2:30 LRN Newscast April 1

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry wants to see the state carry out death sentences. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01 (31)      “….Jeff Palermo.”

Two Shreveport teens are under arrest; accused of making threats to “blow up” C.E. Byrd High School this week. Caddo Sheriff’s deputies say the 16 and 17-year-old made the trhreats twice on social media. Neither attend that school. They are both in juvenile detention; charged with terrorizing.

 

An elderly Ascension Parish man who reportedly confessed to killing his wife this week may be suffering from dementia. Ascension Sheriff’s spokesman Donovan Jackson says 83-year-old Marvin Stephens admits shooting his 75-year-old wife, Patricia. He says the investigation is ongoing and medical experts will evaluate the man…:

CUT 03 (09)      “…rough for him.”

Stephens is currently out of jail, on an $85-thousand bond.

The National Weather Service confirms a tornado impacted Madison Parish and the town of Tallulah. Forecaster Alan Campbell says it packed max winds at 115 miles-an-hour. He warns we should be aware that another system capable of spawning twisters will be with us next week…:

CUT 14 (11)      “…some severe weather.”

LRN PM Newscall April 1

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry wants to see the state carry out death sentences. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________

LSU’s Kim Mulkey moves into elite company with her third AP Coach of the Year award. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

It’s believed 83-year-old Marvin Stephens of Prairieville who confessed to shooting and killing his 75-year-old wife Wednesday may have dementia. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Donovan Jackson says the case is under investigation and medical experts will be consulted.

Cut 3 (09) “…rough for him.”

Jackson says when authorities arrived on the scene Patricia Stephens was suffering from a gunshot wound and was taken by helicopter to a local hospital where she later died. Jackson says Marvin Stephens, who faces second-degree murder charges, told officers he fired the gun.

Cut 4  (08) “…Parish jail.”

The shooting reportedly happened Wednesday afternoon, shortly after their part-time sitter left their residence.

Jackson says they are not sure what motivated the shooting and it’s a tragic situation for everyone involved.

Cut 5 (10) “…for them.”

Stephens has been released from the Ascension Parish Jail on an $85,000 bond.

____________________________________________________

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from a death row inmate challenging the constitutionality of Louisiana’s execution methods. Judge Shelly Dick ruled that since Louisiana is not able to obtain the drugs needed to carry out an execution, there was nothing to settle. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is glad the death penalty litigation was dismissed

 Cut 6  (09) “..move forward” 

Louisiana has not carried out a death sentence since Gerald Bordelon in 2010, who voluntarily dropped his appeals so he can be put the death for the murder of his 12-year-old stepdaughter. Landry says if Louisiana is having trouble getting drugs to carry out an execution, they can protect the identity of the drug maker…

Cut 7 (10) “…their execution.” 

In 2018, Landry drafted proposed legislation that would expand the methods of execution and expand confidentiality protections and he’s willing to discuss these proposals again with state lawmakers so the carrying out of death sentences can resume in Louisiana…

Cut 8 (09) “…deserve justice.” 

_________________________________________

LSU’s Kim Mulkey collected her third Associated Press Coach of the Year honor on Thursday, after leading the Tigers to a 26-6 record, second place in the SEC, and earning LSU’s first NCAA tournament win in eight years. The typically brash Mulkey was humbled…

Cut 9 (12) “…believed in me.”

Mulkey said the award means a little extra because of where she earned it, back in her native Louisiana. Mulkey grew up in Tickfaw before starring at Louisiana Tech.

Cut 10 (12)  “…do something positive.”

The spotlight has followed Mulkey throughout her career. That happens when you’ve got three national championships and 658 wins. She made sure to share her shining moment with the people who helped make it possible.

Cut 11 (11)  “…without players.”  

Mulkey trails only UConn’s Geno Auriemma and Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw for the most Coach of the Year awards all-time. McGraw’s four is certainly within reach, but it’ll take some work to match Auriemma’s record of nine.

_____________________________________________________

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a massive tornado tore through Madison Parish on Wednesday. Moving at 115 miles per hour and at an estimated 300 feet wide, NWS meteorologist Alan Campbell says the south side of Tallulah took most of the damage.

Cut 12 (12) “…shingle loss.” 

The tornado strengthened as it struck Tallulah Academy, Campbell said, tearing apart the school in several areas from the main building to its ballpark and fencing.

Cut 13 (13) “…of the building.”

Campbell says the danger may not be over, with another system moving into the area next week, and advises everyone to continue to monitor the situation throughout the weekend.

Cut 14 (11)  “…some severe weather.”

_____________________________________________________

1:30 LRN Newscast April 1

It’s believed 83-year-old Marvin Stephens of Prairieville who confessed to shooting and killing his 75-year-old wife Wednesday may have dementia. The shooting reportedly happened shortly after the couple’s part-time sitter left their residence. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Donovan Jackson says the motive for the shooting is still unknown and it is a tragic situation for all involved.

Cut 5 (10) “…for them.”

Stephens has been released from the Ascension Parish Jail on an $85,000 bond.

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from a death row inmate challenging the constitutionality of Louisiana’s execution methods; a win for Attorney General Jeff Landry. In 2018, Landry drafted proposed legislation that would expand the methods of execution and confidentiality protections. He says he’s willing to discuss these proposals again with state lawmakers so the carrying out of death sentences can resume.

Cut 8 (09) “…deserve justice.”

LSU’s Kim Mulkey collected her third Associated Press Coach of the Year honor on Thursday, after leading the Tigers to a 26-6 record, second place in the SEC, and earning LSU’s first NCAA tournament win in eight years. Mulkey said the award means a little extra because of where she earned it, back in her native Louisiana. Mulkey grew up in Tickfaw before starring at Louisiana Tech in the early 80s.

Cut 10 (12)  “…do something positive.”

Mulkey trails only UConn’s Geno Auriemma and Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw for the most Coach of the Year awards all time. McGraw’s four is certainly within reach, but it’ll take some work to match Auriemma’s record of nine.

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a massive tornado tore through Madison Parish on Wednesday. Moving at 115 miles per hour and at an estimated 300 feet wide, NWS meteorologist Alan Campbell says the south side of Tallulah took most of the damage.

Cut 12 (12) “…shingle loss.”

12:30 LRN Newscast April 1

It’s believed 83-year-old Marvin Stephens of Prairieville who confessed to killing his 75-year-old wife Wednesday may have dementia. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Donovan Jackson says when authorities arrived on the scene Patricia Stephens was suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken by helicopter to a local hospital where she later died.

Cut 4  (08) “…Parish jail.”

The case is under investigation and medical experts will be consulted.

A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit from a death row inmate challenging the constitutionality of Louisiana’s execution methods. The judge ruled there was nothing to settle because Louisiana is not able to obtain the drugs needed to carry out an execution. Attorney General Jeff Landry says if the state is having trouble getting the drugs, they can protect the identity of the drug maker…

Cut 7 (10) “…their execution.” 

LSU’s Kim Mulkey collected her third Associated Press Coach of the Year honor on Thursday, after leading the Tigers to a 26-6 record, second place in the SEC, and earning LSU’s first NCAA tournament win in eight years. The typically brash Mulkey was humbled…

Cut 9 (12) “…believed in me.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s first bill to pass in the house is one that’s personal. The COIVD-19 American History Project Act would task the Library of Congress to record stories of those, like herself, that lost a loved one to COVID. Letlow says the act also allows those on the front lines to participate too.

Cut 13 (11) “…gratitude.”

Letlow lost her husband to COVID, the legislation now heads to the Senate.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast April 1

For the third time in as many series, LSU baseball dropped the opener against an SEC foe. Last night the Tigers lost 6-5 to Auburn, falling to 18-8 on the season. LSU led 2-0 until the visitors scored six runs off of starter Blake Money in the fifth inning.  Cade Doughty went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, and Brayden Jobert homered in his fourth consecutive game, giving him six home runs and 18 RBI during the streak. Game two of the series is tonight at 6:30.

The New Orleans Pelicans square off against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight for the third and final time unless, of course, the two teams meet in the play-in tournament. LA has lost four in a row and is two games behind New Orleans in the West. A Pelicans victory would give them a sweep of the season series. New Orleans has made the postseason the last two times that’s happened.

LSU basketball picked up its first signee for 2022 as 6-10 center Corneilous Williams announced he will be joining the program. Two other players, center Efton Reid and guard Eric Gaines are entering the transfer portal, bringing the total to nine.

Conference USA co-leaders Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss face off in Hattiesburg starting tonight. Bulldogs coach Lane Burroughs says the Eagles’ pitching staff is as loaded as ever.

Cut 17 (17) “…anything’s gonna change.”


Newly-signed Saints quarterback Andy Dalton met with the media on Thursday. Dalton has started 148 of the 152 games he’s appeared in but is the clear backup to Jameis Winston. He says he still brings plenty to the table in that role.

Cut 20 (18) “…I can do.”

11:30 LRN Newscast April 1

It’s believed 83-year-old Marvin Stephens of Prairieville who confessed to shooting and killing his 75-year-old wife Patricia, Wednesday may have dementia. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Donovan Jackson says the case is under investigation and medical experts will be consulted.

Cut 3 (10) “…rough for him.”

Stephens faces second-degree murder charges.

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from a death row inmate challenging the constitutionality of Louisiana’s execution methods. Judge Shelly Dick ruled since Louisiana is not able to obtain the drugs needed to carry out an execution, there was nothing to settle. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is glad the death penalty litigation was dismissed

 Cut 6  (09) “..move forward” 

The last death sentence carried out in Louisiana was in 2010 when Gerald Bordelon voluntarily dropped his appeals so he could be put to death.

For Congresswoman Julia Letlow her first piece of legislation to pass in the U-S House is a personal one. Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passed overwhelmingly. The legislation tasks the Library of Congress to record, collect and preserve stories of Americans directly impacted by COVID.

Cut  11 (06)  “…future generations.”  

Letlow’s husband Luke Letlow died of COVID shortly before he was to be sworn in to Congress.

New Orleans is host to the NCAA men’s Final Four and this weekend and fans of Kansas, Villanova, Duke, and North Carolina are flocking to the Big Easy. Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says they expect tens of thousands of individuals to provide much-needed cash for the city and the state, and not to mention some good publicity.

Cut 15 (08)  “…gonna be invaluable.”

10:30 LRN Newscast April 1

The so-called Risk Rating 2.0 rate hikes for National Flood Insurance kick in today. Kevin Gallagher reports what it means for consumers and what help may be coming…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

After someone stole 264 gallons of diesel valued at $12-hundred, the St Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating the man driving the gold or light brown pickup truck who they believe is the suspect. It happened on March 21.

Accuweather says we will see another busy hurricane season, they are predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says sea surface temperatures are already above normal….

Cut 10 (09) “…like in May.”
Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passes overwhelmingly in the House. It tasks the Library of Congress with recording stories of those impacted by the pandemic.  Letlow believes there is power in telling your story and it will allows individuals, like herself that lost her husband, to preserve the memory of their loved one lost to COVID.

Cut 12 (11) “…of Congress.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

9:30 LRN Newscast April 1

Property owners across the state are bracing themselves for skyrocketing National Flood Insurance premiums that take effect today. US Senator Bill Cassidy says the President could stave off the rate hikes with an executive order and there’s bipartisan support to spare consumers…:

Cut 5 (13) “,…could end this now.” 

The revamped NFIP “Risk Rating 2.0” system prices flood insurance by property individually; instead of by flood zone.

AccuWeather’s predictions for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season calls for 16 to 20 named storms. State Climatologist Barry Keim says La Nina played a big role in the last two hurricane seasons and could play a factor this year too.

Cut 9 (12)  “…breaking season.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s first bill to pass in the house is one that’s personal, the COIVD-19 American History Project Act which tasks the Library of Congress to record stories of those, like herself, that lost a loved one to COVID. Letlow says the act also allows those on the front lines to participate too.

Cut 13 (11) “…gratitude.”

The legislation now heads to the Senate.

New Orleans is set to host the NCAA men’s Final Four for the sixth time this weekend. Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the quartet of basketball bluebloods involved: Kansas, Villanova, Duke, and North Carolina, are as good as it gets.

Cut 14 (09)  “…this weekend.”

New Orleans last hosted in 2012, generating more than $7 million in tax revenue for the state.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Risk Rating 2.0, a new federal flood insurance pricing system for existing policyholders, goes into effect today. FEMA says 23-percent of current policyholders will see their premiums decrease, while 73-percent will see their premiums increase up to 20 dollars per month. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a small percentage of premiums will increase by more than 20-dollars a month…
cut 7 (13) “….worthless overnight”
Senator Bill Cassidy says there are members of Congress who want to address this issue, but it will likely have to wait until next year.

The next hurricane season starts June 1 and Accuweather is predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says if the forecast is accurate, this would be the third straight very active season…
cut 8 (06) “…big deal”

The National Weather Service has confirmed that four E-F-1 tornadoes touched down in Jackson and Bienville Parishes on Wednesday. Another E-F 1 tornado touched down in Roseland in Tangipahoa Parish. Forecasters say there could be another threat of severe weather on Tuesday.

The road to the Final Four could be paved with gold for Louisiana…David Grubb has more.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

7:30 LRN Newscast April 1

The so-called Risk Rating 2.0 rate hikes for National Flood Insurance kick in today. Kevin Gallagher on what it means for policyholders…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A coalition of Civil rights groups has filed a federal lawsuit against the Congressional District map approved by the state legislature. They claim the map violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the political power of Black voters. Republican lawmakers say the map is legal as there are not enough black voters to create two majority-minority districts.

For Congresswoman Julia Letlow her first piece of legislation to pass in the U-S House is a personal one. Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passed overwhelmingly. The legislation tasks the Library of Congress to record, collect and preserve stories of Americans directly impacted by COVID.
Cut 11 (06) “…future generations.”
Letlow’s husband Luke Letlow was set to be sworn in to Congress when he died from complications from COVID.

New Orleans will be packed this weekend with college basketball fans, especially from North Carolina, who are in the Big Easy for the Final Four. Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski is coaching in his final Final Four and Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says that just brightens the spotlight on the city…
cut 16 (12) “….is all about”