16:45 LRN Sportscast April 12

Tributes are flowing today for former LSU and Saints running back and radio analyst Hokie Gajan. The football star died last night at the age of 56 from cancer. He was born in Baton Rouge, played at Baker High and starred at LSU. He blocked for former LSU running back Charles Alexander, when he was a Heisman finalist. Alexander says Gajan always put the team first and never worried about being in the headlines…
cut 11 (11) “…good guy”
After his career at LSU, Gajan appeared in 45 games for the Saints and still ranks second in franchise history for yards-per-carry. After his playing career, he served as a scout for the Saints and in 2000 he was named the color analyst for the team on WWL radio.

Ex-Saints running back Pierre Thomas used social media to share some of his thoughts about his former teammate, Will Smith, who was killed in a shooting late Saturday night. Thomas had dinner with Smith just before he died. Thomas says the images at the murder scene will never leave him and asks when is the senseless killing going to stop.

A preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing Smith, Cardell Hayes, will take place April 28th. Surveillence video has surfaced that shows there could have been a hit-and-run accident involving Smith and Hayes’ vehicles before the shooting.

Those wishing to pay their final respects to Smith can do so this Friday at the Saints indoor practice facility in Metairie. The team is hosting a public visitation from two to seven PM.

In other Saints news, the team has reportedly exercised the fifth-year contract option for safety Kenny Vaccaro. The move likely keeps Vaccaro in Black and Gold through the 2017 season.

15:30 LRN Newscast April 12

Legislation to protect clergy from sanctions if they refuse to perform a same-sex marriage ceremony passes out of a House committee….
voicer 2 (31) “…..I’m Halen Doughty”

The governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year calls for cuts to the TOPS scholarship program, public-private hospitals for the poor, colleges and public schools. Edwards says the spending plan looks like this way because of a 750-million dollar shortfall…
cut 3 (07) “…revenue needs”

A senate committee has advanced to the Senate floor a bill that raises the adult prosecution age from 17 to 18-years-old. A 15-year-old high school student spoke in favor of the bill. She says her brother was arrested at 17 and spent a week in jail without any school…
cut 8 (10) “….my brother”
Louisiana is just one of nine states that has 17-year-olds in their criminal justice system.

Sad day for LSU and Saints fans. That’s because the former running back and analyst on Saints radio broadcasts Hokie Gajan passed away at the age of 56 after a battle with cancer. Gajan blocked for former LSU running back Charles Alexander, who says Gajan loved being on the football field…
cut 10 (10) “….football”
Saints play-by-play man Jim Henderson called Gajan a man’s man.

14:30 LRN Newscast April 12

Governor John Bel Edwards proposed budget for next fiscal year calls for cuts to education funding, including the TOPS program, as a result of a 750-million dollar revenue shortfall. Michelle Southern has the story…
voicer 1 (30) “…reporting”

Many are taking time today to remember the life of former LSU and Saints running back Hokie Gajan. The Saints color commentator since 2000 passed away last night at the age of 56 after a battle with a rare form of cancer.

A proposal that raises the age a person in Louisiana should be prosecuted received approval from a Senate committee. The proposed law sends 17-year-old non-violent offenders into the juvenile justice system, instead of the adult. An 18-year-old student told the panel about his 17-year-old friend who lost his pride in the adult system…
cut 7 (09) “….is today”
The measure heads to the full Senate.

Heading to the full House is a bill that provides protections for clergy who refuse to marry gay couples. Lester Perryman, with the Human Rights Campaign, questions why Louisiana needs this legislation…
cut 12 (07) “…to do so”
But the bill passed out of committee on a seven to three and Governor Edwards says he’s okay with the bill.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Longtime Saints radio analyst and a man who had been involved with sports in Louisiana for more than 40 years, Hokie Gajan, died at the age of 56 Monday. Gajan was diagnosed with cancer last year, and his daughter, Kristin Gajan Sell told WWL he was moved to ICU over the weekend. She says the outpouring of affection from everyone has been a true blessing…:
Cut 19 (10) “for him”
Arrangements are pending.

More information keeps coming out about the fatal shooting of former Saints defensive end Will Smith. Surveillance video has surfaced that appears to show Smith was involved in a hit-and-run incident with a vehicle driven by the man that is accused of killing him. Cardale Hayes is facing a second-degree murder charge and his attorney has said Hayes was not the aggressor in this incident.

Pitcher Jake Latz makes his long-awaited debut in an LSU uniform tonight when the Tigers take on the McNeese State Cowboys. Latz couldn’t pitch last season and for the first half of this season, because of an elbow injury. Latz, who was selected in the 11th round of the 2014 draft, is expected to pitch a couple of innings. McNeese enters the game with an 18-11 record and they’ve lost 11 straight to the Tigers.

In other action…24th ranked Tulane is at UL Lafayette, Southeastern visits South Alabama and ULM battles Arkansas in North Little Rock.

In the NBA…the Pelicans closed out its home schedule with a 121 to 116 loss to Chicago. New Orleans was 21-20 at the Smoothie King Center. They close out the regular season on Wednesday at Minnesota.

10:30 Newscast April 12

Governor John Bel Edwards presented a proposed budget for next fiscal year that calls for a 792-million dollar reduction in state funding. Under the proposed spending plan, DHH would receive a 409-million dollar cut and higher education’s cut would be 46-million dollars. Edwards says this is not the budget he wanted to present to lawmakers and it’s why another special session is needed…
cut 3 (07) “…revenue needs”
The proposed budget also calls for a 183-million dollar cut in TOPS, which could mean recipients will only have part of their tuition paid for.

In the House Civil Law committee this morning, they’ll discuss the “Pastor Protection Act.” Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says it will allow a clergy member or religious organiziation to deny participation in a same sex marriage….
cut 11 (07) “….against”

This afternoon, the Senate is expected to vote on a bill to require employers to pay men and women equally for similar work. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the measure. He says it’s a carefully crafted piece of legislation that would not be too onerous on businesses…
cut 5 (10) “…rectify it”
Business groups are opposed to the legislation.

Southern University will hold a memorial tonight for the two students fatally shot while attending an off-campus party in Baton Rouge. Lashuntae Benton and Annette January were killed. Interim athletic director Roman Banks says Benton, who was from Lake Charles, volunteered her time as an athletic trainer.
cut 16 (09) “…eventually”
One person has been arrested in connection with the shooting and police are expecting to make another arrest.

17:30 LRN Newscast Legislative Report

A bill to address equal pay in Louisiana will be heard on the Senate floor Tuesday. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 5 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Edwards administration will also present to lawmakers on Tuesday the proposed budget for next fiscal year. The governor has already described the spending plan as “very sobering,” because of a 750-million dollar revenue shortfall for the financial year that begins July 1st. This means higher ed and health care are subject to more cuts.

The House Civil Law Committee will hear testimony Tuesday on the “Pastor Protection Act,” which would allow a clergy member or religious organization to deny participation in a same sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says the bill should not create a lot of controversy….
Cut 30 (06) “essential”
But Matthew Patterson, with Equality Louisiana says what the bill actually does is give organizations with any sort of religious affiliation to deny service to people in same sex relationships. He says this could include places like hospitals, homeless shelters and food banks that are typically associated with a religious group….
cut 23 (07) “…harm to people”
However, Johnson is confident that once people read the legislation and understand it, any opposition will be withdrawn.

16:45 LRN Sportscast April 11

Saints Owner Tom Benson says former defensive end Will Smith was an inspiration to many. Smith was killed in what police are calling a road rage shooting that occurred Saturday night in New Orleans. The Big Easy is unfortunately familiar with this type of violence. Current Saints offensive tackle Zach Streif says this shooting gives the city a black eye…
cut 18 (16) “…it really does”
Saints Coach Sean Payton made some strong comments to USA Today about the violence in New Orleans. He says the city is broken and its madness people argue that everybody needs a gun.

In other Black and Gold news…the NFL Network reports that Cal quarterback Jared Goff is expected to visit the Saints this week. He’s expected to be a first round pick.

In the latest D-1 Baseball poll, LSU has moved up four spots to number eleven after taking two of three from fifth ranked Vanderbilt. Tulane has also moved into the Top 25. The Green Wave are ranked 22nd after taking two of three from East Carolina. In Baseball America’s rankings, LSU is up to number nine, while the Green Wave are ranked 24th.

UL Lafayette’s Evan Guillory has been named Sun Belt pitcher of the week. Guillory tossed a complete game one-hit shutout last week in a win over Northwestern.

Louisiana Tech second baseman Jordan Washam has been named Conference USA Hitter of the Week. Washam was 11-of-16 at the plate as Tech went 3-and-1 last week. The Bulldogs are 18-and-10 on the year.

Nicholls sophomore catcher Kyle Knauth has been named the Southland Hitter of the Week. Knauth had 13 hits last week and drove in six runs. He’s reached base in 18 consecutive games.

In the NBA, the Pelicans final home game of the season is tonight as they’ll host the Chicago Bulls.

15:30 LRN Newscast April 11

A defense attorney for 28-year-old Cardell Hayes says there may have been a second gun recovered at the scene where former Saints star Will Smith was fatally shot on Saturday night. Hayes has been charged with second-degree murder. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison has only said one gun was found.

Two children were killed in Livingston Parish after being struck by an apparent drunk driver. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Baton Rouge police are waiting on ballistics tests before they charge anyone with murder in the death of two Southern University students who were fatally shot when gunfire erupted outside of an apartment complex early Sunday morning. Sergeant Don Coppola says they know there were two gunmen…
cut 3 (08) “…young ladies”
So far police have arrested one person and charged him with attempted murder.

Most parishes north of Interstate 10 are under a severe thunderstorm watch until seven o’ clock tonight. CS Ross, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says there’s already been reports of Hail in the Texarkana area and there’s good chances we’ll see heavy downpours with these storms…
cut 16 (05) “…of rainfall”
Current radar shows most of the heavy rainfall in northeast Louisiana.

14:30 LRN Newscast April 11

A lawyer representing Cardell Hayes, the man accused of killing Saints Super Bowl champion Will Smith, told reporters that someone other than Hayes may have had a firearm. Legal analyst Chick Foret says if Hayes wants to use self-defense as a claim, it will be hard to prove unless police found a gun in Smith’s vehicle…
cut 13 (09) “….in this case”
Hayes is being held on a one-million dollar bond.

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. State Police Major Doug Cain says law enforcement are getting the tools and training nececessary to recognize and prevent abuse…
cut 11 (11) “…change it”
According to Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, there were over 12-thousand victims of child abuse and neglect in 2014, the latest year statistics are available

Two children are dead in a suspected drunk driving wreck in Livingston Parish last night. State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says 26-year-old Jerry Ervin of Holden plowed into a six and four year old child who were standing on the side of the road as adults were attempting to remove a garbage compactor from the highway. Lee says investigators suspect Ervin was impaired…
cut 8 (08) “…this week”
Lee says three other people were also injured, after Ervin’s vehicle hit them.

Southern University is mourning over the death of two of its students who were killed when gunfire rung out an apartment complex early Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Sergeant Don Coppola…
cut 5 (04) “….hospital”
One person has been arrested and police hope to make another arrest in the near future.

LRN PM Newscall Monday April 11

Two children were killed in Livingston Parish after being hit being struck by an apparent drunk driver. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

================

The man who is accused of shooting and killing former-Saints defensive end Will Smith is claiming he was not the aggressor. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Baton Rouge Police are looking to arrest another gunman in the shooting that killed two Southern University students and injured another man. 22-year-old Ernest Felton has already been arrested and charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder and Illegal Use of a weapon. Sgt. Don Coppola says investigators are working to determine who fired the gun killing the two women.

CUT 3 (08)  “young ladies”

Coppola says gunfire was exchanged between Felton and the 24-year-old injured victim after the victim drove up to the social gathering at the apartment complex. He says investigators believe the women were not the intended targets of the shooting.

CUT 4 (08)  “gunfire exchange”

Coppola says they’re confident they will be making another arrest in the near future. He says the victims were 19-year-old Lashunte Benton of Lake Charles and 19-year-old Annette January of Indiana.

CUT 5 (04)  “hospital”

============================

State Police say two children are dead after a fatal wreck on a highway in Livingston Parish last night. Trooper Bryan Lee says impairment is suspected on the part of two of the four vehicles involved. Lee says the two children killed were ages four and six and they were standing on the road as adults were attempting to remove a garbage compactor from the road…

CUT 6 (09) “those vehicles”

Lee says the vehicle that struck the five people on the side of the road was driven by 26-year-old Jerry Ervin of Holden, who is believed to have been impaired. He says they also believe 50-year-old Travis Rose of Denham Springs was drunk and left the garbage compactor in the road after it fell out of his truck.

CUT 7 (09) “no insurance”

Lee says the two children, four-year-old Samuel Shropshire and six-year-old Khaiden Ramsey were pronounced dead at the scene. He says 34-year-old Michelle Ramsey, a 16-year-old male, and a 15-year-old female were transported to a hospital with serious injuries after being struck by Ervin.

CUT 8 (08) “this week”

=========================================================

Today Governor John Bel Edwards declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Louisiana. According to Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, there were over 12-thousand victims of child abuse and neglect in 2014, the latest year statistics are available. State Police Major Doug Cain says kids are our most important resource, and everyone needs to do what they can to them.

CUT 9 (12) “look into it”

Pinwheels lined the front of the state capitol as a display of child abuse prevention awareness. The pinwheel serves as a symbol for the childhood that all children deserve. Cain says the public can also get involved in raising awareness about this issue.

cut 10 (07)  “it represents”

Cain says police deal with cases of child abuse throughout the state. He says it’s something they are working to put an end to by arming law enforcement officers with the tools and training necessary to recognize and prevent abuse.

Cut 11 (11) “change it”

===================================================

A legal expert says a claim of self-defense will be hard to prove in the murder of former Saints standout Will Smith. Cardell Hayes is facing a charge of second-degree murder, but attorney John Fuller spoke with Hayes, who says he was not the aggressor in the incident. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says police will have to look at witness testimony to see exactly what happened.

cut 12 (09) “piece this together”

Police have referred to the shooting as a road rage incident. But Fuller the story is much more complex. So far police have not uncovered a weapon in Smith’s vehicle. Foret says if Hayes wants to use self-defense as a claim, it will be hard to prove unless police find that Smith had a gun.

Cut 13 (09)  “in this case”

Hayes is being held on a one million dollar bond. Foret says the investigation is still ongoing, but at this point forensic evidence seems to tell a different story than what Hayes is suggesting.

cut 14 (08)  “the defendant”

===================================================

Most parishes north of Interstate 10 are under a severe thunderstorm watch until seven o’ clock tonight. CS Ross, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, advises people to keep an eye to the sky. He says scattered thunderstorms have the potential to produce severe weather threats.

cut 15 (07) “or two” 

Ross says they are getting reports of one inch hail in the Texarkana area and parts of northern Texas. He says the rainfall associated with these storms will be brief, but heavy.

cut 16 (05) “of rainfall”