LRN newscast 15:30 07-15-15

According to financial reports filed today by federal regulators, Governor Bobby Jindal raised about $579 thousand dollars in his first week as a Republican presidential candidate. But, ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is not a very strong first step for the governor…
CUT 9 (06) “presidential field”
Although the Washington Examiner reports that Jindal also has almost $9 million in his corner thanks to supportive outside groups like the Believe Again Super PAC and America Next.

State Police announce nine arrests for filing fraudulent insurance claims and keeping the money they received. Sgt. James Anderson says some of employees at Kemper Home Service Group in Lake Charles were filing false claims, and the Insurance Fraud Unit went to work…
CUT 5 (09) Q: “all pay for it” (2x)
————————————-
Gas prices are slowly falling in Louisiana as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.53. That’s according to the American Automobile Association. Fuel analyst Don Redman says this is about a nickel cheaper than last month.
CUT 6 (05) “to drop”
He says we’ve seen a drop in the price of crude from 60 to 50 dollars a barrel.

The Huey P. Long Medical Center in Pineville has been unoccupied since last summer when the hospital closed. But now, it’s been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Mayor Clarence Fields says he hopes the listing will encourage private investors to take a look at the facility and develop plans to re-purpose the building…
cut 13 (10) “downtown area”

LRN Newscast 14:30 07-15-15

Some state arrests have been made for filing fraudulent insurance claims and keeping the money received. State Police Sgt. James Anderson says a majority of the fake claims they discovered were for lightning damage losses to electrical appliances from Kemper Home Service in Lake Charles.
CUT 4 (07) Q: “after the fact”
Nine people were arrested with fraudulent claims totaling over $55 thousand dollars

It doesn’t happen too often when gas prices start a drop in the middle of summer, but that’s what’s going on around the nation and Louisiana. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the price of crude has dropped from 60 to 50 dollars a barrel…
CUT 8 (09) Q: “the summer”
Redman says the slowing of the economy in Europe strengthens the U.S. dollar which greatly affects the cost of oil.
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Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign has raised about $579 thousand dollars in his first week, according to financial reports filed todday. That’s near the bottom of the Republican field, and ULM Political Science professor Joshua Stockley says he’ll need a lot more to improve his poll numbers to be considered for the upcoming debates…
CUT 11 (07) Q: ‘additional momentum”
Reports indicate a Super PAC supporting Jindal, and a nonprofit that’s backing him have combined to raise eight-point-six million.

The Huey P. long Medical Center in Pineville has been unoccupied since last summer, but now the 76 year-old facility is officially on the National Register of Historic Places. Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says losing the hospital was upsetting, but he hopes something like this will encourage someone or a group to fix it up and use it again…
CUT 14 (06) Q: “building”

13:30 Newscast, July 15th, 2015

Gas prices in Louisiana are slowly continuing to drop. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The New Orleans Police Department says a man with a gun who was allegedly trying to rob a customer at a gas station had the tables turned onto him and was shot by the customer. Cops say early this morning the gunman wanted to rob the business and a customer but was stopped when he took a bullet by the customer. The robbery suspect was taken to a hospital and authorities say he will be booked upon release.

According to financial reports filed Wednesday by federal regulators, Governor Bobby Jindal raised about $579,000 in his first week as a Republican presidential candidate. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Jindal’s short term fundraising goal is to be able to adequately campaign in Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire…:
CUT 10 (08) “the nomination”
He says $579,000 puts Jindal near the bottom of the Republican field. However, the Washington Examiner reports that Jindal also has almost $9 million in his corner thanks to supportive outside groups

The 76-year-old Huey P. Long Medical Center in Pineville is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says it’s a worthy designation for a building that’s meant a lot to the people of central Louisiana…:
CUT 12 (05) “the register”
He says this increases the chances that the building will be repurposed.

 

12:30 Newscast, July 15th, 2015

According to financial reports filed Wednesday by federal regulators, Governor Bobby Jindal raised about $579,000 in his first week as a Republican presidential candidate. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Employees and leaders at Zatarain’s in Gretna were on hand celebrating this week’s end of construction of the new company facility which is nearly triple in size. By the end of next year, the 80,000 square foot expansion will be online with new manufacturing lines packaging all of their Zatarain’s Cajun Creole products.

Gas prices are starting to go down once again. The American Automobile Association says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.53, down a nickel from this time last month. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says this is not a nationwide trend and the West Coast is currently seeing prices go up by about 20 cents a gallon due to refinery and market issues. He says we’re not affected by this increase
CUT 7 (08) “a gallon”
Prices in the state are already about 90 cents lower than they were a year ago.

LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette has confirmed reports that Tigers defensive tackle Travonte Valentine is no longer on the football team. The blue-chip recruit is reportedly taking his talents to Arizona Western Community College.

 

11:30 Newscast, July 15th, 2015

Gas prices are slowly falling in Louisiana as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.53. That’s according to the American Automobile Association. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says this is about a nickel cheaper than last month…:
CUT 6 (05) “to drop”
He says the slowing of the economy in Europe strengthens the US dollar which greatly affects the cost of oil.

According to financial reports filed today by federal regulators, Governor Bobby Jindal raised about $579,000 in his first week as a Republican presidential candidate. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is not a very strong first step for the Governor…:
CUT 9 (06) “presidential field”
However, the Washington Examiner reports that Jindal also has almost $9 million in his corner because of supportive outside groups like the Believe Again Super PAC and America Next.

Officials in Pineville are happy today about the Huey P. Long Medical Center getting on the National Register of Historic Places. The 76-year-old hospital’s last day of operation was June 30th, 2014 and city leaders have been urging that the building be repurposed. Being on the National Register doesn’t guarantee the building won’t be torn down, it will reduce the likelihood and increase chances the building will get back up and running.

State Police announce the arrest of nine people for filing fraudulent insurance claims and keeping the money received. Sgt. James Anderson says the Kemper Home Service Group contacted them concerned that some of their employees in the Lake Charles area were filing false claims…:
CUT 3 (07) “of that investigation”
The fraudulent claims totaled over $55,000.

 

10:30 Newscast, July 15th, 2015

The national Confederate flag controversy could be causing problems at a Louisiana High School. Emelie Gunn has the story…:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

According to financial reports filed Wednesday by federal regulators, Governor Bobby Jindal has raised about $579,000 for his Republican presidential campaign. Since Jindal announced his candidacy on June 24th, the report shows he’s drawing most of his money from a base of supporters in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry has handed out “F” grades to 94 lawmakers in their annual legislative scorecard. LABI’s Vice President for Policy and Research Camille Conaway says lawmakers who received an “F” grade voted for more than 600 million dollars in new taxes on businesses…:
cut 4 (10) “failing grades”
Lawmakers say the tax increases were necessary to prevent big budget cuts to higher education and health care.

The St. John The Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man is under arrest after cops say he used his 5-year-old son to break into his mother’s house through an air conditioning vent to unlock the door. They say 30-year-old Anthony Wilson are accused of robbing the residence then fleeing with the child and his wife. The couple was caught after cops responded to a burglar alarm. They face multiple charges after the child confessed.

 

09:30 Newscast July 15, 2015

A new report finds Louisiana has the third highest average combined state and local sales tax rate in the country. Jeff Palermo has the details…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Monroe man accused of stabbing three women. They say 44-year-old Earl Haynes was involved in an altercation with several people when he grabbed a large kitchen knife. The victims tried to flee, but Haynes followed them outside where he allegedly stabbed three of them. The three victims were transported to a local hospital. Haynes is being held on three counts of aggravated battery.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s annual legislative scorecard shows 94 lawmakers received “F” grades for approving $600 million in new taxes on businesses. LABI’s Camille Conaway says there will certainly be an impact on the election cycle as a result of the tax increase…

cut 6 (11) “scorecard”

Many lawmakers who received “F”s are up for reelection or running for another political office this year.

The national Confederate flag controversy has prompted some to create a Facebook page calling for the “Rebels” mascot to be changed at West Monroe High School. Alumnus Shane Acree, who supports the current mascot, says West Monroe High has generational pride and students and alumni don’t want their mascot changed…

cut 15 (09) “from us”

Acree has started a counter page called “Hands off my West Monroe High School mascot.”

08:30 Newscast July 15, 2015

LABI handed out 94 “F” grades to lawmakers on their yearly scorecard. Scott Carwile has more on why so many failed…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

Lake Charles Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly shot at several people outside a home. Authorities say the five victims said a green SUV stopped and someone got out of the vehicle and began shooting at them. No one was seriously injured in the incident. No arrests have been made, at this time, but police say they do have several leads. The investigation is ongoing.

A recent report by the Tax Foundation shows Louisiana has the third highest average combined state and local sales tax in the nation. Economist Scott Drenkard says Louisiana has one of the highest rates, because of its generous homestead tax exemption, which reduces the amount of property taxes homeowners pay…

cut 9 (09) “in a different tax”

He says Louisiana’s average combined state and local sales tax rate is 9.01 percent.

The controversy over the Confederate flag and monuments has caused some to question whether the “Rebels” mascot is appropriate for West Monroe High School. 1989 Alumnus Shane Acree says their mascot has nothing to do with what’s going on with the Confederate flag controversy across the country…

cut 14 (10) “our mascot”

A Facebook page has been started calling for a new nickname for West Monroe High, but Acree says he’s heard it isn’t being seriously considered by the School Board Superintendent.

07:30 Newscast July 15, 2015

According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana has moved past Alabama for the third highest average combined state and local sales tax in the nation. Economist Scott Drenkard says Louisiana’s average combined state and local sales tax rate is 9.01 percent. He says that’s because a few local governments raised their sales taxes

cut 8 (10) “previous tabulation”

The Tax Foundation puts together a report every July on sales tax rates.

94 state lawmakers received “F” grades in the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s annual legislative scorecard. LABI’s Camille Conaway says this past session saw the highest tax increase in Louisiana in decades and it was unnecessary because there were other avenues that the legislature could’ve used to balance the budget.

cut 5 (10) “you believe”

Many of the lawmakers who received “F” grades are up for reelection or running for another political office.

The controversy over the Confederate flag and monuments has spilled over to whether the “Rebels” mascot is appropriate for West Monroe High School. A Facebook page has been started calling for a new nickname for the school. But 1989 Alumnus Shane Acree has started a counter page called “Hands off my West Monroe High School mascot.”

cut 13 (09) “no different”

The West Monroe High School Rebel Mascot Change Facebook page states their message is: “we have seen the rebel mascot and partnering Confederate flag cause much harm and suffering to many of our friends, family, and business associates.”

Livingston Sen. Dale Erdey is asking the Department of Transportation to study the possibility of turning the inside shoulder of I-12 into a travel lane between Baton Rouge and Walker. He says, right now, the process is in the early stages…

cut 11 (06) “from DOTD”

Erdey says not only would this help the many motorists who use I-12 through Baton Rouge, it would be good for commerce as well.

06:45 Sportscast July 15, 2015

Defensive coordinator John Chavis’ move from LSU to Texas A&M was a topic for discussion when Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin appeared at SEC Media Days. Sumlin admitted he went after Chavis after his LSU defenses kept Aggie offenses in check…

cut 16 (24) “needed it”

The “Chief” will return to Baton Rouge on November 28th, when LSU hosts A&M.

The Louisiana High School Coaches Association has hired Terence Williams as their new director. The former Redemptorist and Donaldsonville football coach is the second full-time director of the LHSCA, succeeding Gary Duhe who held the position for the past two years.

Former Dutchtown standout wide receiver Shelby Christy announced on twitter that he’ll be transferring to U-L Lafayette. Christy signed with Mississippi State out of high school, but didn’t play in the 2013 or 2014 seasons because of injuries. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he will not be able to play this season.

In last night’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout became the first player to hit a lead off home run in the game in 38 years as the American League defeated the National League 6-3. Trout also became the first player to take home the game’s MVP award two years in a row. Former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu went 0-2 at the plate for the National League. With the win, the American League champion will get home field advantage in this year’s World Series.

UNO has released its 2015-16 basketball schedule and it features the Privateers bringing back some non-conference in-state rivalries. UNO will face Tulane on December 2nd and UL-Lafayette on December 21st. The Privateers finished last season with an 11-18 record and their first Southland Conference Tournament appearance since 2010.