08:30 LRN Newscast May 26th

Just over 39-million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more during this Memorial Day weekend. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says that’s the most since 2005. He says travel for the unofficial kick-off to this summer holiday has been growing since the Great Recession…
cut 6 (08) “….for the Holiday”
The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.15, a nickel more than last year.

Moving closer to final legislative passage is a bill that would prohibit corporal punishment in public schools involving children with disabiltiies. Representative Franklin Foil says his bill clearly defines what constitutes corporal punishment….
cut 8 (10) “…of a kid”
The House approved measure is heading to the Senate floor.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is looking at ways on how he can get the necessary 70 votes in the House to pass a proposed 17-cent gasoline tax increase. Carter says he may lower the tax hike, but have it increase over time…
cut 15 (10) “…of time”
Carter says he plans to bring the bill up for a vote on Wednesday.

It’s Bayou Country Superfest weekend, but at a different venue this year. The three-day music festival was moved from Tiger Stadium to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Producer Quint Davis says they’ve made the show even bigger and better for the new locale…
cut 11 (11) “…the weekend”
And expect increased security in light of the terrorist attack in Manchester.

07:30 LRN Newscast May 26th

AAA projects the number of expected travelers for this Memorial Day weekend will be the highest it’s been since 2005. Michelle Southern reports.:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

You can anticipate a bunch of LSU baseball fans heading to Hoover, Alabama this weekend. The Tigers won their ninth straight last night by blasting Kentucky 10-0 in seven innings. LSU’s next game is Saturday in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is planning for the House to vote next week on his proposal to hike the state’s gasoline tax by an additional 17-cents per gallon. Carter says similar legislation has been shot down in the past, but lawmakers need to come together to vote for this measure….
cut 14 (11) “….have you”
Carter says he is considering lowering the proposed tax, but is concerned they won’t have enough money to fund major projects.

The Senate Education committee has approved a bill that prohibits the use of corporal punishment with students who have disabilities. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil, was surprised to learn that some schools spank children with disabilities….
cut 9 (09) “…can’t help themselves”
The bill has been approved by the House and is awaiting Senate approval.

06:45 LRN Sportscast May 26th

LSU scored five runs against the Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year in the 2nd inning and never looked back as the Fighting Tigers advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament by run ruling Kentucky 10-0 in seven innings. Kramer Robertson had a three-run home run and had 4 RBI on the night. Kentucky’s Sean Hjelle gave up all 10 runs. Alex Lange pitched seven shutout innings and struck out seven. The Tigers are off today and they’ll play Saturday at noon versus the winner of today’s game between South Carolina and Kentucky.

Elsewhere, Louisiana Tech is two and bar-b-que from the Conference USA Tournament. Southern Miss beat the Bulldogs five to two. Tech will now wait and see if they get an invite to the NCAA Tournament. They have an RPI of 43.
And UL-Lafayette finally begins play in the Sun Belt Tournament in Statesboro, Georgia. The rain is all gone and the Cajuns will face Georgia Southern tonight.
The top two seeds in the Southland Tournament suffered losses yesterday in Sugar Land, Texas. McNeese gave up five runs in the 5th inning and lost 5-3 to Central Arkansas. The Cowboys will face Houston Baptist at noon today.
At 9 AM, it’s Southeastern Louisiana versus UNO. The Lions lost to Sam Houston State eight to four. S-L-U scored four runs in the first inning and that was it. The Privateers kept their season alive with a 4-3 10-inning victory.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is glad the NFL relaxed its touchdown celebration rules. The league announced that after a touchdown is scored, players can use the football as a prop, celebrate as a group or even do snow angels. Payton says it’s good for the fans, the players and the referees
Cut 16 (20)  “be good”

06:30 LRN Newscast May 26th

This Memorial Day weekend will see its highest number of travelers since 2005, according to AAA. Spokesman Don Redman says they project nearly 40 million Americans are taking to the roads, skies, rails and water, which is a million more than last year. Redman credits an improving economy…:
Cut 4 (08) “…those numbers upwards”
The author of a bill to raise the state’s gasoline tax by 17-cents continues to work on the legislation so it can receive the 70 votes necessary to get approval from the House. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says he is looking at a variety of options, like lowering the proposed increase. But he says not everyone is pleased with that…
Cut 13 (09) “…Baton Rouge”
Carter will bring the bill up for a vote next Wednesday.

Concertgoers at this weekend’s Bayou Country Superfest in New Orleans can expect even more security after the terrorist attack at a concert in Manchester. Producer Quint Davis says safety is always the number one concern, and everyone should feel comfortable attending the event.
Cut 10 (10) “…pretty much alwqays”
Davis says this is the 9th annual B-C-S, but it’s the festival’s first time in the Superdome.
Last night the LSU baseball team run-ruled Kentucky beating the Wildcats 10-0 in 7 innings to advance to the SEC tournament semi-finals. The Tigers next game is at noon on Saturday

16:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team goes after its ninth straight victory tonight as they’ll face Kentucky in the SEC Tournament. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri is expecting an outstanding game….
cut 30 (13) “….a lot of confidence”
Tonight’s game should start around 8:00. Yesterday, LSU beat Missouri 10-3. Win number 500 for Mainieri at LSU.

Louisiana Tech was eliminated from the Conference USA Tournament Today as the Bulldogs could not overcome a 4-0 deficit and lost 5-2. Matt Miller was roughed up for four runs in two innings. The Diamond Dogs will now wait to see if they receive an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. Tech has a record of 36-20.

UNO kept its season alive with a 4-3 win over Stephen F Austin in 10 innings at the Southland Tournament in Sugar Land, Texas. Darren Willis two-out seeing-eye single drove home Hezekiah Randolph with the winning run. The Privateers play again tomorrow morning at 9 AM. They’ll face the loser of this afternoon’s Southeastern Louisiana—Sam Houston State matchup. Also tonight. top-seeded McNeese takes on Central Arkansas.

Tulane was eliminated from the American Athletic Conference as the Green Wave fell to UCF 8-3. Tulane’s season ends with a 27-31 record.

And the Ragin Cajuns begin play tomorrow in the rain-delayed Sun Belt Tournament. UL Lafayette will face Georgia Southern in what has been turned into a single-elimination tournament.

LSU will kick off the 2017 season 100 days from now and it was announced today that the Tigers season opener against BYU in Houston will kick-off at 8:30 central time and it will be shown on ESPN.

16:30 LRN Newscast May 25th

With two weeks to go before the end of the legislative session, still not much movement towards addressing the one-billion dollar budget gap that will hit the state in July 2018 when one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes expire. Governor Edwards and legislative leaders say a another special session is likely at this point.

The family of Alton Sterling is demanding the immediate termination of the cops involved in his shooting death. Michelle Southern reports….
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

NOAA is calling for an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season as their forecasters predict 11 to 17 named storms, five to nine hurricanes and two to four major hurricanes. Acting administrator Ben Friedman says we can’t prevent hurricanes, but we can prepare…
cut 8 (12) “…be prepared”
Hurricane season begins a week from today.

A state judge has ruled Ronald Gasser’s arrest in a similar road rage incident can be admitted in his trial on the shooting death of former-NFL player Joe McKnight. Legal analyst Tim Meche says like most states, Louisiana allows prior incidents of a similar nature into evidence if it is relevant. But he says in this case:
Cut 3 (11) “incident”
A trial date has not yet been set in the McKnight murder case.

LRN PM Newscall May 25th

We could see an above average hurricane season this year, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

The family of Alton Sterling is demanding the immediate termination of the cops involved in the man’s death. Michelle Southern reports..:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

A state judge has ruled Ronald Gasser’s arrest in a similar road rage incident can be admitted in his trial in the shooting death of former-NFL player Joe McKnight. Legal analyst Tim Meche says like most states, Louisiana allows prior incidents of a similar nature into evidence if it is relevant. But he says in this case, it’s a stretch for the prosecutor.

Cut 3 (11) “incident”

The incident occurred 10 years ago at the same intersection in Terrytown where Gasser allegedly gunned down McKnight. Meche says the ruling to allow this as evidence is wide open for reversal on appeal. But he says if the incident is brought up in the courtroom, the defense could even use it to their advantage.

Cut 4  (11) “weak case”

In the decade-old case, Gasser was charged with a misdemeanor and never prosecuted. Meche says the prosecutor should think twice about using the prior incident as evidence. He says it’s possible with Gasser’s testimony, it could backfire.

Cut 5  (09)  “might think”

A trial date has not been set.

________________________________________________

NOAA predicts an above average 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season with the potential for as many as 17 named storms and a half a dozen hurricanes. Acting administrator Ben Friedman says they are anticipating a weak or nonexistent El Nino, which typically leads to an above normal season.

Cut 6 (09) “become hurricanes”

Friedman says they predict two to four of those hurricanes will become major hurricanes of category 3 strength or higher. Freidman says when an El Nino is nonexistent, conditions are more conducive for tropical development.

Cut 7 (10)  “same region”

Friedman says their predictions cover the entire 6 month season in the Atlantic. He says they do not predict when, where, or how these storms might hit and if they will make landfall. He says we can’t prevent hurricanes, but we can prepare.

Cut 8 (12) “be prepared”

_________________________________________________

The House rejects a proposal to prohibit children under 12 from handling Uzis and automatic weapons. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton authored the measure after a child in Arizona accidentally killed a gun safety instructor with an Uzi.

Cut 9 (09)  “someone’s life”

Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop raised concerns about automatic weapons not being defined in the bill. He says the bill would not allow kids to use pellet guns either, which he says many children have to learn about gun safety.

Cut 10 (10) “6 months”

Norton argues the measure is about keeping children safe. But River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot asked why the bill only included automatic weapons. He says any gun can be dangerous in the hands of an unsupervised child.

Cut 11 (09) “fully automatic weapon”

The measure failed on a 59-21 vote.

_________________________________________________________

Legislative leaders and Governor John Bel Edwards agree another special legislative session is likley to address the state’s looming $1.3 billion dollar fiscal cliff. In July 2018, over a billion dollars in temporary sales taxes expire. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana Barry Erwin says the push to address this latest fiscal problem is not there.

Cut 12 (09) “come back”

Democrats are blocking the financing bill for construction and criminal justice reform measures in an effort to push Republicans to develop a budget balancing plan rather than going to a special session. Erwin says this kind of move is part of the political process.

Cut 13 (11) “ill will”

This legislative session is set to end June 8th. Erwin says waiting to the last minute to come up with solutions always happens during the session but…

Cut 14 (11) “this session”

_________________________________________________________

11:40 LRN Sportscast May 25th

The LSU Baseball Tigers are off to a good start in the SEC Tournament as they defeated Missouri 10-3. Caleb Gilbert was the winning pitcher as he allowed one run in five innings. Cole Freeman was four for four at the plate and hit a three-run home run. Kramer Robertson had two hits and scored three times. The Tigers shortstop on succeeding in the post season…
cut 30 (10) “…every year”
LSU will face Kentucky tonight at around 8 PM. Alex Lange will start on the hill for the Tigers. A win for LSU and they’ll move into the semi-finals of the SEC Tournament.

Louisiana Tech needs to beat Southern Miss this afternoon to avoid elimination in the Conference USA Tournament. The Golden Eagles swept the Bulldogs during the opening weekend of conference play. Tech lost to Charlotte seven to two last night.

At the Southland Tournament, Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese State have advanced to the winner’s bracket. The Lions will face Sam Houston State this afternoon at about 4 PM and then at seven o’ clock McNeese will battle Central Arkansas. The Cowboys defeated Lamar 7 to 5 yesterday. Dustin Duhon and Austin Nelson homered and Collin Kober earned his ninth save by striking out the only two hitters he faced.

Former Louisiana Tech head baseball coach Greg Goff is out after one season as the head man at Alabama. The Crimson Tide went 19-34-and-1 this past season and won only five conference games. The Tuscaloosa News also reported that Goff violated NCAA rules by telling up to 10 players their scholarship would not be renewed.

LSU basketball team attempted to sign former Wright State guard Mark Alstork, but he has decided to sign with Illinois. But Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worshman says head coach Will Wade is looking to sign four-star Connecticut point guard Tremon Waters.

10:30 LRN Newscast May 25th

Not much progress has been made solving the state’s budget woes as there are only two weeks left in the legislative session…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The state Senate has passed a resolution calling for a comprehensive study on TOPS. Senate Education Chairman Blade Moorish says the findings will help lawmakers when they consider proposed changes to the scholarship program…
cut 9 (10) “…work with”

More people may have been affected by the Great Flood of 2016 than we thought, according to an LSU survey. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says 18 percent of residents took on water during the March and August floods, and 30 percent of workers were also impacted…:
Cut 10 (08) “one in three”
The survey also finds the share of low income residents affected by the flood was nearly twice the rate of higher income households.

Authorities arrest a south Louisiana man who allegedly physically abused his ex-girlfriend, stole her vehicle and stalked her by staying in the attic of her Larose home. Twenty-one-year-old Taylor Broussard was taken into custody in Baton Rouge. LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Brennan Matherne on what they found in the victim’s attic…
cut 15 (10) “…bottles of urine”
Broussard faces multiple charges.

17:30 LRN Newscast May 24th

As expected, the Senate Finance committee rejected a proposal to increase Louisiana’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $8.50 an hour by 2019. Supporters say it will help those living in poverty, but Metairie Senator Conrad Appel argued the proposal would harm businesses….
cut 11 (08) “…to have”
The bill was rejected on a seven to three vote. Governor Edwards issued a statement expressing his disappointment by saying the Legislature had the opportunity to actively value families, but it failed.

House debate on a 17-cent gas tax hike propsal has been delayed until next week. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter told NOLA.com he’s a considering a change to the legislation so that the gasoline tax would gradually increase.

With only two weeks left in the legislative session, lawmakers are not close to agreeing on a budget for next fiscal year and addressing the loss of over a billion dollars in temporary taxes set to expire in July 2018. That’s according to Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com…
Cut 28 (08) “in full”
Alford says the majority in the House despise creating new taxes to solve a looming budget deficit, while the majority in the Senate and the governor believe that is the solution. He says there is no clear path for where this session will end.
cut 29 (11) “to happen”
On the House floor Thursday, democrats mustered enough votes to prevent the passage of a construction financing bill in the hopes that it will lead to serious negotiations on tax reform.