07:30 LRN Newscast September 21st

It’s a tale of two different economies in Louisiana. The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis says Houma-Thibodaux and Lafayette are two metro areas that have shrunk the most over the year, while Baton Rouge and Lake Charles are the fastest growing economies in the country. LSU economist Doctor Loren Scott says the growth is the result of the chemical industry and the liquefied natural gas export sector…
cut 11 (11) “…in Asia”

A record setting summer weather wise comes to a close today. Alex Krautmann with the National Weather Service says it goes down as one of the warmest and one of the wettest, with Baton Rouge shattering the previous record….
cut 5 (11) ‘…was received”
It will feel like summer today with high temps in the mid 90s.

Many flood victims in the Baton Rouge area are choosing to sell their flood damaged homes as is. Halen Dougthy has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

After deliberating for one hour, a six-person jury in Ouachita Parish determined West Monroe Police Officer Jody Ledoux was “Not Guilty” of negligent homicide in the shooting death of Raymond Martinez in December of 2014. Ledoux testified he thought the homeless man was reaching for a gun, when he was pulling a silver and gray cell phone from his pocket.

06:45 LRN Sportscast September 21st

18th ranked LSU is getting ready for an Auburn team struggling on offense. The War Eagles have scored a total of 29 points against the two Power 5 teams they’ve played this year. Tigers Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda says the big challenge is all of the formations that Auburn uses…
cut 16 (12) “…main points”
Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn has announced Sean White will remain the Tigers starting quarterback, even though Auburn has struggled to produce big plays through the air.

The Saints have an extra day to prepare for the Atlanta Falcons, who they host on Monday night. Falcons QB Matt Ryan has been sharp this season, completing 73-percent of his passes, with four touchdowns and one interception, but Atlatna’s defense has given up a bunch of points this season.

Louisiana Tech looks for a much better performance this Saturday when they visit Middle Tennessee. The Bulldogs allowed 666 total yards in a 59-45 loss to Texas Texas last week. Calling the plays for the Blue Raiders this Saturday will be Tony Franklin. He was the offensive coordinator for Tech from 2010 to 2012.

Grambling’s offense has been clicking. The Tigers won their SWAC opener last week by beating Jackson State 35-14. This Saturday Grambling hosts Alcorn State at 6 PM. Fans are encouraged to wear white for the 6 PM kickoff at Robinson Stadium.

Southern also has a SWAC game this Saturday as the Jaguars visit Alabama A-and-M. Southern has already forced nine turnovers through three games.

In the Southland….Southeastern Louisiana begins the home portion of its schedule by hosting winless Northwestern State. The Lions are 12-and-1 in home openers.

06:30 LRN Newscast September 21st

Two Louisiana metro areas are the fastest growing economies in the country, while two others are the fastest shrinking. Data from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis says Lake Charles and Baton Rouge are growing very fast, while Houma-Thibodaux and Lafayette are struggling. LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says a decline in drilling in the Gulf is to blame…
cut 12 (10) “…gas industry”
The numbers show Houma-Thibodaux has the nation’s second-worst economy.

One of the warmest and wettest summers in history comes to an end today, with it being the final day of summer. Alex Krautmann with the National Weather Service says a warm Gulf led to high rainfall totals…
cut 6 (10) “….downpours”

There are more and more flood damaged homes on the market that are listed as “Currently Damaged.” Baton Rouge area realtor Ginger Maulden says we could see this last for another year or two. Maulden says many other homeowners are in a waiting game…
cut 9 (11) “…market area”
Governor John Bel Edwards heads to Washington D-C later today for more meetings with members of Congress as he continues to build support for a flood relief package. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says there’s a dispute over whether to include funding for the Flint, Michigan water crisis with a flood aid package.

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 20th

LSU’s Danny Elting should be heading into the Auburn game with confidence. In seven quarters of action. Etling has completed 57-percent of his passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns. But the transfer from Purdue knows there’s room for improvement…
cut 18 (13) “…keep going”
Auburn starting quarterback Sean White was pulled in the fourth quarter during last week’s loss to Texas A&M. But Coach Guz Malzhan says White will start this Saturday against LSU.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth says the placekicking job is under evaluation after sophomore kicker Stevie Artigue missed two PATS and a 40-yard field goal last Saturday. Hudspeth says other guys will get some opportunities this week, but he’s hoping Artigue can improve.

Louisiana Tech begins league play this Saturday against Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders are 2-1. They started the year with a shutout win over Alabama A-and-M, they lost to Vanderbilt and then defeated Bowling Green last week.

Looking ahead to this weekend in the Southland…Nicholls, who won its conference opener last week, are at South Alabama this Saturday. McNeese looks to rebound from a loss in their Southland opener, by getting a victory at U-I-W. Northwestern State travels to Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions are coming off a bye week, while the Demons are looking for their first win of the year.

In NFL news…former Saints running back CJ Spiller is reportedly visiting with the Green Bay Packers. New Orleans released Spiller last week, even though it seemed like he performed well during training camp.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball releases its schedule for the upcomign season. The Dunkin Dawgs will visit Power Five schools like South Carolina, Nebraska, Cal and they’ll visit the Ragin Cajuns on December 10th.

14:30 LRN Newscast September 20th

The frustration is growing from those who are anxiously waiting for crews to dispose of the flood damage debris that’s sitting outside their home. One of those frustrated flood victims is Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider, who says FEMA has not done enough to improve the debris removal process…
cut 7 (10) “….and uncaring”
Schneider lives and works in Livingston Parish.

The Louisiana Community and Technology College system says they had a record number of students graduate from their schools last year. LCTCS president Monty Sullivan credits the public-private partnerships that have been created…
cut 13 (11) “…fields”

Louisiana has the second highest rate of women who are killed by men, according to a study by the Violence Policy Center. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Shreveport police say a 50-year-old man was killed early this morning in a shootout that took place in front of his estranged wife. Authorities say Boyd Garner confronted his estranged wife outside their home as she was visiting with a male friend. The male friend and Garner got into a physical altercation, which led to gunshots. Boyd died at a local hospital, while the other man survived the shooting.

LRN PM Newscall September 20th

Dukes of Hazzard star John Schnieder, who lives and has a studio in Livingston Parish, is enraged with the cleanup process after the flooding. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Louisiana has the second highest rate of women who are killed by men, according to a study by the Violence Policy Center. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Brown tap water has been flowing from faucets in the City of Oak Grove in West Carroll parish for years, and city officials are taking action to get clean water. Mayor Adam Holland says he and some city council members toured America Water and Waste’s facility last week to find out what is causing the discoloration in the water.

CUT 3 (11)  “should be”

Holland says during his meeting with the company owners last week, he informed them that he is executing the 120 day termination clause in their contract. But he wants to give the company the city has been with since 2002 one more chance.

CUT 4 (08)  “the meeting”

Holland says some of the issues they want addressed are the joints at the plant that need to be replaced and better transparency between the company and the city. He says most importantly they just want clean, clear drinking water.

CUT 5 (09)  “my pipes”

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Movie star John Schneider is upset with the cleanup process south Louisiana has seen after the historic flooding. Schneider has a studio and home in Holden and another property on the Amite River, which were all flooded. The Dukes of Hazzard actor says a month later, he still sees mountains and mountains of trash on the road…

CUT 6 (10) “their roadway”

The Livingston Parish Office of Emergency Management says there is still over one million cubic yards of trash that needs to be collected. Schneider says seeing the trash every day is a constant reminder of some kind of failure. He says we pay our taxes for debris removal yet we still don’t seem important enough for FEMA to take some sort of action.

CUT 7 (10) “and uncaring”

Schneider says Louisiana was in the news this summer for tragic shootings, but the flooding even hasn’t gotten the attention of our government. He says the debris removal process should’ve begun immediately after people removed their water logged belongings from their home.

CUT 8 (11) “failed system”

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A new study from the Violence Policy Center finds Louisiana ranks second in the country for the rate of women who are murdered by men. VPC Legislative Director, Kristen Rand, says this is the sixth year in a row that Louisiana has made the top 10. She says that may have something to do with the state’s gun laws.

CUT 9 (09) “with firearms”

Alaska was the only state with a higher rate of women murdered by men. Rand says black women are at a higher risk than white women because 29 of the 51 females murdered by men in 2014 were African American. She says in most cases, the woman has a relationship with the attacker.

cut 10 (11)  “the perpetrator”

In 2014, the Louisiana passed a law that prevents convicted domestic abusers from purchasing a gun for ten years after the completion of their probation, but the law doesn’t require them to surrender their weapons. She says Louisiana needs to keep passing laws to protect domestic violence victims.

Cut 11 (09) “volatile situations”

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The Louisiana Community and Technical College system had another record setting year in 2015-16. Collectively, 28,853 students graduated from a community and technical college, up over 6000 from the prior year. LCTCS president Monty Sullivan says it’s great to see students that are completing programs in high demand fields…:

cut 12 (09) “technical colleges”

The WISE fund was created in 2014. It allocates $40 million dollars to higher ed in Louisiana, and $12 million to two-year colleges. Sullivan says dollars from the WISE fund and private company matches were instrumental in getting them to the numbers they’ve seen the past year…:

Cut 13 (11)  “fields”

Graduates from across Louisiana earned credentials in programs that are critical economic drivers such as computer science, process technology, construction crafts, engineering technology, industrial production, allied health, manufacturing and accounting. Sullivan says these are also critical to Louisiana families…:

cut 14 (09)  “progress”

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11:40 LRN Sportscast September 20th

LSU’s new starting quarterback Danny Etling is getting ready for his first road start in the SEC. The Bayou Bengals’ last trip to the Plains was not a good one. The Tigers were embarrassed as Auburn beat up LSU 41-7 and the Tigers have lost six of eight on the Plains. But Etling is confident they can get the job done on the road…
cut 17 (17) “…win or lose”
Etling and LSU’s offense will go up against a defense that’s run by former LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.

Saints Coach Sean Payton wants to see his team run the football more. New Orleans only had 13 rushes in their 16-13 loss to the Giants. Also, Payton still has a lot of confidence in rookie kicker Will Lutz.

Louisiana Tech quarterback Ryan Higgins could not guide the Bulldogs to a win over Texas Tech, but Coach Skip Holtz liked that his senior signal caller did not turn the ball over. La Tech is back on the road this Saturday for the start of Conference USA Play as they visit Middle Tennessee. Blue Raiders running back I’Tavius Mathers scored four touchdowns in a win over Bowling Green last week.

Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth says the placekicking job is under evaluation for UL Lafayette after sophomore kicker Stevie Artigue missed two PATS and a 40-yard field goal. Hudspeth says other guys will get some opportunities this week, but he’s hoping Artigue can improve.

In the latest high school football polls…John Curtis has moved into the top spot in Five-A after beating Parkview Baptist last week. Amite is the new number one team in Class 3-A. The Warriors have victories over Franklinton and Kentwood this season.

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 19th

LSU sophomore Arden Key was named SEC defensive lineman of the week for his performance in the victory over Mississippi State. Key had five tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of sacks. As a team, the Tigers had six sacks. Key on why they had success rushing the passer…
cut 18 (12) “…we know”
And LSU freshman Punter Josh Growden was named SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. Growden averaged 49 yards on his five punts.

UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 223 yards and one touchdown in the Cajuns 28-23 win over South Alabama.

And Nicholls freshman defensive lineman Sully Laice (Lesh) has received STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week honorable mention. The Former Lutcher standout had three sacks in a win over UIW on Saturday.

For the 22nd time in the Saints 50-year history, New Orleans is off to an 0-2 start after losing 16-13 to the New York Giants. But Coach Sean Payton is optimistic the boys in Black and Gold can turn it around.…
cut 20 (20) “…getting it done”
Cornerback PJ Williams is expected back in New Orleans after spending the night at a New York area hospital to have his spine checked. Williams was carted off the field after reportedly losing consciousness. Payton says Williams is expected to be fine, but it’s unclear whether he’ll be available for next Monday’s game against the hated Atlanta Falcons. The Dirty Birds are 1-and-1 after beating Oakland 35-28 yesterday.

16:30 LRN Newscast September 19th

The Louisiana Department of Health issues a water advisory for the Bouge Chitto River after six million gallons of sewage was released into the waterway. Emelie Gunn has more…
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities say a dangerous, escaped Assumption parish inmate has been captured. Lonny Cavalier with the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office says on Sunday night they got a call from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office with some good news about 44-year-old Drake Domangue of Houma…:
CUT 3 (09) “go next”
Domangue escaped Wednesday morning after slipping out of his shackles and knocking down a deputy.

A 6-year-old missing special needs child was found drowned after being reported missing Sunday afternoon in Lafayette Parish. Youngsville Police Chief Ricky Boudreaux says Keaton Jones was autistic and nonverbal and liked being around water…:
cut 10 (10) “into the water”
Boudreaux says after the dive and sonar didn’t find him, they began draining the pond and found Keaton.

On September 12th, almost 95-percent of Livingston parish students showed up for the first day back to class after the historic flood. Livingston School Superintendent Rick Wentzel says more than 24-thousand students returned to school last week. He says they are pleasantly surprised at the turnout…:
cut 12 (10) “450 kids”

15:30 LRN Newscast September 19th

The body of a missing 6-year-old was found in a Lafayette Parish pond early this morning. Michelle Southern has the tragic story…
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Louisiana Department of Health announces that 305-thousand residents have health insurance through Medicaid. The eligibility requirements for the government paid for insurance was expanded on July 1st. L-D-H Secretary Rebekah Gee says nearly 12-thousand adulits have received preventive health care services.

The state department of environmental quality is testing the water on the Bogue Chitto River in St. Tammany Parish, after six million gallons of storm water diluted sewage rushed into the rive when a levee beached at the Brookhaven, Mississippi sewage plant. State Health Officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says the levee breach has been fixed…
cut 8 (09) “…as well”
Guidry says they are asking residents to stay out of the Bogue Chitto for the time being.

Livingston School Superintendent Rick Wentzel says about 95-percent of their students have returned to the classroom, despite the massive flood damage throughout the parish. Wentzel says the high percentage of students back is a testament to the community and school system…
cut 14 (07) “…to school”