07:30 Newscast December 31, 2015

The drop in oil prices continues to lead to job losses in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Baton Rouge Police has arrested a woman accused of fatally shooting her boyfriend Wednesday. When officers responded to a call about a shooting, they found 23-year-old Reginald Lee suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities arrested 23-year-old Jalisa Wilson on a charge of second degree murder. Police have not released a motive for the shooting.

University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley steps down from her position today. Woodley feels she’s made a difference in higher education during her three years as UL System President…

cut 5 (09) “retention rates”

She will stay on in an advisory capacity until March 15th.

LSU has to find a new defensive coordinator. After guiding the Tigers defense for one season, Kevin Steele has left Baton Rouge to become the new defensive coordinator at Auburn. Football analyst Mike Detillier is shocked another SEC school would be interested in Steele after LSU’s defense took a step back from what it was under previous defensive coordinator John Chavis…

cut 10 (10) “in the season”

It’s the second straight year LSU will have to find a new defensive coordinator.

06:45 Sportscast December 31, 2015

After just one season, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has left the LSU football team to accept the same position at Auburn. The list of candidates LSU used last year to hire Steele recently became public and football analyst Mike Detillier believes head coach Les Miles will go back to that list to replace him…

cut 11 (11) “at LSU”

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Georgia Tech’s Ted Roof, Penn State’s Bob Shoop, and Oklahoma’s Mike Stoops are some of the individuals Miles spoke with last year.

In college basketball action Wednesday, Jackson State belted Southeastern Louisiana 89-66. The Lions’ Zay Jackson led all scorers with 23. Southeastern has now lost five straight and are winless on the road this season. The Lions begin Southland Conference play Saturday at home against Stephen F. Austin.

The Saints final regular season game is this Sunday as the Black and Gold visit Atlanta. New Orleans will look to end the season on a two-game winning streak, but that won’t be good enough to avoid a second straight losing season. Quarterback Drew Brees says despite missing the playoffs again, he feels good about the future because of the character and leadership that’s on the team…

cut 16 (15) “move forward”

Doug Atkins, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and a member of that very first Saints team, has passed away at the age of 85. Atkins died of natural causes. The six-foot-eight defensive lineman played for the Black and Gold from 1967-69.

Tonight, the Pelicans host the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers will be without Blake Griffin who injured his left quad on Christmas Day. Although they’ve lost two of their last three, the Pels are riding a season high three game home winning streak.

06:30 Newscast December 31, 2015

Tonight is New Year’s Eve and thousands of people will be shooting off fireworks in celebration. Deputy Chief Fire Marshall Brent Thompson has some tips to stay safe tonight if you plan on using fireworks.

cut 7 (08) “your hand”

Thompson says it’s always safest to view a large public fireworks display.

Today is University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley’s last day on the job. Woodley announced her resignation last month. She says one of the things she’s most proud of is working with partners to flip the narrative about higher education in the legislature where it’s no longer viewed as an expense but an investment…

cut 4 (09) “in Louisiana”

Former Louisiana Tech President Dan Reneau will serve as interim system president until a permanent replacement is found.

LSU is searching for a new defensive coordinator after Kevin Steele leaves the Tigers to become the new D-C at Auburn. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

AM Newscall December 31, 2015 **Correction**

Today is University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley’s last day on the job. Don Molino reports…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

The drop in oil prices continues to lead to job losses in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

LSU is searching for a new defensive coordinator after Kevin Steele leaves the Tigers to become the new D-C at Auburn. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Today is University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley’s last day on the job. Woodley announced her resignation last month. She says one of the things she’s most proud of is working with partners to flip the narrative about higher education in the legislature where it’s no longer viewed as an expense but an investment…

cut 4 (09) “in Louisiana”

Former Louisiana Tech President Dan Reneau will serve as interim system president until a permanent replacement is found. Woodley feels she’s made a difference in higher education during her three years as UL System President…

Cut 5 (09) “retention rates”

She will stay on in an advisory capacity until March 15th. Woodley says she will look back on her time as UL System President with fondness. As far as her future plans go, Woodley is remaining mum on that…

Cut 6 (08) “will be”

______________________________________

Tonight is New Year’s Eve and many will ring in the new year by shooting off fireworks in celebration. Deputy Chief with the State Fire Marshal’s office, Brent Thompson, has some tips to stay safe tonight….

CUT 7 (08) “your hand”

Thompson says to exercise extreme caution when handling fireworks. He says to never give children fireworks, even if you think they are small and harmless.

Cut 8 (07) “millisecond”

Thompson says make sure to only purchase fireworks from a licensed distributor, never online. He also advises people to never experiment with homemade fireworks.

Cut 9 (05) “in jail”

_______________________________________

LSU has to find a new defensive coordinator. After guiding the Tigers defense for one season, Steele has left Baton Rouge to become the new defensive coordinator at Auburn. Football analyst Mike Detillier is shocked another SEC school would be interested in Steele after LSU’s defense took a step back from what it was under previous defensive coordinator John Chavis

Cut 10 (10) “in the season”

It’s the second straight year LSU will have to find a new defensive coordinator. The list of candidates last year recently became public and Detillier believes head coach Les Miles will go back to that list

cut 11 (11) “at LSU”

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Georgia Tech’s Ted Roof, Penn State’s Bob Shoop, and Oklahoma’s Mike Stoops are some of the individuals Miles spoke with last year. Miles also has the option to promote defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, but Detillier doesn’t see that happening

Cut 12 (05) “the family”

______________________________________

A 52-year-old Boyce man is in jail on a three-million dollar bond after he allegedly held a gun to a woman’s head and repeatedly raped her. Lt. Tommy Carnline, with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office, says Jeffery Ducote Sr knocked on the door at the victim’s home, held a brief conversation with the woman, and then brandished a handgun to get inside her house…

Cut 13 (09) “terrible act”

Carnline says Ducote told his victim that he was looking for a person who used to live there. He says evidence found in the home helped detectives develop Ducote as a suspect…

Cut 14 (06) “so quickly”

Ducote faces four counts of first-degree rape plus other charges. Carnline says after the sexual assault, the victim fled her home and told authorities what happened to her

Cut 15 (11) “that time”

__________________________________

The Saints final regular season game is this Sunday as the Black and Gold visit Atlanta. New Orleans will look to end the season on a two-game winning streak, but that won’t be good enough to avoid a second straight losing season. Quarterback Drew Brees says despite missing the playoffs again, he feels good about the future because of the character and leadership that’s on the team

Cut 16 (15) “move forward”

But will Brees be a part of the Saints future? The future Hall of Famer is entering the final year of his contract, but Brees laughs at any of the reports that suggest he might not be back next year…

Cut 17 (19) “I chuckle”

Some young wide receivers have emerged this year. Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead have combined to catch 145 passes and 12 touchdowns. Brees says the future is bright for the Saints

Cut 18 (19) “a time”

LRN AM Newscall December 31

Today is University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley’s last day on the job. Don Molino reports…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

The drop in oil prices continues to lead to job losses in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

LSU is searching for a new defensive coordinator after Kevin Steele leaves the Tigers to become the new D-C at Auburn. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Today is University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley’s last day on the job. Woodley announced her resignation last month. She says one of the things she’s most proud of is working with partners to flip the narrative about higher education in the legislature where it’s no longer viewed as an expense but an investment…

cut 4  (09)  “in Louisiana”

Former Louisiana Tech President Dan Reneau will serve as interim system president until a permanent replacement is found. Woodley feels she’s made a difference in higher education during her three years as UL System President…

Cut 5  (09)  “retention rates”

She will stay on in an advisory capacity until March 15th. Woodley says she will look back on her time as UL System President with fondness. As far as her future plans go, Woodley is remaining mum on that…

Cut 6 (08)  “will be”

 ______________________________________

Tonight is New Year’s Eve and many will ring in the new year by shooting off fireworks. Deputy Chief with the State Fire Marshal’s office, Brent Thompson, has some tips to stay safe tonight….

CUT 7 (08)  “your hand”

Thompson says to exercise extreme caution when handling fireworks. He says to never give children fireworks, even if you think they are small and harmless.

Cut 8  (07)  “millisecond”

Thompson says make sure to only purchase fireworks from a licensed distributor, never online. He also advises people to never experiment with homemade fireworks.

Cut 9 (05)  “in jail”

_______________________________________

LSU has to find a new defensive coordinator. After guiding the Tigers defense for one season, Steele has left Baton Rouge to become the new defensive coordinator at Auburn. Football analyst Mike Detillier is shocked another SEC school would be interested in Steele after LSU’s defense took a step back from what it was under previous defensive coordinator John Chavis

Cut 10 (10) “in the season” 

It’s the second straight year LSU will have to find a new defensive coordinator. The list of candidates last year recently became public and  Detillier believes head coach Les Miles will go back to that list

cut 11 (11) “at LSU”

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Georgia Tech’s Ted Roof, Penn State’s Bob Shoop, and Oklahoma’s Mike Stoops are some of the individuals Miles spoke with last year. Miles also has the option to promote defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, but Detillier doesn’t see that happening

Cut 12 (05) “the family”

______________________________________

A 52-year-old Boyce man is in jail on a three-million dollar bond after he allegedly held a gun to a woman’s head and repeatedly raped her.  Lt. Tommy Carnline, with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office, says Jeffery Ducote Sr knocked on the door at the victim’s home, held a brief conversation with the woman, and then brandished a handgun to get inside her house…

Cut 13 (09)  “terrible act”

Carnline says Ducote told his victim that he was looking for a person who used to live there. He says evidence found in the home helped detectives develop Ducote as a suspect…

Cut 14 (06) “so quickly”

Ducote faces four counts of first-degree rape plus other charges. Carnline says after the sexual assault, the victim fled her home and told authorities what happened to her

Cut 15  (11) “that time”

 __________________________________

The Saints final regular season game is this Sunday as the Black and Gold visit Atlanta. New Orleans will look to end the season on a two-game losing streak, but that won’t be good enough to avoid a second straight losing streak. Quarterback Drew Brees says despite missing the playoffs again, he feels good about the future because of the character and leadership that’s on the team

Cut 16  (15)  “move forward”

But will Brees be a part of the Saints future? The future Hall of Famer is entering the final year of his contract, but Brees laughs at any of the reports that suggest he might not be back next year…

Cut 17 (19) “I chuckle”

Some young wide receivers have emerged this year. Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead have combined to catch 145 passes and 12 touchdowns. Brees says the future is bright for the Saints

Cut 18 (19) “a time”

______________________________________

LRN Newscast 17:30 December 30

The imminent threat of flooding along the Mississippi and Red Rivers has led to Governor Bobby Jindal declaring a state of emergency. The action paves the way for the state to prepare for the potential of flooding along those two rivers because, high crests are projected as a result of recent storms across the south and middle United States.

The state’s fiscal situation is worse than previously thought, according to Jay Dardenne, who is the budget architect for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards. Dardenne says the revenue shortfall for this fiscal year has grown to 750-million dollars, thanks to a drop in oil prices and a slump in corporate income and sales taxes…
cut 12 (08) “calendar year”
Dardenne projects the budget shortfall for next fiscal year at 1-point-9 billion dollars, and everything is on the table to address this situation, including higher taxes.

LSU has lost its defensive coordinator to Auburn. After spending just one season in Baton Rouge, Kevin Steele is bolting the Tigers for the same job at Auburn. Steele guided an LSU defense that allowed 347 yards a game this year, which is ranked as the 27th best mark in the country.

Total employment in Louisiana declined by more than 30-thousand from November 2014 to 15. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says low oil prices have led to thousands of jobs lost in Lafyaettee and the Houma-Thibodaux areas.

State Police says an Independence Police Officer is under arrest accused of using his position to steal money from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. Spokesman Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks was arrested for three felony charges, theft, malfeasance in office and a hate crime…
cut 10 (06) “hate crime”
Dwight says Banks stole 16-hundred dollars during four separate traffic stops.

16:45 LRN Sportscast December 30

LSU needs to find another defensive coordinator.Kevin Steele has left LSU after one season as the Tigers D-C and he’s taking the same job at Auburn. This past season, LSU’s defense had its ups and downs, but played well last night in a 56-27 win over Texas Tech. Coach Les Miles is impressed with what Steele did as LSU’s defense produced six sacks…
cut 5 (08) “…certain things”
Steele takes over for Will Muschamp, who left Auburn after one season to become the head coach at South Carolina.

Auburn played Memphis today in the Birmingham Bowl and won easily 31-10.

Doug Atkins, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and a member of that first Saints team in 1967, has passed away at the age of 85. Atkins died of natural causes. The six-foot-eight defensive lineman played for the Black and Gold from 1967-69.

This Sunday the Saints face the Atlanta Falcons in the regular season finale. Quarterback Drew Brees says he’s amused by the reports that this could be his last game in a Saints uniform…
cut 30 (20) “…right here”
Brees is also disappointed over the possiblity that the Chargers will leave for Los Angeles. Brees started his pro career in a San Diego uniform.

The LSU men’s basketball team was looking for some momentum heading into 2016, but they didn’t get it as they lost to Wake Forest 77-71. Ben Simmons had a double-double as he scored 21 points and had 12 rebounds. But the Tigers turned the ball over 17 times.

In action tonight…Southeastern Louisiana is at Jackson State.

16:30 LRN Newscast December 30

According to Jay Dardenne, the budget architect for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s revenue shortfall for this fiscal year has grown to $750 million, while next year’s budget is a projected $1.9 billion short. He says the state’s fiscal outlook is more dire than they thought and hard work is needed to resolve it…
cut 13 (12) “year to year”
A special legislative session is expected in February to address the state’s budget problems.

The imminent threat of flooding along the Mississippi and Red Rivers has led to Governor Bobby Jindal issuing a state of emergency. Flood warnings have been posted along those two rivers as it’s projected they’ll crest above flood stage in many areas next month. The Bonnet Carre Spillway in southeast Louisiana could be opened for the first time since 2011.

An Independence Police Officer is now behind bars after he allegedly used his position to steal currency from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. State Police spokesperson Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks is facing several charges
cut 9 (10) “of impairment”
Banks served on the Independence Police Department for five months prior to his arrest.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged a Labadieville teenager with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death. Sheriff Mike Waguespak says 18-year-old Jamal Starks and several friends were playing with a handgun when it discharged, shooting 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. Waguespack says they originally investigated the incident as a self-inflicted shooting…
cut 6 (10) “next to him”
Bail for Starks has been set at $125,000.

15:30 LRN Newscast December 30

There were 30-thousand fewer people working in Louisiana last month compared to the previous November. That’s according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission who says depressed oil prices are the reason for the job losses.

There’s also bad news about the state’s budget situation. Jay Dardenne, who is the state’s next Commissioner of Administration, says after examing the state’s finances, the budget shortfall for this fiscal year is 750-million dollars and one-point-nine billion dollars next fiscal year. Dardenne says tax increases could be needed, but they’ve yet come up with a budget plan to propose to lawmakers…
cut 14 (05) “….answers today”
Dardenne says a drop in oil prices and a slump in collections from sales and corporate income taxes have caused the budget holes to become larger.

LSU needs a new defensive coordinator again. Kevin Steele is leaving the Tigers for the same job at Auburn.

An Independence Police Officer has been arrested for stealing money from non-English speaking men during traffic stops. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (27) “…reporting”

A Labadieville teenager is charged with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death. Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespak says 18-year-old Jamal Starks was playing with a gun when it went off, striking 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. Waguespack says it is now up to a grand jury to determine how they will move forward with this case…
cut 7 (05) “all around”
Waguespack says this is a prime example of why no one should ever play with guns.

14:30 Newscast December 30, 2015

According to Jay Dardenne, the budget architect for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s revenue shortfall for this fiscal year has grown to $750 million, while next year’s budget is a projected $1.9 billion short. He says the state’s fiscal outlook is more dire than they thought and hard work is needed to resolve it…

cut 13 (12) “year to year”

Edwards plans to call a special legislative session to address the state’s budget problems.

Louisianians will still be able to use their valid state driver’s licence to fly commercially Friday, even though the state has yet to to comply with the federal Real ID law. Many are confused that the identification requirement would kick in for Louisiana January 1st, but the state received a yearlong extension to comply with Real ID Act in October. Without that extension, Louisiana resident would have needed a passport to fly domestically in the new year.

An Independence Police Officer is now behind bars after he allegedly used his position to steal currency from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. State Police spokesperson Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks was arrested on felony charges of theft, malfeasance in office, and a hate crime. Dwight urges any other victims out there to contact Louisiana State Police…

cut 11 (08) “any allegation”

He says the investigation is on-going.

One question following LSU’s 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl is, will Kevin Steele return as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2016? There are reports he may take the same job at Auburn. Coach Les Miles is impressed with what Steele did last night as LSU’s defense produced six sacks…

cut 5 (08) “certain things”

It’s also being reported that LSU is working to keep Steele in Baton Rouge.