10:30 Newscast, May 20th, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would accomplish what a so-called religious freedom bill would do. Scott Carwile has the story…:
CUT 3 (31) “reporting”

There’s a press conference at the governor’s mansion today where officials are expected to announce the Louisiana Black Bear is coming off the threatened species list. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to their biologists…:
cut 5 (07) “to come”

This morning the House Education Committee advanced a Senate bill which seeks to rein in the cost of the TOPS scholarship program without objection. The Jindal Administration turned in a card in opposition but didn’t testify. The bill heads to the full House.

Tuesday legislation that would allow schools to teach gun safety to elementary school students made it off the House floor. Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez says firearm accident prevention and safety is something kids should learn at a young age…
cut 13 (06) “fire safety”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says an unidentified man was struck and killed by a train overnight. They say the victim was hit on Highway 73 just south of Airline Highway in Gonzales. Deputies know he is a black man with a medium build between 25-35 years of age. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact authorities.

 

09:30 Newscast May 20, 2015

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not tuned in to the upcoming Governor’s race. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (31) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that aims to have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a House committee, but on a smaller scale. The executive order prevents the executive branch of state government only from taking adverse action against people, charities, and family owned businesses who have deep religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will make an important announcement at the Governor’s Mansion regarding the Louisiana black bear. It is expected that the black bear will be officially removed from the threatened species list. Secretary Robert Barham says the black bear was put on the threatened list nearly 25 years ago…

cut 4 (11) “be recognized”

He says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to everyone within the department.

A bill by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety has passed the state House. However, Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton doesn’t think that young kids should be learning anything about guns. She says firearm safety education should be left up to parents if they so choose to teach their kids about guns…

cut 14 (06) “or see a gun”

A 93-3 vote sends the measure to the Senate.

08:30 Newscast May 20, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a House committee Tuesday. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross predicts there will be a lawsuit…

cut 11 (07) “anyway”

Jindal says his executive order prevents the executive branch of state government from taking adverse action against people, charities and family owned businesses who have deep religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman.

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not engaged in the upcoming Governor’s race. The numbers show only 25% of people here are following news about the election. PPRL Director Dr. Michael Henderson says voters ages 18-29 are paying the least amount of attention…

cut 7 (10) “less in politics” (2x)

Henderson says they also found that 38% of voters say they are satisfied with the current slate of candidates running for governor in the October 24 election.

A House bill by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety clears the House and now heads to the Senate. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says he supports the measure because very often parents are not teaching their children proper safety measures when it comes to things like guns…

cut 15 (13) “that education”

The legislation passed on a 93-3 vote.

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is expected to announce that the Louisiana black bear will be officially removed from the threatened species list. The Louisiana black bear is the the inspiration for the Teddy Bear that was created after a hunting trip in the area by then President Teddy Roosevelt. LDWF Secretary Robert Barham says Roosevelt’s great-grandson, Theodore Roosevelt IV, will be on hand for the announcement…

cut 6 (08) “was president”

The announcement will take place at the Governor’s Mansion.

07:30 LRN Newscast

A survey from the LSU Public Policy Research Lab finds only 25-percent of the respondents are following news about the 2015 governor’s race. The lab’s director, Michael Henderson, says that should change as we move into late summer, and as it stands now, the four major candidates do have favorable ratings….
cut 9 (06) “….going forward”
The gubernatorial primary is set for October 24th.

After watching a House committee fail to approve legislation referred to as a religious liberty bill, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order to enact the law, but on a smaller scale, only impacting the executive branch. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not a surprise lawmakers didn’t pass the religious objections law…
cut 12 (10) “….he likes”
Opponents of the legislation that failed say the bill promotes discrimination against L-G-B-T couples.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries makes a big announcement today involving Louisiana’s Black Bear. Eric Gill reports…
cut 1 (29) “…reporting”

The full House approves legislation that would allow schools to teach gun safety to elementary school students. Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez says firearm accident prevention and safety is something kids should learn at a young age…
cut 13 (06) “….fire safety”
The measure heads to the senate for more discussion.

LRN 06:45 Sportscast

The LSU baseball team begins play this afternoon at 4:30 in the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri says this week will get them ready for the NCAA Tournament…
cut 16 (20) “…all of em”
LSU has won the last two SEC Tournaments and the Tigers will take on Auburn at 4:30 this afternoon.

In the Sun Belt tournament….third-seeded U-L Lafayette will battle sixth seeded Texas State. The Southland Tournament gets underway at nine a-am this morning as third seeded Nicholls State faces sixth seeded Central Arkansas. Following that game it’s Northwestern State against Houston Baptist.

NFL Owners have voted to move the extra point to the 15-yard line, while two-point conversions will continue to remain at the two-yard line. Also, if the defense blocks the kick or if there’s a turnover on a two-point try, the defense can return it to the other end zone for two points.

Today at the NFL owners meeting, New Orleans will find out if they’ll be allowed to bid for a Super Bowl in either 2019 or 2020. Atlanta, South Florida and Tampa are also expected to receive bids.

Return specialists Michael Lewis and Tyrone Hughes have been elected to the Saints Hall of Fame. Hughes played his high school football at St. Aug, while Lewis graduated from Grace King in Metairie. Each player had one all-pro season as a kick returner in the NFL.

Kentucky Coach John Calipari says he has no interest in the New Orleans Pelicans head coaching job or any other job. Calipari has been linked to the vacancy in New Orleans, because he coached Pelican players Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans when they were in college.

06:30 LRN Newscast for Wednesday May 20

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that aims to have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a House committee. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there is irony in this move…
cut 10 (11) “…Louisiana”
Jindal’s order is only limited to the executive branch of state government.

There’s a big press conference at the governor’s mansion today where officials are expected to announce the Louisiana Black Bear is coming off the protected species list. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to the biologists within the department…
cut 5 (07) “….to come”

A poll from the LSU Public Policy Research Lab finds that most voters are not paying much attention to this year’s governor’s race. The lab’s director, Doctor Michael Henderson, says only a third of older voters are even engaged at this point, but that will change come late summer-early fall…
cut 8 (08) “…that point”
The gubernatorial primary is set for October 24th.

A former Baton Rouge teacher Ashley Dowden has been sentenced to seven years probation for having sex with two male students. Dowden must also register as a sex offender. The 43-year-old admitted to having sex with two teenage boys as part of her plea deal.

AM Newscall, May 20th, 2015

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will make an important announcement at the Governor’s Mansion regarding the Louisiana black bear. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not tuned in to the upcoming Governor’s race. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would accomplish what a so-called religious freedom bill would do. Scott Carwile has the story….

Cut 3 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will make an important announcement at the Governor’s Mansion regarding the Louisiana black bear. It is expected that the black bear will be officially removed from the threatened species list. Secretary Robert Barham says the black bear was put on the threatened list nearly 25 years ago…

cut 4  (11)  “be recognized”

Barham says LDWF has a long history of rehabilitating animal populations, including the American alligator, the brown pelican, and the bald eagle. He says the resurgence in the black bear population is a tribute to the biologists and everyone with the department…

Cut 5  (07)  “to come”

The Louisiana black bear is the the inspiration for the Teddy Bear, the popular children’s toy. The stuffed animal was created after a hunting trip in the area by then President Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s great-grandson, Theodore Roosevelt IV, will be on hand for the announcement…

Cut 6 (08)  “was president”

______________________________________

According to a recent survey by the LSU Public Policy Research lab, voters in Louisiana are still not tuned in to the upcoming Governor’s race. The numbers show only 25% of people here are following news about the election. PPRL Director Dr. Michael Henderson says voters ages 18-29 are paying the least amount of attention…:

CUT 7 (10)  “less in politics” (2x)

Henderson says they also found that 38% of voters say they are satisfied with the current slate of candidates running for governor in the October 24 election. He says even only about 1 and 3 older voters seem to be engaged but feels it will likely change late summer/early fall…:

Cut 8  (08)  “that point” 

Henderson says Scott Angelle is the candidate fewest voters are familiar with at 83% followed by John Bel Edwards at 76% then Jay Dardenne at 60% but only 28% of people said they didn’t know who David Vitter is. He says all four candidates have favorable ratings among people in the know…:

Cut 9 (06)  “going forward”

_____________________________________

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an executive order that would have the same effect as a so called “religious freedom” bill that failed to pass out of a  House committee on Tuesday.  U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there is irony in this move by Jindal…

Cut 10 (11) ” Louisiana”

Jindal says his executive order prevents the state from taking adverse action against people, charities and family owned businesses who have deep religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman. Cross predicts there will be a lawsuit…

cut 11 (07) “anyway”

Passing a religious liberty bill was a priority for Governor Jindal in this legislative session. Cross says it’s not a surprise that lawmakers didn’t bend over backwards to get this law passed…

cut 12 (10)   “he likes”

______________________________________

A House bill that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety is headed to the Senate. The legislation is by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez who says firearm accident prevention and safety would be something kids should learn at a young age…:

Cut 13 (06)  “fire safety”

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton doesn’t think that young kids should be learning anything about guns. She says firearm safety education should be left up to parents if they so choose to teach their kids about guns…:

Cut 14 (06) “or see a gun”

The measure passed on a 93-3 vote. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says he supports the measure because very often parents are not teaching their children proper safety measures when it comes to things like guns…:

Cut 15  (13)  “that education”

______________________________________

The LSU baseball team begins play this afternoon at 4:30 in the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri says this week will get them ready for the NCAA Tournament…

Cut 16  (20)  “all of em”

LSU has won the last two SEC Tournaments and with Mainieri as the head coach, the Tigers won the SEC Tourney from 2008 through 2011. The coach says they go into this tournaments with very little pressure on them, since they know they’ll be a part of the NCAA Tournament

Cut 17 (12)  “LSU”

 

LRN Newscast 17:30 Legislative Report

After a lengthy debate over Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s religious freedom bill, the House Civil Law Committee overwhelmingly voted to return the bill to the calendar, essentially killing it for the session. Johnson told the panel that his legislation is designed to protect business owners who have deep religious beliefs concerning traditional marriage…
cut 6 (09) “…conscience and religion”
Opposition to the legislation came from the business community and the head of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. Stephen Perry called the bill radioactive….
cut 9 (11) “….in the marketplace.”
After the vote, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order that will do the same thing as the bill.

Governor Jindal issued an executive order that he says will protect religious liberty in Louisiana. The order came down following a overwhelming vote in a House committee that defeated a religious freedom bill. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not a surprise lawmakers did not bend over backwards to get this law passed…
cut 12 (10) “…he likes”

A House bill that would allow elementary school students to be taught gun safety is headed to the Senate. The legislation is by Baton Rouge Representative Blake Miguez, who says firearm accident prevention and safety is something kids should learn at a young age…
cut 13 (06) “…fire safety”
Shreveport Representative Barabara Norton was one of three “No” votes against the bill. Norton says young kids should not learn anything about guns.

LRN Newscast 16:30 05-19-15

After some rather intense debate, the House Civil Law Committee has voted 10-2 to return the controversial Religious Freedom Bill to the legislative calendar, which will probably kill it for this session. Some say the law will deter outside businesses from coming here, but Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says the bill is important, because it provides protection for people and businesses…
CUT 8 (11) Q: “5,000 years”
Governor Bobby Jindal says he will issue an executive order that will in essence accomplish the intent of House Bill 707.

Legislation is headed to the Louisiana House floor that impose a new one-cent sales tax, with the monies from that revenue going toward the funding of 15 major transportation projects. If the bill makes it to the legislature, it is expected to be vetoed by Governor Bobby Jindal.
————————————–
A man who was once a Teacher of the Year in Iberville Parish is under arrest on multiple counts of having sex with students from Plaquemine. Sheriff Brett Stassi says they got the first complaint about the MSA-West Academy teacher late Monday, and the charges against 30 year-old Keavin Keith turned into a laundry list…
CUT 14 (09) Q: “and a student”
Authorities know of 3 victims so far, and they may be more.

A pro-Governor Bobby Jindal advocacy group has released a television ad in Iowa supporting his candidacy for president. The American Future Project says the ad will run on cable television in Iowa and online for one week, and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley observes that it’s about positioning…
cut 10 (09) “very evangelical”

LRN Sportscast 16:45 May 19

The Saints announced today that they’ve released veteran kicker Shayne Graham. Graham was 19 of 22 on field goals last season, including a long of 50 yards. New Orleans has two other kickers on the roster, Zach Hocker who they signed after a tryout last weekend and Dustin Hopkins. Wide receiver Lance Lewis takes Graham’s spot on the roster. He spent last season on the 49ers practice squad.

Two New Orleans-area natives have been elected to the Saints Hall of Fame. Tyrone Hughes and the “Beer Man” Michael Lewis were oustanding return men during time with the “Black and Gold.” Hughes was a standout at St. Aug in New Orleans and drafted by the Saints in 1993. Lewis attended Grace King High School. He was driving a beer truck when he made the Saints roster in 2000.

The SEC Baseball Tournament is underway in Hoover, Alabama. Earlier today, Alabama eliminated Ole Miss six to one. The Tigers will take on the winner of this afternoon’s game between Kentucky and Auburn.

Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari released a statement today that says he’s NOT interested in the Pelicans head coaching job. Calipari has been linked to the vacancy in New Orleans, because he coached current Pelican players Tyreke Evans and Anthony Davis in college.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team has been known as the “Dunkin Dawgs” under former head coach Michael White. Tech’s new top dog, Eric Konkol, says he wants to keep that style in place….
cut 18 (18) “….to them”

And LSU has captured the SEC All-Sports men’s title for 2014-15, thanks to conference titles in baseball and men’s golf. It’s the first SEC All-Sports title for the LSU men since 1996-97.