9:30 LRN Newscast

More details are coming out about Tuesday’s Texas school shooting, where a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde. About a half-hour before an 18-year-old gunman unleashed terror at Robb Elementary School, he posted on Facebook he would shoot his grandmother, then announced he shot her and then sent another message declaring he would shoot an elementary school. Republican Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves says the issues for many mass shooters, particularly younger ones-often start in the home…
cut 7 (07) “….by their parents”
Democrat Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says local and federal authorities need to take whatever steps are necessary to assure maximum safety for children at school…
cut 5 (14) “….prospensity for violence”

A resolution urging state representatives to serve as substitute teachers and then write about their experiences is awaiting a vote on the House floor. New Orleans Representative and former teacher Candace Newell says it’s important for lawmakers to serve in the education trenches, especially when they end up voting on a policy that impacts public schools…
cut 12 (11) “….should demand”

Triple-A is predicting 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, an eight percent increase over last year. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says about 35-million travelers will travel via automobile…
cut 9 (09) “…summer travel”
Redman says daily car rental rates have increased 170-percent compared to last year.

8:30 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.”

State Police is investigating a fatal deputy-involved shooting in Winn Parish. Very little information has been released. All we know is that a subject is deceased after a deputy-involved shooting involving the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on U-S Highway 167 near Dodson. L-S-P says more information will be released when it becomes available.

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools finally gets House approval after it failed to get enough votes in the lower chamber after two previous tries in this session. It’s not a total ban. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty amended her legislation giving parents the option to authorize a spanking of their child through written consent…
Cut 14 (10) “…making that choice.”
The bill passed on a 70-28 vote and still needs Senate approval before the session ends on June 6th.

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”
Triple-A finds the average lowest airfare at six percent more than last year, coming at 179-dollars a ticket.

7:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Debate is underway on what to do to prevent the next school shooting. Louisiana Republican Congressman Garret Graves says it’s time to revisit public policy on school safety and screening gun owners, but it should be a deliberate process…
cut 6 (15) “…from happening”

The Louisiana House has approved a bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools, but a parent can authorize a spanking at the child’s school through written consent. Erath Representative Blake Miguez voted against the measure. He says each school district should clarify its policy on corporal punishment and if parents don’t want their child spanked, they could opt out…
Cut 15 (09) “…as well.”
The measure still needs Senate approval.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and an estimated 39-million Americans are expected to travel…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson has authored a resolution strongly encouraging state representatives to spend at least one day as a substitute teacher. Jefferson says it can be helpful to local school districts that are struggling with a teacher shortage…
cut 11 (10) “….is serve”
Jefferson’s resolution is awaiting a vote on the House floor.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Weather continues to wreak havoc on the SEC baseball tournament. LSU was scheduled to play its first game in the tourney last night, then it was scheduled for this morning, now the hope is the Tigers will play today at 4:30 against 12th seeded Kentucky, who beat Auburn 3 to 1 yesterday. The LSU game is scheduled to be the third game of the day, but more rain is in the forecast for Hoover, Alabama. SEC Network’s Peter Burns says the extra rest is helpful, but the Tigers really need to get some wins too…
cut 17 (19) “….on the road”

Because of all of the rain in Montgomery, Alabama, the Sun Belt Tournament has been turned into a single-elimination tournament. So the fourth-seeded Ragin Cajuns will face fifth-seeded South Alabama at 4 PM tomorrow. Following that game it will be ULM against top-seeded Texas State.

At the Conference USA Tournament in Hattiesburg, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs blanked Charlotte four to nothing. It’s the Diamond Dogs’ first shutout in tournament history and Adarius Myers hit a home run and drove in two runs. Tech takes on Old Dominion at 4 PM today.

In the SWAC Tournament, Grambling State lost to Bethune Cookman four to three. While Southern is scheduled to play Jackson State this morning.

The Southland Conference’s championship series gets underway in Lake Charles tonight as McNeese hosts Southeastern Louisiana in a best of three series, with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

6:30 LRN Newscast May 26

More details are coming out about Tuesday’s Texas school shooting, where a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde. About a half-hour before 18-year-old Salvador Ramos unleashed terror at Robb Elementary School, he posted on Facebook he would shoot his grandmother, then announced he shot her and then sent another message declaring he would shoot an elementary school. Republican Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves says the issues for many mass shooters, particularly the very young ones-often start in the home…
cut 7 (07) “….by their parents”
Democrat Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says more screening needs to be in place before a person purchase’s a gun…
cut 4 (11) “….have been checked”

A resolution calling on members of the Louisiana Legislature to substitute for one day in K-12 schools advances from House Governmental Affairs. Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Despite record gas prices, Triple-A predicts nearly 40 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Spokesperson Don Redman says people are ready to hit the road at levels we haven’t seen in five years.
Cut 8 (10) “…have to ignore.”

LRN AM Newscall 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.”

____________________________________

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.” 

_____________________________________

A resolution calling on members of the Louisiana legislature to substitute for one day in K-12 schools advances from House Governmental Affairs. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________

Members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation react to Tuesday’s tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. On Tuesday, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos walked into the Robb Elementary school and killed 19 children and 2 teachers. Louisiana District 2 Congressman Troy Carter says the massacre is “heartbreaking”, and says 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.”

Carter says local and federal authorities need to take whatever steps are necessary to assure maximum safety for children at school…:

Cut 5 (14) “…propensity for violence.”

District 6 Congressman Garret Graves says the Uvalde shootings were “disgusting”, and also feels it’s time to revisit public policy on school safety and screening gun owners. However, he feels it needs to be a well-thought-out and deliberate process…:

Cut 6 (15)  “…killings from happening.”

Before the attack at Robb school, Ramos posted online he intended to kill his grandmother, then that he had shot her, then that he was going to “shoot up a school”. Graves says the issues for many mass shooters – particularly the very young ones – often start in the home…:

Cut 7 (07) “…by their parents.”

________________________________________

Despite record gas prices, Triple-A predicts nearly 40 million Americans will be traveling this Memorial Day weekend. Spokesperson Don Redman says people are ready to hit the road at levels we haven’t seen in five years.

Cut 8 (10)  “…have to ignore.”

This Memorial Day weekend is expected to be the busiest in two years, consistent with a trend of more and more people making travel plans that started earlier this spring. Redman says this is a strong indicator that the roads will only get busier over the coming months.

Cut 9 (09)  “…for summer travel.”

Air travel has picked up as well, with three million passengers expected to take flight over the weekend, representing 7.7 percent of all travelers. Redman says that figure tops 2019, the last year prior to the pandemic.

Cut 10 (07) “…drive right now.”

Triple-A advises that if you are driving this weekend, make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready with a full inspection before you go.

________________________________________

A resolution for House members to volunteer as substitute teachers passes in House Governmental Affairs and advances to the House Floor. Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson who also serves as vice-chair of House Education says this is a way for members to gain firsthand experience and also assist with the ongoing teaching shortage.

Cut  11 (10)  “…is serve.” 

Jefferson says he was inspired to author the resolution after Former House Speaker John Alario suggested other lawmakers volunteer in Louisiana schools in the past.

New Orleans Representative and former teacher Candace Newell spoke in favor of the resolution and says it’s important for lawmakers to serve in the education trenches casting votes impacting K-12 schools.

Cut 12 (11) “…should demand.” 

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey also supported the legislation. He 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.

_______________________________________

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 in this session. It’s not a total ban. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty amended her legislation giving parents the option to authorize a spanking of their child through written consent…

Cut 14 (10)  “…making that choice.”

The bill passed on a 70-28 vote. Erath Representative Blake Miguez voted against the measure. He says each school district should clarify its policy on corporal punishment and if parents don’t want their child spanked, they could opt out…

Cut 15 (09)  “…as well.”

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he’s voted against Hilferty’s bill in the pass, but likes the opt-in language that the legislation now contains…

Cut 16 (11)  “…on their child.”

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

___________________________________________

LSU should finally take the field today at the SEC baseball tournament after not playing since last Saturday. It’s been a wild ride this season for the Tigers, but 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.” 

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. Burns says a lack of quality arms is a problem across the SEC.

Cut 18 (20) “ …is injured.” 

______________________________________________

5:30 LRN Newscast May 25

New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard says he’s receiving death threats over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays in Louisiana. Willard says authorities are investigating a voice mail his office received…

PM Cut 6  (07) “…executed” 

Williard made that statement minutes before a Senate committee approved his legislation, sending the House-backed measure to the Senate floor. Minden Senator Robert Mills says these Confederate holidays are part of the country’s history

PM Cut 7 (08) “…me a bit.” 

But Williard says the two holidays, Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day, honor those who fought to maintain slavery in the United States. The measure now heads to the Senate floor.

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools receives House approval after it failed to get enough votes previously in this session. But it’s not a total ban. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty amended her legislation giving parents the option to authorize a spanking of their child through written consent…

Cut 14 (10)  “…making that choice.”

The bill passed on a 70-28 vote.

A resolution for House members to volunteer as substitute teachers passes in House Governmental Affairs and advances to the House Floor. Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson who also serves as vice-chair of House Education says this is a way for members to gain firsthand experience and also assist with the ongoing teaching shortage.

Cut  11 (10)  “…is serve.” 

4:45 LRN Sportscast May 25

Like the Huns trying to invade China, LSU’s opening game at the SEC baseball tournament has been pushed back. Again. The Tigers are now scheduled to face 12th-seeded Kentucky at 1 pm on Thursday afternoon, nearly two full days after the game was originally supposed to be played. With the Wildcats getting past fifth-seeded Auburn, LSU will likely need a couple of wins in Hoover to have any chance of hosting an NCAA regional. The Tigers hosting at “The Box” is almost as much of a summer tradition as crawfish boils or hurricane parties, and both the team and its fans would love to see that tradition continue. However, Coach Jay Johnson says his focus is on getting better each game, not worrying about where the games are played.

Cut 19 (12) “…and really improve.”

Tulane and South Florida are well underway in their American Athletic Conference tournament elimination game. The winner will play Friday afternoon against either Cincinnati or East Carolina, while the loser goes home.

In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech began its pursuit of a second consecutive NCAA tournament bid and its first conference tournament championship since 1987 this afternoon against the Charlotte 49ers. If the Bulldogs win today they will take on third-seeded Old Dominion tomorrow afternoon. A loss puts them into an elimination game with Middle Tennessee at 9 am.

Start times in the SWAC tourney were delayed by rain as well. Southern and Grambling hold the top two seeds in the West. The Tigers face Bethune-Cookman and the Jags will play Jackson State.

On day two of the Sunbelt Tournament, number 10 seed UL-Monroe will face top-seeded Texas State at 7:30 pm. The U-L Ragin Cajuns are in action against South Alabama.

In the NBA Playoffs, Miami and Boston are all tied at two games each heading into tonight’s game five. Last night, Dallas forced a game five with Golden State with a 119-109 victory.

4:30 LRN Newscast May 25

A St. Tammany Parish deputy was shot in the back early this morning, and Brooke Thorington reports the suspect is just 13 years old…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Sportsmen rejoice!! A bill that would legally allow “noodling” in Louisiana has reached final passage at the capitol and is on its way to the Governor’s desk. If you DON’T know, “noodling” is the art of catching a catfish with your bare hands; often by sticking your hand in its mouth.

 

Multiple bills aimed at reducing criminal penalties for marijuana possession have advanced to the full Senate. One would allow expungement of a marijuana convictions sooner. Another lessens penalties for possessing paraphernalia. Shonda Broome, a medical professional who had her career negatively impacted by a positive test for marijuana during pre-employment screening, spoke on behalf of HB 774. She says that one result has followed her from job to job and that the stigma impacts more than just those with criminal convictions…:

CUT 14(12)      “…cannabis laws”

They all move to the full Senate for what could be final passage.

A Baton Rouge man is in jail for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl and recording it on his cellphone. 51-year-old Ronald Thibodeaux is behind bars. No bail has been set.

3:30 LRN Newscast May 25

A New Orleans lawmaker tells a Senate Committee he’s received a death threat over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as official holidays. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Bossier City Police say two bodies found Tuesday morning by firefighters trying to put out an apartment fire were victims of murder. They’re identified as 35-year-old Craig Stewart and 26-year-old Christopher Dillard, both Bossier residents. BCPD says they have a suspect in custody for the crimes.

 

Police in Houma say a local woman drowned last night, when she tried to swim across the Intracoastal Waterway. Terrebonne Deputies and the Coast Guard searched and found the woman’s remains before midnight. No one knows why 45-year-old Roberta Mackles chose to attempt the swim.

Monroe Police responded to a massive fight between inmates at the Swanson Correctional Center for Youth last night. MPD Sgt. Mike Fendall says they and Ouachita Deputies helped get it all under control. He says no one was reported seriously hurt, but the facility was pretty badly damaged…:

CUT 11(09)      “…as well.”

Several of the inmates involved were 18 or older.