3:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

Traffic on the busy I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge outside the New Orleans area came to a grinding halt this afternoon, when a privately owned helicopter crashed onto the roadway. State Police are on the scene, and say the fiery wreck happened around 1 p.m.; perhaps due to fog. We don’t yet know how many people were in the chopper or if any survived.

The state Health Department says 650-thousand eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID, while 123-thousand 5-to-17 year-olds have completed the vaccine series. Dr. Catherine O’ Neal at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge is a mother and understands parents’ concerns, but they shouldn’t worry about this vaccine…:

CUT 09(06)      “…your child.”

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the first COVID vaccine administered in Louisiana.

 

State Police officers who were involved in the roadside arrest and subsequent death of Ronald Green two years ago were asked to testify Monday before a state legislative committee, but failed to show up. One LSP officer who did was Sgt. Al Paxton who investigates allegations of wrongdoing. He spoke of trouble getting troopers to hand over their body cam footage, reluctance to be interviewed and more, which he says frustrates him…:

CUT 05(03)      “…I won’t lie.”

Police body camera footage of Greene’s arrest was made public by the Associated Press in May of this year, two years after his death.

St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s going back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association…:

CUT 06(12)      “…the license holder.”

Unless Diamond Jacks can reopened within the 60 days, they can lose their license. Certainly someone will want it.

2:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

A helicopter crashed and burned today on the I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge in St. John parish. Eastbound traffic is closed while the fiery wreck is investigated. About 20-thousand Entergy customers lost power at about the same time as the crash. It’s unknown of the two are in fact related. So far no reports of injuries or deaths.

A State Police detective who investigated if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversite Monday. LSP Sgt. Albert Paxton says his recommendations were ignored by superiors. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson asks Paxton about gathering key evidence – body cam footage of incidents…:

CUT 04(08)      “…yes ma’am.”

Officers who were directly involved in the Greene arrest were asked to appear before the committee and did not.

 

Could Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City reopen, now that the Camellia Bay Resort Casino project in Slidell was voted down by voters in St. Tammany Parish? Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

LED FastStart is holding yet another virtual career fair. Jamie Nakamoto is the Director of Recruitment and says the event is tomorrow and targets those seeking jobs in the tech field…:

CUT 12(10)      “…hiring right now.”

LRN PM Newscall December 14

LSP Sgt Albert Paxton a detective who investigates excessive force of State Police, including the 2019 death of Ronald Greene addresses members of a Senate Oversite Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

Could DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier City reopen now that the Camellia Bay Resort Casino project in Slidell was voted down by voters in St. Tammany Parish? Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

A state police detective who investigated if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversite and told lawmakers his recommendations were ignored by his superiors. LSP Sgt. Albert Paxton answered a series of questions by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson.

Cut 3 (11) “…Turner didn’t.”

In May 2019 Major Jason Turner was in charge of the criminal investigation of officers and head of the investigation into Greene’s death. Turner was later promoted by LSP Superintendent Lamar Davis to head of the Criminal Investigative Division and part of his job was to see how other states managed use of force complaints

Police body camera footage of Greene’s arrest was made public by the Associated Press in May of this year, two years after his death. Paxton was asked by Jackson if he’s ever had issues collecting footage

Cut 4 (08) “…yes ma’am.”

Officers who were directly involved in the Greene arrest were asked to appear before the committee and did not. Paxton also told members about the frustration he vented to a member of the Employee Assistance Program. 

Cut 5 (03) “…I won’t lie.”

__________________________________

St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s going back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association:

 Cut 6 (12) “…the license holder.” 

Duty says that answer will be hashed out between the license holder and the state’s Gaming Control Board should the choice be not to reopen Diamond Jacks that’s been closed since May of 2020, the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duty says as it stands the license holder of Diamond Jacks must continue operation of the facility within 60 days of losing the St. Tammany election unless something else can be worked out with the Gaming Control Board:

Cut 7 (13) “…certainly could ask.”  

Duty says it’s not a requirement in the state that all 15 riverboat licenses be active, should Diamond Jacks remain closed, but it’s likely that a request for proposals will go out should the license be forfeited.

Cut 8 (10) “…and project proposals.”

______________________________________________________

The state health department says 650,000 eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID, while 123,000 5-to-17 year-olds have completed the vaccine series. Doctor Catherine O’ Neal  at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge is a mother and understands parents’ concerns, but they shouldn’t worry about this vaccine

Cut 9 (06) “…your child”

O’ Neal says the risks of COVID-19 to children far outweigh the risks of vaccination.

The Edwards administration plans to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of shots that a child needs in order to attend school. O’Neal says if not required parents may never get their children vaccinated against COVID…

Cut 10 (07)  “…this pandemic.”

The state can only require COVID vaccines for those 16 and up because the Pfizer vaccine has received full FDA approval for that age group.

O’Neal says she’s frustrated with the misinformation about the COVID vaccine. She says the COVID vaccine or any other approved vaccine is not responsible for autism in children or fertility issues…

Cut  11 (11)  “…maintain your fear”  

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the first COVID vaccine administered in Louisiana. More than two-point-two million, nearly 50 percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated against COVID.

______________________________________________

LED FastStart is holding yet another virtual career fair. Jamie Nakamoto is the Director of Recruitment and says this event takes place Wednesday and targets those seeking jobs in the tech field.

Cut 12 (10) “…hiring right now.”  

Registered jobs seekers will be able to explore the virtual booths of employers and can take part in one-on-one text chats with company representatives. To register, look up LED FastStart on a social media site such as Twitter and fill out the form for the career fair that takes place from 11 am to 2 pm tomorrow.

Nakamoto says there is a laundry list of positions that tech companies are in need of filling.

Cut 13 (10) “…fastest-growing sector.”

Nakamoto lists some of the positions available that some 14 companies taking part in the virtual tech fair are looking to staff:

Cut 14 (11) “…technical support.” 

1:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

LSP Sgt Albert Paxton a detective who investigates excessive force of State Police, including the 2019 death of Ronald Greene addresses members of a Senate Oversite Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

 

LED FastStart is holding yet another virtual career fair. Jamie Nakamoto is the Director of Recruitment and says this event takes place Wednesday and targets those seeking jobs in the tech field. To register, look up LED FastStart on a social media site such as Twitter and fill out the form for the career fair that takes place from 11 am to 2 pm tomorrow.

The state health department says 650,000 eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID. Doctor Catherine O’ Neal at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge is a mother and understands parents’ concerns, but is frustrated with the false statements about the COVID vaccine. She says the COVID vaccine or any other approved vaccine is not responsible for autism in children or fertility issues…

Cut  11 (11)  “…maintain your fear”  

With St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association says it’s not a requirement in the state that all 15 riverboat licenses be active, should Diamond Jacks remain closed, but it’s likely that a request for proposals will go out should the license be forfeited.

Cut 8 (10) “…and project proposals.”

 

12:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

A state police detective who investigated if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversite and told lawmakers his recommendations were ignored by his superiors. LSP Sgt. Albert Paxton answered a series of questions by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson.

Cut 3 (11) “…Turner didn’t.”

 

In May 2019 Major Jason Turner was in charge of the criminal investigation of officers and head of the investigation into Greene’s death. Turner was later promoted by LSP Superintendent Lamar Davis to head of the Criminal Investigative Division where part of his job was to see how other states managed use of force complaints

 

St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association says as it stands now the license holder of Diamond Jacks must continue operation of the facility within 60 days of losing the St. Tammany election unless something else can be worked out with the Gaming Control Board:

Cut 7 (13) “…certainly could ask.”  

 

The state health department says 650,000 eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID. The Edwards administration plans to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of shots that a child needs in order to attend school. Dr. Catherine O’Neal of Our Lady of the Lake says if not required parents may never get their children vaccinated against COVID…

Cut 10 (07)  “…this pandemic.”

 

The state can only require COVID vaccines for those 16 and up because the Pfizer vaccine has received full FDA approval for that age group.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints will face their NFC South rival the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night. Since Tom Brady arrived in Tampa, New Orleans is 3-0 against the Buccaneers in regular-season games. Defensive end Marcus Davenport was asked why the Black and Gold have had success against Brady and the Bucs…
cut 29 (19) “…pretty fine”
The Saints are big underdogs heading into Sundays’ game as Tampa Bay is favorite by 11.

According to the Athletic’s Max Olson, former LSU Quarterback Max Olson is looking at transferring to Texas A-and-M. University High four-star cornerback Austin Ausberry has committed to Auburn. Ausberry is ranked as the 13th best player in the state for the Class of 2022. He’s the son of former LSU linebacker and not athletic administrator Verge Ausberry.

The 19th ranked LSU men’s basketball hosts Northwestern State in a game that looks to be a blowout in favor of the Tigers. The Bayou Bengals are 9-and-0 while the Demons are two and eight. Tip-off in Baton Rouge is at six.

In other action, the Ragin Cajuns are at 14th ranked Louisville, ULM visits Stephen F Austin and Louisiana Tech hosts LSU-Shreveport at 6:30.

Longtime TCU special teams’ coordinator-slash-coach Dan Sharp has been named assistant head coach and special teams coach at Louisiana Tech. Bulldogs head coach Sonny Cumbie says Sharp has been in charge of some of the most well-coached, explosive special teams’ units he’s seen.

Cajuns starting running back Chris Smith is questionable for Saturday’s New Orleans Bowl against Marshall. Coach Michael Desormeaux says Smith is dealing with a banged-up knee. He’s rushed for a team-high 855 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

11:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

Mona Hardin the mother of Ronald Greene who died two and a half and years ago during a traffic arrest involving state police addressed the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight on Monday. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The oversight committee requested last week that Superintendent of LSP Colonel Lamar Davis have the officers who were involved with the arrest of Greene attend Monday’s meeting, but none appeared.

 

After St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association:

Cut 6  (12)      “…the license holder.”

Duty says that answer will be hashed out between the license holder and the state’s Gaming Control Board should the choice be not to reopen Diamond Jacks.

 

The state health department says 650,000 eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID, while 123,000 5-to-17 year-olds have completed the vaccine series. Doctor Catherine O’ Neal at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge is a mother and understands parents’ concerns, but they shouldn’t worry about this vaccine

Cut 9 (06) “…your child”

O’ Neal says the risks of COVID-19 to children far outweigh the risks of vaccination.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

The detective charged with investigating if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversite and told lawmakers his recommendations were ignored by his superiors. LSP Sgt Albert Paxton answered a series of questions by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson.

Cut 3 (12) “…Turner didn’t.”

In May 2019 Major Turner was in charge of the criminal investigation of officers and head of the investigation into Greene’s death.

Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin also addressed members of the committee. She told them her family has been torn apart since the death of her son.

Cut 10 (08)  “…off the hook.”

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump says he’ll file suit against the Louisiana Department of Child & Family Services (DCFS) over a child sex abuse and trafficking case, that involves two girls who were assaulted over a 10 year period. This case has similarities to the scandal of Jeffrey Epstein and one cannot overlook the comparison.

Cut 6 (09) “…for wealthy white men.”

76-year-old John Mack, who is politically connected in Livingston Parish, has been charged with rape and sexual battery.

More serious than a heart attack is how Dr Catherine O’Neal describes COVID to the Baton Rouge Press Club. O’Neal, chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center described the death situation this way to hospital patients with COVID.

Cut  11 (11)  “…here with COVID-19.”  

9:30 LRN Newscast December 14

A tearful Mona Hardin testified in front of a Senate oversight committee looking at State Police policies. Hardin’s son, Ronald Greene, died following a beating by State Police troopers following a police chase that ended in Union Parish in 2019…
cut 8 (14) “…my son”
The FBI continues to investigate Greene’s death. State Police originally said Greene died in a car crash.

The number of people who have died from COVID-19 in Louisiana is approaching 15-thousand. Doctor Catherine O’ Neal, Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center…
cut 12 (14) “…even diabetes”

A nationally recognized civil rights attorney has the state Department of Children & Family Services in his crosshairs. Kevin Gallagher reports why…:
cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A 28-year-old Slidell man is dead after being struck by two cars while attempting to cross I-10 on foot near Gause Boulevard. Warren Bouie died at the scene Sunday night. Trooper William Huggins says Bouie is one of more than 900 people who’ve been killed so far this year in traffic crashes.
Cut 14 (06) “…involved pedestrians.”

8:30 LRN Newscast December 14

Mona Hardin, the mother of Ronald Greene who died in 2019 following a beating by white state troopers following a traffic chase that ended in Union Parish demands justice while appearing before state lawmakers…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The FBI continues to investigate Greene’s death and a possible cover-up by State Police. The Senate panel is reviewing what policy changes need to take place within State Police following multiple use of force incidents against black motorists.

Well-known civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump says he’ll file suit against the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services over a child sex abuse and trafficking case. Crump says the case involves two girls that were sexually assaulted over a ten-year period, despite reports of the crimes being reported to DCFS and law enforcement..
Cut 4 (13) “…screaming out for help. “
John Mack of Livingston Parish was arrested in October as a result of the allegations that date back to 2014.

Today is the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccines administered to a person in the United States. Many wonder when the pandemic will end. Doctor Catherine O Neal, Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge gave this answer…
cut 13 (09) “….that is science”