9:30 LRN Newscasts February 17

Legislation has been filed for the legislative session that begins next month that would end the requirement for a concealed carry permit. Opponents of the proposal argue concealed carry creates additional public risk and the licensing classes exist to ensure gun owners are responsible and informed enough to carry a concealed weapon. But the author of the bill, Oil City Representative Danny McCormick disagrees…
cut 9 (04) “…per say”
Governor Edwards is a second-amendment supporter, but no word if he supports this legislation.

Meanwhile, Edwards has created an Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is one of 34 appointees and says the work is important because many rural areas are drying up….
cut 13 (11) “…these rural areas”
Anderson says expanding broadband internet availability is one goal of the council.

The Senate votes to advance a measure limiting the President’s authority to engage in acts of war against Iran. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the measure’s supporters Senator Bill Cassidy…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux has apologized after one of his detectives put down the wrong birth date of an individual who has failed to return a leased vehicle. The error led to Sara Saucier of Ponchtatoula spending 36 hours in a New Orleans jail after U-S customs agents arrested her on a cruise ship.

8:30 LRN Newscast Feb 17

Governor Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

An 89-year-old man with dementia remains missing this morning after his truck was found in a field in Acadia Parish Friday morning. James Gunnels was last seen at the Canterbury House in Alexandria and left the assisted living facility to go to the store and never returned.

Two bills have been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would do away with the state’s law that requires a concealed handgun permit for those who possess a concealed handgun. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick believes the current law infringes on a person’s second amendment right…
cut 8 (12) “….worship”
The legislation would still require that a person is legally able to possess a firearm under state and federal law.

A 2019 report from True Colors United and the National Law Center for Homelessness ranks Louisiana seventh among the 50 states and District of Columbia in its efforts to address youth homelessness. Co-author of the study, Dylan Waguespack says the state has been dealing with this issue for some time…
Cut 10 (06) “…a new issue.”

7:30 LRN Newscast Feb 17

An Oil City Representative thinks it’s time for the state to do away with the need to have a concealed carry license to carry a concealed handgun. Brooke Thorington has more on this proposed legislation that will be debated in the upcoming legislative session…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Shreveport Homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman last night in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. A 9-1-1 caller reported hearing an argument before shots were fired. First responders rushed the victim to a local hospital where she died. There’s an active search for the suspect.

Senator Bill Cassidy is one of eight Republicans to join Senate Democrats in voting to limit the President’s authority to take military action against Iran. Cassidy says the vote was not a slight to President Trump, he just feels Congress needs to reclaim its responsibility in deciding when to head to war and make sure any decision has public support.
Cut 4 (10) “…united”
The measure heads to the House, where it’s expected to pass.

A new report ranks Louisiana seventh in the country for its efforts to address youth homelessness. The report comes from the True Colors United and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. Co-author of the report Dylan Waguespack says a new law that allows children in foster care to remain in state care to 21 instead of 18 is one reason for the positive ranking…
cut 11 (08) “…their 18th birthday”

6:45 LRN Sportscast ##Corrected##

The 11th ranked LSU baseball team opened the 2020 season by taking two of three from Indiana. The Hoosiers avoided the sweep with a seven to two win on Saturday night. It was a close game in the eighth inning, but LSU failed to turn a double play on a ground ball to shortstop Hal Hughes. The mistake led to an unearned run and Coach Paul Mainieri says they learned some lessons during the first weekend…
Cut 16 (20) …the kids”

Louisiana Tech baseball is off to a 3-0 start after blanking the Ragin Cajuns 10 to 0 yesterday. Parker Bates hit a grand slam in an eight-run seventh inning. U-L Lafayette if off to an 0-3 start as the Cajuns scored just three runs in three games.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball improved to 10-and-4 in Conference USA play on Saturday with an 81-68 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday. Before the game, the Dunkin Dogs recognized their four seniors and all of them played well in the win. Coach Eric Konkol…
cut 18 (15) “different ways”
The Bulldogs next game is Saturday in Denton, Texas against North Texas. The Mean Green lead the league with a 12-and-2 record.

LSU will host the top team in the SEC tomorrow night when 12th ranked Kentucky visits the PMAC. The Wildcats have won four in a row, while the Tigers are coming off an 88-82 loss to Alabama.

The Cajuns win over Troy on Saturday puts U-L Lafayette in position to make the Sun Belt Tournament as a 10-seed. The Cajuns are at ULM on Saturday, who is 3-and-13 in the league and will likely miss the tournament.

6:30 LRN Newscast February 17

Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that would eliminate the need to have a concealed carry license in order to possess a concealed handgun in Louisiana. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says open carry is already legal in Louisiana, and requiring people to get a permit to cover up that gun is just a tax.
Cut 7 (09) “…call it.”
Opponents of the legislation will say concealed handgun permit classes help to ensure gun owners are responsible and informed.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed an executive order that establishes an Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is on the Council and he says they will identify the challenges rural Louisiana faces like broadband internet availability….
Cut 14 (08) “…have better service”
The Council will develop and submit a comprehensive strategic plan to the Governor by January 5th.

Louisiana’s U-S Senators voted differently on a resolution to limit the President’s power to order military action against Iran. Senator John Kennedy voted against it, but Senator Bill Cassidy voted for it. Cassidy says a previous decision by the Obama administration to bomb Libya helped shape his vote….
cut 5 (11) “…a war”
The measure is expected to pass the House as well, but President Donald Trump has vowed to veto it.

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield welcomed six individuals into its hall of fame this past weekend, including longtime Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields and Rapides Sheriff William Hilton.

LRN AM Newscall February 17

The Senate votes to advance a measure limiting the President’s authority to engage in acts of war against Iran. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the measure’s supporters Senator Bill Cassidy…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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An Oil City Representative thinks it’s time for the state to do away with the need to have concealed carry licenses to carry a concealed handgun. Brooke Thorington has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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Senator Bill Cassidy is one of seven Republicans to join Senate Democrats in voting to limit the President’s authority to take military action against Iran.

Cassidy says the vote was not a slight to President Trump, he just feels Congress needs to reclaim its responsibility in deciding when to head to war and make sure any decision has public support.

Cut 4 (10) “…united”

The measure cleared the Senate 55-45 and heads to the House next, where a similar bill was passed earlier this year.

Cassidy cited The Obama Administration’s decision to bomb Libya as a prime example of executive branch overreach in making decisions that will lead to war.

Cut 5 (11)  “…a war”

President Trump has vowed to veto the measure, and Louisiana’s other Senator, John Kennedy, voted against it.

Cassidy says the measure would not have prevented the President from taking action like the decision earlier this year to bomb an Iranian General, because…

Cut 6 (05) “…permissible”

The wording calls for the termination of the President’s ability to use the military against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or use of force.

____________________________

Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that would eliminate the need to have a concealed carry license in order to carry a concealed handgun in Louisiana.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says open carry is already legal in Louisiana, and requiring people to get a permit to cover up that gun is just a tax.

Cut 7 (09) “…call it.”

McCormick says putting additional barriers between legal gun owners and their right to carry in public is infringing on basic American rights.

Cut 8 (12) “…worship.”

The legislation still requires a concealed carrier be legal to own firearms. Opponents argue concealed carry creates additional public risk, and so the licensing classes exist to ensure gun owners are responsible and informed enough to concealed carry. McCormick disagrees.

Cut 9 (04) “…per say.″

____________________

A 2019 report on from True Colors United and the National Law Center for Homelessness ranks Louisiana in the top ten among the fifty states and District of Columbia in its efforts to address youth homelessness.  Report co-author Dylan Waguespack says the state has an advantage over others from spearheading the issue with the legislation in the ’90s.

Cut 10 (06) “…a new issue.”

Louisiana is ranked 7th, up one spot from last year.  Among the areas where Louisiana excels include providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently, and the state’s foster care, where those in the program can now receive benefits through the age of 21 instead of 18.

Cut 11 (08) “…their 18th birthday.”

Waguespack says there is room for improvement, indicating limiting opportunities for contact between youth experiencing homelessness and the juvenile and criminal justice systems should be prioritized.

Cut 12 (07) “…a young person.”

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Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is one of the 34 people appointed to that council and he says the work is important because many of the rural areas are drying up.

Cut 13 (11) “…these rural areas.”

Anderson says the expansion of broadband internet availability is an opportunity to help the rural areas become a more attractive place to live and work.

Cut 14 (08) “…have better service”

The council will develop and submit a comprehensive strategic plan to the Governor on January 5th, 2021 and will supply annual progress reports thereafter.  The council will also have duties in advising the Governor on the needs, issues of concern, and solutions linked to rural revitalization.

Cut 15 (08) “…our products around.”

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The 11th ranked LSU baseball team opened the 2020 season by taking two of three from Indiana. The Hoosiers avoided the sweep with a seven to two win on Saturday night. It was a close game in the eighth inning, but LSU failed to turn a double play on a ground ball to shortstop Hal Hughes. The mistake led to an unearned run and Coach Paul Mainieri says they learned some lessons during the first weekend…

Cut 16  (20)  …the kids”  

LSU hit three home runs over the weekend. Freshman Cade Doughty hit a dinger in his first college at bat. Mainieri liked what he saw from the rookie second baseman…

Cut 17  (20) “player” 

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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball improved to 10-and-4 in Conference USA play on Saturday with an 81-68 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday. Before the game, the Dunkin Dogs recognized their four seniors and all of them played well in the win

cut 18  (15) “different ways”   

Senior guard Derric Jean led the way with a career-high 21 points. The Miami native says he wanted to play well…

cut 19 (12)  W”  

10:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

The 8-year-old boy shot Tuesday in drive-by shooting in New Iberia. died Friday night at a Baton Rouge hospital.  The victim, Jamal Robinson, was the only person injured when Jonas Hawk shot rounds into a group of people outside of a home on N. Neco Town Rd.  Charges against Hawk will be upgraded to 14 counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder and 1 count of First Degree Murder.

The Senate votes to advance a measure limiting the President’s authority to engage in acts of war against Iran 55-45. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the measure’s supporters Senator Bill Cassidy…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A report by the Advocate alleges Attorney General Jeff Landry, brought in skilled Mexican laborers on work visas to construct an LNG plant in Cameron Parish using the H2B skilled worker visa program, which is opposed by both the Trump administration and labor unions. Advocate reporter Bryn Stole says there is no definitive proof Landry broke the law, but they did uncover documents indicating his companies may have misled the feds to get access to the visas.

Cut 11 (05) “…the law.”

A spokesperson for Landry says the work was only temporary.

Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson says the expansion of broadband internet availability is an opportunity to help the rural areas become a more attractive place to live and work.

Cut 14 (08) “…have better service”

 

9:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

State Police are asking for help locating a 12-year old girl after her grandmother abducted her at gunpoint from a hospital in Jefferson Parish Friday. A Child Endangerment Alert has been issued for Andreana Miller, who was last seen in a hospital gown leaving with her grandmother, 66-year old Evelyn Miller. Police are urging anyone with information to contact them.

An Advocate report accuses Attorney General Jeff Landry, known for his hardline stance on immigration, of bringing in Mexican workers to help build a plant in Cameron Parish…

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Senator Bill Cassidy is one of seven Republicans to join Senate Democrats in voting to limit the President’s authority to take military action against Iran. Cassidy says the vote was not a slight to President Trump, he just feels Congress needs to reclaim its responsibility in deciding when to head to war and make sure any decision has public support.

Cut 4 (10) “…united”

Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is one of the thirty-four people appointed to that council and he says the work is important because many of the rural areas are drying up.

Cut 13 (11) “…these rural areas.”

 

8:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

State Police have issued a Child Endangerment Alert in Jefferson Parish after a 12-year old girl was abducted at gunpoint from Ochsner Hospital. Police say Andreana Miller was last seen Friday in a hospital gown when her grandmother, 66-year old Evelyn Miller, took her from the hospital. The vehicle they used to flee has been recovered but there are whereabouts are unknown; police are urging anyone with information to contact them.

A report by the Advocate alleges Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is staunch on anti-immigration, brought in skilled Mexican laborers on work visas to construct an LNG plant in Cameron Parish. Landry political advisor Brent Littlefield says yes, the AG did help bring foreign workers, but it was only temporary.

Cut 9 (12) “…on track″

Former LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman suffered a couple broken ribs from a during a single-car accident on Friday morning in Baton Rouge, according to an LSU spokesman. Bertman, 81, did not require an overnight hospital stay, and he did not attend LSU’s season-opening game last night.

Former LSU QB Joe Burrow now has a baby giraffe named after him at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

7:30 LRN Sportscast

For the 19th straight year, LSU starts a baseball season with a victory. The 11th ranked Tigers defeated Indiana eight to one as Saul Garza and Cade Doughty homered. Doughty’s home run came on his first at bat in an LSU uniform. Cole Henry struck out eight over four innings for the win. Because of the chance of rain on Sunday, the two teams will play a doubleheader today starting at 1 PM.

There was a lot of emotion last night in Lafayette for the Ragin Cajuns first game since the passing of their longtime head coach Tony Robichaux. But U-L Lafayette could not come away with a victory as Southeastern Louisiana scored three runs in the sixth inning and held on for a three to two win.

Elsewhere, ULM downed Southeast Missouri State five to one. Ty Barnes pitched six strong innings for the win. Northwestern State cruahed Wichita State 11 to nothing, McNeese defeated MIssissippi VAlley State 9-zip and George Washington beat Nicholls seven to three.

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Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson had 14 points in 20 minutes as he helped the U-S team beat the World team 151 to 131 in the Rising Stars Game in Chicago. Williamson had a monster slam in the second quarter that actually left the backboard slightly tilted to its left. A maintenance worker fixed the basket during half-time.

Today in college basketball..25th ranked LSU is at Alabama for a 3 PM tip-off. The Tigers enter action today in a three-way tie for first place with Kentucky and Auburn. Auburn is at Missouri, while the Wildcats host Ole Miss. LSU won in Tuscaloosa last season and if they win again today, they’ll have back-to-back victories in T-town for the first time in 30 years.

Also today, Louisiana Tech hosts Florida Atlantic. The Owls have lost three in a row. Southeastern will try to snap a five-game losing streak at Nicholls, while McNeese will look to end a three-game skid at Northwestern State.

ULM who ended a 10-game losing steak on Thursday is at South Alabama today, while the Ragin Cajuns is at Troy