7:30 LRN Newscast

Most of Louisiana is under an enhanced threat for severe weather today. The thunderstorms should arrive after trick or treating for most of the state…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

It’s illegal for a registered sex offender to participate in Halloween trick-or-treat activities. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says check L-S-P’s website to find where registered sex offenders live…
cut 9 (06) “…neighbor’s house”
And motorists need to be on the look out for trick or trearters on their ride home today.

A former state representative from North Dakota has died from a bacterial infection after eating raw oysters at a New Orleans restaurant. That’s according to the Bismark Tribune. 58-year-old Rae Anne Kelsh died at New Orleans hospital after serving 22 years in the North Dakota House. Health officials say eating raw or undercooked oysters can cause serious illness or even death.

The point spread is growing for Saturday’s SEC showdown between LSU and Alabama. It’s up to 15 points at some betting sites. Former LSU quarterback Herb Tyler says the underdog role is not the main motivation for the players…
cut 8 (12) “…a W”
In the first college football playoff rankings of the year, Alabama is ranked number one, Clemson two and then LSU is third, ahead of undefeated Notre Dame.

6:45 LRN Sportscast October 31

The first college playoff rankings of the year were released last night and the one-loss LSU Tigers are ranked third, ahead of undefeated Notre Dame. Alabama is number one and Clemson is two.

A wild atmosphere is expected when number one ranked Alabama faces third ranked LSU on Saturday. It will be a new experience for sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but Coach Nick Saban is optimistic he can handle it…
cut 18 (14) “….to play”
The only time LSU defeated a number one ranked team in Tiger Stadium was in 1997, when the Tigers toppled the Florida Gators. Herb Tyler was LSU’s quarterback that day and likes LSU’s chances to win…
cut 7 (11) “…gunna like”

The Saints will welcome the undefeated Los Angeles Rams to the Mercedes Benz Superdome on Sunday afternoon at 3:25. The Rams have the NFL’s leading rusher in Todd Gurley, their defense ranks eighth in yards allowed and they are led by Sean McVay. Saints Coach Sean Payton on the 32-year-old head coach….
cut 20 (18) “…new thoughts”
The Rams made a trade yesterday before the NFL trade deadline as they acquired pass rusher Dante Fowler from Jacksonville.

Hahnville High School quarterback Andrew Robison won his arbitration hearing and he’s eligible to play Friday for the first time this season in the regular season finale against H-L Bourgeois. Back in August, the LHSAA ruled Robison ineligible for the year because they claimed he was illegally recruited from Vandebilt Catholic.

6:30 LRN Newscast October 31

The potential exists especially for northwest Louisiana we’ll see rain and possibly severe thunderstorms during trick or treat times. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is responsible for this wicked weather…
cut 4 (12) “….across northern parishes”
The possibility of severe weather in south Louisiana will take place late tonight and during the overnight hours.

State Police has tips to make sure Halloween is both fun and safe…
voicer 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A DeRidder man allegedly rammed his car into his ex-wife’s house and then tried to kill her and the other occupants by dousing the vehicle in gasoline before running off. Deputy Chief Chris Rudy says the incident started Monday as 49-year-old Ricky Calloway got into a confrontation at the ex’s house.
Cut 13 (11) “…by the house”
Calloway is wanted for attempted first-degree murder. No one was hurt in the incident.

16:45 LRN Sportscast October 30

LSU has lost seven straight to Alabama. In each of those game, Alabama’s quarterback has outplayed the Tigers signal caller. Coach Ed Orgeron says Quarterback Joe Burrow goes into Saturday night’s Top 5 match-up a confident player…
Cut 17 (20) “not panic”
Burrow says he’s honored to have the opportunity to beat top ranked Alabama in Tiger Stadium and he’s taking it seriously..
cut 30 (16) “…this year”

At two o’ clock on Saturday, ULM will hsot 7-and-1 Georgia Southern. The Eagles run the option, averaging 276 yards on the ground. Coach Matt Viator is hoping for a big and loud crowd at Malone Stadium to watch his team take on the best team in the Sun Belt…
Cut 19 (24) “.for sure”

Meanwhile, McNeese Coach Lance Guidry is not happy only 11-thousand fans were in attendance for last Saturday’s win over McNeese…
cut 29 (10) “…what’s the problem”
The Cowboys are at Southeastern Louisiana this Saturday.

15:30 LRN Newscast October 30

A report from the transportation group TRIP finds that 14-percent of Louisiana bridges are structurally deficient, which means they are need of repair or could possibly be replaced. Spokesperson Rocky Moretti says bad bridges are not just found in rural areas…
cut 8 (10) “…vehicles a day”
State transportation secretary Shawn Wilson says bridges that are classified as deficient are safe to drive on. But the state department of transportation has shutdown over 150 bridges in the last two years, because they were no longer deemed safe.

State Police are looking for a heavily-tattooed while male who fired shows at a law enforcement officer last night around 6 PM on Highway 16 near Juban Road. No injuries were reported. The suspect was last seen traveling soutbound on Juban Road.

Today is the last day to Early Vote. The polls close at 6 PM.

The United Cajun Navy offers to stand lookout outside of south Louisiana Synagogues in response to this past weekend’s mass shooting in Pittsburgh.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A Moss Bluff woman is facing additional charges after Calcasieu Parish Deputies allegedly caught her driving with a dead woman in her trunk. 24-year-old Sarah Parker is now facing two counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles in the commission of a felony. Authorities say Parker is the girlfriend of a Fort Polk soldier who allegedly killed his wife and put the body in the trunk. Parker’s two children were in the car.

1:30 LRN Newscast October 30

A new report shows 14 percent of bridges in Louisiana are structurally deficient, with a need for rehabilitation or possibly even replacement. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Billboards apparently paid for by Alabama fans have popped up in Baton Rouge encouraging Louisiana residents to donate 50-dollars to the Red Cross for Hurricane Michael relief efforts, because the Crimson Tide will drop 50 points on LSU on Saturday night.

Authorities say three people have been arrested in the largest Methamphetamine bust in Lafayette Parish’s history. Sheriff’s office spokesperson John Mowell says a search of a home in Lafayette and a business in Scott uncovered nearly 12 pounds of meth, worth just over one-million dollars…
cut 13 (11) “…narcotics”
Mowell says marijuana, oxycodone and other drugs were discovered at the two locations.

State Police have arrested a LaPlace man for a fatal hit and run of a pedestrian that took place over a week ago along L-A 628 in St. John the Baptist Parish. Trooper Melissa Matey says tips from citizens led them to 28-year-old Charles Combetta…
cut 11 (09) “….of cases”
The victim has been identified as 55-year-old Danny Simoneaux of LaPlace.

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 30

LSU is a 14 point underdog against top ranked Bama this Saturday, the largest point spread at home in 20 years. Matt Doyle spoke with a Baton Rouge sports talk show host who is a betting odds expert…
Voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Looking at the other betting odds for this weekend. Louisiana Tech is a three touchdown underdog to Mississippi State. ULM is about a touchdown underdog to Georgia Southern. The Cajuns are a 10-point underdog to Troy.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagvailoa has been playing at a different level this season and is a front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy. Coach Ed Orgeron says it will take a team effort to slow Tua down and it starts with the defensive line playing great technique…
Cut 18 (18) “…them down yet”
The Crimson Tide leads the NCAA in scoring, averaging 54 points a game.

Anthony Davis and Elfrid Payton didn’t play last night and the Pelicans lost their second straight as they fell to Denver 116 to 111. Julius Randle had 24 points and Nikola Mirotic had a double-double, 17 points and 10 rebounds. A-D has missed two games because of a sprained elbow and the Pels visit the defending NBA champs, the Golden State Warriors.

9:30 LRN Newscast October 30

State Treasurer John Schroder says 85-thousand Louisiana citizens will get a check of up to $1,500 for unclaimed property that’s been held by the state. Schroder says legislation approved this year allows his office to work with the Department of Revenue so they can get correct addresses to return money in their unclaimed property account…
Cut 10 (11) “…doing more“
If you are owed more than 1,500 dollars, additional verification will be needed before the state will mail money that may belong to you.

US Senator Bill Cassidy is hosting a mental health summit in Baton Rouge today. Cassidy says federal, state and local leaders are discussing proven methods to improve mental health care…
cut 6 (12) “…state government”
Cassidy authored the Mental Health Reform Act approved in 2016.

Even though Alabama has yet to be tested this season, by a Top 10 opponent, the top ranked Crimson Tide are listed as a two touchdown favorite to beat the Tigers on Saturday night. Baton Rouge sports talk show host Jimmy Ott says if you like putting money games, he’d stay away from this one, because we really don’t know who good Alabama is…
cut 14 (07) “…as well”
Billboards are popping up in Baton Rouge paid for by Alabama fans encouraging LSU fans to donate 50-dollars to Hurricane Michael relief efforts, because the Crimson Tide will drop 50 points on LSU.

Groundbreaking is today on a new $200 million power plant in Washington Parish. Louisiana PSC Chairman Eric Skrmetta says between a growing population and energy needs, as well as other facilities needing an overhaul, the project is a necessity.
Cut 7 (09) “…70 years old.”

8:30 LRN Newscast October 30

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy hosts the Louisiana Mental Health Summit today…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Connor Ferrill.”

Early Voting ends tonight at 6 PM. You can cast a ballot for the November sixth election at your local parish Registrar of Voters Office.

A cold front is expected to bring stormy weather to Louisiana on Halloween and into Thursday morning. A squall line could impact north Louisiana during trick or treat times.

Groundbreaking takes place today on a new 361-megawatt power plant near Bogalusa in Washington Parish. Calpine Corporation will build the natural gas-fired peaking unit. Once constructed, Entergy plans to purchase the facility. Louisiana Public Service Commission Chairman Eric Skrmetta says the plant is about three times the size of the one currently being discussed for New Orleans East….
cut 9 (09) “…the north shore”
The plant is expected to be operational in three years.

Alabama is about a two touchdown favorite to beat LSU on Saturday night. It’s the largest point differential the Tigers have ever faced in 20 years when listed as the underdog in Death Valley. Baton Rouge sports talk show host, Jimmy Ott, says LSU linebacker Devin White’s first half suspension has impacted the betting line…
cut 15 (08) “…one point”
Kick off is at 7:05.

7:30 LRN Newscast October 30

Leaders on the topic of mental health gather today at LSU’s Pennington Research Center for a summit organized by Senator Bill Cassidy. Cassidy will moderate a session that features a deputy director from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration…
cut 5 (11) “…law enforcement”
Cassidy says they will discuss how to make sure middle class Americans are receiving the mental health care they need.

Groundbreaking takes place today in Bogalusa where Calpine Corporation will build a new 261-million dollar dollar power plant. Louisiana Public Service Commission Chairman Eric Skrmetta …
cut 8 (09) “…the aging fleet”
Entergy will purchase the plant once its constructed and the utility company says this natural gas-fired plant will help meet energy needs of customers.

LSU is a 14 point underdog against top ranked Bama this Saturday, the largest point spread at home in 20 years. Matt Doyle spoke with a Baton Rouge sports talk show host who is a betting odds expert…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle..”

A state appeals court has thrown out a lawsuit filed by a Saints ticket holder who was seeking a refund because of national anthem protests performed by the players. Lee Dragna of Morgan City said he would not have bought his tickets, if he knew players would not stand for the national anthem. He says it created emotional distress. But the appeals court says there was no cause of action on any aspect of Dragna’s claims.