9:30 AM Newscast

Legislation to will be presented by Alexandria Representative Jay Luneau to keep auto insurers from charging female drivers more in an upcoming session. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A two-vehicle in Calcasieu parish claimed the life of two people around 8:20 pm on Feb. 21. According to Louisiana State Police Troop D, the accident involved a pickup truck and a motorcycle near the intersection of Victoria Drive and Hwy 171. A male and female occupant driving the motorcycle was pronounced dead on the scene.

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Organizers of the recall petition to oust New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell have enough signatures to move forward. Cantrell’s controversies have plagued her leadership while in office. Vice Chair of Nolatoya Recall, Eileen Carter, says they are ready to move forward with the recall.

Cut 14 (07)  “…can do.”

Once the petition is certified, it will move forward to Governor John Bel Edwards.

Today is the first day of lent. Many will feast on seafood, fruits, and vegetables over the next 40 days. With Louisiana being the seafood capital, how will supply keep up? Gulf Seafood Institute chairman and owner Harlon’s LA Fish, in Kenner. Harlon Pearce…:

Cut 7 (04) “…great year coming up.”

 

8:30 LRN Newscast

Was you phone stolen during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans? Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff deputies have discovered 282 stolen phones at short-term rental complex in the Tickfaw Area. Chief Jimmy Travis says they arrested four individuals and found more than 160 cell phones on Sunday and then made a second round of arrests on Monday…
cut 6 (08) “…be stolen”
Travis says they are working to determine the phone numbers for the stolen devices and posting those numbers on the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Facebook page.

This afternoon organizers of an effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell will turn over what they say are the necessary number of signatures needed to force a recall election. Vice chair of the recall effort Eileen Carter says the residents of New Orleans are fed up with Cantrell’s administration…
cut 15 (08) “…your job”
Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau has once again filed a bill that would prohibit auto insurance companies from setting rates based on the gender of the driver. Luneau’s legislation has yet to receive legislative support..
cut 12 (10) “…insurance rates”
Luneau says there are no competent studies that indicate females are worse drivers.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten Season. Many Catholics will stay away from eating meat today and Fridays during the Lenten Season. Gulf Seafood Institute chairman Harlon Pearce says whatever you prefer, you’ll have no trouble finding your seafood favorites…:
Cut 9 (07) “…to go around.”
Pearce says wild-caught catfish is “exploding”, crawfish are big and abundant and crabs are about to start coming ready to harvest.

7:30 LRN Newscasts

Organizers say they’ve garnered enough signatures to force a recall election to oust New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Teiko Foxx reports today is the deadline to turn over the signatures to the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

LSU’s leading receiver last season Malik Nabers is facing gun charges. Records show he was booked into the Orleans Parish Jail on a charge of illegal carrying of a weapon. The LSU athletics department says they are aware of the arrest and working to gather more information. Last season, Nabers caught 72 passes for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns.

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is once again looking to pass legislation to prohibit auto insurance companies from using gender as a factor in setting rates. Luneau says over the years they’ve found some providers charge females more than they do male drivers.
Cut 10 (12) “…than males.”
Luneau has a bill filed for the upcoming regular season. Last year it failed to get out of committee.

Hundreds of smart phones were stolen from revelers in New Orleans and many of them have been found at an apartment complex in the Tickfaw areas. Tangiaphoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says the suspects are part of an organized crime group that came to Louisiana to take advantage of Carnival…
cut 4 (10) “…United States”
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has on its Facebook page the phone numbers of the phones they’ve recovered.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The top ranked LSU baseball fell behind four to nothing to Southern yesterday, but Tre Morgan and the Tigers roared back for a 18-4 win over the Jaguars. Morgan hit for the cycle and he did it in order, capping it off with a three run home run in the sixth….
cut 16 (23) “…day Tre”
That’s the Chris Blair of the LSU Sports Radio Network. LSU is 4-0 and they’ll play Kansas State Friday afternoon at the Round Rock Classic in Texas.

In other action, ninth ranked Arkansas outscored Grambling nine to seven. Southeastern Louisiana clobbered Jackson State 19 to 0 as the Lions are 5-0. Northwestern State edged LSU-A five to four and Sam Houston slammed McNeese 18-6.

LSU’s leading receiver last season Malik Nabers is facing a weapons’ charge after he was booked into the Orleans Parish Jail on a charge of illegal carrying of a weapon. Nabers was released Tuesday morning and not required to post bond. He caught 72 passes for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns last season.

LSU Special Teams Coordinator Brian Polian is reportedly transitioning to an off-the field role. Polian a longtime assistant for head coach Brian Kelly will move into a GM style role according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The Tigers struggled on special teams last season and Kelly is looking for a new coach.

Could we see new rules for college football designed to reduce the number of plays, which will lead to shorter games? Sports Illustrated Ross Dellenger reports college football executives are looking at several proposals including no longer stopping the clock after a first down and an incomplete pass.

6:30 LRN Newscast

At least 49,976 signatures will be submitted to the Orleans Parish Registrar of voter’s office today to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Cantrell, the first black woman elected as Mayor of New Orleans, has faced constant accusations and impropriety while in office. Vice Chair of the No-Latoya Recall, Eileen Carter, says the time is now to be held accountable.
Cut 13 (10) “…to deliver.”

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff deputies arrest eleven members of a Colombian Theft Ring for stealing at least 282 cell phones taken from individuals who were enjoying Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans. Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says the phones were found at an apartment complex in Tickfaw…
cut 5 (08) “…to a brick”
Travis believes the thieves were preparing to ship the phones out of the country.

With the start of 40 days of Lent, we look in on the Louisiana seafood industry. How ready are they for the additional demand…?
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Windy and warm today and rain chances are above 50-percent in north Louisiana.

Updated LRN AM Newscall cut 4 should say Tangiaphoa Parish deputies

With the start of 40 days of Lent, we look in on the Louisiana seafood industry. How ready are they for the additional demand…?

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Alexandria Representative Jay Luneau is hoping this year lawmakers will approve his legislation to keep auto insurers from discriminating against females by charging them more. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A recall petition has garnered enough signatures to oust New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Deputies in Tangipahoa Parish make numerous arrests of what they say are a gang of pickpockets and cell phone thieves; here to prey on Mardi Gras visitors. Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says they received a text tip and tracked a stolen phone to a short-term rental in the Tickfaw area. That led to four persons being arrested, and 40 phones being recovered. He says two days later they arrested 7 more people and seized over 100 more phones. Travis says all the suspects were living in Miami and were an organized group that came to Louisiana to take advantage of Carnival…:

Cut 4 (10)  “…in the United States.”

Travis says deputies discovered the first stash of stolen phones in a box that was sealed up and ready to be shipped somewhere…:

Cut 5 (11) “…phones to a brick.”

Travis says, only days later, they followed another lead to another Air BNB and found more suspected pickpockets and a bigger stash of stolen phones…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…to be stolen.” 

Travis says they are working to determine each phone’s number, and they are posting those on the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Facebook page, so victims may hopefully reclaim their stolen phones.

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Lent begins today, and many Louisianans will be eating mostly seafood for the next 40 days (or more.) How is the state’s seafood industry shaping up to meet the demand? Gulf Seafood Institute chairman and owner Harlon’s LA Fish, in Kenner. Harlon Pearce…:

Cut 7 (04) “…great year coming up.”

Pearce says he and fellow seafood professionals are excited for what looks to be an abundant year ahead. He says the seemingly early arrival of spring is a good thing for the seafood industry…:

Cut 8 (07)  “…in full swing.”

Pearce says wild-caught catfish is “exploding” right now, crawfish are big and abundant and crabs are about to start coming ready to harvest. He says whatever you prefer, you’ll have no trouble finding your seafood favorites at the market and restaurants…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…to go around.”

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Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is hoping the second time is the charm as he reintroduces legislation to keep auto insurance companies from unfairly discriminating price-wise against one’s gender. Luneau says over the years they’ve found some providers charge females more than they do male drivers.

Cut 10 (12)  “…than males.”

Last time the bill failed to make it out of committee. Luneau says some members opposed the legislation believing it would cause insurance rates for men to increase.

Cut 11 (05)  “…that way.”

The Alexandria Democrat says a few years ago an insurance actuary priced insurance for fictitious persons by the name of Chris.  Same address, and the same kind of car, the female Chris paid more than the male Chris. Even when it was added that the male Chris had a DUI, his rate was still less than the females.

Luneau says it’s really hard to get some legislators to consider the cost involved in paying for coverage and that it could be a product of the insurance company as well as any other factor.

Cut 12 (10) “…insurance rates.”

The regular legislative session begins on April 10th.

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On the day of prayer and fasting – Ash Wednesday 49,976 signatures will be submitted to the Orleans Parish Registrar of voter’s office to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Cantrell, the first black woman elected as Mayor of New Orleans, has faced constant accusations and impropriety while in office. Vice Chair of Nolatoya Recall, Eileen Carter, says the time is now to be held accountable.

Cut 13 (10) “…a good thing.” 

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will issue an election proclamation once the petition is certified. Carter says

Cut 14 (07)  “…can do.”

Cantrell recently went viral for making an obscene gesture at float riders in the Krewe of Tucks parade. Carter says the city is not expecting perfection – just do the right thing.

Cut 15 (08)  “…your job.”

5:30 LRN Newscast Feb 21

It was 33 years ago when 15-year-old Tammy Call disappeared from Leesville High School and seven years later, her remains were found in the Sandy Hill area. On the anniversary of her disappearance, Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft made a post on social media to encourage anyone with information to contact them.

Cut 3 (12) “…they may know.” 

He says one clue could help them find a break in this cold case.

Its Fat Tuesday, a tradition like no other in the world here in Louisiana. There are parades across south Louisiana and in New Orleans, the party will go until midnight and these revelers on historic St. Charles Avenue are ready….

Cut 6 (06)  “…never enough” 

And if you missed out, you won’t have to wait as long next year with Fat Tuesday on February 13th.

Shreveport Police and State Police have been fast and transparent in the recent officer-involved shooting death of 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley; releasing body cam footage & other evidence to the public quickly. This contrasts with the 2019 case of Ronald Greene, wherein body cam footage was suppressed for over a year before it leaked to the public. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney Franz Borghardt says there’s no comparison…:

Cut 11 (13)  “…apples and papayas.”

Borhardt can only speculate but says quite possibly lessons learned from the Greene case have inspired law enforcement to be more forthcoming with information going forward.

LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers was arrested on a weapons-related charge in New Orleans Monday. Details of the arrest are yet unavailable, but we do know the charge was “illegally carrying a weapon” and that he has been released from jail as of this afternoon. So far no comment from the university.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s leading receiver last season Malik Nabers has been arrested on gun charges. Records show he was booked into the Orleans Parish Jail early this morning on a charge of illegal carrying of a weapon. The LSU athletics department tells WAFB-TV they are aware of the arrest and working to gather more information. Last season, Nabers caught 72 passes for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns.

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly is reportedly making a change with his special teams coordinator. Multiple reports say Brian Polian will transition to an off-field role. LSU special teams units were frustrating to watch in 2022 as they had trouble staying away from penalties, different guys mishandled punts and two blocked kicks cost LSU the season opener against Florida State.

Ross Dellenger at Sports Illustrated is reporting college football executives are looking at making changes in an effort to reduce plays in games for safety and game length reasons. Dellenger reports one proposal that seems to have wide support is keeping the clock running after a first down.

After visiting the Jets over the weekend, free agent quarterback Derek Carr is still not in a rush to sign with a team. It’s been reported Carr had a good visit with the Jets, but his brother, David Carr, told the NFL Network that Derek is expected to take more visits and that this is a long process. The Saints met with Carr before the Raiders released the four-time Pro Bowler.

Tough loss for Nicholls basketball last night as the Colonels fell to Texas A-and-M Commerce 72-71 on their home floor. The Lions scored the winning bucket with five seconds left as Nicholls lost for just the second time at home this season. They are nine and six in Southland play and tied with Southeastern for third place.

Tomorrow night, LSU men’s basketball will try to end a game 14-game losing streak as the Tigers host Vanderbilt. The Commodores are on a roll as they’ve won five in a row. Tip off is at 6 PM.

LSU’s Angel Reese has been named SEC Player of the Week for a sixth consecutive time which is a new record for the league. Reese is averaging 24 points and 16 rebounds a game. The Lady Tigers are at Vandy on Thursday.

4:30 LRN Newscast Feb 21

Authorities have arrested a 19-year-old in connection with the Sunday night shooting death 19-year-old Ashton Money of Broussard. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Katherine Breaux says Caiden Sheridan was arrested by Lake Charles police Monday evening.

Cut 9 (08) “…second-degree murder.”

It was 33 years ago when 15-year-old Tammy Call disappeared from Leesville High School and yet the case is still cold. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft is asking the public for any tips about Call. In 1997 a hunter found human remains in the Fort Polk area.

Cut 5 (12) “…suspicious at the time.”

You’re asked to contact the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office if you have any information whatsoever.

Shreveport Police and State Police have been fast and transparent in the recent officer-involved shooting death of 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley compared to the 2019 case of Ronald Green.  Shreveport Police Officer Alexander Tyler has been charged with negligent homicide. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney Franz Borghardt says, in this case, releasing the body cam video was the right choice…:

Cut 13 (10) “…a good thing.” 

Everywhere else in the country today it’s Tuesday, but here in Louisiana its Fat Tuesday, a tradition like no other. There are parades and celebrations across the state today. Visitors from all over come to Louisiana for carnival season. These folks from Texas are enjoying their first Fat Tuesday in the Big Easy…

Cut 8 (08)  “…overturn.” 

Mardi Gras next year will arrive even sooner, with Fat Tuesday, February 13th.

3:30 LRN Newscast Feb 21

The Shreveport cop who is charged with negligent homicide in the shooting death of unarmed suspect Alonzo Bagley has been subject to three Internal Affairs investigations in his two short years with SPD. He was cleared in one but found to have violated department policy in two others.

No doubt Shreveport Police and State Police have been forthcoming with information on the Bagley shooting. Is that, in some way, because of the 2019 Ronald Greene case, where body cam evidence was suppressed from public view? Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney Franz Borghardt think that’s possible, yes. He says they diffused public anger by releasing the Bagley footage, but there IS a risk in being too transparent with evidence…:

CUT 12  (13)        “…as to guilt.”

Borghardt says, in this case, SPD probably did the right thing.

 

Organizers of the effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell say they are confident they have gathered the signatures needed to get a recall election, and are now looking for additional signatures. They must submit their signatures to the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters tomorrow, but voters will have an additional five business days to either add their name to the petition, or remove it.

Farewell to the Flesh, it’s Fat Tuesday; the most joyous day of the Louisiana year. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02  (28)        “…Palermo.”