12:30 LRN Newscast December 14

A grand jury meets today in the case of 10 LSU Phi Delta Theta brothers who are charged in connection with the death of Maxwell Gruver. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Cut 30 …students cheering”

That’s the reaction of students at T-M Landry College Preparatory after 16-year-old Ayrton Little of Breaux Bridge learned he was accepted to Harvard. The viral video shows Little and his classmates sitting around a computer and when he gets the notification, the room goes nuts.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has sent a letter to the Department of Revenue urging the state to seek back tax payments from Mike Edmonson after an audit found he lived rent free for the nine years when he served as Superintendent of State Police. Kennedy says the audit shows Edmonson received over 400-thousand dollars of freebies.

Cut 12 (11) “all that”

The governor’s office says Kennedy is seeking headlines again and point out that he did nothing about Edmonson’s arrangement when he served as state treasurer.

The U-S Post Office says today is the day to mail packages via ground service, if you want ensure that gift arrives in time for Christmas. And Twana Barber with the U-S Postal Service says you only have a few more days to get those Christmas cards out…

Cut 9 (09)  “By Christmas”

11:30 LRN Newscast December 14

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes former State Police leader Mike Edmonson owes the state back taxes for free housing and other benefits. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A 71-year-old jail inmate who started serving a prison term while still a teenager will get his first parole hearing early next year.   Henry Montgomery was sent to prison after killing an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy in 1963.  Recently the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juveniles have not been given a chance to argue for their release after getting life sentences without possibility for parole.

A grand jury meets for the first time today to determine if 10 LSU fraternity members should be charged in connection with Maxwell Gruver’s suspected hazing death. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the accused individuals have the opportunity to testify and tell their side of the story…

Cut 3 (11) “….telling him to drink”

All ten are facing a charge of hazing and one of the defendants has also been charged with negligent homicide.

A report gives Louisiana a “D” grade on efforts to improve financial literacy in high schools. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds passed a law in 2016 on this subject. Reynolds believes financial literacy is not being taught as extensively as it should, because schools are judged on how well students achieve in math and English…

Cut 15 (08) “…backburner”

Reynolds says he plans to discuss the issue with BESE.

10:30 LRN Newscast December 14

A Grand Jury hearing begins today in the Maxwell Gruver hazing death at LSU in September.  Police say the 18-year-old was forced to drink 190 proof alcohol as part of a fraternity pledge with Phi Delta Theta.  10 LSU students were arrested.   His mother, Rae Ann Gruver spoke out on ABC’s Good Morning America calling the incident murder.  Both parents hope their son’s death makes others aware of the importance of reporting hazing if they witness it…

A Tulane researcher has received a 414-thousand-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to study why males have more impulse control issues than females.  Jill Daniel from Tulane’s Brain Institute says there are differences in the connection between the pre-frontal cortex and the area of the brain that control impulses, which makes a person more compulsive…

Cut 9 (13)  “good idea.”

A recent report from the Champlain College’s Center for Financial Literacy gives Louisiana a “D” for financial literacy education.  Jeff Palermo spoke with a legislator who recently passed a financial literacy law…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo .”

Louisiana once again ranks 49th out of 50 states in a health ranking report.  CEO of United Health Care of Louisiana Joe Ochipinti (Occa-pin-ti) says the Bayou State ranks near the bottom because a quarter of it’s residents smoke which increases other health related problems…

Cut 4  (08) “lung cancer.” 

AM Newscall December 14

Louisiana is near the bottom in state health rankings.  Kelley Ray has more on the United Health Foundation’s report…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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U-S Senator John Kennedy believes former State Police leader Mike Edmonson owes the state back taxes for free housing and other benefits. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A recent report from the Champlain College’s Center for Financial Literacy gives Louisiana a “D” for financial literacy education.  Jeff Palermo spoke with a legislator who recently passed a financial literacy law…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo .”

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Louisiana once again ranks 49th out of 50 states in a health ranking report.  America’s Health Rankings Annual Report analyzes 35 health guidelines.  CEO of United Health Care of Louisiana Joe Ochipinti (Occa-pin-ti) says the Bayou State ranks near the bottom because a quarter of it’s residents smoke and that in turn raises other health related problems…

Cut 4  (08) “lung cancer.” 

Ochipinti have seen some positive health developments in the Bayou State.  He says obesity and premature death rates have decreased over the last year.  Ochipinti says another good factor in the report is the number of uninsured in Louisiana has seen a substantial decrease…

Cut 5  (08)  “people coverage.”

Ochipinti says education and healthy lifestyles are the key to lowering sickness and death rates, and people need to take this report seriously in order to make improvements…

Cut 6 (09)  “to see.”

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A Tulane researcher has received a 414-thousand-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to study why males have more impulse control issues than females.  Director of the Tulane University Brain Institute Jill Daniel says if are able to determine why males are more vulnerable to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and addiction, it will lead to better treatment…

Cut 7 (05)  “that behavior.”

Daniel says they know impulsive behavior issues start when a person is a child and continue into adulthood.  She says their study will look at how the prefrontal cortex of the brain produces undesired behavior…

Cut 8 (11) “organized differently.”

There are potential sex differences in the connection between the pre-frontal cortex and the area of the brain that control impulses.  She says they believe that is what makes a person, male or female, more impulsive…

Cut 9 (13)  “good idea.”

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Col. Mike Edmonson is under public scrutiny for how he spent taxpayer money during his time as the leader of state police. Governor John Bel Edwards says the investigation continues and the legislative auditor has released a preliminary report.

 

Edmonson retired in March after a travel-scandal involving four of his troopers. That incident is still under investigation. The state legislative auditor has also released a preliminary report that shows Edmonson may have received special taxpayer funded treatment for housing, food and chauffer service for his wife. Edwards says when the report from the auditor is final, he will address all findings. He says the people of Louisiana should have confidence in the State Police.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy sent a letter to the state Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson asking to collect Edmonson’s unpaid state income taxes for the alleged fringe benefits he received while serving as the LSP Superintendent. He says Edmonson received over 400-thousand dollars of freebees from Louisiana taxpayers.

Cut 12 (11) “all that”

Kennedy says Governor John Bel Edwards raised taxes on the residents of Louisiana but not a member of his own cabinet. He says he wrote the letter to Secretary Robinson strictly regarding the information he found in the legislative auditor’s report.

Cut 13 (12)  “pay them”

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A “Report Card on State Efforts to Improve Financial Literacy in High Schools” gives Louisiana schools a “D”, down from a “B” grade just two years ago.  Minden State Representative Gene Reynolds authored a 2016 law that requires financial literacy to be taught in high schools, but it appears some schools are only teaching personal finance as another existing course of study…

Cut 14 (04) “gets taught.”

Reynolds believes financial literacy is not being taught as extensively as it should, because schools are judged on how well students achieve in math and English…

Cut 15 (08) “backburner”

Reynolds says he plans to discuss with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to make sure students are receiving adequate financial literacy education…

Cut 16  (12)  “of the process”

Only three other states Montana, Vermont and Wyoming got a “D” grade while the District of Columbia got the lowest grade of an “F”.

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LSU starting Q-B Danny Etling is familiar with the Tigers bowl opponent, Notre Dame. Etling grew up in Indiana, attended games in South Bend as a kid and also played against Notre Dame, while at Purdue. Etling says it is a little bit ironic his final college game will be against the Golden Domers…

Cut 17 (14) “game plan”

LSU has several draft-eligible juniors who could enter the NFL draft. Cornerback Donte Jackson knows a decision has to be made soon, but right now the focus is on the Fighting Irish…

Cut 18 (20) “Notre Dame.”

Jackson says he speaks with former LSU players who are now in the NFL, like TreDavious White, about whether he should come back for his senior season…

Cut 19 (24)   “thinking about it”

 

15:30 LRN Newscast December 13

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke with House Republicans today about the state’s looming one-point-one billion dollar plus budget deficit.  He is wanting to call a special session early next year to address the problem.  He wants the legislature to approve a tax code that stabilizes the state’s budget, which would be beneficial to the economy…

Cut 10 (08) “going forward”

One penny of the states five cent sales tax expires on June 30th, thus causing the proposed deficit…

An Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Deputy was arrested and then fired after allegedly driving while intoxicated.  Commander Lonny Cavalier says Joseph Edward Repp blew a .09 on a breath test after crashing his patrol car in a ditch. He says it’s extremely disappointing…

Cut 12 (11) “zero tolerance”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have the identities of two people who were found in Lake Dubbisson. 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish were found with Murray’s body found in Kazan’s vehicle that was submerged.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says they are trying to find out what the relationship between the two were…

(Cut 5) (07) “right now.”

Police think Kazan may have been kidnapped by Murray, but have no witnesses to that fact…

A dog is being hailed a hero after he saved his owner’s life.  Calvin Baldwin of Boutte (Boo-tee) says Rusty woke him up to alert him to the house fire.  Both are staying at his mother’s since his house is a total loss due to an electrical spark…

(Cut 7) (08) “for me.”

14:30 LRN Newscast December 13

Governor John Bel Edwards met with members of the House Republican Delegation today as he’s eyeing a February special session to solve the so-called fiscal cliff. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Senator John Kennedy is asking the Louisiana Department of Finance that former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson pay uncollected income taxes while serving on Governor Edwards cabinet as secretary.  The fringe benefits Kennedy claims include housing, utilities and cable tv.  Kennedy says it’s not fair that Edmonson gets by not paying when the Governor is asking to raise taxes by over 1-billion-dollars…

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office says a deputy was arrested and fired after he allegedly wrecked his patrol car while driving intoxicated early this morning. Commander Lonny Cavalier says the accident occurred near Deputy Joseph Edward Repp’s home in Pierre Part…

Cut 13 (11)  “a ditch”

The headquarters for the state Department of Transportation in Baton Rouge were vandalized last night. Windows on the east side of the building received damage from the gunshots. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says steps have been taken to ensure the building is secure and it is monitored by the Department of Public Safety…

Cut 15 (08) “those areas”

Evidence is being collected for an investigation…

13:30 Newscast December 13,2017

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke with House Republicans today about the state’s looming one-point-one billion dollar plus budget deficit. Edwards told conservative lawmakers he would like to close the budget gap by using the recommendations developed by a budget and tax task force
Cut 8 (10) “those recommendations.”
A big reason for the so called “fiscal cliff” is that one penny from the state’s five-cent sales tax will expire on June 30th.

The headquarters for the state Department of Transportation were vandalized last night by gunfire, according to State Police. The building is located near the Governor’s mansion in Baton Rouge. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says investigators are currently collecting evidence and working to determine a cause and who would’ve done this.
Cut 14 (08) “the incident”
Windows on the east side of the building received damage from the gunshots.

 

St. Landry Parish authorities have identified two bodies found in Lake Dubbisson. Jeff Palermo says the next step is trying to find out why there were together…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Boutte man is thanking his beloved pup, Rusty, for saving him from a house fire. Calvin Baldwin says he fell asleep on his couch after a long day of watching the high school football championship games in New Orleans when he was woken by Rusty pawing at his hands. Baldwin saw smoke near the bathroom and was able to get out of the house with the dog. It’s believed the fire was started by an electrical spark.

12:30 Newscast December 13,2017

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating how two bodies ended up in Lake Dubbisson. They’ve been identified as 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murry of Rapides Parish. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Kazan was reported missing while in Alexandria and they’re trying to piece together what happened after she was kidnapped.
Cut 4 (06) “Alexandria detectives.”

An Assumption Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been fired and arrested after allegedly wrecking his patrol car drunk earlier this morning. Commander Lonny Cavalier says 22-year-old Joseph Edward Repp of Pierre Part blew a .09 when authorities found him after leaving the scene. He says it’s extremely disappointing to have one of your own arrested for a situation like this.
Cut 12 (11) “zero tolerance”
Repp is charged with a DWI, careless operation and hit and run.

 

A Boutte (Boo-tee) man says his dog saved his life from a house fire over the weekend. Calvin Baldwin says he was exhausted after coming home from the LHSAA High School Football State Championship games and fell asleep on his couch.
Cut 6 (12) “the house”
He says the fired started as a result of an electrical spark.

The who man serves as LSU’s General Manager for the football program, Austin Thomas, is leaving for the same job at Tennessee. Thomas is a Tennessee native and has been a critical part of LSU’s recruiting efforts. He was with LSU for four and a half years.

11:30 LRN Newscast December 13

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is trying to figure out how two bodies ended up in Lake Dubbisson.  Authorities have positively identified 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Elmer. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says they are trying to find out why the two were together …

Cut 3 (05) “it together.”

Kazan was reported missing last week while visiting friends in Alexandria.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested and fired one of their deputies after he allegedly wrecked his patrol car while driving intoxicated early this morning. Commander Lonny Cavalier says authorities responded to calls of a vehicle in a ditch and it turned out to be 22-year-old Deputy Joseph Edward Repp of Pierre Part.

Cut 11 (11) “careless operation”

Small business optimism is near a record high according to the National Federation of Independent Business. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Baton Rouge man termed a serial killer, pled not guilty to alleged racially motivated shootings.  23-year-old Kenneth Gleason is charged with first and second degree murder and two counts of attempted second degree murder.  Police believe he is the suspect in the shooting deaths of two people in September.  Gleason was ordered held without bond following his arraignment this morning.

09:30 Newscast, December 13th, 2017

The NFL Network has suspended Marshall Faulk, Ike Taylor and Heath Evans over allegations of sexual harassment and assault. A former wardrobe stylist, Jami Cantor, claims Faulk, who is a New Orleans native, groped her breasts and her behind and asked deeply personal questions about her sex life. Professor of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Michelle Many says sexual assault is a highly under reported crime.
Cut 11 (11) “actually punished”
She says when encountering behaviour like this, it tends not go away and gets worse until victims just can’t take it anymore.

A man from Boutte says his dog is the one who saved him from a fire that destroyed their home. Calvin Baldwin told WVUE that he was sleeping when his dog Rusty started scratching his arm to wake up him. That’s when he saw smoke and fled the house with his pup. Baldwin says Rusty is a life saver.

The Louisiana Board of Regents has given Grambling State University the green light to proceed with plans to establish the first cybersecurity degree program in the state. Grambling State University President Rick Gallot says this will prove true especially in their geographical area, with companies such as Monroe-based CenturyLink…:
Cut 15 (12) “that space”
He says the cybersecurity degree program it will compliment Grambling’s current technology training programs.

Small business optimism nationwide is near a record high, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB Louisiana State Director Dawn Starns says we haven’t seen this kind of optimism in 34 years, when the economy was booming during the Reagan administration. She credits the push for tax reform in Washington D.C.