6:30 LRN Newscast August 18

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will push the state legislature next year to include an exception for rape and incest to the state’s law that bans most abortions. Edwards made the comments during his monthly radio show…
cut 13 (06) “…..next year”
Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, signed a trigger abortion ban bill earlier this year that led to the closure of the state’s three abortion clinics. He says some states have called special sessions to enact abortion bans, but they are including exceptions for rape and incest.

A project to deepen the Mississippi River from its mouth to the Huey P Long Bridge in New Orleans is now complete. The river is 50-feet deep in that area, instead of 45. Big River Coalition director Sean Duffy says the project will mean more high-capacity traffic will come up the river…:
cut 7 (12) “….open for 50 feet”
The project cost 250-million dollars and 81-million dollars is from the state.

A major environmental discovery in extreme eastern St. Bernard Parish has coastal and wildlife officials very excited. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby..”

AM LRN Newscall Aug 17

A major environmental discovery in extreme eastern St. Bernard Parish has state wildlife officials very excited. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby..”

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Officials gathered this week to observe the official opening of a deepened Mississippi River navigation channel. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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A $21 million settlement has been reached with Brad Pitt and his Make it Right Foundation which constructed eco-friendly homes after Katrina. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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For the first time in 75 years, endangered sea turtle hatchlings have been seen on Louisiana’s Chandeleur Islands which is located in extreme in St. Bernard Parish. The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and Department of Wildlife and Fisheries found the hatchlings in the Breton National Wildlife Refuge. Todd Baker is project manager for the CPRA…

Cut 4 (14)  “turtle in the world

The Kemp’s Ridley turtles are endangered and loggerhead turtles are threatened. Scientists were especially excited to find hatchlings moving around.

Cut 5 (l1) “…blew the top off this thing”

Baker says most of the nestings are in Mexico, with a few in Texas and Florida.

Cut 6 (12)  “…to the population.”

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Federal, state, and local officials gathered this week for a ceremony observing the deepening of the Mississippi River’s navigation channel. The river is now 50-feet deep from the mouth of the river to the Port of New Orleans and onto the Huey P. Long Bridge. Big River Coalition director Sean Duffy says the project will mean more high-capacity traffic will be able to come up the river…:

Cut 7 (12) “…open for 50 feet.”

Duffy has been working to get the river deepened for about ten years. He helped convince the Governor to invest an $80-million match of federal funds for the $250-million deepening. He says the first two ships to navigate at a 50-foot draft went down the river from New Orleans within the past 10 days…:

Cut 8 (08)  “…cargo will come.”

Duffy says he and other river stakeholders will now work to deepen the river all the way to the Port of Baton Rouge in the years ahead. He says the Mississippi leads to two of the nation’s largest river ports, and keeping commercial traffic flowing is key to the state’s economy…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…that river system.”

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A $21 million settlement has been reached with Brad Pitt and his Make it Right Foundation and the 105 homeowners who purchased houses from his foundation that were constructed after Katrina. Attorney Ron Austin says residents have since lived in subpart conditions ever since.

Cut 10 (12) “…defective product.”

The Make It Right Foundation appears to be defunct, and the settlement will be funded by Global Green. Austin says homeowners have had to pay their mortgages this whole time and lived with mold, sewage issues, and more.

Cut  11 (09)  “…to go.” 

Austin says they believe the settlement will be enough to repair the homes to livable conditions and with Global Green overseeing the project it will eventually reach its intended purpose.

Cut 12 (09) “…properly.” 

Austin says some of the homes have been unlivable, as far back as 2009.

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On his monthly radio call-in show, Governor John Bel Edwards was asked his thoughts on the state’s abortion that’s in effect now after court challenges delayed its enaction. The pro-life Democratic governor says he’s for legislation to add certain exceptions.

Cut 13 (04) “…next year.”

He pointed out that there are expectations for an ectopic pregnancy if the pregnancy is deemed medically futile or the mother’s life is in danger.

Edwards explains why he’s for the exceptions of rape and incest.

Cut 14 (12)  “…to answer it.”

And the governor says he believes there is enough bipartisan support to add exceptions for rape and incest in the state’s abortion ban…

Cut 15 (06)  “…thing to do.”

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LSU’s offense looked good in Wednesday’s practice that was completely opened to the media. But snapping the football was an issue as first-team center Garrett Dellinger continues to get used to a position he’s never played. Coach Brian Kelly says Dellinger can snap the football well, but at center he has other responsibilities too

Cut 16 (20)  “…stay on him.”

Jayden Daniels took a majority of the first team snaps at quarterback during the scrimmage portion of the practice as he battles Garrett Nussmeier for the job. Kelly says both guys are competing well…

Cut 17 (19) “…one of them.” 

One of the breakout stars at camp is McNeese State transfer cornerback Colby Richardson, who added about 25 pounds of weight during the offseason. Kelly expects Richardson to play a lot this fall and he likes the depth they’ve built at that position…

Cut  18 (20)“…few months ago.”

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Saints Coach Dennis Allen says it’s unlikely quarterback Jameis Winston will play in Friday’s preseason game in Green Bay. Winston is with the team in Wisconsin as they practice against the Packers, but he remains on the sidelines from a sprained foot. Coach Dennis Allen says Winston was able to do some warm-up drills…

 Cut 19 (13) “…we’ll see.” 

The Saints will have a walk thru today and they’ll take on the Packers on Friday in preseason game number two. Allen wants to see his team compete…

Cut 20 (17) “ …like that.” 

 

 

5:30 LRN Newscast Aug 17

The Netflix documentary “I Just Killed My Dad,” is the story of then 17-year-old Anthony Templet of Baton Rouge who murdered his father in 2019. East Baton Rouge Assistant DA Dana Cummings says for Templet to be completely exonerated the law argues he should have called 9-1-1 or escaped out the window instead of shooting his father multiple times.

Cut 4  (11) “…people see them.”

Years of abuse by his father changed the outcome of the case and Templet was given five years’ probation.

Cleco Power announces plans to turn a closed coal-fired power plant in DeSoto Parish into a solar power facility. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says the project is expected to deliver significant community benefits to DeSoto Parish…

Cut 11 (05)  “…the parish”

A timeline on when construction will begin, and end has not been set.

On his monthly radio call-in show, Governor John Bel Edwards was asked his thoughts on the abortion ban in Louisiana that’s in effect. The pro-life Democratic governor says he’s for legislation to add certain exceptions.

Cut 13 (06) “…next year.”

This morning state official broke ground on a monument to Louisiana African American Veterans. Marsanne Golsby has the story….

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”  

 

4:30 LRN Newscast August 17

It’s long overdue, but officials broke ground today on a Louisiana African American Veterans monument to be built on the State Capitol grounds. In attendance at the ceremony was retired Lt. General Russel Honore, who says Black soldiers have a history of service going back to the American Revolution…:

CUT 06(10)      “…fought in the war.”

The monument should be completed by this time next summer.

Central Louisiana Electric Company plans to turn a shuttered coal-fired power plant in DeSoto Parish into a solar power station. CLECO’s Jennifer Cahill says it’s part of their commitment to renewable energy…:

CUT 09(07)      “…clean energy company.”

As yet, there’s no timeline for construction or completion.

 

Two people in Florida have died from a bacterial infection after eating oysters that came from Louisiana. The CDC says oysters with the vibrio bacteria don’t smell or taste any different, so testing is the only way to assure they’re safe. LRN has reached out to the Department of health for comment.

 

The Netflix documentary “I Just Killed My Dad,” the story of a Baton Rouge teen who murdered his father in 2019, remains in the top 10 most watched shows…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Thorington.”

3:30 LRN Newscast August 17

A man campaigning for a seat on the school board in the East Baton Rouge Parish city of Central is arrested for indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer-aided solicitation of a minor. EBR Sheriff’s deputies allege that 20-year-old Joshua Schopp sent inappropriate text messages to a 15-year-old girl; requesting she send him nude photos and even sending her a video of himself nude below the waist. He was taken into custody today. Schopp is running for the Central School Board in the November election.

Netflix reports the Baton Rouge-based crime documentary “I Just Killed My Dad” is among their 10 most-watched. It’s the story of Anthony Templet, who killed his father, after years of abuse. East Baton Rouge Assistant District Attorney Dana Cummings prosecuted the case. She shares her opinion of the program…:

CUT 05(09)      “…excellent job.”

Templet plead no contest to negligent homicide and was given five years supervised probation. He has four years left in his sentence.

 

Cleco says it will transform a shuttered coal-fired power plant in DeSoto Parish into a solar power facility.  Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says the timeline for construction and completion has not yet been established, but the project is expected to deliver significant community benefits to DeSoto Parish…:

CUT 11(05)      “…the parish.”

Breaking ground today at the State Capitol grounds in Baton Rouge, work on a monument to Louisiana’s African-American Veterans. Retired Lt. General Russel Honore says although many generations of African American soldiers were not able to enjoy the fruits of their labors, their sacrifices helped pave the way for others…:

CUT 08(09)      “…World War II”

The monument is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.

2:30 LRN Newscast August 17

Cleco Power announces plans to turn a closed coal-fired power plant in DeSoto Parish into a solar power facility. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says today’s announcement of the Dolet Hills Solar Project continues their effort to reduce the company’s carbon footprint…:

CUT 10(08)      “…45-thousand homes.”

A timeline on when construction will begin and end has not been set.

State officials broke ground today on a monument to Louisiana African American Veterans in the Veterans Memorial Park at the State Capitol. The monument will be the first of its kind in the Capitol complex.  Retired Lieutenant General Russel Honore says African American soldiers took advantage of whatever opportunities they could find to serve their country…:

CUT 07(07)      “…with duty and honor.”

 

The Netflix documentary “I Just Killed My Dad,” the story of a Baton Rouge teen who murdered his father in 2019, remains in the top 10 most watched shows…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Thorington.”

Florida-based United Property and Casualty Insurance – or UPC – is the latest company to find itself in fiscal trouble, and will stop writing new policies in Louisiana on January 1st. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon advises UPC’s 37-thousand customers to seek out new coverage sooner rather than later.

1:30 LRN Newscast Aug 17

State officials broke ground on the Louisiana African American Veterans monument at the state capitol today. Retired Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore was there and he’s also descendent of a Revolutionary War soldier.

Cut 6 (10) “..fought in the war.” 

The Netflix documentary “I Just Killed My Dad,” is the story of then 17-year-old Anthony Templet of Baton Rouge who murdered his father in 2019. East Baton Rouge Assistant DA Dana Cummings says for Templet to be completely exonerated the law argues he should have called 9-1-1 or escaped out the window instead of shooting his father multiple times.

Cut 4  (11) “…people see them.”

Years of abuse by his father changed the outcome of the case and Templet was given five years’ probation

Cleco Power announces plans to turn a closed coal-fired power plant in DeSoto Parish into a solar power facility. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they’ve partnered with D-C Shaw Renewable Investments, a leading renewable energy producer in the U-S to make this project a reality…

Cut 9 (07)  “…clean energy company.”

A timeline on when construction will begin, and end has not been set.

Eligible Entergy customers can now apply for a one-time 150-dollar credit on their utility bill. You can apply online through your local United Way. In order to qualify. A single-person household can’t make more than 34-thousand dollars, a family of four, total income cannot exceed 70-thousand dollars.

 

12:30 LRN Newscast

The Netflix documentary “I Just Killed My Dad,” the story of then 17-year-old Anthony Templet of Baton Rouge who murdered his father in 2019, remains in the top 10 most watched shows. East Baton Rouge Assistant District Attorney Dana Cummings prosecuted the case and appeared in the three-part series.
Cut 3 (11) “…this closer (x2).”
As investigators and defense attorneys uncovered years of abuse it changed the case considerably and he eventually pled no contest to a negligent homicide charge.

SWEPCO is offering options for its customers who are having difficulty paying their power bills. Spokesperson Tara Muck says they are allowing customers to extend their payments.
Cut 8 (11) “…in full.”
If you are current on your account Muck says you can make payment arrangements online or by phone through their automated menu.

You’ll be able to purchase a hearing aid for mild to moderate hearing loss without a prescription in October. Brooke Thorington spoke with an expert at LSU Health New Orleans….
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

11:30 LRN newscast

A ruling is expected soon from the Louisiana Supreme Court on whether Shreveport mayor Adrian Perkins’ can run for re-election. Attorney Jerry Harper told the state’s highest court that the home address Perkins put down on his qualifying papers does not match his homestead exemption and he should be disqualified from the race.
cut 5 (05) “….exemption was filed”
But an attorney for Perkins, Scott Bickford, says an incorrect address on a form should not prevent the mayor from running for another term….
cut 6 (08) “….technical difficulties”
Perkins was disqualified from running by a Shreveport judge. That ruling was upheld by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. No word on when the Supreme Court will issue its ruling.

The FDA has approved the sale of hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss to be sold without a prescription beginning mid-October. LSU Health New Orleans Assistant Professor of Audiology Megan Guidry says the big question is how will individuals know just how bad their hearing is?
Cut 11 (11) “…hearing test.”
The FDA estimates nearly 30 million Americans could benefit from a hearing aid.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave currently over Honduras. It is expected to move across Central America over the next couple days and emerge into the Bay of Campeche. State climatologist Dr. Barry Keim says the chances of development are low, but given the time of year, it’s worth watching.
Cut 14 (08) “…most of the activity”

10:30 LRN Newscast Aug 17

The FDA has approved the sale of hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss to be sold without a prescription beginning mid-October. The goal is the make hearing aids more accessible for those without insurance or other barriers, as for reducing cost, LSU Health New Orleans Assistant Professor of Audiology Megan Guidry’s isn’t sure it will.

Cut 13 (09) “…our services.”

She says those who have significant hearing loss need to have their aids adjusted by a professional for the best outcome.

SWEPCO announces residential customers struggling to pay high electricity bills can get their late fees waived and they can also take advantage of an extended payment plan that gives them up to 12 months to pay their bill in full. Spokesperson Tara Muck says reach out to SWEPCO as soon as possible to discuss options…

Cut 10 (09) “…with you.”
Residential customers wishing to get late fees and deposits waived must call 1-888-216-3523

The state Supreme Court heard the second appeal of Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins’ re-election disqualification Tuesday. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Gas prices continue to drop, the average for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana is 3.52 down 11 cents from last week and 57-cents from a week ago. The national average is 3.94. In Monroe the average is 3.34 a gallon.