7:30 LRN Newscast September 28

The East Baton Rouge coroner has classified two-year-old Neveah Allen’s death as a homicide and more tests are needed to determine how the little girl from Baton Rouge died. Her body was found in southern Mississippi on Sunday and her stepfather has been arrested, but he’s not been charged with murder.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell tells Krewe members if they want the parades to roll, then roll up their sleeve…
cut 2 (33) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

At-risk adults in Louisiana who completed the Pfizer vaccine series over six months ago can receive a booster shot. Moderna and Johnson and Johnson have yet to approach the FDA about needing a booster for their COVID vaccines. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says for the J-and-J vaccine, not as many in the U-S took that shot…
cut 14 (11) “….and Pfizer”

The FBI says the murder rate for 2020 was 30-percent higher than the year before, the largest single jump since the agency began recording crime statistics six decades ago. LSU School of Medicine criminologist, Doctor Peter Scharf says homicides are up 72-percent in New Orleans from 2019 to 2021…
cut 8 (06) “….rest of the country ”
He says shootings are up 111-percent from 2019 in New Orleans and carjackings 162-percent.

6:45 LRN Sportscast September 28

LSU is 3-and-1 as a third of the season is in the books. During the offseason, Coach Ed Orgeron talked about returning the Tigers offense to what we saw during the national championship season in 2019. Orgeron says this year’s offense still has a ways to go and it starts with pass protection…
cut 23 (23) “….rest of the guys out”
Still no word on how much time All-American cornerback Derek Stingley Junior will miss. Orgeron says he’ll see a doctor for his injured left foot.

ULM Football Coach Terry Bowden says quarterback Rhett Rodriguez suffered a partially collapsed lung following Saturday’s win over Troy. Rodriguez says his condition is improving.

Pelicans All-Star forward Zion Williamson seemed to be in a good mood when he met with the media as New Orleans opens pre-season camp. Williamson is recovering from foot surgery after breaking his foot while working out on his own. He addressed rumors that he’s unhappy by saying he loves New Orleans and also explained why he was not with his teammates when the team held voluntary workouts in Nashville…
cut 19 (21) “….rehabbing”
Williamson is expected to be ready for the season opener on October 20th.

In the latest high school football polls…Karr is newly ranked number one team in Class Four-A. And Ouachita Christian is now number one in one-A. The undefeated Eagles are coming off a big win over Cedar Creek.

6:30 LRN Newscast September 28

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has told krewe members to get vaccinated in order for Mardi Gras parades to roll in 2022. It’s a sign the city plans on hosting parades next year. Mardi Gras publisher Arthur Hardy…
cut 11 (10) “….bets are off”
Hardy says the more people who are vaccinated the more likely we are to have a safer Mardi Gras season.

At-risk adults who received Pfizer vaccine shots over six months ago can get a booster. What about those who received the Moderna vaccine? Tulane epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the majority of Moderna recipients in Louisiana are nursing home residents…
cut 15 (11) “…with Delta”

More and more Blue Roofs are being installed on homes after Hurricane Ida’s devastation, but as Dave Brannen reports, the application deadline is Thursday.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

LRN PM Newscall September 27

A missing two-year-old from Baton Rouge was found dead in Hancock County Mississippi on Sunday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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For the first time in over two months, the state health department reports there are less than one thousand COVID patients in Louisiana hospitals. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Don Molino”  

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A Schriever man is held on a four-million-dollar bond after a Saturday night shooting on Bull Run Road that left a woman dead and a man wounded. State troopers responding to the scene were fired on as they arrived and 38-year-old suspect Patrick Waddle drove off, wounding one of the troopers.

Cut 3 (07) “…he passed them.”

Trooper Ross Brennan says the injured trooper was treated for head injuries and released from the hospital. Waddle eventually surrendered after fleeing into a wooded area.  The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the initial shooting that left 51-year-old Lisa Eschete dead. Waddle is charged with her murder, attempted first-degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at the troopers.

After turning his vehicle into a private drive with troopers in chase, Trooper Ross Brennan says a trooper opened fire as Waddle exchanged gunfire with them and ran into a wooded area.

Cut 4 (09) “…a wooded area”

Waddle was not injured by the trooper’s gunfire.

It wasn’t until early Sunday morning that officers were able to take Waddle into custody and take him to jail.

Cut 5 (07) “…further incident happened.”

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After spending nearly a month away from their facilities in Metairie because of Hurricane Ida, the Saints are back home and preparing to play the New York Giants in the Superdome this Sunday. The team arrived back in New Orleans following its win over New England. Wide receiver Marquez Callaway….

Cut 6 (09) “…going home” 

Before Ida’s destructive landfall, the Saints evacuated to the Dallas area and held most of their practices on the campus of T-C-U. Linebacker Demario Davis says it was not easy being away from home

Cut 7 (10) “…own bed”  

Davis is excited to play in a packed Dome this Sunday against the winless Giants…

Cut 8 (08) “..for it”

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The Shreveport woman accused of throwing her children off the Cross Lake Bridge in Shreveport Friday is back in the state after being arrested in Texas. Corporal Chris Bordelon with the Shreveport Police Department says they aren’t releasing a motive of why 32-year-old Ureka Black allegedly threw her infant son and five-year-old son into the water, which killed the infant.

Cut 9 (05) “…the counts” 

According to a press release from the Shreveport Police Department, detectives gathered video evidence at the scene while interviewing potential witnesses that proved crucial in identifying the suspect. Bordelon says they aren’t releasing details of what witnesses told authorities.

Cut 10 (12)  “…ongoing.” 

The five-year-old child was taken to Ochsner LSU Health with life-threatening injuries that have now been downgraded. The infant was pronounced dead on the scene.

Black faces second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder charges and bond has been set. Bordelon says now that the suspect at the Shreveport Jail…

Cut  11 (10)  “…video arraignment. ”  

The suspect was arrested without incident in Waskom, Texas Friday evening.

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While it’s a long shot at a get-rich scheme, tonight’s your chance to become an instant multi-millionaire with the right set of Powerball numbers.  Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery Corporation says the jackpot for the drawing is near historic.

Cut 12 (06) “….Powerball jackpot ever.”  

The cash payout will total just over 392-million-dollars. Thanks in part to the new Monday night drawings, Chopin says Powerball sales are up about 20-percent during the first three months of this fiscal year.

Chopin says no one nationwide has won the Powerball jackpot since early summer.

Cut 13 (08) “…in this cycle.”

Chopin says history could be made if someone in Louisiana won the Powerball jackpot tonight, something that hasn’t happened since 2018.

Cut 14 (11) “….Louisiana Lottery history” 

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints’ defense intercepted three passes and held the Patriots to 49 yards rushing in a 28-13 win over New England yesterday. New Orleans offense was not explosive, but they did not turn the ball over. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw two touchdown passes and is pleased with the win…
cut 20 (20) “…great win”
The Saints are back at the team’s training facility in Metairie. They were re-located to Texas because of Hurricane Ida, but still able to start the season with a 2-and-1 record. They will host the winless New York Giants in the Superdome this Sunday.

LSU won its SEC opener over Mississippi State 28-25 on Saturday. The Tigers allowed 371 passing yards, but the Bulldogs gained just 5.5 yards per play. Linebacker Damone Clark had 15 tackles…
cut 17 (14) “…to the end”
LSU hosts 22nd ranked Auburn on Saturday. Former Tiger and Ponchatoula native T-J Finley could start at quarterback. He came off the bench to help rally Auburn to a win over Georgia State on Saturday.

ULM Quarterback Rhett Rodriguez is in the hospital after suffering a lung injury in the Warhawks upset win over Troy. No word on when he’ll be released.

Pelicans All-Star Zion Williamson is recovering from foot surgery, but the team believes Williamson will be ready when the regular season starts on October 20th. Zion fractured his foot while working out on his own over the summer.

8:30 LRN Newscast September 27

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson hopes the U.S. House will give final passage to a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill this week…
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

There are progressive lawmakers pushing to vote first on a three-point-five trillion-dollar social welfare and climate bill. Republicans are in opposition to that legislation.

The search for a missing two-year-old girl from Baton Rouge ended yesterday when Nevaeh Allen’s body was found in Hancock County, Mississippi. The mother’s live-in boyfriend, 30-year-old Phillip Gardner has been arrested.

Some kids in the Lafourche Parish school system are back in class today, but not all. Superintendent Jarod Martin indicates it’s a bit of a Rubik’s Cube getting at least some of the schools back open after the devastation from Ida. But, bells will ring at some locations today…
Cut 10 (12) “…Ward Middle School.”
Terrebonne Parish plans on re-opening some of its schools on Wednesday.

Thanks to a 90-thousand dollar donation from Healthy Blue, students seeking a career in healthcare at a Louisiana Community and Technical College system school can receive either a 250 or 500 dollar scholarship. LCTCS spokesperson Quintin Taylor says Healthy Blue believes this donation will create healthcare access for about one thousand Medicaid members per year per student…
cut 14 (09) “…Louisaina foundation”
Students interested in applying should visit LCTCS foundation-dot-org.

7:30 LRN Newscast

A vote is expected in the US House this week on a one-trillion dollar infrastructure bill. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the legislation would mean an additional six billion dollars over the next five years for the state…
cut 5 (12) “…rail investment”
But the legislation has been linked to a social spending bill that Republicans oppose, which puts the infrastructure bill in jeopardy.

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available to adults who are at increased risk…
cut 9 (10) “…undue risk”
State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says if you have questions call the vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774

It’s finally back to school today for some students in Lafourche Parish. Dave Brannen has more
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The Saints are back at the team’s training facility in Metairie after spending the last month in Texas. Despite being displaced, the Black and Gold are 2-and-1 after beating the Patriots 28-13 yesterday. New Orleans will host the winless New York Giants at the Ceasars Superdome this Sunday.

6:45 LRN Sportscast September 27

For the first time since 1995, the Saints won in Foxborough as the Black and Gold defeated the New England Patriots 28-13 yesterday. New Orleans leaned on its defense as they intercepted rookie quarterback Mac Jones three times. Safety Malcolm Jenkins had a pick-six. Jenkins says they know the defense is the team’s strength..
Cut 19 (17) “…beat.”

LSU played a bend but don’t break style of defense on Saturday to defeat Mississippi State 28-25. Senior linebacker Damon Clark led the way with 15 tackles. Coach Ed Orgeron on Clark’s improvement…
cut 30 (15) “…like one”
LSU hosts 22nd ranked Auburn on Saturday night.

ULM has won back-to-back football games since November 2018 as the Warhawks upset Troy 29-16 to snap an eight-game Sun Belt losing streak. The Warhawks were 23.5 point underdogs entering the game, but Coach Terry Bowden’s team pulled off one of the biggest victories of his coaching career
Cut 18 (17)”…level today.”
QB Rhett Rodriguez threw a TD pass. But Rodriguez suffered a lung injury and according to his dad and offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez, Rhett is in the ICU at St. Francis Medical Center. His length of stay in the hospital is unknown.

La Tech beat North Texas 24-17 without injured starting quarterback Austin Kendall on Saturday night. The Bulldogs will visit 23rd ranked North Carolina State this Saturday.

6:30 LRN Newscast September 27

A missing two-year-old from Baton Rouge was found dead in Hancock County Mississippi on Sunday. The child’s live-in boyfriend, 30-year-old Phillip Gardner, has been arrested. And court records show the Shreveport mother accused of tossing two of her kids into Cross Lake on Friday has a lengthy criminal record. One of the children died, the other was rescued.

Booster shots for the Pfizer COVID vaccine are now available in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The U.S. House could vote today on a Senate-approved one-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Louisiana Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson says the bill will be a boon to Louisiana’s road & bridge needs and he’s encouraged it received bipartisan support in the Senate…:
Cut 4 (10) “…generations and decades.”
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may push back today’s scheduled vote of the infrastructure bill to later this week. House Republicans oppose the measure because it’s linked to a social spending bill.

Some schools in Lafourche Parish reopen today for the first time since Hurricane Ida. Lafourche school superintendent Jarod Martin says some schools are still not ready to re-open, so many students will attend classes at a different school…
cut 12 (12) “…Meadow Lower Elementary”

LRN AM Newscall September 27 ###With sports cuts added###

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson hopes the U.S. House will giving final passage to a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill today. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Booster shots for the Pfizer COVID vaccine offer are now available in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

It’s finally back to school today for some students in Lafourche Parish. Dave Brannen has more

Cut 3 (34)  “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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The U.S. House is scheduled to vote today on a Senate-approved one-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Louisiana Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson says the bill will be a boon to Louisiana’s road & bridge needs and he’s encouraged it received bipartisan support in the Senate…:

Cut 4 (10) “…generations and decades.”

Wilson says this bill is only about infrastructure and the jobs that come with it. Some opposed to the bill worry there is abundant spending on what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls “human infrastructure”. Wilson says 19 Senate Republicans voted for this bill, and they wouldn’t have if it contained loads of so-called “pork”…

Cut 5 (12) “…rail investment.”

Wilson says the bill’s passage will mean about $6-billion for Louisiana infrastructure projects. That’s over a billion more than the state would normally get in federal funds over five years. He says passing the bill will mean real progress for Louisiana…:

Cut 6 (13) “…can invest in”

________________________________________

Booster shots are now available for some who received two doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine at least six months ago. The Louisiana Department of Health says those who are 65 and older, along with those 18 and older with an underlying health condition, or those who live or work in a high-risk setting are eligible. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says while boosters are significant, but it will not end the pandemic.

Cut 7 (08) “…be vaccinated.”

The new booster shot guidance for those who received the Pfizer vaccine is effective immediately. In an effort to remove any barriers Kanter says you only need to self-attest for the booster shot and there’s no need for a prescription.

Cut 8 (09) “…before.”

Booster guidance differs from the third shot criteria, for those with immunocompromised systems for example cancer or organ transplant recipients, it’s recommended they receive a third shot. Kanter says the booster shot criteria allows a larger number of individuals to receive an extra dose to increase waning efficacy.

Cut 9 (10)  “…undue risk.”

If you have any questions about the booster shot you are encouraged to ball the vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774

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Some kids in the Lafourche Parish school system will head back to classes today, but not all. Superintendent Jarod Martin indicates it’s a bit of a Rubik’s Cube initiative getting at least some of the schools back open after the devastation from Ida. But, bells will ring at some locations today.  For example…

Cut 10 (12)  “…Ward Middle School.” 

Martin says quite a few school buildings just aren’t ready for students to come back.

Cut 11 (07) “…to be sharing.”

The Lafourche superintendent says in some cases it seems a bit confusing for the operation of some schools in the district.

Cut 12 (12) “…Meadow Lower Elementary.”

It’ll be later next month before some schools in Lafourche will be able to open their doors to students.

___________________________________________

Healthy Blue and Louisiana Community and Technical College System are offering a scholarship program to help healthcare students complete their degrees. LCTCS Spokesperson Quinton Taylor says even students on a full-tuition scholarship might have difficulty paying for supplies like scrubs or a stethoscope while in school.

Cut 13 (12) “…coming back.”

Taylor says they are very grateful that Healthy Blue notices the need for more healthcare workers and offers scholarships to assist with supplies. He says they are looking forward to more students being able to benefit from the financial assistance.

Cut 14 (09)  “…Louisiana forward.”

To apply for the $250 scholarship for part-time students and $500 for full-time students, Taylor says you can visit the LCTCS.edu website and look for the Healthy Blue Scholarship link.

Cut 15 (12)  “…spring semester.”

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LSU’s defense executed its game plan well on Saturday in a 28-25 win over Mississippi State. The Tigers gave up an SEC record 623 passing yards last year to the Bulldogs and were determined to limit the big plays this time around. Coach Ed Orgeron says they wanted to make sure they kept everyting in front of them, so they only rushed three players on passing downs

Cut  16 (16) “…it worked.”

LSU allowed 371 passing yards on Saturday but the average gain per play was just 5.5 yards. Linebacker Damone Clark had 15 tackles….

Cut 17 (14) “..to the end.” 

______________________________________________________

ULM has won back-to-back football games since November 2018 as the Warhawks upset Troy 29-16 to snap an eight-game Sun Belt losing streak. The Warhawks were 23.5 point underdogs entering the game, but Coach Terry Bowden’s team pulled off one of the biggest victories of his coaching career

Cut 18 (17)”…level today.”

Andrew Henry rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown and Rhett Rodriguez threw a TD. The defense returned an interception for a touchdown and also had a safety.

_________________________________________________________

For the first time since 1995, the Saints won in Foxborough as the Black and Gold defeated the New England Patriots 28-13. New Orleans leaned on its defense as they intercepted rookie quarterback Mac Jones three times. Safety Malcolm Jenkins had a pick-six. Jenkins says they know the defense is the team’s strength..

Cut 19 (17)  “…beat.” 

The Saints offense did not turn the ball over. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for only 128 yards, but he tossed two touchdown passes. Alvin Kamara rushed for 89 yards and Taysom Hill scored a rushing touchdown. Winston is pleased they came away with a win…

Cut 20 (20)  “…great win”