16:45 LRN Sportscast March 28

The LSU men’s basketball program has lost another player to the NBA draft. Point guard Tim Quarterman is forgoing his final season of eligiblity after averaging 11 points, five rebounds and four assists in what was an up-and-down 2015-16 season. Quarterman joins Ben Simmons as two Tigers who have withdrawn from school and are preparing for the NBA draft.

Mike Dunleavy Senior is returning to the college game. He’ll be introduced as the new head coach of the Tulane Green Wave tomorrow. The 62-year-old will be in charge of a program that hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 1995. Dunleavy was a head coach for four different NBA teams, most recently with the Clippers from 2003 to 2010.

The Saints have signed free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairly to a one-year contract. The former first round pick played 15 games last season as a reserve for the Rams and recorded 29 tackles and a half a sack.

The LSU baseball team continues to sink in the polls after dropping another SEC series. The Tigers are ranked anywhere from 14th to 20th as they are off to a two-and-four start in SEC play. Scoring runs have been the problem, as the Tigers have only crossed the plate 15 times in six league games.

In other college baseball news…ULM’s Brayden Bouchey has been named Sun Belt Pitcher of the week. The sophomore struck out a career-best 12 in seven innings in an outing against Appalachian State. The Warhawks lost that game, but ended up taking two of three for the series.

In the Southland…McNeese senior right-hander Kaleb Fontenot is the league’s pitcher of the week. Fontentot threw his second consecutive complete game shoutout as the Cowboys blanked Abilene Christian 3-0.

And Southeastern first baseman Jameson Fisher is the league’s hitter of the week. Fisher has the second highest batting average in the nation and batted .583 last week and has helped the Lions win 12 in a row, a school record.

15:30 Newscast March 28,2016

Hollywood South is in bad shape after a law was passed last year essentially puts a cap on Louisiana’s film tax incentives….
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump tweeted a lawsuit is coming over the possibility he might receive fewer delegates from Louisiana than Senator Ted Cruz, even though he won the Presidential Primary. Louisiana GOP executive director Jason Dore says they’ve followed the rules when it comes to allocating the delegates.

 

A woman has died after ATV crash at Muddy Bottoms in Webster Parish, and three others are injured. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Bobby Igo says two four-wheelers slammed into each other at the park Friday evening, and killed 40-year-old Alissa Wiley of Dry Prong. He says the park is on private property and visitors pay to go to the events and sign consent forms before they ride…:
Cut 13 (08) “private business”

Igo says this is the fourth fatality at the park since 2014.

Four more parishes have been added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration area, which allows victims of historic flooding to be eligible for federal assistance. Rapides Parishes is included and their homeland security director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion says 60 homes were flooded along the Red River and she says affected families there will likely take advantage of the assistance.
cut 10 (10) “damages”

14:30 Newscast, March 28th, 2016

Hollywood South has taken a major hit over the past year since the legislature passed a measure that puts a cap on Louisiana’s film tax incentives. That’s according to Celtic Media Centre Executive Director Patrick Mulhearn. He would like to see lawmakers consider proposals that cap the number of credits issued, not the number of credits the state will honor…:
CUT 8 (08) “issuance cap”
He says the biggest film union in Louisiana reports that only 37% of their members are employed right now

30 parishes in Louisiana are now eligible for federal aid. One of those parishes is Rapides and their homeland security director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion says things are so bad in some areas that many flood victims there still have not begun the clean-up process…:
Cut 11 (09) “extremely difficult”

Another person has died following an ATV crash at Muddy Bottoms in Webster Parish, and three others are injured. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Bobby Igo says two all-terrain vehicles slammed into each other at the park Friday evening, and the crash killed 40-year-old Alissa Wiley of Dry Prong and injured three others…:
CUT 12 (10) “collision”
This is the fourth fatality at the park since 2014, and Igo says riders know the risks when they attend these events.

6 children in Baton Rouge were arrested for allegedly shooting a 44-year-old man multiple times, by more than one child with a BB gun. Police say the victim had to be taken to a hospital with non life threatening injuries, in the act that appeared completely random. The juveniles were each booked on a count of aggravated second-degree battery and later released to their parents.

 

LRN PM Newscall March 28

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is not happy with how Louisiana is allocating its delegates and he’s threatening a lawsuit. Don Molino has the story…

CUT 1 (27)  “I’m Don Molino”

================

Hollywood South is in bad shape since a law was passed last year that essentially puts a cap on Louisiana’s film tax incentives. Michelle Southern speaks with Celtic Studios Executive Director Patrick Mulhearn..:

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

===================

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has tweeted out that a lawsuit is coming over the possibility he could receive fewer delegates from Louisiana than Senator Ted Cruz, even though Trump won the Louisiana Presidential Primary. State republican party executive director Jason Dore says they’ve followed the rules when it comes to allocating the delegates

CUT 3 (08)  “the delegates”

Trump has 18 delegates from Louisiana and so does Cruz, who lost by two-percent of the popular vote during Louisiana’s March 5th presidential primary. Dore says at issue is what will happen with the five delegates awarded to Senator Marco Rubio, who has since dropped out of the race and five other delegates that have been unallocated since the primary…

CUT 4 (11)  “certain way”

Dore says it’s likely the five delegates awarded from Rubio and the five unallocated delegates will remain uncommitted until the Republican National Convention…

CUT 5 (08)     “final decision”

============================

Hollywood South has taken a major hit over the past year since the legislature passed a measure that puts a cap on Louisiana’s film tax incentives. That’s according to Celtic Media Centre Executive Director Patrick Mulhearn. He says what’s scaring films away is the manner in which lawmakers capped the movie credits, which he compares to retail mail in rebate coupons…:

CUT 6 (10) “somewhere else”

Mulhearn says film executives are choosing to spend their money in states & nations where they know for sure obligations will be honored. He says the biggest film union in Louisiana reports that only 37% of their members are employed right now…:

CUT 7 (05) “out of work”

Mulhearn says they haven’t had any major movies filming at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge since August. He says Louisiana’s film industry could be saved if lawmakers consider proposals to change the way the movie tax credit program is capped during the potential second special session…:

CUT 8 (08) “issuance cap”

=========================================================

Four more parishes have been added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration area, which means victims of the historic flooding are eligible for federal assistance. One of those parishes is Rapides and their homeland security director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion says 60 homes were flooded along the Red River…

CUT 9 (06) “unrepairable”

The other three parishes added to the major disaster declaration are Jackson, Red River and Sabine parishes, bringing the total number of parishes eligible for federal assistance to 30. Wiley-Gremillion says affected families in her parish will likely take advantage of the federal aid…

cut 10 (10)  “that group”

Wiley-Gremillion says many of their flood victims still have not begun the clean-up process…

Cut 11 (09) “extremely difficult”

=========================================================

Another person has died following an ATV crash at Muddy Bottoms in Webster Parish, and three others are injured. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Bobby Igo says two all-terrain vehicles slammed into each other at the park Friday evening, and the crash killed 40-year-old Alissa Wiley of Dry Prong and injured three others…:

cut 12 (10) “collision”

Igo says this is the fourth fatality at the park since 2014. He says the park is on private property and the people who visit and pay to go to the events sign consent forms before they ride…:

Cut 13 (08)  “private business”

Muddy Bottoms issued a statement say they are fulling cooperating with law enforcement and that their hearts and prayers go out to the families of the individuals involved. Igo says thousands and thousands of people show up at these events, and the majority drive responsibly and don’t get hurt…:

cut 14 (09)  “ultimate consequence”

(Igo says no charges have been filed in this incident at this time.)

=======================================================

13:30 Newscast, March 28th, 2016

The film industry in Louisiana says the state’s cap on film tax credits is keeping movies from coming to Hollywood South. Celtic Media Centre Executive Director Patrick Mulhearn says essentially Louisiana is limiting the number of credits they honor, not the number they hand out. He says the biggest film union in Louisiana reports that only 37% of their members are employed right now…:
CUT 7 (05) “out of work”
He hopes the legislature will consider changing the way Louisiana has capped the film tax credit program.

Four more parishes have been added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration area, which means victims of the historic flooding are eligible for federal assistance. One of those parishes is Rapides and their homeland security director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion says 60 homes were flooded along the Red River:
CUT 9 (06) “unrepairable”
There are now 30 parishes in Louisiana eligible for disaster aid.

GOP front runner Donald Trump says he’s going to sue over the fact that he won the primary in Louisiana, but rival Ted Cruz could end up with more delegates. Trump has 18 delegates from Louisiana and so does Cruz, who lost by two-percent in the primary. State republican party executive director Jason Dore says at issue is what will happen with the five delegates awarded to Senator Marco Rubio, who has since dropped out of the race, and five other delegates that have been unallocated since the primary…:
CUT 4 (11) “certain way”
He says it’s likely the 10 delegates up in the air will remain uncommitted until the Republican National Convention.

Detectives in Calcasieu Parish are investigating a body found partially inside a culvert in Sulphur on Easter Sunday. The investigation is in the preliminary stages.

The Saints announce they’ve signed veteran Defensive Tackle Nick Fairley to a one year contract. He spent last season with the St. Louis Rams.

 

12:30 Newscast, March 28th, 2016

Hollywood South has taken a major hit over the past year since the legislature passed a measure that puts a cap on Louisiana’s film tax incentives. That’s according to Celtic Media Centre Executive Director Patrick Mulhearn. He says what’s scaring films away is the manner in which lawmakers capped the movie credits, which he compares to retail mail in rebate coupons…:
CUT 6 (10) “somewhere else”
He says Louisiana’s film industry can rebound if lawmakers agree to transition from a redemption cap to an issuance cap.

This afternoon, lawmakers are slated to start hearing from state agencies that could be affected by cuts as legislators shift the focus now to next fiscal year’s $750 million dollar deficit. Several departments are facing steep cuts in the face of budget fixes for the financial year that begins July 1st, and today are expected to testify about what those cuts could mean for them.

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is not happy with how Louisiana is allocating its delegates and he’s threatening a lawsuit. Don Molino has the story…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

LSU basketball coach Johnny Jones says junior guard Tim Quarterman is declaring for the NBA draft and ending his college career. Rough news as Tiger star Ben Simmons has already said he’s going pro.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 28

The Saints have announced they’ve signed defensive Nick Fairly to a one-year contract. Fairly spent last season with the St. Louis Rams. He’s a former first round draft pick of the Detroit Lions. During his five seasons in the NFL, Fairly has 14 sacks, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team begins play in the Vegas 16 Tournament today, which takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The Bulldogs face East Tennessee State at 10:30 central time.

Tulane has made it official with the hiring of former NBA coach and player Mike Dunleavy Senior as the Green Wave’s new men’s basketball coach. Dunleavy will be introduced tomorrow morning. The 62-year-old was the head coach for four different NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, who he guided to the NBA Finals in 1991.

The LSU baseball team continues to fall in the preseason polls after dropping its second straight series to begin SEC play. The Tigers are now ranked anywhere from 15th to 20th in the major college baseball polls. LSU’s biggest problem is that they can’t score runs. They scored just five runs in a three-game series against Texas A-and-M.

LSU’s point guard this past season is reportedly entering the NBA draft. Tim Quarterman is coming off a junior season, where his numbers were not as good as what he put up during his sophomore campaign. Coach Johnny Jones said at his postseason news conference that he expected Quarterman to forgo his senior season.

The Pelicans host the New York Knicks. There’s just 10 games left in this incredibly frustating season that’s been hampered because of numerous injuries to key players, including Anthony Davis, who was seen on crutches at shoot around this morning following surgery on his knee.

11:30 Newscast, March 28th, 2016

Republican presidential leader Donald Trump is threatening a lawsuit aimed at the Louisiana GOP. He tweeted Sunday he wasn’t happy that he won the primary here, but could get less delegates than opponent Ted Cruz. State GOP executive director Jason Dore says Trump & Cruz have 18 delegates but there are five out there for Senator Rubio who dropped out, and five yet to be allocated that will likely remain uncommitted until the Republican National Convention…:
CUT 5 (07) “final decision”
He says they’ve followed the rules when it comes to allocating the delegates.

State Officials announce four additional parishes will receive federal disaster declarations following historic flooding earlier this month. The new areas where residents can apply for public assistance are Jackson, Rapides, Red River, and Sabine. That brings the total number of eligible parishes to 30. You can register online at disasterassistance.gov.

The Lake Charles police department says a 26-year-old man died following an early morning crash. Investigators believe Steven Blaine Perrit left the roadway in his Nissan Titan for unkonwn reasons, and hit two mailboxes before crashing into a concrete culvert. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The invesitgation is ongoing.

Researchers at UL-Lafayette found that vipers surprisingly may not be the fastest striking snake. Doctoral student David Penning says they’ve got evidence showing all snakes, venomous and non-venomous, can strike quickly so people should never try to grab a poisonous snake before it lunges…:
CUT 9 (10) “alone”
Penning says it takes a snake 70 milliseconds to strike, and it takes a human 200 milliseconds just to blink.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast March 28

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has tweeted out that a lawsuit is coming over the possibility he could receive fewer delegates from Louisiana than Senator Ted Cruz, even though Trump won the Louisiana Presidential Primary. State republican party executive director Jason Dore says they’ve followed the rules when it comes to allocating the delegates…
cut 3 (08) “…40-percent of the delegates”
Dore says at issue is what will happen with the five delegates awarded to Senator Marco Rubio, who has since dropped out of the race and five other delegates that have been unallocated since the primary.

Another person has died at the Muddy Bottoms ATV and Recreation Park in Webster Parish. Authorities say a woman was killed when one ATV collided with another one. It’s the fourth fatal accident at the park since May 2014.

Cleco goes before the Public Service Commission again this afternoon, seeking to get their approval on a proposed deal that would result in the Pineville-based utility company being sold to a foreign investment group. PSC Chairman Clyde Holloway has been a major opponent of the sale…
cut 6 (10) “…with money”
Cleco says if the sale goes through, customers would receive 100-million dollars in immediate rate relief.

There’s legislation moving through the legislature that would require pharmacies interested in selling medical marijuana to pay five-thousand dollars for an application fee. Ville Platte representative and pharmacist Harvey Lebas says federal law also prohibits the sale of medical marijuana in the same facility where other prescriptions are sold…
cut 10 (07) “….medical marijuana”
It’s unclear when medical marijuana will be available.

09:30 Newscast, March 28th, 2016

It could be quite some time before medical marijuana is available in Louisiana, even though legislation passed allowing for its legal growth, prescription and dispensing. Ville Platte Representative and pharmacist Harvey LeBas says there’s a proposal moving through the legislature that says a $5,000 application fee would be needed if someone wants to become one of the 10 marijuana pharmacists in the state. He says some may not find it’s worth it..:
CUT 12 (07) “to be seen”
He says dispensaries in Louisiana would only offer medications derived from the plant for medical uses, not the actual plant itself.

Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday that he was planning to sue the state GOP because he won the primary in Louisiana, but opponent Ted Cruz would end up with more delegates. The tweet reads, “Just to show you how unfair Republican primary politics can be, I won the State of Louisiana and get less delegates than Cruz…Lawsuit coming.”

Legislative hearings begin today on the state’s spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. Over the course of the next two months, legislators will have to pass a budget that will contain 750-million dollars in cuts from the previous year. Governor John Bel Edwards says since he’s been in office, 170-million dollars in budget cuts have been put in place…:
Cut 13 (07) “about to do”
He feels there will have to be another special session to raise more revenue.

Vipers, which are venomous snakes like rattlesnakes and cotton-mouths, were thought to have the quickest strike, but researchers at UL-Lafayette find that’s not the case. David Penning, who studies functional morphology, says to observe snakes striking they filmed them with cameras capable of capturing high-speed action. He says they noticed that nonvenomous Texas rat snakes struck with the same velocity and acceleration as vipers…:
Cut 8 (06) “as vipers”
Penning says it takes a snake 70 milliseconds to strike.