17:30 LRN Newscast April 29

Officials with the USDA are investigating the series of recent deaths at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Former St. Tammany and Washington Parish District Attorney Walter Reed took the stand in his own defense at his federal corruption trial. Reed is accused of misusing campaign money, plus filing false tax returns and other alleged crimes. Reed, who said he was always in campaign mode, talked about some of his expenditures with his campaign funds and admitted to some wrongdoings.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany introduces legislation that he believes will help lead to better detection of tornadoes in south Louisiana. Boustany has a bill that would require a Doppler weather radar site to be built near Baton Rouge. Boustany says a new radar detection site will ensure that Louisiana is better covered by weather radar to give citizens as much warning as possible to seek shelter or evacuate.

Cut 11 (09) “unacceptable”

There are detection sites near Slidell and Lake Charles, but none near Baton Rouge.

A Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Deputy has left his job to play professional minor league baseball after he discovered he can throw a 91 mile-per-hour-fast ball.  26-year-old Randy Zeigler says he was just messing around with a radar gun, when he discovered he was throwing at the same speed he was three years ago. He says he’s excited to play baseball, but he’ll miss being a deputy in his hometown.

cut 15 (10) “up in”