11:40 LRN Sportscast April 4

Former LSU basketball star Shaquille O’ Neal has been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Shaq’s star-studded class also features Allen Iverson, Yao Ming, current Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo and four-time WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes. After a record setting career at LSU, Shaq went on to win four NBA titles and one regular season MVP award and he was named to the All-Star game 15 times.

Tim Frazier had 19 points and 13 assists as he helped the Pelicans beat Brooklyn 106-87. New Orleans is at Philadelphia tomorrow night.

A big performance from LSU relief pitcher Parker Bugg helped the Tigers beat Auburn 10-5 on Sunday for the Tigers first SEC series victory of the season. Bugg threw 3.2 innings of scoreless of baseball and got out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth inning with a strikeout.

Former North Webster High standout Devin White was one of the top running backs in high school football in the state last year, but he’s now working on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers. Coach Les Miles says White had an impressive scrimmage on Saturday…
cut 17 (10) “…in tackles”
Miles says sophomore defensive end Arden Key, also had a good scrimmage as he had six tackles and one sack.

Louisiana Tech has to replace eight starters from last year’s defense. Bulldogs coach Skip Holtz likes what he’s seen from potential new starters on the D-line…
cut 30 (12) “…right place”
In a scrimmage on Saturday, safety Theron Williams had an interception return for a touchdown.

16:45 LRN Sportscast April 1st

No LSU baseball game tonight, because of lots of rain in Auburn. The series will now start tomorrow at 1 PM with a doubleheader. ULM and South Alabama are also postponing their series opener to Saturday. The two teams will be play a doubleheader at 4 PM.

The start of Southeastern’s series with Nicholls is also in jeopardy because of rain. The Lions are seeking their 15th straight victory. Coach Matt Riser says his team is motivated to reach the NCAA Tournament after missing it last year…
cut 20 (18) “….ballclub”
The Colonels enter the series with an 11-15 record, two and seven in the Southland Conference. First pitch is at 7 PM.

LSU guard Antonio Blakeney will put his name into the NBA draft. But Blakeney does not plan on hiring an agent, which would allow him to return for his sophomore season . For Blakeney to come back to LSU, he’ll have to remove his name from the draft, shortly after the NBA combine in mid-May.

The Saints will reportedly meet with running back Tim Hightower soon and discuss a return to the Black and Gold. The 29-year-old played in eight games for New Orleans last season and rushed for 375 yards and four touchdowns.

Former LSU running back Stevan Ridley announced on Instagram that he has signed to play with the Detroit Lions. The Natchez, Mississippi, native rushed for just 90 yards in eight games last season with the Jets after tearing his ACL the year before.

On twitter, UL Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth showed off some new helmets that has a black colored crawfish on a red helmet. It looks really good, but it is apparently an April Fool’s joke.

14:30 LRN Newscast April 1st

With all the new sales tax laws going into effect today, compliance could be a problem. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Much of southeast Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch through tonight. Meanwhile, in north Louisiana, bayous and rivers are still very high. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service says dry weather is needed
cut 10 (06) “…next week”

The search continues for a Slidell man who has fled his residence after human remains and animal bones were found inside his home. Slidell Police Sergeant Daniel Seuzeneau says they do not believe that the human bones found inside the house are related to a homicide…
cut 4 (09) “….very bizarre”
Seuzeneau says they are looking for Joshua Roques. He’s six-foot-six, driving a 2004 Infinity.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says there’s been a spike in the number of train-versus car fatal accidents. Spokesperson Mark Lamber says sometimes, motorists get impatient and drive around the railroad crossing arms…
cut 13 (08) “….can’t win”
Lamber says there’s been seven train-versus car fatalities in the last three months.

LRN PM Newscall april 1st

Slidell police are searching for a wanted man after a search of his home found human remains and animal bones in a makeshift altar. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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With all the new sales tax laws going into effect today, compliance could be a problem. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Police are searching for a man in the New Orleans area after a search warrant led to a gruesome discovery of human remains and animal bones in a Slidell home. Sgt. Daniel Seuzeneau with the Slidell Police Department says 31-year-old Joshua Roques’ home contained ritualistic items unlike anything he’s ever seen.

CUT 3 (12)  “animal bones”

Seuzeneau says the makeshift altar was surrounded by ritualistic materials, candles, and blood. But he says they do not think the human bones are related to a homicide.

CUT 4 (09)  “very bizarre”

Seuzeneau says Roques is wanted on multiple charges, including cremating human remains, unlawful disposal of remains, opening graves, mutilating human remains, and possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. He says they believe Roques maybe trying to flee the state, as he is originally from California.

CUT 5 (09)  “Louisiana plates”

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Compliance could be a problem for businesses and vendors as new sales tax laws go into effect today. That’s according to Jason Decuir, an attorney with Ryan’s tax service. Decuir says the numerous sales tax exemptions that have been temporarily removed are causing headaches for those who are in charge of collecting taxes.

CUT 6 (10) “how long”

Decuir says some businesses will find it difficult to collect the right amount of tax. For instance, sales of Girl Scout cookies is subject to a tax, as well as, admission to various museums and the selling of newspapers at a grocery store. He says Louisiana already has a sales tax system that ranks the worst in the country.

CUT 7 (06) “to navigate”

Decuir says if vendors don’t collect the right amount of taxes, it will cause problems with the state trying to solve the budget deficit. He says this is difficult for some businesses, because many haven’t had to collect sales taxes on certain items before.

CUT 8 (09) “of tax”

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Monroe and Shreveport broke records for rainfall totals during the month on March. Shreveport received 12.8 inches, which is the highest amount since 1945 and Monroe set a record with 24.4 inches of rain. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says much of this rain fell during the span of a few days.

CUT 9 (10) “day record”

Hansford says historic amounts of rain fell in north Louisiana during the month of March. He says there are many bayous and rivers still at flood stage and the recent rainfall isn’t helping, but…

cut 10 (06)  “next week”

Hansford says it’ll be tough to beat the rainfall amounts north Louisiana saw during March 2016. He says we likely won’t see these levels again during our lifetime.

Cut 11 (09) “to go”

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Seven Louisianans have died in crashes between cars and trains within the last three months. These tragedies have prompted the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission to urge motorists to always obey alerts at railroad crossings. Spokesperson Mark Lambert says for the entire year of 2014, there were seven train related deaths so this increase is alarming…

cut 12 (10) “as well”

Lambert says train related crashes are tragic accidents that we see far too often. He says sometimes, motorists get impatient and drive around the railroad crossing arms.

Cut 13 (08)  “can’t win”

Lambert says when you see train tracks, even if they don’t have crossing arms or lights, always think a train is coming. Also, he says don’t get too close to the tracks when you’ve stopped.

cut 14 (07)  “the tracks”

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11:40 LRN Sportscast Friday April 1

The 14th ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series in Auburn tonight. The Tigers are 2-and-4 in league play and tied for fifth in the SEC West. Starting shortstop Kramer Robertson says they are trying to remain loose…
cut 18 (12) “…good results”
No word on who will start at third base for LSU. Greg Deichmann had made two errors in his past five starts at the hot corner.

Southeastern Louisiana is red hot. The Lions have won 14 straight as they open a three-game series against Nicholls tonight. Northwestern is at McNeese. Both teams have winning records in league play.

In the SWAC, Grambling leads the west division with a 7-2 record. The Tigers are at Arkansas Pine Bluff, who trails G-S-U by one game for first place.

The Saints will reportedly meet with running back Tim Hightower soon and discuss a return to the Black and Gold. The 29-year-old played in eight games for New Orleans last season and rushed for 375 yards and four touchdowns, including a 122-yard rushing performance against Jacksonville.

The short-handed Pelicans defeated Denver 101-95 last night. New Orleans was led by Luke Babbitt, who had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Toney Douglas had 20 points and 10 assists. There’s seven games left in the regular season and the Pelis have the sixth worst record in the NBA.

Mark Whitehead, a basketball official from Denham Springs, will be a refree at the Final four in Houston. Whitehead has worked as a college official since 1996 and this will be his fifth Final Four assignment. He worked the 2012 title game played in New Orleans when Kentucky beat Kansas.

In other college hoops news…former LSU assistant Butch Pierre has been named an assistant at North Carolina State.

16:30 LRN Newscast March 31

The Senate Labor Committee has approved a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 by 2018. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Before lawmakers went home for the weekend, the State House approved a measure that would allow hunters to also wear blaze pink, instead of the traditional orange. The bill is by Bogalusa Representative Malinda White…
cut 5 (09) “,…that here
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Even though Republican US Senator David Vitter is leaving office at the end of this year, he’s still holding town hall meetings across the state getting feedback from voters. In Ascension parish this morning, Vitter said he’s hearing primarily about jobs and highway improvements…:
Cut 13 (09) “is important”
The senator still maintains that he intends to leave politics once his term ends.

We’ll find out soon if Louisiana native MacKenzie Bourg will advance to the Top 3 on the final season of American Idol. Voting results from last week will be announced tonight and the contestant with the lowest total will be eliminated. MacKenzie’s dad, Rudy Bourg, says his 23-year-old son is already a winner…:
CUT 6 (08) “last second shot”
Tonight’s show will feature footage taken at Bourg’s homecoming parade last Saturday in Lafayette.

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 31

Southeastern Louisiana won its 14th straight game last night as they defeated Alcorn State 21-0. The Lions scored in every inning they batted. Northwestern State won a rain-shortened contest over ULM 6-2. Daniel Garner hit his 1st homer to help the Demons win their third straight. And Nicholls edged South Alabama five to four. A throwing error by the Jaguars allowed the winning run to score.

The LSU baseball team leaves today for Auburn. Coach Paul Mainieri says Alex Lange will pitch in game one.

The so-called LSU Miles clause has reportedly been removed from the restructured contracts of assistant coaches Ed Orgeron and Jeff Grimes. According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, the clause allows LSU to terminate a contract six months after Miles’ employment with the school ends. This clause was one of the things that upset former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis.

LSU safety Jalen Mills tells CBS Sports that an NFL team has asked him whether he we would use a gun or knife to kill someone. Mills is expected to be a second or third round pick in the draft. He did not reveal which team asked him this question.

The voice of the Tigers for the last three-plus decades officially retires today. Jim Hawthorne, who was on the mic for all six of LSU national championships in basketball, two national titles in football and three Final Four appearances in basketball, leaves the LSU campus today for retirement. Hawthorne’s last game was an ugly loss by the basketball team in the SEC Tournament…
cut 18 (12) “…so be it”
Hawthorne’s first big event during his retirement is a three-week vacation to Australia with his wife.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 31

Starting tomorrow, the state sales tax goes up from four to five cents. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says this increase will likely not change consumer’s purchasing habits…
cut 8 (10) “…quite frankly”
The state tax on cigarettes and alcohol also goes up tomorrow.

A bill is heading to the House floor that calls for legislative approval to waive work requirements for food stamp recipients. The governor’s attorney, Matthew Block, says they want to make sure there’s enough job training and job placement services, before re-instating the work requirements…
cut 16 (13) “….SNAP benefits”
The state recently estimated 31-thousand able bodies adults would lose their benefits, if they they were required to find work.

At this hour, the Senate Labor committee debates a bill that would raise the mininum wage to 8-dollars an hour next year and then $8.50 in 2018. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal entered a plea of not guilty to charges he violated federal civil rights laws. Prosecutors accuse Ackal of ordering the beatings of at least three pre-trial inmates in 2011. Nine of Ackal’s former deputies have already pleaded guilty in the case.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 March 30

The LSU Baseball team is mired in a tough stretch as they’ve lost three of their last four. Tulane beat the Tigers seven to one last night as LSU committed three errors and losing pitcher Cole McKay walked four in two-thirds of an inning. LSU is at Auburn this weekend.

Southeastern Louisiana’s winning streak is at 13 games after pounding Southern 18-2 in seven innings.

Louisiana Tech has won 23 straight over Grambling after beating the Tigers 10-2 last night. UL Lafayette scored three runs in the ninth to beat Nicholls 5-4 and Northwestern State was an easy winner over ULM 11-2.

Louisiana native and Kentucky Debry-winning jockey Calvin Borel is retiring from horse racing after 33 years. The 49-year-old has over five-thousand victories, including three Kentucky Derby wins in four years. In 2009, he rode 50-1 long shot Mine That Bird to an improbable win at Churchill Downs.

The Saints have reportedly resctured the contract of running back Mark Ingram which gives them three-point-six million dollars in salary cap space. Ingram is set to make three-million dollars, but he’ll receive most of that in the form of a signing bonus now. Cam Jordan and Thomas Morstead also had their contracts restructured this week.

Former LSU wide receiver Brandon LaFell will reportedly sign with the Cincinnati Bengals. LaFell was released by the Patriots earlier this month after he caught 111 passes and scored seven touchdowns in two seasons in New England.

UL Lafayette’s football game at Georgia Southern has been moved to Thursday, November 10th and it will be televised by ESPN U. That means the Cajuns will have two midweek games in 2016, Wednesday October 22nd at Texas State and the Thursday night Georgia southern contest.

Spring practice has resumed for the LSU Tigers. Coach Les Miles is refreshed after spending five days in Cuba. The coach said he spent his time handing out soccer balls to school children and learning more about a culture that he heared a lot about from a longtime friend.

LRN PM Newscall March 30

A bill heading to the House floor would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Department of Corrections is investigating whether incarcerated rapper C-Murder recorded a new single while in Angola. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (26)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A bill has passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee that would extend the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. The only exception is if the women has to travel more than 150 miles to the nearest abortion clinic. Cindy Collins with the Louisiana Abortion Recovery Alliance says the current law does not give women enough time to reflect on their options.

CUT 3 (12)  “enough time”

The bill now heads to the House floor for further consideration. No one spoke out in opposition, but pro- choice groups are concerned about another legal hurdle that could be facing women who are seeking an abortion. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says extending this longer waiting period is necessary to allow women to make the right decision.

CUT 4 (04)  “can do”

Five other states have similar waiting periods. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says this decision will emotionally affect a woman for the rest of her life.

CUT 5 (10)  “time period”

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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of murdering his wife and dumping her body in the spillway canal near Palmetto. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 52-year-old Sam Clark, Jr. admitted to police he shot 28-year-old Kimberly Perkins Clark twice in the head on the spillway levee bridge. Guidroz says the couple had a very abusive relationship…

CUT 6 (05) “pretty rough”

Guidroz says detectives had plenty of physical evidence to tie Clark to the murder of his wife before he confessed. He says the couple was driving over the bridge in Sam Clark’s truck before she was killed.

CUT 7 (10) “the water”

Clark is charged with second degree murder.  Guidroz says they believe Kimberly Clark was dead for about 12 to 15 hours before her body was found.

CUT 8 (10) “called us”

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Louisiana could get hit with two to four inches of rain today as a severe weather system moves into the state. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport Patrick Omundson advises people to be on the lookout for severe weather threats.

CUT 9 (09) “winds too”

Omundson also cautions people to watch out for lightening today. He says much of the state will get around two inches of rain, but isolated areas could get more.

cut 10 (04)  “as well”

Much of north Louisiana is under a flash flood watch. Omundson says the flash flooding risk is greater, because of all the backwater left from the recent flooding.

Cut 11 (11) “significant flooding”

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A measure to create protection for public school students who are parents or expectant mothers has been passed out of the Senate Education Committee. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says the Louisiana Expectant and Parenting Students Act will help both mothers and fathers receive a diploma.

cut 12 (09) “young people”

The bill now heads to the full Senate for more debate. Metairie Rep. Stephanie Hilferty is a co-author of the legislation. She says statistically only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school and 30 percent of female students that drop out say the reason was due to pregnancy.

Cut 13 (10)  “child’s birth”

Hilferty says as much support a mother can get from the state while in the high school environment will reap substantial rewards. She says teen pregnancy has a generational effect if we don’t help these parents return to high school after their maternity leave.

cut 14 (10)  “older parents”

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The Senate advances legislation that would make Louisiana in federal compliance with the Real ID Act. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb, says this is a measure that was passed by Congress…:

cut 15 (09) “Homeland Security” 

The proposal passed 31-7 and heads to the House. A similar bill received legislative approval last year, but it was vetoed by former Governor Bobby Jindal. Colomb says her bill this year includes language that would give citizens the option…:

cut 16 (04) “to get one”

(Governor John Bel Edwards says he will sign the bill if it passes.)