12:30 LRN Newscast December 28th

A 23-year-old Jeanerette man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of 75-year-old Howard Poche. The elderly man was reported missing on Christmas day. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Captain Richard Fleming says Jeffery Marks was taken into custody this morning.
Cut 6 (11)”degree murder”
It’s been reported that Poche’s body was found in a trash can at his home.

Louisiana saw it’s share of bizarre stories in 2016. At the state Capitol, Jackson Representative Kenny Havard proposed an amendment that said strippers must be younger than 28 and weigh less than 160 pounds. Havard never apologized for what some called a bad sexist joke…
cut 8 (08) “…160 pounds”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces more Louisiana residents are purchasing flood insurance since the two devastating floods Louisiana endured this year. Don Molino has more…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Don Molino”

11:40 LRN Sportscast December 28th

The Saints are getting back to work today, getting ready for the regular season finale at Atlanta. A win and New Orleans will finish with an 8-and-8 record, but they’ll miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Head Coach Sean Payton says he’d rather finish the season with a win than a loss…
cut 17 (14) “…another game”
It will be the final game for the Saints in the Georgia Dome. They are 7-and-3 in that stadium since 2006 and five of the last seven games played between these two teams in that building have been decided by three points or less.

The LSU Tigers had their first practice in Orlando today as they continue to get ready for Saturday’s Citrus Bowl matchup against the Louisville Cardinals. The Tigers are a three point favorite to win.

The Pelicans host the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at the Smoothie King Center at 7 PM. L-A is already without Blake Griffin because of a knee injury and Chris Paul and J-J Reddick are questionable with injuries. New Orleans is attempting to win its third game in a row.

Tonight in college hoops…ULM hosts Grambling State. Both teams are 5-7 on the year. This will be 11th meeting on the hardwood between these two schools and the Warhawks lead the all-time series as they’ve won seven of the ten previous matchups.

Southeastern Louisiana is at Southern. The Jaguars beat the Lions last year with a three-pointer at the buzzer. Tulane begins American Athletic Conference play by hosting Central Florida. Nicholls takes on Spring Hill in Thibodaux and Northwestern State plays host to Louisiana College.

Louisiana Tech receiver Carlos Henderson has announced he’ll forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Henderson caught 19 touchdown passes and had 1,535 yards receiving in 2016.

11:30 LRN Newscast December 28th

Governor John Bel Edwards says state leaders are doing what they can to prepare for a decision in the Alton Sterling case.
cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A 23-year-old Jeanerette man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of 75-year-old Howard Poche. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Captain Richard Fleming says Jeffery Marks has been charged with first-degree murder, even though they have let to locate Poche’s body…
cut 7 (04) “…Mr Poche”

More Louisiana residents are buying flood insurance after two historic floods devastated Louisiana this year. That’s according to Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who says flood insurance is the best purchase a property owner can make, even if you don’t live in a flood zone.
Cut 3 (11) “low risk area”
Donelon says there were 451-thousand policies in place in July. He says that has grown to 480-thousand.

A big political story for 2016 was the election of Republican Treasurer John Kennedy to fill the U.S. seat vacated by David Vitter. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there were also some other big happenings with Louisiana’s Congressional delegation….
cut 6 (10) “….for Louisiana”

10:30 LRN Newscast December 28th

Senator-elect John Kennedy isn’t happy that Amazon will begin collecting Louisiana sales taxes. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office has made an arrest in the disappearance of 75-year-old Howard Poche. The Jeanerette man has been missing since Christmas Day. Twenty-three-year-old Jeffery Lee Marks has been charged with first-degree murder. The search for Poche’s body continues.

A major story in 2016 was the shooting death of Alton Sterling, a black man, who was killed after a confrontation with two white police officers. Governor John Bel Edwards says since then police departments have been asked to re-evaluate how they train officers…
cut 8 (10) “…law enforcement officers”
Edwards says the public also has a responsibility to make sure they’re interacting with the police in a proper fashion as well.

2016 ends on Saturday, so what can you do to lessen the tax hit you might face when you file your 2016 returns. Metairie CPA Gina Rachel says charitable donations are one way to save on your taxes. She says monetary donations aren’t the only way to give….
cut 13 (08) “…donations as well”

09:30 LRN Newscast December 28th

It was another wild year in politics for Louisiana. Publisher of La-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford, says the first big development was the election of Republican Taylor Barras as House Speaker. That was not Governor John Bel Edwards’ choice and Alford says it set up a contentious battle over tax bills…
cut 5 (09) “….important sessions”
Governor Edwards pushed tax hikes as a way to close a massive budget deficit.

It’s end of the year and Metairie tax preparer Gina Rachel says many will give to charities over the next couple of days so they can receive a deduction on their 2016 returns. Rachel says there are some moves you can do after January 1 that can also lessen your tax bill…
cut 15 (09) “…that as well”

A big story in 2016 was the police shooting of Alton Sterling. It raised the need to improve police and community relations. Governor John Bel Edwards says they’ve asked police departments to re-evaluate how they train officers, but he also says the public has a responsbility to make sure they’re interacting with the police in a proper fashion. He says they are looking at ways to educate the public…
cut 9 (08) “….for example”
An expected announcement from the Department of Justice about potential charges against the officers involved in the Alton Sterling shooting is expected in 2017.

Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton is doing okay today after he was involved in a crash with a stolen vehicle. Sexton’s department issued pickup truck and a State Police patrol car were parked at an exit off of I-20 that stolen car tried to drive through. The collision ended a high speed chase that started in Texas. An 18-year-old from Dallas was arrested.

08:30 LRN Newscast December 28th

State Treasurer and U.S. Senator elect John Kennedy is upset that Amazon will begin collecting state and local sales taxes on purchases made by Louisiana shoppers on January 1st. Louisiana law requires taxpayers to self-report their online purchases and pay taxes, but most online shoppers do not. Kennedy says it’s not the fault of the consumer, it’s the state Department of Revenue’s fault for not enforcing the law….
cut 12 (12) “…bad guy”
It’s been estimated the Amazon tax collection policy will generate between 30 to 50 million dollars for the state’s cofers.

The search continues for a missing 75-year-old Jeanerette man. Iberia Parish Sheriff deputies have been looking for Howard Poche since Christmas Day and authorities suspect foul play after finding a considerable amount of blood in his home.

Governor John Bel Edwards says state leaders are doing what they can to prepare for a decision on the Alton Sterling case.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

There’s a few more days left in the year, so is there anything you can do, to lessen the tax bill you may have to pay when you file your 2016 returns? Metairie tax preparer Gina Rachal with the Louisiana C-P-A Society says accelerate any deductions that might expire in 2017..
cut 14 (10) “…lose that”
Rachel says federal higher education deductions will expire next year as well.

07:30 LRN Newscast

State Treasurer and U.S. Senator-elect John Kennedy is not happy with Amazon’s decision to begin collecting state and local sales taxes on purchases made by Louisiana customers. Kennedy says when you start talking about the internet and taxes, you’re taking the first step down a very slippery slope….
cut 11(09) “…sooner or later”
Amazon’s new tax collecting policy goes into effect January 1st.

A decision from the Department of Justice regarding criminal charges against the two police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling are expected in 2017. Governor John Bel Edwards….
cut 7 (09) “….that announcement”
July 5th was when Sterling was killed during a scuffle with two Baton Rouge police officers.

2016 was a hectic year for Louisiana politics. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is expecting a hearing soon to determine whether a baby found in a trash can in a New Roads Wal Mart restroom will remain in state custody. Officials have named the baby Olivia and New Roads Police Chief Kevin McDonald says the baby girl is doing well. The mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas, has been charged with attempted second-degree murder.

06:45 LRN Sportscast December 28th

The Saints return to the practice field today to get ready for the regular season finale on Sunday at Atlanta. Running back Mark Ingram enters the contest 60 yards shy of 1,000 for the season. Ingram says eclipsing 1,000 yards would mean a lot…
Cut 16 (13) “on the season”
A win on Sunday and the Saints will finish with an 8-and-8 record, but they’ll miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year.

LSU has arrived in Orlando for it Citrus Bowl matchup against Louisville. Of course, the Tigers first stop was dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. Today, they’ll practice at 10:30 central time to get ready for that 10 AM kickoff on Saturday.

In New Orleans, Oklahoma and Auburn have arrived and they’ll face each other on Monday night in the Sugar Bowl.

Louisiana Tech receiver Carlos Henderson has announced he’ll forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Henderson caught 19 touchdown passes and had 1,535 yards receiving in 2016.

LSU failed to land five-star running back Cam Akers. The prospect from Clinton, Mississippi has decided to play at Florida State. Meanwhile, Jennings running back Travis Etienne plans to visit LSU January 27th. He also has visits planned at Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Tonight in college hoops…ULM hosts Grambling State. Both teams are 5-7 on the year. This will be 11th meeting on the hardwood between these two schools and the Warhawks lead the all-time series as they’ve won seven of the ten previous matchups.

Southeastern Louisiana is at Southern. The Jaguars beat the Lions last year with a three-pointer at the buzzer. Tulane begins American Athletic Conference play by hosting Central Florida. Nicholls takes on Spring Hill in Thibodaux and Northwestern State plays host to Louisiana College.

The Pelicans host the Los Angeles Clippers.

06:30 LRN Newscast December 28th

Amazon’s new policy of collecting sales tax in Louisiana has upset a lot of Louisiana residents, including Senator-elect John Kennedy. He says many state lawmakers are dancing at the Capitol because they’ll have more money to spend, at the expense of Louisiana taxpayers.
Cut 10 (07) “taxpayers pockets”
It’s estimated once the policy goes into effect on January 1, it will bring in an additional $30 million a year for Louisiana.

A major story in 2016 was the shooting death of Alton Sterling, a black man, who was killed after a confrontation with two white police officers. Governor John Bel Edwards says since then police departments have been asked to re-evaluate how they train officers…
cut 8 (10) “…law enforcement officers”

2016 was another hectic year for Louisiana politics. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the first interesting twist was when Republican Taylor Barras was elected as speaker of the House rather than Governor Edwards’ pick of Democrat Representative Walt Leger. Alford it’s the first time in modern history the governor did not hand select the speaker…

cut 4 (08) “…the house”

Alford says Edwards and House Republican leaders will likely continue to butt heads in 2017.

16:45 LRN Sportscast December 27th

LSU left Baton Rouge this afternoon for Orlando to continue preparations for its Citrus Bowl matchup against Louisville and Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Lamar Jackson. Tigers defensive end Lewis Neal says playing the proper technique will be important on Saturday…
cut 18 (19) “…to the T”
During his call-in radio show, LSU Coach Ed Orgeron said new offensive coordinator Matt Canada will assess the quarterbacks on the roster and determine which one might be the right guy for 2017.

Louisiana Tech wide receiver Carlos Henderson has decided to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Henderson caught 82 passes for 15-hundred yards and 19 touchdowns this past season.

The Saints return to practice tomorrow to get ready for Sunday’s regular season finale against Atlanta. A victory for the Black and Gold and they’ll avoid a third straight 7-and-9 finish, while a Falcons win will give them a first round bye in the NFC playoffs. The game will kick-off at 3:25.

The Pelicans will try for their third straight win tomorrow night when they host the Los Angeles Clippers. New Orleans beat Dallas 111 to 104 last night. Anthony Davis had 28 points and despite a 12-21 record, the Pels are three games back of Sacramento for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In college basketball…Louisiana Tech’s Erik McCree has been named the men’s college basketball player of the week by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. McCree averaged 24 points in two games last week and had a double-double in a loss to Florida Gulf Coast.

Tomorrow in college hoops action…ULM hosts Grambling State. Both teams are 5-and-7 on the year. And Tulane will host U-C-F to begin play in the American Athletic Conference.