7:30 LrN Newscast August 3rd

At 10:00 this morning, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will unveil the contents of a time capsule recently found in New Orleans by workers who removed a pedestel where the statue of Confederate General P-G-T Beauregard once stood. Based on an article published in the Times-Picayune in 1913, the box contains Confederate and US flags and photos of Confederate leaders.

The US Department of Defense has issued a $10 million award to the LSU’s Stephenson Technologies Corporation to help protect small businesses from cyberattacks…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Ville Platte man has been accused of shooting a whooping crane last month in Evangeline Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 52-year-old Gilvin Aucoin violated the Endangered Species Act…
cut 9 (08) “….being tracked”
Aucoin faces up to a 50-thousand dollar fine and one year in jail.

The 2018 LSU football season gets underway for the Tigers today, who report for fall camp. LSU fans are anxious to see if Joe Burrow is the Tigers answer at quarterback. Coach Ed Orgeron says the Ohio State grad transfer can do a lot of different things…
cut 14 (13) “…see it”
LSU is ranked 24th in the coaches preseason poll.

6:45 LRN Sportscast August 3rd

LSU football reports for camp today and expectations are lower than normal. The Tigers are picked finish 5th in the SEC West and ranked 24th in the preseason coaches poll. Not everyone is sold on new offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, but Coach Ed Orgeron says LSU’s offense set several records when Ensminger called plays in 2016
Cut 13 (10) “110-percent”
It’s unknown publicly who will wear number 18 this season for LSU, but that is expected to be announced after the players report.

The Saints have been practicing in the south Louisiana heat for over a weak now, but this year the team has a refrigerated shipping container from Opelousas that’s 25 degrees inside…
cut 30 (11) of it”
The Saints are back on the practice field this morning for a workout closed to the public.

The Billy Napier era begins in Lafayette today as the Cajuns hold their first training camp practice. Napier on what he wants to accomplish before the season opener against Grambling on September 1st…
cut 29 (23) “…situation experts”
35-percent of the roster is new players, so Napier and his coaching staff have their work cut out for them.

Former LSU Tiger Eric Reid is expected to work out for the Tennessee Titans today. The 26-year-old is looking for a job after the 49ers decided against re-signing him. Reid claims NFL teams are staying away from him, because of his national anthem protests. Former Saint Kenny Vaccaro will also visit the Titans.

6:30 LRN Newscast August 3rd

As a result of a new law that went into effect this month, it’s now legal for a person to smash a car window to rescue a pet or child they see in a parked vehicle with the windows rolled up. Louisiana SPCA spokesperson Alicia Haefele….
cut 11 (08) “….already unclocked”
Haefele says the law does not state that it has to be a hot or cold day to take action.

LSU’s Stephenson Technologies Corporation has received a 10-million dollar federal grant to establish a Small Business Cyber Security Center, which will help small businesses in Louisiana protect and defend themselves against a cyber attack. S-T-C’s President and CEO Jeff Moulton…
cut 5 (08) “…security front”
Moulton says they will provide small businesses with user-friendly tools to educate and minimize risk.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has cited a Ville Platte man for shooting a whooping crane on July 25th. The wounded crane was found near a crawfish pond in Evangeline Parish. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says whooping cranes have distinctive markings and stand up to five feet tall, so there’s no good excuse for shooting this animal that’s an endangered species…
cut 8 (10) “…summer in Louisiana”
52-year-old Gilvin Aucoin faces a fine of up to 50-thousand dollars and one year in jail.

The US Attorney’s office has charged a New York man for allegedly leaving threatening voicemails for Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise and Washington Congressman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Scalise’s office says they don’t know why 63-year-old Carlos Bayon threatened the Republican from Jefferson Parish.

4:45 LRN Sportscast August 2nd

LSU barely made the preseason Amway Coaches Poll as the Tigers come in at number 24. There’s a lot of question marks with this team, especially on offense. It’s unclear who will start at quarterback, there’s several unproven, young wide receivers and none of the running backs on this roster have scored a touchdown. But Coach Ed Orgeron likes the talent he has in the back field…
cut 30 (26) “…running style”
LSU reports for fall camp tomorrow and the first practice is Saturday.

Elsewhere…former LSU wide receiver Travin Dural has been placed on injured reserve by the Saints with a broken arm, so he’ll miss the season and another former Tiger, Brandon LaFell has been released by the Bengals.

Louisiana Tech begins fall camp tomorrow. J’Mar Smith returns as the Bulldogs starting quarterback after starting 13 games last season throwing 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says Smith had his share of experiences last year and that should make him better in 2018….
cut 17 (16) “…success”
Erik Link has been named the Bulldogs special teams coordinator. He has over 15 years of coaching experience on the high school and college football level. He’s been at Auburn and Iowa State.

9:30 LRN Newscast August 2nd

Attorney Don Cazayoux wants answers for his teenage client, who he says was shot in the back during a traffic stop in Baton Rouge on July 10th. The State Police trooper that fired her gun, says the 19-year-old passenger in the vehicle was charging at her. But Cazayoux says based on the injuries to his client that can’t be the case…
cut 5 (08) “…to a young man’
Cazayoux says his client can’t walk at the moment and State Police says the investigation into the shooting continues.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry told the USA Today Network that if he gets in the governor’s race next year, he’ll beat Democratic incumbent John Bel Edwards. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it remains to be seen if other Republicans like John Kennedy and Ralph Abraham also get in the race…
cut 15 (12) “…to run”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved Entergy’s request to remove the surcharges on customers’ bills that paid the repair costs from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Entergy spokesperson Lee Sabatini says customers in Customers in North and Southeast Louisiana will see their bills drop by a few dollars…
Cut 7 (12) “…your bill”
The surcharges have been on customers’ bills since 2008.

For the first time in years, the 100-thousand Louisianans who have coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s individual markets will see an average rate decrease of six-percent in 2019. Blue Cross Louisiana Spokesperson Robin Mayhall says after several years of rate hikes related to regulatory uncertainty surrounding the program, things have started to level out.
Cut 10 (10) “to predict.”

8:30 LRN Newscast August 2nd

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry says there’s no doubt that if he runs for governor next year, he’ll beat John Bel Edwards, and you can tell him that. That’s from an interview with USA Today Network’s Greg Hilburn, where the AG said he’s receiving a lot of encouragment to run for governor in 2019. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there’s nothing subtle about Landry’s statements.
Cut 13 (10) “be me.”
Republican US Senator John Kennedy and GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham have also talked about running for governor, but no official announcements from them.

Governor Edwards’ chief of staff, Richard Carbo, says Edwards is focused on doing his job and more people are working in Lousiaina than ever before, the state’s economy is growing and Medicaid expansion is saving lives and creating jobs.

Entergy says they are done paying off the debt from the repairs that were needed after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Connor Ferrill has the story…
Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Connor Ferrill”

Attorney Don Cazayoux says he wants answers on why his client was shot during a traffic stop in Baton Rouge on July 10th. The State Trooper who shot the 19-year-old claims the young man was charging her, but Cazayoux says how can that be when his client was shot in the back and now faces a long recovery….
cut 6 (08) “…hopefully he’ll recover”
State Police say the shooting remains under investigation.

7:30 LRN Newscast August 2nd

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry told the USA Today Network that if he ran for governor next year, he’ll beat John Bel Edwards. Landry he’s seriously considering a campaign. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Landry would be a serious challenger…
cut 14 (08) “…Boustany”
Landry and former 3rd district Congressman Charles Boustany had a spirited race in 2012.

Louisiana residents who have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will see a premium drop from four to 15-percent next year. The over 100-thousand Louisianans who have coverage through Obamacare have seen rate hikes for years, but Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana spokesperson Robin Mayhall says the market is stabilizing…
cut 12 (11) “….in rates”

The attorney for a 19 year old shot by a state trooper last month in Baton Rouge, questions why his client was shot in the back when the officer claimed she was being rushed following a traffic stop. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
voicer 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart

New Orleans Police say a man is in custody following a fatal shooting in the French Quarter early this morning. Authorities say a male victim died at a local hospital after he was shot at the intersection of Bienville and Decatur streets. No other details are known.

06:45 LRN Sportscast August 2nd

LSU players report for fall camp tomorrow and Head Coach Ed Orgeron told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday he can’t wait to see the team’s young wide receivers. Orgeron says he’s heard a lot of good things from his quarterbacks about the guys who will be catching passes this season…
cut 30 (28) “…caught balls”
As far as quarterback goes, Ed Orgeron says he doesn’t want to play multiple quarterbacks during the games. Joe Burrow, Myles Brennan, Justin McMillan and Lowell Narcisse will battle for the starting spot when fall practice begins Saturday.

It’s reporting day for the Louisiana Tech football program as the Bulldogs have finished the last four years winning a bowl game. Tech is coming off a 7-6 season that featured close losses to North Texas, Southern Miss, UAB and South Carolina. Bulldogs Head Coach Skip Holtz says they could have had a better season last year, if they just made a few more plays…
cut 16 (09) “…we want more”
J’Mar Smith returns as the Bulldogs starting quarterback after starting 13 games last season and throwing 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.

At Saints camp, for the first time in three seasons offensive tackle Terron Armstead has been able to practice at the start of training camp. Armstead has battled hip, chest and knee injuries over the last few years and Coach Sean Payton likes how the veteran is moving around…
cut 29 (8) “…he’s doing well”
Payton says wide receiver Travin Dural has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season. He broke his arm on Sunday during practice and needed surgery.

6:30 LRN Newscast August 2nd

Did Attorney General Jeff Landry jump into the 2019 Governor’s race???
voicer 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

And after years of increases, health insurance premiums purchased through the Affordable Care Act, will drop by an average of six-percent in 2019. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Louisiana spokesperson Robin Mayhall…
cut 11 (12) “…affordability”

The attorney for a 19-year-old shot by a state trooper says he’s got questions as to why his client was shot in the back when the officer claimed she was being rushed by his client following a traffic stop in Baton Rouge last month. The lawyer, Don Cazayoux, didn’t identify his client, who was a passenger, but says something just doesn’t add up about Trooper Kasha Domingue’s account of the incident.
Cut 4 (08) “…just don’t work.”
The shooting happened in the early morning hours of July 10th. State Police declined to comment on Cazayoux’s comments and Trooper Domingue is on desk duty during the investigation.

16:45 LRN Sportscast August 1

Four-star wide receiver Trey Palmer from Kentwood High School announced his commitment to LSU today. Shea Dixon with 24-7 sports says Palmer’s decision could cause a domino effect for other high profile recruits…
cut 11 (12) “…for them”
Palmer is rated as the number one receiver in the Class of 2019.

The Saints practiced indoors today, due to field conditions outside. It was another excellent day for the Black and Gold defense, which did a good job of putting pressure on the quarterbacks. There were two new wide receivers on the field as veterans Michael Floyd and Brandon Tate have joined the team. Tate has experience returning kicks.

The big story in college football today is that a report has come out providing evidence that Urban Meyer’s wife knew about allegations that former Buckeyes assistant coach Zach Smith was abusing his wife. Coach Meyer said last week he knew nothing about it.

Today is the first day of practice for the ULM Warhawks who return nine starters on offense including preseason All-Sun Belt selection Marcus Green. Head Coach Matt Viator says they need to make sure Green gets plenty of touches this season…
cut 20 (18) “…different positions”

And LSU football coach Ed Orgeron spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club today and one of the individuals in attendance claimed he was a student at Miami and asked Coach O how the Tigers plan to beat an amazing opponent like the Hurricanes in the season opener. Here’s Coach O’s response…
cut 30 (15) “…(laughing)
The Tigers report on Friday.