09:30 Newscast, October 25th, 2016

Early voting begins today for the November 8th election and officials are expecting a high turnout. Secretary of State Tom Schedler reminds residents that this year you’ll get a Blue Dog sticker once you cast your ballot and that includes early voting. He says this year’s I Voted stickers are a hot item…:
CUT 6 (10) “voters”
Schedler says in addition to the president race, there are 220 races statewide involving more than 700 candidates.

Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party on why he believes Donald Trump is the front runner in Louisiana..:
CUT 15 (12) “campaign cycle”
The GOP in Louisiana believes voters here like Trump because they share the same values.

There aren’t many women or racial minorities in Louisiana’s judicial system, according to a study by Tulane University. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Former LSU star and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is now an owner of a Krispy Kreme Doughnut franchise and global spokesperson for the brand. Shaq is a known superfan of Krispy Kreme and in 2009 was filmed staring longingly at a glazed variety as Mariah Carey’s We Belong Together played int he background. He’s taking ownership of the historic Krispy Kreme shop on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta.

 

08:30 Newscast, October 25th, 2016

Republican Donald Trump leads Democrat Hillary Clinton in the statewide polls with only two weeks left until Election Day. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Early voting begins today for the November 8th election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects a high turnout this year…:
CUT 5 (10) “we can’t”
There are changes to early voting locations and you can find that information at geauxvote.com.

Officials in Tangipahoa Parish continue to look for a man who is accused of shooting his ex-wife in the head outside of her home. Dawn Panepinto with the Sheriff’s Office says 53-year-old Jerry Williams Jr. has a history of physical abuse against the murder victim, 50-year-old Linda Williams…:
CUT 8 (10) “etc”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Williams Junior is urged to contact authorities.

A study by Tulane University finds that women and racial minorities are not widely present in Louisiana’s judicial system. Political scientist Sally Kenney with Tulane’s Newcomb College Institute says white males dominating the court can affect how fair people perceive the system to be
CUT 11 (12) “male juries”
They found only 30-percent of state judgeships are held by women, and 23 percent are racial minorities.

 

07:30 Newscast, October 25th, 2016

Early voting begins today. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Polls on the presidential race have consistently shown that Republican Donald Trump will have no problem defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton in Louisiana. Executive Director of the Louisiana Republican Party, Jason Dore, says they are so convinced that they’ve sent their own volunteers to campaign in other states…:
CUT 16 (09) “Trump campaign”
But the Louisiana Democratic Party says there is still hope for Clinton here yet.

A study by Tulane University finds that women and racial minorities are not widely present in Louisiana’s judicial system. The report shows that while women make up 51-percent of Louisiana’s population, only 30-percent of state judgeships are held by women. Political scientist Sally Kenney with Tulane’s Newcomb College Institute says we need to start conversations about women and minority inclusion…:
CUT 10 (11) “judicial office”
Racial minorities make up only 23-percent of judgeships in Louisiana, while accounting for 36-percent of the population.

A dump truck driver is under arrest for negligent homicide for his role in a fatal three-vehicle crash in Zachary Monday. It happened as 26-year-old Deante Dixon went past a stop sign and when in the median, the rear of the dump truck was still in the left lane of the road in the other direction as 29-year-old Gilbert Rivera was driving by. Rivera hit the dump truck then another truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

06:45 Sportscast, October 25th, 2016

LSU and Alabama will once again get the only CBS prime-time spot of the season, kicking off in Tiger Stadium at 7pm on November 5th. This will be the sixth straight year CBS has aired LSU-Bama at night and the 10th year the network puts on this highly anticipated game in college football. Both 19th-ranked LSU and top-ranked Alabama have open dates on Oct. 29 leading up to the annual clash of SEC Western Division standouts.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette and center Ethan Pocic were named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week and Offensive Lineman of the week, respectively. Fournette rushed for 284 yards on 16 carries in the Tigers win over Ole Miss. Pocic led the team with 12 knockdown blocks.

In Tiger basketball news, eight former LSU players are on NBA rosters. Tim Quartermann has made the Portland Trail Blazers roster as an undrafted rookie, but the Dallas Mavericks cut Keith Hornsby.

More conference honors: In the Southland, McNeese State’s kicker Gunnar Raborn was named Special Teams player of the week. In the SWAC, Grambling quarterback Devante Kincade is the Offensive Player of the Week, and the Tigers defensive back Joseph McWilliams is Special Teams player of the week.

Louisiana Tech looks to make it five victories in a row when they host the Rice Owls on Saturday. Rice has really struggled this year as they just 1-and-6. But Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says don’t look at the records…:
Cut 17 (17)” both sides”
Louisiana Tech is 5-3 overall, 3-and-1 in Conference USA.

The NBA season kicks off today in what some expect to be a wild one. The Pelicans tip off tomorrow night against Denver in the Smoothie King Center.

 

06:30 Newscast, October 25th, 2016

Early voting begins today for the Presidential election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler reminds voters that Election Day is on a Tuesday, so it might be easier for people to early vote, especially flood victims…:
cut 4 (07) “office again”
Polls will be open at parish Registrar of Voters Offices or at other designated locations from 8:30 am until 6 pm everyday but Sunday through November 1.

Recent polls on the presidential race show Republican Donald Trump will defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in Louisiana on November 8th. But Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Stephen Handwerk, says they are not throwing in the towel yet…:
Cut 13 (08) “Hillary Clinton”
But the Louisiana Republican Party believes the state will be dark red on November 8, fully supporting Donald Trump.

The search is on for 53-year-old Jerry Williams Junior of Ponchatula who is wanted for the murder of his ex-wife. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Dawn Panepinto says Williams Jr. allegedly gunned down the victim outside of her Hammond home Sunday morning…:
CUT 7 (12) “50 year old Linda Williams”
Jerry Williams Jr. is now wanted for second degree murder.

A Baton Rouge teacher is under arrest amid allegations he made lewd sexual comments to a student after watching a video of her twerking. The Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Christopher Shepard, now on leave from Scotlandville High, was booked on a a misdemeanor charge of prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student.

 

LRN AM NEWSCALL OCT 25

Early voting begins today and runs until November 1. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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There aren’t many women or racial minorities in Louisiana’s judicial system, according to a study by Tulane University. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Republican Donald Trump leads Democrat Hillary Clinton in the statewide polls with only two weeks left until Election Day. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Early voting begins today for the Presidential election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says polls will be open at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations from 8:30 am until 6 pm everyday but Sunday through November 1. He reminds voters that Election Day is on a Tuesday, so it might be easier for people to early vote, especially flood victims.

cut 4  (07) “office again”

Schedler says there are 220 races statewide involving more than 700 candidates, as well as 6 constitutional amendments and 78 propositions in 38 parishes. He says in last year’s gubernatorial race, there was about a 40-percent voter turnout, and he expects this race to be much higher.

Cut 5  (10)  “we can’t”

Schedler says voters can use the Geaux Vote app to find out where they can cast their ballots. He says this year’s “I Voted” stickers featuring the iconic Blue Dog are extremely popular. He says the only way to get a sticker is to vote, and early voters will also get a sticker.

Cut 6 (10) “voted sticker”

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The search is on for 53-year-old Jerry Williams Junior of Ponchatula who is wanted for the murder of his ex-wife. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Dawn Panepinto says Williams gunned down his wife outside of her Hammond home Sunday morning…

CUT 7 (12)  “50 year old Linda Williams”

Panepinto says Williams has a history of physical abuse…

Cut 8 (10) “etc”

Panepinto says 50-year-old Linda Williams was pronounced dead at the scene…

Cut 9 (10)  “once fatally” 

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A study by Tulane University finds that women and racial minorities are not widely present in Louisiana’s judicial system. The report shows that while women make up 51-percent of Louisiana’s population, only 30-percent of state judgeships are held by women. Political scientist Sally Kenney with Tulane’s Newcomb College Institute says we need to start conversations about women and minority inclusion.

Cut 10 (11) “judicial office”

Racial minorities make up only 23-percent of judgeships in Louisiana, while accounting for 36-percent of the population. Kenney says the judicial system being dominated by white males can affect how fair people perceive the system to be.

cut 11 (12) “male judges”

The report found similar numbers for federal courts based in Louisiana, with women constituting 40-percent of judges and racial minorities making up only 14-percent. Kenney says the US Senate advises and consents for those judgeships. She says there are over 100 judicial vacancies in the country, and many senators have declined to give approval to fill those positions.

cut 12 (10) “judicial districts”

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Recent polls show Republican Donald Trump will defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in Louisiana on November 8th. But Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Stephen Handwerk, says they are not throwing in the towel yet.

Cut 13 (08) “Hillary Clinton”

But Executive Director of the Louisiana Republican Party, Jason Dore, believes Louisiana will be dark red on November 8, fully supporting Donald Trump. He says when it comes to the issues like the economy, 2nd Amendment, Obamacare, and the oil industry, it’s clear which candidate shares Louisiana values.

cut 14 (07) “our state”

Handwerk believes that the polls showing Trump out in front in Louisiana has more to do with the public’s dissatisfaction with the political system than it does with the billionaire businessman’s ideologies.

Cut 15 (12) “campaign cycle”

But Dore says Trump is energizing voters. He says they have seen record high participation in the Trump campaign in Louisiana. So much so, that they are sending volunteers from the Bayou State to campaign in other parts of the country.

Cut 16  (09)  “Trump campaign”

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Louisiana Tech looks to make it five victories in a row when they host the Rice Owls on Saturday. Rice has really struggled this year as they just 1-and-6. But Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says don’t look at the records…

Cut 17 (17)” both sides”

Rice won its first game of the season last week, as they defeated Prairie View A-and-M 65-44. Holtz says the Owls show a lot of different looks on offense and they snap the ball quick…

Cut 18 (19) “they do”

Louisiana Tech is 5-3 overall, 3-and-1 in Conference USA. The Bulldogs lead the West division. But Holtz says they can’t let up…

Cut 19 (21)   “two thirds done”

18:30 LRN Newscast October 24th

Louisiana’s US Senate race has been quiet. State Treasurer John Kennedy says it’s hard for the U.S. Senate candidates to draw more attention than Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton…
cut 8 (09) “…back seat”
Early voting for the federal elections begins tomorrow.

Trump leads Clinton in the statewide polls with only two weeks left until Election Day. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Usually competitive elections have their fair share of negative TV commercials, but that’s the not case in the 4th Congressional District race. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow it’s likely the lone Democrat on the ballot, Marshall Jones, will make the run-off and the negative ads will come leading up to the December 10th runoff….
Cut 9 (05) “that point”
A tragic fire in Vermilion Parish claimed the lives of two young children and the woman who tried to save them. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesman Brant Thompson says the blaze broke out Sunday morning. And that’s when the mother inside the residence awoke to the smell of smoke…:
CUT 12 (10) “flee the home”
He says a second adult and close family friend, 22-year-old Felicie Cloteaux, died while trying to save a 1 and 3 year old who all perished in the blaze.

17:30 LRN Newscast October 24th

Early voting begins tomorrow for the November 8th election. The top two items on the ballot are the Presidential and the US Senate races. Republican Senate candidate John Kennedy admits voters are not paying attention to the Senate race because of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton…
cut 7 (10) “….very unusual”
Some analysts say the attention of the Senate race will increase after the November 8th primary.

Three people, including two children, are dead as a result of a house fire in Kaplan. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Brant Thompson says one of the victims is 22-year-old Felicie Cloteaux..
cut 13 (08) “…Arabella”
Thompson says Cloteaux ran inside the home to rescue the children and was found by firefighters still clutching the two small children in her arms.
Louisiana’s 4th Congressional district race has been light on the negative TV ads. Don Molino has the story….
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Basketball Hall of Famer and former LSU star Shaquille O’ Neal has signed a deal to become the global spokesman for Krispy Kreme’s Orginal Glazed doughnut. He’s also purchased a franchise in Atlanta. If you follow Shaq on social media, you know he’s outspoken for his love of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

16:30 LRN Newscast October 24th

With the start of early voting kicking off tomorrow, interest in Louisiana’s US Senate race still seems to be lacking. Republican candidate John Kennedy says it’s been a rough year for Louisiana, which has made this campaign extremely unusual…:
Cut 6 (11) “racial unrest”
Many analysts believe national parties will start to take notice during the runoff.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office continues to search for a man they believe fatally shot his ex-wife yesterday morning in front of a home in Hammond. If caught, Jerry Williams Junior will be charged with second-degree murder. Linda Williams, was found on the ground, with a gunshot wound to her head. Jerry Williams is considered armed and dangerous.

TV ads have been light in Louisiana’s 4th district Congressional race, which covers a large portion of western Louisiana. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says republican state representative Mike Johnson is one of the GOP candidates who most likely can make a runoff and he’s not run many commercials..
cut 10 (11) “…churches and a like”
Sadow says Republicans Trey Baucum and Oliver Jenkins, while Democrat Marshall Jones also have a shot at the runoff.

The Pegasus Equine Guardian Association objects to Fort Polk’s plans to re-locate 750 wild horses from the army base to other places like sanctuaries. PEGA President Amy Hanchey says these horses have been roaming this land for nearly a century…
cut 4 (11) “…at this time”
Fort Polk says removing the horses is for the safety of the soldiers and the animals.

16:45 LRN Sportscast October 24th

For the sixth consecutive year, the LSU-Alabama game on November 5th will have a nighttime kick-off. CBS will televise two games that day and it has decided to air the Tigers clash with the Crimson Tide at 7 PM.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week. After missing the last two games, the New Orleans native rushed for 284 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries.

There’s been some who have suggested that Fournette should just sit out the rest of the season, so he doesn’t risk a serious injury that could impact his future NFL career. Fournette says he wanted to be on the field with his teammates…
Cut 18 (20) “working out”
Ten penalties and two turnovers kept the Saints from winning on the road yesterday as they dropped a 27-21 contest to the Kansas City Chiefs. New Orleans is 2-and-4 on the year and in third place in the NFC South, two games back of first-place Atlanta. The Falcons lost 33-30 in overtime. Also in the NFC South, Tampa Bay improved to 3-3 with an easy 34-17 win over San Francisco. Up next for the Saints, they host Seattle. The Seahawks tied Arizona six to six last night.

The Pelicans have finalized their roster by waiving foward Alonzo Gee and keeping six-year veteran guard Lance Stephenson. Gee will still receive one-point-two million dollars from the Pels. General Manager Dell Demps says they decided on Stephenson, because they needed a playmaker with Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday not available to start the season. The season opener is Wednesday night at home against Denver.

Eight former LSU Tigers are on NBA rosters. Tim Quartermann has made the Portland Trail Blazers roster as an undrated rookie, but Dallas Mavericks cut Keith Hornsby.