10:30 LRN Newscast Feb 3

A cold front will bring heavy rounds of rain and there’s a winter weather advisory with the possibility of mixed precipitation along the I-20 corridor this afternoon. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the mercury will drop throughout the day…

Cut 14 (11)  “…into Louisiana.”
The cold temps will linger into next week.

Debate is underway on new Congressional District maps. Chairwoman and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt….

Cut 4 (07) “…possible.” 
Hewitt’s proposal would extend Julia Letlow’s District, further south into the Florida parishes. Black members of the Senate have proposals to create a second majority-minority congressional district, making significant changes to Letlow’s district.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reporting the state’s first suspected case of chronic wasting disease. The tentative diagnosis was made from samples of an adult buck in Tensas Parish. LDWF veterinarian Doctor Jim Lacour says they sent those samples to a lab in Iowa for confirmation…

Cut 12 (12) “…of that area.”
A special task force appointed by Governor Edwards approves a Climate Action Plan for Louisiana, designed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050.

Louisiana Chemical Association (LCA) president Greg Bowser says his while they support the basic plan, they do have concerns it could prove costly for them, and others…

Cut 8 (10)  “….disastrous for our economy.”

9:30 LRN Newscast Feb 3

The legislature is expected to begin debating new congressional districts in the redistricting session. When asked about Democratic Senator Cleo Fields plan to add a second minority-majority district, Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt says just because a district qualifies as a 50-percent plus one minority district….

Cut 5 (08) “…their choice.”

The session will also consider BESE, legislative, and Public Service Commission districts and possibly Supreme Court districts.

Temperatures are going to drop throughout the day as the cold front makes its way across the state today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it looks like the groundhog was right about winter lingering, especially into to weekend and next week for Louisiana.

Cut  16 (12)  “…and Sunday.”

After receiving a tip that a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner was providing narcotics for sexual favors the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement has arrested 40-year-old Mark Declouet Jr of Alexandria. Agents say Declouet would solicit men with cash to locate and provide females for sexual purposes. The suspect faces multiple drug charges and human trafficking charges.

Louisiana may have its first reported case of a Chronic Wasting Disease that attacks white-tailed deer. David Grubb has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

8:30 LRN Newscast February 3

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will discuss redrawing the state’s Congressional district lines today. Black lawmakers have submitted proposals to create a second majority-minority congressional district in an effort to get two African-Americans in Louisiana’s U-S House delegation. But Slidell Senator and Chairwoman of the committee Sharon Hewitt says that would result in taking black voters out of District Two, Troy Carter’s district…
cut 6 (12) “…minority district”

A cold front will push through Louisiana bringing heavy rounds of rain and the possibility of winter precipitation north of I-20. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures will drop after the front moves through…
cut 14 (11) “….into Louisiana”

This week, a special task force appointed by Governor Edwards approved a Climate Action Plan for Louisiana, designed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. Harry Vorhoff chairs the Climate Initiatives Task Force and says the plan has 28 strategies and 84 specific actions to attain that goal. He says a lot of the state’s emissions come from the energy and chemical industries, and their concerns were kept in mind…:
Cut 7 (08) “…or no-carbon market.”
But the Louisiana Chemical Association supports innovation and not regulation in an effort to reduce emissions.

Louisiana may have its first reported case of a neurodegenerative disease that attacks white-tailed deer. Samples from an adult buck hunter-harvested in Tensas Parish showed signs of Chronic Wasting Disease or CWD. Dr. Jim LaCour says LDWF has been preparing for CWD to make its way from neighboring states into Louisiana.
Cut 11 (10) “…not totally unexpected.”

7:30 LRN Newscast February 3

A special task force appointed by the Governor approves its climate action plan for reaching net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 … but some are less than enthused.
Cut 2 (38) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Northern parishes are under a winter weather advisory today as rain will transition to freezing rain, sleet and snow throughout the day today.

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to debate new Congressional District maps today. Chairwoman and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt….
cut 4 (07) “…as possible”
Hewitt’s proposal would extend Julia Letlow’s District, further south into the Florida parishes. Black members of the Senate have proposals that would create a second majority-minority congressional district by making significant changes to Letlow’s district.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reporting Louisiana’s first suspected case of chronic wasting disease. The tentative diagnosis was made on samples taken from a hunter-harvested adult buck taken on private land in Tensas Parish. LDWF veterinarian Doctor Jim Lacour says they sent those samples to a lab in Iowa for confirmation…
cut 12 (12) “…that area”
Tensas Parish has been an area of heightened surveillance for CWD since a case was confirmed on the other side of the Mississippi River in 2018.

6:30 LRN Newscast February 3

In an interview with the Advocate, Senate President Page Cortez backs House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s statement to the Associated Press that Governor Edwards said to them in a meeting that Black motorist Ronald Greene died as a result of injuries suffered in a car wreck. But Edwards says he never said to anyone that Greene died as a result of a wreck, and believes the troopers who beat him should be charged criminally.

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to discuss proposed changes to the state’s Congressional district maps today…
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

A strong cold front moves through the state today bringing the possibility for wintry precipitation across the northern parishes and a lot of rain for the rest of the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says after the cold front moves through, cold air moves in…
cut 15 (12) “…in the 40s”
It will be chilly on Saturday too and then we’ll see a warm-up starting on Sunday.

The state department of wildlife and fisheries is reporting Louisiana’s first suspected case of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer. It was found in a hunter-harvested adult buck taken on private land in Tensas Parish. CWD is 100-percent fatal in deer. LDWF veterinarian Doctor Jim Lacour says they hope the neurodegenerative disease does not spread through the deer population and they ask hunters to monitor…
cut 13 (10) “….is acting abnormally”

5:30 LRN Newscast Feb 2

The National Weather Service issues a winter weather advisory for Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Union, and Webster parishes in north Louisiana. Meteorologist C-S Ross says winter-like perception should begin after midnight with a mix of light snow and sleet, so prepare for a slippery drive.

Cut 4 (05) “…travel headaches”

Any ice accumulation north of I-20 is expected to be less than a tenth of an inch but enough to cause problems.

Tiger Rag Magazine says Sharon Lewis, who was fired from her position as LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations has been asked to testify before Select Committee on Women and Children concerning the school’s Title IX investigation. Editor Adam Hunsucker says it could prompt LSU to settle her case, rather than risk exposing more dirty laundry and…

Cut  11 (06)   “….and cooperate.”  

During a lengthy press conference Tuesday, where Governor John Bel Edwards denied any wrongdoing in the aftermath of Ronald Greene’s fatal 2019 arrest. Edwards says he believes racism played a role in the incident…

Cut 13 (09) “…soon as possible”

The troopers involved in the fatal arrest of Greene have been fired, but no one has yet been charged with a crime. Edwards says Greene died a violent, terrible death and the state troopers involved committed criminal acts….’

Cut 14 (12)  “…too long” 

One of the troopers involved in the Greene arrest, Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth, died in a car crash in 2020 shortly after learning he would be fired

4:30 LRN Newscast February 02

A major winter storm is expected to sideswipe Louisiana tonight; bringing light snow and sleet to the state’s northern parishes. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry seeks to intervene and take over a lawsuit filed against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and her administration over COVID-19 mandates and policies. In a written statement, Landry says health care decisions should be made by individuals, not dictated by the government. Cantrell says mask & vaccine orders will remain in effect through Mardi Gras.

 

Louisiana ranks in the top five for states with the overall highest gun death rates. According to the Violence Policy Center, the Bayou State ranks third and Government Affairs Director Kristen Rand says awareness is key to lowering that statistic…:

CUT 08(11)      “…and suicides.”

Only Mississippi and Wyoming have more per capita gun-related deaths.

Jefferson Parish deputies are sorting out the circumstances that led to an Iowa woman dying after trying to stop her daughter from leaving in her car. The domestic dispute happened Tuesday. Officers say 22-year-old Savannah Lawrence argued with her grandmother, then tried to drive off in a huff. At some point her mother, 42-year-old April Springs attempted to stop her, but was hit; sustaining a traumatic head wound. She died later in a hospital. Lawrence is charged with manslaughter. The investigation is ongoing.

3:30 LRN Newscast February 02

During a lengthy press conference Tuesday, Governor John Bel Edwards denied any wrongdoing in the aftermath of Ronald Greene’s fatal arrest, and expressed concern that racism played a role in the Greene’s death. Edwards says he doesn’t believe if Greene was white he would have been treated that way…:

CUT 12(11)      “…never happen again.”

Body camera video from the Union Parish traffic stop in May of 2019 shows white troopers beating and stunning Greene, a black man, who led authorities on a three parish high-speed chase.

State Police in Troop F say a single vehicle crash Tuesday in Franklin parish took the life of two Winnsboro women, who were not wearing safety belts. Troopers say the Mercury SUV went off the highway, for reasons yet unknown. All three persons inside were unrestrained and were ejected from the vehicle. Only 1 survived. LSP says seatbelts might well have saved them. The crash is still under investigation.

 

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for five parishes in northwest and north-central Louisiana. Meteorologist C.S. Ross says Bossier, Caddo, Webster, Claiborne, and Union parishes could see some winter precipitation after midnight tonight…:

CUT 03(11)      “…area bridges and overpasses.”

Even colder weather is expected for Friday night and Saturday, but with less chance of precipitation.

Tiger Rag magazine has obtained a letter from lawyers representing Sharon Lewis, the woman recently fired from her job with the LSU Athletic Department. The letter, sent to the Louisiana State Select Committee on Women and Children, requests that Lewis be allowed to testify before the state in the school’s ongoing Title IX investigation. Tiger Rag editor Adam Hunsuker says they first asked in April 2021…:

CUT 09(12)      “…with the investigation, basically.”

Hunsucker says that Lewis’ latest move could prompt LSU to settle her case, rather than risk exposing more dirty laundry.

2:30 LRN Newscast February 02

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for five parishes in northwest and north-central Louisiana. Meteorologist C.S. Ross says Bossier, Caddo, Webster, Claiborne, and Union parishes could see some winter precipitation during the overnight hours. Also, more cold weather is on its way as temperatures will drop considerably after the cold front moves through. Ross says high temperatures on Friday will be in the 30s and 40s and we’ll see a couple of nights of below-freezing temperatures, however…:

CUT 05(11)      “…below zero.”

Detectives in Ascension Parish are investigating the death of a local woman whose body was found stuffed inside a plastic storage bin and left in the bed of a pickup. The victim is ID’ed as 24-year-old Crystal Scott. Deputies say her remains were definitely moved from another location. They’re seeking three persons of interest for questioning. An autopsy is pending.

 

A New Orleans woman is recovering from injuries sustained during a carjacking at a Costco in mid-city. The victim was pumping fuel on the passenger side when a man jumped in and took off; driving over the woman as he made his getaway. An attempted car theft happened Monday at the same Costco.

The Violence Policy Center says 47-percent of Louisiana homes have guns and the state ranks third for the highest overall gun death rates. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

1:30 LRN Newscast February 2

A major winter storm is expected to side swipe Louisiana bringing light snow and sleet to the state’s northern parishes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana ranks in the top five for states with the overall highest gun death rates. According to the Violence Policy Center, the Bayou State ranks third and Government Affairs Director Kristen Rand says the majority of the types of gun deaths have evolved recently.

Cut 7 (08) “…homicides as well.”

—

Tiger Rag Magazine has obtained a letter from the attorneys that represent Sharon Lewis, who was recently fired from her position as LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations, which requests the opportunity for Lewis to testify before the state, in the school’s ongoing Title IX investigation.

The letter was submitted to the Louisiana State Select Committee on Women and Children, which first asked Lewis to appear in April 2021. Tiger Rag editor Adam Hunsucker says that Lewis’ latest move could prompt LSU to settle her case, rather than risk exposing more dirty laundry. If not, other witnesses could be moved to share their stories.

Cut 11 (06)   “….and cooperate.”

—

Meanwhile, the Tigers continue to await word on who will fill out their 2022 freshman class as National Signing Day rolls on…This morning, LSU received a commitment from cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson. Brian Kelly did lose out on running back TreVonte Citizen to Miami. LSU targets, linebacker Harold Perkins, tight end Danny Lewis, wideout Caleb Douglas, and safety Jacoby Mathews, have yet to announce.

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