7:30 LRN Newscast September 5

Louisiana did not see any major impacts as Tropical Storm Gordon made landfall last night near the Alabama-Mississippi line. Gordon has weakened to a depression and it will move towards the northwest, bringing the potential for flash flooding to northeast Louisiana. Wind gusts up to 30 to 40 miles per hour will be possible as well.

LSU Health New Orleans has some promising news for those who suffer from chronic knee pain. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh will receive a full day of questioning today from senators on the Senate Judiciay Committee. Louisiana Republican John Kennedy serves on that panel and during his opening statement, Kennedy said he wants a judge, not a politician…
cut 8 (09) “…ought to be”
Kennedy is expected to vote for Kavanaugh’s confirmation, while Democrats oppose the life long appointment.

12 years after his disappearance, the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office is still seeking the public’s help in finding Clint Nelson, who was last seen leaving a party in Princeton on September 1, 2006. Lt. Bill Davis says Nelson’s mother has worked with investigators as they try to find closure in this case…
cut 14 (10) “….what we can”
Sheriff Julian Washington believes someone has information that will help bring the family closure.

6:45 LRN Sportscast September 5

11th ranked LSU will play the rest of the season without its top pass rusher as Coach Ed Orgeron says K’Lavon Chaisson suffered a knee injury in the win over the Miami Hurricanes
Cut 16 (20) “. that position”
Chaisson plays the “Buck” position in Dave Aranda’s defense. Sophomore Andre Anthony replaced Chaisson after he suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game.

The Saints are back at practice today getting ready for Sunday’s season opener against the Buccaneers. No Jameis Winston for Tampa Bay, he’s been suspended for the first three games, so 14-year veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick is set to start.

After beating South Alabama in Mobile, Louisiana Tech hosts Southern in the home opener this Saturday. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz likes playing in state schools
Cut 19 (18) “ we maket”
Holtz feels good about his run game after watching Jaqwis Dancy rush for 144 yards and two touchdowns last week against South Alabama.

The Pelicans have signed free agent guard Darius Morris. He most recently played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League and averaged 19 points and eight assists a game. He was drafted in the second by the Lakers in 2011.

The Astros beat the Twins five to two last night. Alex Bregman had three doubles and drove in two runs as Justin Verlander won his 14th game.

6:30 LRN Newscast September 5

Louisiana US Senator John Kennedy spoke on the first day of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Kennedy says he’s looking for a strict originalist interpreter of the constitution, but in due time the judge’s record will be scrutinized…
cut 9 (11) “….have discretion”
Democrats on the panel tried to do several different parliamentary maneuvers to either end or delay the hearing, plus there were protesters interrupting the proceedings.

Tropical Storm Gordon moved inland last night and the center of the storm is now near Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Gordon is expected to turn to the northwest, which has prompted a flash flood watch that’s in effect for northeast Louisiana…
cut 10 (07) “…see rainfall increase”
That’s National Weather Service Meteorologist Eric Carptener.

LSU Health New Orleans is joining an international study that’s showing positive results in the search for alternatives to knee replacement for those who suffer chronic pain. They’re the first US based organization to join the study. Associate Professor Vinod Dasa says the CartiHeal system cores out the arthritic regions of the knee, and then begins the process of regrowth.
Cut 4 (10) “…cartilage”
But it’s early on in the process, so the treatment is not yet approved for the full general public.

Bad news for 11th ranked LSU, as edge pass rusher K’Lavaon Chaisson is out for the year with a knee injury.

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 4

Bad news for the LSU Tigers as Coach Ed Orgeron announced today that edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in the season opening win over Miami. Chaisson is the team’s best pass rusher and needed assistance to get off the field in the fourth quarter on Sunday.

LSU certainly gained some respect with their 16 point win over previously eighth ranked Miami. In the AP poll, the Tigers moved up 14 spots to number 25. Quarterback Joe Burrow says projections of a 6-6 or five win season fueled the team in fall camp….
cut 18 (13) “…to it tonight”
LSU now prepares for the home opener on Saturday against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions.

The Saints season opener is Sunday against Tampa Bay. Nine months after tearing his Achilles tendon, defensive end Alex Okafor says hes’ ready for the season and believes his tendon is stronger than last year.

ULM Chief Administrative officer Scott McDonald has been named interim Athletics Director for ULM. McDonald is a former outfielder at the school and has spent 33 years in the financial services industry.

Louisiana Tech defensive back James Jackson has been named Conference USA defensive player of the week. Jackson had six tackles, half a sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in the Bulldogs road win over South Alabama. The Bulldogs host Southern this Saturday.

After its big win over Kansas on Saturday, Nicholls State has moved to 10th in the F-C-S Coaches Poll. McNeese also moved up a few spots after beating Northern Colorado. The Cowboys are ranked 14th. The Colonels are at Tulane this Saturday. McNeese is at Houston Baptist.

3:30 LRN Newscast September 4

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking residents in southeast Louisiana not to take Tropical Storm Gordon lightly, even though forecast models predict a landfall in Mississippi later tonight. Edwards says there is still a chance for some nasty weather in the Bayou State…
Cut 9 (12) “…four feet”
St. Tammany and Washing parishes are in the cone of uncertainty as Gordon moves closer to the northern Gulf Coast. St. Tammany President Pat Brister says 40-thousand sandbags were distributed yesterday as there’s the potential they could see up to four inches of rain
Cut 3 (06) “…bit of water.”
The National Hurricane Center says 4 to 8 inches is possible in northeast Louisiana when Gordon reaches the Mississippi Delta as a tropical depression tomorrow.

A contractor accused of ripping off customers in five parishes after the 2016 flood has received a four-year prison sentence and forced to repay 84-thousand dollars to at least nine Livingston Parish victims. 41-year-old Matthew Morris was indicted on 51 counts, but ended up pleading guilty to only one. Morris is still facing charges in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, St. John the Baptist, and Terrebonne, but Legal Analyst Tim Meche says there’s a likely reason why the first cases were tried in Livingston.
Cut 14 (08) “…at that”
Authorities say Morris would defraud victims and then place liens on their homes.

And LSU football coach Ed Orgeron announced today that edge rusher K’Lavon Chaission will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury…
cut 30 (10) “…great career”
Chaission is the Tigers best pass rusher.

2:30 LRN Newscast September 4

Tropical Storm Gordon is eyeing a Mississippi coast landfall, sparing much of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Edwards says Gordon could deliver strong winds and heavy rain to St. Bernard, Plaquemines, St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. He says heavy rainfall in northeast Louisiana tomorrow is also possible…
cut 10 (09) “…too late”

A contractor who has been accused of defrauding dozens of August 2016 flood victims in south Louisiana has been sentenced to four years in prison after he entered a guilty plea in a Livingston Parish courtroom. Matthew Morris plead guilty to one felony count of filing or maintaining false public records. He’s also been required to pay a total of over 84-thousand in restitution to victims….
cut 13 (07) “…make payment”
That’s legal analyst Tim Meche. Morris faces similar charges in four other parishes.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron announced today that edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson will miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee in the season opening win over Miami. Chaisson is the Tigers best pass rusher.

Bossier Parish deputies say they are looking for a man who made a clean getaway from Fred’s Store in Haughton. Surveillance video caught the suspect walking out of the store with five jugs of liquid detergent and two packages of toilet paper in a shopping cart without paying for the items.

LRN PM Newscall September 4

Tropical Storm Gordon is eyeing a Mississippi coast landfall, while much of Louisiana could only see minimal effects. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

_____________________________________________

A contractor indicted on 51 criminal counts in Livingston Parish for defrauding his customers following the 2016 flood has plead guilty. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

1:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking Louisiana residents not to take Tropical Storm Gordon lightly, even though forecasters predict a landfall on the Mississippi coast. Edwards says Gordon still has the possibility of delivering strong winds and heavy rains to parts of southeast Louisiana. 350 members of the Louisiana National Guard have been activated and General Glenn Curtis says they can assist with high water rescues…
cut 11 (12) “…in Hammond”
St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister has been in contact with weather officials and what the storm’s impact may have on them….
cut 4 (10) “…every call”
Gordon’s maximum sustained winds are at 65 miles per hour.

Pineville Police Chief Don Weatherford says he’s disappointed with Sergeant Edric Smith who was arrested on a battery charge for an incident that happened during a youth softball game on the University of Louisiana at Monroe campus. Smith allegedly attacked an umpire, punching the official three times in the face. The 45-year-old sergeant was released on a one-thousand dollar bond.

A contractor indicted on 51 criminal counts in Livingston Parish for defrauding his customers following the 2016 flood has plead guilty. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

11:40 LRN Sportscast September 4

In his first start as LSU’s quarterback, Joe Burrow did not turn the ball over and managed the offense well in the Tigers 33-17 win over Miami. The Ohio State transfer spoke with the media for the first time since arriving on the LSU campus….
cut 17 (12) “…better at”
LSU entered Sunday’s game ranked 25th and should be ranked higher when the new polls are released today.

Louisiana Tech beat South Alabama 30-26 on Saturday, despite three interceptions thrown by Bulldogs Quarterback J’Mar Smith. Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz on a Shreveport radio station says Smith remains the guy to grow and develop and says two of the interceptions could be blamed on the receivers. Tech hosts Southern this Saturday. The Jaguars were blown out by 16th ranked TCU in their season opener.

After its big win over Kansas on Saturday, Nicholls State has moved to 10th in the F-C-S Coaches Poll. McNeese also moved up a few spots after beating Northern Colorado. The Cowboys are ranked 14th. The Colonels are at Tulane this Saturday. McNeese is at Houston Baptist.

The Saints have released veteran linebacker Nate Stupar, even though he had a productive preseason camp coming off a torn ACL last year. New Orleans needed to let Stupar go so they can sign former Patriots running back Mike Gillislee.

The Pelicans have signed restricted free agent guard Tyrone Wallace to an offer sheet. Wallace averaged nearly 10 points and 4 rebounds and two assists in 30 games with the Clippers last season. Los Angeles has a couple days to match the offer.

Alex Bregman hit his 28th home run yesterday as the Astros beat the Twins four to one. Houston continues to lead Oakland by 2.5 for first place in the A-L West.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards is holding a meeting with his Unified Command Group as Tropical Storm Gordon bears down on the northern Gulf coast. The National Hurricane Center says Gordon will likely make landfall late tonight on the Mississippi coast as a category one hurricane. Danielle Manning is with the National Weather Service in Slidell…
cut 7 (07) “…radar data”
St. Tammany is among the parishes in southeast Louisiana that could see some impact from Gordon. St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister says they have been preparing for Gordon for most of the weekend and the public should do its part…
cut 5 (12) “….unaffected”
The official forecast track has Gordon reaching northeast Louisiana as a tropical depression tomorrow.

A contractor accused of ripping off customers across five parishes after the 2016 flood will continue to serve prison time and he’s forced to repay 84-thousand dollars to 11 Livingston Parish victims. 41-year-old Matthew Morris was indicted on 51 counts, but ended up pleading guilty to only one. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the state got what it needed to out of the case.
Cut 12 (10) “…done justice
Morris has received a four-year prison sentence and gets credit for time served.