13:30 LRN Newscast October 19

The Caddo Parish Commission votes today on removing a statue of a Confederate soldier that stands in front of the parish courthouse. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffery Sadow says a vote taken last month indicates the commission is leaning towards removing the monument…
Cut 4 (11) “that monument”
A vote to remove the statue could lead to legal action, because it’s unclear who owns the monument property.

A Pineville man has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 42-year-old Latish White. Her body was discovered near the Pineville Expressway early Wednesday morning. Deputy Police Chief Darrell Basco says 29-year-old Matthew Sonnier was apprehended around midnight in Alexandria…
cut 8 (06) “….24 hours”
Basco says they believe Sonnier stabbed White in his vehicle and then dumped the body on the roadway.

NOAA’s long-range outlook calls for a warmer and drier winter for Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s been warm and dry for much of October, so it looks like that trend will continue…
cut 10 (11) “…bode well”
Another cold front is approaching Louisiana and there’s a good chance for rain this weekend and high temperatures will fall into the 70s on Monday.

Dr. Craig Greene will be sworn in next week as the Public Service Commissioner who will represent the Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Houma areas. Greene, who has never held political office before, explained why he ran for the position.
Cut 12 (10) “problem solving”
Greene says the biggest challenge facing the P-S-C is getting energy at the cheapest rate possible.

11:30 LRN Newscast October 19

The Caddo Parish Commission votes today on removing the statue of a Confederate soldier outside the parish courthouse. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (23) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Jackson Parish paper mill will remain a vital part of north Louisiana’s economy. WestRock has announced that it will enhance operations, saving about 400 jobs at the facility in Hodge. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it’s a big economic development win…
Cut 10 (13) “that mill.”
The mill’s annual payroll is 28-million dollars.

Pineville Police have made an arrest in the stabbing death of 42-year-old Latish White, who was found early Wednesday morning near the Pineville Expressway. 29-year-old Matthew Sonnier of Pineville was taken into custody around midnight in Alexandria. Pineville Deputy Police Chief Darrell Basco says Sonnier was a known acquaintance of White and the two were together at the time of her death…
cut 7 (12) “…the intersection”
Sonnier was charged with second-degree murder.

KNOE-TV reports salmonella poisoning could be the cause of a mass illness that’s affected about two-hundred people in Caldwell Parish. Many vicitims began complaining of symptoms at about the same time on Monday night. The Speculation is that those who came down with the illness ate from the same pot of jambalaya at a charity softball event.

10:30 LRN Newscast October 19

Governor Edwards says he met with Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator about his concerns over the release of hundreds of inmates next month as part of the state’s criminal justice reform effort. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

About 200 people are reportedly sick in Caldwell Parish from food poisioning. KNOE-TV reports one person has died. The state health department is looking into the outbreak. There’s speculation the food poisioning is from a bad pot of jambalya from a charity softball event.

Pineville Police have made an arrest in the stabbing death of 42-year-old Latish White. A passerby found her body near the Pineville Expressway early Wednesday morning. Pineville Deputy Police Chief Darrell Basco says they learned 29-year-old Matthew Sonnier of Pineville was responsible for her death and arrested him in Alexandria…
Cut 6 (11) “apprehended him.”
Basco says Sonnier was a known acquaintance of White and they believe he stabbed her in his vehicle.

State tax incentives will result in the WestRock paper mill in Hodge to enhance its operations and retain over 400 jobs. State economic development Secretary Don Pierson…
cut 11 (09) “…five years”
WestRock is the larget private employer in Jackson Parish.

09:30 LRN Newscast October 19

The Caddo Parish Commission is expected to vote this afternoon on whether a statue of a Confederate soldier in front of the Caddo Parish courthouse should come down. LSU-Shreveport Associate Political Science Professor Jeffery Sadow says the statue is on a list for National Register of Historic Places , but that likely won’t affect if the monument can be removed or not…
cut 6 (12) “…situated”
Sadow says the public has not made much noise about whether the monument should stay or go.

Governor Edwards met with Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator over his criticism of the early release of inmates as a result of recently approved criminal justice reform legislation. Prator says violent criminals will be back on the streets and “good prisoners” who perform tasks for parish government will also be free. Edwards reacted to Prator’s “good prisoner” comment…
cut 8 (10) “…policy debate”
A Jackson Parish paper mill will remain open thanks to state tax breaks which will result in an updated facility. Kelley Ray has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The state health department is looking into a possible mass food poisioning outbreak in Caldwell Parish. There are reports the illness has sent 200 people to the hospital. A 56-year-old man in the area has died, but it’s unclear if food poison was the cause. There’s speculation jambalaya from a local softball fundraiser could be the cause.

08:30 LRN Newscast October 19

In a couple of weeks, hundreds of inmates will be released as a result of a criminal justice reform package signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator voiced concern that violent criminals will be let out early without proper rehabilitation. But Edwards says Prator didn’t have the best information…
Cut 7 (09) “best practices”
Prator also said it was important to keep “good” prisoners incarcerated, so they can pick up trash, wash cars, and cook for first responders. Edwards says these are the inmates Louisiana wants to release early, because they have proven themselves trustworthy and did not commit a violent offense.

Textron Marine and Land Services in New Orleans has received a 333-million dollar contract from the Army to build up to 255 mobile strike force vehicles, which are armored personnel carriers. Textron has previously supplied vehicles to the Afghan national army.
The Caddo Parish Commission votes today on removing the statue of a Confederate soldier outside the parish courthouse. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (23) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Pineville police detectives are seeking clues into the city’s first homicide of the year. Deputy Chief of Police Darrell Basco says early Wednesday morning the body of 42-year-old Latish White of Alexanderia was found near the Pineville Expressway….
cut 14 (07) “…crime rate”
Basco says White was stabbed multiple times. An exact cause of death will be known when the autopsy is completed.

07:30 LRN Newscast October 19

Governor John Bel Edwards says he has met with Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator after the law enforcement officer delivered harsh criticism of the state’s criminal justice reform movement that will lead to the early release of hundreds of inmates next month. Edwards says he told the sheriff these reform efforts will do more than just reduce the incarceration rate…
cut 9 (07) “…gonna save”
Prator said dangerous criminals will be back out on the streets next month.

The Caddo Parish Commission will vote today on removing a statue of a Confederate soldier that stands outside of the parish courthouse. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffery Sadow says a vote taken last month indicates the commission leaning towards removing the monument…
Cut 4 (11) “that monument”
The Pineville Police Department is investigating its first homicide of the year. A female body was discovered early Wednesday morning…
cut 15 (05) “…detective office”
That’s Deputy Chief of Police Darrel Basco. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Latish White of Alexandria.

A Jackson Parish paper mill will keep playing a vital role for the north Louisiana economy. WestRock has announced that it will enhance operations at the mill, saving about 400 jobs at the facility in Hodge and another 37-hundred indirect jobs. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it’s a big economic development win…
Cut 10 (13) “that mill.”
The mill’s annual payroll is 28-million dollars.

06:45 LRN Sportscast

For the third year in a row, the Pelicans lost their season opener. After scoring 34 points in the first quarter, Memphis rallied back for 103 to 91-win over New Orleans. DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis did their part for the Pels. Cousins had 28 points and 10 rebounds, while A-D finished with 33 points and 18 rebounds. But the Pelicans only had seven assists in the final 36 minutes.

The LSU men’s basketball team has been picked to finish last in the Southeastern Conference according to a poll of SEC and national media members. The Tigers were 10-21, 2-and-16 in the SEC last season. First year Head Coach Will Wade says the low expectations is what they expected.

There’s some good injury news involving the LSU football team. Head coach Ed orgeron says starting right tackle Toby Weathersby should play this Saturday against Ole Miss. Weathersby didn’t play last week, because of an injury he suffered against Florida.

The Ragin Cajuns have another big Sun Belt matchup tonight as they visit Arkansas State. UL Lafayette won last Thursday, beating Texas State. Tonight they’ll face a Red Wolves team that’s 2-0 in league play. Louisiana beat A-S-U last year 24-19, but Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth says the Red Wolves are a better team this year
Cut 16 (11) our defense”
Kick-off is at 6:30.

The Saints Cam Jordan was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Jordan recorded five tackles, two sacks, three passes defensed and had an interception in the end zone in New Orleans 52-38 win over Detroit. The first injury report of the week came out yesterday and only two players from the Saints were on it, Terron Armstead and Willie Snead as both players continue to come back from preseason injuries.

06:30 LRN Newscast October 19

Governor Edwards met with Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator about his concerns over the release of hundreds of inmates next month as part of the state’s criminal justice reform effort. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (31) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

About 200 people are reportedly sick in Caldwell Parish from a bad case of food poisioning. KNOE-TV has reported one person has died. The Louisiana Department of Health is looking into the outbreak. There’s speculation the food poisioning is the result of a bad pot of jambalya from a softball event.

Authorities are searching for clues after a female body was found near the Pineville expressway. Deputy Chief of Pineville Police, Darrell Basco, says 42-year-old Latish White of Alexandria was stabbed multiple times..
cut 13 (11) “…at this time”

Jackson Parish’s largest private employer has announced plans to upgrade the WestRock paper mill in Hodge. State Representative Jack MacFarland says if the facility closed down, it would be catastrophic, since the mill also provides needed utilities…
cut 12 (09) “….wastewater treatment’
The mill produces 800-thousand tons of container board paper each year.

18:30 LRN Newscast October 18

In just a few weeks, hundreds of inmates will be released in Louisiana as a result of a criminal justice reform package signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator voiced concern that violent criminals will be released early without proper rehabilitation. But Edwards says Prator didn’t have the best information at hand…
Cut 7 (09) “best practices”

Authorities discovered humain remains in a burned out ditch on Old Boyce Road in Rapides Parish. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says an active investigation is underway….
cut 15 (11) “…their mind”
No other details have been provided.

A Jackson Parish paper mill will remain open thanks state tax breaks which will result in an updated facility. Kelley Ray has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

UL Lafayette softball coach Michael Lotief has been placed on administrative leave. No reason was given from the university. But Lotief’s attorney says the action arises out of a passionate conversation about gender equity between Lotief and University personnel. The statement says the Lotiefs have spent their careers fighting for better opportunities for female athletes.

16:45 LRN Sportscast October 18

LSU’s defensive secondary will have its hands full on Saturday in Oxford when the Tigers take on Ole Miss. The Rebels have the number one pass offense in the SEC thanks to former Calvary Baptist Quarterback Shea Patterson. But cornerback Donte Jackson says there’s no added pressure…
cut 18 (20) “…staying conditioned’
Patterson has thrown for 21-hundred yards this season, while LSU quarterback Danny Etling has just 12-hundred yards passing.

The NBA Pelicans begin a new season tonight as they visit Memphis. New Orleans finished 10th in the rugged Western Conference last year, but the franchise hopes they have enough talent this season to earn a playoff spot.

Just two Saints players are on Wednesday’s injury report. Tackle Terron Armstead was limited today as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury and wide receiver Willie Snead, because of that nagging hamstring problem. There are 14 players on Green Bay’s injury report, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers who could be done for the season with a broken collarbone.

Based on a media poll, the expectations are low for the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers were picked to finish last in the 14-team league this season. Former North Caddo star and Texas A-and-M Forward Robert Williams was named co-SEC preseason player of the year.

UL Lafayette softball coach Michael Lotief has been placed on administrative leave. No reason was given from the university. But Lotief’s attorney says the action arises out of a passionate conversation about gender equity between Lotief and University personnel. The statement says the Lotiefs have spent their careers fighting for better opportunities for female athletes.