06:30 LRN Sportscast, March 2nd

US Representative Julie Letlow of Start has support of Republicans in Congress for her bill giving parents the legal right to review their child’s school curriculum. Letlow is a former educator and says this bill is not an attack on schools, but opens up communication…:
CUT 14 (09) “child’s education”
She said during Covid, parents had a difficult time inquiring about what their kids were being taught and this measure seeks to correct that.

2023 gubernatorial candidates are set to attend their first forum today at LABI’s annual meeting. Republican candidates – A.G. Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder, and state legislators Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson – are confirmed to be there. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says it’ll be a question-and-answer session:
CUT 10 (08) “business community”
The event gets underway this morning at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Baton Rouge.

The search for missing Georgia business executive Nathan Millard who went missing in Downtown Baton Rouge intensifies. More from Teiko Foxx…:
Cut 1 (32) “Teiko Foxx”

The widow of Governor Edwin Edwards, Trina, has announced she and her fiancé, 79-year-old former state Senate president John Alario will get married on June 1st. The couple has been engaged since August of last year.

10:30 LRN Newscast, February 25th

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves says he is “feeling pressure” to run for governor but will not commit one way or the other. So, will he run or not? “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford has watched many political campaigns unfold and says Graves is employing a pretty smart strategy by playing coy on the race…:
Cut 7 (12) “bit of theatrics here”
Graves can run for Governor this fall, and simply return to Congress should he not win.

A grand jury in West Baton Rouge Parish indicts an Addis police officer for a New Year’s Eve crash that happened during a high-speed chase. Officer David Cauthron was chasing a car theft suspect, when he ran a red light on Highway 1 in Brusly and hit a car carrying three teens. Two teen girls were killed, and a teen boy passenger was critically injured. The grand jury indicted Cauthron for manslaughter, negligent injuring, reckless operation and malfeasance in office.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Mardi Gras was a big success for New Orleans, despite being marred by acts of violence and crime. The official numbers are still being tallied, but Nungesser says there were huge crowds in Metairie and New Orleans on Fat Tuesday….:
Cut 12 (12) “prior to COVID”
However, Nungesser says cities (especially New Orleans) must be allowed to get a handle on rising crime or crowds will DWINDLE.

A Netflix original movie filmed in Ascension Parish hit the streaming platform no Friday. “We Have a Ghost” is the story of a family who moves into a fixer-upper and becomes a viral sensation when they reveal a ghost in their home. Aquiles Montalvo (Achilles Mon-tal-vo) an assistant location manager on the film says you’ll recognize Donaldsonville in a car chase scene…:
Cut 6 (07) “for a treat”

09:30 LRN Newscast, February 25th

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy involved shooting at a gas station that left a suspect dead. They say they responded to a call around 4am at a Terrytown convenience store, where a man was behaving erratically before becoming combative towards deputies then fired at least one shot. One of the deputies fired their service weapon at the suspect striking and killing him.

A West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicts a former Addis cop for his role in a New Year’s Eve high-speed chase and car crash that killed two teenage girls. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Lent is underway which marks the official beginning of Crawfish season in Louisiana. The Crawfish App compares local prices for mudbugs and co-founder Laney King says not only is this weekend perfect weather-wise for a boil, it’s also promising for the season itself…:
Cut 4 (07) “excited about”
She says prices are back to normal compared to previous seasons and will keep dropping as we get closer to Easter.

LSU Health Shreveport has been chosen as a site for a nationwide study on Parkinson’s Disease in African Americans. LSUHS Center for Brain Health Director Elizabeth Disbrow says information gathered on Black and African American connections to Parkinson’s Disease is only one piece of a larger global effort to enhance knowledge of genetic information and treatment..”
Cut 11 (09) “clear diagnosis”

08:30 LRN Newscast, February 25th

A grand jury in West Baton Rouge has indicted the Addis police officer involved in a high-speed chase that left two teenagers dead and one seriously injured on New Year’s Eve. 42-year-old David Cauthron is now formally charged with 2 counts of manslaughter, aggravated obstruction of a highway, negligent injury, malfeasance in office and reckless operation.

Congressman Garret Graves is feeling pressure to announce whether or not he’ll run for Governor. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s an embarrassment that gun charges were dropped by the Orleans Parish DA’s Office against 16 men arrested over Mardi Gras in The Big Easy. He says the system must do better as the crime issue in New Orleans is going to deter big conventions from coming here…:
Cut 14 (06) “the streets safer”
He’s calling for the dismissal of the assistant district attorney who made the decision.

Lent marks the official kickoff to crawfish season in Louisiana, so what’s it going to set you back this year? The Crawfish App compares the price of mudbugs in your local area, and co-founder Laney King says prices are down 5 percent over last year…:
CUT 3 (11) “$125 a sack”
You can check the prices near you by searching for The Crawfish App on your phone.

 

07:30 LRN Sportscast, February 25th

The LSU Baseball team gets a win Friday afternoon in Game One of the Round Rock Classic knocking off Kansas State 7-3. Paul Skenes struck out 11 of the 22 batters he faced through 6 innings, despite the Wildcat’s offensive start. The Tigers improved to 5-0 overall and will next face Iowa at noon today on Dell Diamond. The Hawkeyes are starting Brody Brecht, one of the best pitchers in college baseball with a fastball that’s registered at 100mph.

The Ragin Cajuns walked off BYU 2-1 in the third game of the four-game set in Lafayette. The final game of the series is scheduled for 1pm with The Cajuns sending right-hander Jackson Nezuh to the mound.

The New Orleans Pelicans, who are 7th in the Western Conference, will travel to face the Knicks this evening at 6:30. New Orleans is 30-and-30 on the year and are coming off a 115 to 110 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Elsewhere in college baseball action Friday, Northwestern State beats Seton Hall 6-1. Nicholls fell to Louisiana Tech 11-1. ULM fell to SIU Edwardsville 7-4. Southeastern edged Samford 6-5. McNeese got the victory over UT-Arlington 10-4. Grambling lost 10-4 to Alabama State in New Orleans.

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to build on its first win in 56 days as they travel to face Ole Miss tonight at 7:30. Both teams are 2 and 13 in SEC play and the Rebels announced the firing of coach Kermit Davis on Friday. According to Jeff Goodman of Stadium, former LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade has emerged as a candidate for the gig in Oxford.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team is now 3rd in the Sun Belt following a 74-64 Friday night victory over South Alabama to close out the regular season. ULM fell to Arkansas State 64-61 to close out the regular season for the Warhawks.

Northwestern State men’s basketball will play for a Southland Conference regular season championship today as the Demons visit Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Both teams are 12 and 4 in league play.

09:30 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 people stood firm on their stance on the vaccine, but felt they’d be penalized for not getting it where mandates were in place…:
Cut 6 (12) “their behavior at all”
He says they found those who resisted the shots would simply go to a nearby city with no mandates to visit bars or restaurants.

State Police say a crash early Thursday morning claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman from Denham Springs in St. Helena Parish. They say two vehicles were involved in the incident and that Natalie Thompson was not restrained and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The other driver was not injured. It’s under investigation.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man has been arrested in connection to a 2010 murder. They say 30-year-old Montrey Paige 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 says Paige was 17 years old in 2010, but will still be charged as an adult…:
Cut 12 (07) “of Louisiana”

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the trucking industry – creating a gap between professional CDL-licensed drivers and delivering goods. Louisiana Motor Transport Association Director Renee Amar says hiring younger may be a solution…:
Cut 8 (09) “big rigs”
She says they are always looking for truckers who can be dedicated in the long term.

08:30 LRN Newscast, February 24th

Did citywide Covid vaccine mandates prevent the spread of the virus? A new study out of George Mason University says no. It was conducted by Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) who says they looked at infections and deaths in cities that mandated COVID vaccines and those that didn’t:
Cut 4 (11) “spread of COVID”
He says this wasn’t about the efficacy of the vaccine itself, but pointed to the fact that mandates didn’t change people’s minds about whether or not they chose to get the shot.

Shreveport Police say arrests have been made in both shooting incidents that took place during the Gemini Parade on Saturday. Corporal Chris Bordelon says the first shooting stemmed from an argument where a suspect shot a victim who is expected to survive. He says the second appeared to be an accident where a 17 year old was shot and killed. Both suspects have been charged…:
CUT 15 (03) “catch em”

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says a bicyclist was struck and killed this morning on La-1 near the Plaquemine-Sunshine Ferry westbank landing. State Police is investigating the incident and not releasing the victim’s name before notifying family.

The trucking industry is still being impacted by a shortage of drivers. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

Many areas of the state saw record highs Thursday and forecasters say the warm weather is expected to continue today.

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.