06:30 Newscast November 19, 2014

Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu did not prevail in her attempt to get the US Senate to pass a bill that would authorize the construction of the Keystone Oil Pipeline. Landrieu has spent the last week trying to pass the bill as a way to show her clout in Congress in the Senate runoff. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…

cut 14 (14) “so Republican”

The measure needed 60 votes to pass but it only got 59.

According to the Department of Health and Hospitals, flu activity is on the increase in Louisiana. Frank Welch, Medical Director for the Immunization Program, says the state typically gets a late start on flu activity, but not this year…

cut 11 (08) “past few years”

Welch says it appears the flu is broadly broken out all over the state.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana says a school bus driver in East Baton Rouge Parish detained and harassed a student because he thought the 16-year-old was gay. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says the incident involved a student from Broadmoor High School…

cut 7 (10) “was gay”

E-B-R school system spokesperson Keith Bromery says the bus driver’s supervisor is aware of the situation and it’s been addressed…

Cut 9 (08) “behavior”

Bromery says they’ll use this incident as an example when training bus drivers.

AM Newscall November 19th, 2014

According to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the drone industry will have an estimated economic impact of $213 million dollars on Louisiana. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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According to the Department of Health and Hospitals, flu activity is on the increase in Louisiana. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 2 (27) “reporting”

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Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu did not prevail in her attempt to get the US Senate to pass a bill that would authorize the construction of the Keystone Oil Pipeline. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (28) “reporting”

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According to the Association for Unnamed Vehicle Systems International, the drone industry will have an estimated economic impact of $213 million dollars on Louisiana over the next three years and generate over 1,000 jobs. President Michael Toscano says there are many entities that have started making drones a big part of their business…:

Cut 4  (06)  “public safety”

According to the secretary of state’s website, several drone companies have popped up in Louisiana over the last couple of years. Toscano says unmanned aircraft systems are very good as delivery systems and situation awareness — the extension of the eyes and ears of a human…:

Cut 5  (09)  “efficient way”

Toscano says utility companies are using drones to inspect things like pipes and power lines which is a far more safe and effective way. He says farmers can use drones to check on the health of their crops and water and spray them more efficiently and selectively. Toscano says the ways people can use drones to make their jobs easier is growing by the day:

Cut 6 (08)  “better crops”

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana says a school bus driver in East Baton Rouge Parish detained and harassed a student because he thought the 16-year-old was gay. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says the incident involved a student from Broadmoor High School

CUT 7 (10)  “was gay”

Esman says they’ve asked the East Baton Rouge School System to fully investigate the complaint and educate their employees, including bus drivers, it’s illegal to harass a student based on sexual orientation or religion

Cut 8 (10)    “proselytizing students” 

E-B-R school system spokesperson Keith Bromery says the bus driver’s supervisor is aware of the situation and it’s been addressed

Cut 9 (08)       “behavior”  

Bromery says they’ll use this incident as an example when training bus drivers that they should not harass students about religious or sexual orientation beliefs

Cut 10 (11)  be tolerated” 

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According to the Department of Health and Hospitals, flu activity is on the increase in Louisiana. Frank Welch, Medical Director for the Immunization Program, says the state typically gets a late start on flu activity, but not this year…

cut 11 (08)  “past few years”

He says there is no real reason why the flu is more active in Louisiana this year in comparison to recent years. Welch says it appears the flu is broadly broken out all over the state…

cut 12 (08)  “pretty much everywhere”

Welch says the strain of flu that seems to be dominant this year, is one that is captured by the flu shot. He says if you haven’t gotten your flu shot, yet, now is the time to do so. Welch says there are two reason you should get inoculated…

Cut 13 (08)  “to anyone else”

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Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu did not prevail in her attempt to get the US Senate to pass a bill that would authorize the construction of the Keystone Oil Pipeline. The measure needed 60 votes to pass but it only got 59. Landrieu has spent the last week trying to pass the bill as a way to show her clout in Congress in the Senate runoff. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…:

Cut 14 (14)  “so Republican”

Pinsonat says at this point, he has no idea why Landrieu would continue to fight in the runoff against Congressman Bill Cassidy….:

Cut 15  (13)  “US Senator”

Pinsonat says the fact that Landrieu couldn’t pull off the push to pass the Keystone bill by her own colleagues is the final nail in her coffin in the US Senate race…:

Cut 16  (10)  “devastating”

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The Ragin Cajuns will play their final home game of the season on Saturday when they host Appalachian State. U-L Lafayette Head Coach Mark Hudspeth says the Mountaineers have two of the best offensive players in the league in quarterback Taylor Lamb and Marcus Cox and they play well together as a team…

Cut 17  (14)   “up there”

Hudspeth says he hopes they’ll have the biggest crowd of the season for the final home game of the year….

Cut 18 (16) “to ask”

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Louisiana Tech hits the road this weekend looking to improve to 7-0 in Conference USA action. The Bulldogs are at Old Dominion who is 4-and-6 overall, 2-and-4 in the league. Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz says even though the Monarchs have a losing record, they have one of the better offenses in the conference

Cut 19 (19)   “a carry”

A win for the Bulldogs on Saturday and they will clinch the Western Division of Conference USA. Holtz says he’s talked to his team about staying focused on Old Dominion and not worry about the division standings

Cut 20 (11)  “we want”

 

LRN Newscast 16:30 11-18-14

One of the former Destrehan High School teachers arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student is asking a judge to ease her house arrest restrictions.
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

State Treasurer John Kennedy is reporting a record $35.5 million dollars in refunds for Louisiana’s Unclaimed Property Program for the last fiscal year. Right now, there is more than $635 million dollars in unclaimed property. You can search online at LAtreasury.com.

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Lake Charles Police have arrested three men today accused of a violent home invasion and robbery last week that resulted in the sexual battery of a woman who was homealone. Chief Don Dixon says they believe the trio targeted that specific house…
CUT 9 (12) “to forgive you”
The bond for 22 year-olds Sedric Green, Joshua Bryant, and Jaylin Jack is at 1 million dollars each.

State Farm announces they will increase auto insurance rates for Louisiana customers beginning December 8th.
cut 12 (11) “with that”
Spokesman Gary Stephenson says the statewide average increase will be about 3.6 percent.

LRN Newscast 15:30 11-18-14

Ouachita Parish will not be declared a federal disaster area after tornadoes ripped it last month. Here’s Eric Gill with more…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Grammy award-winning artist Stevie Wonder will be traveling to New Orleans to headline a campaign fundraiser for Democratic Senator mary Landrieu early next month. Wonder recorded a radio ad for Landrieu during the primary. The exact time of the fundraiser will be announced later date.
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A violent home invasion crime targeted against a woman who was home alone in Lake Charles last week has three men arrested today. Lake Charles Police Chief Don Dixon says the victim sustained physical injuries during the attack, but she is recovering…
CUT 11 (05) Q: “that closure”
Twenty year olds Sedric Green, Joshua Bryant, and Jaylin Jack are charged with armed robbery, armed robbery with a firearm, second-degree kidnapping, and second-degree sexual battery.

The former teacher accused of having sex with a Destrehan High School student is asking for some leniency in her house arrest. Thirty-two year-old Shelley Dufrense is seeking some time for a Jazzercize class to help with depression and a mood disorder. Another reason is Dufrense’s oldest child has autism and requires therapy twice a week…
CUT 8 (11) Q: ‘his decision’
That’s Legal Analyst Tim Meche. A hearing on the matter will be held next Tuesday.

LRN Newscast 14:30 11-18-14

The former Destrehan High School teacher arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student has asked a judge to ease her house arrest. Thirty-two year-old Shelley Dufrense is seeking to be allowed outside of her home, so she can attend a Jazzercise class to help treat her depression and a mood disorder…
CUT 7 (07) Q: “unhealthy things”
That’s legal analyst Tim Meche. A hearing on the motion is set for next Tuesday.

Even though tornadoes did about 4 million dollars in damage last month, Ouachita Parish will not be declared a federal disaster area, since the damage needs to be at least 6.2 million dollars. Without that help, individuals are being hit hard.
CUT 5 (09) Q: ‘government spending”
That’s Neal Brown, the Director of the Ouachita Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

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Lake Charles Police Chief Don Dixon is calling last week’s crime of a violent home invasion a senseless act of brutality against a woman who was alone…
CUT 10 (08) Q; “beyond description”
Twenty year olds Sedric Green, Joshua Bryant, and Jaylin Jack are charged with armed robbery, armed robbery with a firearm, second-degree kidnapping, and second-degree sexual battery.

Car insurance rates with Louisiana’s number one insurer are going up again. Spokesman Gary Stephenson says the actual amount of the State Farm increase will vary from person to person and from location to location…:
cut 14 (12) “slightly higher”
Those increases take effect December 8th.

13:30 Newscast November 18th, 2014

One of the former Destrehan High School teachers arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old students asks a judge to ease her house arrest restrictions. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

US Senator Mary Landrieu’s campaign announces R&B singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder will perform at a New Orleans fundraiser for the incumbent in her runoff bid against Congressman Bill Cassidy. Full details on the event will be released at a later date. The campaign says Wonder is a long-time friend and supporter of Senator Landrieu’s.

If you’ve got car insurance through State Farm your rate is going up on December 8th in Louisiana. Spokesman Gary Stephenson says the good news is the statewide average will increase about 3.6 percent which is relatively small…:
CUT 13 (07) “from time to time”
State Farm is the largest insurer of automobiles in Louisiana and in the United States.

Ouachita Parish won’t be getting federal money to aid in the aftermath of the tornadoes that went through the area in October. FEMA calculated that the tornadoes did $4 million in damage and $6.3 million in damage is required to be declared a federal disaster. Neal Brown, Director of the Ouachita Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they also didn’t reach the threshold of uninsured home owners who were impacted…:
CUT 4 (13) “under insured”

12:30 Newscast November 18th, 2014

Lake Charles Police have arrested three men accused of a violent home invasion last week that resulted in the sexual battery of a woman in the home. Sedric Green, Joshua Bryant, and Jaylin Jack, all 22-years-old, were booked with armed robbery with a firearm, second-degree kidnapping, and second-degree sexual battery. Chief Don Dixon says they believe the three targeted the home for a robbery…:
CUT 9 (12) “to forgive you”

State Farm announces they will increase auto insurance rates for its customers beginning December 8th. Spokesman Gary Stephenson says the statewide the overall rate will go up 3.6 percent on average for private passenger vehicles…:
CUT 12 (11) “with that”
He says the rate increase will vary from person to person and where you’re located in the state.

Treasurer John Kennedy says the state’s unclaimed property program returned $35.5 million dollars in refunds to 116,000 people during the 2013-2014 fiscal year — shattering the previous year’s amount of $4.2 million. You can find out if you have unclaimed property online at LATreasury.com.

Falling oil prices are having a negative impact on the state’s oil and gas industry. Many analysts say layoffs are in the industry’s near future. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says the low prices for oil is forcing companies to pull back and reassessing their budgets…:
CUT 1 (09) “for next year”

11:30 Newscast November 18th, 2014

e former 32-year-old Destrehan High School teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student has asked a judge to ease her house arrest restrictions. Shelley Dufrense is seeking to be allowed outside of her home from 7 A-M to 8 PM, so she can take her kids to school and attend Jazzercise. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s likely the judge will grant Dufrense’s request…:
CUT 6 (09) “to comply”
A hearing on the motion is set for next Tuesday.

Baton Rouge Police are looking for a suspect in the case of the West St. John High School football coach that was shot and killed outside of a nightclub over the weekend. They say if anyone has any information on the whereabouts 25-year-old Kendrick Cloud, please call CrimeStoppers. cloud is wanted for the murder of 27-year-old Juan Joseph.

Ouachita Parish will not be declared a federal disaster area after tornadoes ripped through the area last month. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

State Farm, the largest insurer of automobiles in Louisiana, announces its raising overall rate level in Louisiana an average of 3.6 percent beginning December 8th. They say overall premium changes will vary based on coverage, discount and location in the state. The price we pay for car insurance here has been and IS some of the highest in the nation.

10:30 Newscast November 18th, 2014

The Baton Rouge Police Department has identified a suspect in the shooting death of a West St. John High School football coach over the weekend. They say 25-year-old Kendric Cloud of Baker is wanted in connection with the murder of 27-year-old Juan Joseph. BRPD says the victim was killed outside of a nightclub early Sunday morning. Anyone with information on Cloud’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities.

Falling oil prices are having a negative impact on the state’s oil and gas industry:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Ouachita Parish will not be declared a federal disaster area after tornadoes ripped through the area last month. Without the declaration, public agencies in the parish will not receive federal reimbursement for costs associated with storm damage expenses. Neal Brown is the Director of the Ouachita Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness…:
CUT 3 (08) “the threshold”
FEMA calculated that the tornadoes did $4 million in damage and $6.3 million in damage is required to be declared a federal disaster.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s office says a man from Zwolle is behind bars on murder charges for allegedly stabbing his step-father seven times. They say 27-year-old Dustin Rivers claimed 51-year-old Howard Ferguson hit him first in the head with an aluminum bat during a fight. Rivers is being held on $25,000 bond after his Sunday night arrest for second-degree murder.

09:30 Newscast November 18, 2014

Construction is underway on an 110-million dollar expansion and renovation at the LSU College of Engineering. Scott Carwile has the story…

cut 2 (27) “reporting”

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 58-year-old Belle Rose man after his attempt to rape a woman was thwarted by her 16-year-old son. Authorities say after Henry Buggage gave the victim a ride home, he began to attack the woman in the living room of her home. That’s when the woman’s 16-year-old son stepped in and Buggage ran from the house. Buggage is charged with attempted rape and home

The falling price of oil is having a negative impact on the state’s oil and gas industry. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says the low prices for oil are forcing companies to pull back and reassess their budgets…

cut 4 (09) “for next year”

Many analysts say layoffs are in the industry’s near future.

Retired US Army General Wesley Clark is in Louisiana promoting the federal free cell phone program despite opposition from Senator David Vitter. The Senator claims the program is riddled with fraud but Clark says many steps have been taken to ensure the privilege is not abused…

cut 15 (12) “Lifeline phones”

Vitter says he would like to see the Lifeline program restored to its original intent of land-lines and he’s challenged Clark to a debate which was accepted Monday.