11:40 LRN Sportscast August 5th

The Saints defense last season produced 22 turnovers, but the goal is to increase that number this year. Linebacker Nate Stupar…
cut 17 (15) “….to victory”
Cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Damian Swann missed practice today for a second consecutive day. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks was also out and running back Mark Ingram was a no-show as well.

LSU sophomore defensive back Donte Jackson is back practicing with his team again, after missing much of spring practice because of academic issues. Jackson is ready for LSU to live up to it’s D-B-U nickname….
cut 19 (16) “…change a lot”

Louisiana Tech senior starting quarterback Ryan Higgins was arrested this morning in Ruston on a DWI charge. A police report says Higgins was speeding, performed poorly on sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol concentration of .119. Head Coach Skip Holtz says they are aware of the situation, but won’t release any further comments until they gather all of the information and talk with all of the parties involved. The Bulldogs kickoff fall camp on Sunday.

The battle for starting quarterback is underway at UL Lafayette. Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth says Anthony Jennings, Jordan Davis and Jalen Nixon each had a good first day, with each taking turns with the number one offense.

There’s also a quarterback battle at McNeese State. Grant Ashcraft, Joe Lissard and James Tabany each took equal reps with the one and twos on the first day of camp.

And Northwestern State has added a pair of transfer defensive backs, Baylor walk-on Justin Barnes and California community college safety Eric Waters.

10:30 LRN Newscast August 5th

The National Federation of Independent Business isn’t pleased that for this year’s sales tax holiday, the sales tax isn’t completely waved. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (25) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana Tech startering quarterback Ryan Higgins was arrested this morning and charged with a DWI. Higgins was stopped near Louisiana Tech’s campus and allegedly performed poorly on a field sobriety test and his BAC was .119. Bulldogs Head Coach Skip Holtz says they are still trying to gather all the facts, before commenting any further.

A Thibodaux man has been arrested after stealing donation containers from multiple convenience stores in Houma. Maj. Malcom Wolfe with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old Walter Richard was caught on video at one of the stores….
cut 3 (09) “…conveneience stores”
Wolfe says they gained information that Richard also took donation jars from three other locations. It’s uknown how much he actually took.

The Great American Seafood kick-off is tomorrow in New Orleans. It will take place in front of a live audience at Ernest Morial Convention Center at 11:30. Director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Karen Profita, says eleven chefs from around the country will have one hour prepare their special dish and then judges will review and taste…
cut 14 (07) “….come in”
Chef Blake Phillips from Restaurant Sage in Monroe represents Louisiana this year.

16:45 LRN Sportscast Aug 4th

The first full day of camp is taking place on the practice fields at LSU. Veterans went through drills this morning and freshmen and a few older players have their own practice this afternoon. Coach Les Miles…
cut 19 (15) “…need reps”
The Coaches poll came out today and LSU is ranked sixth. Alabama is ranked number one, followed by Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State and then Ohio State.

At Saints training camp, receiver Brandin Cooks did not practice today. Coach Sean Payton did not give a reason why Cooks was not in attendance. Cornerback Keenan Lewis, who just came off the physically unable to perform list, also did not practice. But Payton says they are taking it slow with the veteran, who had several injuries last season.

Former Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans will reportedly visit with the Seahawks tomorrow and is considered a good fit for Seattle’s offensive line. Evans who played for 10 years in New Orleans, was released by the Saints last February after refusing to take a pay cut. Evans has also visited with Buffalo.

ULM football coach Matt Viator says he’s pleased with the first day of fall camp. He says miskates were made as they install a new offense and defense, but it wasn’t as sloppy as a lot of first days are.

The NBA and the city of New Orleans are reportedly close to reaching a deal that will result in the Big Easy hosting the All-Star game on February 19th. A formal announcement could come as soon as next week, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate. The league has been looking for a site for the All-Star Game since moving the contest from Charlotte, because of a bill approved that limits antidiscrimination protections for LGBT individuals.

15:30 LRN Newscast August 4th

State education officials announce a higher percentage of public school students scored at the “mastery” level in English and Math. The results are based on the LEAP tests that were taken last Spring. Superintendent John White says this is good news but unfortunately some white and higher income students are doing significantly better than others…
CUT 10 (11) “our state”
White is also concerned that too few students are fully prepared for college.

Authorities are working to ID the remains of a woman who was burned. Chief Deputy Mike Haley, with the Washington Parish Sheriff’s office, says 41-year-old Joey Mixon has been charged with murder in the woman’s brutal death. Haley says they know Mixon knew the victim and got into an argument with her, but there’s still a lot of unanswewred question…
cut 5 (07) “…the crime”
Officials believe the victim is from St. Tammany Parish.

Louisiana is seeing a huge spike in the number of international visitors. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says 36% more people from other countries visited The Bayou State over the prior year. He wants to continue to see this rise and credits the efforts of Louisianians putting their best foot forward…:
CUT 16 (09) “our state”
Nungesser says this is the third consecutive year of double digit growth in international visitors.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today the state plans on investing more than 20-million dollars to address the congestion that takes place every day at the Washington Street exit on I-10 in Baton Rouge. Edwards on how that money will be spent…
cut 13 (11) “….the contestion”
The governor says it’s the only area in the country where the interstate goes down to one lane.

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”

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

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”

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

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.

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

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”

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

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”

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

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”