14:30 LRN Newscast August 4th

The state department of education says there was a five-percent increase in the number of students who achieved “mastery” scores on standardized tests that were taken this past spring. But education superintendent John White says there’s still a wide gap between the percentage of black and white students who are achieving the Mastery level…
cut 11 (08) “…their peers”
White says the test scores also show more work needs to be done to get students ready for college.

The Colorado State Hurricane Forecast team predicts we’ll see 10 named storms and four hurricanes for the remainder of the hurricane season. Doctor Phil Klotzbach says there is a 29-percent chance of a major hurricane making landfall on the Gulf Coast…
cut 7 (10) “…average season”
Klotzbach says expect tropical storm activity to pick up in the next couple of weeks.

Governor John Bel Edwards and the Department of Transportation announce plans to address the congestion problem on Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Michelle SoutherN”

The body of a pilot and a helicopter that crashed in the Atchafalaya Basin were found this morning by search crews. The identity of the pilot has not been released, but t is believed he was the only person on board,. The wreckage was found in Iberia Parish and the chopper is owned by Texas-based Gulf Coast Helicopters Incorporated.

LRN PM Newscall August 4th

The forecast team at Colorado State University is still predicting a near normal hurricane season. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Governor John Bel Edwards and the Department of Transportation announce plans to address the congestion problem on Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Authorities are working to determine the identity of a woman who was murdered and burned beyond recognition near Bogalusa. Washington Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Mike Haley says they received a call early Wednesday morning about a murder at the residence of 41-year-old Joey Mixon.

CUT 3 (10)  “her body”

Haley says after the confession, Mixon led detectives to the location of the body, which was badly burned. Officials believe the victim is from St. Tammany parish. He says her family has been notified and provided DNA for identification.

CUT 4 (11)  “the scene”

Haley says Mixon has been booked on one count of second degree murder. He says they know Mixon knew the victim and they’d gotten into an argument, but they still have a lot of unanswered questions.

CUT 5 (07)  “the crime”

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The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State University continues to predict a near average Atlantic hurricane season. Researcher Dr. Phil Klotzbach says they’re expecting to see 10 named storms and four more hurricanes. But he says given how quiet the last three years have been, this season will seem a lot more active…

CUT 6 (10) “the storms”

Klotzbach says the season will really pick up in the middle of August. He says there is a 29-percent chance of a major hurricane making landfall on the Gulf Coast.

CUT 7 (10) “average season”

Klotzbach says an El Nino the last couple of years kept hurricane activity down. He says we don’t have an El Nino, which will lead to more tropical storms.

CUT 8 (10) “season”

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The state Department of Education announced Louisiana students are showing improvement after receiving the results of the 2016 LEAP assessments. Superintendent of Education John White says these are promising results. He says this year students improved in English and math with 38-percent achieving mastery compared to 33 percent in 2015.

CUT 9 (07) “expectations”

White says although we are seeing progress, the results also show that many groups of students in our state are significantly behind their peers. He says often times those gaps cut across lines of race, income, and disability.

cut 10 (11)  “our state”

White says even though overall student performance improved, the achievement gap between African-American students and white students at the Mastery level is at 26-percent.

Cut 11 (08) “their peers”

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The Department of Transportation announces that a new on-ramp will be built in place of the Washington Street exit on Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge. Governor John Bel Edwards says alleviating congestion on I-10 is critically important for shipping commerce across the country.

cut 12 (09) “the country”

Edwards says the project will be funded through state dollars because a federal grant freed up more money in the construction budget. He says this is the only area in the country where the interstate comes down to one lane, and it causes serious traffic problems.

Cut 13 (11)  “the congestion”

Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond says this is about more than resolving transportation problems. He says it’s about improving quality of life for the people of Baton Rouge.

cut 14 (10)  “sitting in traffic”

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11:40 LRN Sportscast August 4th

Fall camp is underway at LSU as the Tigers held their first practice of the 2016 season this morning. LSU is considered one of the favorites to win the Southeastern Conference and play in the College Football Playoff. They’ll need to get good play from quarterback Brandon Harris. Coach Les Miles says he likes the poise the junior brings to the field…
cut 18 (15) “…more of that”
Veterans practiced this morning and the freshman will practice this afternoon.

Fall camp is also underway for the Ragin Cajuns. UL Lafayette has a new offensive coordinator in Jorge Munoz and there’s a battle for starting quarterback. Jordan Davis and LSU transfer Anthony Jennings are competing for the job.

LSU is ranked sixth in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Alabama is ranked number one, followed by Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State and Ohio State. Tennessee is ranked 10th, Ole Miss 12th, Georgia 16th, and Florida 25th.

Fall practice began this morning for the ULM Warhawks. First year head coach Matt Viator says there will be a lot installing on offense, defense and special teams, plus reteaching what they taught in the spring.

Viator’s old school, McNeese State, has also started fall camp. The Cowboys return 13 starters from a team that went 10-0 in the regular season last year.

Southeastern Louisiana is glad to have running back Rasheed Harrell and fullback Juwaan Rogers back on the football field as the Lions start fall camp. Both watched from the sidelines last year as S-L-U went 4-and-7.

And Former LSU baseball star Ryan Schimpf has been named the National Legue Rookie of the Month for July. The Covington native hit a franchise record nine home runs last month for the Padres.

16:45 LRN Sportscast August 3rd

104 players have reported for the start of LSU fall camp. Coach Les Miles says wide receiver Travin Dural is good to go after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury last year…
cut 30 (24) “….strong summer”
Miles also says that kicker Colby Delahoussaye will be able to participate in tomorrow’s first practice. Delahoussaye suffered minor injuries in a fatal car wreck that took place about ten days ago.

Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis participated in his first training camp practice today. He’s coming off an injury riddled 2015 season.

The Fox Sports’ college football preseason poll has LSU ranked fourth. Alabama is ranked number one, followed by Florida State and then Clemson. College football expert Phil Steele says LSU is loaded this season. He says the key will be getting above average play of the quarterback position….
cut 19 (09) “….as a starter”

The Sun Belt Conference has announced that the American Sports Network will televise some of their football and basketball games this year. And ASN has already announced that they’ll televise two Ragin Cajun football games, the season opener against Boise State on September 3rd and the September 17th matchup against South Alabama. The games will be shown locally and on ESPN 3.

In baseball…the Phillies have placed former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola on the disabled list, because of a strained right elbow. The 23-year-old right-hander is 6-9 with a 4.78 ERA in his first full season in the Majors.

16:30 LRN Newscast August 3rd

The Department of Transportation announces they will soon begin the process of widening Interstate 10 between the I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson believes widening the road to three lanes in both directions will alleviate congestion…:
CUT 6 (10) “travel through”
Wilson says this federal grant frees up state dollars to be used for other highway improvements.

The mother of a five-year-old boy who was fatally shot in the head by his nine-year-old brother has been charged with child desertion. Colonel John Fortunado says 29-year-old Generra Brown was caring for a neighbor across the street, when the two boys were playing in a closet and came across a handgun…
cut 4 (07) “…younger child”
The five-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

Louisiana has received $400-thousand from the Centers for Disease Control to fight the Zika virus. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health says it will be used to educate both OBGYNs and at-risk pregnant women about the virus, and help them learn about what medical action needs to be taken if a woman gets Zika…:
cut 12 (08) “on it”

Today marks the four-year anniversary of the Bayou Corne Sinkhole. Assumption Parish Emergency Preparedness Director John Boudreaux says it all started with strange bubbles of water coming up from beneath the surface to a massive sinkhole that forced numerous residents to move elsewhere….
cut 11 (10) “….and unknowns”
Boudreaux says about 15 individuals still live in the area.

LRN PM Newscall August 3rd

Construction will soon begin on Interstate 10 between the I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Basin, according to the Department of Transportation. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Today marks the 4 year anniversary of the Assumption Parish sinkhole in Bayou Corne. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A 5-year-old has died after being shot accidentally by his 9-year-old brother. Col. John Fortunato with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says police received a call from the children’s mother, 29-year-old Generra Brown, and when first responders arrived at the scene, they made a horrific discovery.

CUT 3 (09)  “the face”

The 5-year-old has been identified as Melvin Brady. Fortunato says the two boys were playing in a closet when they came across a handgun.

CUT 4 (07)  “younger child”

Fortunato says a semiautomatic handgun was found lying next to the child. He says the boys’ mother was not home at the time of the shooting.

CUT 5 (07)  “elderly neighbor”

Fortunato says no charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.

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The Department of Transportation announces they will soon begin the process of widening Interstate 10 between the I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this area of the interstate is heavily trafficked by freight trucks. He believes widening the road to three lanes in both directions will alleviate congestion.

CUT 6 (10) “travel through”

Wilson says a $60 million federal FASTLANE grant will pay for the repaving and widening of I-10. He says there are a lot of transportation improvements needed in Louisiana, but this project best fits the criteria for this award.

CUT 7 (08) “in Louisiana”

Wilson says this federal grant frees up state dollars to be used for other highway improvements. He says construction to widen I-10 should begin in January, and both lanes will remain open during the roadwork.

CUT 8 (10) “with construction”

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Today marks the 4 year anniversary of the Assumption Parish sinkhole in Bayou Corne, and leaders say many residents have moved on — but there are some who don’t want to let go. John Boudreaux is the Emergency Preparedness Director at Assumption Parish. He says this has been an unprecedented event…:

CUT 9 (07) “of the area”

The horrific environmental disaster is still affecting the community. Boudreaux says this is one of those situations that you never think could happen to you, but a reminder about why it’s so important to always been prepared for anything…:

cut 10 (10)  “emergency response”

Boudreaux says most residents are pleased with their settlements from Texas Brine and have established their lives elsewhere, but there are still about 15 who remain in the area. He says 4 years ago they were working hard to figure out where this strage bubbling was coming from, and had no idea it was anything along the lines of this massive sinkhole…:

Cut 11 (10) “and unknowns”

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Louisiana has received $400-thousand from the Centers for Disease Control to fight the Zika virus. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health says this money is targeted specifically for pregnant women, who are most at risk. He says the money will be used to educate both OBGYNs and women about the virus, as well as for medical care if a woman gets Zika.

cut 12 (08) “on it”

Welch urges pregnant women to take extra precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. He says that includes removing any standing water from their yards and watching out for mosquitos when they are outside.

Cut 13 (08)  “long pants”

Welch says there have been 17 Zika cases in Louisiana, and all of them are travel related. He says we have not seen local transmission yet in Louisiana, but it’s still a possibility because the mosquito that carries the virus is active here.

cut 14 (08)  “the state”

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An employee has been arrested in Thibodaux for allegedly stealing money from her register at work in order to pay for braces and her education. Thibodaux Police spokesperson David Melancon says 20-year-old Tralvaunta Bentley pocketed a lot of money in just over two weeks…:

cut 15 (07) “her till”

Melancon says Bentley was booked with felony theft on a $35-hundred bond and was released the same day after posting bond. He says this criminal act was a slap in the face to everyone who works hard to pay for their education.

cut 16 (07) “in life”

11:40 LRN Sportscast August 3rd

LSU players are reporting for Fall camp. Many believe the Tigers have enough talent to win the Southeastern Conference. College football expert Phil Steele predicts the Tigers will make the College Football Playoff and he believes returning starter Brandon Harris has the talent to get the job done at quarterback…
cut 18 (09) “…big, big season”
Two big position battles to watch during fall camp are at left tackle and nose tackle. Davon Godchaux and Christian LaCouture will battle at starting nose tackle, while Maea Teuhema and KJ Malone will battle for a spot at left tackle.

Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis was activated from the physically unable to perform list and back on the practice field this morning at training camp in West Virginia. Lewis appeared in just six games last season, because of knee and hip injuries, plus he also had a sports hernia.

The Associated Press has ranked the all-time top 100 football programs in honor of this being the 80th anniversary of the AP Poll. Ohio State is ranked number one, followed by Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Alabama and USC. LSU is ranked 11th and Tulane 70th. The AP counted poll appearances, number one rankings and national championships to determine an all-time Top 100.

The Sun Belt Conference announces that the American Sports Network will broadcast some of their games this season. ASN contests will be shown “over-the-air” and on cable affiliates, but they will also be available without blackout restrictions on ESPN 3 and the WatchESPN app. Two UL Lafayette football games will be ASN broadcasts, the September 3rd home game against Boise State and the September 17th contest against South Alabama.

15 current, former and incoming LSU athletes will represent seven different countries at the Summer Olympics in Brazil.

10:30 LRN Newscast August 3rd

With school set to begin very soon, the Louisiana Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers that many back-to-school expenses are tax deductible. Also, all consumers will get a break on state sales taxes for most purchases made on Friday and Saturday.

A Louisiana law requiring eyebrow threaders to get an esthetician’s license is raising eyebrows and a lawsuit from the Institute of Justice. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

A 37-year-old Lafayette woman is dead and her 33-year-old boyfriend has been charged with first-degree murder in her death. Lafayette Police Corporal Paul Mouton says the victim, Sheree Williams, had a protective order against Jonathan Aubrey, but that unfortunately didn’t stop this brutal crime…
cut 10 (09) “….tough loss”
The coroner has determined Williams was strangeled to death.

Shreveport police are trying to determine who broke into and vandalized the office of state representative Barbara Norton. The Democratic lawmaker says several rooms are in disarray and writing that’s difficult to read was left on the door. Norton says her office will be closed until Monday…
cut 16 (09) “….in danger” (2x)
Norton’s office was also broken into last September.

18:30 LRN Newscast August 2nd

A University of New Orleans poll finds almost half of Louisiana residents surveyed are pleased with Governor John Bel Edwards job performance. UNO Pollster Ed Chervenak says the survey also finds women are more approving of the governor than men.
CUT 7 (08) “just gender”
The UNO survey found that just over one third of the respondents gave a negative review of the governor’s job performance

A Luling man, who is a Army Veteran, has been charged with attempted murder after shooting his estranged father-in-law in the chest. St. Charles Sheriff Greg Champagne says 30-year-old William Canada’s wife filed for divorce 10 days ago…
Cut 14 (07) “else out”
Champagne says Canada fired around 40 shots into the home of his in-laws. One of the bullets struck the victim in the chest, but he was released from the hospital.

27 fatal shootings have taken place in Shreveport so far this year, which is one less than what was reported for 2016. Shreveport police spokesperson Corporal Marcus Hines says most of these slayings are NOT random acts of violence….
cut 16 (11) “former acquaintance”
The latest murder victim is 15-year-old Desmon Bell. No one has been arrested in his death.

A phone survey on hurricane preparedness is being conducted by LSU, and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging residents of southeast Louisiana to participate. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says you’ll be asked about evacuation plans in the event of a hurricane…:
CUT 9 (11) “get there”
Steele says LSU will perform the survery over the next three months.

17:30 LRN Newscast August 2nd

In a UNO poll of 600 likely voters, about one half of people approve of Governor John Bel Edwards job performance. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Beau Clark says his office’s autospy report on the death of Alton Sterling has been sealed by a federal judge. Clark announced last month that Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, died of multiple gunshot wounds after a confrontation with two white police officers, but did not release any other information.

An Army veteran who is apparently struggling with depression has been arrested after shooting his estranged father-in-law in the chest. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says 30-year-old William Canada, Jr is facing three counts of attempted first degree murder. He says Canada showed up at the victim’s home at around 4 in the morning…:
cut 12 (11) “handgun”
The father-in-law was treated and released at a local hospital.

A new school year is fast approaching. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Pediatrics professor, Dr. Cory Hebert, says if parents haven’t started getting their kids adjusted to a school sleep schedule, they should…:
CUT 3 (12) “turned off”