LRN Newscast 08:30 May 30

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an emergency declaration so the state can prepare for potential flooding in northwest and central Louisiana as a result of the rising Red River. Twenty-five thousand sandbags are on their way to Bossier to help that Parish protect itself from high water. Officials say the Red River is expected to crest at 34 feet on June 6th in Bossier.

The Louisiana Inspector General advises Governor Jindal that he should use private resources the next time he wants to make politically charged statements against a person running for office. I-G Stephen Street made that statement in response to Jindal’s press release on governor letterhead earlier this week that said Senator Rand Paul is unsuited to be Commander in Chief. The state constitution prohibits the use of public resources to campaign for or against a candidate.

In NCAA Baseball Regional action….LSU beat Lehigh 10-3, UNC Wilmington trounced Tulane 10 to 1 and the Ragin Cajuns scored five runs in the ninth to beat Rice seven to six.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has plead guilty to drug and rape charges in a New Orleans federal courtroom. The 39-year-old Sharper pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to distribute drugs with the intent to commit rape. Legal analyst Chick Foret says Sharper’s “global” plea deal limits his sentence to 9 years, which Judge Jane Milazzo can choose to accept or reject…:
CUT 9 (10) “August 20th”
Under his “global” plea deal, Sharper will plead guilty in state court in New Orleans to two counts of forcible rape and one count of simple rape.

Today and tomorrow it’s a Louisiana Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Department of Revenue spokeswoman Kizzy Payton says this weekend Louisiana residents can purchase hurricane preparedness items without having to pay the 4 percent state sales tax…:
CUT 6 (05) “emergency supplies”
Hurricane season starts Monday.