LRN PM Newscall June 18

43-year-old Franklin Welzbacher was arrested after allegedly stealing some items from a neighbor’s garage, including a live streaming surveillance camera that he forgot to turn off…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Swarms of bugs are causing lower visibility at times for those crossing Lake Pontchartrain.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (32) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A Haughton man was arrested after allegedly stealing items from his neighbor’s garage, including a live streaming surveillance camera he didn’t turn off.  Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the victim installed the camera because his garage door was malfunctioning, which led to the theft by 43-year-old Franklin Welzbacher…

Cut 3 (12) “…House”

The victim is accusing Welzbacher of also taking some workout equipment and boxing gloves.

Davis says after the theft the victim shared the still streaming footage with the deputies, and the Lt. says it made for a pretty open and shut case…

Cut 4 (11) “…live streaming”

Davis says the footage made it easy to catch the thief, and the incident is a good example of how effective a simple surveillance camera can be.

Cut 5 (08) “…badguy.”

Welzbacher was booked on Simple Burglary.

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Many motorists crossing the Causeway Bridge in New Orleans are hitting the car wash after swarms of bugs left marks on their vehicles. The insects are known as the non-biting midge.  Research Entomologist Ed Freytag says the high numbers are likely due to the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

Cut 6 (10) “…not salty anymore.”

The bugs do not pose a health risk to humans and only live three to five days.  Freytag says it’s uncertain how much longer these swarms will occur.

Cut 7 (11) “…still coming out.”

Freytag says many of the bugs being hit are carrying eggs, and not washing them off a vehicle as soon as possible to have detrimental effects on a car’s aesthetics.

Cut 8 (10) “…to your paint.”

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The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is accepting permit applications from retailers who want to sell C-B-D products. A-T-C Commissioner Juana Marine Lombard says they will begin processing applications immediately…

Cut 9 (12) “…C-B-D products”

Once an application is approved, the retailer will receive a temporary permit that will expire at the end of February. In order to receive a permanent permit, L-D-H must certify the product and C-B-D. Lombard says state law prohibits the sale of any alcoholic beverage containing C-B-D

Cut 10 (09) “…food and beverages.”

Lombard says C-B-D can only be added to food if approved by the F-D-A and C-B-D can’t be marketed as a dietary supplement and the labeling cannot make medical claims

Cut 11 (10) “…are making.”

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Five Louisiana nursing homes are in hot water after a report by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare services shows poor conditions and subpar treatment of patients.

Louisiana Department of Health spokesperson Bob Johannessen says it’s the first time the feds have made the annual report public, and it’s important information for families…

Cut 12 (11)   “…needs.”

The list identified over 400 problem facilities nationwide.

The list of concerns includes incidents of staff abuse, failure to follow vital healthcare protocol, unsanitary living conditions and a number of other disturbing reports. Johannessen says when it comes to choosing a nursing home…

Cut 13 (09) “…homes”  

Tioga Community Care Center, St. Helena Parish Nursing Home, Lake Charles Care Center, South Lafourche Nursing and Rehab, and Belle Maison Nursing Home were named.

Belle Maison Nursing Home in Hammond is a repeat offender, and has been given a “special focus” designation. Johannessen says that will likely lead to improved care, because most facilities only get an annual inspection…

Cut 14 (06) “…months” 

In 2017 Belle Maison was reported for failing to protect a paraplegic patient from repeated violent attacks by their roommate, and failing to follow ulcer prevention protocol.

11:30 LRN newscast

A federal judge sentences Nate Cain, the former warden of the Avoyelles Correctional Center, to 38-months to federal prison, and his ex-wife Tonia Bandy was given an eight-month sentence for spending more than 150-thousand dollars in public funds on personal expenses. U-S Attorney David Joseph…
cut 30 (10) “…personal things”
The duo has been ordered to pay more than $42,000 in restitution.

A Haughton man was arrested after allegedly sneaking into a neighbor’s garage and stealing a number of items, including a live streaming surveillance camera that he didn’t turn off. Bossier Sheriff’s spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says the victim installed the camera because his garage door was malfunctioning…
Cut 3 (12) “…House”
Davis says the homeowner shared the footage with deputies, which made for an easy arrest of 43-year-old Franklin Welzbacher.

Congressman Ralph Abraham grabbed 180 votes, while fellow GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone received 94 votes in a straw poll of southwest Louisiana Republican voters. It’s a small sample size, but UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the almost two-to-one margin in favor of Abraham is a red flag to the Rispone campaign.
Cut 14 (10) “…problem.”

Many motorists crossing the Causeway Bridge in New Orleans are hitting the car wash after swarms of bugs left marks on their vehicles. The insects are known as the non-biting midge and they breed in water like mosquitos, but only live three to five days. Research Entomologist Ed Freytag says the high numbers are likely due to the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.
Cut 6 (10) “…not salty anymore.”
Freytag says its uncertain how much longer these swarms will occur.

9:30 LRN Newscast June 18

Congressman Ralph Abraham grabbed 180 votes and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone had 94 votes in a straw poll of southwest Louisiana Republicans. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Abraham says it appears the U-S Representative is solidifying his frontrunner status among GOP voters.
Cut 13 (06) “wants.”
The gubernatorial primary is for October 12th and Abraham and Rispone is seeking to get in a November runoff against Governor Edwards.

Former Avoyelles Correctional Center Warden Nathan Cain has been sentenced to 38 months in prison, while his ex-wife Tonia Bandy Cain has received an eight-month prison sentence. U-S Attorney David Joseph says the duo admitted to stealing taxpayer money for personal benefit…
cut 6 (08) “…in this case’
The defendants have also been ordered to pay over 42-thousand dollars in restitution.

The leader of the Louisiana State Troopers Association is facing charges after he allegedly shot at his daughter’s boyfriend on Father’s Day. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office booked 71-year-old David Young with false imprisonment with a dangerous weapon. Young told investigators he only shot a warning shot into the air, but video from a witness shows the handgun was fired toward the boyfriend.

Diverted Mississippi River water into Lake Ponchartrain has resulted in trouble for marine life and financial damage to fishermen. Kevin Barnhart has more on the governor’s request for a federal disaster declaration…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

8:30 LRN Newscast June 18

A federal judge sentences Nate Cain, the former warden of the Avoyelles Correctional Center, to 38-months to federal prison, and his ex-wife Tonia Bandy was given an eight-month sentence for spending more than 150-thousand dollars in public funds on personal expenses. U-S Attorney David Joseph…
cut 5 (10) “…personal things”
The duo has been ordered to pay more than $42,000 in restitution.

Louisiana officials are optimistic that 2016 flood victims who did not get RESTORE grant money due to receiving SBA loans will see a check in the near future. State Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says the state is working to get final guidelines approved by HUD. After that happens…
Cut 7 (08) “…from HUD”
Households below 120 percent of the Area Median Income will receive checks first and if you make over that amount, HUD will have to take a closer look at your need.

Governor Edwards has requested a federal disaster declaration for fisheries impacted by low salinity levels as a result of the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway. Operation of the Bonnet Carre has diverted fresh water from the Mississippi River into Lake Ponchartrain and east toward the Mississippi Sound and marshes of St. Bernard. Assistant state fisheries secretary Patrick Banks says it has resulted in troubling mortality rates among oysters and declining fish catches….
cut 11 (08) “…since December”
Banks says the amount of federal aid remains unclear as the spring flood fight continues.

Baton Rouge businessman and gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone did not perform well in a straw poll of Republican voters in southwest Louisiana. Fellow GOP candidate Ralph Abraham had nearly twice as many votes. Rispone has 10-million dollars in his campaign war chest, but UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross wonders if Risponse will spend it…
cut 15 (08) “….on that”
The gubernatorial primary is October 12th.

7:30 LRN Newscast June 18

Former Avoyelles Correctional Center warden, Nate Cain, will spend 38 months behind bars and his ex-wife, Tonia Bandy-Cain, a former business manager at the prison, was sentenced to eight months to federal prison for spending public dollars on personal purchases. US Attorney for Louisiana’s Western District David Joseph…
Cut 4 (10) “…better watch out.”
Joseph says the duo spent prison funds, more than $150,000, on personal expenses.

Congressman Ralph Abraham grabbed 180 votes, while fellow GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone received 94 votes in a straw poll of southwest Louisiana Republican voters. It’s a small sample size, but UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the almost two-to-one margin in favor of Abraham is a red flag to the Rispone campaign.
Cut 14 (10) “…problem.”

A state official says 2016 flood victims who were barred from RESTORE grants due to receiving SBA loans should get their checks in the next month or so. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that puts restrictions on food labeling, which means Louisiana companies can not label a food product as vegan bacon, cauliflower rice or market a sugar alternative as sugar. The restrictions will begin in October 2020 and Louisiana’s Agriculture Commissioner will enforce the law.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans have picked up the team option on head coach Alvin Gentry’s contract which would keep him with the New Orleans franchise through the 2020-21 season. Executive Vice President David Griffen is a big supporter of Gentry and Griffen was quick to back him at his introductory news conference in April.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says there have been discussions with All-pro wide receiver Michael Thomas about a contract extension. Loomis made the comments on Mad Dog Radio. The 26-year-old Thomas is entering the final year of his contract and last year he led the NFL with 125 catches.

LSU has received a verbal commitment from three-star John Ehret defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins. The six-foot-two, 285-pounder is the third defensive tackle that’s part of the 2020 recruiting class, joining Haynesville’s CamRon Jackson and Jordan Berry of Harbor City, California.

Arkansas is the first team to be eliminated from the College World Series as Texas Tech rallied from a three-run deficit to beat the Razorbacks five to four. Both of the Hogs losses in Omaha this year were by one run.

Florida State finally lost a game as Michigan blanked the Seminoles two to nothing. F-S-U was held to three hits.

Today, Auburn battles Louisville in an elimination game this afternoon and tonight it will be Mississippi State versus Vanderbilt in a winner’s bracket contest.

LSU baseball will play in the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic in Houston’s Minute Maid Park from February 28 to March 1st. Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and Baylor are the other teams who will participate.

Former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu hit a two-run homer as the Yankees blanked the Tampa Bay Rays three to nothing last night.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana is seeking federal assistance for the state’s fishing industry. Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Patrick Banks says mortality rates for oysters are high and fish catches are down because of fresh water entering Lake Ponchatrain and eventually the gulf because of the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway. Banks says the amount of federal aid needed is unclear and will remain so until the Bonnet Carre closes…
cut 12 (09) “…make that determination”
An Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson says it could be another month before the spillway is closed.

The ball is in the state’s court when it comes to getting Louisiana Restore Grant money to 2016 flood victims who were initially denied federal aid because they received an S-B-A loan. HUD has approved the guidelines and State Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says Louisiana has to write the final rules and get them approved…
cut 9 (09) “….very shortly”

Southwest Louisiana Republicans held a straw poll in the town of Iowa and Congressman Ralph Abraham is the preferred choice over fellow republican Eddie Rispone in the governor’s race….
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

4:45 LRN Sportscast June 17

The Pelicans have traded disgruntled all-star Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for young guns Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, along with the 4th pick in this year’s draft and two future 1st round selections.

So what’s next for New Orleans? Publisher of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says the Pels could trade away the fourth overall pick in this week’s draft in the hopes of getting a young veteran back in return. Or could they possibly trade Brandon Ingram or Lonzo Ball to another franchise….
cut 30 (11) “…Ingram”
After a break out season, there’s a chance power forward Julius Randle will not return to the Pelicans. He’s declined the player option on his contract, which makes him an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Randle averaged 21 points and shot 34-percent from three-point territory.

New ULM athletics director Scott McDonald is confident they can succeed, even though the school ranks last in the FBS in funding for its athletic programs. Brooke Thorington has more…
Voicer 5 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU star Austin Nola has finally made it to the big leagues after eight seasons in the minor leagues. Seattle called up the Baton Rouge native and he got a base hit in his at-bat as the Mariners defeated the As 6-3.

And LSU football has landed a verbal commitment from three-star defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins from John Ehret High School.

LRN PM Newscall June 17

Auto insurance rates for Progressive and LA Farm Bureau customers are going down later this summer. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A deadly dispute over a man between a woman and her ex’s new love interest results in a 23 year prison sentence. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (29) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau are dropping their auto insurance rates on the heels of the state’s largest insurer, State Farm, also lowering their rates.  Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the three insurers combined account for just over 50 percent of all Louisiana auto policies…

Cut 3 (08) “…point four”

State Farm owns a third of the state’s policies at a million drivers, Farm Bureau has 220,000 policies, and Progressive owns 175,000.

This comes after a failed attempt to pass legislation in the legislative session that proponents say would have spurred further rate decreases. Donelon says part of the reason for the cuts appears to be a lowered cost of business due to…

Cut 4 (11) “…peak”

The Insurance Commissioner says the rest of the decreases can be chalked up to aggressive moves by insurers to try to undercut the competition for new policies…

Cut 5 (10) “…writers.”

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Three people are dead after an alleged drunk driver slammed into a vehicle that broke down in the middle of the Westbank Expressway in Harvey last night. State Police trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were on the upper level of the overpass and standing near the broken-down car when the collision occurred.

Cut 6 (08) “feet drop”

One of the three victims, 49-year-old Claude Williams, was a pastor at Celebration Church. Williams was the driver of the stalled vehicle.

Dillon says they can’t be certain at this point, but it appears some of the victims were bystanders who had responded to the stalled vehicle and were attempting to help before they were killed.

Cut 7 (09) “…roadway.”

The broken-down vehicle was facing oncoming traffic.

Dillon says the deaths are a tragic reminder that if your vehicle begins to break down, do everything you can to get it out of lanes of traffic.

Cut 8 (11) “…travel.”

40-year-old Todd Williams of New Orleans was arrested and booked into prison on several counts, including Vehicular Homicide.

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A Houma woman will spend 23 years in prison for stabbing another woman to death in a dispute over a man. The homicide took place in July 2017 at Miranda Gilley’s apartment.  Terrebonne Parish Assistant DA Chris Erny says Gilley pulled out a tactical knife during a physical confrontation.

Cut 9 (08) “…couple of times”

Prosecutors say Gilley had invited the victim, 24-year-old Jessica McGehee, over to her apartment to fight. Gilley claimed she acted in self-defense.  Erny says the jury had several options on the charges, but ultimately decided to go with a lesser charge of manslaughter, which carries a maximum 40-year sentence.

Cut 10 (06) “…still a homicide.”

Erny says he was not surprised by the lack of the maximum sentencing, as they were aiming for 30 years.  The judge’s decision not to give Gilley the maximum sentence came as the result of the defendant’s youth and not having a criminal history.

Cut 11 (11) “…it, she didn’t.”

Gilley will be eligible for parole after 15 years.

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A 15-year-old is dead and two other minors are in critical condition after they were ejected from an SUV in a rollover crash south of Ponchatoula on I-55 last night. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says they suspect the driver, 38-year-old Viola Oliver II, was impaired as she attempted to exit at US 51 when the vehicle began to roll

Cut 12 (11)   “…fatal injuries.”

Oliver was trapped in the vehicle and had to be rescued by the Ponchatoula Fire Department.

None of the children involved appear to have been buckled up, and Dwight says it’s a good reminder that you can get into a lot of trouble for driving kids around who are not clicked in…

Cut 13 (07) “…restrained”  

Dwight says it’s a tragedy that could potentially have been avoided by strapping the kids in with a child safety seat. He adds state police will install them in your vehicle free of charge…

Cut 14 (08) “…correctly” 

15-year-old Solomon Short died from his injuries at a local hospital.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Auto insurance rates for Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau customers are going down later this summer. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards has requested a federal fisheries disaster declaration for Louisiana. Edwards says diverting Mississippi River water into Lake Ponchartrain has resulted in troubling mortality rates among oysters, declining fish catches and financial damage to the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry. The Bonnet Carre Spillway has been operated twice this year because of high levels on the Mississippi River.

A pastor was among the three pedestrians killed when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver on the Westbank Expressway in Jefferson Parish last night. State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were working on a stalled vehicle when they were hit and they flew off the elevated portion of the highway to their death…
cut 7 (09) “…roadway”
40-year-old Todd Williams of New Orleans is in jail and 49-year-old Claude Williams was a pastor at Celebration Church.

A 15-year-old is dead and two other minors are in critical condition after they were ejected from an SUV in a rollover crash south of Ponchatoula on Interstate 55 last night. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says they suspect the driver, 38-year-old Viola Oliver II, was impaired as she attempted to exit at US 51 when the vehicle began to roll…
Cut 12 (11) “…fatal injuries”