Three people have been arrested for allegedly planting fake bombs at Bienville Parish schools to distract authorities while they robbed nearby banks. In one instance a school was put on lock-down and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team was called in to sniff out the suspected bomb. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the bomb sniffing dogs combed the premises, but…
Cut 7 (07) “…were found.”
41-year-old Paul Nash of Jonesboro, 47-year-old Lacentrusa Mayweather, and 42-year-old Tabitha Gray of Ball have been booked into the Bienville Parish Prison.
East Baton Rouge residents will not have to worry about serving jury duty until at least June thanks to a computer glitch that kept people under 26 off the rolls. E-B-R District Attorney Hillar Moore says The jury service computer glitch means many jury trials will have to delayed.
Cut 5 (05) “…unfortunately”
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Hurricane Michael that impacted the Florida Panhandle in October has been upgraded by the National Hurricane Center to a Category 5 hurricane. State Climatologist Barry Keim says although Louisiana was not the recipient of the full force of Andrew, it’s definitely made an impact on the Bayou State after crossing Florida.
Cut 10 (11) “…here as well.”
A GoFundMe page for the three St. Landry Parish churches that were burned by alleged arsonist Holden Matthews has now raised over two million dollars for reconstruction efforts. Seventh District Missionary Baptist Association representative Mason Jack says the donations have surged in the last week.
Cut 12, 10 seconds, to home
The churches are still working out just how much coverage they’ll receive from their insurance companies, but regardless of the deals they cut Jack says they’ll all be getting a slice of the fundraiser once it wraps up.
Author Archives: LRN News
12:30 PM Newscast
East Baton Rouge residents will not have to worry about serving jury duty until at least June after a case out of Shreveport found young adults were not being summoned for jury duty. E-B-R District Attorney Hillar Moore says a computer system glitch prevented people under age 26 from being summoned as potential jurors.The problem was uncovered during jury selection for the capital murder trial of Grover Cannon, who is accused of killing Shreveport police officer Thomas LaValley in 2015. The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled jury selection for that case must start over and Moore explains why
Cut 4 (05) “ be even”
Hurricane Michael that impacted the Florida Panhandle in October has been upgraded by the National Hurricane Center to a Category 5 hurricane, making it only the fourth storm to hit the United States to receive the classification dating back to 1851. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the upgrade it is intriguing in assessing hurricane probability.
Cut 9 (07) “…the Saffir-Simpson scale.”
Three people who allegedly planted fake bombs at schools to help them rob banks in Bienville Parish have been arrested. Matt Doyle has the story.
1130AM LRN Edit
East Baton Rouge residents will not have to worry about serving jury duty until at least June after a case out of Shreveport found young adults were not being summoned for jury duty. E-B-R District Attorney Hillar Moore says a computer system glitch prevented people under age 26 from being summoned as potential jurors…
Cut 3 (10) “…beyond me ”
Three people have been arrested for allegedly planting fake bombs at Bienville Parish schools to distract authorities while they robbed nearby banks.Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the plan was to sow terror and confusion to draw local police to one area of the town, while they went to work in another…
Cut 6 (12) “…to commit.”
The three are facing charges of Fake Explosive Device, Criminal Conspiracy, and Criminal Trespassing. Rodrigue says more charges are likely on the way.
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New LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward will be introduced to Tiger Nation next Tuesday and he’ll have some big calls to make right off the bat. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says first on deck is what to do about now un-suspended basketball coach Will Wade and a program with a corruption cloud hanging over it’s head.
Cut 10 (09) “…shakes out.” (Edit audio to remove mention of trial)
Data from the Louisiana Survey touched on the topic of firearm ownership. 57% of residents oppose banning the sale of assault weapons and 61% oppose banning high capacity ammunition magazines. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson says says a majority of residents support at least one form of expanding gun rights.
Cut 14 (06) “…carry permit.”
The only gun restriction that was supported by a majority was limit on ownership and purchase rights for those with certain mental illnesses.
10:30 AM Newscast
Crawfish availability is expected to be lower going into Easter weekend, which normally marks the peak of the season. The overall crop of crawfish is down this season. President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says there has been a bit of a rebound, but the recent bad weather has slowed down the harvest going into the holiday weekend.
Cut 7 (09) “…what we catch.”
Data from the Louisiana Survey touched on the topic of firearm ownership. 57% of residents oppose banning the sale of assault weapons and 61% oppose banning high capacity ammunition magazines. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson says these are some of the points that have come up in the national discussion in the fallout of various mass shootings across the country.
Cut 13 (06) “opposition still.”
Henderson says of the three firearm restrictions presented, the only one that a majority of those polled could get behind was limiting gun access for those with mental illness issues.
School voucher advocates are hoping the legislature doesn’t come after their 40 million dollar program to pay for the Governor’s requested 39 million dollar public school funding increase. Matt Doyle has more.
A shooting that left a 13-year-old dead is currently under investigation by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were alerted about a large disturbance in Natalbany last night around 9:40. The victim has been identified at Robert Stevenson. 54-year-old Rickey Nelson of Independence has been charged with manslaughter. Additional charges and arrests are believed to be coming soon.
AM LRN News
School voucher advocates are hoping the legislature doesn’t come after their 40 million dollar program to pay for the Governor’s requested 39 million dollar public school funding increase. Matt Doyle has more.
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It might be tricky to get your hands on mudbugs this weekend. Kevin Barnhart tells us why.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The Joe Alleva era is over and come Tuesday new LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward will have to answer some questions that could shape his Tiger legacy. Matt Doyle talked to Tiger Rag Editor James Moran…
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The Louisiana Federation of Children is calling on the legislature to reject any attempts to de-fund the state’s school voucher system that subsidized private school tuition for 7,000 kids last year.
President Ann Duplessis says an internal poll of program participants indicates nearly all parents involved would like the voucher to stay in place.
The program had 10,000 applicants last year, meaning 3,000 applicants were unable to receive the voucher.
Critics have pointed out that it diverts millions of dollars that could be used to bolster low performing public schools. Duplessis says even their school district is high performance, parents deserve choices.
The program is only available to households earning less than $62,750 a year.
Governor Edwards is seeking 39 million dollars in new funding to modernize public schools, and some have pointed out that the voucher program costs roughly 40 million a year. Duplessis says if the goal is improving education, pumping more money into public schools won’t work.
According to the Advocate the program, created in 2012, paid full or partial tuition for nearly nine percent of the state’s private school population in 2017-2018.
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Crawfish availability is expected to be lower going into Easter weekend, which normally marks the peak of the season. The overall crop of crawfish is down this season. President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says there has been a bit of a rebound, but the recent bad weather has slowed down the harvest going into the holiday weekend.
Savoy says one possible reason the mudbugs are not hitting the traps like they should, they just simply are not out there.
Cut 8 (11) “…attracting other crawfish.”
Savoy says another possible theory for the low harvest rates, the water has been much colder, much later into the season this year.
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New LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward will be introduced to Tiger Nation next Tuesday and he’ll have some big calls to make right off the bat.
Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says first on deck is what to do about now un-suspended basketball coach Will Wade, as a corruption trial the coach was set to testify at previously begins Monday.
Moran says you could see some change with the men’s basketball program and it’s corruption issues, and the women’s basketball team and it’s under performance, but there two coach who are to stay put for now, starting with LSU football…
Off the field the facilities saw some substantial upgrades under former AD Joe Alleva, but Moran says the biggest impact Woodward could have for fans day one is the ongoing battle of Tiger Stadium booze…
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Data from the Louisiana Survey touched on the topic of firearm ownership. 57% of residents oppose banning the sale of assault weapons and 61% oppose banning high capacity ammunition magazines. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson says these are some of the points that have come up in the national discussion in the fallout of various mass shootings across the country.
Cut 13 (06) “opposition still.”
Henderson says a majority of residents support at least one form of expanding gun rights.
Henderson says of the three firearm restrictions presented, there was only one that a majority of those polled coul get behind.
That measure received 69% approval.
530PM LRN New
With the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Kevin Barnhart.
Lawmakers will be faced with two big policy questions this session that could end up being defining issues of the session in sports betting and marijuana, and according to the latetest release from the Louisiana Survey theres majority support for both legalized sports betting as well as the legalization of recreational marijuana use. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson says sports betting received support from 59% of residents while recreational marijuana received the approval of 55% of residents.
Cut 6 (08) “…social issues.”
Legislation to legalize sports betting in Louisiana is up for discussion in the session. Governor Edwards has voiced his support for the activity.
Henderson says there is a big generational gap on recreational pot support. A majority of support comes from younger residents. 80% of those ages 18-29 support the idea of legalization, but those 65 and older showed a 69% opposition.
Cut 7 (10) “…to the idea.”
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A family advocacy group is bringing legislation that would guarantee Louisianans 12 weeks of paid parental, family emergency, or long term illness leave. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
Former Governor Kathleen Blanco is not bedbound and “in hospice care” according to her family. This was a contradiction of recent reports that the Katrina era governor had entered into hospice end of life care. The family says while she is not able to walk, she still visits friends and loved ones by getting around on her scooter. The family defined the care as “hospice assistance” and say she is no longer seeking treatment for her cancer.
3:30 PM Newscast
Baton Rouge boy Scott Woodward is coming home to take over LSU Athletics after a four-year run as Texas A&M’s Athletic Director. The LSU/A&M rivalry has been heating up over the years, and last year exploded in a physical altercation between coaches at the end of a controversial Tiger loss to end the regular season. Robert Cessna says get ready for an even more heated competition.
The latest data released from the Louisiana Survey shows majority support for both legalized sports betting as well as the legalization of recreational marijuana use. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson says there is a big generational gap on recreational pot support. A majority of support comes from younger residents. 80% of those ages 18-29 support the idea of legalization, but those 65 and older showed a 69% opposition.
A tornado watch has been in effect for much of south Louisiana today, a portion of central Louisiana and delta parishes in northeast Louisiana. National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Efferson says the big concern is that the unstable atmosphere has the potential of producing strong tornadoes…
Cut 9 (08) “…part of the area”
State Police are responding to an uptick of crashes as a result of the weather.
Ground has been broken on the 450-million dollar Comite River Diversion project. It’s a 12 mile long canal running from the Comite to the Mississippi River, diverting water out of northern East Baton Rouge Parish waterways that present a flood risk for E-B-R and Livingston parishes. Central Mayor David Barrow is quick to note that even after it’s completed, it’s still possible the area could flood, it just likely will not be as devastating as the 2016 event.
12:30 Newscast
Baton Rouge boy Scott Woodward is coming home to take over LSU Athletics after a four-year run as Texas A&M’s Athletic Director. Woodward is renowned for putting A&M sports back on the map with the hiring of football coach Jimbo Fisher. LSU tried and failed to lure Fisher in 2015, but Woodward managed to seal the deal a year later. Woodward will be tasked with beating the organization he just helped rebuild, but for now he’ll be doing it with a coach he didn’t hire. Robert Cessna with AggieSports.com
The latest data released from the Louisiana Survey shows sports betting received support from 59% of residents while recreational marijuana received the approval of 55% of residents. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson
Cut 6 (08) “…social issues.”
A tornado watch is in effect until seven o’ clock tonight for much of south Louisiana, a portion of central Louisiana and delta parishes in northeast Louisiana. National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Efferson says the area covered by the tornado watch is under an enhanced risk of severe weather…
State Police are responding to an uptick of crashes as a result of the weather.
It took just seven days to surpass the fundraising goal, and now over 36,000 donors have contributed a total just shy of $2 million on a GoFundMe page to benefit the three churches torched in St. Landry Parish.
11:30 AM Newscast
A tornado watch is in effect until seven o’ clock tonight for much of south Louisiana, a portion of central Louisiana and delta parishes in northeast Louisiana. National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Efferson says the big concern is that the unstable atmosphere has the potential of producing strong tornadoes…
Cut 9 (08) “…part of the area”
Baton Rouge boy Scott Woodward is coming home to take over LSU Athletics after a three year run as Texas A&M’s Athletic Director.
Woodward is renown for putting A&M sports back on the map with the hiring of football coach Jimbo Fisher and basketball coach Buzz Williams. Robert Cessna with AggieSports.com says he’s a real winner.
The latest data released from the Louisiana survey shows a majority of support for the legalizing both sports betting and recreational marijuana. On the topic of marijuana, its saw the strongest support from 18-29 year old with an 80% approval, but those 65 and older showed majority opposition.
A family advocacy group is bringing legislation that would guarantee Louisianans 12 weeks of paid parental, family emergency, or long term illness leave. Matt Doyle has the story.
8:30 AM LRN Newscast April 18
Joe Alleva is out and it appears Scott Woodward is in as LSU’s new athletic director. Multiple reports say the Baton Rouge native will leave his A-D job at Texas A-and M for the same job at his alma mater. Glen Gilbeau of the USA Today Network says a new style of leadership is coming to LSU…
Woodward did what LSU couldn’t do and that’s hire Jimbo Fisher as is his head football coach.
A bill is being introduced that would guarantee all Louisianans 12 weeks of paid family or medical illness leave. Berni Consulting partner Caitlin Berni says the pot of leave money to fund the leave would grow overtime, and mechanisms would be put in place to cover expenses of young workers who need to take the leave before they’ve built up enough money to cover 12 weeks. Berni says the leave is transferable between jobs.
The leave pay would come directly from the fund, and not your employer while you were out.
You’ll want to keep an eye on the weather today, strong storms have already moved into the state in northwest Louisiana where they’ve already reported flooding and several power outages. Across the state, several schools and businesses closed for the day in anticipation for the severe weather. Strong winds with gusts up to 45 miles per hour have been reported, and flood advisories are in effect until late this evening. The line of storms is expected to be followed with a cold front dropping temperatures into the lower 50s later tonight.
Thinking about getting a bunny or a chick as gift for someone this Easter? The Louisiana SPCA says you may want to reconsider. Kevin Barnhart has the story.