07:30 LRN Newscast, February 24th

New research suggests citywide COVID vaccine mandates enacted in New Orleans and other cities may have been all for naught. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Livingston Parish Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday night declaring they are a Second Amendment Sanctuary Parish. It was a resolution by Councilman Jeff Ard who says it’s about adding a layer of protection of Second Amendment rights at the local level should the state or federal government try to tighten up gun laws.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man has been arrested in connection to a 2010 murder. They say 30-year-old Montrey Page of Loranger is booked with second degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Jamins Robinson of Independence who was killed nearly 13 years ago. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis said an eyewitness finally came forward..:
CUT 11 (11) “homicide occurred”
He says they hope this will bring the Robinson family some closure.

Shreveport Police have made arrests in both shooting incidents that took place Saturday night during the Krewe of Gemini parade. Corporal Chris Bordelon says of the first shooting which was non-fatal..:
CUT 13 (08) “Police Department”
He says in the other shooting someone accidentally shot and killed a 17-year-old and that suspect surrendered to police right away.

06:45 LRN Sportscast, February 24th

The top ranked LSU Baseball team will begin play today in the Round Rock Classic at 2pm as the Tigers face Kansas State. LSU is 4-0 and Paul Skenes will be on the hill for the Bayou Bengals after striking out 12 in his Tiger debut on Friday. The Wildcats are 4-1 and are expected to finish towards the bottom of the Big 12 Standings.

The LSU women’s basketball team gets win number 26 on the year, as the Tigers cruise to a 82-63 win over Vanderbilt in Nashville last night. Angel Reese had her 26th double-double and her 10th first half double-double of the season. The Tigers will now finish the regular season at home against Mississippi State at 5pm on Sunday.

The Pelicans fell to the Raptors last night in their first game after the All Star Break, 115-110. Brandon Ingram had 36 points in the losing effort. New Orleans will visit the Knicks on Saturday.

College hoops last night, Louisiana Tech falls to Western Kentucky 76-66.

In the Southland, UNO prevailed over Nicholls State in in-state rival action, 88-82. Southeastern beat Lamar 83-60. The Lions are 3rd in the conference. McNeese fell to Houston Baptist, 85-80. And Northwestern State got another win this time beating Incarnate Word 71-66. The Demons are 1st in the Southland with a record of 20-9.

The Ragin Cajuns Baseball team shut out BYU yesterday by a score of 11-0. UL-Lafayette is now 2-0 in the three game series which concludes today.

In other college baseball action around the state today, ULM hosts SUI Edwardsville. Southeastern hosts Samford. UL-Lafayette hosts BYU. Tulane hosts St. John’s. Nicholls State is at Louisiana Tech. McNeese State is at UT Arlington.

06:30 LRN Newscast, February 24th

A new research study finds that COVID-19 mandates put in place in many American cities made virtually no difference in stopping the spread of the virus. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University. He says they found that even if a citywide mandate was in place, people still did want they wanted.
CUT 5 (07) “change their decision”
Melo adds his research makes no statement on the vaccine itself or its effectiveness.

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the industry -creating a gap between professional licensed operators and delivering goods. Programs have been set up to assist in closing the gap. Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Director Renee Amar..:
Cut 7 (10) “…the workforce.”
She says lowering the legal truck driving age could help.

Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (00) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The wife of former Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider has died at the age of 53 alongside her husband at the couple’s studios in Holden. Alicia Allain, a native of Brusly, was a filmmaker and she and Schneider had been married since 2019. John made a social media post saying he is heartbroken but that his wife is living now living pain free.

09:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

State Police have released body cam footage from the officer involved shooting death of an unarmed man in Shreveport, Alonzo Bagley, and the city cop accused of firing the shot, Alexander Tyler, has been charged with negligent homicide. Alonzo’s brother is happy State Police has been so transparent in releasing everything like the first call:
Cut 13 (09) “no threat there”
Tyler’s attorney says the body cam footage shows Bagley reaching for something before jumping off a balcony and fleeing police.

The state says it will drop lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says The Road Home Program was supposed to save the American Dream not squash it…:
Cut 4 (10) “protect that dream”
Thus, the Road Home Program is no more.

People protesting the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling will receive a $1.17 million dollar settlement from East Baton Rouge…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Campaign finance reports released this week show Attorney General Jeff Landry has a huge lead over other gubernatorial candidates in the 2023 race for Louisiana’s top office. The numbers showed Landry with $5.01 million, with the next closest being John Schroder with $2.4 million.

08:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

The white Shreveport police officer involved in the shooting death of an unarmed Black man has been arrested and charged with negligent homicide:
Cut 3 (35) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Campaign finance reports released this week in Louisiana’s 2023 Gubernatorial race show Attorney General Jeff Landry has $5.01 million dollars to work with, followed by John Schroder with $2.4 million. Speculation is on that the soon to be retired DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson would run as the only Democrat.

The Road Home Program is no more after the state announced it’s dropping lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many who used the money intended for home elevation to instead repair their homes were faced with legal action. Governor John Bel Edwards…:
CUT 6 (07) “collection efforts”
New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says a ”long bad dream” is over for thousands of south Louisiana homeowners.

The Lafayette area is ready to let the good times roll this weekend as Carnival celebrations officially get underway tonight. Joe Giglio (“GIG-leo”) with the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association says Saturday the Children’s Parade will roll at 12:30pm…:
CUT 15 (13) “typical Mardi Gras”

07:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

A Shreveport cop was arrested Thursday in the officer-involved shooting death of an unarmed man who was trying to flee police February 3rd. 23 year old Alexander Tyler is booked with negligent homicide. His attorney says body cam footage shows 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley reaching for something before he jumped from a balcony and ran from officers…:
CUT 10 (10) “his direction”
The Bagley family is suing for $10 million dollars.

Protesters arrested during a demonstration following Alton Sterling’s police shooting death will receive a $1.17 million dollar settlement after the Baton Rouge City Council said their First Amendment rights were violated. Protester Cherri Foytlin:
CUT 9 (12) “an email”

After 17 years, the Road Home program officially comes to an end, and lawsuits dismissed against those accused of misspending grants..:
CUT 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And Carnival celebrations begin across Acadiana tonight and Joe Giglio (“GIG-leo”) with the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association says come one, come all…:
CUT 14 (11) “fairs and festival”

06:45 LRN Sportscast, February 17th

The LSU Baseball season opens today against Western Michigan. The Tigers have dominated the preseason polls as the number one-ranked team in the country under second-year Head Coach Jay Johnson. LSU had both the top-ranked recruiting class and transfer class in the nation this off-season along with a strong roster of returning players. Junior first baseman Tre Morgan has been a star for the Tigers since arriving in Baton Rouge and has noticed a shift in the locker room ahead of this season. He says the team isn’t running from the expectations…:
Cut 17 (18) “all the way”
The game will begin at 3pm at Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has reportedly been indicted by a grand jury stemming from a 2021 Pro Bowl weekend assault in Las Vegas.

The Northwestern State men’s basketball team has now won 9 straight following last night’s 81-76 victory over Southeastern in Southland Conference play. Center Isaac Haney had a career-high 23 points in the game.

The UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team picked up an 84-67 victory over ULM last night. The Ragin Cajuns visit James Madison Saturday, while The Warhawks head to South Alabama.

The Nicholls State men’s basketball team came up short in a close 78-74 loss to Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Louisiana Tech Guard, the leading scorer for the Bulldogs, is reportedly no longer with the team. The official reason is “personal issues.” Tech dropped its third straight Thursday night with a 72-62 loss to North Texas.

McNeese played a close game and came away winners in a 78-76 overtime victory over Incarnate Word.

Angel Reese scored a career high 36 points as No. 5 LSU women’s hoops prevailed over Ole Miss at home, 69-60. The Tigers are now 24-1 overall and 12-1 in the SEC.

06:30 LRN Newscast, February 17th

Fourteen people arrested during the 2016 protest of Alton Sterling’s police shooting death will receive $1.17 million. The East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved the settlement accusing Baton Rouge law enforcement of violating their First Amendment rights and using of excessive force. Protester, Blaire Imani, says this is a big win..:
Cut 7 (08) “is really big”
The settlement still has to be approved by a US District Judge.

The state says it will drop lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants for elevating their homes after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Governor John Bel Edwards says over 3000 persons were sued over allegedly misspending Road Home elevation grants…:
Cut 5 (12) “these grants anyway”
This means the Road Home Program is officially over.

State Police have released body cam footage from the February 3rd officer involved shooting death of an unarmed man in Shreveport, Alonzo Bagley, and the cop who fired the shot has been charged with negligent homicide. Bagley family attorney Ron Haley says Alonzo was not a threat to anyone, and he only had a bottle with him before he ran from officers…:
Cut 11 (09)  “…happened here.”
The Shreveport Police officer, 23-year-old Alexander Tyler, was arrested Thursday morning.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has reportedly been indicted by a grand jury stemming from a 2021 Pro Bowl weekend assault in Las Vegas. This means the case will now move to a district court in Sin City, with a date scheduled for March 2nd.

09:30 LRN Newscast, February 9th

Treasurer John Schroder is holding a fundraiser tonight in his bid for governor, and one political analyst says the other GOP candidates have a long way to go to catch up to Jeff Landry’s war chest…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

A suspected tornado did significant damage in Tangipahoa after a line of severe storms moved through the state Wednesday. Officials say at least three mobile homes were damaged in the Village of Tangipahoa, and assessment of damages was hindered by several downed trees and debris in the area. The National Weather Service is surveying the damage today.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy will try again today to secure Louisiana a greater share of offshore oil & gas royalties, with the re-introduction of his 2022 RISE (say “rise”) Act. The bill would mean a roughly 20-percent yearly increase in offshore energy money for Louisiana’s coastal restoration efforts. Cassidy says the bill passed a senate committee last year, but fell to the wayside amid a backlog of legislation…:
Cut 4 (12) “last Congress”
He says conservatives in Congress are concerned with how the bill would be funded, so he and his staff are working to tweak the measure to win their support

Posts are going viral on social media over a sign in Amite that says the town is the home of Governor John Bel Edwards — and governor is misspelled. Some people thought it was funny and others were outraged by the typo. Officials said the Chamber of Commerce in Amite was in charge of the sign, and members are reportedly working with the company to get a new one made soon. The sign is currently covered with a tarp.

08:30 LRN Newscast, February 9th

US Senator Bill Cassidy is poised to re-introduce his RISE Act, which would bring Louisiana increased revenues from offshore oil & gas.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Jimmy Travis confirmed the touchdown of a tornado in the Village of Tangipahoa. He said numerous homes were damaged, and trees and powerlines were downed. 3 non-life threatening injuries were reported. The National Weather service says a tornado likely caused the damage and they are out to survey the damage today to get official confirmation.

Could recreational marijuana soon become legal in Louisiana? A New Orleans lawmaker has filed the first in a package of bills for lawmakers to discuss the matter in the April Legislative session. District 99 Democrat Rep. Candace Newell (pronounced “new-ELL”) says other states are seeing revenue windfalls after legalizing recreational cannabis…:
Cut 11 (09) “regulation bill passed”
Louisiana has already legalized medicinal cannabis and has expanded the program to cover a number of ailments, and Newell says this is the next logical step.

This afternoon State Officials will be in Lake Charles to celebrate the $150 million dollar grant to replace the Calcasieu River Bridge. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the US Department of Transportation will announce the approval of $1.5 Billion in private activity bonds that will help lower the cost of the project to the developer…:
Cut 14 (05) “lots of good news”
The funding is part of the Infrastructure Act.