9:30 LRN Newscast May 2

The death penalty still has the support of most Louisianans, but could we see it put to rest anytime soon? David Grubb has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

 

A 13-year-old girl was killed Sunday in Shreveport in her home by a stray bullet as gunfire from three vehicles passed her Fairfield Avenue home. Police says Landry Anglin was transported to Ochsner LSU Health hospital and where she died of her injuries. It’s the 21st homicide this year in Caddo Parish.

An East Feliciana Parish grand jury will hear the case against a Slaughter couple Clay and Shelia Fletcher, accused of extreme neglect in the death of their 36-year-old daughter. 20th Judicial District D.A. Sam D’Aquilla (pronounced: duh-QUILL-uh) says the Lacey Fletcher developed a mental illness and became a shut-in and the coroner reports says she was found surrounded in her own bodily waste.

Cut 5 (07) “…room of the house.”

A bill requiring students to show they are reading on grade level before promotion to 4th grade will be heard in the House this week. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says testing would be administered more than once along with intensive training for those who fail to pass the test.

Cut 9 (14)  “…in our state.”

Nelson says Mississippi has a similar law and their literacy rate went from 49th to 29th.

8:30 LRN Newscast

An East Feliciana Parish grand jury will be asked to decide today if Clay and Shelia Fletcher should be charged with second murder for the death of their 36-year-old daughter Lacey Fletcher, who died in her own feces on her parents’ couch. Authorities say Lacey’s body basically melted into the couch. The district attorney in East Feliciana Parish is Sam D’Aquilla…
cut 6 (13) “…it’s just horrifying”

A new statewide survey out of LSU says 51-percent of the respondents say they still favor the death penalty for persons convicted of murder. That’s down from 58-percent in 2018. LSU Pollster Mike Henderson says the death penalty is becoming less popular over concerns of executing a person that could have been wrongly convicted…
cut 11 (10) “…kinds of crimes’

A bill to test Louisiana students for reading proficiency before being promoted to 4th grade is set to be heard in the House this week. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

cut 30
For the 102-thousand fans that got to witness it, they are still talking about it, Garth Brooks’ legendary performance inside Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. When he sang Callin Baton Rouge, it registered as a small earthquake on a seismograph in Nicholoson Hall.

7:30 LRN Newscast

An East Feliciana Parish grand jury will hear a case today against a Slaughter couple accused of extreme neglect in the death of their 36-year-old daughter. 20th Judicial District D.A. Sam D’Aquilla says Lacey Fletcher had developed a mental illness and became a shut-in; literally living on the couch in Clay and Sheila Fletcher’s home. He says she was found in early January – on that sofa – dead and in horrible conditions…:
Cut 4 (08) “…jumped right on it.”
D’Aquilla believes there was intent to kill Lacey and her parents should be indicted for murder.

The percentage of Louisiana residents who support the death penalty falls from 58-percent in 2018 to 51-percent in this year’s Louisiana Survey, conducted by LSU Public Policy Research Lab. In the last three years, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Virginia have abolished the death. LSU pollster Mike Henderson says Louisiana could join them one day…
cut 12 (11) “…perhaps sooner”
An attempt to abolish the death penalty was defeated in a Senate committee this session.

A bill to improve literacy rates in Louisiana will be heard in the House this week. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s bill is modeled on a Mississippi law that prohibits students with reading deficiencies by the end of the third grade to be promoted to fourth grade. Nelson says since it was enacted in the Magnolia State in 2013…
Cut 7 (10) “…grade literacy.”
The bill allows the Louisiana Department of Education to determine testing qualifications for students and the criteria for promotion to the fourth grade.

If you are planning a trip to California in the summer or fall, Allegiant Air announces they are offering 65-dollar one-way flights from Shreveport to Los Angeles and back from May 27th to November 14th. Shreveport Regional Airport Authority Mark Crawford on why Allegiant Air would offer such a low fare…
Cut 13 (10) “…each way”

6:30 LRN Newscast May 2

A grand jury in East Feliciana Parish will hear the case against a couple accused of neglecting their adult daughter to death.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Twelve people were shot in downtown Lafayette early Sunday morning. Officers responded to a report of shots fired in progress on Jefferson Street and when they arrived they came in contact with a suspected gunman, who was shot by an officer. The suspect is in critical condition, while the 11 victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The 2022 Louisiana Survey finds that 51-percent of Louisiana residents support the death penalty for persons convicted of murder. That’s down from 58-percent in 2018 when the Lousiana Survey last included this question. LSU pollster Mike Henderson says opposition to the death penalty is up to 38-percent…
cut 10 (08) “…13 points”

According to Air D-N-A, summer 2022 travel will be up 20 to 25-percent relative to 2019. Shreveport Regional Airport Authority spokesperson Mark Crawford says it’s great to see travelers pack airports, but there are fewer flights….
cut 15 (10) “….aircraft availability”
Allegiant Air is offering 65-dollar one-way flights from Shreveport to Los Angeles this summer and fall.

LSU pulled off a big series win against Georgia on Sunday and it ended in thrilling fashion as Cade Doughty drilled a two-run walk-off homer on Sunday as the Tigers earned a four to three victory. The Bayou Bengals are 12 and 9 in the SEC and in a three-way tie for second place.

9:30 LRN Newscast April 30

A special House committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene hears from a high-ranking State Police Trooper who admits there was a cover-up. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Multiple bills concerning abortion rights have been discussed during this legislative session, and it remains a polarizing topic in the state. However, Dr. Michael Henderson of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says there’s been slow but steady growth in support for legal access. In the latest release of data from the 2022 Louisiana Survey, 46 percent of Louisianans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, with 49 percent taking the opposing stance.

Former East Carroll Parish Sheriff, 84-year-old Dale Rinicker was arrested Thursday in West Monroe after he was asked to leave a convenience store for allegedly making lewd comments to female employees. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glen Springfield says after multiple requests to leave the store deputies arrested Rinicker for trespassing.

Cut 3 (11) “…of uniform.”

The 2022 NFL Draft has seen plenty of LSU products hear their names called so far. Four Tigers have been taken, including Derek Stingley at 3rd overall. Offensive lineman Ed Ingram went in round two, with running back Ty Davis-Price and corner Cordale Flott selected in the third.

The Saints have picks in rounds 5 and 6 on the last day of the draft. New Orleans gave Jameis Winston some protection with offensive tackle Trevor Penning and hopefully some production in wide receiver Chris Olave in round one. In Friday’s second round, New Orleans selected cornerback Alontae Taylor out of Tennesse.

8:30 LRN Newscast April 30

Former American Idol winner and Louisiana native Laine Hardy was arrested Friday after LSU Police received a complaint, he allegedly put a listening device in a student’s room. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former East Carroll Parish Sheriff, 84-year-old Dale Rinicker was arrested Thursday in West Monroe. Even though Rinicker threatened officers during the arrest, he was taken to the Ouachita Correctional Center and charged with Criminal Trespass and two counts of Resisting an Officer. In 1997 Rinicker pleaded guilty to taking kickbacks from a manager of a private prison in Lake Providence.

Multiple bills concerning abortion rights have been discussed during this legislative session, and it remains a polarizing topic in the state. Like so many issues, opinions seem to fall along political party lines. Dr. Michael Henderson of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says the 2022 Louisiana Survey reports that while Republicans have remained fairly consistent in their attitudes, the percentage of Democrats who support legal access has risen from 51 to 74 percent since 2016.

Cut 11 (07) “…across the country.”

A high-ranking State Police trooper confirms L-S-P was involved in a cover-up to hide the facts surrounding the roadside death of Ronald Greene in 2019. Lt. Colonel Kenny Van Buren gave the admission during lengthy questioning by state lawmakers

Cut 12 (14) “…answers to.”

5:30 LRN Newscast April 29

A high-ranking State Trooper tells a legislative panel looking into the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene, in Union Parish, that there WAS a cover-up. Lt. Colonel Kenny Van Buren made the admission this morning. Another witness, retired LSP Captain Mark Richards, told them he was told to block the Greene crash report, which he says is NOT normal…:

Cut 13 (13) “…before”

According to the 2022 Louisiana Survey, 46 percent of respondents say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, with 49 percent opposed. In 2016, only 40-percent were pro-choice, while 55-percent said it should be illegal. Dr. Michael Henderson of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says that compared to the rest of the nation, Louisiana stands out.

Cut 10 (09) “…on abortion.”

The former sheriff of East Carroll Parish has been arrested on trespassing and resisting officer charges. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glen Springfield says 84-year-old Dale Rinicker is accused of not leaving a store in West Monroe after allegedly making lewd comments to female employees and when deputies attempted to place Rinicker in handcuffs, he resisted arrest and threatened to physically harm the officers…

Cut 4  (08) “…and resisting.”
Former American Idol winner Laine Hardy was arrested Friday after LSU Police received a complaint, he allegedly put a listening device in a student’s room. Thursday night Hardy posted on social media, that he’d received a warrant from LSU Police. The 21-year-old turned himself in on charges of illegally intercepting communications. It’s been reported the victim is Hardy’s ex-girlfriend and she has text messages from Hardy admitting he planted a device in her room. The offense is punishable by a fine of up to $10-thousand and prison time of two to 10 years.

4:30 LRN Newscast April 29

A special House committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene hears from a high-ranking State Police Trooper who admits there was a cover-up. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

American Idol winner and Livingston Parish native Lane Hardy was arrested by LSU police; accused of planting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room. The victim reportedly provided police a screenshot of a text conversation where he admitted as much. Hardy has cancelled an upcoming appearance this weekend in Jackson, Mississippi.

 

Multiple bills concerning abortion rights have been discussed during this legislative session, and it remains a polarizing topic in the state. However, Dr. Michael Henderson of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says while Republicans have remained fairly consistent in their attitudes, Democrats who support legal access rose from 51 to 74 percent since 2016…:

CUT 11(07)      “…across the country.”

The New Orleans Saints took part in their first post-Sean Payton draft, with new head coach Dennis Allen at the helm. New Orleans traded picks 16, 98, and 120 to Washington to move up and grab wide receiver Chris Olave, and they took offensive tackle Trevor Penning at 19. Allen says the Saints are not in a rebuild period, and he expects they’ll be contenders for the playoffs next season.

The Pelicans saw their season end last night, with a loss to Phoenix in Game Six of their NBA Playoff series. The Pels started their season as one the league’s worst, but clawed their way back to make the post-season.

3:30 LRN Newscast April 29

At the State capitol, a panel of lawmakers looking into the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene was stunned by a high-ranking officer with State Police admitting there had been a cover-up of the circumstances of the man’s death. Lt. Colonel Kenny Van Buren, during lengthy questioning by the committee…:

CUT 12 (14)      “…the answers to.”

Greene’s family was originally told he died as a result of a car crash following a high-speed chase, but body camera video of his arrest shows he was severely beaten by troopers. The committee will hear more testimony next week.

Shreveport Regional Airport will offer discounted flights to the City of Angels. Allegiant Air says it will offer $65 one-way flights to Los Angeles, starting in late May. $65!

 

Former East Carroll Parish Sheriff, 84-year-old Dale Rinicker was arrested Thursday in West Monroe after he was asked to leave a convenience store for allegedly making lewd comments to female employees. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glen Springfield says, after multiple requests to leave the store, deputies arrested Rinicker for trespassing…:

CUT 03 (11)      “…of uniform.”

In 1997 Rinicker pleaded guilty to taking kickbacks from a manager of a private prison in Lake Providence.

Police in New Orleans release more information on the gun death of a 3-year-old girl in the city’s French Quarter this week. They say little Autumn Barthelemy found a pistol left on a bathroom counter by her teenage brother, and pulled the trigger. So far no word on what – if any – charges the brother may face.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is now fully underway. Over the next two weekends, 80 different musical acts will perform on 12 stages. Headliners are The Who, Willie Nelson, and more

2:30 LRN Newscast April 29

Celebrities in trouble. Former American Idol winner and Livingston Parish native Lane Hardy has been arrested; allegedly for bugging his former girlfriend’s dorm room. Jeff Palermo has that…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans DA Jason Williams says the four teens arrested for carjacking an elderly woman last month and dragging her to death will be tried as adults for 2nd-degree murder. The oldest is a 17-year-old boy, three girls charged are all 15. If convicted, all four will face life in prison.

 

A high-ranking State Trooper tells a legislative panel looking into the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene, in Union Parish, that there WAS a cover-up. Lt. Colonel Kenny Van Buren made the admission this morning. Another witness, retired LSP Captain Mark Richards, told them he was told to block the Greene crash report, which he says is NOT normal…:

CUT 13(13)      “…block a report before.”

Multiple bills concerning abortion rights have been discussed during this legislative session, and it remains a polarizing topic in the state. However, Dr. Michael Henderson of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says there’s been slow but steady growth in support for legal access…:

CUT 09(12)      “…access to abortion.”