10:30 LRN Newscast Sept 30

Mandatory quarantine for school kids who may be exposed to COVID is getting a policy makeover. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

 

The deadline to apply for the Blue Roof Program has been extended to October 15th. For more information, you can visit Blueroof.us or call 1-800-ROOF-B-L-U. The original deadline was today but it’s been extended for two weeks.

The U-S House could vote today on the $1-trillion Infrastructure Bill. It appears New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter will be the lone Louisiana House member to cast a yay vote.

Cut 4 (07) “…Louisiana.”
But Republicans say the legislation is too expensive and not enough dollars are going to traditional infrastructure projects like roads and bridges.

Carter believes the bill can help fund the placement of power lines underground and strengthen the state’s power grid that was severely impacted during February’s winter storms and Hurricane Ida. However North Louisiana Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the appropriated funding won’t even come close to assisting the Bayou State.

Cut 7 (11) “…Louisiana alone.”

9:30 LRN Newscast September 30

The state education department is giving local school systems the option to change their COVID quarantine policy. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says instead of mandatory quarantine for students defined as close contact, school systems can allow parents to decide if their child should stay at home in close contact situations…
cut 11 (12) “…away from their friends”
But L-D-H released a statement expressing concern for changing this policy.

A Baton Rouge mother who told authorities that her two-year-old daughter went missing from their apartment last week is now facing second-degree murder charges. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says 24-year-old Lanaya Cardwell and her 30-year-old boyfriend have been charged with second-degree murder…
cut 15 (08) “…coroner’s Office”
A police report says the child died from injuries sustained after she was punched that resulted in her falling on her head.

The U-S House is expected to vote on the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill today. Brooke Thorington has more from two of the state’s congressional members.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says they’ve received federal approval to extend its Hurricane Ida disaster food stamp operation program by three days due to the large volume of applicants. The application period was scheduled to end October 9th, but has been extended until October 13.

8:30 LRN Newscast September 30

A vote on President Biden’s infrastructure bill is expected today in the U-S House. Republicans in Louisiana’s delegation are expected to vote no. Supporters say the legislation will mean an additional six billion dollars over the next five years for Louisiana. But Congresswoman Julia Letlow reads the legislation differently…
cut 5 (09) “…roads and bridges”
But Democrat New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says there’s more than just funding for roads in this bill. Carter says there are billions for broadband development, flood control, and money to harden the state’s power grid…
cut 6 (05) “…a pretzels”
Progressives in the U-S House could vote against this legislation too, because they want to see the passage of a three-point-five trillion-dollar reconciliation bill that would address climate change and fund social welfare programs.

Sports betting at Louisiana casinos is on hold after an expected mid-September start-up. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

A report from the Advocate-Times Picuyane and Fox 8 TV in New Orleans says the Saints and Pelicans will be sold when owner Gayle Benson passes. Proceeds from the sale would go to local charities and team executives would make sure the new owner would keep the Saints in New Orleans. Gayle Benson is 74 and has owned both franchises since 2018 after her husband Tom Benson died.

7:30 LRN Newscast September 30

Over the weekend, 24-year-old Lanaya Cardwell of Baton Rouge was leading a community search for her two-year-old daughter. Today she’s in jail charged with second-degree murder in the death of Neveah Cardwell. Her little body was found in Mississippi on Sunday. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul was asked when Cardwell became a suspect…
cut 16 (08) “….the truth”
Cardwell’s live-in boyfriend, 30-year-old Phillip Gardner has also been charged with murder.

The U-S House could vote today on the $1-trillion Infrastructure Bill. It appears New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter will be the lone Louisiana House member to cast a yay vote.
Cut 4 (07) “…Louisiana “
But Republicans say the legislation is too expensive and not enough dollars are going to traditional infrastructure like roads and bridges.

The state department of education is allowing local school districts to change their quarantine policy for kids considered a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says school districts can give parents the opportunity to decide if their child should stay at home …
cut 12 (05) “….remain school”
But the state health department released a statement that says they still want unvaccinated children to stay home if in close contact with someone who tests positive.

A big weekend of football is coming up and Louisiana casinos and racetracks still can’t offer sports betting to their customers. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says Hurricane Ida has pushed back the application process and they want to make sure it’s done to be fully compliant with state law…
cut 10 (10) “…it right”
Johns is not putting a timeline on when sports betting will be available.

6:45 LRN Sportscast September 30

Jeff Duncan of the Advocate and Lee Zurik of Fox 8 TV in New Orleans is reporting that the Saints and Pelicans will be sold after owner Gayle Benson passes away. And the proceeds from the sale, which will be in the billions, will go to local charities. The 74-year-old Benson has been running the franchises since March 2018 following the death of her husband, Tom Benson. Team executives also say the plan is to make sure the Saints stay in New Orleans after the sale is completed.

Meanwhile, the Saints players are getting ready for the Dome Opener this Sunday against the New York Giants. Rookie linebacker Pete Werner is looking forward to learning about the Dome Field advantage the Black and Gold enjoy…
cut 25 (17) “…same mindset”
Kick off Sunday is at noon.

Louisiana Tech is at 23rd ranked North Carolina State on Saturday. It’s the final non-conference game for the Bulldogs and Coach Skip Holtz says playing a ranked team like N-C State can only make you better…
Cut 17 (14) “..every week.”
Tech is coming off a 24-17 win over North Texas, while the Wolfpack upset Clemson last Saturday.

Hurricane Ida has delayed efforts to get legal sports betting up and going at the state’s casinos and racetracks. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Johns says State Police handles the application process and they’ve been busy responding to the hurricane. Johns says Troopers in the State Police Gaming Division are back at full capacity so he hopes sports betting will get going sooner rather than later…
cut 9 (09) “…final approval to”

6:30 LRN Newscast September 30

Mandatory quarantine for school kids who may be exposed to COVID is getting a policy makeover. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Meanwhile, the state health department is recommending that school districts follow public health guidance and parents should quarantine unvaccinated children who may have been in close contact to someone with COVID. LDH says doing so is critical to slowing the spread.

Baton Rouge police have charged, 24-year-old Lanaya Cardwell, the mother of a two-year-old girl found dead Sunday in Mississippi with second-degree murder…
cut 14 (06) “…into custody”
Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says Cardwell’s live-in 30-year old boyfriend Philip Gardner was also arrested for second-degree murder. Court documents say Cardwell punched her toddler in the torso for playing with her contact lenses. The impact of the punch caused Nevaeh Allen to hit her head and die hours later.

There was hope that legal sports betting would be up and going at the state’s casinos and racetracks in mid-September, but Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says Hurricane Ida has slowed down the approval of applications from gaming operators…
cut 8 (11) “….license applications reviewed”
Johns says State Police reviews these applications and they’ve been busy with Ida response efforts.

LRN AM Newscall September 30

The House is expected to vote on the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill today. Brooke Thorington has more from two of the state’s congressional members.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

___________________________________

Sports betting in Louisiana is still on hold for now after an expected mid-September start-up.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

_________________________________________

Mandatory quarantine for school kids who may be exposed to COVID is getting a policy makeover. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

___________________________________________

The U-S House is expected to vote on the $1-trillion Infrastructure Bill today. But when you look for support among Louisiana House members it appears as if Democrat Troy Carter will be the lone Congressman from the Bayou State casting a yay vote.

Cut 4 (07) “…Louisiana “

However Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow feels the bill does not do enough to help residents in Louisiana, especially the ones she represents.

Cut 5 (11) “…5th district.”

Carter feels the bill can assist with several needs in Louisiana like broadband infrastructure, road and bridge projects, and also upgrade the state’s power grid.

Cut 6 (10) “…a pretzels.

Carter believes the bill can help fund the placement of power lines underground, but Letlow says the appropriated funding won’t even come close to assisting the Bayou State.

Cut 7 (11) “…Louisiana alone.”

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy was among the group of 22 senators, and one of five Republicans, that negotiated the bill in the Senate. Fellow party member Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill.

________________________________________

Sports betting across the 55 parishes in Louisiana that approved it remains on hold after an expected mid-September start-up delayed by Hurricane Ida.  Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns:

Cut 8 (11) “…license applications reviewed.”

At last count 13 applications had been received of the 20 expected from casinos and racetracks around the state. Johns says he won’t venture a guess on the exact date when sports betting will be up and running in Louisiana.

Johns says troopers who had been assigned to Ida recovery from the State Police Gaming Division are back at full capacity to get help get sports betting rolling sooner rather than later.

Cut 9 (09)  “..final approval to.”

Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns says it’s important for sports betting in the Bayou State to be fully compliant with state law.

Cut 10 (10)  “…get it right.” 

_________________________

State Education officials say parents of public school kids who may have been exposed to COVID will now have the option of whether or not to quarantine them. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says mandatory quarantine for those possibly exposed to the virus wasn’t in students’ best interests…:

Cut 11 (12) “…away from their friends.”

Brumley says too many students have missed too much classroom time due to mandatory evacuations, and the new option will be offered to school districts statewide who choose to implement it…:

Cut 12 (05) “…remain in school.”

(The state Health Department strongly recommends school districts follow public health guidance and parents quarantine unvaxxed kids who may have been exposed to the virus.)

Brumley says any students who ARE quarantined for possible COVID exposure will receive a free virus screening. He says engaging the parents in their child’s well-being is a good policy…:

Cut 13 (05) “…can consider

School systems are free to adopt the policy or not. If a child tests positive for COVID, or shows symptoms, they should still be isolated until they recover.

________________________________________

In a surprise turn of events the mother of two-year Neveah Allen, who was reported missing Friday and later found in Mississippi, has been charged with second-degree murder. 24-year old Lanaya Cardwell of Baton Rouge was arrested Wednesday days after her boyfriend, 30-year old Philip Gardner was arrested for unlawful disposal of a body. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul…

Cut 14 (06)  “…into custody.”

An autopsy was performed on the child after her remains were located in a remote wooded area of Hancock County, Mississippi. Paul who remained tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation would only say the coroner’s ruling in the case.

Cut 15 (08)  “…coroner’s office.”

When the child was reported missing Cardwell told reporters that she last saw her child Friday morning before she left to go to work. It was originally reported that Gardner was watching the child and when he awoke from a nap she was discovered missing. Paul was asked when Cardwell became suspect in the investigation.

Cut  16 (08) “…the truth.”

Both Cardwell and Gardner are charged with second-degree murder. Garnder is also charged with unlawful disposal of human remains and obstruction of justice.

______________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech is at 23rd ranked North Carolina State. It’s the final non-conference game for the Bulldogs and Coach Skip Holtz says playing a ranked team like N-C State can only make you better…

Cut 17 (14) “..every week.” 

Tech is coming off a 24-17 win over North Texas. Starting quarterback Austin Kendall did not play because of medical reasons. Holtz believes Kendall will be back, but another signal caller may miss this Saturday’s game…

Cut 18 (25)”…be out”

______________________________________________________

The Saints are getting ready for their Dome opener when they host the New York Giants on Sunday. Quarterback Jameis Winston is expecting a very loud environment….

Cut 19 (25)  “…down here.” 

New York is still looking for its first win, but Winston says the Giants have a great secondary….

Cut 20 (18)  “…be ready.” 

 

5:30 LRN Newscast Sept 29

The mother of a 2-year-old Baton Rouge girl, Navaeh Allen, found dead In Mississippi over the weekend is now in police custody and accused of killing her.  Baton Rouge police chief Murphy Paul:

Cut 24  (11)   “…second-degree murder.”

The mother’s boyfriend, Phillip Gardner, was arrested earlier for the unlawful disposal of the girl’s remains and obstruction of justice.  He’s now charged with second-degree murder also.

The state health department says the state is making progress in the battle against COVID-19, but every single parish is at the highest possible level of community risk. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

 

Senator Bill Cassidy and some of his colleagues on Capitol Hill are pushing legislation to delay the rollout of a plan by FEMA to hike flood insurance premiums dramatically until September 30, 2022.

Cut 6 (09) “…from their mortgage” 

 

Cassidy says delaying implementation of the premium revision would give lawmakers more time to address the rollout of Risk Rating 2.0. to make it more meaningful and sustainable.

The autopsy results of 20-month-old Burreaux the Baton Rouge Zoo giraffe named after LSU Heisman winner Joe Burrow indicated the young calf died from anaphylactic shock.  Zoo veterinarian Michael Warsaw says the shock was a result of an external source.

Cut 9 (08) “…going to know.” 

4:45 LRN Sportscast September 29

For the 56th time, LSU and Auburn will meet on the football field on Saturday night when the Tigers host the War Eagles at 8 PM. Auburn has one of the top rushing attacks in the SEC, averaging seven yards a carry. Defensive end Ali Gaye says stopping Auburn’s ground game will be a key
Cut 17 (24) “..this week.”
LSU running back John Emery Junior remains academically ineligible and unable to play this season after the NCAA denied his appeal. His attorney is looking at other options in an effort to get Emery back on the field.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2022 induction class today. It’s highlighted by former Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans, former LSU Tiger and Buffalo Bill defensive tackle Kyle Williams and the late Tony Robichaux, who won over 11-hundred games during his 33-year career coaching baseball at U-L Lafayette and McNeese. Induction ceremonies will be June 25th in Natchitoches.

This Saturday, Terry Bowden’s ULM Warhawks are at undefeated and 16th ranked Coastal Carolina…
cut 20 (25) “….the field”
The Warhakws are 35 point underdogs. Kick-off is at 1:30.

4:30 pm LRN Newscast Sept 29

A Thibodaux man faces murder charges in the death of his 11-month-old daughter. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Brennan Matherne says the remains of little Zabria Guidry were found in the rear cargo area of 26-year-old Jake Guidry’s car. Matherne says it’s not certain what the father had planned after he placed the infant in his SUV…:

CUT 04             (10)      “…around 3 pm”

Guidry reportedly told officers he had hit the child too hard, causing her death.

The mother of a Baton Rouge toddler, whose body was found this week in rural Mississippi, was seen being led away in handcuffs today. The woman’s live-in boyfriend, Phillip Gardner, has been charged in her death. At this time, BRPD is not saying what charge or charges the mother, Lenaya Cardwell, faces. The coroner rules the death a homicide. More as it develops.

 

Senator Bill Cassidy and some of his colleagues on Capitol Hill are pushing legislation to delay a plan by FEMA to hike National Flood Insurance premiums dramatically until September 30, 2022. Senator Cassidy…:

CUT 06             (09)      “…from their mortgage”

The increase could impact upwards of 80-percent of NFIP policyholders. Some may find the cost too high and simply walk away from their mortgages.

COVID-19 seems to be on the decline in Louisiana. Here’s state Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter…:

CUT 14             (11)      “…this past week.”

However Dr. Kanter says now is no time to let your guard down against possible infection. Governor Edward’s indoor mask mandate remains in effect through October 27th.