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”

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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”

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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”

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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”

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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”

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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” 

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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”

11:40 LRN Sportscast July 25th

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow. The team has already placed starting left tackle Terron Armstead and center Max Unger on the physically unable to perform list. Armstead could miss the first half of the season with a shoulder injury, but Unger is hopeful to be back before the regular season as he recovers from foot surgery.

Other news, wide receiver Willie Snead has signed his tender as an excluse-rights free agent and he’ll make 615-thousand dollars this year. Snead and the Saints are expected to work towards a long term deal. And linebacker and special teams standout Michael Mauti has inked a one-year deal.

Former Louisiana Tech standout and Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon has injured his knee and he’ll undergo 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.

At Sun Belt Football Media Day in New Orleans, ULM players have a positive outlook for the upcoming season, despite winning just four games last season. Senior offensive lineman Frank Sutton says last year’s team performed better than most expected and they expect to do the same again this season…
Cut 16 (24) “from there”
The Warhawks were selected to finish ninth in the league this year.

18:30 LRN Newscast July 24

In a move that doesn’t surprise many in the Capital City, Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie has announced his plans to retire. Newly elected Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome promised a new top cop, in the hopes of easing tensions between the community and police following the shooting of Alton Sterling. Political analyst and Baton Rouge Radio host Clay Young says Dabadie was willing to work on a strong partnership….
cut 8 (11) “…emotion”
Broome has named Lt. Jonny Dunnam as interim chief.

A plane crash in Union Parish has claimed the life of a 73-year-old man from Monroe. Sheriff Dusty Gates says David Lockard’s small, private plane crashed into Lake D’Arbonne yesterday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration is one site, trying to determine a cause for the crash.

Calcasieu Parish authorities make an arrest in the 2009 murder of 19-year-old Sierra Bouziard. Her body was found on the side of the road in Moss Bluff. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says 31-year-old Blake Russel was taken into custody today after police work and DNA techonology helped connect him to Bouziard’s murder…
cut 13 (09) “…weep with joy”
Russel was charged with second-degree murder.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says an arrest has been made in a fatal hit and run crash in Rayne. They say 42-year-old Ivy Roger had been charged with driving while intoxicated five times before, and was booked last night after hitting a bicyclist and fleeing the scene of the crash. Sheriff K. P. Gibson..:
Cut 10 (10) “to confirm it”
The victim, 61-year-old Ricky Joyner, died at the scene.

16:30 LRN Newscast July 24th

High demand is driving up prices at the pump. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A veteran New Orleans Police officer has been shot for the third time in his career. Authorities say Christopher Abbott is recovering from a gunshot wound to the leg. He was in uniform working off-duty private security patrol when someone from a dark SUV fired one shot at him. The search is on for the shooter.

Carl Dabadie has announced he’s retiring as Baton Rouge Police Chief. East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said she’d like a new face at the department in the aftermath of the Alton Sterling shooting. Political Analyst and Baton Rouge radio host Clay Young says Dabadie probably had enough…:
Cut 7 (11) “time to move on”
Lt. Johnathan Dunnam has been named interim chief.

A Rayne man, who has five DWI charges on his record, has been arrested for his involvement in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a bicylist. Acadia Parish Sheriff K-P Gibson says 42-year-old Ivy Roger’s license is suspended and he should not have been driving at all….
cut 11 (08) “…for life”
61-year-old Ricky Joyner of Rayne was pronounced dead at the scene.

15:30 LRN Newscast July 24th

Gas prices are on the rise. Don Redman with AAA says gas prices in June were the lowest we’ve seen all year, which is unusual for the summer months, but we’re seeing an uptick at the pump…:
Cut 3 (09) “statewide”
Acadia Parish authorities arrest a man with a history of drunk driving arrests for a fatal hit and run. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Calcasieu Parish authorities have made an arrest in a 2009 cold case. The body of 19-year-old Sierra Bouzigard was found on the side of the road in November of 2009, and police have been searching for a suspect ever since. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they used phenotyping technology to create a suspect profile from DNA found on the victim, which led to today’s arrest of 31-year-old Blake Russel.
Cut 12 (08) “either one”
Mancuso says his agency was the first in the state to use the Snapshot DNA Phenotyping technology. Russel was arrested this morning in DeQuincy on a charge of second degree murder.

New Orleans Cops are looking for a dark SUV involved in the shooting of an officer working a private detail. The injured policeman, Officer Chris Abbott, was shot in the leg in what has described as a drive-by-shooting. It turns out Abbott was also injured by gunfire in 1998 and 2001.

14:30 LRN Newscast July 24

Triple-A is projecting gas prices will go up about a dime before the Labor Day Holiday. Fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s an educated guess, because a lot of factors affect gas prices, especially in the Gulf South…
cut 5 (10) “….much higher”
The current statewide average is $2.08. That’s about a dime higher than a year ago.

Calcaiseu Parish authorities have made an arrest in the 2009 murder of a 19-year-old female from Moss Bluff. At a press conference this afternoon, Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they arrested a man from DeQuincy…
cut 30 (08) “…second-degree murder”
In 2009, Sierra Bouzigard’s body was found on John Koonce Road. She died from blunt force trauma to the head.

In a move that doesn’t surprise many in the Capital City, Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie has announced his plans to retire. Newly elected Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome promised a new top cop, in the hopes of easing tensions between the community and police following the shooting of Alton Sterling. Political analyst and Baton Rouge Radio host Clay Young says Dabadie was willing to work on a strong partnership….
cut 8 (11) “…emotion”
Broome has named Lt. Jonny Dunnam as interim chief.

A plane crash in Union Parish has claimed the life of a 73-year-old man from Monroe. Sheriff Dusty Gates says David Lockard’s small, private plane crashed into Lake D’Arbonne yesterday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration is one site, trying to determine a cause for the crash. Lockard was the only person on the aircraft.