4:45 LRN Sportscast May 26

Two things are certain. One, LSU will play a baseball game tonight. Two, their opponent is Kentucky. Other than that…who knows? Originally slated to start at 7 pm, the Tigers’ SEC tournament opener is now TBD…Due to inclement weather in Hoover, Alabama start times for all games have once again been pushed back. LSU is scheduled to play the third game of the day, following Florida and Texas A&M and Vanderbilt and Tennessee. SEC Network host Peter Burns says LSU can use the time off to its advantage on the way to grabbing a couple of much-needed wins in its bid to host an NCAA regional.

Cut 17 (19) “…on the road.”

This is the first time since 2017 the Tigers have had a first-round bye, which was the also the last time they won the tournament.

At the SWAC tourney, Southern, the top-seed in the West, finally opened play today against Jackson State. Grambling will face either Alabama State or Texas Southern Friday in an elimination game.

Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech faces third-seeded Old Dominion in the Conference USA tournament.

The best-of-three Southland Conference championship series starts tonight in Lake Charles with the top two seeds, McNeese and Southeastern squaring off. The Cowboys swept the Lions during the regular season. Game one starts at 6 pm.

Due to weather, the Sunbelt conference tourney is now single-elimination. No games today, but UL-Lafayette will play South Alabama at 4 pm Friday, followed by UL-Monroe and top-seeded Texas State.

Good news for Pelicans fans as Zion Williamson has been cleared to return to basketball activities without restriction. Williamson missed the entire 2021-22 season after breaking a bone in his right foot.

The Saints’ preseason schedule is final. New Orleans will play three games starting on the road vs the Texans on Aug. 13 and the Packers on the 19th; finishing at home on Aug. 26 versus the Chargers.

4:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves has agreed to turn over his personal journals by tomorrow afternoon – if they remain sealed from public view – in order to avoid a contempt charge.  Houma Representative Tanner Magee heads a panel looking into the death of Ronald Greene in LSP custody. He was seeking to hold Reeves in contempt for withholding the requested documents. Reeve’s lawyer, Lewis Unglesby, says his client is being treated poorly…:

CUT 11(12)      “…in any way.”

A man who struck a man working on the Mississippi River Bridge at Luling with his vehicle – knocking the victim off the bridge an into the water far below – is sentenced to 18 year behind bars. 23-year-old Hunter Johnson smashed through the work zone on the Hale Boggs Bridge in early 2021 His acts caused the death of 44-year-old Brady Ortego. Johnson’s mother helped him escape the crash scene and hid him from police. She also faces charges.

 

As Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying monthly hurricane restoration charges totaling $4.5 billion, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is crying foul. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder says over 27-thousand Unclaimed Property checks, totaling nearly $5-million, are being mailed out today following a data match to update addresses. He says the checks will be mailed to every parish in the state.

3:30 LRN Newscast May 26

An effort to hold former state police leader, Colonel Kevin Reeves, in contempt of the Legislature has been put on hold after an agreement is made on the viewing of his personal journals. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Another person announces she will run this fall for U.S. Senate; seeking to replace John Kennedy. 42-year-old Syrita Steib, a Vacherie native who has spent years working for public policy reforms.

 

Police in Ponchatoula have had quite a week with arrests involving firearms. A week ago, two men were busted for pointing guns at people in a Wal-Mart parking lot. On Sunday, two men bradished guns during a fight at the city’s Community Center. Police Chief Bry Layrisson says an 18-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested, and two semi-automatic rifles were seized…:

CUT 08(12)      “…were harmed.”

Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell seeks to block Entergy from adding hurricane damage assessments from storms in 2020 and ’21. Those would total over $4-billion over several years of monthly bills. He urges fellow members to vote refusal of the charges. Campbell questions the utility company’s business practices…:

CUT 14(12)      “…his whole territory.”

LRN PM Newscall May 26

An effort to hold former state police leader, Colonel Kevin Reeves, in contempt of the Legislature has been put on hold after an agreement is made on the viewing of his personal journals. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________

As Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying monthly hurricane restoration charges totaling $4.5 billion, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is crying foul. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

A bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students.

Cut 3 (09) “..they need.”

Freeman told committee members that many female students miss class due to a lack of access to feminine products and providing them will ease that burden.

Cut 4  (06) “…for them.”

House Bill 195 advances but after the state budget has already been approved. The question of how schools will pay for menstrual products was also discussed. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson spoke in support of the bill and recommended the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus assist in locating funding.

Cut 5  (07) “…get appropriations.”

The bill has been referred to Senate Finance.

___________________________________________________

Ponchatoula police have made multiple arrests involving firearms in recent weeks. The first took place in a Walmart parking on May 18 when officers responded to a call of an individual pointing a gun at children. Chief Bry Layrisson says two men, 22-year-old Kylin Sexton and 25-year-old Tyshon Coleman, both of Hammond were taken into custody.

Cut 6  (10) “…incidents occurred.” 

A search of the duo’s vehicle produced multiple Glock 9 millimeter handguns, more than 15-hundred pills suspected to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride, as well marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Chief Layrisson says the two suspects didn’t do a very good job of being inconspicuous.

Cut 7 (10) “…acting a fool.” 

This past Sunday, officers were called to the Ponchatoula Community Center after two men showed guns during a fight. Two suspects were arrested, 18-year-old Charles Wheeler and a 16-year-old juvenile. An AR-15 and AK-47 were found at the scene.

Cut 8 (12) “…were harmed.” 

_____________________________________________________

Former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves has agreed to turn over his personal journals by tomorrow afternoon if they remain sealed from public view in order to avoid a contempt charge.  Houma Representative Tanner Magee is seeking to hold Reeves in contempt after he withheld certain pages from the journals from a committee investigating the state police custody death of Ronald Greene…

Cut 9 (12) “…for now.”

Reeves’ attorney Lewis Unglesby says his client has nothing to hide and that the pages lawmakers are seeking to see do not contain any new information about Greene’s death…

Cut 10 (10) ” …told you.” 

Reeves’ personal financial information contained in the journals will be redacted.

A special House committee looking into Greene’s violent arrest by State Police in May of 2019 in Union Parish says Reeves’ journal entries are critical to an investigation into a possible cover-up by State Police. But Unglesby believes it’s unfair how the committee is treating Reeves…

Cut 11 (12)  “…in any way” 

Unglesby says the blame should be put on Trooper Chris Hollingsworth who was involved in Greene’s beating. Hollingsworth died 16 months later in a single-vehicle crash.

_____________________________________________________

Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying hurricane restoration charges monthly for the next several years. However, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s time for the utility provider to pay their fair share after giving stockholders $3 billion in dividends and the CEO a one million dollar raise.

Cut 12 (12) “…the people.”  

Campbell says costs incurred to restore power after storms are typically passed along to customers and the estimated tally from Entergy is $4.5 billion.

Cut 13 (08) “…the roof.”

The outspoken commissioner believes there are enough members who share his view and they could vote for Entergy to pay for at least 20-percent of restoration costs. Campbell also questions the utility provider’s business practices.

Cut 14 (12)  “…territory.”

Campbell says he questioned Entergy CEO and Chairman Leo Denault about his reported trip during Ida and Denault confirmed he was in Colorado.

2:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying monthly hurricane restoration charges totaling over $4-billion, and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is crying foul. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

State Police Troop E reports they’re investigating a deputy-involved shooting last night near the Winn Parish town of Dodson. There are hardly any details as yet, but we do know the incident involved a Jackson Parish deputy and it happened along U.S. Highway 167. More as it develops.

 

Former State Police superintendent Colonel Kevin Reeves has agreed to turn over his personal journals by tomorrow afternoon – if they remain sealed from public view – in order to avoid a contempt charge. A legislative panel investigating the death of Ronald Greene in 2019 seeks to hold Reeves in contempt for withholding journal entries as evidence. His lawyer, Lewis Unglesby, says Reeves has nothing to hide and the pages requested have nothing to do with the Greene case…:

CUT 10(10)      “…what I told you.”

Unglesby says the blame for Greene’s death should be put on Trooper Chris Hollingsworth, who died a little over a year after the incident in a single-vehicle crash.

State Treasurer John Schroder’s office says they’ve sent out over 27-thousand checks; re-uniting people with what the state calls Unclaimed Property. That can be from old payroll checks, old bank accounts, royalties, utility or rental deposits, interest payments and more. The checks sent out this week total over $4-million. To find out of you have money waiting for you, go to “LaCashClaim.org” to search by name.

1:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves agrees to turn over his personal journals by Friday if they remain sealed from public view to avoid a contempt charge from the legislative committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene. Reeves’ attorney Lewis Unglesby says his client has nothing to hide and that the pages they are seeking do not contain any new information.

Cut 10 (10) ” …told you.” 

22-year-old Kylin Sexton and 25-year-old Tyshon Coleman both of Hammond were arrested after reportedly pointing a gun at children in the parking lot of a Ponchatoula Walmart. Authorities found multiple handguns, and several illegal drugs in their vehicle. Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson

Cut 7 (10) “…acting a fool.”

 

Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying monthly hurricane restoration charges for 15 years totaling $4.5 billion. However, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s time for Entergy to pay some especially after they made significant profits.

Cut 13 (08) “…the roof.”

Campbell says Entergy shareholders received $3-billion in dividends and their CEO received a million-dollar pay increase.

A bill requiring public schools to provide menstrual products for students, advances but does so after the state budget has been approved. The question of who will pay for them was discussed in Senate Education. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson recommended the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus could assist in locating funding.

Cut 5 (07) “…get appropriations.”

The bill has been referred to Senate Finance.

 

12:30 LRN Newscast May 26

A bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students. Freeman told committee members that many female students miss class due to a lack of access to feminine products and providing them will ease that burden.

Cut 4 (06) “…for them.”

Ponchatoula police have made multiple arrests involving firearms in recent weeks. The first took place in a Walmart parking on May 18 when officers responded to a call of an individual pointing a gun at children. Chief Bry Layrisson says two men, 22-year-old Kylin Sexton and 25-year-old Tyshon Coleman, both of Hammond were taken into custody on weapons and drug charges without incident.

Cut 6 (10) “…incidents occurred.”

Former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves, who is facing a contempt charge, has agreed to turn over his personal journals by tomorrow afternoon if they remain sealed from public view. Houma Representative Tanner Magee is seeking to hold Reeves in contempt after he withheld certain pages from the journals from a committee investigating the state police custody death of Ronald Green…

Cut 9 (12) “…for now.”

Reeves’ attorney Lewis Unglesby says his client has nothing to hide.

Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying hurricane restoration charges monthly for the next several years. However, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s time for the utility provider to pay their fair share after giving stockholders $3 billion in dividends and the CEO a one million dollar raise.

Cut 12 (12) “…the people.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast May 26

After several delays, the LSU Tigers will finally get to play their opening game at the SEC tournament when they face 12th-seeded Kentucky at 7 pm tonight. Having a couple of extra days of rest could be good for the LSU pitching staff. Ma’Khail Hilliard has been the team’s top starting pitcher, but a true number two hasn’t emerged, meaning the Tigers will rely heavily on their bullpen. SEC Network host Peter Burns says a lack of quality arms is a problem across the SEC.

Cut 18 (20) “…is injured.”

Tulane beat South Florida, 9-6 to stave off elimination in the AAC tournament. The Wave will play either Cincinnati or East Carolina on Friday at 1 pm.

In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech scored a 4-0 shutout of Charlotte. The Bulldogs scored all four runs in the bottom of the first, capped off by a two-run home run by Adarius Myers. Cade Gibson went five innings, striking out seven without a walk to pick up the win. Tech advances to face third-seeded Old Dominion this afternoon at 4 pm.

Grambling fell to Bethune-Cookman 4-3 at the SWAC tourney. The Tigers will face either Alabama State or Texas Southern this afternoon in an elimination game. Southern opens the tournament against Jackson State at 1 pm.

Due to weather, the Sunbelt conference tourney is now single-elimination. No games today, but UL-Lafayette will play South Alabama at 4 pm Friday, followed by UL-Monroe and top-seeded Texas State.

The best-of-three Southland Conference championship series starts tonight in Lake Charles with the top two seeds, McNeese and Southeastern squaring off. The Cowboys swept the Lions during the regular season, outscoring Southeastern 21-11 over three games. Game one starts at 6 pm.

The Saints’ preseason schedule is final. New Orleans will play three games starting on the road vs the Texans on Aug. 13 and the Packers on the 19th; finishing at home on Aug. 26 versus the Chargers.

11:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Louisiana Congressmen react to Tuesday’s mass shooting at a grade school in Uvalde, Texas. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Triple-A predicts 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says nearly eight percent of travelers are choosing air travel…

cut 10 (07) “…right now”

A House bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students.

Cut 3 (09) “..they need.”

The bill was referred to Senate Finance for funding for the products.

A House Resolution for members to volunteer as substitute teachers passes in House Governmental Affairs. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey supports the legislation and says while many lawmakers already volunteer in the community this is an ideal way to serve and have a better understanding of what teachers’ experience.

Cut 13 (09) “…our children.”

The resolution advances to the House floor.

10:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter reacts to Tuesday’s tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Carter says the massacre is “heartbreaking”, and mass shooters often have mental problems and there are steps we could take to screen them before they get a gun…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…should have been checked.”

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools finally gets House approval after it failed to get enough votes in the lower chamber on two previous tries this session. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he’s voted against the legislation in the past but likes the opt-in language it contains…

Cut 16 (11)  “…on their child.”

The legislation still needs Senate approval, and the legislative session ends June 6th

State Police are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Winn Parish that resulted in one death. LSP says shortly after 5 PM Wednesday they were asked by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office to investigate a deputy-involved shooting involving the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on US Highway 167 Dodson. No other details were available.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and people are ready to hit the road. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”