11:40 LRN Sportscast August 4

The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has decided to honor football legend Dr. Billy Cannon with a statue of him on the Baton Rouge campus. Cannon says having a statue of him at his alma mater was the farthest thing from his mind. He hopes it looks like he did in his glory days, young with a lot of hair….
cut 5 (09) “…present him”
Cannon won the Heisman Trophy in 1959 and led the Tigers to a national championship in 1958.

All purpose back Slade Bolden of West Monroe High School has committed to Alabama. Bolden plays a number of positions for the Rebels, quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back. He’s listed as a three-star prospect and some compare him to Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman.

In major league baseball…Alex Bregman went three for four with a run scored and an RBI but the Astros lost their third straight as the Tampa Bay topped Houston five to three.

Former Saints kicker Morten Andersen will become the second kicker in history to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on saturday. The native of Denmark is the leading scorer in NFL history. The Saints selected Andersen in the fourth round of the 1982 draft and and finished his 25-year career with 2,544 points and 565 field goals made.

At Saints camp, starting left guard Andrus Peat is entering his third season. Peat says he’s trying to help out first round pick Ryan Ramczyk, who could be the starting left tackle for the injured Terron Armstead…
cut 17 (15) “…that aspect”
Peat says at first he didn’t feel comfortable at guard, but now he enjoys playing the position and is up to 325 pounds.

16:30 LRN Newscast August 3rd

Parents stocking up on back-to-school supplies can save a few dollars this weekend because of a partial sales tax holiday. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says most purchases are only subject to three percent of the state sales tax on Friday and Saturday….:
Cut 9 (10) “school supplies”
The state Department of Transportation hosts a public meeting tonight at the Lake Charles Civic Center to discuss proposals to replace the 66-year-old Calcasieu River Bridge. DOTD spokesperson Deidra Druilhet says at this time there is no money available for a new bridge, but that hasn’t stopped them from developing plans for a new one with today’s standards…
Cut 7 (10) “shoulders”
The body of 7-year-old Daysean Combest was found today after he was swept away in a storm drain Tuesday afternoon during a heavy rain storm. Shreveport Fire Chief Scott Wolverton says railroad contractors called firefighters around 7:30 this morning…:
CUT 12 (07) “railroad trestle”
He says that’s where the body was recovered by the Caddo Parish Coroner.

Could you survive in the forests of Belize “Naked and Afraid?” Halen Doughty has more from the West Monroe man who did just that…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

LRN PM Newscall August 3rd

Could you survive in the forests of Belize “Naked and Afraid?” Halen Doughty has more from the West Monroe man who did just that…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Shreveport officials made a heartbreaking announcement about the 7-year-old who was swept away in a storm drain. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A West Monroe man survived in the wilderness of Belize completely naked. Dustin Campbell will appear on tonight’s episode of “Naked and Afraid” on Discovery Channel. He says it was a challenge completing the stretch without clothes. He says bugs never bit so hard and nights have never been so long.

Cut 3 (11) “how you feel”

The show thrusts two strangers into the wild with no clothes, no food, and no water for 21 days. The team has to survive with only one survivalist tool each and their wits. Some participants are expert survivalists with years of training, but Campbell says he’s just a good ole boy who lives in the woods.

Cut 4  (10) “I went”

Campbell is the second Ouachita Parish man to complete the challenge, after Jeremy McCaa appeared twice on the show last year. But he says he’d never swam with a crocodile before or tried some of the bizarre foods the Belize forest had to offer.

Cut 5  (10)  “they’re nasty”

Campbell says you’ll have to watch the episode tonight at 8 p.m. to see if he made it through the whole 21 day challenge.

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The state Department of Transportation will host a public meeting tonight at the Lake Charles Civic Center to discuss replacing the Calcasieu River Bridge. Deidra Druilhet with DOTD says the purpose of the open-forum is to give the community a chance to see the future plans and receive feedback. She says the construction would extend from the I-10/I-210 interchange on the west side river to the interchange on the east side.

Cut 6 (09) “enhance safety”

Druilhet says the 66 year old bridge is eligible to be on the National Registration of Historic Places and they hope to get feedback from the public on this, as well. She says at this time there is no money available for a new bridge, but it’s time to build a new one with today’s standards.

Cut 7 (10)  “shoulders”

The meeting is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Contraband Room. Druilhet says the proposed project would improve connectivity, congestion and bridge deficiencies.

Cut 8 (09) “the roads”

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Parents stocking up on back-to-school supplies can save a few dollars this weekend during the annual sales tax holiday. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says most purchases are only subject to three percent of the state sales tax this Friday and Saturday. He says that’s a significant savings over the usual five percent rate.

Cut 9 (10)  “school supplies”

Henderson says the tax break does not apply to vehicle purchases, food in restaurants, or taxable services. He says for items that are eligible, the two percent savings applies to the first $2,500 of the purchase price of each item.

Cut 10 (12) “state sales tax”

Henderson says not only can customers realize savings on the front end, there are dollars to be saved on the back end as well. He says parents should keep their receipts for any back-to-school purchases including supplies, uniforms, and equipment that’s required by the school.

Cut 11 (12) “and home schools”

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Shreveport Fire Chief Scott Wolverton held a news conference today to discuss how they located the body of 7-year-old Daysean Combest who was swept away in a storm drain Tuesday afternoon. He says railroad contractors called firefighters around 7:30 this morning…:

Cut 12 (07) “railroad trestle”

Wolverton says the body was recovered by the Caddo Parish Coroner and will be sent in for an autopsy. Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler was also present for the announcement, and expressed sorrow for the child’s mother, Mary Edmond…:

Cut 13 (09) “love and support”

Daysean was last seen playing near a ditch not far from the Louisiana State Fair Grounds, just before heavy rains lashed the city. Hundreds of workers and volunteers took part in the search that included helicopters, boats and K9s. Tyler says this is every parents worst nightmare…:

Cut 14 (10) “and support”

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14:30 LRN Newscast August 3

Tonight at the Lake Charles Civic Center a public meeting will take place to look proposals for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge..
cut 8 (09) “…on the roads”
That’s Department of transportation spokesperson Deidra Durilhet who says there’s currently no funding for a new bridge.

Tonight on the Discovery Channel you can watch a West Monroe man attempt to survive in the wilderness of Belize for 21 days with only one survivalist tool. Dustin Campbell says he swam with a crocodile and attempted to keep his stomach full with what the jungle offered…
cut 5 (10) “….they’re nasty”
The reality television show is called “Naked and Afraid” and it can be seen at 8 PM on the Discovery Channel.

Shreveport officials made a heartbreaking announcement about the 7-year-old who was swept away in a storm drain. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Four teenagers connected to the shooting death of a 61-year-old Walker man are in the Livingston Parish jail today after they were arrested in Texas. Rick McBride was fatally shot in his home when two individuals attempted to steal money and guns from him on July 23rd. A fifth person and possible gunman was also arrested in late July.

11:40 LRN Sportscast August 3

Offensive lineman Maea Teuhema has been granted his release from the LSU football team and will transfer to another school. Teuhema was suspended for a violation of team rules and Head Coach Ed Orgeron said earlier this week that the two-year starter was dealing with academic issues.

With Teuhema no longer on the team, Lloyd Cushenberry from Dutchtown High School has the first chance to take Teuhema’s starting spot at right guard. Starting left guard Garrett Brumfield says Cushenberry has been waiting for his chance after taking a red-shirt last season….
cut 17 (15) “…you need him”
LSU is ranked 12th in the coaches poll, which came out today. Alabama is number one, followed by Ohio State, Florida State, USC and Clemson.

At Saints training camp, Head Coach Sean Payton talked about how running back Mark Ingram could be a bigger part of the passing game this season…
cut 30 (20) “…as a runner”
The 27 year-old has caught 96 passes over the last two seasons. He had four touchdown catches last year.

The Saints announced today that they’ll hold their training camp practice on Sunday at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. It will get underway at 7 PM and it is open to the public.

The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was dedicated today in Canton, Ohio. The facility is named after Benson, because he donated 10-million dollars to the building in 2014. The first preseason game of the year will be played there tonight as the Cowboys take on the Arizona Cardinals.

10:30 LRN Newscast August 3

Media reports out of Shreveport say it appears the body of missing seven-year-old Daysean Combest has been found. He’s been missing for three days. His mother says Daysean was in a drainage ditch during a heavy rainstorm and he was swept away. It’s unknown how he got into the ditch.

The state Department of Transportation is looking at widening I-12 in St. Tammany Parish between Mandeville and Covington. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Membership is set for a task force that will examine the 350-million dollar TOPS scholarship program for the first time. Its chairman, Jennings Senator Blade Morrish, says the panel consists of an array of lawmakers representing both parties and all corners of the state…:
Cut 13 (09) “concerning TOPS”
The first meeting is September 6.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is conducting a study to see if expecting mothers with gestational diabetest are at a higher risk to giving birth to a baby that will suffer from diabetes or obesity. Dr. Nick Broskey says they’re recruiting women with gestational diabetes for the study…
cut 6 (11) “…or diet”

17:30 LRN Newscast August 2

In Acadia Parish, Esterwood Assistant Police Chief Wayne Welsh has resigned amid allegations he posted racists remarks on his Facebook page. Police Chief Ernest Villejoin says Welsh has publicly apologized…:
Cut 12 (08) “department”
Welsh posted multiple comments on his Facebook page referring to Muslim women as trash bags, as well as, a racially charged meme.

Baton Rouge police arrest a 42-year-old man for the stabbing death of his 41-year-old ex-girlfriend. Sara Hernandez was found dead in her Baton Rouge home on Sunday. Sergeant Don Coppola says detectives quickly learned Miquel Angel Lopez was their main suspect and they learned he suffered injuries during the attack…
cut 11 (10) “…into custody”
Authorities believe Lopez stayed with Hernandez’s body 10 to 14 hours before fleeing the scene.

The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is the biggest one ever measured. Jeff Palermo has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Citing money problems, The Salvation Army homeless shelter in Monroe, the only one in the area, will close later this month. Spokesperson Jon Kalahar says church services and weekly prayer meetings will continue, and so will basic social services…:
Cut 7 (10) “care program”
About 30 homeless individuals sleep at the shelter every night.

16:45 LRN Sportscast August 2

A two-year starter on LSU’s offensive line has been suspended indefinitely. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says Maea Teuhema violated team rules. Earlier in the week, Orgeron said Teuhema was not at practice because of academic reasons. He is the projected starter at right guard.

There is some positive news about LSU’s offensive line. Starting right tackle Toby Weathersby says he feels good as he’s coming back from an injury that forced him to miss all of spring practice due to an unspecified offseason surgery. Weathersby also says the younger guys working behind him are doing well…
cut 18 (14) “…are ready”
Meanwhile, quarterback Danny Etling says he’ll be ready for the opener against BYU as he’s in the final stages in his recovery from back surgery.

Saints guard Senio Kelemete practiced for the first time in training camp today as he was removed from the physically unable to perform list with an undisclosed injury. Kelemete was working with the second-team at center. Cornerbacks Delvin Breaux and Marshon Lattimore did not practice and the same goes for tight end Coby Fleener. Head Coach Sean Payton says Lattimore tweaked a knee and he’ll be fine.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette has hundreds of trophies and he’s decided to put them towards good use. The first round pick of the Jaguars will have the trophies melted down, so they can be used as an entire weight set for a Jacksonsville-area high school. Fournette said he wanted to do something positive with the trophies, because they were just sitting at home collecting dust.

Former Chalmette basketball star Mitchell Robinson has been granted his release from Western Kentucky, but he’ll need a waiver from the NCAA in order to play this season. Robinson is a potential lottery pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

16:30 LRN Newscast

U.S District Judge Patricia Minaldi of Lake Charles is retiring. The federal judge took a medical leave in December to receive alcoholism treatment. According to court records, Minaldi’s drinking got so bad that a colleague asked the court to rule she cannot take care of herself. Minaldi said a few months ago that her alcoholism didn’t impact the outcome of her cases.

The projected starter at right guard for LSU has been suspended….

Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

In Acadia Parish, an assistant police chief resigned after referring to Muslim women as trash bags on Facebook, plus he posted a racially charged meme. Esterwood Police Chief Ernest Villejoin (Vee-jewan) says Wayne Welsh made the right decision to step down….
cut 14 (06) “…it happened”
Welsh was a police officer for the town for over two years.

The end to the construction on Bourbon Street is moving slower than anticipated. New Orleans Public Works Department Director Mark Jernigan says rain has caused delays, along with poor utility plan depictions. He says they’ve also uncovered that many businesses along the historic street are in violation of the state’s plumbing code.:
Cut 5 (09) “businesses”
He says they are about two months behind and all of the work might not get completed until Halloween.

15:30 LRN Newscast August 2nd

In Acadia Parish, the Esterwood Assistance Police Chief has resigned after posting racially charged remarks on his personal Facebook page….
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

One person is dead and a Red River Parish Sheriff’s deputy was injured during a shoot out at a home south of Coushatta this morning. A state police spokesperson says the deputy was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, while the male suspect died at the hospital. The deputy visited the home in reference to a welfare concern.

The massive construction project on Bourbon Street is two months behind schedule. New Orleans Public Works Director Mark Jernigan blames a rainy June and the exact location of almost all the utility lines underneath the historic street were either missing or inaccurately depicted on their plans…:
Cut 4 (11) “are buried”
It might be until Halloween before all of the work is completed.

The only homeless shelter in the Monroe area will close its doors later this month. On August 26, the Salvation Army will discontinue its overnight shelter services. Spokesperson Jon Kalahar says the shelter serves an average of 30 people each night…:
Cut 6 (08) “for 2016″
Six people will also lose their jobs and it’s unclear where the homeless will sleep once the shelter closes.