7:30 LRN Newscast December 14

The mother of Ronald Greene addressed members of the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight yesterday bout the death of her son during a traffic stop in Union Parish in May of 2019. Mona Hardin says she still doesn’t know the truth about her son’s death.
Cut 7 (09) “…to get answers.”
The FBI is investigating Greene’s death and if there was a cover-up. Body camera video of the arrest shows several white troopers punching and stunning Greene, a black motorist. The LSP originally said Greene died from injuries sustained in a car crash.

Nationally known civil rights lawyer Ben Crump is planning to sue the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services claiming the state agency failed to investigate sex abuse claims by two Black teenagers made against politically connected John Mack of Livingston Parish…
cut 5 (12) “…children”
Mack was arrested in October on rape and sexual battery charges, but the victims say the allegations date back to 2014. DCFS says it’s pursuing an independent audit of the case.

The Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge is voicing continuing concern about the lackadaisical attitude by all too many to the COVID-19 virus. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The St. James Parish Sheriff’s office says it’s investigating the fatal shooting of a 63-year-old man who died from a single gunshot wound that came from his 52-year-old girlfriend. James Ross Junior died at a home. Shelia Williams has been charged with second-degree murder.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are an eleven-point underdog heading into Sunday night’s match-up with the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So will Coach Sean Payton use the big point spread as extra motivation????
cut 19 (19) “…significant”
If the season ended today, the Saints would not make the playoffs. New Orleans is six and seven, but the team that occupies the final playoff spot in the NFC, Washington, also has a record fo six and seven.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is battling Green Bay and Arizona for the top spot in the NFC playoffs. The Cardinals dropped to 10-and-3 on the season after losing to the Rams 30-23 last night. Odell Beckham Junior had a TD catch for L-A.

The 9-and-0 LSU men’s basketball team has moved up six spots in the latest A-P Top 25 poll to number 19. They are up four spots in the coaches’ poll to number 20.

Sophomore forward Tari Eason was named SEC Player of the Week after scoring a career-high 23 points in the Tigers win over Georgia Tech on Saturday. LSU hosts Northwestern State tonight.

Also tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts L-S-U Shreveport, the Ragin Cajuns are at 14th ranked Houston, while ULM visits Stephen F Austin.

Last night, Nicholls beat Blue Mountain College 87 to 69 to improve to 4-and-0 at home. The Colonels are at Wisconsin on Wednesday.

6:30 LRN Newscast December 14

An emotional Mona Hardin appeared before the Senate Committee on State Police Oversight yesterday asking lawmakers what it will take before the state of Louisiana recognizes State Troopers killed her son following a police chase that ended in Union Parish in 2019…..
cut 9 (07) “….to justice”
The FBI is investigating Greene’s death and whether State Police tried to cover the incident up.

More serious than a heart attack. That’s the way Catherine O’Neal describes COVID-19 to the Baton Rouge Press Club. She’s the Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and she put the death situation this way with COVID patients:
Cut 11 (11) “…here with COVID-19.”
O’Neal said comparatively, the death rate for a person coming to the hospital with a heart attack is less than four percent.

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.”

AM Newscall Dec 14

AM NEWSCALL

A big name 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.”

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Mona Hardin the mother of Ronald Greene who was killed two and a half and years ago during a traffic arrest involving state police addresses the Senate Oversight Committee. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge is voicing continuing concern about the lackadaisical attitude by all too many to the COVID-19 virus.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Well known 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. The case involves two girls that were sexually assaulted for a period of over 10 years, despite reports of the crimes being made to DCFS and law enforcement. Mr. Crump says the blame for their long ordeal lies with state and local authorities…:

Cut 4 (13) “…screaming out for help. “

Advocates for the victims (who are now 16 and 18) say they reported the alleged abuse, but nothing was done to remove the girls from the harmful environment. As a result, Crump says, they were allegedly abused by one suspect and even trafficked to other men. Crump says he’ll sue DCFS and whoever else he needs to…:

Cut 5 (12) “…do this to children.”

This case has similarities to the scandal of Jeffrey Epstein and his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein died in prison; Maxwell is currently on trial. Crump says one cannot overlook the comparison…:

Cut 6 (09) “…for wealthy white men.”

76-year-old John Mack, who is politically well-connected in Livingston Parish, has been charged with rape and sexual battery. Crump says DCFS knew about the abuse and worked with other agencies to cover it up. In a written statement, DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says “we are cooperating fully and willingly with the Office of Inspector General and look forward to any recommendations they may have. Our internal review found no evidence of a cover-up on the part of our staff.”

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The mother of Ronald Greene addresses members of the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight about the death of her son during a traffic stop in Monroe in May of 2019. Mona Hardin says there’s no excuse for the length of time it’s taken to find out the truth about Greene’s death.

Cut 7 (09) “…to get answers.”

Hardin was initially told her son died from injuries sustained in a car crash but then police body camera footage, released two years later, indicated otherwise that Greene was beaten while in handcuffs as he plead for his life. Hardin held back tears as she addressed the committee.

Cut 8 (14) “…my son.”

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. Hardin says they need to be held accountable.

Cut 9 (07)  “…to justice.”

Hardin says her family has been torn apart since the death of her son and asked the committee what it’s going to take for the State of Louisiana to stop allowing men like her son to be killed.

Cut 10 (08)  “…off the hook.”

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More serious than a heart attack. That’s the way Catherine O’Neal describes COVID-19. She’s the Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center told the Press Club of Baton Rouge on Monday. She put the death situation this way with COVID patients at OLOL:

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

O’Neal said comparatively, the death rate for a person coming to the hospital with a heart attack is less than four percent.

O’Neal says COVID-19 is as serious as it gets, and that we are still not treating it that way.

Cut 12 (14) “…and even diabetes.”

O’Neal spoke with frankness about how we turn this COVID-19 pandemic into something far less threatening.

Cut 13 (09) “…that is science.”

And, not she says, something influencers or social media are able to be the catalyst for lessening the threat from the virus and it’s all too often deadly results which now total nearly 800-thousand in the U.S.

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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 Williams 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.”

Both vehicle drivers in Bouie’s death suffered at least minor injuries.  Huggins’ advice to pedestrians is to wear reflective material, stay out of the roadway and walk facing the traffic.

Trooper Huggins says it’s against the law for pedestrians to be on the interstate unless circumstances like a wreck or breakdown make it unavoidable in an emergency.

Cut 15 (07)  “…is for pedestrians.”

Trooper Huggins has some advice for those who find themselves having to be on foot on an interstate or some other highway.

Cut  16 (13) “…facing oncoming traffic”

5:30 LRN Newscast Dec 13

Brian Trascher with the United Cajun Navy says their field team arrived in Kentucky Sunday to assist with tornado recovery efforts. Trascher says the immediate needs are tarps and water and unlike a hurricane where you can prepare days in advance tornado victims had only minutes

Cut 9 (08) “…really, really bad.”

You can find more information and photos on the United Cajun Navy’s Facebook page.

Saturday’s election results were historical with the first female sheriff elected in Orleans parish and the first black female ever elected to the position in Louisiana. UNO Political analyst Ed Chervenak says Susan Hutson’s victory over incumbent Marlin Gusman was quite a feat.

Cut 12 (06) “…17-year incumbent.”  

Hutson won with 53-percent of the vote in the parish

Congressman Garret Graves introduces to make it a federal crime to stage a vehicle collision and claim financial damages. The bill targets those involved in staging accidents, collecting from insurance companies and in turn leading to higher insurance rates for the public.

Cut 5 (11) “…in the process.”

A 50-year-old Eros woman is jailed at the Ouachita Correctional Center on criminal trespass charges after being told twice to leave from the sheriff’s office parking lot Saturday afternoon. Sheriff’s spokesman, Glenn Springfield, identified the person as Sharon Whatley.

 Cut 6 (12) “…to leave.” 

Springfield says the woman says she was wanted on charges, but it was determined she wasn’t.

4:30 LRN Newscast Dec 13

The United Cajun Navy are in Kentucky, to help with rescue and recovery from the horrific tornadoes early Saturday morning that destroyed hundreds of structures and killed dozens of people. Spokesman Brian Trascher says they’re setting up supply distribution sites at churches between Bowling Green and Mayfield, and they’re using search dogs and drones to try to find victims in all that rubble…:

CUT 11  (09)        “…aren’t in the game yet, y’know?”

To help, go to the United Cajun Navy Facebook page.

Congressman Garret Graves is trying to help with sky-high car insurance in Louisiana by filing a federal bill to crack down on those who stage accidents to get insurance money. Graves says one organized ring in the New Orleans area was responsible for over a hundred…:

CUT 04  (09)        “…all Louisiana drivers.”

His bill would mean stiff fines and prison time for offenders.

 

Louisiana has elected its first-ever female sheriff. She is Susan Hutson, who just won a runoff against 4-term incumbent Marlin Gusman in Orleans Parish. UNO political science professor Ed Chervenak says Hutson’s campaign pointed out Gusman’s problem running the parish prison…:

CUT 14  (12)        “…justice system.”

Both Hutson and Gusman are Democrats, but a number of Dem high-rollers backed Hutson’s campaign.

A 50-year-old Eros woman is jailed at the Ouachita Correctional Center on criminal trespass charges after being told twice to leave from the sheriff’s office parking lot Saturday afternoon. Sheriff’s spokesman, Glenn Springfield, identified the person as Sharon Whatley…:

CUT 06(12)      “…to leave.”

He says, despite her claims, the woman had no wants or warrants for her arrest.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints ended a five game losing streak with a 30-9 win over the New York Jets yesterday. Alvin Kamara returned after missing the last four games with knee and hamstring issues. Kamara rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown, while Quarterback Taysom Hill rushed for two touchdowns.

The Saints defense did not allow a touchdown and only gave up 256 yards of total offense. Linebacker Demario Davis says they have been working on trying to get better…
Cut 18 (20) “.next one”
The Saints are now 6-7 and are in Tampa Bay this Sunday for a matchup with the Buccaneers, who beat the Bills in overtime yesterday.

The LSU men’s basketball team is now ranked 19th in the AP poll and 20th in the coaches poll. The Tigers defeated Georgia Tech on Saturday and Tari Eason had a career-high 23 points and was named SEC Player of the Week. Eason leads LSU in scoring, averaging 16 points a game and eight rebounds a contest. LSU hosts Northwestern State tomorrow night.

Nicholls hosts Blue Mountain College tonight at 6 PM. Colonels fifth-year guard Ty Gordon was named Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week today. He scored 28 points in a win over Mississippi Valley State last Thursday and hit six three-pointers.

ULM has announced Matt Kubik has returned as the program’s offensive coordinator and quarterback’s coach. Kubik was at ULM from 2016 and 2019 and in 2019 ULM was one of five NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision programs to average at least 200 rushing yards and 250 passing yards per game. Coach Terry Bowden calls Kubit one of the top offensive minds in college football.

3:30 LRN Newscast Dec 13

History was made on Saturday as voters in Orleans Parish elected the city’s first ever female sheriff. Susan Hutson is also the first female elected sheriff in the state; by 53-percent of the vote. UNO political scientist Dr. Ed Chervenak says Hutson clobbered 4-term incumbent Marlin Gusman on his performance running the parish jail, which has had numerous inmate deaths & suicides…:

CUT 13(10)      “…than he was her.”

In the Monroe area, a vote to recall Richwood Mayor Gerald Brown fell to defeat by voters. The margin was only about 50 votes.

A Lake Charles woman is under arrest, after she’s indicted for cruelty to a juvenile. 25-year-old Mary Labove allegedly caused bruising, broken bones and skull fracture to her 2-year-old. The child is in foster care.

 

Wondering why your auto insurance is so high in Louisiana? Congressman Garret Graves says it’s blamed in part on staged accidents: the most egregious example taking place in New Orleans in recent years…:

CUT 03(08)      “…different traffic accidents”

His proposed legislation would make it a federal crime to stage accidents to defraud insurance companies; punishable with stiff fines and prison.

A 50-year-old Eros woman is in jail in Ouachita Parish for … well for wanting to get arrested. Sharon Whatley showed up Saturday at the parish jail parking lot and refused to leave, despite being told several times. Ouachita Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says Whatley only told them she was wanted by the law…:

CUT 08(12)      “…basing that on.”

She’s now a …guest of the parish.

2:30 LRN Newscast Dec 13

Congressman Garret Graves proposes federal legislation to punish those who stage traffic accidents to get insurance money. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brannen.”

Now that St. Tammany Parish has rejected a proposed casino resort in Slidell, will that license remain where it started – in Bossier City? State gaming officials OK’ed the Diamond Jacks in Bossier so the license could go to the southeast, but now what? The license holders say Diamond Jacks will resume business where it is.

 

Saturday’s election results were historical with Louisiana’s  – and Orleans Parish’s – first ever female sheriff elected. UNO Political analyst Ed Chervenak says Susan Hutson’s victory over incumbent Marlin Gusman was quite a feat…:

CUT 12(07)      “…17-year-incumbent.”

Hutson ran on challenging Gusman’s performance running the parish jail; resulting in suicides and deaths.

The United Cajun Navy is boots on the ground in Kentucky, to help with rescue and recovery after tornados ravaged the landscape and killed dozens. Spokesman Brian Trascher says the devastation is hard to describe, and he’s posting photos from team members that are onsite to their Facebook page. He says right now those in Mayfield and surrounding towns need prayers first and foremost…:

CUT 10(11)      “…it looks more like that.”

To help, search Facebook for United Cajun Navy.

PM LRN Newscall Dec 13

Congressman Garret Graves is proposing federal legislation that seeks to heavily punish those who stage traffic accidents as a way to rip off insurance companies. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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The United Cajun Navy has deployed teams to assist with recovery efforts from the devastating tornados that left areas of Kentucky, and nearby states leveled from the destruction. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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If you’re wondering why your insurance rates are so high in Louisiana, Congressman Garret Graves it’s blamed in part on staged accidents, the most egregious example taking place in the Big Easy in recent years.

Cut 3 (08) “…different traffic accidents.”

One staged accident led to a 4.7-million dollar settlement. Graves has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at lowering insurance rates that would make it a federal crime to stage a vehicle collision and fraudulently claim financial damages. Violators could face hefty fines into the millions of dollars and double-digit prison time.

Graves says these staged accidents have financial consequences beyond those directly attributed to the staged crashes, one ring said to be responsible for more than 100 of them.

Cut 4 (09) “…all Louisiana drivers.”

The bill Graves introduced targets those involved in staging accidents, collecting from insurance companies and in turn leading to higher insurance rates for the public.

Cut 5 (11) “…in the process.”

__________________________________

A 50-year-old Eros woman is jailed at the Ouachita Correctional Center on criminal trespass charges after being told twice to leave from the sheriff’s office parking lot Saturday afternoon. Sheriff’s spokesman, Glenn Springfield, identified the person as Sharon Whatley.

 Cut 6 (12) “…to leave.” 

Springfield says the woman says she was wanted on charges, but it was determined she wasn’t. So since she wouldn’t leave, she’s now facing a lone misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass.

At last word, 50-year-old Sharon Whatley of Eros continued to be held at the Ouachita Correctional Center, but she’s no big-time criminal. In fact, despite her protestations to authorities, she wasn’t wanted on any kind of criminal charges, until she refused to leave the parking lot of the sheriff’s office annex.

Cut 7 (08) “…numerous times.”  

That’s sheriff’s spokesman, Glenn Springfield, who says Whatley was eventually arrested Saturday afternoon on a misdemeanor criminal trespass charge.

Ouachita Sheriff’s spokesperson Glenn Springfield says the only reason Whatley gave for not leaving the parking lot was that she was wanted by the law.

Cut 8 (12) “…basing that on.”

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Brian Trascher with the United Cajun Navy says their field team arrived in Madisonville, Kentucky on Sunday which is about 90 miles away from Mayfield and near other areas that were devastated by tornados overnight Friday. Trascher says the immediate needs are tarps and water and unlike a hurricane when you can prepare days in advance…

Cut 9 (07) “…really, really bad.”

Trascher says the devastation is hard to describe and he’s posting photos from team members that are onsite to their Facebook page. He says right now those in Mayfield and surrounding towns need your prayers first and foremost.

Cut 10 (11)  “…like that.”

The United Cajun Navy is setting up distribution sites at churches they are working with between Bowling Green and Mayfield, Kentucky. Trascher says they’ve also deployed a K-9 search and rescue team to assist Illinois State Police and they are looking at sending a drone team also.

Cut  11 (09)  “…game yet you know.”  

You can visit the United Cajun Navy’s FB for donation sites and photos of the devastation.

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Saturday’s election results were historical with the first female sheriff elected in Orleans parish and the first black female ever elected to the position in Louisiana. UNO Political analyst Ed Chervenak says Susan Hutson’s victory over incumbent Marlin Gusman was quite a feat.

Cut 12 (06) “…17-year incumbent.”  

Hutson won with 53-percent of the vote in the parish and Chervenak says the new sheriff in town was able to better define Gusman and charge him with mismanagement of the jail that resulted in deaths and suicides.

Cut 13 (09) “…he was her.”

Chervenak says while the sheriff’s office is a component of the criminal justice system which includes the district attorney, the main function of the office is to oversee functions of the jail.

Cut 14 (12) “…justice system.” 

In 2020 Jason Williams, who also ran on a criminal justice reform platform was elected District Attorney of Orleans Parish.