14:30 LRN Newscast February 16

Starting today, Louisiana is collecting more taxes from your paycheck. It’s because the state constitution requires the Louisiana revenue department to adjust the amount of money employers withhold from paychecks for state taxes, when the federal income tax code is changed…
cut 12 (07) “…to do”
That’s Baton Rouge area CPA Brandon LaGarde who says the federal tax break still outweighs the increase in the amount of state taxes taken out.

Ruston Police are investigating a school bus accident involving a pedestrian, who was killed while sitting in the middle of a street. Chief Deputy Clint Williams says the Lincoln Parish school bus driver didn’t see the pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Williams says hope someone knows why he was there…
Cut 5 (05) “a call.”
None of the students were injured and the bus driver was not cited

Shreveport Police had to catch a man twice who may be connected in robbing elderly women with a bat. Jim Shannon has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon.”

The Baton Rouge police officer shot Sunday night by a man described as mentally ill left the hospital today. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the department is thrilled Corpoarl Shane Totty is home…
Cut 14 (10) “worked out.”
Doctors say he should fully recover.

12:30 LRN Newscast Feb 16

We are learning more about Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old accused of fatally shooting 17 people at a south Florida school this week. Authorities say Cruz was a troubled person with noted mental health issues. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says a robust counseling program could have identified those problems as a possible indicator of trouble…
cut 8 (09) “….they need”
Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says along with an increased investment in counseling programs, we need to take a look at improving the layout of schools to improve security.
Cut 10 (08) “those buildings”
Authorities say a student was removed from East Ascension High School because of a potential threat. The school system sent a message to parents that says there is no active threat or campus lock down. The Gonzales Police Department is investigating.

Shreveport Police believe they may have the person in custody, who was using a baseball bat to steal the purses of older women. Spokesperson Angie Willhite says they had to arrest 32-year-old Mario Roberson twice. Willhite says their Robberty Task Force Unit was interviewing Roberson, when he gave officers the slip…
Cut 3 (08) “into custody.”
Police say during the first arrest, Roberson was in possession of many of the items that have been reported stolen in recent weeks.

11:40 LRN sportscast February 16

It’s opening day for college baseball and Paul Mainieri begins his 12th season as the head coach of the LSU Tigers. Tonight the Bayou Bengals host Notre Dame. Mainieri says opening day always brings out some anxiety, because there are a lot of unknowns…
cut 18 (15) “…don’t know”
LSU has a new weekend rotation as Caleb Gilbert is the Friday night starter, followed by Zack Hess and Todd Peterson.

In other action, the Ragin Cajuns are at 21st ranked Texas. UL-Lafayette missed out on the postseason last year as they struggled at the plate, hitting only .266 as a team.

Louisiana Tech begins the season on the west coast, with a four-game series against Pepperdine. ULM Hosts Eastern Illinois.

Also, McNeese State hosts Witchita State and Nicholls State hosts Stony Brook.

The Ragin Cajuns improved 12-1 in the Sun Belt with a 73-63 win over Texas State. Byrce Washington had 19 point sand 10 rebounds, his 11th double-double of the season. Frank Bartley added 18 points and Johathan Stove chipped in with 15 points.

ULM won its 3rd straight Sun Belt game as they topped UT Arlington 84-71. Michael Ertel ahd 20 points, while Sam McDaniel had 19. The Warhawks are 6-7 in the Sun Belt.

Louisiana Tech’s Anthony Duruji had 21 points as the Bulldogs beat UAB 73-60. The Bulldogs started strong as they went on a 24-9 run in the first half and held on for the 13 point victory. Tech is now 7-7 in Conference USA. They have one more home game tomorrow night against Middle Tennessee.

LSU hosts Missouri tomorrow. Mizzou has won five straight. Tip-off is at 1:00

06:45 LRN Sportscast Feb 16

It wasn’t easy but UL Lafayette improved to 12-1 in the Sun Belt with a 73-63 win over Texas State. Four players scored in double figures for the Cajuns led by Bryce Washington, who had 19 points and Frank Bartley added 18 points.

ULM won its third straight as the Warhawks flew past Texas State 84-71. Freshman Michael Ertel had 20 points to lead the way. Sam McDaniel had 19 points and Travis Munnings had 16. Both McDaniel and Munnings each hit four three-pointers.

Louisiana Tech improved to 7-7 in Conference USA by beating UAB 73-60. The Bulldogs held the Blazers to 36-percent shooting and freshman Anthony Duruji led all scorers with 21 points. Tech was 11-of-27 from three point land.

On Sunday, the Pelicans Anthony Davis will make his fifth consecutive All-Star game appearance. And the league announced the postponed Pelicans-Pacers will be made up on March 21.

It’s opening day for college baseball. The LSU Tigers made it to the College World Series last year, but they head into this season not expected to win the SEC West as they have a new weekend rotation and had to replace several key infielders. The Bayou Bengals face Notre Dame tonight at 7 PM.

UL Lafayette begins the season at 21st ranked Texas. The Cajuns are picked to win the western division of the Sun Belt after winning 19 conference games last season. UL Lafayette Coach Tony Robichaux says the most improved player is catcher Handsome Monica of Mandeville, who hit just .215 last season…

Cut 16 (20) ” last year’s struggles”

First pitch is at 6:30 on the Longhorn Network.

16:45 LRN Sportscast February 15

After a three-game road trip, the Ragin Cajuns are back home tonight to host Texas State in a Sun Belt conference matchup. The Cajuns lead the league with an 11-1 record, while the Bobcats are 7-6. Louisiana has won 14 straight in the Cajundome, which is the ninth longest home winning streak in the country. Tip-off is at 7:15.

After a very successful week in the Peach State with victories over Georgia Southern and Georgia State, ULM basketball retuns home tonight to face Texas-Arlington. Warhwaks Coach Keith Richard (Ree-shard) says knocking down the three point shot was the key in those two victories…
Cut 16 (16) “17 3s”
With the two victories last week, ULM is 11-12 overall, 5-7 in the Sun Belt.

Louisiana Tech hosts U-A-B tonight at the Thomas Assembly Center. Tech is coming off an 82-69 loss to Old Dominion. The Bulldogs turned it over 20 times. Dogs head coach Eric Konkol says they got bull rushed from the tipoff…
cut 19 (16) “….with it”
Tech enters the game in 8th place in the Conference U-S-A standings, while UAB is in 7th.

Nicholls remains in first place in the Southland after a thrilling 73-72 win over Sam Houston State last night. Southeastern Louisiana is a half game back of Nicholls as the Lions held off UNO 71-64.

The college baseball season gets underway tomorrow. The 9th ranked Tigers will host Notre Dame. Caleb Gilbert will start on the mound for the Purple and Gold. First pitch is at 7 PM.

15:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry is working on legislation to toughen the penalities for those convicted of hazing on college campuses. Landry says her bill for the regular session can also result in heavy fines for school organiziations that allow hazing to occur…
cut 14 (11) “…was occurring”
An LSU fraternity pledge died last September in what authorties call a hazing incident.

Hollywood superstars Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson will be in Louisiana over the coming weeks filming a movie called Highwaymen which details the chase for Bonnie and Clyde. Tom Hanks’ World War Two movie will also soon start shooting in Baton Rouge. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly….
cut 5 (12) “…continuing on”

A recent Bankrate-dot-com survey finds the average worker rates their job satisfaction at a seven out of ten. Jim Shannon has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon.

The state health department extends its free flu shot drive after initially planning to end the program Monday. This year’s flu shot has been criticized for having a lower than normal effectiveness. Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says a flu shot is still a great idea.
Cut 29 (09) “rather do.”

LRN PM Newscall Feb 15

The death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver is inspiring legislation that would crack down on college campus hazing. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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A recent Bankrate-dot-com survey finds the average worker rates their job satisfaction at a seven out of ten.  Jim Shannon has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon.

_________________________________________________

A film starring Academy Award winner Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson and director by John Lee Hancock has started production of “Highwaymen” in Louisiana. The film centers on two retired officers attempting to catch Bonnie and Clyde. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says they will shoot in Shreveport next month…

Cut 3 (12) “the state.”

Stelly says reforming the state’s film tax credit program has encouraged movie producers to come back to Louisiana.  Several projects are underway…

Cut 4  (07) “even busier.” 

Stelly says there’s nowhere else in the country with the diversity Louisiana has for movie and television production…

Cut 5  (12)  “continuing on.”

Costner filmed the “Guardian” in 2006 and and Harrelson filmed the HBO series “True Detective” in the state.  Tom Hanks earlier announced he was using Baton Rouge locations to film a World War Two film “Greyhound” on the USS Kidd and locally based Celtic Studios.  There are also six television series shooting in the Bayou State.

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Most persons are happy with their jobs.  A recent Bankrate-dot-com survey finds the average worker rates their job satisfaction at a seven out of ten.  And half of those gave a rating of at least eight.  UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says he’s not surprised…

Cut 6 (10)  “has improved.”

Some employers scaled back benefits during the recession, including raises.  Rosa says workers are starting to see some of these perks come back, which makes for better productivity in the workplace…

Cut 7 (10)  “workers happy.”

While millennial workers were least satisfied with their jobs with a score of six-point-nine, Rosa says the Baby Boomers are the most happy with a score of seven-point-two…

Cut 8 (09) “really good.”

Those in households with annual incomes of over 80-thousand-dollars gave an average rank of seven-point-five. Those under 30-thousand-dollars averaged a six-point-six.

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LSU and GB Sciences Louisiana has found a location to grow medical marijuana that can be distributed to patients who have specific conditions. Director of the LSU AgCenter’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program Ashley Mullens says a 36-thousand square foot warehouse near Highland Road and Interstate 10 will house the plants

Cut 9 (09) “research cannabis”

The building is a former Pepsi distribution center. Mullens says they plan to complete renovations on the building in June…

Cut 10 (05) “in Louisiana”

LSU and Southern are Louisiana’s only two licensed growers of medical marijuana. Mullens says students under the age of 21 are prohibited from working at the facility. She says the product should become available by late summer….

Cut 11 (10) “work out”

For a Louisiana patient to receive medical marijuana, the prescription must come from a licensed doctor and it’s only for those who suffer from seizures, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis or have cancer.

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Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry is proposing a bill that would substantially increase legal penalties for campus hazing related incidents, in response to the 2017 death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver. Hazing is currently covered by education statues, and not criminal statues, and carries a fine of 100 dollars or less, plus a possible 30 days in jail. Landry’s bill would change that.

Cut 12 (09) “in jail.”

Under the proposed legislation, if the incident involves serious injuries, or death, the penalty would escalate to 10,000 dollars and five years in jail.

Landry says the current penalties are far too low for such a dangerous activity.

Cut 13 (10) “a crime.”

Under current law, Landry says fraternities, sororities, or other school organizations are rarely held liable in the event of a hazing related death. Landry says that needs to change.

Cut 14 (11) “was occuring.”

14:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

The death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver is inspiring legislation that would crack down on college campus hazing. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The latest campaign finance report for Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry shows he has one-point-two million dollars on hand. There’s specualtion Landry will run for governor in 2019. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards reported five million dollars in his campaign account earlier this month.

LSU and GB Sciences Louisiana has nailed down a location where they’ll grow medical marijuana that can be used for those who suffer from seizures, epliepsy, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis or have cancer. Director of the LSU AgCenter’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program Ashley Mullens says the product should become available by late summer…
cut 11 (10) “…work out”
The building is a former Pepsi distribution center near the I-10 Highland exit.

A bank-rate-dot-com survey finds the average American worker rates his or her job satisfaction a seven out of ten. Millenial workers least satisifed, while Baby Boomers are most happy. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa explains why older folks are happier…
cut 8 (09) “….really good”
Those with graduate school experience report the highest happiness in their careers.

12:30 LRN Newscast Feb 15

Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry is working on a bill for the regular session that would substantially increase penalties for campus hazing, in response to the 2017 death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver. Landry says hazing currently carries only a fine of 100 dollars or less, plus a possible 30 days in jail. Her bill would change that.
Cut 12 (09) “in jail.”

LSU and GB Sciences Louisiana has found a location to grow medical marijuana that can be distributed to patients who have specific conditions. LSU AgCenter spokesperson Ashley Mullens says a 36-thousand square foot warehouse near Highland Road and I-10 will house the plants…
cut 9 (09) “…research cannabis”
Mullens says medical cannabis should be available to patients in late summer.

A film starring Academy Award winner Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson and directed by John Lee Hancock has started production of “Highwaymen” in Louisina. The film centers on two retired officers attempting to catch Bonnie and Clyde. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says they will shoot in Shreveport next month…
cut 3 (12) “…the state”
Filming is also expected to begin next month on Tom Hanks movie that will be shot in Baton Rouge. It’s called Greyhound and it’s a World War Two naval drama.

11:40 LRN Sportscast Feb 15

Anthony Davis’ 42 points helped the Pelicans drain the Los Angeles Lakers 139 to 117 last night. That’s three straight wins for New Orleans, who heads into the All-Star break with a record 31-26, tied for seventh place in the Western Conference.

Nicholls State remains in first place in the Southland after beating Sam Houston State 73-72. The Colonels are 11-2 in league play. Southeastern Louisiana improved to 10-4 in the league after beating UNO 71-64.

The start of the college baseball season begins tomorrow. Coach Paul Mainieri announces Bryce Jordan will start at catcher, because of a hand injury to Hunter Feducia. And Mainieri says freshman Nick Webre will likely be the every day starter at first base.

Louisiana Tech announced today Matt Miller will start Friday’s season opener against Pepperdine.

The Ragin Cajuns, who are in first place in the Sun Belt, are back home tonight to host Texas State. ULM won twice last week to improve their record to 11-12 overall, 5-7 in the Sun Belt. Warhawks Coach Keith Richard says senior guard Sam McDaniel has become a big threat from beyond the three-point line…
cut 17 (19) “…at it”

And tonight in Ruston at 8 PM, Louisiana Tech hosts UAB. Bulldogs Coach Eric Konkol says his team needs to take care of the basketball…
cut 20 (15) “….the basketball”
CBS Sports Network will televise the contest.