LRN PM Newscall

During a legislative hearing looking into the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene, an L-S-P official tells lawmakers he didn’t think the troopers seen on video beating and tasing Greene acted criminally. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Legislation to allow non-felons to carry a concealed firearm in Louisiana without a permit was heavily amended Wednesday and now its primary intent is to provide school safety officers. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

Lt. Colonel Chris Eskew, who was the head of State Police internal affairs when Ronald Greene died in L-S-P custody, tells state lawmakers he saw no criminal activity when he watched the violent body camera video of Greene’s arrest. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle provided the line of questioning

Cut 3 (13) “..no ma’am.”

Police body camera video shows Greene being repeatedly punched and tased after leading State Police on a high-speed chase in May of 2019. Other LSU officials have said the troopers who arrested Greene crossed the line, but Marcelle couldn’t believe Eskew didn’t hold that same opinion….

Cut 4  (13) “…do this.”

Later on in the meeting, Eskew changed his answer. He explained he was reluctant to answer for fear it could harm the ongoing investigations into Greene’s death. Marcelle sees it as State Police officials trying to protect each other…

Cut 5  (10) “..bring down.”

___________________________________________________

A House bill to allow permitless concealed carry was heavily amended by Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert in a Senate committee. The original bill to allow non-felons over the age of 21 to carry concealed without a permit now creates provisions for a school safety officer and its initial intent has been removed.

Cut 6  (07) “…other schools.” 

The session ends Monday, so the only way legislators can address school safety and mass shootings is by amending an existing bill.

Lambert says the bill allows a school to appoint a teacher or administrator to serve voluntarily as a school protection officer. Lambert says the appointed individual will also have to be post-certified.

Cut 7 (11) “…right now.” 

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris, who had his Constitutional Carry bill vetoed by the governor last year, asked Lambert why House Bill 37 can’t keep its original intent and provide school protection officers.

Cut 8 (06) “…the other.” 

Last year Governor Edwards vetoed legislation to allow concealed carry without a permit and he’s made statements recently that he still opposes the measure without some level of training. The bill is headed to the Senate floor but could be sent to Senate Finance for a cost review. The session ends Monday.

_____________________________________________________

Senate candidate Luke Mixon has been officially endorsed by fellow Democrat, Governor John Bel Edwards. Mixon is one of three announced candidates who will face off with incumbent Republican John Kennedy. UL-Monroe Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Edwards’ endorsement is a boost for the Baton Rouge pilot’s campaign.

Cut 9 (11) “…the primary.”

In addition to endorsing the Bunkie native, Edwards is headlining a fundraiser for Mixon in New Orleans on June 16th. Stockley says because Mixon doesn’t have much name recognition, he’ll need to raise as much as possible.

Cut 10 (10) ” …a boost.” 

Stockley says Mixon and Edwards share not only political similarities they both were raised in small towns and served in the military. Edwards was a WestPoint graduate and a former Army Airborne Ranger, Mixon is a Naval Academy and TOP GUN graduate and a former fighter pilot.

Cut 11 (11)  “…polls.” 

Activist Gary Chambers and Vacherie native Syrita Steib have also announced their candidacy for Senate.

_____________________________________________________

It’s only day two of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, but researchers at Colorado State University have increased their projections of just how active this season will be. Alex DesRosiers says the latest models point to 20 named storms. The main reason? El Nino, which helps prevent storms from forming, is highly unlikely this year.

Cut 12 (08) “…quite some time.”  

DesRosiers says that CSU compares current conditions to years past and how that data aligns. They predicted 19 storms in June of 2020, a year that produced record highs in total storms and major hurricanes, with 30 and seven respectively. So what do the models see this year?

Cut 13 (12) “…point in time.”

According to the CSU models, the odds of the Gulf Coast seeing a major hurricane passing through are at about 50 percent, up from 30 percent for the last century. As for Louisiana itself, DesRosiers says we should be prepared for an active season…

Cut 14 (13)  “…major hurricane.” 

10:30 LRN Newscast

A House bill to allow permitless concealed carry was heavily amended by Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert in a Senate committee. The original bill to allow non-felons over the age of 21 to conceal carry without a permit now creates provisions for a school safety officer and its initial intent has been removed.
Cut 6 (07) “…other schools.”
The session ends Monday, so the only way legislators can address school safety and mass shootings is by amending an existing bill. It remains to see if this school safety bill can make it through the process before the session ends.

At the U-S Capitol, Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has filed legislation to secure schools. One bill would establish national training standards for school resource officers. Higgins says he filed similar legislation in 2018…
cut 9 (10) “…these school shootings”

Lt. Colonel Chris Eskew, who was the head of State Police internal affairs at the time Ronald Greene died in L-S-P custody, tells state lawmakers he saw no criminal activity when he watched the violent body camera video of Greene’s arrest. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle provided the line of questioning…
cut 3 (13) “…no ma’am”
Later on in the meeting, Eskew changed his answer. He says he was reluctant to answer for fear it could harm the ongoing criminal and civil investigations into Greene’s death.

There’s another shortage to be aware of….the contrast dye for C-T scans. LSU Health New Orleans radiology professor Bradley Spieler (pronounced: SPEE-ler) radiologists and oncologists are postponing CT scans deemed non-emergency and using smaller amounts of dye when doing scans…
cut 30 (07) “…fourth quarter”
A plant in China that makes the dye has been shut down as a result of COVID restrictions.

9:30 LRN Newscast June 2

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will testify before a special House committee looking into the circumstances of Ronald Greene’s death. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says they want to know when Edwards saw the violent police body camera video that shows troopers beating Greene before he died. Magee says a recent Associated Press report says Edwards viewed the video much earlier than Greene’s family or local prosecutors
cut 11 (07) “….bottom of it”
Edwards says he’s done nothing to interfere with the investigation into Greene’s death.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has filed a bill in the U-S House called the School Resource Officer Assessment Act which calls on the federal government to gather data regarding the number of school resource officers in each school…
cut 8 (12) “….no data of that”
Higgins says a similar bill passed in the U-S House in 2018.

The state Department of Insurance says nearly a dozen firms have stopped writing coverage in Louisiana; meaning the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens, is having to write more policies for property insurance to cover homes and businesses.
Cut 13 (13) “…90-thousand policy range.”
That’s Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon who says his office will work to help these policyholders find less expensive policies in the private market.

Facing the potential of $43-million in damaged infrastructure, Southern University is receiving federal help to construct permanent erosion control measures. Congressman Troy Carter was on hand for the announcement… Cut 4 (11) “…the Mississippi River.”
Carter says it’s another example of the federal government investing in infrastructure solutions for the people of Louisiana.

8:30 LRN Newscast

A bipartisan House committee wants to hear from Governor John Bel Edwards as they investigate the State Police Custody death of Ronald Greene. Kevin Gallagher has the story…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A Senate Committee has dramatically changed a proposed permitless concealed carry law to a bill that would allow teachers and administrators to carry concealed guns on campus. The legislation would also authorize school districts to appoint a school protection officer, who would receive training.

Congressman Troy Carter says seven million dollars in federal money will be used to preserve Southern University’s ravine and prevent some of the school’s buildings from falling into the Mississippi River. Carter says he learned about the dire situation a year ago from former retired U-S Army General Russell Honore…
cut 6 (13) “….the Mississippi River”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the number of property insurance policies being taken on by the state’s insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance, is growing as a result of two active hurricane seasons. Donelon says he wants to reverse that trend…
cut 14 (14) “…property insurance business”

7:30 LRN Newscast June 2

Governor John Bel Edwards will appear before the House committee investigating the circumstances surrounding Ronald Greene’s death when the panel meets on June 16th. Greene’s family was told he died in a car crash in Union Parish. But police body camera video shows Greene was beaten by troopers following a high-speed chase. During Wednesday’s meeting, Houma Representative Tanner Magee read written testimony from Doctor Frank Peretti, a coroner in Arkansas who oversaw Green’s autopsy
Cut 12 (12) “..tree branches.”

In response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has introduced a bill he calls the School Watch and Tactics Act…
cut 7 (09) “….tactical skills”
Higgins says he has filed another bill that would lead to more security officers at schools that do not have enough.

Southern University gets a major boost in its efforts to save its campus from erosion. David Grubb has the details…
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The Louisiana Legislature has approved a new name, image and likeness law that allows schools and their booster groups to facilitate N-I-L deals. The legislation heading to the governor’s desk would also keep the endorsement deals involving the student-athletes private. Supporters say this will put Louisiana in line with what other states are doing.

6:45 LRN Sportscast June 2

The LSU baseball team is in Hattiesburg getting ready for regional play that will begin tomorrow at Pete Taylor Park. Tiger Fans are confident their team can take this Regional. Coach Jay Johnson doesn’t believe the pressure to win is a negative…
cut 17 (19) “…..the right way”
The Tigers will take on Kennesaw State Friday night.

The Ragin Cajuns play TCU on Friday in the College Station Regional. U-L Lafayette pitcher Austin Perrin…
cut 19 (11) “…..give them anything”

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward tells the Advocate there’s no rush to approve a new scheduling format for football in the Southeastern Conference. It’s possible a vote could take place tomorrow when the SEC spring meetings end in Destin, Florida. The discussion surrounds whether there will be eight or nine conference games and how many permanent opponents, between one and three have been thrown around as many expect the SEC will scrap the division format.

N-I-L is also a popular discussion at the S-E-C spring meetings. Tigers football coach Brian Kelly says name, image, and likeness has turned into a runaway train…
cut 20 (11) “…right now”
The Louisiana Legislature has approved a new N-I-L law that allows schools to help facilitate N-I-L deals. The legislation heading to the governor’s desk would also keep the endorsement deals private.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The special House committee looking into the circumstances of the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene has requested that Governor John Bel Edwards appear at their June 16th meeting. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says it’s unclear when Edwards saw the police body camera video that shows troopers beating Greene before he died
Cut 10 (08) “…they say.”
The governor’s executive counsel Matthew Block says Edwards’ testimony will demonstrate he nor anyone on his staff was involved in a cover-up related to Greene’s death.

The state’s insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, has seen an increase in 13-thousand policies since Hurricane Laura made landfall in 2020 as the number of insurance companies writing homeowners insurance is dwindling. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says if you are without property insurance, call his office…
cut 15 (11) “…their commercial property”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins introduces legislation intended to shore up security in schools.…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A Louisiana House bill to allow permitless concealed carry in Louisiana was changed dramatically in the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. An amendment approved last night changes the bill to authorize schools to appoint school protection officers, allowing trained teachers and administrators to carry concealed firearms. The legislation needs full Senate and House approval and the legislative session ends Monday.

LRN PM Newscall June 1

A juvenile offender who committed a violent crime would not be allowed to possess a gun until they are 24 as a result of a proposed law that’s close to final legislative passage. Don Molino has the story..

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

Entergy says it is ready for the 2022 Hurricane Season…David Grubb has more on how they plan to keep the power on.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

Legislation that would prohibit some juvenile offenders from possessing firearms until they are 24 years old is nearing final legislative passage. It passed in the House on a 59-39 vote. Kenner Representative Debbie Villio told the House that Florida has a similar law, but Gretna Representative Joe Marino believes the bill is unconstitutional

Cut 3 (09) “..that belief.”

Marino says since juvenile offenders are adjudicated by a judge and not convicted by a jury, Louisiana law does not allow the state to prohibit gun ownership once they turn 18…

Cut 4  (12) “…do this.”

But Villio says it does not matter if a juvenile offender is adjudicated by a judge or convicted by a jury, it has the right to pass a law to prohibit gun ownership for those under the 24. And she calls it a common-sense approach in trying to reduce gun violence among young adults

Cut 5  (10) “…the public.”

The bill heads back to the Senate to see if the upper chamber agrees with changes made to the bill by the House.

___________________________________________________

Though you likely didn’t celebrate with a card or cake, today is the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane season. Among those getting ready is power provider Entergy. Vice president of reliability John Hawkins says a major component of their storm preparedness is keeping limbs and branches away from power lines.

Cut 6  (12) “…potential threats” 

Hawkins says they use satellite imagery and computer modeling to help predict when trimming may be needed.

After being pummelled by major storms in each of the last two years, Hawkins says that Entergy has learned some important lessons regarding planning and logistics that will apply this season.

Cut 7 (07) “…our processes.” 

Entergy has been installing underground cables and strengthing pole supports for power lines as part of its efforts. Hawkins reminds customers that they need to have a storm plan as well…

Cut 8 (10) “…on that plan.” 

_____________________________________________________

Doctors are concerned for Louisiana cancer patients and others needing imaging diagnoses, amid a nationwide shortage of the contrast dye used in CT scans. The dye is made by GE Healthcare at a plant in Shanghai, China; now on lockdown due to another COVID virus surge there. LSU Health New Orleans radiology professor Bradley Spieler (pronounced: SPEE-ler) says doctors in Louisiana are forced to delay non-essential CT scans, and concentrate on those that are more of an emergency…:

Cut 9 (12) “…that imaging question.”

The shortage is nationwide, but Louisiana leads the country in cancer and vascular disease; ailments for which CT scans are standard diagnostic tools. Dr. Spieler says the Chinese plant is currently at less than 60-percent production…:

Cut 10 (11) ” …to Ireland actually.” 

Speiler says radiologists and oncologists here are postponing CT scans deemed non-emergency and are even using smaller amounts of dye when doing scans…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…third or fourth quarter.” 

He says it could be months before the shortage is resolved.

_____________________________________________________

A Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s deputy was seriously injured when he was hit by an A-T-V. State Police is handling the investigation and Trooper Kate Stegall says deputies were pursuing two ATVs early Tuesday morning driving recklessly on public roadways. Stegall says the injured deputy got in front of one of the A-T-Vs

Cut 12 (11) “…striking him.”  

18-year-old Reginald Hamilton of New Orleans is facing numerous charges including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. Stegall says Hamilton and the deputy remain hospitalized.

Cut 13 (09) “…receiving treatment”

18-year-old Kody Blanchard of Marrero has been arrested as the operator of the second all-terrain vehicle. He’s been charged with reckless operation of an off-road vehicle and flight from an officer, among other charges. Sheriff Jerry Turlich is not releasing the deputy’s name, but told the media he’s a 10-year veteran who was recently promoted. Turlich says it’s an emotional time for his department…

Cut 14 (13)  “…see changed” 

1:30 LRN Newscast June 1

The Louisiana Legislature is close to passing a law that would prohibit violent juvenile offenders from owning a gun until they are 24. But Gretna Representative Joe Marino says since juvenile offenders are adjudicated by a judge and not convicted by a jury, Louisiana law does not allow the state to prohibit gun ownership after they turn 18…
Cut 4 (12) “…do this.”
The measure is a Senate vote away from heading to the governor’s desk.

It’s the first day of the 2022 hurricane season. Entergy’s Vice President of reliability John Hawkins says After being pummelled by major storms the last two years, Entergy has learned important lessons regarding planning and logistics.
cut 7 (07) “…our processes”

A Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s deputy was seriously injured when he was hit by an A-T-V. State Police is handling the investigation and Trooper Kate Stegall says deputies were pursuing two ATVs early Tuesday morning driving recklessly on public roadways. Stegall says the injured deputy got in front of one of the A-T-Vs……
cut 12 (11) “…striking him”
18-year-old Reginald Hamilton of New Orleans is facing numerous charges including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on, New Orleans physician Dr. Mark Alain Dery is assisting those in need of being medically evacuated. Dery says he’s been in Ukraine for about three weeks now.
Cut 13 (12) “…Romania.”
Dery is also educating healthcare providers how to treat civilians severely injured in the conflict.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Still no arrests have been made in yesterday’s shooting on the campus of Xavier University in New Orleans following a graduation ceremony for Morris Jeff Community School. An 80-year-old woman was fatally shot and two others were wounded. NOPD Deputy Superintendent Chris Goodly says they believe an altercation between two women sparked the shooting…
cut 12 (09) “….successful resolution”

Today marks the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane season. Among those getting ready is power provider Entergy. Vice president of reliability John Hawkins says a major component of their storm preparedness is keeping limbs and branches away from power lines.
Cut 6 (12) “…potential threat.”
Hawkins says they use satellite imagery and computer modeling to help predict when trimming may be needed.

A juvenile offender who committed a violent crime would not be allowed to possess a gun until they are 24 as a result of a proposed law close to final legislative passage. Don Molino has the story..
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Don Molino”