08:30 LRN Newscast may 23rd

State Police has serious concerns over the budget that has been approved by the House. The governor recommended a five-million dollar cut to State Police, but the House’s spending plan calls for an overall reduction of $23 million from the current fiscal year. Maj. Doug Cain says this could lead to fewer troopers.
Cut 10 (12) “next year”
Cain says LSP would also have to look at reducing the increased force in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

On the Louisiana House floor, a vote is expected today on a bill that would increase the minimum GPA required to receive the TOPS scholarship. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t expect lawmakers to approve the jump from a 2.5 GPA to 2.75…
cut 5 (09) “…hell no”
Governor Edwards also opposes the bill.
Small businesses are getting behind legislation that revamps the film tax credit program. Supporters of the bill by New Orleans Senator J-P Morrell say the legislation will help the movie industry grow in Louisiana. Gabriel Markel with Markel Lumber in New Orleans says the film industry has been a huge benefit to him, because he supplies materials for sets…
cut 15 (09) “…these guys”
The film tax credit bill is heading to the House floor and it’s already received approval from the senate.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has announced plans to market horse shows. Nungesser plans to put a statewide circuit together to bring national and international horse competitions to the state’s equine facilities….
cut 8 (09) “…the state”
Nungesser says visitors embrace the communities where horse shows are held.

07:30 LRN Newscast May 23rd

Louisiana State Police officials say a proposed budget cut to the agency is coming at a bad time. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Billy Broadhurst an adviser to former Governor Edwin Edwards and many other politicians has died at the age of 77. Broadhurst was also on the yacht that sunk the 1988 Democratic presidential campaign of Gary Hart. During the cruise, a picture was taken of Donna Rice sitting on Hart’s lap, leading to allegations of an extramartial affair.

The House is expected to take up a proposal today that would raise the minimum GPA requirement for TOPS. The measure by Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil increases the requirement from a 2.5 to a 2.75. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this would knock out about 30 percent of the students currently eligible for the scholarship.
Cut 4 (09) “lot of kids”
Which is why Governor Edwards opposes the legislation.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has launched a horse tourist initative which is an attempt to draw horse enthusiasts to equine facilities and horse shows. Nungesser says the horse industry in Louisiana already genrates two billion dollars a year….
cut 9 (09) “….with that”
Nungesser says they’ll have an in-state horse show circuit featuring open, amateur and youth divisions.

06:45 LRN Sportscast

Juniors Alex Lange and Greg Deichmann have been named to the All SEC first-team. Lange led the SEC with 111 strikeouts and compiled a seven and five record. Deichmann has led the Tigers offense with 17 home runs and 63 RBIS. The Tigers will begin play in the SEC Tournament on Wednesday at about one o’ clock against the winner of the today’s game between Texas A-and-M and Missouri. Paul Mainieri has announced freshman pitcher Todd Peterson will start tomorrow.

Louisiana Tech is the 5th seed in the Conference USA Tournament and they’ll face Charlotte tomorrow night at MGM Park in Biloxi. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says winning this tournament will not be easy…
Cut 18 (15) “the bus”
The Diamond Dogs are 36-18.

The Saints begin voluntary organized team activites today. The Advocate newspaper reports tight end Josh Hill will not fully participate, because he’s still coming back from a broken fibula. New Orleans has also signed offensive tackle Bryce Harris, who started a handful of games for the Black and Gold in 2013 and 2014.

The younger brother of Leonard Fournette, Lanard Fournette, who is a running back on the LSU football team was arrested for allegedly using a fake ID to gamble at L’Auberge Casino in Baton rouge.

The LSU softball team has advanced to play Florida State in the Super Regionals after beating UL Lafayette five to one in the Baton Rouge regional championship game. Emily Griggs was 3-for-4 and Sydney Springfield hit a two-run homer. It’s the first time since 2006 LSU eliminated the Cajuns from postseason play.

UL Lafayette’s Gunner Leger has been named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year. The lefty is 10-2 with a 2.03 ERA.

06:30 LRN Newscast May 23rd

A vote is expected today in the House on a bill that would increase the minimum GPA in order to receive the TOPS scholarship. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says upping the GPA requirement to 2.75 would save the state millions. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says while lawmakers struggle to fully fund TOPS, many of them will say raising the GPA requirement isn’t the answer…
cut 6 (11) “….to do that”

State Police say a potential 23-million cut in state funding will reduce the number of troopers they have in New Orleans, making it difficult to replace aging patrol vehicles and dropping a plan to provide every trooper with a body camera….
cut 12 (08) “…funding issues”
Major Doug Cain says its State Police’s hope the Senate will fund their agency to the level the governor recommended.

A bill that reforms how the state hands out film tax credits is one step closer to final legislative passage. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s measure puts a 180-million dollar cap on the credits handed out and it’s expected to help movie production grow in Louisiana. Jo Banner with the River Parishes Tourist Commission says media coverage of movie productions in the River Parishes equates to advertisting the Tourist Commission can’t afford…
cut 14 (10) “….Tourist commission”
The Senate approved bill passed the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday and moves to the full House.

17:30 LRN Newscast may 22nd

A Mississippi lawmaker called for Louisiana leaders to be lynched after four confederate monuments were taken down in New Orleans. State Representative Karl Oliver also said in the Facebook post that the statues were removed in a “Nazi-ish fashion.” Courtney Carter with News Mississippi says state Republicans do not condone the public post…:
Cut 10 (07) “his remarks”
Oliver has since apologized for the post.

On the Louisiana House floor, a vote is expected Tuesday on a bill that would increase the minimum GPA required to receive the TOPS scholarship. Politial analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t expect lawmakers to approve the jump from a 2.5 GPA to 2.75…
cut 28 (09) “…hell no”
Governor Edwards also opposes the bill.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle has been named the director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which is an oversight agency for President Trump’s administration. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is the perfect job for Angelle…:
Cut 13 (08) “this position”
The BSEE regulates offshore oil and gas drilling.

State Police raises concerns about proposed budget cuts to the law enforcement agency. Major Doug Cain says the House has proposed a 23-million dollar cut in funding from this fiscal year, which would force them to cut a cadet class and make it difficult to replace patrol vehicles and 60-percent of them have over 100-thousand miles on their odometer…
cut 29 (10) “…new vehicle”
Cain says its State Police’s hope the Senate will fund their agency to the level that the governor recommended.

16:45 LRN Sportscast May 22nd

Two LSU Tigers have been named to the All-SEC First team, right fielder Greg Deichmann and starting pitcher Alex Lange. Deichmann is hitting .320 wtih 17 home runs, ten doubles and 63 RBIs. Lange is 7-and-5, with three complete games and an ERA of 2.29. Shortstop Kramer Robertson was named to the SEC Second-team, while catcher Michael Papierski and third baseman Josh Smith were named to the All-Defensive team.

The LSU Tigers left today for Hoover, Alabama where they’ll play on Wednesday in the SEC Tournament. The Bayou Bengals will face the winner of Tuesday’s game between Missouri and Texas A&M. Coach Paul Mainieri said today that Todd Peterson will start on the mound for the Tigers on Wednesday.

Gunner Leger has been named the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year. The junior has 10 victories on the season to go along with a 2.03 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 84.1 innings pitched.

The LSU softball team is heading to the Tallahassee Super Regional after beating UL Lafayette five to one. It was the Tigers second victory over the Cajuns in as many days after UL Lafayette defeated LSU on Saturday. Today, the Cajuns took a 1-0 in the 1st inning, but LSU took over from there, with two runs in the third inning and three more in the fourth inning. Emily Griggs drove in two runs, while Sydney Springfield hit a two-run home run down the left field line. Carley Hoover pitched five shutout innings of relief to record the win. Alex Stewart suffered the loss for the Cajuns.

Former Saints star Reggie Bush says he wants to play in 2017, but so far no teams have signed veteran running back. Bush played in 13 games with Buffalo last season and rushed for negative three yards on 12 carries.

In the NBA, former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap will reportedly opt out of his 21-million dollar contract with the Atlanta Hawks next season.

16:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

A Mississippi lawmaker is facing backlash after saying Louisiana leaders should be lynched for removing four confederate monuments in New Orleans. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser had a meeting today with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu about the future of the confederate monuments that were removed. Nungesser would like to put the monuments at a historic battlfield, but the mayor said that if the state office of tourism wants them, they’ll have to submit a financial bid.

The southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch as more heavy rain is expected to fall across a region that has already seen a lot of rain. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the National Weather Service is calling for another two to four inches of rainfall…
cut 5 (08) “…river systems”
Keim says street flooding is also a possibility as well.

Two Lafourche Parish teens were killed in a single vehicle crash in Kraemer early Sunday morning. State Police Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 19-year-old Jaydon Labat (la-bot) was driving down LA 307 at a high rate of speed when he ran off the road and hit a utility pole. He says 18-year-old Candace Reulet (Ru-lay) was also in the vehicle..:
Cut 6 (10) “a result”
He says impairment is also a suspected factor in the crash.

15:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

A Mississippi lawmaker Karl Oliver has apologized for his Facebook post that said Louisiana leaders should be lynched for the removal of four confederate monuments in New Orleans. Courtney Carter with News Mississippi says Oliver has made inflammatory statements in the past, including last year when he responded to an email from a citizen about a proposed tax cut…
cut 12 (11) “….Karl Oliver”

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle has been tapped to lead the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, an energy oversight agency for President Donald Trump’s administration. Angelle will be forced to resign from the P-S-C and UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he anticipates a lot of candicdates to run for his seat….
cut 15 (08) “…..state hierarchy”

USA Today Network reports Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Baton Rouge for what’s being described as a “listening session” with business leaders. Pence will travel to the Capitol City one day after President Trump releases his proposed budget. A spokesperson for the governor, John Bel Edwards, plans to meet with Pence at the airport.

Flash flooding could be a problem in south Louisiana, as more heavy rainfall is expected today and tomorrow. Michelle Southern reports…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

LRN PM Newscall May 22nd

Flash flooding could be a problem in south Louisiana, as more heavy rainfall is expected today and tomorrow. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A Mississippi lawmaker is facing backlash after saying Louisiana leaders should be lynched for removing four confederate monuments in New Orleans. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Following a weekend of heavy rainfall, the southern half of Louisiana is in for more wet weather today and tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is slowly creeping across the state, bringing with it more rain.

Cut 3 (11) “in particular”

Jackson, Lake Charles, and Covington all saw more than 4 inches of rainfall over the weekend. Keim says with the area already heavily saturated, flash flooding could be a serious problem. He says the rain potential is higher across the southeastern part of the state.

Cut 4  (08) “some problems”

The National Weather Service is calling for another one to five inches of rainfall across the state. Keim says we could also see rising rivers resulting in more localized flooding in some areas.

Cut 5  (08)  “river systems”

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Two Lafourche Parish teens were killed in a single vehicle crash in Kraemer over the weekend, according to State Police. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 19-year-old Jaydon Labat (la-bot) was driving down LA 307 at a high rate of speed when he ran off the road and hit a utility pole. He says 18-year-old Candace Reulet (Ru-lay) was also in the vehicle.

Cut 6 (10) “a result”

LaGrange says impairment and speed are considered factors in the wreck. He says this crash was 100-percent preventable.

Cut 7 (09)  “the wheel”

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Two teens are dead and another critically injured after a crash in Kentwood on Sunday morning. Kentwood Police Chief Michael Kazerooni says 18-year-old Ashley Moreau was driving down Line Creek Road when she over-corrected and her car slid and crashed into a tree.

Cut 8 (10) “injuries”

18-year-old John Moore was the front seat passenger and also killed in the crash. Kazerooni says speed was the main factor in the wreck.

Cut 9 (08)  “safe speed” 

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A Mississippi lawmaker called for Louisiana leaders to be lynched after four confederate monuments were taken down in New Orleans. State representative Karl Oliver made the statement in a Facebook post that has since been deleted, saying the monuments were removed in a “Nazi-ish fashion.”  Courtney Carter with News Mississippi says the Mississippi GOP has said these kinds of comments have no place in public discourse.

Cut 10 (07) “his remarks”

Oliver also said in the post that he will do everything in his power to prevent this from happening in his state, but it’s unclear if he’s taken steps to protect any of Mississippi’s monuments. Carter says the four monuments from New Orleans could be moved to the Beauvoir estate in Mississippi, which is home to many confederate-era memorials.

Cut 11 (08) “to put there”

Oliver has since apologized for the post, saying his choice of words was horribly wrong, and the word “lynched” is in no way ever an appropriate term. Carter says Oliver has made inflammatory statements like this in the past, including last year when he responded to an email from a citizen about a proposed tax cut.

Cut 12 (11) “Karl Oliver”

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Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle has been named the director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is the perfect job for Angelle, coming off a recent loss for Congress. He says Angelle is suited for the position under the Trump administration.

Cut 13 (08) “this position”

BSEE is a part of the Department of the Interior and strives for the safe and responsible production of energy and watches over the oil and gas industry. Cross says after losing in the Governor and Congressional elections, there wasn’t anywhere else for Angelle to go politically in Louisiana. He says this job gives him more national name recognition.

Cut 14 (10) “to him”

Angelle’s first day as the BSEE director is Tuesday and he will be forced to resign as a public service commissioner. Cross says he anticipates a lot of candidates to run for this open PSC position.

Cut 15 (08) “state hierarchy”

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14:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle has been chosen as the director of Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which oversees offshore energy safety. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says after failing to win a Congressional seat and losing out in the 2015 governor’s race, this job will give Angelle more national name recognition….
cut 14 (10) “…to him”
Angelle will have to resign as a member of the P-S-C.

South Louisiana is under a flash flood watch as more heavy downpours are expected today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is slowly creeping across the state, bringing with it more rain…:
cut 3 (11) “…in particular”
At this hour, most of the heavy rain is falling in north Louisiana.

Mississippi state representative Karl Oliver has apologized for his facebook post that said Louisiana leaders should be lynched for taking down four confederate monuments in New Orleans. It’s still unclear where those monuments will go, but Courtney Carter with News Mississippi says there’s talk of moving the monuments to the Beauvoir estate in Mississippi, which is home to many confederate-era memorials….
cut 11 (08) :…to put there”

Four teenagers were killed in two spearate wrecks in south Louisiana on Sunday. Kentwood Police Chief Michael Kazerooni says two 18-year-olds were killed in his city when a vehicle slammed into a tree on Line Creek Road and they believe speed was a main factor….
cut 9 (08) “….safe speed”
Two teens were also killed early Sunday in LaFourche Parish and State Police investigators believe speed and impairment are factors.