Author Archives: LRN News

01.18.17
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Text from *AFTERNOON* Newscall, January 17th, 2017

State House Republican leaders believe it is not a good idea to use the Rainy Day Fund to offset Louisiana’s 313 million dollar mid-year budget shortfall. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The Guttmacher Institute finds there was an 18-percent decline in the number of abortions in Louisiana between 2011 and 2014. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Despite floods, droughts, and freezing temperatures, experts say Louisiana strawberries are doing just fine. Whitney Wallace with the LSU AgCenter doesn’t think there will be too much damage to this year’s strawberry crop. She says the freeze affected some farmers worse than others, but all in all, it should be a good season.

Cut 3 (07) “March and April”

Wallace says the multiple floods that occurred last spring and August weren’t as devastating to strawberry production as they were to other crops, because farmers weren’t planting strawberries yet when the floods hit. She says many farmers did what they could to protect their blooms from the freeze earlier this month.

cut 4  (09) “below 32″

Wallace says fortunately, most of the strawberry crop made it through the freeze unscathed, which means we should see a good crop in March and April. She says this is great news because strawberry farming is an important industry for the state.

Cut 5  (11)  “local berries”

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Several Republican in the state House say it would be a bad idea to use the Rainy Day Fund to reduce the state’s 313 million dollar mid-year budget deficit. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, who chairs the House Republican Delegation, says the state has to stop dipping into the Rainy Day Fund every time it has budget troubles.

Cut 6 (07) “problem”

But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says using the Rainy Day fund is necessary to soften cuts critical services like higher education and healthcare.

CUT 7 (10)  “very painful” 

Harris says when he entered the legislature five years ago, the Rainy Day Fund had over 850 million dollars in it, and today it has 357 million dollars. He says the state has a spending problem.

Cut 8 (08) “concerned about”

It will take a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate to access money from the Rainy Day Fund. Dardenne says even with the Rainy Day Fund, more cuts will be required. He says this fund is designed to address a situation like the state is currently facing.

Cut 9 (08)  “up for”

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New research finds there was an 18-percent decline in the number of abortions in Louisiana between 2011 and 2014. Guttmacher Institute researcher Rachel Jones says nationally, there was a 12-percent decline over the same period. She credits better use of contraceptives for the decrease in abortions.

Cut 10 (06) “such as an IUD”

The study found there were less than one million abortions in the US in 2014, the lowest rate since the Roe v. Wade ruling. Jones says more effective birth control would explain the decline in states that support abortion rights. She says in some other states, women have less access to abortions than they used to.

cut 11 (08) “in abortions”

Jones says Louisiana was one of the states that experienced a large decline in abortion clinics, with 29-percent of the clinics in the state closing during the time period studied. She says Louisiana also imposed stricter regulations on abortions.

cut 12 (09) “to access abortions” 

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Three people are dead after a fiery crash in Vernon Parish. State Trooper Scott Moreau says around 1:40 a.m. troopers responded to a crash on Highway 1146 near Rosepine. He says there were three people inside a 2009 Chevy Malibu, when the driver apparently veered off the roadway and hit several trees.

Cut 13 (08) “in the vehicle”

Moreau says all three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. He says it’s not yet known if the occupants were wearing seatbelts or if the driver was intoxicated. He says they are not releasing the suspected identities of the victims, as the investigation is ongoing.

cut 14 (09) “pending as well”

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A 47-year-old Chauvin man has turned himself into State Police for allegedly hitting a man on LA 56 in Terrebonne Parish just after midnight. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says Christopher Little saw the press release put out this morning looking for the driver of a Chrysler 300, responsible for the fatal hit and run of 39-year-old Taylor Thibodeaux.

Cut 15 (10) “way home”

LaGrange says Little’s vehicle had damage consistent with hitting a person and he was brought in for questioning where he was later arrested and charged with felony hit and run driving and improper lane usage. He says the lesson here is to pull over and search if you think you’ve hit something while driving.

Cut 16  (07)  “vehicle received”

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01.18.17
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AM Newscall, January 18th, 2017

A new study from Tulane University finds the use of cockroach bait can eliminate enough roaches to reduce symptoms in children with asthma by about 50 days. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Hot chili peppers could help you live longer, according to a study from the University of Vermont. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The man who was shot and killed by a Slidell homeowner was high on cough syrup, according to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office. Halen Doughty Reports…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A Tulane University study finds the use of cockroach bait can eliminate enough pests in a home to reduce a child with moderate to severe asthma symptoms by nearly 50 days. Lead study author and Tulane University Public Health and Tropical Medicine Epidemiologist Felicia Rabito says the roaches eat the bait then go back to die…

cut 4  (10) “the children”

Asthma suffers can be highly sensitive to cockroach saliva, skin and droppings. Rabito says the study monitored 102 low income families where children were diagnosed with asthma. She says the bait was placed in slightly over half of the homes and checked about every two months.

Cut 5  (10)  “their homes”

The study also found the number of unscheduled doctor visits was 17-percent lower in the group who had bait placed in their homes. Rabito says research has shown that cockroaches are directly related to asthma illness so….

Cut 6 (08) “asthmatic kids”

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Researchers at the University of Vermont believe eating hot chili peppers could help you live longer, which is good news for Louisianans who love their spicy foods. Dr. Benjamin Littenberg with the Larner College of Medicine says their study found consumption of hot red chili peppers was associated with a 13-percent lower risk of death. He says that could have something to do with an ingredient in the pepper- capsaicin.

CUT 7 (06)  “might work”‘

Littenberg says the study followed more than 16-thousand people for about 20 years. He says they noticed something about the causes of death for people in the study who reported eating a lot of hot red chili peppers.

Cut 8 (08) “and stroke”

But Littenberg says in the science world, correlation does not prove causation, so researchers aren’t convinced that eating the peppers is why study participants lived longer. He says the findings don’t mean you should start eating the peppers if you don’t like them.

Cut 9 (07)  “chili pepper diet”

Littenberg co-authored the study with Mustafa Chopan, who is the lead author and a medical student at the university.

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Kenner Police say a man is behind bars in connection with the dismembered body parts that were discovered near the Reserve Canal off I-10. Chief Michael Glaser says a 27-year-old man from Honduras, Ivis Portales-Lara, was reported missing on November 13. He says detectives questioned his roommate, 44-year-old Viusqui Perez-Espinosa, about the man’s disappearance.

Cut 10 (10) “the walls”

Glaser says upon further investigation, larger pools of blood were discovered in the apartment. He says on December 29, a severed human arm was discovered in the canal, and it was a match to the blood in Perez-Espinosa’s apartment. He says more body parts were later discovered in the same area.

cut 11 (10) “and dismembered”

Glaser says the only part of the body that still hasn’t been discovered is the skull. He says witnesses reported seeing Perez-Espinosa loading plastic bags into his vehicle the day after the victim was reported missing.

Glaser says Perez-Espinosa previously lived in the same apartment with his now ex-girlfriend, who allowed him to stay with her and the victim when things didn’t work out at his new residence.

cut 12 (11) “the homicide”

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The man who was shot and killed by a Slidell homeowner when he was apparently acting erratic in the front yard of the residence was on a severe amount of cough syrup. That’s according to St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith. He says the shooter, 24-year-old Shane Hicks, told deputies that he was inside his home when he heard a loud noise outside.

Cut 13 (09) “and yelling”

At this point, there have been no charges filed in association with the incident, as it’s believed Hicks was in fear for his life.. Smith says Hicks was armed with a semi-automatic pistol when he asked Flores what he was doing in the yard.

cut 14 (10) “ was invincible”

Smith says Hicks asked Flores to leave, and that’s when the alleged intruder lunched toward the resident and backed him up against the house while trying to take his pistol. Hicks then fired multiple shots, fatally shooting Flores on the front porch. Smith says they learned that prior to this incident, Flores had an altercation with this girlfriend.

Cut 15 (09) “hallucinogenic effects”

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01.17.17
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15:30 Newscast January 17,2017

A new report indicates abortions in the US have dropped to the lowest level since 1974, and Louisiana saw an 18-percent decline between 2011 and 2014. Guttmacher Institute researcher Rachel Jones says women are using better birth control methods, and other states have reduced access to abortions…:
CUT 11 (08) “in abortions”

She says in Louisiana, 29 percent of clinics closed during the study period.

State House Republican leaders say it would be a bad idea to use the Rainy Day Fund to reduce the state’s 313 million dollar mid-year budget deficit. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the state has to stop dipping into the Rainy Day Fund every time it has budget troubles…:
Cut 6 (07) “problem”

But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says using the Rainy Day fund is necessary to soften cuts critical services like higher education and healthcare…:

 
A 37-year-old Chauvin man has turned himself into State Police for allegedly hitting a man on LA 56 in Terrebonne Parish just after midnight. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says Christopher Little saw the press release put out this morning looking for the driver of a Chrysler 300, responsible for the fatal hit and run of 39-year-old Taylor Thibodeaux.
Cut 15 (10) “way home”

Little has been charged with felony hit and run driving and improper lane usage.

A fiery crash in Vernon Parish has claimed the lives of three people. State Trooper Scott Moreau says early this morning troopers responded to a crash where the driver apparently veered off the road and hit several trees. He says the occupants were pronounced dead at the scene and they are not yet releasing the identity of the victims.
Cut 14 (09) “pending as well”

01.17.17
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13:30 Newscast, January 17th, 2017

Republican State lawmakers don’t want to use the rainy day fund to help plug the $313 million dollar midyear budget deficit. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, who chairs the House Republican Delegation, says the state must learn to get it’s spending under control…:
CUT 8 (08) “concerned about”
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says this fund is designed to address a situation like the state is currently facing…:
Cut 9 (08) “up for”
It will take a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate to access money from the Rainy Day Fund.

Even if the state taps that fund, lawmakers would still have to cut as much as $194 million dollars from the budget that ends on June 30th. A special session could be called in a month.

The Guttmacher Institute finds there was an 18-percent decline in the number of abortions in Louisiana between 2011 and 2014. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police is investigating a triple fatality fiery crash in Vernon Parish. They believe the driver lost control and exited the roadway crashing into several trees before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames. The three occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were pronounced dead. The identifies are being withheld pending positive DNA analysis.

 

01.17.17
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12:30 Newscast, January 17th, 2017

A new report indicates abortions in the US have dropped to the lowest level since 1974, and Louisiana saw an 18-percent decline between 2011 and 2014. Guttmacher Institute researcher Rachel Jones says women are using better birth control methods, and other states have reduced access to abortions…:
CUT 11 (08) “in abortions”
She says in Louisiana, 29 percent of clinics closed during the study period.

Police in Kenner say a man is under arrest amid allegations he murdered and dismembered a roommate who was dating his ex girlfriend. They say the victim, 27-year-old Ivis Alexis Portales-Lara, went missing in November; and a month later only his arm was found off I-10 in St. John Parish. 44-year-old Viusqui Perez-Espinosa, who is from Cuba, is charged with second degree murder and obstruction of justice. More information is slated to be released during a 3pm news conference.

Several Republican in the state House say it would be a bad idea to use the Rainy Day Fund to reduce the state’s 313 million dollar mid-year budget deficit. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, who chairs the House Republican Delegation, says the state has to stop dipping into the Rainy Day Fund every time it has budget troubles…:
Cut 6 (07) “problem”
But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says using the Rainy Day fund is necessary to soften cuts critical services like higher education and healthcare…:
CUT 7 (10) “very painful”
The governor’s special session is expected to begin in mid-February and conclude by the end of the month.

 

01.17.17
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11:30 Newscast, January 17th, 2017

New research finds there was an 18-percent decline in the number of abortions in Louisiana between 2011 and 2014. Guttmacher Institute researcher Rachel Jones says nationally, there was a 12-percent decline over the same period. She credits better use of birth control…:
Cut 10 (06) “such as an IUD”
The study found there were less than one million abortions in the US in 2014, the lowest rate since the Roe v. Wade ruling.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who was fatally shot by a Slidell resident Monday during a confrontation. They say the shooter reported that 22-year-old Seth Flores was acting erratically in the front yard of his residence, which is when the homeowner killed the man. Additional details will be released during a 4pm news conference.

President-elect Donald Trump says he’s not phased by the Gallup poll numbers which show his approval rating at a low 42%. Mr. Trump tweeted that the results were rigged. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. John Sutherlin thinks the president-elect is busy working on his agenda…:
CUT 25 (09) “projects”
Mr. Trump will be sworn into office on Friday.

A lot of farmland was affected by the crazy weather, freeze and devastating flooding in 2016, but Louisiana’s strawberry crop is doing fantastic for the most part. That’s according to Whitney Wallace with the LSU AgCenter. She says many farmers did what they could to protect their blooms from the freeze earlier this month…:
cut 4 (09) “below 32″
She says a good crop is expected to be harvested in March and April.

 

01.17.17
by

10:30 Newscast Jan 17

President-elect Donald Trump has the lowest approval rating since George W. Bush, according to a recent Gallup poll. ULM political science professor John Sutherlin says Trump will likely follow through with his agenda when he takes office, regardless of what the polls say.

Cut 10 (09) “majority wants”

The poll finds Mr. Trump’s favorability rating is 42-percent.

Thirty-five LSU students joined SeekingArangement.com last year to find a Sugar Daddy. Spokesperson Brook Urick says the average monthly allowance for a Sugar Baby is over $24-hundred, but not all babies get the same allowance. She says it’s important to be open about your expectations in the Sugar Bowl.

Cut 9 (10) “a relationship with”

You might not be paying as much in sales taxes on Amazon as you think. Department of Revenue Secretary Kim Robinson says taxes are only collected if Amazon is the seller.

Cut 4 (10) “from Amazon”

Robinson says the tax does not include items sold by third party vendors on Amazon.

Despite floods, droughts, and freezing temperatures, experts say Louisiana strawberries are doing just fine. Whitney Wallace with the LSU AgCenter doesn’t think there will be too much damage to this year’s strawberry crop. She says the freeze affected some farmers worse than others, but all in all, it should be a good season.

Cut 3 (07) “…March and April”

Wallace says the floods didn’t hurt the crop either because farmers weren’t planting yet when the rains began.

01.17.17
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09:30 Newscast, January 17th, 2017

A Gallup poll finds President-elect Donald Trump will take office as the most unpopular newly elected president in at least 40 years. But ULM Political Science Professor Dr. John Sutherlin says Mr. Trump doesn’t seem like he is bothered by public opinion…:
cut 12 (09) “100 days”.
The president-elect will be sworn in on Friday. He tweeted this morning that the approval ratings polls are rigged like he says the election polls were.

Could LSU Athletic Director be looking at firing another coach mid-season like he did Les Miles? The Tiger basketball team is on a bad streak and LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau says the losses this year and last year’s disappointment have coach Johnny Jones on the hot seat…:
CUT 14 (04) “at it”
He says Alleva is the former A-D at Duke, which has a rich basketball tradition and he can’t be happy with what he sees at LSU.

If you’re buying items from Amazon in the New Year, you might not pay as much in sales taxes as you thought. The state Department of Revenue says the automatic sales tax is applied only to purchases made from Amazon LLC. But Secretary Kimberly Robinson says third party vendors will have to start reporting sales July 1st, and consumers required to submit those taxes for themselves…:
CUT 6 (10) “this year”
She says that applies to any online purchase you make.

Abbeville Police say a child that was injured during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade Monday, has died. They said the unidentified child was struck by a float. It’s reported that witnesses say the child was struck by the vehicle pulling the float after entering the roadway for a throw. No other official information or the child’s age has been released at this time.

 

01.17.17
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08:30 Newscast, January 17th, 2017

President-elect Donald Trump is already polling lower that George W. Bush, according to Gallup, with a 42-percent approval rating. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. John Sutherlin doesn’t think Mr. Trump cares much about polls, but instead will focus on his agenda…:
CUT 11 (09) “projects”
Mr. Trump will be sworn into office on Friday.

Amazon.com started charging sales taxes in Louisiana on online purchases January 1st, but it’s not as much as consumers might think. Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the automatic sales tax does not apply to third party vendors. She says there is an easy way to tell:
CUT 5 (05) “that item”
But she says third party vendors will have to start reporting purchases July 1st, and consumers will have to submit those taxes themselves.

SeekingArangement.com says 35 LSU students joined the online dating site last year to find a Sugar Daddy. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The mayor of a Webster Parish town has been arrested amid allegations he abused his wife. Doyline Mayor Gary Thomas Carter was booked into jail on 1 count of domestic abuse battery by strangulation according records. The case against the 50-year-old, that is still under investigation, is being handled by the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.

 

01.17.17
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07:30 Newscast, January 17th, 2017

A Gallup poll finds President-elect Donald Trump has a 42-percent approval rating. Emelie Gunn has analysis from a local political analyst…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police are looking for the driver in a fatal hit and run crash overnight in Terrebonne Parish that claimed the life of a pedestrian. They say the suspect vehicle, a Chrysler 300, is believed to have exited a road in Chauvin and struck 39-year-old Taylor Thibodeaux as he was walking, then fled the scene. Anyone with information on this is urged to contact authorities.

It was announced that starting January 1st, online retailer Amazon would begin collecting state sales taxes for the first time; but there are exceptions. Department of Revenue Secretary, Kimberly Robinson, says the only sales taxes collected are on products sold directly by Amazon, LLC…:
CUT (10) “from Amazon”
But she says third party vendors will have to start reporting purchases July 1st, and consumers will have to submit those taxes themselves.

More and more LSU students are signing up to be Sugar babies, someone who receives cash in exchange for being in a relationship. SeekingArangment.com spokesperson Brook Urick says 35 LSU students enrolled last year. Despite the controversy surrounding the service, Urick says this is just like online dating; but lifestyle expectations are different as most who apply are looking for help with college…:
CUT 8 (09) “to do that”