11:40 LRN Sportscast October 18

The Saints will face one of their former playmakers when they visit Baltimore on Sunday. Former Black and Gold wide out Willie Snead is now catching passes for the Ravens and he’s having a good season, with a team-leading 30 catches in six games. In four years in the Big Easy, Snead grabbed 149 passes. Coach Sean Payton is not surprised to see Snead producing in Baltimore
Cut 16 (16) “.really well”
Veteran Baltimore Quarterback Joe Flacco is also having a good season, averaging 298 passing yards a game.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says starting guard Garrett Brumfield is getting better, but he’s not healthy enough to play Saturday against Mississippi State. Also, Orgeron says tight end Thaddeus Moss will likely not play this season, because of a lingering injury.

LSU Athletics Director Joe Alleva says they are ready to work with the NCAA after basketball coach Will Wade’s name was linked to possible offers of improper benefits involving a high school prospect in Florida. Wade’s name surfaced during a college basketball corruption trial in federal court in New York, where attorneys tried to present evidence of a phone call between Wade and one of the defendants in the case, Christian Dawkins. Wade appeared on the Paul Finebaum show and said he’s never done any business of any kind with Christian Dawkins.

The Pelicans started off a new season last night with an impressive 131 to 112 win over the Houston Rockets. Anthony Davis nearly had a triple double, 32 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. Nikoa Mirotic drained six three-pointers and finished with 30 points. Elfrid Payton had a great debut with his new team, a triple-double, 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The other new Pelican, Julius Randle had 25 points and 8 rebounds. New Orleans home opener is tomorrow night against Sacramento.

10:30 LRN Newscast October 18

President Trump announces the U-S will withdraw from a Universal Postal Union, which allows countries like China to deliver small packages to the U-S at discounted rates. Matt Doyle has more.
cut 3 (24) “…Matt Doyle”
No word on how China will respond to this latest development.

Former Secretary of State Tom Schedler does not admit guilt in the legal settlement that ended a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by his former secretary. The woman will receive a 167-thousand dollar payment and the participants involved are prohibited from talking about the settlement.

A Houma man has been found not guilty by the reason of insanity for stabbing his mother to death in 2017. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Elfert say the judgement lined up with the defendant’s plea, after four mental health professionals concluded John Monteiro the third’s claim of insanity is legitimate…
cut 4 (08) “….agreed with that plea”
The 36-year-old man has been committed to a state mental facility.

The state has launched a public information campaign called vaccinate before you graduate and it’s designed to raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated in high school. Jeri Acosta is a spokesperson for the initiative. Her son was one of two who died during a 2006 meningitis outbreak on the UL Lafayette campus…
cut 8 (09) “…died within four”
Acosta says most parents think their children are protected, not realizing a second vaccine is needed to protect against Meningitis B.

9:30 LrN Newscast Oct 18

The state’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, announces plans to purchase the parent company of north Louisiana’s Vantage Health Plan. Once the transaction is finalized, Blue Cross and Vantage will retain their own corporate and product brands and over time it could lead to more jobs in Monroe. Vantage CEO Gary Jones hopes Vantage can expand into more markets outside of Louisiana.

President Trump plans to withdraw from a 144-year-old postal treaty that has allowed Chinese companies to ship small packages to the US at a significantly lower rate. US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says its another way to punish China for unfair trade practices…
cut 15 (11) “…the American public”
It’s unknown if China will retaliate if the United States pulls out of the treaty.

A Houma man has been committed to a state mental facility after he was found not guilty by reason of insanity in last year’s stabbing death of his mother. Assistant District Attorney in Terrebonne, Dennis Elfert, says four mental health professionals examined 36-year-old John Monteiro the Third and each came away with the same conclusion that he did not have the requisite intent in the murder and needs long-term treatment…
cut 6 (07) “…himself and others”
Monteiro was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 65-year-old Ellen Monteiro.

A vaccinate before you graduate public information campaign has been started to get the word out that high school students need to make sure they are properly vaccinated before they get their diploma. Jeri Acosta’s son died during a meningitis outbreak in 2006 and they learned he never received a second vaccine to protect against Meningitis B…
cut 9 (09) “….took his life”
For more information go to the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

8:30 LRN Newscast October 18

Louisiana Catholic Bishops are putting together a list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors and according to New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond their list will be revealed sooner than later. LSU Associate Professor of Religious Studies Michael Pasquier (Pass-Kay) says when the day comes, it’s possible the number of priests involved will be shocking.
cut 12 (11) “…many Catholics”

A Houma man has been committed to a mental health institute after he was found not guilty by the reason of insanity in the stabbing death of his mother last year. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Elfert says based on the findings from four different mental health professionals he could not prove 36-year-old John Monteiro’s guillt beyond a reasonable doubt…
cut 5 (07) “….requisite intent”
First Lady Donna Edwards along with state health leaders announced the launch of Vaccinate Before You Graduate, a public information campaign designed to raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated in high school. Jeri Acosta is a main spokesperson for the initiative, because her son was one of two people who died during a UL Lafayette Meningitis outbreak in 2006.
Cut 7 (08) “…within 21 hours.”
Acosta says parents should know a second vaccine is needed to protect against Meningitis B, which in the U.S. accounts for nearly 50-percent of all cases in individuals between 17 to 23 years of age.

A teacher at Benton Elementary school has been arrested on a video voyeurism charge. Deputies say the victim was a student and 47-year-old Aubrey Norcross of Bossier City has been booked into the Bossier Maximum Security Facility with a bond of 200-thousand dollars.

7:30 LRN Newscast

A Houma man accused of fatally stabbing his mother in Bayou Black last year has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A department of corrections spokesperson confirms Brandon Scott Lavergne attempted to escape from Angola this week, but didn’t get past his perimeter fence. Lavergne was found guilty in 2012 in the murders of Mickey Shunick of Lafayette and Lisa Pate of Youngsville.

Louisiana Catholic Bishops say they will reveal the names of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct in the near future. Nationwide the church has begun opening up about abuse scandals, scandals that recently rocked Dioceses in Pennsylvania, and LSU Associate Professor of Religious Studies Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says that’s leading to a deluge of revelations.
Cut 10 (09) “Parishioners“

The state has launched a public information campaign called vaccinate before you graduate and it’s designed to raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated in high school. Jeri Acosta is a spokesperson for the initiative. Her son was one of two who died during a 2006 meningitis outbreak on the UL Lafyaette campus…
cut 8 (09) “…died within four”
Acosta says most parents think their children are protected, not realizing a second vaccine is needed to protect against Meningitis B.

6:45 LRN Sportscast October 18

The Pelicans season is off to a great start as New Orleans went into Houston and diffused the Rockets 131-112. Anthony Davis nearly had his first career triple-double, 32-points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. Davis says they moved the basketball and made shots…
cut 30 (09) “….for ourself”
Former Ragin Cajun Elfrid Payton had a triple-double in his Pelicans debut, 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. New Orleans home opener is Friday against the Sacramento Kings.

LSU coach Will Wade says he’s never, ever conducted business with a defendant facing charges in a college basketball corruption trial. Two media outlets say defense attorneys tried to enter into evidence a taped conversation between Wade and would-be agent Christian Dawkins. In the FBI wire tap, Wade and Dawkins are talking about a 2019 recruit and the need for funding.

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was a full participant at practice yesterday, but remains concussion protocol. He suffered the concussion in the win over Washington. Ted Ginn Junior did not practice, because of a sore knee.

Coach Ed Orgeron says says tight end Thaddeus Moss is expected to miss the season with a lingering injury that has kept him off the field all season. Orgeron also says starting guard Garrett Brumfield is coming along, but not ready to play Saturday against Mississippi State.

After losing to UAB by three touchdowns, Louisiana Tech bounced back with a 31-3 over UTSA last Saturday. J’Mar Smith threw for 309 yards and completed passes to nine different receivers. Coach Skip Holtz on what they did differently…
Cut 19 (18) “..great job”

6:30 LRN Newscast October 18

Consumers could pay higher prices on goods shipped from China, if the United States goes through with President Trump’s decision to pull out of the Universal Postal Union. Congressman Ralph Abraham applauds the decision, because he says under the current 144-year-old treaty, China receives shipping subsidies usually reserved for poor nations, giving their businesses an unfair advantage.
Cut 13 (08) “…the playing field.”
Abraham says under the current agreement it’s cheaper to ship a package from China to the U.S. than across the street in Louisiana.

A Houma man has been found not guilty by the reason of insanity for stabbing his mother to death in 2017. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Elfert say the judgement lined up with the defendant’s plea, after four mental health professionals concluded John Monteiro the third’s claim of insanity is legitimate…
cut 4 (08) “….agreed with that plea”
The 36-year-old man has been committed to a state mental facility.

An LSU Professor warns that when the Catholic Church in Louisiana reveals information about clergy sexual abuse, the number of cases could be high.
Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Associated Press reports former Secretary of State Tom Schedler does not admit guilt in the legal settlement that ended a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by his former secretary.

2:30 LRN Newscast October 17

A Baton Rouge Congressman’s GoFundMe to cover LSU’s field rushing fine has raised over 15,000 dollars. Matt Doyle has more.
voicer 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards and other state leaders were in Shreveport today to cut the ribbon on the new I-49, I-220 interchange. DOTD’s Erin Buchanan says not only has the state opened a new interstate interchange, but I-220 has been re-constructed…
cut 4 (07) “….as well”

Thanks to new DNA evidence Baton Rouge Police say a Texas death row inmate is the one who killed 19-year-old Kassie Federer, an LSU student who was fatally shot in her apartment in 1999. Sergeant Don Coppola says this case is a testament to how dedicated investigators are to finding answers for the families of vicitms…
cut 7 (07) “…give closure”
49-year-old Travis Green is on death row in Texas for killing another 19-year-old woman in Houston. A motive on why he may have allegedly Federer is not known.

Louisiana has sent a three-person Human Services Branch team to Florida for a 15-day deployment as they will assist with mass care and help distribute donations to Hurricane Michael victims. Director of Emergency Preparedness for DCFS, Ricky Montet, (Mon-tay) on where they’ll be stationed…
cut 13 (08) “….emergency operations center”

11:30 LRN Newscast October 17

Those who suffer from migraines know how impactful they can be on a person’s daily life, but health professionals say there are three new drugs having great early results. LSU Health New Orleans Assistant professor of Clinical Neurology Amy Voight says the new medication lacks the side effects of previous migraine treatments…
cut 5 (09) “…fatigue”
Ask you doctor about the new migraine medication that’s available.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves has started a GoFundMe to help cover the 100,000 dollar fine the SEC slapped on LSU after fans stormed the field following the Tigers upset win over Georgia. The account has raised nearly 15,000 dollars to date. Graves on why he did it…
Cut 9 (07) “…was wrong”
Graves says it was less safe to force people to stay in the stands comapred to letting them take the field.

A week ago today, Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Florida Panhandle and United Cajun Navy Founder Todd Terrell says the devastation is unprecedented…
Voicer2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle.”

Louisiana bishops are preparing to release the names of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond says they are reviewing files that date back 50 years to make sure the list is accurate and complete. He says it will be published sooner rather than later.

11:40 LRN Sportscast Oct 17

The video of LSU defensive end Breiden Fehoko and his dad performing a haka dance prior to the Tigers win over Georgia on Saturday has gone viral and it’s hard not to get fired up after watching it. The Hawaii native talked about the ritual’s origins with the media this week…
Cut 18 (15) “…to go”
We’ll see if Fehoko does the dance again this week after he comes down victory hill prior to Saturday night’s Mississippi State game.

The Saints are in Baltimore on Sunday to face the Ravens. Baltimore ranks number one in the NFL in total defense,. allowing 271 yards a game. They also lead the league in sacks as they have 26 of them. Linebacker Za’Darius Smith leads the way with 5.5 sacks.

The NBA season tips off tonight for the Pelicans in Houston as they will face the Rockets. Houston finished the regular season last year with the best record, winning 65 games. Coach Alvin Gentry likes the idea of beginning the season against the one of the NBA’s best teams…
cut 17 (11) “….also”
Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle will make their regular season Pelicans debut tonight. Payton replaces Rajon Rondo, while Randle will come off the bench, but he’s still expected to log huge minutes.

The preseason SEC men’s basketball media poll came out today and the LSU Tigers are expected to finish fifth.

Meanwhile, Will Wade’s name came up during testimony in a New York federal courtroom, where a college basketball corruption trial is taking place.