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.

6:30 LRN Newscast May 26

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 18-year-old Salvador Ramos 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 the very young ones-often start in the home…
cut 7 (07) “….by their parents”
Democrat Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says more screening needs to be in place before a person purchase’s a gun…
cut 4 (11) “….have been checked”

A resolution calling on members of the Louisiana Legislature to substitute for one day in K-12 schools advances from House Governmental Affairs. Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Despite record gas prices, Triple-A predicts nearly 40 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Spokesperson Don Redman says people are ready to hit the road at levels we haven’t seen in five years.
Cut 8 (10) “…have to ignore.”

LRN PM Newscall May 25

A St. Tammany Parish Sheriff was shot in the back early this morning and the suspect is 13 years old. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

A New Orleans lawmaker tells a Senate Committee he’s received a death threat over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as official holidays…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

A St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputy was shot this morning and the suspect is 13-years old. In an interview with WWL TV, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith says Deputy Kenneth Doby was on patrol when he answered a call of a suspected burglary around 3 this morning.

Cut 3 (10) “..in the back.”

Smith says the incident happened in the Waldheim community near Backroads Mercantile, a grocery store that was burglarized. Doby was taken to Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington for treatment.

Cut 4  (11) “…for us.”

Before Doby was transported to the hospital the suspect was apprehended. Smith says the incident remains under investigation but in the meantime, they are thankful Doby is expected to recover from his injuries.

Cut 5  (07) “…shot, so.”

___________________________________________________

New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard says he’s receiving death threats over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays in Louisiana. Willard says authorities are investigating a voice mail his office received…

Cut 6  (07) “…executed” 

Williard made that statement minutes before a Senate committee approved his legislation, sending the House-backed measure to the Senate floor. Minden Senator Robert Mills says these Confederate holidays are part of the country’s history

Cut 7 (08) “…me a bit.” 

But Williard says the two holidays, Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day, honor those who fought to maintain slavery in the United States….

Cut 8 (08) “..it around” 

The measure now heads to the Senate floor.

_____________________________________________________

Just after midnight, Monroe Police responded to the Swanson Correctional Center for Youth in reference to a disturbance. Sgt Mike Fendall with Monroe PD says a fight broke out among several inmates and they barricaded doors preventing officers from entering.

Cut 9 (10) “…be harmed.”

Fendall says with the assistance of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office they were able to gain control of the dorm and seven inmates were taken into custody. Three of the inmates were over the age of 18.

Cut 10 (11) ” ….weapon.” 

The four other juveniles remain at the Swanson facility with charges pending.

There were no reports of injuries as a result of the incident, however, Fendall says the youth facility was heavily damaged.

Cut 11 (09)  “…as well” 

_____________________________________________________

Multiple bills aimed at reducing criminal penalties for marijuana possession have advanced to the full Senate. Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover sponsored most of the measures including House Bill 774, which would allow those previously convicted of possession to expunge their records six months after conviction, instead of five years as currently written.

Cut 12 (12) “…at this point.”  

Glover also introduced HB 1028, which would decriminalize the possession of marijuana-related paraphernalia, similar to the legislation that eliminated the possibility of jail time for low-level possession of cannabis last year.

Cut 13 (10) “…or less.”

Shonda Broome, a medical professional who had her career negatively impacted by a positive test for marijuana during pre-employment screening, spoke on behalf of HB 774. She says that one result has followed her from job to job and that the stigma impacts more than just those with criminal convictions.

Cut 14 (12)  “…cannabis laws.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith says one of his deputies is recovering after he was shot in the back by an armed 13-year-old burglary suspect. Deputy Kenneth Doby was patrolling an area in Waldheim after getting a call of a burglary and he observed a teenager walking in the area who fired his weapon when the deputy got out of his vehicle. Doby is expected to make a full recovery and the 13-year-old is in custody.

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm toured the Bayou State Tuesday to see how the state is a major contributor to energy. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation to remove two Confederate-themed holidays continues to advance at the state legislature. New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard’s bill removes Confederate Memorial Day and General Robert E Lee Day as official state holidays. The two holidays have not been observed for years but Minden Senator Robert Mills doesn’t see a reason to remove them…
cut 7 (08) “…me a bit”
But Williard says the two holidays pay homage to what he believes is the darkest time in our nation’s history. The bill is heading to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Monroe Police arrested seven inmates at the Swanson Correctional Center for Youth after a large fight broke out inside one of the dorms during the overnight hours that caused 35-thousand dollars worth of damage. Monroe Police Sergeant Mike Fendall says during the fight, they barricaded the doors preventing officers from entering…
cut 9 (11) “….be harmed”
Fendall says with assistance from Ouachita Parish Sheriff deputies they gained control of the dorm and seven inmates were taken into custody.

8:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard says he’s receiving death threats over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays in Louisiana. Willard says authorities are investigating a voice mail his office received…
cut 6 (07) “…executed”
Williard made that statement minutes before a Senate committee approved his legislation, sending the House-backed measure to the Senate floor.

The House Criminal Justice Committee has voted for a bill that would result in violent 17-year-old offenders being housed at adult prisons instead of a juvenile detention center. Ouachita Parish Senator Stewart Cathey says the problem of teens committing serious crimes knows no political favoritism, with Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and a Democrat DA supporting the bill…
cut 9 (14) “….out of this committee”

U-S Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm toured a Strategic Petroleum Reserve site in Iberville Parish yesterday. Congressman Troy Carter accompanied the energy secretary as there’s been a lot of focus on petroleum reserve sites with record-high prices at the pump. Carter says the tour was illuminating…
cut 5 (10) “….professionals”

Louisiana families interested in helping Ukraine refugees can now do so through the “Uniting Ukraine” program. David Aguillard with Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Baton Rouge says sponsors will help families or individuals acclimate to the community and teach them things like how to shop at Walmart, how to enroll in school, or make doctor appointments.
Cut 11 (10) “…adequate housing.”
For more information go to U-S-C-I-S-dot-gov-slash ukraine.

7:30 LRN newscast

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff deputy Kenneth Doby is hospitalized after he was shot overnight while patrolling in the area of Highway 21 and Highway 1083 in Waldheim. Sheriff Randy Smith says a 13-year-old male suspect is in custody. Deputy Kenneth Doby was in the area after a call came in for a suspected burglary at a business.

The Senate-approved bill that would allow the state to put violent 17-year-old criminals in with adult prisoners clears another legislative hurdle. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

U-S Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited a Strategic Petroleum Reserve site in Iberville Parish and General Electric’s wind blade testing plant at the Michoud facility in New Orleans east. Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says Louisiana is poised to be a leader in wind turbine energy with the plant strategically located near major ports and just offshore from a proposed wind farm in the Gulf.
Cut 6 (09) “…green source.”

A new way to repair a torn A-C-L in a person’s knee is being performed at Ochsner medical facilities in south Louisiana. Instead of using a tendon from the patient’s own body to replace the torn ligament, Ochsner Baton Rouge Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Doctor Jeremy Burnham is using bioengineered material that provides an environment for the torn ligament ends to reattach themselves…
cut 15 (12) “…really promising”
The new procedure is still in clinical trials.

6:45 LRN Sportscast May 25

Because of rain, LSU’s scheduled game tonight in the SEC Baseball Tournament has been pushed back until tomorrow morning. So Tigers Coach Jay Johnson will have to wait one more day before he makes his debut in a tournament he calls one of college baseball’s great showcases…
cut 20 (17) “….outside of Omaha”
The plan was to play four single-elimination games yesterday, but only three were played because of the weather. 11th seeded Alabama upset sixth-seeded Georgia five to three, seventh-seeded Florida edged South Carolina two to one in ten innings and 8th seeded Vanderbilt defeated 9th seeded Ole Miss 3-1. LSU will play the winner of this morning’s game between Auburn and Kentucky tomorrow morning at 9:30.

Louisiana Tech opens play in the Conference USA baseball tournament this afternoon against Charlotte. The Bulldogs are seeking their second consecutive NCAA tournament bid. Coach Lane Burroughs believes Tech has done all it can to earn a spot in the field, but winning a few more games can’t hurt.
Cut 16 (17) “…leave no doubt.”
The Bulldogs and the 49ers will get underway at 12:30 in Hattiesburg.

10th seeded ULM rallied from a three-run deficit to beat seventh-seeded Georgia State eight to five yesterday in a single-elimination game. Chase DeJean drove in three runs, including the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on a squeeze bunt. The Warhawks will face top-seeded Texas State tonight.

At 4 Pm today, The Ragin Cajuns will battle South Alabama. U-L Lafayette will send southpaw Brandon Talley to the mound.