next Wednesday against 16th ranked Kentucky at the PMAC.

Conference play started last night for Louisiana Tech and they lost by one point to Western Kentucky 69-68. The Bulldogs shot just 39-percent from the field.

Tulane topped Temp to begin play in the American Conference as Melvin Frazier scored 25 points in an 85-76.

In the Southland Conference….Southeastern Louisiana had an impresive win over Stephen F Austin 73-62. Marlain Veal had a big game with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Nicholls State crushed Northwestern State 87 to 46. The 41 point win is the largest ever for the Colonels in a Southland Conference contest. The Demons turned it over 26 times.

McNeese and UNO were also winners last night and Grambling lost to Seattle 93-63.

In the NBA, the Pelicans host the Dallas Mavericks.

11:30 Newscast, December 29th, 2017

LSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada met with the media Friday at the Citrus Bowl. Amid reports that there’s an impending split between he and the Tigers once the game versus Notre Dame is finished, Canada said right now the focus is on the game, and the team is not impacted by the reports…:
CUT 4 (12) “that at all”
After the regular season finale, Coach O expressed hoped Canada would land a head coaching job.

Frigid cold weather will greet us for the start of the New Year. Chris Nuttall with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says North Louisiana will see temperatures fall into the teens…:
CUT 6 (11) “northern Louisiana”

Louisiana Radio Network looks back at our biggest stories in 2017…:
Cut 2 (40) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Slidell area man has been arrested on charges related to an alleged scheme he was working in which he pretended to be a Nigerian prince to scam people out of money. Cops say 67-year-old Michael Neu is booked with 269 counts of wire fraud and money laundering.

10:30 LRN Newscast December 29

LSU’s Matt Canada told reporters covering the Citrus Bowl he’d love to remain the offensive coordinator of the Tigers. Multiple media reports say Canada will leave the program following Monday’s game against Notre Dame, because of differences with Head Coach Ed Orgeron. Canada says the focus right now is beating the Fighting Irish…
cut 3 (05) “…get to 10 wins”
Canada says speculation about his future has not impacted the players.

One of the biggest stories for 2017 was the shooting of Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise, who nearly died after a gunman struck him and three others while preparing for a charity baseball game on June 14th. After months of grueling rehab, Scalise returned to the House Floor on September 28th…
cut 12 (10) “….applause–laughter”
Scalise hopes to play in the Congressional baseball game next year.

Some really cold weather will impact the state when we ring in the New Year. The northern half of the state will see low temperatures in the teens during the first part of next week and Chris Nuttall with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the breezy conditions will make it feel even colder…
cut 7 (05) “….Tuesday”
There is a slight chance for winter precipitation in north Lousiaina on Sunday morning, but no accumulation is expected.

Well if you can brave the cold temperatures on Sunday, the Office of State Parks is encouraging residents to take a walk on one of their hiking trails. There are three state parks that will have specific activities on Monday, Bouge Chitto, Fontainebleau and Lake D’ Arbonne. But State Parks spokesperson Sharon Broussard says you can attend any one of their 21 state parks…
cut 9 (10) “…day hike”

09:30 Newscast, December 29th, 2017

Powerball and Mega Millions are sitting at a combined six hundred ninety million dollars for the drawings that start tomorrow night. LA lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says Powerball usually runs higher, but  Mega Millions made a big change earlier this year to bring jackpots in line with its competitor…:
Cut 5 (07) “increase jackpots”
Mega Millions’ Friday night drawing is worth 306-million, while Saturday night’s Powerball drawing is at 384-million.

A 21-year-old Gramercy man was arrested Thursday on a count of second-degree battery in the beating of a teen on Christmas Eve at a bonfire on the levee. The St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office says Jordan Hitt was booked into jail following an investigation into a fight that broke out between a group of white males and a group of black males. Investigators have found no evidence so far of a racial motive for the fight.

Louisiana State Parks are encouraging people to celebrate the new year with outdoor activities…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

LSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada met with the media Friday at the Citrus Bowl for the first time since before the season opener. Amid reports that there’s an impending split between he and the Tigers once the game is finished, Canada said he would like to be here next year, and that the focus right now is to get 10 wins. Monday’s game against Notre Dame kicks off at 12noon on ABC.