4:30 Newscast

 A former Tangipahoa Parish School teacher has been arrested. 33 year Morgan Freche is accused of sex crimes, including a rape charge. According to the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s office, Investigations began after receiving reports that a now 17 year old student had fathered Freche’s child.

Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says even if the sexual relationship was consensual, it is still rape.

Cut 13 (09) “… third-degree-rape.”

The sexual misconduct allegations date back approximately 2 years. Freche turned herself in detectives this morning after several warrants had been issued. Freche is charged with 4 counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, one count of oral sexual battery, and 3rd Degree Rape

After two full days of early voting for the gubernatorial primary, The Secretary of State’s office says voter turnout may point to a lower turnout. Gubernatorial primary voting is usually in the mid-40s, but Couvillon says based on the first two days of early voting, the turnout could be lower than that…

Cut 11 (13) “…mid thirties.”

Couvillon also said more Republicans are early voting than Democrats so far.

You may want to take a look at the newspaper today. 81 thousand new names of unclaimed property owners have been published in local Louisiana papers. State Treasurer John Schroder says they want to reunite residents with money received by the Louisiana treasury.

Checking accounts, savings accounts, unpaid wages, life insurance payouts, and proceeds from safety deposit boxes are among unclaimed properties.

3:30 Newcast

 A 33 year old former Tangipahoa Parish school teacher accused of sex crimes, including a rape charge, has been arrested after turning herself in to detectives this morning. Investigators claim she was impregnated by a now 17 year old student.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office says Morgan Freche was a teacher at Loranger Middle School.

 

We’re just a few days into early voting but trends may be pointing to lower voter turnout. The Secretary of State’s office says voter turnout for a gubernatorial primary is usually in the mid-40s, but Couvillon says based on the first two days of early voting, the turnout could be lower than that…

Cut 11 (13) “…mid thirties.”

 

Couvillon also said more Republicans are early voting than Democrats so far.

The Louisiana Treasury announced more than 80 thousand names of unclaimed property owners in every parish will be published beginning today through Friday. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

 

The Louisiana Department of Education is receiving $10 million to improve opportunities for students with disabilities. Louisiana is one of 20 states to be awarded the funds. Dr. Cade Brumley…

Cut 8 (08) “…position possible.”

 

The funds will be distributed over a five-year cycle.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Accused Former Tangipahoa Parish Teacher, Morgan Freche of Loranger turned herself in to detectives this morning. 33 year old Freche is acussed of sexual misconduct with a now 17 year old. Incidents dating back approximately 2 years allegedly resulted in her preganacy. According to The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office Freche turned herself into detectives after several warrants were issued for her arrest.

 

Louisiana is one of 20 states to receive $10 million to better prepare high school students with disabilities. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

 

Almost 4 percent of Louisiana’s registered voters have already cast their ballots for next month’s elections. As of Monday, Over 118 thousand people participated in early voting which began on Saturday that’s According to the Secretary of State’s Office. John Couvillon says so far more registered Republicans are showing up to the polls than Democrats

Cut 10 (12) “… more Democratic.”

 

You may want to check the newspaper for your name. Beginning today, nearly 81 thousand new names of unclaimed property owners are being published in local newspapers. State Treasurer John Schroder says they are committed to reconnecting residents with money received by the Louisiana Treasury.

Cut 3 (11) “…new data.”

 

Unclaimed Property consists of abandoned financial assets like checking and savings accounts, unpaid wages, life insurance payouts, proceeds from safety deposit boxes, and more. Due to changes in addresses or other reasons, people may not always be aware of money owed to them when businesses attempt to return the property to the owners. Schroder says they’ve been able to identify tens of thousands of recipients who are owed money, but it could also include relatives.

11:30 LRN Newscast

House GOP leader State Representative Blake Miquez and sugar cane farmer Hugh Andre are running for Senate in District 22, one of the most competitive races in the state. The race includes Lafayette, Iberia, and St. Martin parishes. The Advocate Journalist Tyler Bridges says the winner will determine if the higher chamber remains conservative in a pragmatic bipartisan manner.

Cut 13 (10) “… LGBTQ rights.”

And Bridges says the winner of this race will also determine the next Senate President Pro Tem.

The Louisiana Treasury has announced nearly 81 thousand names of unclaimed property owners have been published in local newspapers. To find the list of Unclaimed Property owners, State Treasurer John Schroder encourages residents in every parish to check the Legal Notices section in their local newspaper. He says this is a crucial step in reuniting residents with unclaimed funds.

Cut 5 (07) “ …return it.”  

Residents can also visit LA Wallet or visit LACashClaim.org to check names for unclaimed property.

Amendment 4 on the October 14th ballot would allow local governments to remove property tax exemptions from nonprofit organizations that lease housing. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Early voting is underway for the October 14th primary election and will continue through Saturday. Polls are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  If you will not be in town during early voting or election day, officials urge residents to request an absentee ballot. On election day, polls will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2:30 LRN Newscast October 2

There were no power winners this weekend so tonights Powerball jackpot is $1.04 billion. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Dustin Annison…

Cut 6 (11) “…one million.”

Tonight’s jackpot cash value is $478 million. Tickets must be purchased by 9 p.m. to qualify for tonight’s drawing.

Fall is finally here but Sunday’s high reached into the 90s. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll definitely feel a chill in the air.

Cut 5 (06) “ …finally arrives.”  

Lows on Saturday will be in the lower 60s and upper 50s.

30-year-old Zachary Faulk of Merryville has been arrested for allegedly starting a fire on his property on August 17th. Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 9 (11) “…several days.” 

Faulk was arrested in connection to was adjacent to and part of the Tiger Island Fire, but the big battle was to save the town of Merryville. He faces one count of negligent burning and one count of violating the state burn ban.

Saints fans suffered a disappointing loss over the weekend. On Sunday, Saints failed to score a touchdown in a 26-9 defeat to Tampa Bay. New Orleans has scored 21 or fewer points in ten consecutive games. Quarterback Derek Carr threw for only 127 yards in yesterday’s loss…

Cut 12 (08) “..right now” 

12:30 LRN Newscast

There were no winners in Saturday night’s Powerball jackpot so tonight’s drawing is valued at $1.04 billion. Lottery Spokesperson Dustin Annison says players can win prizes from the lottery without matching all six numbers.

Cut 7 (12) “…your numbers.” 

The cash value of tonight’s jackpot is $478 million, making it the fourth-largest jackpot in the history of the game

Investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Enforcement Division have arrested 30-year-old Zachary Faulk of Merryville. Commissioner Mike Strain says Faulk faces one count of negligent burning and one count of violating the state burn ban after he allegedly started a fire on his property on August 17th…

Cut 9 (11) “…several days.” 

Faulk surrendered himself on September 25th to the Beauregard Parish Jail. (Bond was set at $50,00)

After one of the most oppressive summers on record, fall-like temperatures are on the horizon, just a little later than normal. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

 

10:30 LRN Newscast

We are nearing the end of this year’s hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says while we are in the home stretch, on average October does not lack tropical activity

 Cut 11 (10) “…of October.”

In 1985 Hurricane Juan made landfall near Morgan City on October 29.

The Louisiana Civil Rights Museum will officially open on Sunday inside the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the museum is part of a continued effort to educate visitors about Louisiana’s place in the Civil Rights Movement and the real-life activists like Leona Tate…

Cut 7 (13) “…on forever.”

The five thousand-square-foot exhibit includes information about lunch counter sit-ins, Southern University students marching to the Capitol in 1960, swim-ins leading to the desegregation of public pools, and more. Nungessor says the museum serves as a way to learn about the past.

Amendment 3 on the October 14th ballot would increase the percentage of state surplus dollars to pay off state retirement debt of $ 17 billion. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Homeowners in the Bayou State will be able to apply for grants of up to $10 thousand grant through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program to assist with their roofs starting today at noon. Residents will have to meet certain requirements. The grants will be available on a first come-first served basis.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Early voting for the October 14th election is underway and the ballot features four constitutional amendments. Amendment 3 requires lawmakers to use 25 percent of any state surplus to pay state retirement debt. President of the Public Affairs and Research Council Steven Procopio…

Cut 13 (08) “…around 2029,”

The four major retirement systems have a combined $17 billion gap between how much they need to pay in benefits and their investment assets.

Now that we’ve reached the next to last month of hurricane season, State Climatologist Barry Keim says if we can get through the next few weeks without a named storm in the Gulf, it’s highly likely Louisiana will be unscathed this hurricane season. The latest storm on record to threaten Louisiana was Halloween – 28 years ago.

Cut 10 (07) “…in general.”

There have been 18 named storms this hurricane season.

The LSU AgCenter has received a nearly 800-thousand-dollar grant to provide drone training to high school students in Louisiana. LSU AgCenter education outreach program coordinator Coordinator Brian Gautreau says the training will provide students with knowledge about drones and other agriculture technologies.

Cut 4 (08) “…are needed.”

Students will also be prepared to take the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 certification which will allow them to fly drones commercially. Gautreau says he’s working with farmers to get students hands-on field experience on agricultural sites.

The Saints lost 26-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Despite the return of running back Alvin Kamara, New Orleans only had 197 yards of total offense. Coach Dennis Allen says it was an unacceptable performance…

Cut 15 (15) “…very good”

Despite a banged-up shoulder, Saints quarterback Derek Carr threw for just 127 yards.

10:30 am Newscast

Congress has until midnight tonight reach an agreement to avoid a federal government shutdown. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican, blames the Biden administration.
Cut 11 (08) “…good faith.”
During a shutdown, federal employees will be furloughed and those who work in the military and the are forced to work without pay.
Federal dollars are what have enabled the shutdown of new 600 abandoned wells this year. Governor John Bel Edwards says the money is the result of the Infrastructure Law approved by Congress in 2021
And more is expected.
Cut 13 (10) “…we can.”
Orphaned wells need to be sealed because they leak methane which scientists say contributes to the earth’s warming
—-

After a six-year hiatus, Ringling Brothers. and Barnum & Bailey kicks off their North American tour in Bossier City with four performances this weekend at the Brookshire Grocery Arena. Teiko Foxx has more on the reimagined “Greatest Show on Earth”…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Saints Quarterback Derek Carr is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carr practiced for the first time this week yesterday, but he was limited by a shoulder injury. Former LSU star and Buccaneers linebacker Devin White is also questionable as he has a foot injury.

9:30 am Newscast

The new fiscal year starts tomorrow which means Congress is running out of time to avoid a government shutdown Senator Bill Cassidy says we would see little impact here at home if that happens.(:13) Cut 9 (10) “…pay claims”

Just one day after four Baton Rouge Police officers were placed on administrative leave, they’ve all been arrested in connection to an arrest two years ago. Chief Murphy Paul says body cameras were activated during an excessive force strip search, but when a supervisor saw the footage, that’s when the cover-up began. (:16) Cut 4 (06) “…body camera.”

The chief saying corruption and misconduct will not be tolerated. (:06)

After a six-year hiatus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is back with a newly reimagined “Greatest Show on Earth” that opens tonight in Bossier City. Performer Wesley Williams says there will be no animals but their goal is to enhance the total experience with technology and amazing wow moments. (:16) Cut 6 (11) “…this experience.”

The cast will of the reimagined all-human show features 75 talented people from 18 countries. (:06)

Big game tonight in Oxford, Mississippi as the # 13 LSU Tigers try to improve to 3 and o in SEC play.

LSU Coach Brian Kelly says his defense will need to keep an eye out for Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins. (:14) Cut 15 (11) “…best players”

Kick off tonight is at five.