10:30 LRN Newscast Nov 28

Early voting is underway and among the runoffs is the third district Public Service Commission Race as New Orleans Democrat Lambert Boissiere seeks a fourth term but is facing a significant challenge from Davante Lewis. Boissiere has been on the PSC since 2005 and he says he’s kept utility rates in check…:

CUT 13(11)      “…they want.”

But challenger Lewis says utilities like Entergy used their monopoly power to generate record profits without making the necessary investments. He says utilities use campaign contributions to buy their way out of regulation.:

CUT 14(09)      “…same entities.”

The third PSC district covers Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, plus the River Parishes and sections of the Baton Rouge area.

A Louisiana company receives FDA clearance for its chemo-rated nitrile exam gloves. SafeSource Direct partner Steve Mott the approval will mean the addition of more than 13 hundred jobs to the Broussard facility, which already employs more than 850 people.

Cut 12 (06) “…them here.”

Currently, more than 90 percent of medical-grade nitrile gloves are manufactured outside the country.

Fans of Hallmark Christmas movies are getting an added spice of Louisiana holiday traditions this year with “My Southern Family Christmas.” Ascension Parish native and filmmaker Daniel Lewis says it’s a sweet film about a family that was set and filmed in Sorrento.

Cut 7 (05) “…tradition.”

Lewis’s production of A New Orleans Noel debuts on Lifetime in December. It features Patti LeBelle.

9:30 LRN Newscast Nov 28

Voters in southeast Louisiana will have a runoff election for the District 3 Public Service Commission seat; pitting incumbent Lambert Boissiere against challenger Davante Lewis. Lewis claims Boissiere’s votes on key matters have been bought via political contributions from companies he regulates, but Boissiere denies that…:

CUT 15  (08)        ”…utility companies.”

Lewis says, if elected he’ll push for clean renewable sources of energy…:

CUT 16  (09)        “…the state.”

Boissiere has been a PSC member since 2005.

A plane that crashed into a power line tower in Maryland was carrying a Louisiana man as a passenger. Officials say 66-year-old Jan Williams, of Louisiana, was rescued along with the pilot and both will be OK.

 

An Alexandria man is convicted of planting bombs at three businesses in Monroe and Alexandria in 2019 and 2020. 40-year-old Daniel Aikens reportedly tried to extort money for some of those businesses to avoid being bombed again. U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown says Aikens needs to do serious jail time…:

CUT 06(07)      “…40 years max.”

Aikens’ sentencing comes up in March. Aikens also faces trial for a 2017 murder in Grant Parish.

A Baton Rouge teen was shot and killed over the holiday weekend, while in New Orleans for the Bayou Classic football game. The 18-year-old was shot dead on Canal Street, not far from revelers in the French Quarter. A 15-year-old – also from Baton Rouge – is the suspect and is under arrest. Neither victim nor suspect have been identified as yet.

8:30 LRN Newscast Nov 28

Early voting is underway and one of the big items on some of the ballots is the third district Public Service Commission Race as New Orleans Democrat Lambert Boissiere seeks a fourth term, but is facing a significant challenge from Davante Lewis. Boissiere has been on the PSC since 2005 and he says he’s kept utility rates in check…:

CUT 13(11)      “…they want.”

But challenger Lewis says utilities like Entergy used their monopoly power to generate record profits without making the necessary investments. He says utilities use campaign contributions to buy their way out of regulation..:

CUT 14(09)      “…same entities.”

The third PSC district covers Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, plus the River Parishes and sections of the Baton Rouge area.

 

A new Louisiana company has received FDA clearance to provide its chemo-rated nitrile gloves to the U.S.’s huge health care industry. A big accomplishment for Broussard-based SafeSource Direct…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Golsby.”

Five people were shot and wounded early Sunday morning on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Just blocks away, a Baton Rouge teenager – in town for the Bayou Classic – was shot and killed. The suspect is a 15-year-old boy.

7:30 LRN Newscast Nov 28

An Alexandria man – 40-year-old Daniel Aikens – is convicted of planting bombs at three businesses in Monroe and Alexandria in 2019 and 2020. Brandon Brown is the U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District. He says Aikens set off bombs at a Monroe beauty school, an Alexandria gas station and an Alexandria payday loan office. No one was killed or seriously injured. Brown says Aiken called some of the businesses afterward to extort cash to prevent another bombing…:

CUT 05(05)      “…by greed. By money.”

Brown says he’ll seek stiff sentencing when that phase of Aiken’s trial comes up in March.

A Louisiana company gets FDA clearance for its chemo-rated nitrile exam gloves to be used in health care. SafeSource Direct partner Steve Mott says this positions the company to meet the demand to help keep healthcare workers safe…:

CUT 10(11)      “…worker is protected.”

SafeSource is located in Broussard.

 

Authorities are assessing damage following a confirmed tornado that passed through St. Charles Parish during strong thunderstorms on Saturday. St. Charles Parish officials say that a majority of the damage reports are between Cadow Road and Bayou Gauche Road in Paradis.

Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movie season kicked off on Thanksgiving with a film set in and filmed in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

6:30 LRN Newscast Nov 28

Early voting is underway for the December 10th election, and the 3rd District Public Service Commission race is one runoff on ballots in southeast Louisiana…:

CUT 03  (30)        “…Palermo.”

Five people were shot and wounded early Sunday morning on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Police say an argument led to the gunfire at around 2 am, and they are now seeking an unknown male suspect.

 

An Alexandria man is convicted of planting bombs at three businesses in Monroe and Alexandria in 2019 and 2020. A federal jury found 40-year-old Daniel Aikens guilty of 3 counts of Making a Destructive Device, 3 counts of possession of bombs and more. Brandon Brown is the U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District and he’ll push for a long sentence…:

CUT 04(08)      “”…as long as possible.”

Aikens set off a bomb at a Monroe beauty school in September 2019. Three months later he planted a bomb at an Alexandria gas station. A third device went off in January 2020 at an Alexandria payday loan office. Brown says Aiken called some of the businesses afterward to extort cash to prevent another bombing.

Disappointing end to what was a great regular season for the LSU Tigers as they lost on Saturday to Texas A&M 38-23 in Bryan-College Station. LSU finishes its regular season at 9 and 3, and win the SEC West. They face Georgia next Saturday in Atlanta for the SEC title.

10:30 LRN Newscast

The holiday shopping season is underway. How is the retail picture stacking up against record inflation? Kevin Gallagher has more…
cut 1 (33) “…Kevin Gallagher”

And today is Small Business Saturday. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says the day has become a big winner for consumers and small businesses…
cut 8 (10) “…during small business Saturday”
American Express started Small Business Saturday in 2010.

An Alexandria man is convicted of planting bombs at three businesses in Monroe and Alexandria in 2019 and 2020. A federal jury found 40-year-old Daniel Aikens guilty of 3 counts of Making a Destructive Device, 3 counts of possession of bombs and more. Brandon Brown is the U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District. Brown says he’ll push for a long sentence…:
Cut 4 (08) “…as long as possible.”
Aikens is set for sentencing in March and faces up to 40 years. He also faces a murder charge in Grant Parish from a 2017 homicide.

Another solar farm is coming to the state, this one will be in St Landry Parish. Lightsource BP development manager Jack Steele says Louisiana’s flat agricultural land is ideal for installing solar panels.…
Cut 11 (10) “…that industry”
The one near Opelousas is expected to be completed in 2024.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Today is Small Business Saturday and Kace Kieschnick reports local retailers hope consumers will spend with them.
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kace Keischnick”

Consumers will still find some Black Friday sales today. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says not all advertised door buster sales are actually a good value, so do your research….
cut 5 (10) “…time of year”

Early voting begins today for the December 10th election. State Commissioner of Elections Sherri Hadskey says there is something on the ballot for every voter, so get out and cast your vote…
cut 15 (09) “….runoff propositions’
You can use your Geaux-vote app or go to geaux-vote-dot-com to see what’s on your ballot.

College football’s regular season comes to an end today. The Fighting Tigers are trying to finish with a 10-2 record as they will visit the 4-and-7 Texas A-and-M Aggies. Even though A-and-M’s season has been a complete disappointment, LSU defensive end B-J Ojulari is expecting a great crowd at Kyle Field…
cut 17 (14) “…College Station”
Kick-off is at 6 PM.

8:30 LRN Newscast

It’s Small Business Saturday today. A campaign to get consumers to shop at local stores. State NFIB director, Dawn McVea, says Louisiana small businesses employ over 46% of the workforce, so shopping locally will help the state’s economy…
Cut 7 (08) “…in the state”
In the NFIB’s latest optimism survey, 13% of small business owners reported not having a good outlook for the next three months, so they are hoping for a robust Small Business Saturday.

Early voting for the December 10th election starts today and early voting will continue until December third, except for Sunday. State Commissioner of Elections Sherri Hadskey says their are a couple of other dates to remember as well…
cut 14 (12) “…December 9th”
Hadskey says there is something on the ballot for everyone, including three constitutional amendments.

Louisiana’s green energy industry continues to grow. The St Landry Parish Council has approved that parish’s first solar farm project. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

If you are a concealed handgun permit holder, you can add it to your LA Wallet App. The creator of the app, Envoc, says it’s been added after receiving thousands of requests for the feature. The LA Wallet app can also show your driver’s license, state ID, digital hunting and fishing licenses and COVID-19 vaccination verification.

2:30 LRN Newscast Nov 25

Some are calling it a Thanksgiving Day miracle; a man who fell overboard from a Carnival cruise ship in the Gulf was found and rescued last night. The Coast Guard says some hours passed before the ship’s crew knew he was missing and radioed them for search and rescue. They located him about 6 hours later, and a chopper pulled him from the water. He may have been keeping himself afloat for nearly a full day, without a life preserver. Often when person fall or jump off cruise ships, they are never found.

Early voting starts tomorrow for the December 10th election. State Elections Commissioner Sherri Hadskey says you’ll have seven full days to vote at your leisure…:

CUT 13  (09)        “…December the tenth.”

On the ballot, 3 constitutional amendments and local runoffs and other issues. Find your sample ballot online at “GeauxVote.com.”

 

Deputies in St. Martin Parish are investigating a Thanksgiving evening murder/suicide in Youngsville. 40-year-old Misti Romero was found shot to death in a business parking lot. They identified a suspect – 54-year-old Andrew DeRouen – and found him some time later; dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. The investigation is ongoing.

The St Landry Parish Council has approved the parish’s first solar farm project. Officials say construction will begin next year on a 900-acre site in a rural area north of Opelousas. Lightsource BP development manager Jack Steele says it is expected to be operational by end of 2024. He says solar power is great for the environment and an effective way to produce energy..:

CUT 10(10)      “…of homes.”

Steele says the panels will be high enough off the ground that sheep and cattle can graze beneath them.

1:30 LRN Newscast Nov 25

Small Business Saturday is tomorrow. It’s a campaign to get consumers to shop at locally-owned stores. State NFIB director Dawn McVea urges shoppers to save some of their holiday shopping for Saturday and support the businesses that support our communities…:

CUT 09(10)      “…holiday time.”

She says 13-percent of “mom & pops” surveyed have a less-0than-greart outlook for their holiday retail business.

The U.S. Coast Guard has found and rescued a man who fell overboard from a Carnival cruise ship in the Gulf. They began their search Thursday at around 2:30 and found the 28-year-old man by 8:30. A chopper plucked him from the water and he is OK. The Coast Guard says the ship’s crew was unware the man was missing for hours before they radioed. The man might have been in the water for almost a whole day.

 

There is a December runoff election in Louisiana coming up, and Early Voting for that is about to begin. State Commissioner of Elections Sherri Hadskey says you’ll have a full week to vote at your leisure starting tomorrow…:

CUT 13(09)      “…December the tenth.”

There will be something on your ballot, no matter where you are. Preview your sample ballot at “GeauxVote.com.”

State Police are looking into an officer-involved shooting in Alexandria. Troopers report an APD officer attempted to arrest a man who was running into and disrupting traffic. When the man resisted arrest and tried to get the cop’s weapon, he drew and fired – wounding the man.

A gunfight outside the Tiger Truck Stop along I-10 in Grosse Tete leaves one dead and another person injured. That happened at around 10 last night. Iberville Parish deputies are investigating.