12:30 LRN Newscast Sept 02

A Lafourche Parish jury of 12 took only 90-minutes to return a unanimous guilty verdict against 55-year-old Morgan Ratley of Cutoff, for raping a teen girl while her mother was tied up. Ratley was the mom’s live-in boyfriend and had been assaulting the girl for some time when the July 2019 attack happened. David Melancon, with the Lafourche DA’s office, says evidence on the victim’s cell phone helped to nail Ratley…:

CUT 05  (11)        “…able to collect.”

State Police in Troop B ask the public’s help solving a hit & run early this morning in Marrero, in Jefferson Parish, that left two people dead. Trooper First Class Kate Stegall says it happened on the elevated Westbank Expressway at about 3:30 am…:

CUT 09(12)      “…on the scooter.”

The driver of the 2004 white Ford F150 extended cab fled the scene. If you can help all LSP: 504-471-2775

 

After a two-year break due to COVID, the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival returns to Opelousas Saturday. Festival executive director Lena Charles says Zydeco gained popularity with poor farm workers as a way to boost their spirits after a long day in the fields. Live music this year includes Grammy winner Chubby Carrier, and a tribute to the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. Charles said they had virtual events during the COVID break, but there’s nothing like being able to share the best of Southwest Louisiana in person…:

CUT 08(12)      “…you know that.”

…and now today’s markets…

11:30 LRN Newscast

Construction is underway in Iberville Parish on a new state prison for women. And officials say the 280-thousand square foot facility is not designed just to lock up female criminals but to rehabilitate them. Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc says they’ll have several programs where inmates can learn cosmetology, horticulture, welding, and computer programming. He says there will also be mental health services…
cut 12 (10) “….with their children’
Construction is expected to take 28 months.

More than 30 pounds of trash headed to the Gulf of Mexico was intercepted by a device called the Litter Gitter. Gulf of Mexico Alliance spokesperson Amanda Nalley says the device was placed on a residential canal in Metairie.
Cut 13 (12) “…stopped from getting there.”

If all goes well, the Artemis unmanned mission to circle the moon will launch tomorrow. Marsanne Golsby on how some students are fascinated by space travel.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

There’s a couple of big festivals on the calendar this weekend, the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City and in Opelousas tomorrow it’s the Original Southwest Louisiana Music Festival. Festival director Lena Charles says the festival began in soybean field in 1982 and they’ve made it an all-day event …
cut 7 (13) “…of the story
The festival starts at noon at the Yambilee Festival Building.

10:30 LRN Newscast

A Cut-Off man faces life in prison after a jury convicted him of raping a teenager while the mother was restrained. Lafourche Parish district attorney’s office spokesperson David Melancon says the victim testified during the trial and delivered powerful testimony, describing the sexual abuse and fear she lives with at the hands of 55-year-old Morgan Ratley…
Cut 4 (09) “…strength”
Ratley will be sentenced next month, the incident occurred in July of 2019.

Six years ago the state’s lone female only prison flooded and construction is finally underway on a new women’s prison in Iberville Parish. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says the 149-million dollar facility will have 938-beds and it’s designed to rehabilitate prisoners…
cut 10 (09) “…go home”
The new facility will have courses on cosmetology, horticulture, welding, and computer programming.

Football has finally returned to Louisiana. You have high school games tonight, college football tomorrow and Sunday night it’s the season opener for the LSU Tigers who face Florida State in the Superdome in New Orleans. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says there will be a big party outside of the Dome prior to kick-off at Champions Square…
cut 28 (10) “…makes Louisiana special”

After a two-year break due to COVID, the Original Southwest Louisiana Music Festival returns to Opelousas Saturday. Festival executive director Lena Charles says Zydeco gained popularity with poor farm workers as a way to boost their spirits after a long day in the fields. She says it has the same effect today.
Cut 6 (10) “…away from that.”
The festival starts at noon at the Yambilee Festival Building. There’s seven bands, including Grammy winner Chubby Carrier.

9:30 LRN Newscast

A twelve person jury needed only one and a half hours before returning a unanimous guilty verdict against 55-year-old Morgan Ratley of Cut-off for raping a teenager while the mother was restrained. Lafourche Parish District Attorney spokesperson David Melancon says the horrific incident happened in July of 2019…
cut 3 (08) “….by our office”
Melancon says Ratley was a live-in boyfriend of the mother and began sexually assaulting the teenage victim without the mother’s knowledge.

Construction has started on a new state prison for women in Iberville Parish. Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc says construction on the 938-bed facility should take about 28 months…
cut 11 (11) “…local level”
The state’s previous women only prison was several damaged by the August 2016 flood.

Anticipation is high for the LSU Fighting Tigers’ season opener against Florida State Sunday in the Superdome. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his office made a $1-million sponsorship to assure the event came to New Orleans, and it is paying off…:
Cut 7 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”
Nungesser will conduct the opening coin toss.

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance says innovative technology stopped nearly 32 pounds of trash from flowing from a Metairie canal into the Gulf of Mexico. A device known as the Litter Gitter was used to collect the trash, 51-percent of it was plastic and 26-percent Styrofoam. Gulf of Mexico Alliance spokesperson Amanda Nalley says trash on the streets can make its way into bayous and canals and eventually into the gulf.
Cut 14 (08) “…thing for the gulf.”

8:30 LRN Newscast

Six years ago the state’s only prison for women flooded and construction is finally underway on a new female prison in the Iberville Parish. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says the 149-million dollar facility will have 938-beds and it’s designed to rehabilitate prisoners…
cut 10 (09) “…go home”
The new facility will have courses on cosmetology, horticulture, welding, and computer programming.

Big tourism weekend in New Orleans as the Southern Decadence Festival is back for the first time since 2019 and there’s also a soldout football game on Sunday night between LSU and Florida State. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the college football season always brings in extra visitors…
cut 9 (07) “….at every university”

If all goes well, the Artemis unmanned mission to circle the moon will launch tomorrow. Marsanne Golsby on how some students are fascinated by space travel.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Shreveport says it’s making progress in it’s effort to make repairs to three of the city’s water tanks which led to a city-wide boil advisory. Two of the water tanks have restored. A boil advisory was issued after Louisiana Department of Health drones discovered holes in the top of several water tanks during a routine inspection.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Construction is underway on the state’s newest women’s prison in the Iberville Parish town of St. Gabriel. Brooke Thorington has more on the $149-million facility…
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Two Baton Rouge Police officers have been arrested in unrelated cases. Officer Richmond Barrow is accused of selling info to drug dealers and officer Wade Hill allegedly handcuffed a woman and brought her to an apartment and sexually assaulted her.

Over in Lafayette, a 17-year-old has been arrested for fatally shooting a 15-year-old. Detectives say the shooting was over drugs.

A device called the Litter Gitter prevented more than 30 points of trash from flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. It was placed in a residential canal in Metairie. Gulf of Mexico Alliance spokesperson Amanda Nalley says a large portion of the plastic that was collected was water bottles…
cut 15 (09) “….some of this”
And Nalley says 26-percent of of the trash collected by the Litter Gitter was Styrofoam.

Two generations ago, classrooms were glued to televisions watching Apollo moon missions. Hannah Populus didn’t see the first moon launches, but she’s really excited about the launch of Artemis, a crewless space ship heading to the moon if the weather in Florida cooperates tomorrow. The Baton Rouge teacher has brought that excitement to her students at Parkview Baptist School.
Cut 4 (08) “…for me”
Populus says she has one student considering a career as a NASA engineer.

6:30 LRN newscast

The first big football weekend has arrived. You have high school football games tonight, college football on Saturday and Sunday’s LSU Tigers season opener with new coach Brian Kelly in the Superdome is expected to be a big boost to tourism in the Crescent City.
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Last night, La Tech lost its season opener to Missouri 52-24.

In the NFL, Saints safety Marcus Maye has been charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Deputies say Maye pointed a gun at a vehicle occupied by several juvenile females in a road rage incident. Maye’s attorney says his client vehemently denies the allegation.

Construction is underway in Iberville Parish on a new state prison for women. And officials say the 280-thousand square foot facility is not designed just to lock up female criminals but to rehabilitate them. Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc says they’ll have several programs where inmates can learn cosmetology, horticulture, welding, and computer programming. He says there will also be mental health services…
cut 12 (10) “….with their children’

Weather permitting, Artemis One, will launch tomorrow from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The unmanned space ship is headed to the moon. In Louisiana classrooms it’s a topic of discussion. Hannah Populus is an English teacher in Baton Rouge, but she loves space so much she incorporates the theme into writing exercises. Recently the class pretended they were going to Mars.
Cut 5 (10) “…in reality”

AM LRN Newscall Sept 1

If all goes well, the Artemis unmanned mission to circle the moon will launch tomorrow. Marsanne Golsby on how some students are fascinated by space travel.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

________________________________________________

Sunday’s LSU Tigers season opener with new coach Brian Kelly in the Superdome is expected to be a big boost to tourism in the Crescent City. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

________________________________________________

Construction is underway on the state’s newest women’s prison in St. Gabriel. Brooke Thorington has more on what features the $149-million facility will have.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________

Two generations ago, classrooms were glued to televisions watching Apollo moon missions. The last Apollo mission ended about 30 years before today’s generation of students were born. Hannah Populus didn’t see the first moon launches either, but she’s really excited about Artemis. The Baton Rouge teacher has brought that excitement to her students at Parkview Baptist School.

Cut 4 (08)  “…for me”

Populus is an English teacher, but she loves space so much she incorporates the theme into writing exercises. Recently the class pretended they were going to Mars.

Cut 5 (10) “…in reality”

Populus says she thinks the excitement about Artemis makes sense because people, especially students, are innately curious.

Cut 6 (13)  “…atmosphere.”

________________________________________________

Anticipation is high for the LSU Fighting Tigers’ season opener against Florida State Sunday in the Superdome. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his office made a $1-million sponsorship to assure the event came to New Orleans, and it is paying off…:

Cut 7 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”

Nungesser himself was selected to do the official coin toss for first possession to start the game. South Louisiana singer & Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw will sing the National Anthem. Then, fans will see their first of new head coach Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers. Nungesser says even fans with no tickets can enjoy a big party outside the Superdome at Champions Square…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…makes Louisiana special.”

Kickoff is Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Nungesser expects this to be a huge weekend for New Orleans, as the Southern Decadence LGBT Festival is also happening in the French Quarter. Nungesser says it’s a great start to a renewed fall football and festivals season all across the state…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…at every university.”

_______________________________________________

After six years, construction is finally underway in the Iberville Parish town of St. Gabriel on the state’s newest women’s prison. Corrections Secretary Jimmy Le Blanc says the $149 million state-of-the-art facility will have 938-beds and be located on the west side of the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center facility.

Cut 10 (09) “…go home.”

Since the previous facility flooded in 2016, Le Blanc says the majority of female inmates have been housed at the former Jetson youth facility in Baton Rouge and the new prison should be completed in 28 months.

Cut  11 (11)  “…local level.” 

The new facility will have space for multiple rehabilitative programs, for example, cosmetology, horticulture, welding, and computer programming. Le Blanc says it will also have an area dedicated to inmates who need mental health services.

Cut 12 (10) “…with their children.” 

He says the post-partum section of the women’s will be a first of its kind for Louisiana once construction is completed.

_______________________________________________

More than 30 pounds of trash that were headed to the Gulf of Mexico has been intercepted by a device called the Litter Gitter Gulf of Mexico Alliance spokesperson Amanda Nalley says the device was placed on a residential canal in Metairie.

Cut 13 (12) “…stopped from getting there.”

Nalley says when you see trash on the streets if it’s not disposed of properly once it rains it eventually makes it down through our waterways and into the gulf.

Cut 14 (08)  “…thing for the gulf.”

In addition to keeping litter from entering the gulf, Nalley says they were also able to see what kind of trash was intercepted and the majority of the 32 pounds collected in the time span of a month were plastic water bottles.

Cut 15 (09)  “…some of this.”

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance assisted the Pontchartrain Conservancy with acquiring the Litter Gitter that was created by the Osprey Initiative in Mobile, Alabama.

________________________________________________

For just the tenth time in history, LSU and Florida State will face off against each other on the gridiron when they meet in the Superdome Sunday. It’s the season opener for the Tigers, while the Seminoles dominated Duquense 47-7 last week in Tallahassee. FSU has a veteran dual-threat quarterback in Jordan Travis and LSU Coach Brian Kelly says they want to keep Travis in the pocket

Cut 16 (16)  “…makes him predictable.” 

On defense, Kelly says the Seminoles’ defensive tackles have size…

Cut 17 (20) “…their defensive line.” 

The top player on the D-Line is defensive tackle Fabian Lovett, who was an All-ACC honorable mention last season.

_________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns kick off its season tomorrow with the nation’s longest winning streak at 13 games. They’ll try to make it 14 in a row when they host Southeastern Louisiana at 6 PM. The Lions are the preseason favorite to win it in the Southland, even though they have a new quarterback in Cephus Johnson. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux on the matchup…

Cut  18 (17)“…out of it.”

It’s Desormeaux’s first season as head coach of the Cajuns. He says they’ve had a good preseason camp and now it’s showtime…

Cut 19 (14) “…wanna see”

_________________________________________________________

Northwestern State heads to Missoula, Montana for its opening game as the Demons visit the second-ranked team in the F-C-S, the Montana Grizzlies. It’s the Demon’s first visit to Washington-Grizzly Stadium since 2004 and only one player on Northwestern’s team has ever visited the state of Montana. Coach Braid Laird says it’s a challenging place to play…

Cut 20 (13) “ …playoff atmosphere” 

5:30 LRN Newscast Sept 1

5:30 (17) 8:30 (20)

A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 15-year-old who was killed last night after Lafayette Police say was a drug-deal gone bad. LPD’s Sgt Robin Green

Cut 12 (08) “…drug transaction”  

She says there were a number of witnesses, and they hope the arrest will bring about justice for the victim’s family.

WestRock has broken ground on a 97-million-dollar expansion at its paper mill in Hodge. The paper mill has been a major employer in Jackson Parish for 90 years as it’s responsible for 450 direct jobs. State Representative Jack McFarland says the facility is also a driver of economic activity for surrounding parishes…:

Cut 3 (11) “…wood chip community” 

Construction is expected to continue into 2024.

The first week of the college football season kicks off tonight and two new sports betting parlors open today in Louisiana. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says there’s the Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans and the DraftKings sportsbook at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles. He says the L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge is expected to open its Barstool sportsbook soon.

Cut 10 (10) “..their market” 

The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City kicks off today. Carrie Stansbury, Executive Director of the Cajun Coast Visitor’s Bureau says the annual event includes continuous music, plenty of seafood, along with arts and crafts. She says Sunday however is their traditional day.

Cut 7 (07) “…fireworks at night.” 

It’s the oldest charted harvest festival in the state.

4:30 LRN Newscast Sept 01

Paper products company WestRock breaks ground on a $97-million expansion of its paper mill in Hodge, in Jackson Parish. The governor’s office says the company is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program, and the initial start-up of the new portion is scheduled for a year from now. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland thanks WestRock for securing jobs and supporting contractors who rely on the mill..:

CUT 05(11)      “…as well.”

WestRock has been in Hodge for around 90 years.

Lafayette Police say a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed last night in a drug deal gone bad. LPD’s Sgt. Robin Green says concerned citizens are helping them…:

CUT 13(07)      “…right now.”

This just in: LPD has arrested a 17-year-old suspect for that crime.

 

Morgan City’s Shrimp and Petroleum Festival begins today, and organizers are excited it’s back after a two-year absence…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Just before the NFL regular season begins, New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye has been arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at a car full of young girls in a road rage incident. He face several counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. Maye’s lawyer says Maye denies it all, and looks forward to clearing his name. Maye was booked and released on $30-thousand bond.