18:30 Newscast March 8

A Baton Rouge homeowner who killed an intruder at his home will not face charges. Police say 40-year-old Anthony Gordon was armed with a gun when he entered the home and was shot by the homeowner. DA Hillar Moore says Louisiana law allows homeowners to use lethal force to defend themselves.

Cut 5 (07) “every case”
Gordon was pronounced dead at the scene.

A proposal approved by BESE means K-12 schools in Louisiana won’t be seeing an increase in state funding. Executive Director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, Scott Richard, says federal funding is also in a decline, which leaves local school districts to pick up the lion’s share of the costs.

Cut 7 (10) “serious concern”
BESE blames budget problems for the lack of funding hikes.

A federal judge in New Orleans once again blocks a state law that makes the minimum age to be an exotic dancer 21-years-old. Three strippers filed suit after the state legislature passed the legislation last year and their attorney is Harry Rosenberg.

Cut 12 (07) “vague”
Rosenberg says the ruling ensures the law will not go into effect until this case goes to trial.

The Johnny Jones era at LSU could be coming to a close. As the Tigers basketball team only won two SEC games this season. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva has money to spend and should be willing to invest in a good basketball coach.

Cut 11 (08) “head coaches”

Worsham says Jones could be fired once LSU is eliminated from the SEC tournament.

LRN AM NEWSCALL MARCH 9

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association hosts their annual summit today in Lake Charles with a new hope for the future of the industry. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A report shows only 49-percent of obese people say they are trying to lose weight, down from 55-percent. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more and more babies are born with syphilis. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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There’s a renewed sense of optimism for the oil industry, according to the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, who host their annual summit today in Lake Charles. LOGA Vice President Gifford Briggs says higher oil prices aren’t the only thing contributing to their uplifted spirits.

Cut 4  (12) “rolling back regulations”

LOGA says 2017 is a critical year for the oil and gas industry. Briggs says that’s because the industry is starting to rebound after a two year recession. He says with the new president and the prices rebounding, this is the time for people to start making investments and bring people back to work.

Cut 5  (11)  “those investments”

Briggs says Exxon’s commitment to make a $20 billion investment in the Gulf and the plans for the Bayou Bridge Pipeline are promising signs for the industry as a whole. He says people have been asking to replace our old infrastructure for a long time.

Cut 6 (09) “for Louisiana”

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The rate of babies born with syphilis is rising in Louisiana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC found the rate of congenital syphilis rose by 6-percent nationwide between 2014 and 2015. Director of the Bureau of Infectious Diseases for the Office of Public Health, Dr. DeAnn Gruber, says the problem is even worse in Louisiana than the rest of the country.

Cut 7 (06)  “other states”

According to the CDC, 83 out of every 100-thousand babies born has congenital syphilis. Gruber says her office is doing everything they can to reduce these rates. She says in 2014 the legislature passed a law that requires women to get tested for diseases throughout their pregnancies, not just in the first trimester.

Cut 8 (12) “that’s needed”

Gruber says babies born with syphilis can have complications and various types of disabilities. She says the Office of Public Health is doing interventions, provider outreach, and education to decrease the rate of congenital syphilis, and it looks like their methods are paying off.

Cut 9 (09)  “number decrease”

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A recent study shows fewer fat people are trying to lose weight. A report from Georgia Southern University found that overweight people who said they are trying to lose weight fell from 55-percent down to 49-percent. Executive Director of the Louisiana Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Rudy Macklin, says people are abandoning their weight loss efforts for a variety of reasons.

Cut 10 (10) “physically active”

Macklin says people may be getting discouraged because they aren’t seeing results right away. The study suggests being overweight could be becoming more acceptable. But Macklin doesn’t think that’s the case. He attributes the decline in people losing weight to busy schedules.

Cut 11 (11) “things like that”

The nationwide study found the obesity rate is highest for black women with 55-percent being obese. Macklin says here in Louisiana, income and family environment play a big role in many of these women’s lives, leaving little time for exercise and cooking healthy meals.

Cut 12 (10) “one job”

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Governor John Bel Edwards sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to cut the red tape so Louisiana can get started on coastal restoration projects. Executive Director of the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority, Johnny Bradberry, says the projects are part of the coastal restoration masterplan.

Cut 13 (07) “to do these”

Bradberry says the projects will be funded through BP’s restoration payments to the state over the next few years. He says the President is looking for projects that are ready to go and having funding methods in place. He says they’re hoping Mr. Trump can help fast track the federal approval process.

Cut 14 (10) “these projects”

Bradberry says two of the projects are sediment diversion, others prevent saltwater intrusion into our marshes, and another introduces freshwater into the Maurepas Swamp. Bradberry says these projects are vital because they protect industries that operate along Louisiana’s coast.

Cut 15 (11) “three years”

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Louisiana Tech begins play in the Conference USA Tournament at 5:30 today as the one of the hottest teams in the league. They’ve won eight of their last nine. Bulldogs head coach Eric Konkol believes his young team can win this tournament and receive automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament…

Cut 16 (17) “offense”

Tech will play the winner of last night’s game between UAB and Charlotte. Konkol says for them to win this tournament, good play will have to start on the defensive end

Cut 17 (15)  “awful lot”

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NFL teams can begin signing unrestricted free agents this afternoon and for the first time in several years, the Saints have some salary cap space to work with. Sideline reporter on the Saints Radio Network, Kristan Garic, doesn’t anticipate the Black and Gold making a huge splash, but they will look to bolster the offensive line…

Cut 18 (20) “possibility”

Trades can also made once the new league year starts this afternoon. There’s been a lot of speculation about the Saints trading former first round pick and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Garic says the Saints are asking a lot for Cooks…

Cut 19 (14)   “gets done”

The Saints also have to make a decision on defensive tackle Nick Fairly. The Mobile native performed well under a one-year deal last season, but Garic says the Saints might not get that same production if Fairly signs a contract for multiple years…

Cut 20 (19)   “open market”

17:30 Newscast March 8

No charges are expected to be filed against a Baton Rouge man who fatally shot an intruder at his home. Authorities say 40-year-old Anthony Gordon was shot and killed by the homeowner, after forcing his way into the house. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says the homeowner had every right to defend his home.

Cut 3 (10) “something wrong”

Gordon was pronounced dead at the scene.

A federal judge in New Orleans blocked a state law that requires strippers to be at least 21 years old. Three strippers went to court to fight the rule, and their attorney Harry Rosenberg says the ruling ensures the law will not go into effect until this case goes to trial at a later date.

Cut 13 (09) “from dancing”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves a proposal that does not increase state funding for shools. Executive Director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, Scott Richard, says state funding for public schools is at a standstill.

Cut 6 (09) “funding formula”

Richard says the cost of operating a school is going up, but funding is not.

LSU Basketball Coach Johnny Jones is expected to be fired this week, once the Tigers are eliminated from the SEC Tournament. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the biggest problem with Jones is his inability to get more out of last year’s talented players like Ben Simmons.

Cut 10 (11) “program’s reputation”

15:30 Newscast March 8,2017

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves a proposal that does not increase funding for public schools. Jeff Palermo has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards sent President Donald Trump a list of potential coastal projects to consider in the state as the president is pushing for the development of new infrastructure. Edwards says the projects would help Louisiana become more resilient from floods and hurricanes, while protecting production in the energy sector.

 
A federal judge once again blocked a state law prohibiting women under 21-year-old from exotic dancing. Three strippers aged 18 to 20 filed suit and their attorney Harry Rosenberg says their argument was the law prohibited the women from expressing their right to free speech through dance. He says the basis for the ruling granting the injunction stemmed from the broad nature of the law.
cut 14 (11) “broad”

The Johnny Jones era at LSU could be coming to a close. The Tigers basketball team failed to make the NCAA tournament last year and they’ve only won two SEC games this season. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva has money to spend and should be willing to invest in a good basketball coach….
cut 11 (08) “head coaches”

Worsham says Jones is expected to be fired once LSU is eliminated from this week’s SEC tournament.

13:30 Newscast, March 8th, 2017

A federal judge today ruled to block Louisiana’s law that requires people to be at least 21 years old to work as a stripper. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier (BAHR’-bih-aye) believed the unidentified exotic dancers who filed the suit made a strong case that the mandate was against the constitution. Today’s preliminary injunction means the law won’t be enforced before the case goes to trial.

K-12 schools in Louisiana won’t be seeing an increase in state funding after approval by BESE today. Executive Director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, Scott Richard, says federal funding is also in a decline, which leaves local school districts to pick up the lion’s share of the costs…:
CUT 7 (10) “serious concern”
Richard says it’s a shame that educating our children isn’t more of a priority for lawmakers.

It looks like the coaching days of Johnny Jones are coming to an end. Jones has been the head basketball coach at LSU since 2012, where he won more games in his first four years than any other basketball coach in the school’s history. But the team failed to make the NCAA Tournament last year and this season, they only won two SEC games:
Cut 9 (07) “basketball”
That’s Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham.

US House Republicans have presented their plan for replacing the Affordable Care Act. The new plan scraps fines imposed on taxpayers who do not purchase insurance and instead offers tax credits to those who purchase coverage in the open market. Chief Healthcare Economist for Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana Mike Bertaut says that has huge implications for the marketplace…:
Cut 13 (09) “20-percent”
He says the goal is to deliver the plan for the American Healthcare Act to the Senate by April 1.

12:30 Newscast, March 8th, 2017

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves a proposal that does not increase funding for public schools…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

In the race for Troy Brown’s Senate seat in District 2, Warren Harang, a sugarcane farmer and Conservative Democrat, announced his campaign for the vacancy. Two state representatives, a school board president, a film executive and the director of the Louisiana High School Coaches Association are all looking at the race according to LaPolitics.com. A special election has been called for April 29th and qualifying begins a week from today.

Officials have released the name of the suspected intruder who was killed by a resident of the Baton Rouge home allegedly being robbed. Police believe 40-year-old Anthony Gordon forced his way into a house an confronted the homeowner when he was shot and killed. DA Hillar Moore says Louisiana law allows homeowners to use lethal force to defend themselves…:
Cut 5 (07) “every case”
Baton Rouge Police say Gordon was armed with a gun when he tried to gain entry into the home.

It’s reported that LSU basketball coach Johnny Johns will be fired after the season is over. The Tigers play Mississippi State tonight in the SEC Tournament. Men’s hoops is 2-16 in conference this year.

 

11:30 Newscast, March 8th, 2017

State funding for public schools is at a standstill, as the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves a proposal that does not increase additional dollars per student. Executive Director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, Scott Richard, says the outlook for K-12 schools is pretty bleak…:
Cut 6 (09) “funding formula”
BESE says continued state budget problems makes it difficult to ask and receive an increase in state funding.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a man was fatally shot while allegedly trying to break into a home early this morning; and no charges are expected to be filed in the case. The intruder is identified as 40-year-old Anthony Gordon. East Baton Rouge Parish DA Hillar Moore says the homeowner had every right to defend himself.:
Cut 3 (10) “something wrong”

Tonight could be all she wrote for LSU basketball coach Johnny Jones. The Tigers play Mississippi State in the SEC tournament, and sources say Athletic Director Joe Alleva will be looking for a new coach once this season is over. Jones remains optimistic the Tigers can make a run in this tourney…:
Cut 25 (08) “for this team”
TigerRag.com’s Cody Worsham said multiple sources indicate that as of this morning, Jones and Alleva had not spoken about the reports or his future with the program.

Officials in Ascension Parish say they are looking for the man seen on surveillance video at a Walgreens crawling his way through a drink cooler in order to steal 11 cartons of cigarettes. Another person is standing watch while the suspect made his way into the fridge then crawled to the storage area in the back to snatch the smokes. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

 

09:30 Newscast, March 8th, 2017

Richland Parish US Representative Ralph Abraham reflects on the devastating flood in north Louisiana which began a year ago today. He says it’s hard to believe no state or federal dollars have been handed out to help flood victims…:
Cut 6 (09) “back together”
Congress has so far approved $1.6 billion to respond to the March and August flooding.

A little over three years after losing her daughter to a head on collision, a Haughton mother’s grass-roots effort to have cable barriers installed on that highway has become a reality. Casey Colley was killed in a cross-over accident on LA 3132 and her mother, Tammy Willson, says money for this cable barrier groundbreaking, and other highway safety initiatives is what saves lives…:
CUT 12 (07) “to stop”
The cables are designed to catch a vehicle as it crosses a median at high speed, preventing what often turns into a fatal crash.

The Bossier City Police Department is reminding residents not to fall for IRS telephone scams. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Officials have released the name of the suspected intruder who was killed by a resident of the Baton Rouge home allegedly being robbed. Police believe 40-year-old Anthony Gordon forced his way into a house an confronted the homeowner when he was shot and killed. The DA says a preliminary investigation indicates that this will be classified as a justified shooting.

 

08:30 Newscast, March 8th, 2017

It was a year ago today that rain began hammering north and central Louisiana causing the first of two devastating floods in the state in 2016. Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham says homeowners weren’t the only ones impacted by the March event…:
CUT 5 (11) “us everyday”
He says he’s frustrated no state or federal money has been handed out to help flood victims rebuild their homes.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver the keynote address at the 2017 Cybersecurity Summit. It will be hosted by CenturyLink in Monroe.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a man was fatally shot while allegedly trying to break into a home early this morning. The DA says a preliminary determination indicated the shooting was justified.

DOTD breaks ground on cable barriers that will be installed on the median of LA 3132 in memory of a young woman who lost her life in a 2013 accident. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Bossier Police are warning residents of an IRS phone scam. They say residents report they are getting calls saying they’ll be arrested if they don’t make a payment. Sgt. Brian Griffith advises anyone who receives a similar call to immediately hang up…:
Cut 9 (09) “as possible”

 

07:30 Newscast, March 8th, 2017

The Chief Healthcare Economist for Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana breaks down the US House Republicans’ plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. Mike Bertaut says under Obamacare, tax credits are based on income. But he says under this new proposal, by 2020 credits will be based on age…:
Cut 14 (11) “4-thousand dollars”
Governor John Bel Edwards says the plan would halt Louisiana’s expanded Medicaid program.

One year ago today, heavy rains began pouring down on north Louisiana, causing the worst flood the area has seen in hundreds of years. Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham says he’s frustrated no state or federal money has been handed out to help flood victims:
Cut 4 (11) “church based help”
The flood prompted a federal disaster declaration for 37 parishes.

Construction has begun on cable barriers along the median of LA 3132 in Shreveport thanks to the efforts of a grieving mother. Tammy Willson of Haughton lost her daughter, Casey Colley, in 2013 when a truck crossed the median of the highway. She says she knew she had to do something in Casey’s memory…:
Cut 10 (10) “other lives”
Willson says if road barriers had been up, she would still have her daughter today.

The Bossier City Police Department is warning residents of telephone scammers claiming to be the IRS and requesting money. Sgt. Brian Griffith says they’ve received multiple reports of phone calls stating a payment needs to be made over the phone or an arrest warrant will be issued for the individual…:
Cut 7 (07) “for that”
He says it’s good to know and tell your friends that anytime someone calls and claims to be from the IRS it’s usually a scam.