Author Archives: LRN News

03.16.17
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LRN AM NEWSCALL MARCH 17

The governor’s recommendations on criminal justice reform are now in the hands of lawmakers. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Greater Ouachita Water Company is looking for a buyer. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Proposals to raise the state’s gasoline tax is getting pushback from the conservative political advocacy group, Americans for Prosperity. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Now that the governor has released his plan for how he’d like to see criminal justice reformed in Louisiana, the recommendations are now in the hands of lawmakers. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger is a member of the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Task Force. He hopes the legislature realizes that this plan is one that actually fights crime…:

Cut 4  (10) “across the board”

Leger says it’s the legislature’s responsibility to file as many bills as necessary that would tackle the recommendations made by the task force. He says, ultimately, lawmakers are the ones who decide what becomes state law, and it’s time for a change in what’s been the norm…:

Cut 5  (10)  “this point”

Leger says in 1965, Louisiana ranked 13th in incarceration, then in 2005 became the incarceration leader of the nation. He says legislation will be offered that will get the state where it needs to be in terms of prison population…:

Cut 6 (10) “deserve”

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Greater Ouachita Water Company is looking for a buyer. Ouachita Parish Police Jury President Scotty Robinson says GOWC’s roughly 25-thousand customers have been dealing with discolored water and billing errors for years. He says OPPJ has a say in who the buyer will be because they have a member on the water company’s executive board.

Cut 7 (10)  “police jury”

Robinson says customers have had billing errors because the meter readers, Severn Trent Services, would bill customers for the minimum usage monthly without reading the meter, and customers would later get a year’s worth of bills for their actual usage all at once. But he says the quality of the water is sometimes worse than the cost.

Cut 8 (12) “slimy stuff”

Robinson says Ouachita parish residents have been receptive to the idea of selling GOWC to another company. After years of dealing with these issues, he believes many would welcome a change. He says in a buyer, they’re looking for a company that’s good for the citizens and good for the parish.

Cut 9 (12)  “Ouachita Parish”

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A Tulane study finds cancer patients are more likely to receive palliative (pay-lee-ay-tive) care after learning more about it. Researcher Michael Hoerger (Her-ger) authored the study and says there are a lot of misconceptions about palliative care. He says the purpose of this study is to dispel some of the rumors.

Cut 10 (09) “serious illness”

Hoerger says palliative care can seem scary to patients because many believe it is the same as hospice care. He says the study looked at whether cancer patients were more or less likely to see this kind of care after learning more about it.

Cut 11 (11) “two months longer”

Hoerger says this is something patients can do while they’re still receiving treatment. He adds that they don’t have to be near death to receive palliative care. He says after learning about the benefits of palliative care, 75-percent of participants were more likely to seek it out.

Cut 12 (09) “palliative care”

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The conservative political advocacy group, Americans for Prosperity, is pushing back against proposals to increase the state’s gasoline tax. State Director John Kay says they stand against any increase on the gasoline tax, no matter how big or small, because Louisiana taxpayers have already seen their taxes go up enough.

Cut 13 (07) “the legislature”

There’s talk of increasing the state’s gasoline tax between 17 to 23-cents to generate more money to fix Louisiana’s lousy roads. But Kay says only 11-percent of the money in the transportation trust fund is used to repair and construct roads. He says structural changes should be made before taxes are raised.

Cut 14 (10) “time to do”

Kay says Louisianans are already paying a combined state and local tax of more than 38 cents for every gallon of gas they buy. Proponents for increasing the tax say it hasn’t been raised in 30 year and doesn’t account for inflation. But Kay says taxes shouldn’t go up just because they haven’t been increased in a while.

Cut 15 (09) “that problem first”

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The LSU baseball team begins SEC play tonight as they host Georgia, but the Tigers go into league action without its closer. Senior right hander Hunter Newman is out with a bad back and could miss at least a couple of weeks. Coach Paul Mainieri says other pitchers will have to step up…

Cut 16 (13) “opportunities”

Alex Lange will start on the mound tonight for the Tigers and then Saturday it will be Jared Poche. The senior lefty from Lutcher has not allowed a run in 29 innings this year, but he hasn’t been perfect…

Cut 17 (13)  “that pitch”

The Tigers also head into conference play without a regular designated hitter. Mainieri says he continues to wait for someone to step up and take that role on a permanent basis…

Cut 18 (19) “step up”

03.16.17
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16:30 Newscast March 16

The Governor’s Justice Reinvestment Task Force releases their proposals to lower the state’s incarceration rate. The recommendations seek to focus prison beds on those who pose a serious threat to public safety, but Governor Edwards acknowledges there are some people who need to be in jail for a long time.

Cut 11 (09) “smart on crime”

The proposals will go into legislation to be considered in the upcoming regular session.

A Walker Police sergeant has been suspended after hanging a noose with a cookie on it in the squad room. Capt. John Sharp says the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office will likely lead the investigation and decide if charges should be filed.

Cut 4 (11) “drag out”

The unnamed sergeant was suspended for three days without pay.

Federal charges have been filed against an illegal immigrant who is accused of fatally shooting a Baton Rouge teen on his birthday. 49-year-old Octavio Posados was picked up in Lake Charles after allegedly shooting 16-year-old Darius Plummer in his home. The federal complaint is reportedly for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and illegal reentry into the country by a removed person, Posados is also facing a murder charge in Easton Baton Rouge Parish.

St. Patrick’s Day is an exception to the rule that says Catholics can’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent. Fr. Frank Coens says the exception comes from the Irish tradition of eating corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day. He says you need a good reason to break the penance of abstaining from meat.

Cut 14 (10) “good enough reason”

He says the exception doesn’t just apply to Irish Catholics.

03.16.17
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15:30 Newscast, March 16th, 2017

Today the governor released his final recommendations of the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Task Force, and plans for criminal justice reform to be taken up during the upcoming legislative session. Department of Corrections Secretary James Leblanc says if enacted, these proposals would put us second in the world…:
Cut 9 (10) “300 million”
Leblanc says their recommendations include changes to drug and property crimes, altering probation and parole supervision, simplifying the criminal code, and narrow sentencing ranges.

The Hammond Police Department says a man is behind bars for allegedly beating his grandmother with a hammer. They say 53-year-old Jerome Johnson is also accused of stealing the victim’s vehicle following the assault. 86-year-old Emma Richburg is in critical condition. Johnson is charged with attempted murder, armed robbery and theft of a motor vehicle.

One of the Lenten sacrifices made by Catholics between Mardi Gras and Easter is not to eat meat on Friday, but you’ll get a pass tomorrow. Fr. Frank Coens of St. Paschal Catholic Church in West Monroe says the St. Patrick’s Day tradition is to have corn beef and cabbage. He says if you do plan to eat meat tomorrow, find some other penance to do instead..:
Cut 15 (10) “on Friday”

A police officer in Livingston Parish has been suspended for three days without pay after hanging a noose in the department’s squad room. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp says the makeshift noose was hung on a pipe in public view…
cut 3 (09) “in the noose”
It is against state law to display a noose in public to intimidate.

 

03.16.17
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14:30 Newscast, March 16th, 2017

The Justice Reinvestment Task Force Commissioned by Governor John Bel Edwards has released its recommendations to reduce Louisiana’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. Department of Corrections Secretary James Leblanc says they are presenting 26 ideas borrowed from other states that reflect compromise and innovation…:
Cut 10 (11) “other states”
Governor Edwards says while the recommendations are a good start, we’re a long way from mission accomplished…:
cut 12 (09) “legislative instruments”
The proposals from the task force will be put into bills that will be considered in the upcoming regular session.

A new record has been set in the Pelican State for seat belt usage. Based on a study from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, 88-percent of drivers and passengers are buckled up, which is up two-percent from the previous year. The commission’s executive director, Doctor Katara Williams says there was a seven-percent decline in drivers and passengers who use their seat belt in central Louisiana…:
Cut 8 (07) “that trend”

Catholics who are abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent get a pass on St. Patrick’s Day, sort of. Father Frank Coens of St. Paschal (Pascal) Catholic Church in West Monroe says giving up meat is a type of penance Catholics practice during Lent. He says the St. Patrick’s Day exception dates back to an old Irish tradition..:
Cut 13 (09) “Irish family”
He recommends that if Catholics do eat meat tomorrow, make a point to make some type of other Lenten personal sacrifice.

 

03.16.17
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13:30 Newscast, March 16th, 2017

Proposals to reduce Louisiana’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate have been released by the Governor’s Justice Reinvestment Task Force. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Former legislator Elbert Guillory will lead an outreach effort to bring more minorities to the GOP. Guillory became the first black Republican state senator in 2013 when he switched from the Democratic Party. He says his hope is to convince African-American voters the Republican Party has their interest in mind.
Cut 25 (07) “do better”

88-percent of drivers and passengers are buckled up in Louisiana, which is up two-percent from the previous year. That’s according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Executive director, Doctor Katara Williams says the increase is mostly attributable to more African-American and Hispanic drivers and passengers are buckling up. She says Hispanic usage rates rose 10-percent…:
CUT 7 (06) “preserve life”
Usage rates were up in each region of the state, except for the Alexandria and Monroe areas.

Lawmakers are discussing legislation that would raise the state’s gasoline tax 17-cents per gallon, which would generate over 500-million dollars that can be used to improve roads. Franklin Representative Sam Jones would like to see the issue go to the voters this fall, because there are unmet transportation needs around the state…
cut 14 (11) “…to be addressed”
A gasoline tax will be discussed more in the upcoming session.

 

03.16.17
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12:30 Newscast, March 16th, 2017

The Justice Reinvestment Task Force Commissioned by Governor John Bel Edwards releases their recommendations to reduce Louisiana’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. Department of Corrections Secretary James Leblanc says if enacted, these proposals would put us second in the world:
Cut 9 (10) “300 million”
Governor Edwards acknowledges there are some people who need to be in jail for a long time, either for the nature of the crime or their threat to public safety…:
cut 11 (09) “smart on crime”
The recommendations will be addressed in the upcoming legislative session.

The Hammond Police Department says a man is behind bars for allegedly beating his grandmother with a hammer. They say 53-year-old Jerome Johnson is also accused of stealing the victim’s vehicle following the assault. 86-year-old Emma Richburg is in critical condition.

The state has set a new record for seat belt usage. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It was a long game at Alex Box Stadium and for the second time this season UNO defeated LSU. The Privateers upset the Tigers seven to four in 15 innings. It’s the first time since the 2008 season that UNO has defeated LSU twice in one season, and this was longest game in the history of the new Alex Box Stadium.

 

 

03.16.17
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11:30 Newscast, March 16th, 2017

Today the governor released his final recommendations of the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Task Force, and plans for criminal justice reform to be taken up during the upcoming legislative session. It says the proposals would ensure consistency in sentencing and release practices, focus prison beds on those who pose a serious threat to public safety and clear away barriers to successful reentry into the community and the workforce, to name a few. They estimate that if the ideas were enacted, the prison population would drop 13 percent over the next decade, and save $150 million dollars.

On his monthly call-in radio show, the Governor Edwards said he’s grateful for the more than three and a half decades of service by State Police Col Mike Edmonson. The Superintendent announced his retirement Wednesday which will be effective a week from tomorrow. Edwards says, from there, he will appoint an interim head Col…:
Cut 11 (08) “State Police”
The retirement announcement comes as multiple agencies are investigating LSP’s travel spending.

A new record has been set in the Pelican State for seat belt usage. Based on a study from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, 88-percent of drivers and passengers are buckled up, which is up two-percent from the previous year. The commission’s executive director is Doctor Katara Williams …:
Cut 6 (07) “seat belt”
Usage rates were up in each region of the state, except for the Alexandria and Monroe areas.

A Walker police sergeant has been suspended for three days without pay after hanging a noose in the department’s squad room. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp said it was a piece of twine that had a cookie tied to it. He says there’s a law on the books that prohibits the display of a noose in public to intimidate a person or persons…:
Cut 5 (12) “squad room”
Chief David Addison requested the Attorney General’s office to investigate.

 

03.15.17
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18:30 Newscast March 15

Amid investigations into Louisiana State Police’s travel spending, Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announces his retirement, effective March 24. Edmonson says he wouldn’t have done anything differently because problems are always going to arise.

Cut 10 (12) “move forward”

Edmonson says he will work with the governor and his successor to make the transition as smooth as possible.

The state’s credit rating has been downgraded for the third time since February of last year. The dip comes as a result of continued financial uncertainty, and it will make it more expensive for the state to borrow money for highway construction. Governor Edwards says the downgrade demonstrates the need for structural tax reform in the regular session.

Four people are dead and another critically injured in Metairie, and police are still trying to piece together what happened. Police say three of the deceased victims and one wounded were found with gunshot wounds in an apartment, and another victim with a stab wound to the head was discovered in a different unit in the complex. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand says it’s too early to speculate about what exactly happened.

Cut 8 (06) “information”

The victims are identified as Kyle Turner of Laplace, and John Henry, Rosemary Charles, and Harold Frisard of Metairie.

Bars on Bourbon Street will not have to close their doors at 3 am. The proposal has been tabled by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, but he still plans to tighten security in the city. French Quarter Business League president Alex Fein says they are encouraged by the other recommendations to make New Orleans safer.

Cut 15 (10) “come visit”

03.15.17
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LRN AM NEWSCALL MARCH 16

It’s March Madness time, and a survey conducted by a staffing firm found companies who hold bracket competitions have happier employees. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Former state lawmaker Elbert Guillory has been chosen by the Louisiana GOP to lead an outreach effort to bring more minorities to the Republican Party. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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State lawmakers are putting together a bill for the regular session that would increase the state’s gasoline tax for the first time in decades. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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With March Madness officially kicking off today, a staffing firm finds that nearly one in four companies organize activities tied to sporting events and it actually boosts morale. Office Team District President Brandi Britton says managers who do things like hold a bracket competition tend to have happier employees…:

Cut 4  (07) “March Madness”

Britton said they found only 14 percent of employers felt the tournament was a distraction. She said incorporating fun activities surrounding March Madness can promote a healthy mix of work and play, but managers still need to be organized about it:

Cut 5  (10)  “after work”

Britton says among those whose firms do get into the games, 37% report the top benefit is that friendly competitions help build camaraderie among colleagues. She says businesses should capitalize on major sporting events to bring teams together and have more fun at work…:

Cut 6 (09) “expectations are”

Britton says 66% percent of employees feel that celebrating sporting events can boost their overall happiness at work.

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Former state lawmaker Elbert Guillory has been chosen by the Louisiana Republican Party to lead an outreach effort to bring more minorities to the GOP. Guillory became the first black Republican state senator in 2013 when he switched from the Democratic Party. He says his hope is to convince African-American voters the Republican Party has their interest in mind.

Cut 7 (10)  “do better”

Chairman of the Louisiana GOP, Roger Villere, approached Guillory for the position. Guillory says they want the Bayou State to become a leader in engaging and expanding the party. He believes the Democratic Party is leading minorities in the wrong direction.

Cut 8 (08) “today”

Guillory says the Republican Party has demonstrated it’s more concerned about creating more jobs and tackling inner-city crime than the Democratic Party.

Cut 9 (11)  “except us”

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During his monthly call-in radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards thanked State Police Col. Mike Edmonson for his more than three and a half decades of service. The governor accepted Edmonson’s retirement yesterday, effective March 24. He says he and the Colonel have been talking about the issue for the past few days.

Cut 10 (08) “to retire”

The retirement announcement comes as multiple agencies are investigating LSP’s travel spending. Edwards says the Colonel was the longest serving Superintendent of State Police ever, heading the department for 9 years under two different administrations. The governor says from here, he will appoint an interim Superintendent.

Cut 11 (08) “State Police”

Edwards says for a permanent Superintendent, he is looking for someone who is a good communicator with leadership skills and can manage a large operation. He says as Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Services, Edmonson was also over the Office of Motor Vehicles, the Fire Marshal’s Office, and highway safety.

Cut 12 (11) “law enforcement community”

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With the legislative session approaching, lawmakers are still working on a bill that would seek to raise the state’s gasoline tax for the first time in 30 years. Democratic Representative Sam Jones of Franklin says lawmakers need to put something on the ballot to improve deteriorating roads and bridges. But he says it’s still unclear how many cents the tax would go up.

Cut 13 (09) “talked about”

A 17-cent increase to the state’s gasoline tax would generate over 500-million dollars a year. Jones says there is at least some appetite at the Capitol to increase the gas tax, but how much remains to be seen. He believes the issue should go to the voters for them to decide, because there are unmet transportation needs around the state.

Cut 14 (10) “to be addressed”

Republican Representative Steve Carter of Baton Rouge says the recommended gas tax hike from the Transportation Task Force is 23-cents a gallon, but he says it’s yet to be decided how much of an increase will go into a bill that would be debated when the session starts April 10th. He says his constituents are particularly concerned about traffic conditions.

Cut 15 (10) “a nightmare”

Carter says the entire state would benefit from a gas tax increase. Officials say every penny the gasoline tax goes up, an additional 30-million dollars can be spent on transportation needs. He says traffic congestion and crumbling roads and bridges are not unique to the Capitol City.

Cut 16 (10) “we may have”

Motorists currently pay 38-cents in federal and state gasoline taxes, and 20-cents is from the state. Any increase to the state gasoline tax would take a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.

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Patriots restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler is set to meet with the Saints today at their headquarters in Metairie. There’s been a lot of talk that New Orleans would like to acquire the 27-year-old who intercepted four passes last season. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Butler would be a good fit on the Black and Gold…

Cut 17 (13)  “the Texans”

The Saints have an estimated 12.5 million dollars left in salary cap space and they have to sign their draft picks. Detillier anticipates the Saints will be creative if they are able to sign Butler to a longterm deal…

Cut 18 (16) “big investment”

The Patriots can match any offer the Saints make. But Detillier believes the two teams will work out some sort of sign and trade deal to bring Butler to Big Easy. Detillier says Butler would give the Saints a quality starting cornerback to go along with Delvin Breaux

Cut 19 (14)   “for tomorrow”

03.15.17
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**Correction** 13:30 Newscast, March 15th, 2017

After spending nine years as the leader of State Police, Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announces his plans to retire March 24th. The agency has been the center of controversy regarding questionable travel by four state troopers. Edmonson says he loves his job, but stepping down brings a sense of normalcy to the department…:
Cut 9 (10) “any distractions”
Edmonson says he will work with Governor John Bel Edwards and his successor to make the transition as seamless as possible.

A Caddo Parish mother has pleaded guilty to all charges related to the wreck that ejected her 5-month-old from her SUV. Cops believe 31-year-old Lindsey Logan was on drugs when she got into a crash that sent her baby through the front windshield of her vehicle. Logan pleaded guilty to 2 counts of first-degree vehicular negligence stemming from the wreck in June 2016 since her 7 year old was also in the vehicle. Both children are recovering.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has decided not to go forward with his previous suggestion to close the doors of all bars in the Crescent City at 3 a.m. in an effort to increase safety. French Quarter Business League President Alex Fein says they’ve been against the idea from the get go and are glad that proposition has been taken off the table…:
Cut 13 (09) “their mind”
Landrieu still plans on using 40 million dollars to tighten security in the city.

Jefferson Parish authorities found four people dead at an apartment complex in Metairie early this morning. Sheriff Newell Normand says originally they were investigating a triple homicide and finding another body turns back the clock on the investigation…:
CUT 7 (07) “original scene”
He says another woman is in the hospital after calling 911 to report she’d bee shot in the head. Normand says it’s too early in the investigation to speculate about what exactly happened.