AM Newscall December 16,2015

There has been a big buzz this week over reports that forced labor is being used for the shelling of shrimp being imported into the US from factories in Thailand. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Tech football team has arrived in the Big Easy in advance of Saturday’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

______________________________________

 Firearm dealers are urging people buying guns as Christmas presents to be cautious. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

There has been a big buzz this week over disturbing reports that forced labor is being used for the shelling of shrimp being imported into the US from factories in Thailand. Thomas Hymel (EE-Mel) with the LSU Ag Center Sea Grant program estimates that more than 90% of our food is imported. He says most of the shrimp and seafood we eat, comes from places like Thailand

cut 4  (08)  “the spotlight”

Hymel says there are many countries who export products to us that engage in slave labor for a bigger profit and, the majority of the time, nobody knows it’s going on. He says what we as consumers can do is to start paying better attention to where the seafood we buy comes from and make sure that it’s a Louisiana product..:

Cut 5  (09)  “at all”

Hymel says our shrimpers here in Louisiana had extremely low prices at the dock this year because the imported product was coming in so cheap, it was all some locals could do to break even. He says it’s a shame that the product is coming in from such despicable factories who use practices such as child slave labor and more people are starting to pay attention…:

Cut 6 (10)  “half the price”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Tech football team has arrived in the Big Easy in advance of Saturday’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The 8-4 Bulldogs will face the 9-3 Arkansas State Red Wolves in the game that kicks off at 8PM in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Tech head coach Skip Holtz says now that game week is here, the team is enthused to get going…

CUT 7 (08)  “at the end”

Arkansas State, the Sun Belt Conference champions, come into the game riding an eight game winning streak. Holtz says the Red Wolves is a talented team, especially on the defensive side of the ball where they lead the nation in creating turnovers and interceptions…

Cut 8  (09)  “they played”

Saturday’s game will be televised on ESPN. Bulldog seniors have the opportunity to win their 31st game as a class for Tech. Holtz says his seniors are ready to hit the field one last time in a Louisiana Tech jersey…

Cut 9 (07) “on the field”

______________________________________

 Two plantations in Louisiana have been nominated for the 10 Best Historic Home Tours by USA Today. Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow and Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie are among 20 historic houses on the list. Kevin Kelly is the owner of Houmas House. He says they are thrilled to have been selected…

Cut 10 (09) “for me” 

You can vote once a day, every day through December 21st online at 10-Best-dot-com (10Best.com). Kelly says Houmas House is ranked number three as of right now and believes their variety of unique experiences along with the historic house helped to place them in the top 10.

cut 11 (08) “art collection”

 Oak Alley Plantation is currently ranked number 9 on the list and is an antebellum mansion built in 1839 with 28 huge live oak trees leading up to the plantation.  Kelly says the gardens are an ornamental piece of Houmas House and the seasonal changes bring many people to visit the Darrow plantation more than once.

Cut 12 (11) “Houmas House”

_____________________________________

If you’re planning on buying a gun for someone else for Christmas this year, firearm dealers are urging you to be cautious. Federally licensed sellers are required to perform background checks and customers who purchase a gun for someone who couldn’t pass, called straw purchase, face serious consequences. Blake Boudreaux, general manager at Lafayette Shooters, advises people to really know the person they’re buying for.

Cut 13 (11)  “with you”

Boudreaux says the federal government takes the crime of straw purchasing extremely serious. He says during the holiday season it’s often hard to discern between a gift buyer and a person purchasing a gun for someone who couldn’t pass a background check.

Cut 14 (07) “judgement”

Boudreaux encourages folks to take measures to protect yourself if you choose to give the gift of a firearm this Christmas. He says there is a program called “don’t lie for the other guy” to let others know the repercussions of a straw purchase.

Cut 15  (09) “in fines”

17:30 Newscast, December 15th, 2015

WWL-TV is reporting that the death of a man who was fatally shot by a New Orleans Police Officer early Monday has been ruled a homicide. The report indicates the coroner also identified the deceased as 33-year-old Calvin McKinnis and said he’d been shot twice by Officer Fredrick Carter. NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison earlier stated they believe McKinnis fired first then Carter returned fire. More on this as it develops.

Governor Bobby Jindal says, as he looks back on his 8 years in office, one of the things he feels he will regret is that his administration didn’t try to do more. But, Jindal says there is one specific issue he wishes they could have pushed through…:
CUT 3 (09) “even stronger”
Jindal says he’ll never regret the things they tried to do, even if they weren’t successful.

Two former Destrehan High School teachers accused in a juvenile student sex case, have been formally charged in Jefferson Parish 14 months after the alleged encounter. 25-year-old Rachel Respess is charged with failing to report the commission of a felony, while 33-year-old Shelley Dufresne faces two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Legal analyst Chick Foret…:
CUT 6 (10) “or the jury”
Both women were originally charged with two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and it wasn’t immediately clear why the Jefferson Parish case resulted in different charges.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says they are trying to identify a man they believe placed a video camera in a men’s urinal at an office building. Police say the camera was discovered by a man going to the bathroom and cops analyzed the footage and were able to capture a photo of the individual as he was placing it in the urinal.

 

16:45 Sportscast, December 15th, 2015

The New Orleans Saints climbed five spots from No. 23 to No. 18 in this week’s NFL Power Rankings. The Saints beat Tampa Bay 24-17 on Sunday, improving to 5-8 on the season. NFC South division rival Carolina is ranked No. 1, followed by the Arizona Cardinals, the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In college basketball action tonight, UL-Lafayette is on the road to face number 22 UCLA, Louisiana Tech plays at Ole Miss, Southern visits Memphis, Southeastern Louisiana takes on Florida A&M.

LSU Head Coach Les Miles says he expects to see a better performance out of quarterback Brandon Harris in the bowl game against Texas Tech. The Tigers have begun practicing for the Texas Bowl which takes place December 29th at Houston’s NRG Stadium. Miles says he expects Harris would improve in the bowl…:
CUT 1 (10) “just what we want”

ULM held a press conference this morning to formally introduce former McNeese State coach Matt Viator as the new head football coach of the Warhawks. Viator replaces Todd Berry who was let go after the Warhawks 59-21 loss to Arkansas State on November 14th. Viator says all he’s tried to do as a head coach of The Cowboys is to “do it right” and he’ll bring that approach to ULM…:
Cut 11 (07) “going to lose”
Viator amassed a 77-33 record in his 10 seasons at McNeese leading the Cowboys to four Southland Conference championships.

Willie Fritz has officially taken the leading spot of the Green Wave football team at Tulane University as he was formally introduced this morning. The former Georgia Southern head coach has 193 career victories to his name according to the NCAA and is the 4th active winningest head coach in the FBS.

 

 

16:30 Newscast, December 15th, 2015

Two former Destrehan High School teachers accused in a juvenile student sex case have been formally charged in Jefferson Parish. 25-year-old Rachel Respess’ charge was downgraded to failing to report a felony, but 33-year-old Shelley Dufresne, who already pleaded to obscenity with the juvenile in St. Charles Prish, still faces two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in Jefferson Parish. Legal analyst Chick Foret says the two prosecutors persue charges based on solid evidence…:
CUT 8 (10) “phone calls”
It wasn’t immediately clear why the Jefferson Parish case resulted in different charges.

The LSU Ag Center is held a crawfish producers meeting today, helping farmers improve their crop. Judging from the comments of Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association President David Savoy, farmers are doing just fine. He expects business to start picking up between Christmas and New Year’s, with March and April really taking off.

ULM formally introduced Matt Viator as the new head football coach of the Warhawks today. Viator amassed a 77-33 record in his 10 seasons at McNeese leading the Cowboys to four Southland Conference championships. He says the first order of business is to put together his staff…:
cut 10 (08) “for sure”
Viator replaces Todd Berry who was let go in November.

The US Army Corps of engineers says they have activated levee patrols in southeast Louisiana due to high water levels on the Mississippi River. Spokesman Ricky Boyett says the gauge on the river in New Orleans reached 11 feet which is a “trigger” to start the additional lookouts…:
CUT 12 (06) “bank stability”
He says Baton Rouge south also reached a trigger point. He says, this way, if there are any issues with the levee they can address it now before it becomes a problem. Levels are expected to normalize by the weekend.

 

15:30 Newscast, December 15th, 2015

The water on the Mississippi River has reached a level in southeast Louisiana which “triggers” the US Army National Guard to begin patrolling levees. Spokesman Ricky Boyett says, from Baton Rouge south to New Orleans, patrols will be looking out for things like seepage and bank stability. He says the inspections are entirely proactive…:
CUT 14 (11) “an issue”
He says water levels are expected to drop off dramatically before the weekend.

Two plantations in Louisiana have been nominated for the 10 Best Historic Home Tours by USA Today. Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow and Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie are among 20 historic houses on the list. You can vote once a day, every day through December 21st online at 10-Best-dot-com (10Best.com).

Governor Bobby Jindal says, as he looks back on his two terms in office, one of the things he feels he will regret is that his administration didn’t try to do more. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (26) “I’m Eric Gill”

State Police say a 30-year-old man from Lafayette was killed after being run over while he was walking on the side of the road this morning around 1am. They say a pickup truck was traveling south on LA 343 near Ridge Road when a pedestrian walked off the shoulder and into the path of the vehicle. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The matter is under investigation.

 

14:30 Newscast, December 15th, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal says as he reflects on his last eight years in office, he’s focusing on wrapping up his administration and making the transition to the new administration as smooth as possible…
CUT 5 (10) “next year”
Jindal says he’ll never regret the things they tried to do, even if they weren’t successful.

ULM held a press conference this morning to officially announce former McNeese State coach Matt Viator as the new head football coach of the Warhawks. Viator replaces Todd Berry who was let go after the Warhawks 59-21 loss to Arkansas State on November 14th. He says all he’s tried to do as a head coach of The Cowboys is to “do it right” and he’ll bring that approach to ULM…
Cut 11 (07) “going to lose”

The US Army Corps of Engineers activates increased levee patrols along the Mississippi River in southeast Louisiana due to high water. Emelie Gunn reports…:
CUT 2 (31) “Emelie Gunn”

The Jefferson Parish District Attorney has formally charged two former Destrehan High School teachers accused of having a three-way sexual encounter with a 16-year-old student. 33-year-old Shelly Dufrense faces two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. 25-year-old Rachel Respess is charged with one count of failure to report the commission of certain felonies.

 

13:30 Newscast December 15,2015

Two former Destrehan High School teachers have been formally charged in a juvenile student sex case in Jefferson Parish.  25-year-old Rachel Respess is charged with failing to report the commission of a felony, while 33-year-old Shelley Dufresne faces two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says with the current charge Respess is facing, she won’t have to register as a sex offender…:

CUT 7 (11) “a sex offense”

Governor Bobby Jindal says, as he looks back on two terms in office, one of the things he feels he will regret is that he didn’t try to do more. The governor says he wishes they could have repealed the state’s income tax. Jindal says he told his cabinet that they’d run out of time before they ran out of things to do…

CUT 4 (08)  “we had here”

 

ULM held a press conference to officially announce former McNeese State coach Matt Viator is the new head football coach of the Warhawks. Viator amassed a 77-33 record in his 10 seasons leading the Cowboys to four Southland Conference championships. Viator says this is a great opportunity and is up for the challenge.

CUT 9 (07)  “the one here”

The Army Corps of engineers says they have activated levee patrols in southeast Louisiana because of high water levels on the Mississippi River. Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says south Baton Rouge reached a trigger point at 31 feet and levels are expected to rise before falling off dramatically by the weekend. He says the Phase 1 Flood Fight could be a little longer than a week but that all depends on Mother Nature…:

cut 13 (10)  “below 11″

PM Newscall, December 15th, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal says, as he looks back on his two terms in office, one of the things he feels he will regret is that his administration didn’t try to do more. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (26)  “I’m Eric Gill”

================

The US Army Corps of Engineers activates increased levee patrols along the Mississippi River in southeast Louisiana due to high water. Emelie Gunn reports…:

CUT 2 (31)  “Emelie Gunn”

===================

Governor Bobby Jindal says, as he looks back on his 8 years in office, one of the things he feels he will regret is that his administration didn’t try to do more. But, Jindal says there is one issue he wishes the administration could have pushed through…

CUT 3 (09)  “even stronger”

The governor says he wishes they could have repealed the state’s income tax. Jindal says he’ll never regret the things they tried to do, even if they weren’t successful. He says he always told his cabinet that they’d run out of time before they ran out of things to do…

CUT 4 (08)  “we had here”

Jindal says he hasn’t made any decision about a political future. The governor says he’s currently focusing on wrapping up his administration and making the transition to the new administration as smooth as possible…

CUT 5 (10)  “next year”

============================

Two former Destrehan High School teachers accused in a juvenile student sex case, have been formally charged in Jefferson Parish 14 months after the alleged encounter. 25-year-old Rachel Respess is charged with failing to report the commission of a felony, while 33-year-old Shelley Dufresne faces two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Legal analyst Chick Foret…:

CUT 6 (10) “or the jury”

Both women were originally charged with two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and it wasn’t immediately clear why the Jefferson Parish case resulted in different charges. Foret says with the present charge Respess is facing, she wouldn’t have to register as a sex offender…:

CUT 7 (11) “a sex offense” 

8 months ago, Dufresne pleaded guilty in to an obscenity charge in St. Charles Parish for her month-long relationship with the then 16-year-old. The sexual encounter with Respess allegedly took place at her Kenner apartment. Foret says the Jefferson Parish & St. Charles prosecutors persue the charges based on the evidence before them…:

CUT 8 (10) “phone calls”

============================

ULM held a press conference this morning to officially announce former McNeese State coach Matt Viator as the new head football coach of the Warhawks. Viator amassed a 77-33 record in his 10 seasons at McNeese leading the Cowboys to four Southland Conference championships. Viator says he looks at this as a great opportunity and a great challenge…

CUT 9 (07)  “the one here”

Viator replaces Todd Berry who was let go after the Warhawks 59-21 loss to Arkansas State on November 14th. McNeese finished this season with a 10-1 record, losing in the second round of the FCS playoffs. Viator says the first order of business is to put together his staff…

cut 10 (08)  “for sure”

The Warhawks finished this season with a 2-11 record. Viator says all he’s tried to do as a head coach is to “do it right” and he’ll bring that approach to ULM…

Cut 11 (07) “going to lose”

============================

The Army Corps of engineers says they have activated levee patrols in southeast Louisiana due to high water levels on the Mississippi River. Spokesman Ricky Boyett says the gauge on the river in New Orleans reached 11 feet which is a “trigger” to start the additional lookouts…:

cut 12 (06)  “bank stability”

Boyett says Baton Rouge south also reached a trigger point at 31 feet and both levels are expected to rise before falling off dramatically before the weekend. He says the Phase 1 Flood Fight could last a a little more than a week but that depends on mother nature…:

cut 13 (10)  “below 11”

Boyett says heavy loads over the levee are not permitted during the increased protections and, unless special waivers are granted, underground work within 1500 feet of the levee is not allowed. He says the inspections for these flood fights are entirely proactive…:(Boyett says they activate flood fights in different stages to identify any possible issues that could arise so that they can be addressed now before it becomes a problem.)

cut 14 (11)  “an issue” 

============================

 

12:30 Newscast, December 15th, 2015

Two former Destrehan High School teachers accused in a juvenile student sex case, have been formally charged in Jefferson Parish 14 months after the alleged encounter. 25-year-old Rachel Respess is charged with failing to report the commission of a felony, while 33-year-old Shelley Dufresne faces two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Legal analyst Chick Foret…:
CUT 6 (10) “or the jury”
Both women were originally charged with two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and it wasn’t immediately clear why the Jefferson Parish case resulted in different charges.

Today is the last day to sign up for heath insurance through the federal marketplace if you want your coverage tos tart by 2016. The Affordable Care Act requires citizens to carry health coverage or pay a fan. You can sign up at healthcare.gov.

Governor Bobby Jindal says, as he looks back on his two terms in office, one of the things he feels he will regret is that his administration didn’t try to do more. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (26) “I’m Eric Gill”

This morning ULM officialy introduced former McNeese State coach Matt Viator as the new head of the Warhawk football team. Viator says his first mission will be to put together his staff.

11:40 Sportscast December 15, 2015

LSU continues preparing today for the Texas Bowl, where they’ll play Texas Tech on December 29th. Starting quarterback Brandon Harris is coming off a performance where he only completed seven passes for 83 yards. But Coach Les Miles expects Harris to play much better against the Red Raiders…

cut 24 (20) “…what we want”

Harris has thrown for 19-hundred yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season.

The Portland Trail Blazers won their seventh in a row over the Pelicans last night 105-100. Five Trail Blazers scored in double figures, led by Damian Lillard’s 30. Anthony Davis led the Pels with 28 in the losing effort. The Pelican’s road trip continues tomorrow night at Utah.

ULM held a press conference this morning to officially announce former McNeese State coach Matt Viator as the new head coach of the Warhawks. Viator amassed a 77-33 record in his 10 seasons at McNeese leading the Cowboys to four Southland Conference championships. Viator says the first order of business is to put together his staff…

cut 9 (08) “for sure”

The Warhawks finished this season with a 2-11 record.

On the college hardwood last night, Louis Dabney scored 24 to lead Tulane to a 63-49 win over Prairie View A&M. The Green Wave hits the road to face 11th ranked North Carolina tomorrow night. Nicholls State lost to North Texas 78-60.

In college basketball action tonight, UL-Lafayette is on the road to face number 22 UCLA, Louisiana Tech plays at Ole Miss, Southern visits Memphis, Southeastern Louisiana takes on Florida A&M.