12:30 LRN Newscast

According to Gun-Violence-Archive-Dot-org, Louisiana has the most mass shootings per capita than any other state in the United States. New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission director Rafael Goeyeneche says it’s another unfortunate statistic that shows how violent our state is…
cut 28 (14) “….are shot or killed”
Goyeneche says more officers on the streets are needed to prevent mass shootings.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill to ban drivers from using their handheld cellphones while driving failed to get out of a Senate Committee and the measure is likely dead for the session. Huval tried to tell lawmakers that his proposed law would not open the door for racial profiling…
cut 6 (07) “…stop people”
The bill was defeated on a four to three vote in Senate Transportation.

The state treasurer’s office is sending out four-point-eight million dollars in checks to residents in every parish in Louisiana. Treasurer John Schroder says since 2018, the department of treasury and department of revenue search for updated addresses to return Unclaimed Property checks directly without the person filing a claim…
cut 5 (08) “…claim”
To see if the state is holding unclaimed property that belongs to you, visit L-A-Cash-Claim-dot-org.

Legislation close to final legislative passage would allow schools and its employees help facilitate NIL sponsorship deals between student-athletes and a business. The measure also loosens restrictions on boosters. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says the law will put Louisiana in line with what other states are doing…
cut 11 (12) “….you said”

8:30 LRN Newscast May 27

“GunViolenceArchive.org” ranks Louisiana first in the nation in mass shootings per capita. Just this calendar year alone, there have been 16 mass shootings that killed 9 people and injured 79 others. New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission director Rafael Goyeneche says gang activity & youth anger accounts for most of the violence. He calls it “retaliatory street justice”…:
Cut 7 (11) “…any innocent bystanders.”

U-S Senate Candidate Luke Mixon says it’s time for Congress to pass legislation that promotes responsible gun ownership.
Cut 15 (12) “…background check.”
Mixon is one of three announced challengers to Senator John Kennedy.

The Congressional Naming Commission has recommended that Fort Polk in Vernon Parish be renamed for World War I legend Sgt. William Henry Johnson. LSU military history professor, Dr. Martin Loicano says despite being down to just a knife and after suffering 21 separate wounds, he kept the Germans at bay on the Argonne Line in France in 1918.
Cut 10 (09) “…by himself.”
The Naming Commission will submit all recommendations for Congressional approval by Oct. 1.

Memorial Day weekend also marks the start of the summer boating season. Lt. Tim Fox with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says boat and P-W-C operators born after January 1 1984 must take an online boating safety course and he encourages all boat operators to take it…
cut 6 (09) “…..good decisions”
Got to boat-us-dot-org-slash-louisiana.

7:30 LRN Newscast May 27

A research website ranks Louisiana the worst for mass shooting incidents, based on population.…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

U-S Senate candidate Democrat Luke Mixon says it’s time for Congress to enact universal background checks on firearm sales. Mixon calls for his Republican opponent Senator John Kennedy to vote for such legislation because he says current gun laws are not working.
Cut 13 (04) “…control.”

Congress will decide by October 1st whether to rename Fort Polk in Vernon Parish after World War One legend Sergeant William Henry Johnson. So who is Sergeant Johnson. Despite being severely wounded he held off the Germans with just a knife in the Argonne Line in France in May of 1918. LSU military history professor Doctor Martin Lociano says Johnson who began in a segregated military and was not allowed to fight at first alongside white American soldiers ended up receiving an award for his heroism from the French Military…
cut 11 (09) “…than most are”

A busy weekend is expected on the state’s waterways. Lt. Tim Fox with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says wearing a life jacket can save your life…
cut 5 (08) “…get to you”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

After a long wait, LSU’s bats were ready to score some runs in the SEC Tournament late last night. The Tigers trounced the Kentucky Wildcats 11-6 as freshman left fielder Josh Pearson became the first LSU player to record five hits in an SEC tournament game as he had three singles, one double and a two-run homer. Ma’Khail Hilliard earned his seventh win as he worked six innings, holding the Wildcats to two runs on four hits and striking out six. Tonight at 8:00, LSU will play top-ranked Tennessee.

Louisiana Tech is now 2-and-0 in the Conference USA Tournament after beating Old Dominion seven to two. Ryan Jennings had a no-hitter into the seventh inning as he won his sixth game. Taylor Young had three hits and drove in three runs. The Bulldogs are off today and will play either Old Dominion or Charlotte tomorrow morning.

McNeese outlasted Southeastern Louisiana six to five in 12 innings to take game one of their championship series in the Southland Baseball Tournament. The Cowboys have won 12 straight Southland Conference Tournament games, matching Sam Houston’s record set in the 2000s. A win for the Cowboys tonight in Lake Charles and they head to the NCAA Tournament.

The Saints completed the first of three sessions of organized team activities or OTAs on Thursday, their first under new coach Dennis Allen. Not all of the players were there, but Allen is not bothered by that.
Cut 16 (17) “…where we’re at.”
No Alvin Kamara as he faces battery charges from incident that occurred in Las Vegas last February. No Michael Thomas either, but Allen says Thomas will be ready for training camp.

6:30 LRN newscast

U-S Senate candidate Luke Mixon says it’s time for Congress to enact universal background checks on firearm sales.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police says Wednesday’s fatal police shooting in Winn Parish that involved Jackson Parish Sheriff deputies started with a disturbance at a nursing home in Jonesboro involving 53-year-old Abe Banks of Jonesboro, who fled the scene. A police chase ended in Dodson on U-S Highway 167. L-S-P says deputies approached the vehicle, Banks did not comply with the deputies’ commands and shots were fired and Banks was struck.

The Congressional Naming Commission has recommended that Fort Polk in Vernon Parish should be renamed after World War One Legend Sergeant William Henry Johnson. Sergeant Johnson became a military hero for keeping the Germans at bay on the Argonne Line in France in May of 1918. He only had a knife and was severely wounded. Despite his heroism, Sgt. Johnson died in poverty at age 36. LSU military history professor Dr. Martin Loicano says Johnson’s story is a reminder of the many Black soldiers who fought for their country even when it didn’t always fight for them.
Cut 12 (13) “…that was given.”

Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest weekends of the year for boating. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Lt. Tim Fox says always have a sober operator when on the water.
Cut 4 (09) “…priority number one.”
Fox says there should be enough lifejackets for everyone on the boat.

LRN PM Newscall May 26

An effort to hold former state police leader, Colonel Kevin Reeves, in contempt of the Legislature has been put on hold after an agreement is made on the viewing of his personal journals. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________

As Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying monthly hurricane restoration charges totaling $4.5 billion, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is crying foul. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

A bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students.

Cut 3 (09) “..they need.”

Freeman told committee members that many female students miss class due to a lack of access to feminine products and providing them will ease that burden.

Cut 4  (06) “…for them.”

House Bill 195 advances but after the state budget has already been approved. The question of how schools will pay for menstrual products was also discussed. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson spoke in support of the bill and recommended the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus assist in locating funding.

Cut 5  (07) “…get appropriations.”

The bill has been referred to Senate Finance.

___________________________________________________

Ponchatoula police have made multiple arrests involving firearms in recent weeks. The first took place in a Walmart parking on May 18 when officers responded to a call of an individual pointing a gun at children. Chief Bry Layrisson says two men, 22-year-old Kylin Sexton and 25-year-old Tyshon Coleman, both of Hammond were taken into custody.

Cut 6  (10) “…incidents occurred.” 

A search of the duo’s vehicle produced multiple Glock 9 millimeter handguns, more than 15-hundred pills suspected to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride, as well marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Chief Layrisson says the two suspects didn’t do a very good job of being inconspicuous.

Cut 7 (10) “…acting a fool.” 

This past Sunday, officers were called to the Ponchatoula Community Center after two men showed guns during a fight. Two suspects were arrested, 18-year-old Charles Wheeler and a 16-year-old juvenile. An AR-15 and AK-47 were found at the scene.

Cut 8 (12) “…were harmed.” 

_____________________________________________________

Former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves has agreed to turn over his personal journals by tomorrow afternoon if they remain sealed from public view in order to avoid a contempt charge.  Houma Representative Tanner Magee is seeking to hold Reeves in contempt after he withheld certain pages from the journals from a committee investigating the state police custody death of Ronald Greene…

Cut 9 (12) “…for now.”

Reeves’ attorney Lewis Unglesby says his client has nothing to hide and that the pages lawmakers are seeking to see do not contain any new information about Greene’s death…

Cut 10 (10) ” …told you.” 

Reeves’ personal financial information contained in the journals will be redacted.

A special House committee looking into Greene’s violent arrest by State Police in May of 2019 in Union Parish says Reeves’ journal entries are critical to an investigation into a possible cover-up by State Police. But Unglesby believes it’s unfair how the committee is treating Reeves…

Cut 11 (12)  “…in any way” 

Unglesby says the blame should be put on Trooper Chris Hollingsworth who was involved in Greene’s beating. Hollingsworth died 16 months later in a single-vehicle crash.

_____________________________________________________

Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying hurricane restoration charges monthly for the next several years. However, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s time for the utility provider to pay their fair share after giving stockholders $3 billion in dividends and the CEO a one million dollar raise.

Cut 12 (12) “…the people.”  

Campbell says costs incurred to restore power after storms are typically passed along to customers and the estimated tally from Entergy is $4.5 billion.

Cut 13 (08) “…the roof.”

The outspoken commissioner believes there are enough members who share his view and they could vote for Entergy to pay for at least 20-percent of restoration costs. Campbell also questions the utility provider’s business practices.

Cut 14 (12)  “…territory.”

Campbell says he questioned Entergy CEO and Chairman Leo Denault about his reported trip during Ida and Denault confirmed he was in Colorado.

9:30 LRN Newscast

More details are coming out about Tuesday’s Texas school shooting, where a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde. About a half-hour before an 18-year-old gunman unleashed terror at Robb Elementary School, he posted on Facebook he would shoot his grandmother, then announced he shot her and then sent another message declaring he would shoot an elementary school. Republican Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves says the issues for many mass shooters, particularly younger ones-often start in the home…
cut 7 (07) “….by their parents”
Democrat Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says local and federal authorities need to take whatever steps are necessary to assure maximum safety for children at school…
cut 5 (14) “….prospensity for violence”

A resolution urging state representatives to serve as substitute teachers and then write about their experiences is awaiting a vote on the House floor. New Orleans Representative and former teacher Candace Newell says it’s important for lawmakers to serve in the education trenches, especially when they end up voting on a policy that impacts public schools…
cut 12 (11) “….should demand”

Triple-A is predicting 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, an eight percent increase over last year. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says about 35-million travelers will travel via automobile…
cut 9 (09) “…summer travel”
Redman says daily car rental rates have increased 170-percent compared to last year.

8:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Louisiana Congressmen react to Tuesday’s mass shooting at a grade school in Uvalde, Texas. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police is investigating a fatal deputy-involved shooting in Winn Parish. Very little information has been released. All we know is that a subject is deceased after a deputy-involved shooting involving the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on U-S Highway 167 near Dodson. L-S-P says more information will be released when it becomes available.

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools finally gets House approval after it failed to get enough votes in the lower chamber after two previous tries in this session. It’s not a total ban. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty amended her legislation giving parents the option to authorize a spanking of their child through written consent…
Cut 14 (10) “…making that choice.”
The bill passed on a 70-28 vote and still needs Senate approval before the session ends on June 6th.

Triple-A predicts 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says nearly eight percent of travelers are choosing air travel…
cut 10 (07) “…right now”
Triple-A finds the average lowest airfare at six percent more than last year, coming at 179-dollars a ticket.

7:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Debate is underway on what to do to prevent the next school shooting. Louisiana Republican Congressman Garret Graves says it’s time to revisit public policy on school safety and screening gun owners, but it should be a deliberate process…
cut 6 (15) “…from happening”

The Louisiana House has approved a bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools, but a parent can authorize a spanking at the child’s school through written consent. Erath Representative Blake Miguez voted against the measure. He says each school district should clarify its policy on corporal punishment and if parents don’t want their child spanked, they could opt out…
Cut 15 (09) “…as well.”
The measure still needs Senate approval.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and an estimated 39-million Americans are expected to travel…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson has authored a resolution strongly encouraging state representatives to spend at least one day as a substitute teacher. Jefferson says it can be helpful to local school districts that are struggling with a teacher shortage…
cut 11 (10) “….is serve”
Jefferson’s resolution is awaiting a vote on the House floor.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Weather continues to wreak havoc on the SEC baseball tournament. LSU was scheduled to play its first game in the tourney last night, then it was scheduled for this morning, now the hope is the Tigers will play today at 4:30 against 12th seeded Kentucky, who beat Auburn 3 to 1 yesterday. The LSU game is scheduled to be the third game of the day, but more rain is in the forecast for Hoover, Alabama. SEC Network’s Peter Burns says the extra rest is helpful, but the Tigers really need to get some wins too…
cut 17 (19) “….on the road”

Because of all of the rain in Montgomery, Alabama, the Sun Belt Tournament has been turned into a single-elimination tournament. So the fourth-seeded Ragin Cajuns will face fifth-seeded South Alabama at 4 PM tomorrow. Following that game it will be ULM against top-seeded Texas State.

At the Conference USA Tournament in Hattiesburg, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs blanked Charlotte four to nothing. It’s the Diamond Dogs’ first shutout in tournament history and Adarius Myers hit a home run and drove in two runs. Tech takes on Old Dominion at 4 PM today.

In the SWAC Tournament, Grambling State lost to Bethune Cookman four to three. While Southern is scheduled to play Jackson State this morning.

The Southland Conference’s championship series gets underway in Lake Charles tonight as McNeese hosts Southeastern Louisiana in a best of three series, with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.