5:30 LRN Newscast April 11

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he will not seek re-election. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Ardoin was unsuccessful in getting lawmakers to approve new voting machines.

Cut 10 (11) “…out there.” 

Similar to other Secretary of States in the country who were criticized for alleged voter fraud in the 2020 Presidential election, he’s decided not to run.

Gubernatorial candidate, Stephen Waguespack, and two political action committees supporting him are expected to report $3 million raised for his campaign. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Waguespack is a strong candidate, but his personal war chest is far outstripped by Jeff Landry’s $5-million.

Cut 6 (10)  “..your campaign for you.” 

The abortion debate is far from over in Louisiana with legislation to add exceptions to the state’s abortion ban this session. Governor Edwards is in support of exceptions for rape and incest. Lift Louisiana Executive Director Michelle Erenberg says there’s overwhelming support for such exceptions.

Cut 7 (09) “…demanding this.”

But Louisiana Right to Life spokesperson Sarah Zagorski disagrees, she feels such exceptions would be a step back for pro-life advocates.

Cut 8 (11) “…move forward.”

 

House Bills 346 and 549 are the two bills that would ensure abortion care for survivors of rape and incest without the requirement that the crime be first reported to law enforcement.

 

4:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced he will not run for re-election. LaPolictics.com publisher, Jeremy Alford says Ardoin has faced debates over securing the voting process.

Cut 9 (10) “….heartburn.”

Ardoin says he intends to focus on his health and his family and does not plan to seek another position in government.

The National Council on Aging is getting the word out to millions of Americans 65 and older who are impacted by current inflation that resources are available for those in need. The Council’s Senior Director for Economic Security, Aisha Williams, says seniors are unaware that many of the resources are available.

Cut 12 (11) “…these benefits.”

To find resources or to apply, visit BenefitsCheckUp.org.

A Slidell man has been charged with Terrorizing after the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s was made aware of a threatening social media post. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Suzanne Caboni says 19-year-old Landon Woodside was arrested Monday after posting an alarming video.

Cut 3 (08) “…the making.”

Carboni says Woodside admitted he made the video.

Stephen Waguespack, former LABI president and candidate for governor, along with two political action committees supporting him are expected to report raising over $3 million during the past four weeks. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he needs to at least double his campaign funds to a major contender in the race.

Cut 7 (11) “… Jeff Landry.”

The latest campaign finance reports are due April 17.

3:30 LRN Newscast April 11

In a somewhat surprising development, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces he will NOT seek another term in office. Ardoin took over the SOS job in 2018, when Tom Schedler resigned. He was elected in 2019 to his own term. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Ardoin took a lot of fire in his 5 years, including when he expanded mail-in ballots during the pandemic, which some Republicans said contributed to voter fraud in 2020…:

CUT 11  (09)        “…work environment.”

He says Ardoin may feel the job isn’t worth the grief. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is reportedly interested in running for SOS. PSC member Mike Francis has already declared for the race.

Baton Rouge’s Metro Council will discuss a proposed ban on balloon releases; often done at prayer vigils and memorials. The issue is the balloons rise aloft, burst and fall to earth as litter. Animals can mistake them for food and choke on them. Balloons have even been blamed for power failures. Under the proposal, violators could face fines up to $250.

 

Former LABI president and candidate for governor Stephen Waguespack, and two political action committees (PACs) that support him are expected to report slightly over $3-million raised to help win his the election. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that’s a good start, but he’ll need more to edge out Jeff Landry in the October election…:

CUT 08(11)      “…make the runoff.”

The National Council on Aging spreads the word that free resources are there to assist older Americans making ends meet against the current inflation.  NCA’s Aisha Williams says there is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Medicare Savings, Housing Choice Vouchers, and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance; all available to assist seniors…:

CUT 14(10)      “…qualify for.

BenefitsCheckUp.org to know more.

2:30 LRN Newscast April 11

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces he’s not running for re-election. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

A Jennings man has been arrested for cheating his electric company out of thousands of dollars in power. 61-year-old David Trahan allegedly used an illegal box to bypass his meter; taking power totaling over $5-thousand. He’s been jailed for felony theft. No bond had been set as of news time.

 

Former LABI president and candidate for governor Stephen Waguespack, and two political action committees (PACs) that support him are expected to report slightly over $3-million raised to help win his the election. Waguespack has raised over $900-k, and the Delta Good Hands and Reboot Louisiana PACs report a combined $2.2-million. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Waguespack is a strong candidate, but his personal warchest is far outstripped by A.G. Jeff Landry’s $5-million…:

CUT 06  (10)        “…you campaign for you.”

He says if Waguespack’s fundrasing continues at this level, he could raise enough for a hard fight to beat Landry and make a November runoff.

The National Council on Aging is getting the word out that they offer free resources to assist older Americans who need a helping hand with financial assistance during current inflation. The council’s Senior Director for Economic Security, Aisha Williams, says 1in 4 seniors depend on Social Security for 90% of their income and in 2021 more people 65 and older battled poverty…:

CUT 13(04)      “…isn’t enough.”

Visit “BenefitsCheckUp.org” to find out more.

1:30 LRN Newscast April 11

A 19-year-old in Slidell faces charges of terrorizing, after posting a social media video suggesting a future school shooting. St. Tammany sheriff’s spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says the suspect, Landon Woodside, confessed his guilt to detectives. She says, even though intended as a joke, such postings can have repercussions…:

CUT 05  (11)        “…be investigated.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he will not seek re-election this fall, meaning that is now a wide-open race. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Ardoin had poor success getting voters on board with some of his initiatives; like new voting machines…:

CUT 10  (11)        “…out there.”

He’s also drawn criticism for expanding mail-in balloting during the pandemic, which some tie to alleged voter fraud in the 2002 Presidential election.

 

Deputies in Evangeline Parish say an 85-year-old woman who took a severe beating – allegedly at the hands of her own granddaughter – has died from her injuries. The younger woman, Cecilia Anne Lee, is now charged with murder, battery, cruelty to the infirm and more. Her bond is set at over a million dollars.

The National Council on Aging offers free resources to those needing help fighting the bite of inflation. Teiko Foxx has more…:’

CUT 02(35)      “…Foxx.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s arrested and charged 19-year-old Landon Woodside, with terrorizing after being notified of a social media post. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Suzanne Carboni says Woodside admitted to making the video….:

Cut 4 (06)  “…just joking.” 

In Louisiana, the crime of Terrorizing can carry a sentence of up to 15 years or a fine of up $15,000.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin made a surprise announcement today, he’s not seeking reelection. The Republican has served since 2018 after Tom Schedler resigned over a sexual harassment case. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Ardoin has faced several emotional debates over election security.

Cut 9 (11) “…heartburn.”

Ardoin told Louisiana Radio Network he was running for a second full-term last month.

Richard Ieyoub, who served as Louisiana Attorney General for more than a decade, passed away yesterday. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 18 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

11:30 LRN Newscast

In his final State of the State address, Governor John Bel Edwards called for an end to the death penalty, exceptions to the state’s abortion ban, and an increase in the state’s minimum wage.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces he will not seek re-election this fall. Ardoin has held the post since 2018. Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis and South Louisiana grocery store owner Brandon Trosclair have already announced their candidacy and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is also expected to get in the race.

19-year-old Landon Woodside of Slidell is charged with Terrorizing after the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office was notified of a post made on social media. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Suzanne Carboni says they arrested Woodside Monday, and she describes the video post.

Cut 3 (08) “…the making.”

Carboni says Woodside confessed to investigators.

The National Council on Aging is getting the word out that they offer free resources to assist older Americans who need a helping hand with financial assistance during current inflation. The council’s Senior Director for Economic Security, Aisha Williams, says many older Americans don’t realize they qualify for resources.

Cut 12 (11) “…these benefits.” 

To find available resources or to apply, visit BenefitsCheckUp.org or call 800-794-6559.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 11

The 2023 legislative session is underway and with this being an election year it’s the last one for several lawmakers and Governor John Bel Edwards, who is term limited. For the first time, Edwards is publicly asking legislators to pass legislation to abolish the death penalty….

Cut 9 (08)  “…culture of death.”

Edwards is also asking lawmakers to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban.

 

Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman (freeman) has proposed legislation to crack down on parole eligibility for offenders who are dangerous. Frieman says the man who murdered a Covington priest and church volunteer last fall (and burned their bodies) was released from jail early several times. He says the current parole system fails to protect citizens from such people…:

Cut 15 (08)  “…their maximum time.”

The bill gives judges more leeway to refuse parole or probation.

A Tulane University study finds record-breaking rates of sea-level rise along the U.S. Southeast and Gulf coasts since 2010. River-Coastal Science and Engineering Professor of Tulane, Sonke Dangendorf says the widespread acceleration that extends from the Gulf of Mexico into the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Seas is independent of the subsidence in the area.

Cut 5 (11) “…the subsistence.”

He says it demonstrates the urgency of the climate crisis in the Gulf region.

 

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 19-year-old Landon Woodside of Slidell man for terrorizing on Monday. He was taken into custody after making alleged threats on social media, in a video holding an AR-style rifle with the quote “next schooler shooter in the making.” Investigators say he admitted to making the video but told investigators he was just joking.  Sheriff Randy Smith says such threats will not be tolerated.

9:30 LRN Newscast

In his final State of the State address, Governor John Bel Edwards called for an end to the death penalty, exceptions to the state’s abortion ban and an increase in the state’s minimum wage.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Democrats in the Louisiana House have lost another member as Livonia Representative Jeremy LaCombe has switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party. Delhi Representative Francis Thompson also recently switched to the Republican Party.

There is some sobering news coming out of Tulane as researchers there have found record-breaking rates of seal-level rise along the U-S Southeast and Gulf coasts since 2010. Coastal Science Engineering Professor, Sonke Dangendorf, says these high rates of sea-live rise put more stress on vulnerable coastlines, particularly in Louisiana, where the land is also sinking…
cut 6 (11) “….are now”
He attributes the acceleration to the compounding effects of man-made climate change and natural climate variability.

Former Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub has passed away at the age of 78. He served as the state’s A-G from 1992 to 2004 and secured a settlement against big tobacco that netted the state four-point-six billion dollars. Ieyoub also ran for governor in 2003 and told Talk Louisiana’s Jim Engster that fellow Democrat Buddy Leach kept him out of the run-off by siphoning off five-percent of his voter support…
cut 12 (06) “… any other candidate”

8:30 LRN Newscast

The 2023 legislative session is underway and Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on state lawmakers to add exceptions to the state’s abortion ban…
cut 8 (12) “….mental health”
Edwards also pushed for those exceptions last year, but still signed a bill that would ban abortions in Louisiana once the Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade.

Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman has filed a bill that would deny parole for offenders who are considered dangerous to society….
cut 14 (07) “….judge to decide”
Under Frieman’s proposed legislation, a convicted offender would have a hearing to determine IF he or she IS a dangerous offender prior to the sentencing phase. If the judge determines them to be a danger to society, parole and/or probation can be denied.

Former Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub has passed away at the age of 78. He served as the state’s A-G from 1992 to 2004. Ieyoub took on major tobacco companies for deceptive practices in making and marketing cigarettes. In an interview last August on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, Ieyoub remembers getting a visit from lawyers representing Big Tobacco…
cut 11 (11) “…the next day”

That settlement resulted in four-point-six billion dollars for the state.

A new study led by Tulane University researchers finds record-breaking rates of sea-level rise along the U.S. Southeast and Gulf coasts since 2010. River-Coastal Science and Engineering Professor, Sonke Dangendorf, says these rapid rates are unprecedented and attributed to the effects of man-made and natural climate changes.
Cut 4 (12) “…twentieth century.”
Dangendorf says these high rates of sea-level rise have put more stress on vulnerable coastlines, particularly in Louisiana and Texas where land is also sinking rapidly.