15:30 Newscast March 30,2016

A tornado watch has been issued until 10 o’clock tonight for several north Louisiana parishes and it includes the cities of Shreveport and Monroe. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport Patrick  Omundson says much of north Louisiana is also under a flash flood watch, due to all the backwater left from the recent flooding.
Cut 11 (11) “significant flooding”

Omundson also cautions people to watch out for lightening today.

A measure to create protection for public school students who are parents or expectant mothers has been passed out of the Senate Education Committee. Metairie Rep. Stephanie Hilferty is a co-author of the legislation and says only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school…
Cut 13 (10) “child’s birth”

 

A bill has passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee to extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Cindy Collins with the Louisiana Abortion Recovery Alliance says right now, the law doesn’t give women enough time to think about all of their options.
CUT 3 (12) “enough time”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a man accused of murdering his 28-year-old wife. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 52-year-old Sam Clark, Jr. admitted to police he shot Kimberly Perkins Clark twice in the head on the spillway levee bridge. He says the couple was driving over the bridge right before she was killed.
CUT 7 (10) “the water”

Clark is charged with second degree murder.

14:30 LRN Newscast March 30, 2016

A bill that would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours has passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee. Five other states have similar waiting periods. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says this decision will emotionally affect a woman for the rest of her life.

CUT 5 (10)  “time period”

No one spoke out in opposition, but pro-choice groups are concerned about legal hurdles facing women who are seeking an abortion.

The Senate advances legislation that would make Louisiana in federal compliance with the Real ID Act. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb, says her bill this year includes language that would give citizens the option…:

cut 16 (04) “to get one”

The proposal passed 31-7 and heads to the House.

The Department of Corrections is investigating whether incarcerated rapper C-Murder recorded a new single while in Angola. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (26)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel has announced that he has retired from riding. A Louisiana-native, Borel won a number of riding titles in Kentucky, including his first at Ellis Park in 1995 and his last at Churchill in 2010. The Hall of Famer has over 5-thousand wins and is second only to Pat Day in wins at Churchill Downs.

13:30 Newscast, March 30th, 2016

Legislation requiring women seeking an abortion to wait three days to think it over easily clears the House Health and Welfare Committee today. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says extending the time from 24 hours is necessary to allow women to make the right decision…:
CUT 4 (04) “can do”
The bill heads to the full House.

Louisiana is just recovering from a recent soaking and more rain is on the way. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, Patrick Omundson, says much of the state will get around two inches…:
cut 10 (04) “as well”
Omundson also cautions people to watch out for lightening today.

Three people from Louisiana serving time for drug-related offenses have had their prison sentence commuted by President Barack Obama. The trio is part of a group of 61 throughout the nation who will all mostly be released July 28th. The inmates from Louisiana are Kevin County of New Orleans, Roy Lee Debose of Shreveport and John E Milton III of Baton Rouge.

The Senate advances legislation that would make Louisiana in federal compliance with the Real ID Act. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb, says this is a measure that was passed by Congress…:
cut 15 (09) “Homeland Security”
The proposal passed 31-7 and heads to the House.

A measure to create protection for public school students who are parents or expectant mothers clears the Senate Education Committee. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says the Louisiana Expectant and Parenting Students Act will help both mothers and fathers receive a diploma…:
cut 12 (09) “young people”
The bill now heads to the full Senate for more debate.

As a heavy storm system moves in, an already wet North Louisiana is under a flash flood watch.

 

LRN PM Newscall March 30

A bill heading to the House floor would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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

The Department of Corrections is investigating whether incarcerated rapper C-Murder recorded a new single while in Angola. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (26)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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

A bill has passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee that would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. The only exception is if the women has to travel more than 150 miles to the nearest abortion clinic. Cindy Collins with the Louisiana Abortion Recovery Alliance says the current law does not give women enough time to reflect on their options.

CUT 3 (12)  “enough time”

The bill now heads to the House floor for further consideration. No one spoke out in opposition, but pro- choice groups are concerned about another legal hurdle that could be facing women who are seeking an abortion. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says extending this longer waiting period is necessary to allow women to make the right decision.

CUT 4 (04)  “can do”

Five other states have similar waiting periods. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says this decision will emotionally affect a woman for the rest of her life.

CUT 5 (10)  “time period”

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

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of murdering his wife and dumping her body in the spillway canal near Palmetto. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 52-year-old Sam Clark, Jr. admitted to police he shot 28-year-old Kimberly Perkins Clark twice in the head on the spillway levee bridge. Guidroz says the couple had a very abusive relationship…

CUT 6 (05) “pretty rough”

Guidroz says detectives had plenty of physical evidence to tie Clark to the murder of his wife before he confessed. He says the couple was driving over the bridge in Sam Clark’s truck before she was killed.

CUT 7 (10) “the water”

Clark is charged with second degree murder.  Guidroz says they believe Kimberly Clark was dead for about 12 to 15 hours before her body was found.

CUT 8 (10) “called us”

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

Louisiana could get hit with two to four inches of rain today as a severe weather system moves into the state. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport Patrick Omundson advises people to be on the lookout for severe weather threats.

CUT 9 (09) “winds too”

Omundson also cautions people to watch out for lightening today. He says much of the state will get around two inches of rain, but isolated areas could get more.

cut 10 (04)  “as well”

Much of north Louisiana is under a flash flood watch. Omundson says the flash flooding risk is greater, because of all the backwater left from the recent flooding.

Cut 11 (11) “significant flooding”

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

A measure to create protection for public school students who are parents or expectant mothers has been passed out of the Senate Education Committee. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says the Louisiana Expectant and Parenting Students Act will help both mothers and fathers receive a diploma.

cut 12 (09) “young people”

The bill now heads to the full Senate for more debate. Metairie Rep. Stephanie Hilferty is a co-author of the legislation. She says statistically only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school and 30 percent of female students that drop out say the reason was due to pregnancy.

Cut 13 (10)  “child’s birth”

Hilferty says as much support a mother can get from the state while in the high school environment will reap substantial rewards. She says teen pregnancy has a generational effect if we don’t help these parents return to high school after their maternity leave.

cut 14 (10)  “older parents”

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

The Senate advances legislation that would make Louisiana in federal compliance with the Real ID Act. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb, says this is a measure that was passed by Congress…:

cut 15 (09) “Homeland Security” 

The proposal passed 31-7 and heads to the House. A similar bill received legislative approval last year, but it was vetoed by former Governor Bobby Jindal. Colomb says her bill this year includes language that would give citizens the option…:

cut 16 (04) “to get one”

(Governor John Bel Edwards says he will sign the bill if it passes.)

12:30 Newscast, March 30th, 2016

A bill heading to the House floor would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana could get hit with two to four inches of rain today as a severe weather system moves into the state. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport Patrick Omundson advises people to be on the lookout for severe weather threats…:
CUT 9 (09) “winds too”

The Department of Corrections is investigating whether incarcerated rapper C-Murder recorded a new single while in Angola. Corey Miller is serving life at Angola for killing a 16-year-old and the video for a new single, “Dear Supreme Court” appears to have been put together following Miller’s conviction. The investigation remains open because his daughter posted online Miller made it in jail.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a man accused of murdering his wife and dumping her body in the spillway canal near Palmetto. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 52-year-old Sam Clark, Jr. admitted to police he shot 28-year-old Kimberly Perkins Clark twice in the head on the spillway levee bridge. Guidroz says the couple had a very abusive relationship…:
CUT 6 (04) “pretty rough”
Clark Jr. is charged with second degree murder.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 30

The Saints continue to work at trying to provide themselves some salary cap relief by restructuring contracts. Running back Mark Ingram is reportedly the latest player to have his contract re-structured. Ingram had a majority of a three-million dollar base salary converted to a signing bonus freeing up about 1.5 million in cap space. Defensive end Cam Jordan and punter Thomas Morstead also reportedly had their contracts reworked this week.

LSU Coach Paul Mainieri called it the worst game of the year as the Tulane trounced the Tigers seven to one last night. LSU committed three errors and starting pitcher Cole McKay walked four in two-thirds of an inning and suffered the loss.

Southeastern won its 13th straight last night as they blasted Southern 18 to 2 in seven innings. UL Lafayette scored three runs in the ninth to beat Nicholls 5-4. The Cajuns benefited from an error by Colonels center fielder Quade Smith.

Louisiana Tech has now won 23 straight baseball games over Grambling. The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 10 to 2 last night. Chandler Hall drove in three runs for the Bulldogs. Tech’s game tonight against McNeese has been postponed because of inclement weather in Ruston.

Also last night…Northwestern State clobbered ULM 11-2. Fourth-year head coach Lane Burroughs calls it the best all-around game they’ve played.

Northwestern State’s Janelle Perez has been named the Southland Conference Women’s basketball student-athlete of the year. Perez has a 3.7 GPA in health and exercise science and is set to graduate in May. Perez averaged 15 points, four assists and four rebounds a game. She also ranks third nationally in free-throw percentage.

In other basketball news…Nicholls State is seeking a new head coach. JP Piper was fired after winning just 11 games.

The Pelicans are looking for healthy bodies. Jrue Holiday and Alonze Gee are the latest New Orleans players who will miss the rest of the season because of injuries. The Pels are at San Antonio tomorrow night.

11:30 Newscast, March 30th, 2016

A bill that would require women to wait 72 hours instead of 24 hours before getting an abortion sails out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. The only exception is if the women has to travel more than 150 miles to the nearest abortion clinic. Cindy Collins with the Louisiana Abortion Recovery Alliance says the current law doesn’t give women time to think about it…:
CUT 3 (12) “enough time”
No one spoke in opposition. The bill now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

A Zachary man is dead following a fire in a storage shed where he was living behind a family member’s home, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. They say the body of 64-year-old George Matthews Jr was pulled from the structure, which had no working utilities, and initial indications are that the victim died of smoke inhalation.

Louisiana could see severe weather today and tomorrow. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The rapper known as C-Murder, offender Corey Miller who is serving life at Angola for killing a 16-year-old, is out with a new video and the Department of Corrections wants to know if it was recorded in prison. They say Miller claimed everything released by his label was created before he was incarcerated. But the investigation remains open as his daughter claimed in an online publication that Miller recorded the song, “Dear Supreme Court/Under Pressure” – while in jail.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast March 30

The Storm Prediction Center is calling for an enhanced risk for severe weather across north Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim hopes this is not a repeat of the devasting flooding that occurred three weeks ago…
cut 6 (11) “….heavy rainfall”
A flash flood watch is in effect until seven PM for much of north Louisiana.

A House committee approves legislation that would require women seeking an abortion to wait at least 72 hours before the procedure can be done after their initital meeting with the doctor. Current law calls for a 24-hour waiting period. Deanna Wallace with Louisiana Right to Life supports this measure…
cut 8 (10) “….that child”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A new poll paid for by Rebuild Louisiana, which is a group that supports Governor John Bel Edwards, finds strong support among voters for some of the governor’s core initatives in this legislative session. That includes an increase to the state’s minimum wage. But ULM Political science professor Joshua Stockley says the republican-controlled legislature has a different stance…
cut 14 (09) “….to doing”
So far, lawmakers have yet to discuss raising the mininum wage to above eight dollars an hour in this session.

In two days, a higher state tax on alcohol goes into effect. Executive director of the Beer Industry League of Louisiana, John Williams, says unfortunately someone will have to absorb these costs, either consumers or alcohol retailers…
cut 11 (05) “….obviously”
The new state tax is expected to provide the state with an additional five million dollars in revenues through June 30th.

09:30 Newscast, March 30th, 2016

Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating is up to 52-percent in Louisiana, according to a recent poll paid for by Rebuild Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A man from Palmetto is under arrest for allegedly killing his wife and throwing her body into a canal, according to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. They say 52-year-old Sam Clark Jr confessed to the murder of 28-year-old Kimberly Perkins Clark, who died from two gunshot wounds to the head.

Two abortion bills are on the agenda today in the House Health and Welfare Committee. One would extend the waiting period for a woman seeking to end her pregnancy from 24 to 72 hours. Deanna Wallace, Legislative Director for Louisiana Right to Life, says another bill would require all doctors performing abortions in Louisiana to be board eligible or certified….:
Cut 9 (08) “the law”
She says the measures are keeping the health of women in mind.

Smokers and alcohol drinkers will be paying more for cigarettes and adult beverages starting Friday when new taxes kick in. Executive Director of the Beer Industry League of Louisiana John Williams says the local brewery industry is growing in the state, and this increased one cent tax per drink will hurt them…:
cut 12 (06) “tax”
The alcohol tax hike is permanent.

 

 

08:30 Newscast, March 30th, 2016

Two bills regarding abortion are expected to be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee today. One of the measures would extend the waiting period for a person seeking an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Deanna Wallace, Legislative Director for Louisiana Right to Life, says this proposed law is looking out for the well-being of the mother…:
CUT 7 (08) “process”
Another bill on the table would require all doctors performing abortions in Louisiana to be board eligible or certified.

A new poll shows Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating is at 52-percent. The survey was paid for by a pro-Edwards organization. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says a previous poll found Edwards’ support at 42-percent, so these numbers are not outside the realm of possibility…:
Cut 13 (11) “of Louisiana”

The National Weather Service places south Louisiana under a marginal risk for severe weather, central Louisiana at “slight”, and north Louisiana at “enhanced” risk. State Climatologist Barry Keim says two large weather systems are moving through the state…:
CUT 5 (10) “into Friday”
He says the potential doesn’t appear to be super high for another one of these gully washers like we had a couple weeks ago that led to all the flooding.

Did rapper C-Murder, who is severing life in Angola for killing a 16-year-old, record a rap song from prison? Authorities say the video for a new single, “Dear Supreme Court” appears to have been put together following Corey Miller’s conviction, not before. In the song Miller suggests the judge in his trial was acting on political ambitions and that witnesses were paid off.