LRN AM Newscall September 22

A reward of $30,000 is being offered to help find those responsible for the shooting death of LSU student Allie Rice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A federal judge rules the federal government may no longer require COVID shots or masks of teachers, staff or volunteers with Project Head Start. Kevin Gallagher has the story…:

Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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New Orleans experienced a major uptick in crimes this year with over 200 homicides, now locals are wondering if it will affect tourism. Whitney Thomas has more…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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The restaurant where Allie Rice worked is helping collect reward money for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who gunned the LSU student down last Friday. One of the owners of The Shed, Chez Ciccone says the reward is up to $30,000 and he thinks it will make a difference.

Cut 4 (08)  “…people know.”

Allie Rice worked at The Shed alongside two of her brothers. Ciccone says the restaurant pitched in $10,000 dollars initially and other businesses have also donated to the reward. He says they hope to have $50,000 by Friday, which would be one week after the LSU senior was killed in her car on Government St. in Baton Rouge.

Cut 5 (07) “…did this.”

Ciccone says there’s been an overwhelming outpour of condolences and offers to help in any way they can since Allie was killed. He urges the community to work together to help end the uptick in crime in Baton Rouge.

Cut 6 (06)  “…off the street.” 

For more information on how to donate to the reward, you can visit The Shed’s Facebook page. If you have any tips about the case call Crimestoppers or Baton Rouge Police.

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A federal judge rules that the U.S. Government may NOT require masks and/or COVID shots for teachers, staff and volunteers with Project Head Start. The suit was brought by a school teacher and represented by the Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, whose general counsel Sarah Harbison says the plaintiff is vindicated…:

Cut 7 (08) “…aren’t having it.”

U.S. Circuit Court Judge Terry Doughty issued a permanent injunction preventing the feds from enforcing their mask and shot mandates on Head Start in Louisiana and 23 other states. Harbison says the case against the government wasn’t just about compliance…:

Cut 8 (06)  “…to do so.”

Harbison says the federal government can appeal the ruling, but other COVID mandates have also been reversed and they’ll likely lose on appeal in this case. President Biden recently publicly proclaimed the COVID pandemic “over” so why would the feds persist in the mask and shot mandates…?

Cut 9 (07)  “…and medical decisions.”

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Today is the first day of fall, but its unseasonally hot. Temperatures will get into the upper 90s today, and triple digits north of I-10. State Climatologist Barry Kiem says the hot weather will stick around through the weekend.

Cut 10 (09) “…some locations.”

A front is expected to come in next week dropping high temperatures back into the 80s. The humidity is also expected to drop. Keim says even though the calendar says fall summer is hanging on. 

Cut  11 (06)  “…still here.” 

But Keim says we’ll get a little break over the weekend

Cut 12 (06) “…incredibly hot..” 

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New Orleans has experienced astronomical crime rates this year with over 200 people murdered. A concerned local asked Governor John Bel Edwards on his monthly call-in radio program if this is impacting tourism.

Edwards says numbers indicate that tourism is actually up in Crescent City.

Cut 13 (13) “…our economy.”

Edwards says he believes the increase in crime isn’t keeping tourists away.  

Cut 14 (09)  “…that either..”

Edwards says getting more police officers will make a difference.

Cut 15 (08)  “… retain them.”

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Saints quarterback Jamies Winston is still struggling with ongoing back injuries that may continue to hinder him throughout the rest of the season. Winston suffered four fractures in his back in week one against the Falcons but he isn’t focusing on the pain.

Cut 16 (09)  “…than that.” 

Winston threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter against the Buccaneers last Sunday, including a costly pick-six. Winston doesn’t want his injuries to act as an excuse for his performance and takes accountability for the late-game mistakes.

Cut 17 (17) “…the middle.” 

Rookie wide receiver Chris Olave had five receptions for 80 yards in the loss but was targeted thirteen times including multiple deep shots of which only one connected. Winston praised the rookie’s route-running ability and maturity and says he needs to be more accurate on those throws down the field.

Cut 18 (14) “…in the game.” 

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U-L Lafayette’s nation-leading 15-game win streak came to an end last weekend in a loss to Rice, but coach Michael Desormeaux is glad the pressure has been taken off his team and is looking forward to bouncing back this weekend.

Cut 19 (13) “…forward here.”

The Cajuns next game will be against conference rivals ULM on Saturday. The Warhawks have had the unenviable challenge of facing off against two top programs in Texas and Alabama to start their season, but Desormeaux says the Warhawks are better than their record or even film may show.

Cut 20 (20) “ …physical one.” 

5:30 LRN Newscast Sept 21

On his monthly radio program, Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the uptick of crime in Baton Rouge and the murder of 21-year- old LSU Senior Alli Rice.

CUT 12(10)      “…just horrendous.”

Edwards says hiring and training more officers will help with the crime surge.

State Police have placed a lieutenant on leave following a sex crime investigation by the Pennington Country Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota. LSP issued a release stating that 44-year-old Kirk Thibodeaux has been charged with Hiring for Sexual Activity. Thibodeaux who’s worked with state police for twenty years and was assigned to the Transportation Safety Services and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement section. Authorities say the incident happened on Wednesday at a Rapid City Hotel.

Southeastern Louisiana University is using a $5-million federal grant to develop a mentoring program to assist education graduates as they enter the classroom. Dean of Education Paula Summers Calderon says new teachers tend to leave the profession in their first few years due to burnout and not meeting their own expectations.

Cut 3 (10) “…or 20 years.” 

Social Catfish, an online investigation service that monitors scams, says in Louisiana last year more than 4,000 people lost $43 million to con-artists, that’s up from $27 million in 2020. Social Catfish CEO David McClellan…

Cut 9 (08) “…staggering.”
During the pandemic, there was an increase in identity theft due to stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment.

4:30 LRN Newscast Sept 21

On his monthly radio show, “Ask the Governor”, Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about the spiking rate of violent crime in Baton Rouge, and the recent murder of 21-year-old LSU Senior Allie Rice last week. He calls her killing senseless and careless and says hiring more trained cops will likely help curb murders and robberies…:

CUT 13(13)      “…too high.”
The reward money for catching Allie’s killer is now up to $30-thousand. Baton Rouge cops believe the crime was totally random.

Gasoline prices have seemingly ended their 100-plus day run of price declines; now at a statewide average of $3.13 and holding. Louisiana AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says, if a hurricane threatens our coast those prices will spike again…:

CUT 08(08)      “…in the Gulf.”

 

Two men who pulled off an armed robbery this morning in West Monroe have been captured. Ouachita Parish deputies say Donald Bouwell and James Stephenson held up a bingo hall, but were nabbed after a foot chase by both Ouachita and Union parish officers.

Southeastern Louisiana University is using a $5-million federal grant to create a program to keep teachers in the classroom. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly said today he wants to get wide receiver Jack Bech more involved in Saturday’s game against New Mexico. So far Beche only has two catches in three games, after leading the team in receptions with 43 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns last season.

The Tigers game against the Lobos is at 6:30 and Kelly says he’s looking forward to seeing what running back John Emery can do after making his 2022 debut last Saturday…
cut 28 (13) “…for him”

The Saints returned to practice to get ready for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Running back Alvin Kamara was a limited participant after missing the loss to the Buccaneers because of a rib injury. Cornerback Paulson Adebo was also limited with an ankle injury that’s kept him out the first two games of the season.

Lousiaina Tech lost to Clemson last weekend 48-20 but the Bulldogs showed they can be winners away from the football field. The Clemson football program has been grieving over the death of 15-year-old Ella Bresee, the sister of Tigers defensive tackle Brian Bresee. Before Saturday’s game, Tech players decided to write hand written letters to Bresee’s family to offer their sorrow and some words of encouragement. Wide receiver Julian Lewis was one of the players who wrote a letter…
Cut 17 (15) “..his family”
Tech is back on the road this Saturday as they will visit South Alabama in its final non-conference game.

ULM starting offensive tackle Stacey Wilkins has been suspended from the team until further notice after he was arrested and charged with domestic battery.

PM Newscall Sept 21

Southeastern Louisiana University is using a $5-million federal grant to create a program to keep teachers in the classroom. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Triple A says gasoline prices have stopped falling. Today the statewide average for a gallon of gas is $3.13–the same as yesterday. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Marsanne Golsby.”  

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Southeastern Louisiana University is using a $5-million federal grant to develop a mentoring program to assist education graduates as they enter the classroom. Dean of Education Paula Summers Calderon says new teachers tend to leave the profession in their first few years due to burnout and not meeting their own expectations.

Cut 3 (10) “…or 20 years.” 

The Program is called BRIDGE Building Rigorous Induction and Development for Growing all Educators. Calderon says they are partnering with the Tangipahoa School System for the first year and will focus on ways to prepare teachers to meet the needs of the district also. She says it’s a win-win.

Cut 4 (11) “…those new teachers.” 

And then for the third year of the five-year program, the St. Charles Parish school system will be added.

The project will prepare 375 more highly effective and trained teachers over a five-year period and increase the leadership skills and knowledge of 150 teachers who support them. Calderon says other states have similar programs, but this is a first for Louisiana.

Cut 5 (07) “…entire state.” 

The program will also work closely with school districts to recruit teacher candidates from underrepresented populations.

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The drop from record high gasoline prices appears to be ending. For nearly 100 days the price at pump has fallen, but today the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13, the same as yesterday. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says a lot of factors went into the stabilization of prices…

Cut 6 (08)  “…production” 

Redman says now that gasoline price have stabilized its hard to predict where they go from here….

Cut 7 (08) “…right now.”

But Redman says if a major hurricane appears in the Gulf, prices will spike.

Cut 8 (08)  “…in the Gulf.”

Forecasters are keeping an eye on a tropical wave in the western Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center says it has a 70 percent chance of forming into a depression in the next 48 hours.

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Social Catfish, an online investigation service that monitors scams, says in Louisiana last year more than 4,000 people lost $43 million to con-artists, that’s up from $27 million in 2020. Social Catfish CEO David McClellan…

Cut 9 (08)  “…staggering number.”

During the pandemic, there was an increase in identity theft due to stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment. McClellan says there are immediate scams also, that steal your personal information when you check on a link and others that play out for months.

Cut 10 (04) “…really staggering” 

McClellan says three out of four victims of Romance Scams are college educated and online cryptocurrency scams have skyrocketed seven-fold to $1.6 million in the US.

To avoid falling victim, McClennan says never give money to someone you’ve never met, do not give out personal information, use different passwords for different accounts, and when it comes to Romance Scams utilize a reverse image search to see if the person you are communicating with is who they say they are. And most of all, he says trust your gut.

Cut 11 (10)  “…your gut.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the uptick in crime in Baton Rouge by discussing the Death of  21 years old Allison Rice.

Edwards says the incident is insensitive and careless…

Cut 12 (10) “.. .just horrendous.”  

Edwards says having more officers will deescalate crime.

Cut 13 (13) “…is too high.” 

3:30 LRN Newscast Sept 21

Would it surprise you to know that online scammers raked in over $40-million from Louisiana residents in 2021? That’s a lot, and much more than the estimated $27-million conned out of Bayou state citizens during 2020. Social Catfish is an agency that tracks online scams, and CEO Dave McClellan says simple steps like changing passwords frequently and never agreeing to anything asked for online are two ways to avoid being taken. He says trust your instincts…:

CUT 11(10)      “…your gut.”

As the4 state-run property insurer of last-resort, Louisiana Citizens, asks for a 63-percednt rate increase…realtors are asking the Insurance Commissioner to delay approving that hike. They say, if buyers cannot afford coverage, they will not buy the home…and slowing the housing market any further will badly hurt the state’s economy.

 

On his monthly radio program, Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the uptick in crime in Baton Rouge and the murder of 21-year- old LSU Senior Allison Rice. The governor says the killing is insensitive and careless…:

CUT 12(10)      “…just horrendous.”

Edwards says hiring and training more cops will help with the crime surge.

Southeastern Louisiana University is using a $5-million federal grant to develop a mentoring program to assist education graduates as they enter the classroom. Dean of Education Paula Summers Calderon says other states have similar programs, but this is a first for Louisiana…:

CUT 05(07)      “…entire state.”

The Program is called BRIDGE, for Building Rigorous Induction and Development for Growing all Educators.

2:30 LRN Newscast Sept 21

It seems gasoline prices have ceased their weeks-long decline, with the statewide average price of regular at $3.13 and holding…:

CUT 02  (27)        “…Golsby.”

A good news story: a Shreveport woman who’d been missing since early June has been found safe and sound. SPD says they’ve located 43-year-old Carzie Rhodes, and says she was not a victim of any crime or foul play.

 

Social Catfish, an online investigation service that monitors scams, says over 4000 Louisiana residents lost over $43-million to online cons last year. That’s up from $27 million in 2020. Social Catfish CEO David McClellan says many are immediate scams that steal your personal information when you check on a link, and others that can play out for months…:

CUT 10(04)      “…really staggering.”

McClennan says never give money to someone you’ve never met, do not give out personal information, and change passwords often.

Police in Baton Rouge says the murder of 21-year-old Allie Rice last week appears to be a random act. BRPD tells WBRZ TV they’ve found “no evidence suggesting Allie Rice was specifically targeted by her attacker.” A $10-thousand private reward is offered for a tip that leads to her killer’s conviction.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Baton Rouge Police believe Friday’s fatal shooting of 21-year-old Allison Rice was likely a random act, but an exact motive is unknown as the search for her killer continues. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the LSU student attempted to turn her vehicle around at a train crossing when shots were fired.
Cut 30 (07) “…this case.”

It looks the days of falling gas prices are coming to an end. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13 today, which matches yesterday’s statewide average. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says now that gasoline prices have stabilized its hard to predict where they go from here….
cut 7 (08) “….right now”
But Redman says if a major hurricane appears in the Gulf, prices will spike. Forecasters are keeping an eye on a tropical wave in the western Atlantic.

Social Catfish, an online investigation service that monitors scams, says in Louisiana last year more than 4,000 people lost $43 million to con-artists, that’s up from $27 million in 2020. Social Catfish CEO David McClellan…
Cut 9 (08) “…staggering.”
During the pandemic, there was an increase in identity theft due to stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment.

Southeastern Louisiana has received a five million dollar grant that they will use to recruit teachers, including from underserved population. Dean of Education Paula Summers Calderon says they are partnering with the Tangipahoa School System for the first year and they will focus on ways to better prepare teachers….
cut 4 (11) “…those new teachers”
The project will prepare 375 more highly effective and trained teachers over a five-year period.

12:30 LRN newscast

Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy believes its a good idea to relocate migrants from the border states to Democratic controlled cities. migrants were recently sent to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Cassidy says dropping unwelcomed illegals among the country’s richest sends a clear message…
cut 15 (10) “…only way to do it”
Migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard told reporters they were enticed to go there with unmet promises of jobs and homes.

The drop from record high gasoline prices appears to be ending. For nearly 100 days the price at pump has fallen, but today the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13, the same as yesterday. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says a lot of factors went into the stabilization of prices…
Cut 6 (10) “…the economy.”

Southeastern Louisiana University is using a $5-million federal grant to create a program to keep teachers in the classroom. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

After another impressive outing against Mississippi St. Malik Nabors is LSU’s leading receiver with 14 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown. Nabors muffed two crucial punts in the season opener vs Florida St but has bounced back with strong showings in the last three games, especially on 3rd and 4th downs. Coach Brian Kelly admires the young wide-out’s resilience…
Cut 19 (20) “…stronger for it.”
Kelly said on today’s SEC teleconference that they want to get Jack Bech more involved. So far two catches on the season for Bech.

The NFL has upheld the one-game suspension handed down against Bucs receiver Mike Evans for violently shoving Saints corner Marshon Lattimore to the ground. He will miss this Sunday’s game against Green Bay.

Louisiana Tech is back on the road this Saturday as they’ll visit South Alabama in its final non-conference game. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie is proud of how quarterback Parker McNeil performed in the loss to Clemson. McNeil was intercepted twice, but threw for 311 yards and a TD…
cut 18 (24) “….the game”

In other action on Saturday, ULM and the Cajuns open up Sun Belt play by playing each other in Monroe. U-L Lafayette has won the last four in this series.

Northwestern and Nicholls finally play their first home games, the winless Demons host Lamar and the Colonels take on Jacksonville State in Thibodaux.