07:30 LRN Newscast, February 24th

New research suggests citywide COVID vaccine mandates enacted in New Orleans and other cities may have been all for naught. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Livingston Parish Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday night declaring they are a Second Amendment Sanctuary Parish. It was a resolution by Councilman Jeff Ard who says it’s about adding a layer of protection of Second Amendment rights at the local level should the state or federal government try to tighten up gun laws.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man has been arrested in connection to a 2010 murder. They say 30-year-old Montrey Page of Loranger is booked with second degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Jamins Robinson of Independence who was killed nearly 13 years ago. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis said an eyewitness finally came forward..:
CUT 11 (11) “homicide occurred”
He says they hope this will bring the Robinson family some closure.

Shreveport Police have made arrests in both shooting incidents that took place Saturday night during the Krewe of Gemini parade. Corporal Chris Bordelon says of the first shooting which was non-fatal..:
CUT 13 (08) “Police Department”
He says in the other shooting someone accidentally shot and killed a 17-year-old and that suspect surrendered to police right away.

06:45 LRN Sportscast, February 24th

The top ranked LSU Baseball team will begin play today in the Round Rock Classic at 2pm as the Tigers face Kansas State. LSU is 4-0 and Paul Skenes will be on the hill for the Bayou Bengals after striking out 12 in his Tiger debut on Friday. The Wildcats are 4-1 and are expected to finish towards the bottom of the Big 12 Standings.

The LSU women’s basketball team gets win number 26 on the year, as the Tigers cruise to a 82-63 win over Vanderbilt in Nashville last night. Angel Reese had her 26th double-double and her 10th first half double-double of the season. The Tigers will now finish the regular season at home against Mississippi State at 5pm on Sunday.

The Pelicans fell to the Raptors last night in their first game after the All Star Break, 115-110. Brandon Ingram had 36 points in the losing effort. New Orleans will visit the Knicks on Saturday.

College hoops last night, Louisiana Tech falls to Western Kentucky 76-66.

In the Southland, UNO prevailed over Nicholls State in in-state rival action, 88-82. Southeastern beat Lamar 83-60. The Lions are 3rd in the conference. McNeese fell to Houston Baptist, 85-80. And Northwestern State got another win this time beating Incarnate Word 71-66. The Demons are 1st in the Southland with a record of 20-9.

The Ragin Cajuns Baseball team shut out BYU yesterday by a score of 11-0. UL-Lafayette is now 2-0 in the three game series which concludes today.

In other college baseball action around the state today, ULM hosts SUI Edwardsville. Southeastern hosts Samford. UL-Lafayette hosts BYU. Tulane hosts St. John’s. Nicholls State is at Louisiana Tech. McNeese State is at UT Arlington.

06:30 LRN Newscast, February 24th

A new research study finds that COVID-19 mandates put in place in many American cities made virtually no difference in stopping the spread of the virus. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University. He says they found that even if a citywide mandate was in place, people still did want they wanted.
CUT 5 (07) “change their decision”
Melo adds his research makes no statement on the vaccine itself or its effectiveness.

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the industry -creating a gap between professional licensed operators and delivering goods. Programs have been set up to assist in closing the gap. Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Director Renee Amar..:
Cut 7 (10) “…the workforce.”
She says lowering the legal truck driving age could help.

Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (00) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The wife of former Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider has died at the age of 53 alongside her husband at the couple’s studios in Holden. Alicia Allain, a native of Brusly, was a filmmaker and she and Schneider had been married since 2019. John made a social media post saying he is heartbroken but that his wife is living now living pain free.

AM LRN Newscall Feb 24

New research suggests citywide COVID vaccine mandates enacted in New Orleans and other cities may have been all for naught. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The trucking industry is still being impacted by a shortage of drivers. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (00) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A new research study finds that COVID-19 mandates put in place in many American cities made virtually no difference in stopping the spread of the virus. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University’s Mercatus Center. He says they looked at infections and deaths in cities that mandated COVID shots and those that did not…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…spread of COVID.”

Many cities, including New Orleans, imposed citywide mandates; requiring bar, restaurant, and venue employees to have the shots or close down temporarily. Melo says his study also looked at whether people decided to get COVID shots because a citywide mandate was in place, and found no evidence that was the case…:

Cut 5 (07) “…change their decision.”

He says those who resisted the shots would simply go to a nearby city with no mandates to visit bars or restaurants.

Melo says his research makes no statement on the vaccine itself or its effectiveness. He only looked at how the policies performed, and the results show no evidence vaccine mandates made a noteworthy difference in impeding the spread of COVID. He says many felt they were being penalized for being reluctant to get “the Jab”…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…their behavior at all.” 

Melo hopes his research will be considered by public officials if there is another disease-related health emergency in the future.

_____________________________________________

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the trucking industry -creating a gap between professional CDL-licensed drivers and delivering goods. Programs have been set up to assist in closing the gap. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Director Renee Amar says…  

Cut 7 (10) “…the workforce.”

Lowering the legal truck driving age may close the worker shortage gap. Amar says hiring younger may be a solution.

Cut 8 (09)  “…big rigs.”

Amar says that there is no single solution that will help with the shortage but dedication is a must.

Cut 9 (09)  “…daily bases.”

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Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. 30-year-old Monterey Paige Senior for the murder of 22-year-old Jamin (jay-men) Robinson. Jimmy Travis, Chief Deputy with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, says in 2010 Robinson was found on the side of the road in Independence and originally they thought he was a victim of a hit and run.

Cut 10 (04)  “…to the head.”

Paige was arrested in Chambers County, Texas, and faces murder charges, several failure-to-appear counts, and one charge of jumping bail.

Travis says they finally got a break in the case when an eyewitness came forward.

Cut 11 (11)  “…homicide occurred.”

A motive in the case has not been released. Travis says even though Paige was 17 years old in 2010, Travis says he is charged as an adult.

Cut 12 (07) “…of Louisiana.”

TPSO says they hope the arrest will bring the Robinson family some closure. Paige was extradited back to Louisiana and is being held in the Tangipahoa Parish Prison.

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Shreveport Police have made arrests in both the shooting incidents that took place last Saturday night, during the Krewe of Gemini parade. S.P.D. spokesman Corporal Chris Bordelon says they identified the suspect in a non-fatal shooting that happened around 6:15 Saturday night on Clyde Fant Parkway…:

Cut 13 (08) “…Police Department.” 

The suspect is 22-year-old Antoine Ball, of Shreveport. He got into some sort of argument with the male victim when he drew a gun and fired one shot. The victim will recover. Bordelon says the accused shooter surrendered at around 2 Thursday afternoon…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…turn himself in.”

There was a second shooting at the Gemini parade as well. Bordelon says, in that incident, some friends were horse playing on the parade route when one started messing with a gun and accidentally shot and killed 17-year-old student athlete Kip Lewis. That suspect stayed at the scene and surrendered to police immediately. Bordelon says S.P.D. is saddened that either incident even happened…:

Cut 15 (03)  “…gonna catch ‘em.”

______________________________________________

 

Cut  16 (21)  “..get their attention.” 

 

Cut 17 (19) “…this league.” 

___________________________________________________

 

Cut 18 (13) “…to improve.”

 

Cut 19 (17) “…shoot the ball.”

 

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Cut 20 (17)  “… a huge blessing.” 

 

5:30 LRN Newscast Feb 23

A six-year-old was fatally shot around 8:00 pm last night in Raceland. Police say the 6-year-old and his brother – another 6-year-old were playing with a loaded gun. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says at one point the gun discharged, striking six-year-old D.J. Michel Junior….

Cut 12 (10) “…pronounced dead.”

A 17-year-old who was with Madison Brooks prior to her death has been indicted for first and third-degree rape. Desmond Carter of Walker will also be tried as an adult for a sexual assault that allegedly occurred last month after Brooks and four men left a bar near the LSU campus. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it’s appropriate for Carter to be tried as an adult based on his age and charges…

Cut 5 (03) “…as an adult”
A grand jury has yet to hand down indictments against Carter’s three co-defendants.

The Orleans District Attorney’s decision not to prosecute 15-gun possession cases from Mardi Gras has many upset. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says at a bail hearing prosecutors haven’t been able to review the suspect’s possible criminal record nor evidence from police. He says basically the DA refused to accept the charges without all the facts.

Cut 7 (05)  “… inappropriate.” 

In refusing charges the accused are not allowed to receive their guns that were seized from the arrest.

While we all enjoy near-record-high heat for late February, the rest of the country is getting a huge winter storm. However, State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll continue to see moderate weather for a while.

Cut 11 (10)  “…to Louisiana.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team finally ended its 14-game losing streak last night as the Bayou Bengals defeated Vanderbilt 84-77. K-J Williams led the way with 35 points. Williams says they were determined to get a win…
cut 18 (12) “…broke the streak”
Adam Miller also had a big game as he scored 18 points and went nine of ten from the free throw line. The Tigers are now 2-and-13 in the SEC.

The Ragin Cajuns still have a chance to claim a share of a Sun Belt Conference title as they defeated Arkansas State 85-74 last night. The Cajuns are in third place, one game back of Marshall and Southern Miss with one more regular season game left.

And ULM’s season continues to nose dive as the Warhawks lost their sixth straight last night, losing to Troy in overtime 82-78.

The Pelicans return from the All-Star break tonight to face the Toronto Raptors. Rookie Dyson Daniels is listed as probable after missing 11 games prior to the break with an ankle injury. New Orleans is 30-and-29 and in seventh place in the West. Toronto is 28-and-31 overall.

Fifth ranked Lady Tigers are on the road as they take on Vanderbilt tonight. The Commodores are 3-and-11 in the SEC, but two of those victories have come in the last couple of weeks.

Louisiana Tech men’s hoops visits Western Kentucky. Both teams are 6-and-10 in Conference USA Play.

In the Southland…Nicholls is at UNO, Southeastern Louisiana visits Lamar, McNeese travels to Houston Christian and Northwestern State is U-I-W.

Ragin Cajuns baseball continues its series with BYU at Tigue Moore Field after beating the Cougars four to three yesterday. Caleb Stelly had an RBI single in the eighth inning to cap off a three-run rally.

4:30 LRN Newscast Feb 23

The Orleans Parish DA’s refusal to prosecute 15 illegal gun possession cases from Mardi Gras has created an uproar…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Actor John Schneider is mourning the death of his wife, Alicia Allain Schneider, who passed away after a battle with breast cancer. She was just 53. The couple were married in 2019. They worked together on music and film projects at Schneider’s studio home in Holden, in Livingston Parish.

 

Deputies in Lafourche Parish are investigating the apparently accidental shooting death of a 6-year-old boy in the town of Raceland Wednesday night. Lafourche Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says little D.J. Michel Jr. was playing with a loaded handgun with his brother, when it went off. Matherne says adults should keep their guns stored safely away…:

CUT 14(10)      “…be paramount.”

The investigation is ongoing.

We saw some pretty warm weather for February in Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tomorrow will be toasty too…:

CUT 09(10)      “…across the state.”

Keim says a frontal boundary is sitting just north of the state, and it will eventually drop our way; bringing a return to more winter-like weather sometime late next week.

PM LRN Newscall Feb 23

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case and he will be tried as an adult. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Orleans Parish DA’s refusal to prosecute 15 illegal gun possession cases from Mardi Gras has created an uproar. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first and third-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case. Authorities allege four males were involved in raping the 19-year-old LSU student before she died last month. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says a first-degree rape conviction carries a life sentence…

Cut 3 (11) “…set of facts” 

The 17-year-old defendant will also be tried as an adult and has been identified as Desmond Carter from Walker.

Borghardt says it’s easier for prosecutors to convict Carter on third-degree rape, which occurs when the victim does not consent because they were too impaired. He says first-degree rape is harder to get a conviction, but it could still work in the D-A’s favor…

Cut  4 (08)  “…lower charge” 

A grand jury has yet to hand down indictments against Carter’s three co-defendants. East Baton Rouge Deputies have charged 18-year-old Kaivon Washington with third-degree rape while two other men face charges of principal to three-degree rape.

Carter is represented b the East Baton Rouge Public Defender’s Office and Borghardt says it’s appropriate for him to be tried as an adult based on his age and the charges he faces

Cut 5 (03) “…as an adult”

Attorneys for the men charged say the sex was consensual.

_______________________________________________

There’s an uproar over the Orleans District Attorney’s office’s decision not to prosecute 15 individuals for illegal gun possession during Carnival. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says it undermines efforts by the police to eliminate guns from the French Quarter and parade routes

Cut 6 (06)  “…prosecutors.” 

By refusing the charges, the accused are not entitled to receive their guns back from evidence.

One of the cases was LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers who was accused of carrying a weapon on Bourbon Street.

In addition to Goyeneche, the DA’s actions have received criticism from Lt Governor Billy Nungesser. Goyeneche says at a bail hearing, which takes place within 72 hours of an arrest prosecutors haven’t been able to review the suspect’s possible criminal record nor evidence from police. He says basically the DA refused to accept the charges without all the facts.

Cut 7 (05)  “… inappropriate.” 

Interim Police Superintendent Michelle Woodfork praised officers for removing more than 150 guns from the streets during Mardi Gras. Goyeneche says however with the DA refusing charges on a handful of gun possession cases has created a problem.

Cut 8 (09)  “…selective prosecution.” 

He says the remaining offenders who were charged if they are arrested for a second time for carrying a concealed weapon could potentially be charged with a felony.

In response the Orleans District Attorney’s office issued a statement:

When faced with a no probable cause finding by the court, the ADA (Assistant District Attorney) made decisions that would increase safety in our city like requiring defendants to forfeit their weapons. To be clear, these cases will still be screened by the DA’s Office.”

_______________________________________________

Record highs are possible today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures are running about 15 degrees above normal….

Cut 9 (10) “…the state.”

A frontal boundary is hanging out just north of Louisiana. When it dips down, it will bring colder temperatures to north Louisiana, but Keim says south Louisiana will stay warm for the next week…

Cut 10 (08) “…the weekend.” 

While Louisiana is enjoying comfortable temperatures, a large portion of the country is impacted by a huge winter storm. There are some areas of California getting snow that rarely sees it. Keim says the forecast remains favorable for moderate weather in south Louisiana.

Cut 11 (10)  “…to Louisiana.”

________________________________

UPDATED from earlier in the day

A six-year-old was fatally shot around 8:00 pm last night in Raceland. Police say the 6-year-old and his brother – another 6-year-old were playing with a loaded gun. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says at one point the gun discharged, striking six-year-old D.J. Michel Junior….

Cut 12 (10) “…pronounced dead.”

In 2020, firearms were the number one cause of death for children ages 1-19 in the United States. Matherne says children should never be left unsupervised in a home with a gun.

Cut 13 (10) “..to them.” 

Matherne believes guns should be kept in a safe place.

Cut 14 (10)   “… be paramount.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services also responded to the scene. Michel was a first grader at Lockport Lower Elementary School. The school system is providing counseling services.

____________________________________

Cut 15 (08) “…the state.”

 

Cut  16 (12)  “…minor injuries.”

 

Edit

3:30 LRN Newscast Feb 23

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case and he will be tried as an adult…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Shreveport Police say they have one suspect in custody, and have identified another, in two separate shootings at the Krewe of Gemini parade last Saturday night. They seek 22-year-old Antoine Ball for the shooting on Clyde Fant Parkway. A 16-year-old from Texas has turned himself in in connection with the other incident; a fatal shooting that took the life of a 17-year-old.

 

There’s an uproar over the Orleans District Attorney’s office’s decision not to prosecute 15 individuals for illegal gun possession during Carnival. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says it undermines efforts by the police to eliminate guns from the French Quarter and parade routes..:

CUT 06(06)      “…police and prosecutors.”

Orleans DA Jason Williams now says some of those cases will be revisited.

We have seen some record-high – or NEAR record-high – temperatures across Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a frontal boundary is hanging out just north of Louisiana. When it dips down, it will bring colder temperatures to north Louisiana…but that’ll be well into next week…:

CUT 10(08)      “…the weekend.”

Meanwhile, most of the rest of the U.S. is having a terrible winter storm.

2:30 LRN Newscast Feb 23

A six-year-old was fatally shot around 8:00 pm last night in Raceland. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says the boy and his brother were playing with loaded gun when it went off. He says children should never be left unsupervised in a home with a gun…:

CUT 13(10)      “…to them.”

The victim is identified at 6-year-old D.J. Michel Jr. He was a first-grader at Lockport Lower Elementary.

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first and third-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case. Authorities allege four males were involved in raping the 19-year-old LSU student before she died last month. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says a first-degree rape conviction carries a life sentence…:

CUT 03(11)      “…set of facts.”

Attorneys for the men charged say the sex with Brooks the night she died was consensual.

 

While we all enjoy near-record high heat for late February, the rest of the country is getting a huge winter storm. However, State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll continue to see moderate weather for a while…:

CUT 11(10)      “…to Louisiana.”

The D.A. in Orleans Parish says he won’t prosecute 15 people arrested for illegally carrying a gun during Mardi Gras. That’s has gotten some folks up-in-arms themselves. Metropolitan Crime Commission president Rafael Goyeneche says it creates a bigger problem…:

CUT 08(09)      “…selective prosecution.”

D.A Jason Williams office says, absent of probable cause, they thought it was best to confiscate the guns and move on…but some of the cases will be re-screened now that Carnival is over.