17:30 LRN Newscast July 26

Congressman Steve Scalise has been discharged from the hospital to begin “intensive inpatient rehabilitation.” Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Gallup poll finds 51-percent of Louisiana voters approve of President Trump’s performance. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says voters in the Bayou State will maintain their support for Mr. Trump, even if his agenda fails to pass…
cut 5 (07) “…or someone else”

President Trump announces transgender individuals can no longer serve in the U.S. military in any capacity. Mr. Trump said the military cannnot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender individuals create. But Executive Director of the Louisiana ACLU Marjorie Esman says Mr. Trump is victim blaming..:
Cut 9 (10) “with them”
Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham, who sits on the Armed Forces Committee, supports the President’s decision.

A lot of supporters of new LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron were at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club to hear him speak today. Orgeron says the offense will look different under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada….
cut 13 (11) “…good”
LSU reports for preseason camp on Sunday.

16:45 LRN Sportscast July 26

LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club today to give a preview of the 2017 season. Orgeron says the offense will look different under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada….
cut 13 (11) “…good”
It’s expected senior Danny Etling will be the Tigers starting quarterback. Orgeron says Etling will have to earn the job during preseason camp, which starts next week. He says the other quarterbacks on the roster will have a chance, including incoming freshman Myles Brennan…
cut 14 (08) “….when he’s ready”

In major league baseball…former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola and the Phillies take on the Astros tonight. No Alex Bregman for Houston. He’s out with a hamstring injury.

The football season is back as Saints players report for training camp today. One of the big off-season additions was the signing of future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says hopefully this means head coach Sean Payton will be more committed to the running game this year
Cut 30 (08) “off the field”

Former Louisiana Tech star Kenneth Dixon will miss the upcoming season. The Ravens running back underwent surgery this week for an injured meniscus. He rushed for 342 yards and 2 touchdowns last season.

McNeese announced today it’s latest inductees into the school’s sports hall of fame. Current UL Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux is one of the inductees. Robichaux coached the Cowboys baseball team from 1987 to 1994 and compiled the most wins in school history. Also going are former football players Adam Henry and Toddrick Pendland. Henry is a former LSU assistant coach.

16:30 LRN Newscast July 26

President Donald Trump announces transgender individuals are no longer allowed to serve in the U.S. military in any capacity. But Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana Marjorie Esman says this is clear discrimination…
cut 7 (11) “….serving”
Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham says this is not a discrimination issue. He says transgender individuals can create problems that military should not have to address…
cut 8 (09) “…hope not”

U.S. Representative Steve Scalise has been discharged from MedStar Washington Hospital. Six weeks ago Scalise was shot in the left hip and he’s undergone several surgeries. Scalise will now begin a period of intensive inpatient rehabilitation.

51-percent of Louisiana residents approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance, according to a recent Gallup poll. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Louisiana voters like what the president is doing…:
Cut 3 (10) “into office”
Louisiana is one of 17 states where a majority of residents say the president is doing a good job six months into his term.

A 10 and 12 year old are facing charges after they allegedly robbed a wireless store in Shreveport. Corporal Marcus Hines says video shows the youngsters breaking into the store on Monday night and taking phones and they returned again on Tuesday night….
cut 11 (10) “…rear of the business”
All of the stolen items were recovered.

15:30 LRN Newscast July 26th

President Donald Trump’s approval rating in Louisiana is 51-percent according to a recent Gallup poll. Jeff Palermo has the story….
voicer 1 (29) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

Good news regarding House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who was shot in the hip on June 14th. The Congressman, who represents much of southeast Louisiana, has been discharged from MedStar Washington Hospital and he’ll begin a period of intensive inpatient rehabilition, once completed, he can return to work.

A 10 and 12 year-old have been arrested by Shreveport police after allegedly breaking into a local business and stealing phones on consecutive nights. The boys are already on probation for other burglaries. Corporal Marcus Hines says it’s a sad situation and it doesn’t seem like the parents are involved…
cut 12 (10) “…children are”

Football season is right around the corner, and LSU is still without a live mascot. LSU President F King Alexander provided an update at today’s Baton Rouge Rotary Club. Alexander says we should hear something soon, as they are putting the finishing touches on Mike Seven’s new home…
cut 15 (09) “….August 10th”
Alexander says finding a Tiger is not the problem, but they want him living in an accredited tiger santcuary.

LRN PM Newscall July 26th

President Donald Trump’s approval rating in Louisiana is 51 percent according to a recent Gallup poll. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Congressman Steve Scalise has been discharged from MedStar Washington hospital to begin “intensive inpatient rehabilitation.” Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

Most Louisiana residents approve of Donald Trump’s job performance, according to a recent Gallup poll. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says that’s not surprising since the president won an overwhelming majority of the popular vote in the Bayou State. He says the poll shows that Louisiana voters like what the president is doing.

Cut 3 (10) “into office”

Louisiana is one of 17 states where a majority of residents say the president is doing a good job six months into his term. Mr. Trump carried Louisiana in the election with 58 percent of the vote. This recent poll is a significant drop down to 51 percent. Hogan says that’s not unusual as most presidents start out with a honeymoon period.

Cut 4  (08) “of the country”

West Virginia is home to the most Trump supporters, with 60 percent saying they approve of his performance. Not many fans of the president live in Vermont though, as only 29 percent of those surveyed are pleased with the commander in chief. Hogan says voters in the Bayou State will likely support Mr. Trump no matter what he’s able to accomplish.

Cut 5  (07)  “or someone else”

________________________________________________

 President Donald Trump announces transgendered individuals are no longer allowed to serve in the U.S. military in any capacity. Richland Parish U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham, who serves on the House Armed Forces Committee, says this change makes sense. He says if someone decides to undergo a gender transformation surgery while enlisted, it could hinder their service to the military.

Cut 6 (11) “issue”

But Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana Marjorie Esman says this is a huge mistake by President Trump because it’s clear discrimination. She says it’s against the law in America to discriminate against people based on their medical history.

Cut 7 (11)  “serving”

Abraham says this is not a discrimination issue, but transgender individuals can create problems that the military should not have to address.

Cut 8 (09) “hope not”

Esman says the president is blaming the victim, as transgender individuals are not by nature disruptive. She says the best way to solve this problem is to get rid of the people causing the disruption, not the transgender individuals.

Cut 9 (10)  “with them”

________________________________________________

Two Shreveport juveniles have been charged in back to back store burglaries. Cpl. Marcus Hines with Shreveport Police says the first robbery occurred on Tuesday at a Boost Mobile store. He says officers responded to the call after 10 p.m.

Cut 10 (11) “surveillance video”

Two males were visible in the video leaving the store with merchandise. Hines says it appears the culprits made off with several phones from the store. The front window was repaired shortly after. He says officers responded to a similar burglary call around 11 p.m. the very next day.

Cut 11 (10) “rear of the business”

The juveniles are ages 10 and 12, and Hines says that speaks to the tragedy of what is happening with some of our youth today. The boys are already on probation for other burglaries. He says it’s a sad situation that these two will now face additional counts of that charge, and the parents weren’t much help.

Cut 12 (10) “children are”

__________________________________________________________

LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club today to give civic and business leaders an idea what to expect for the 2017 season. Orgeron says the offense will look different under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada

Cut 13 (11) “good”

It’s expected senior Danny Etling will be the Tigers starting quarterback.  Orgeron says Etling will have to earn the job during preseason camp, which starts next week. He says the other quarterbacks on the roster will have a chance, including incoming freshman Myles Brennan…

Cut 14 (08) “when he’s ready” 

As of now, LSU does not have a live mascot for the season. In January, LSU announced a plan to acquire a tiger before the start of the upcoming school year. President F King Alexander says we should hear something soon, as they are putting the finishing touches Mike Seven’s new home……

Cut 15 (09) “August 10th”

11:40 LRN Sportscast July 26

The Saints get back to work today as they report for training camp. New Orleans has failed to notch a winning record since 2013, because of problems on defense. Saints NFL analyst Mike Detillier says says it remains to be seen if the Saints defense has improved enough in the offseason to keep opposing offenses off the scoreboard…
cut 14 (12) “…on the quarterback”
The Saints will not have linebacker Dannell Ellerbe this season. There are reports the team will place him on injured reserve and then release him in three weeks once he is healthy. Ellerbe had four sacks in nine games last year, but injuries have forced him to miss a lot of games over the last two years.

Former LSU Tiger Booger McFarland will be seen this fall on ABC as an in-studio analyst. McFarland has been working at the SEC Network since 2014. At ABC he’ll work alongside Mack Brown and Kevin Negandhi.

All-Star Anthony Davis told the Associated Press the Pelicans are tired of losing, but they have the roster this season to do something about it. Davis looks forward to trying to make some noise in the loaded Western Conference as he believes the team looks good on paper. Davis has spent the offseason spending a lot of time working out with DeMarcus Cousins and A-D likes the addition of veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.

In major league baseball….the Astros blanked the Phillies 5-0 yesterday. Former LSU standout Alex Bregman had to leave the game with discomfort in his right hamstring. His status is day-to-day. Houston has a 17.5 game lead over Seattle for first place in the AL West.

Kerrick Johnson is the new head baseball coach at Southern University. Johnson replaces the legendary Roger Cador. This is Johnson’s first time as a head coach. He’s previously served as an assistant coach at Nicholls and played at Bethune-Cookman.

17:30 LRN Newscast July 25

Louisiana’s two U.S. Senators joined fellow Republicans in a vote to begin the debate over legislation to replace the Affordable Care act. Cassidy described the vote as a first step, while Kennedy said his vote fufills a campaign promise to repeal the current federal health care law.

Alabama Republican Congressman Mo Brooks is taking heat for a campaign commercial that uses audio from the shooting that hospitalized a Louisiana Congressman. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand announced his retirement today and will become a talk show host for WWL Radio in New Orleans. Normand has been a law enforcement officer since 1977 and is excited about his new career….
cut 13 (12) “…as sheriff”
Normand replaces Garland Robinette, who is also retiring.

An LSU study found the NBA All-Star game in February brought nearly 45 million dollars to the state. Co-author of the report Dr. Stephen Barnes says their report shows that local and state government should the necessary resources to attract big events like this to the Bayou State…
Cut 5 (11) “that event”

16:45 LRN Sportscast July 25

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow and the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting the team is placing linebacker Dannell Ellerbe on injured reserve, because of a foot injury. Ellerbe appeared in nine games last season and recorded four sacks and only played in six games in 2015. Rapoport also reports the Saints plan to waive the veteran once he becomes healthy, which one source says will happen in a few weeks.

There are multiple reports that say former LSU Tiger La’el Collins has agreed to a two-year, 16-million dollar contract extension. It will make him one of the highest paid right tackles in the game.

Former Louisiana Tech standout and Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon has injured his knee and underwent surgery today. Dixon is expected to miss six to eight weeks. He was already set to miss the first four games of the season as he’ll serve a suspension for violating the NFL’s policy against PEDs.

LSU’s home opener against Chattanooga on September 9th will kick-off at 6:30 PM and it will be televised on the SEC Network Alternate channel. The SEC also announced the game between the Cajuns and Texas A-and-M on September 16th will kick-off at 11 AM and it will be shown on the SEC Network.

Jordan Davis has been named the starting quarterback for the Cajuns this season. Coach Mark Hudspeth is expecting a big year from the junior out of Texas…
cut 19 (19) “….security”
The Cajuns have seven road games on the schedule this year. Not only will they travel to College Station, they’ll also go to Ole Miss and Tulsa.

14:30 LRN Newscast July 25

Both of Louisiana’s US Senators have voted in favor of debate on a healthcare bill. Senior Senator Bill Cassidy has authored amendments, but they haven’t received much support. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Cassidy’s proposals run against the most conservative elements in the Republican Party….
cut 9 (08) “….now either”
Kennedy has proudly stated he will vote to repeal Obamacare even without a replacement.

A seven-year-old was found dead in Winnsboro last night and authorities believe he was electrocuted after he jumped a fence to retieve a ball. Franklin Sheriff Kevin Cobb…
cut 16 (07) “…appropriate time”
Cobb says there was an electrical current along the fence line, because the neighbor was trying to prevent his dog from digging underneath the fence.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand announced his retirement today and will become a talk show host for WWL Radio in New Orleans. Normand has been a law enforcement officer since 1977 and is excited about his new career….
cut 13 (12) “…as sheriff”
Normand will replace Garland Robinette, who is also retiring.

Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks is using audio in a campaign audio from the shooting that injured House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. Brooks is running for U.S. Senate in Alabama and political analyst Doctor Silas Lee says it’s risky to use the Scalise shooting, because you might lose some middle of the road voters….
cut 8 (06) “….risky move”
Scalise’s chief of staff tweeted that Brooks’ ad makes his stomach turn.

LRN PM Newscall July 25

Alabama Republican Congressman Mo Brooks is taking heat for a campaign commercial that uses audio from the Congressional baseball shooting. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand announced today he will retire to become a radio talk show host. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

The 2017 NBA All-Star Game brought nearly $45 million to the state, according to a new LSU study. Co-author of the report Dr. Stephen Barnes says visitors spent a total of $24 million in the region over the weekend. He says people who attended the game spent an average of $1,400 per person, while visitors who did not attend the game spent around $800 each.

Cut 3 (09) “regional economy”

Barnes says the weekend event in mid-February brought hundreds of visitors, including international tourists. Those visitors tended to be more affluent and stayed for several days, which contributed to the increased spending. He says that’s what makes an event like this a real money maker.

Cut 4  (11) “amount of spending”

Barnes says the NBA spent over $18 million on the event, with media promotions adding another $1.4 million. Sponsors contributed almost $4 million. He says that combined with secondary impacts is nearly $83 million in total spending, which generated over $2 million in new sales and excise taxes.

Cut 5  (11)  “that event”

________________________________________________

Alabama Republican Congressman Mo Brooks is making waves with a campaign commercial in which he uses audio from the shooting at the GOP baseball game that injured House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. The ad notes Brooks came to the aid of those wounded in the attack at a Virginia baseball park. Political analyst Dr. Silas Lee gives his take…:

Cut 6 (09) “in this attempt”

A staffer for Scalise had said some people have different ideas about what’s appropriate. Lee says advocates for gun rights may not be offended by the spot, but he feels most candidates would not use the audio from the shooting…:

Cut 7 (10)  “if that happened to him”

The ad touts Brooks’ support of the Second Amendment, and criticizes the media for asking questions about gun control after the shooting. Lee says the problem with a commercial like this is that there typically isn’t a grey area when it comes to gun advocacy, but it’s the middle of the road voters you have to think about…:

Cut 8 (06) “risky move”

________________________________________________

Both of Louisiana’s US Senators have voted in favor of debate on a healthcare bill. Senior Senator Bill Cassidy has authored amendments to the GOP replacement bill, but they haven’t gained much support.  UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Cassidy’s proposals run against the most conservative elements in the Republican Party.

Cut 9 (08)  “now either”

Kennedy has proudly stated he will vote to repeal Obamacare even without a replacement. Cross says this is what got Kennedy elected to the position.

Cut 10 (10) “extraordinary”

The Edwards administration has raised concerns about repealing the current federal healthcare law. They say over 400-thousand Louisiana residents are insured because of the expansion of Medicaid. Cross says Cassidy, who has worked as a doctor in the state’s charity hospital system, understands the risks of taking away health insurance to thousands.

Cut 11 (11) “the gun”

__________________________________________________________

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand announced his retirement today, as the most vocal sheriff in the state will soon take to the airwaves. After spending 10 years at the helm of JPSO, Normand says a good leader knows when it’s time to leave. He adds good leaders evaluate opportunities.

Cut 12 (11) “WWL Radio”

Mid-morning host Garland Robinette announced his retirement from WWL earlier this month. The sheriff joked that he’d be stepping across the line to the dark side and joining the media. But he’s excited to lead in a different way. He says that’s what intrigued him most about this opportunity.

Cut 13 (12) “as sheriff”

Normand will retire on August 31 and Chief Deputy and former state representative Joe Lopinto will be sworn in as the next sheriff of Jefferson Parish. Normand began his career in law enforcement in 1977 in Orleans Parish. He says although rewarding, it’s not an easy job.

Cut 14 (08) “on you” 

__________________________________________________________

A seven-year-old boy is dead after he was electrocuted by the neighbor’s fence in Winnsboro. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says the boy was playing with his little sister and attempted to retrieve a ball that went over the fence…

Cut 15 (10) “hot wire”

Cobb says there was an electrical current along the fence line, because the neighbor was trying to prevent his dog from digging underneath the fence. He says the child was found unresponsive next to the fence…

Cut 16  (07)  “appropriate time”