6:30 LRN Newscast Oct 4

250-thousand voters have voted early. That’s 18-thousand more than the entire early voting period for the last governor’s race in 2015 and we still have two more early voting days left. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is pleased with the turnout…
cut 12 (11) “…here”
Ardoin says at this rate we will set an all-time record for early voting turnout.

Vice President Mike Pence will be in New Orleans on Saturday to host a rally to encourage Louisiana voters to vote for one of the two main Republican challengers in the governor’s race. L-S-U-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says the President would have more of an impact on voters…
cut 8 (09) “…enthusiasm”
The rally is scheduled for early afternoon and a location in the New Orleans metro area has yet to be disclosed.

According to new research from AAA, a popular safety feature on newer vehicles may not work as you might expect. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

AM LRN Newscall

According to new research from AAA, a popular safety feature on newer vehicles may not work as you might expect. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The Vice President is headed to the Crescent City Saturday to rally Republicans just a week before voters head to the primary polls. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Approximately 18,000 more people have early voted this year after just five days than early voted in all of 2015. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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A new study from AAA indicates autonomous emergency braking systems are only sporadically effective in detecting pedestrians at speeds above 30 mph. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the findings are a reminder to drivers to stay alert.

Cut 4 (10) “…weren’t that impressive.”

The study shows the detection systems are completely useless at night, which is when 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur. Redman says pedestrian deaths have been on the rise since 2010.

Cut 5 (09) “…killed by vehicles.”

Redman says AAA encourages improvements to the technology, as braking systems do work well in avoiding collisions with other drivers.

Cut 6 (06) “…not so much.”

The primary is set for October 12th.

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Vice President Mike Pence is headed to New Orleans Saturday to rally Republicans to vote Republican in the governor’s race.

It’s the first state visit of the campaign from a Republican figure of the Vice President’s prominence. So why has it taken so long for the party to throw it’s weight around?

Cut 7 (10) “candidate.” 

That’s LSU-Shreveport Poli Sci Professor Jeff Sadow who says the state’s tricky jungle primary has produced two viable Republicans.

President Trump is credited with nearly single-handedly flipping the dynamics of last year’s competitive Florida governor’s race. Sadow says a Presidential visit would have had a substantial impact.

Cut 8 (09) “…enthusiasm”

Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone are expected to be in attendance. The two Republicans have begun bludgeoning each other, but Sadow says expect everyone in attendance to be on their best behavior.

Cut 9 (09)  “…them.”

Recent polls have Rispone now narrowly edging past Abraham for second place and a chance to take the Governor to a run-off.

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Early voter turnout remains far above expectations as approximately 250,000 Louisianans have cast their ballot for the October 12th primary.

We’ve had more early voters after just five days than in all of 2015 by 18,000 votes, but that may not mean a higher total turnout. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says 90 percent of ballots cast were cast by “chronic” voters, but those voters could inspire others to show up.

Cut 10 (08) “…closely”

An analysis of those voters by JMC Analytics shows higher than expected Republican voter turnout.

Early voting is a major priority this year with a number of college football games scheduled for election day, October 12th. Ardoin says they’ve got some new voting tech to entice voters to show up ahead of time.

Cut 11 (06) “…about it” 

The new machines are Ipad like devices that are not connected to the internet and turn on when you slide a voter card into them.

Ardoin says at this point they aren’t sure what exactly is driving the massive surge in turnout but they’re glad it’s happening and he hopes everyone remembers to grab their “I Voted” sticker.

Cut 12 (11) “here.”

Ardoin says at this rate we will set an all-time record for early voting turnout.

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Our Lady of the Lake cuts the ribbon today in Baton Rouge on its new five-story children’s hospital which took over three years to construct.  President of Children’s Health Trey Dunbar says they will begin moving patients into the facility tomorrow.

Cut 13 (07) “…new children’s hospital.”

Dunbar anticipates the facility will treat patients from all over Louisiana as well as those traveling in from nearby states.

Cut 14 (10) “…family as well.” 

Dunbar says the total cost of the construction was $230 million, which was funding with the help of many contributions from the community.

Cut 15 (07) “…in Baton Rouge.”

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ULM hosts 23rd ranked Memphis on Saturday as the Tigers are the first ranked opponent to visit Malone Stadium in the Football Bowl Subdivision era. The Tigers are 4-0, including a win over Ole Miss. Warhawks Coach Matt Viator says when you watch the film on Memphis, their team speed jumps off the screen

Cut 16  (14) “  do it” 

Viator says Memphis also brings physicality with great team speed. He says on offense Memphis likes to run the football with Kenneth Gainwell and Kylan Watkins and on defense the Tigers like to blitz

cut 17  (16) “…the ball” 

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LSU will welcome Utah State into Death Valley tomorrow for an 11 AM kick-off. The Aggies feature an up-tempo offense that’s averaging nearly 39 points a game. On defense, they are allowing three touchdowns a contest. LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow says Utah State plays a bend but don’t break style of defense

Cut 18 (15)  for sure” 

Utah State is 3-1 on the season and coach Gary Andersen says his team looks forward to playing a team ranked in the top five…

cut 19 (13)   “very loud”   

Kick-off is at 11 AM and it will be hot. The forecast high in Baton Rouge on Saturday is 93-degrees. Andersen says his team is practicing in the 50s and used to the type of heat and humidity they’ll face in Tiger Stadium

cut 20 (12) “the temperature”  

530PM LRN News

If you’ve watched any TV lately you’ve likely seen Eddie Rispone’s extensive ad blitz in the governor’s race. Campaign finance reports show the Republican spent 3.5 million dollars between September 3rd and 22nd in the campaign that has vaulted him to 2nd in recent polls. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the self-funding businessman has to keep up the burn rate.

Cut 7 (07) “…bet” 

JMC Analytics has Rispone up 21-18 over Republican Ralph Abraham.

An attorney representing some of the steel mill workers laid off by Bayou Steel in LaPlace this week is questioning whether the company complied with federal law when notifying workers of the layoffs. Attorney Brent Barriere says employees were blindsided by the mass layoff.

Cut 3 (13) “…60 days of pay.”

The closure led to 376 being left without a job.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed at Fibrebond’s headquarters in Minden this morning will result in road improvements in the area to keep the  Webster Parish manufacturer in northwest Louisiana. The state transportation department has agreed to replace eight bridges in the region, and Governor Edwards says these improvements help everyone.

Cut 11 (08) “to come” 

Because of deficient roads and bridges, Fibrebond is forced to travel many extra miles to ship their products out west. 

The Attorney General’s office announces 21 people have been arrested in Louisiana as part of a National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The director of Medicaid Fraud in the A-G’s office, Jody LeJeune, says numerous federal and state agencies work together to fight health care fraud

Cut 12 (09) “…for everyone”

4:30 PM Newscast

The latest finance reports are in and Governor Edwards has 3.1 million on hand, followed by Eddie Rispone at 2.7 million, and Ralph Abraham at 318,000.  Edwards continues to lap his opponents in fundraising, outraising Rispone and Abraham in the last period by a combined 574,000 dollars. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross…
Cut 6 (09) “…through”
Independent polls show Edwards close to avoiding a run-off.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Fibrebond’s headquarters in Minden this morning that will result in road improvements in the area to keep the  Webster Parish manufacturer in northwest Louisiana. Fibrebond CEO Graham Walker credits Governor Edwards for finding solutions
Cut 10 (11) “…other opportunities.”
The state transportation department has agreed to replace eight bridges in the region and construct a heavy-haul route from Minden to Texas.

The Attorney General’s office announces 21 people have been arrested in Louisiana as part of a National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The director of Medicaid Fraud in the A-G’s office, Jody LeJeune, LeJeune says if you suspect Medicaid fraud, call 1-888-799-6885 or provide a tip on the A-G Jeff Landry-dot-com…

Cut 14 (10) “…hotline”

The majority of those arrested are suspected of billing for services that were not provided or billing for services at a higher level that was actually provided.

An attorney representing some of the steel mill workers laid off by Bayou Steel in LaPlace this week is questioning whether the company complied with federal law when notifying workers of the layoffs. Attorney Brent Barriere says there has been no indication by ownership or management that the company intends to fulfill its financial obligations to employees.

Cut 5 (07) “…and the like.”

3:30 LRN Newscast Oct 3

The latest finance reports are in for the governor’s race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross broke down the numbers with Matt Doyle…
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Republican Governors Association’s PAC has released an ad reminding voters Governor Edwards hired an aide who had a history of sexual harassment and left the governor’s office over a new round of allegations. Also, V-P Mike Pence will be in New Orleans on Saturday to urge voters to vote for one of the two Republicans in the governor’s race.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed at Fibrebond’s headquarters in Minden this morning will result in road improvements in the area to keep the Webster Parish manufacturer in northwest Louisiana. Fibrebond CEO Graham Walker says they have been fighting to stay
Cut 9 (11) “northwest Louisiana”
Because of deficient roads and bridges, Fibrebond is forced to travel many extra miles to ship their products out west.

21 Louisiana residents have been arrested in this state as part of a National Health Care Fraud Takedown. Director of Medicaid Fraud in the A-G-‘s office Jody LeJeune says the majority of those arrested are suspected of billing for services that were not provided or billing for services at a higher level that was actually provided…
cut 13 (08) “…population”
The ages of those arrested range from 20-year-old Athena Mitchell of Shreveport to 57-year-old Shelia Dixon.

2:30 LRN Newscast Oct 3

Some of the 376 steel mill workers left without a job after this week’s closure of Bayou Steel in LaPlace now have legal representation. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Vice President Mike Pence will visit New Orleans Saturday to hold a rally to encourage Louisiana residents to vote for one of the two Republicans in the governor’s race. And Businessman Eddie Rispone has received an endorsement from Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson.

Governor Edwards was in Minden this morning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that says the state will improve roads and upgrade workforce training to keep Fibrebond in Louisiana. Webster Parish’s largest employer was looking at re-locating, but Edwards says the state will spend millions to help Fibrebond and other area businesses..
cut 11 (08) “…to come”
As part of the M-O-U, DOTD will construct a heavy-haul route from Minden to Texas to help Fibrebond ship products.

The Attorney General’s office announces 21 people have been arrested in Louisiana as part of a National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The director of Medicaid Fraud in the A-G’s office, Jody LeJeune, says numerous federal and state agencies work together to fight health care fraud
Cut 12 (09) “…for everyone”
The ages of those arrested range from 20-year-old Athena Mitchell of Shreveport to 57-year-old Shelia Dixon.

130PM LRN News

Campaign finance reports for the September 3rd-22nd period confirm what anyone who watches TV likely already knows: Eddie Rispone spent a ton of money over the three week period. The Baton Rouge businessman dropped a remarkable 3.5 million dollars on an ad blitz that polls show has shot him into second place.  UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the self-funding businessman has little choice.

Cut 7 (07) “…bet” 

JMC Analytics puts Rispone up over fellow Republican Ralph Abraham 21-18.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed at Fibrebond headquarters after a brief scare that the company could relocate to East Texas from it’s longtime home in Minden. Fibrebond CEO Graham Walker credits Governor Edwards for finding infrastructure solutions…

Cut 10 (11) “…other opportunities.”

An attorney representing some of the steel mill workers laid off by Bayou Steel in LaPlace this week is questioning whether the company complied with federal law when notifying workers of the layoffs. Attorney Brent Barriere says local workers were blindsided with no warning, so he’s working to have the bankruptcy case moved from Delaware to New Orleans.

Cut 4 (12) “…receiving a paycheck.”

The company owed more than $20 million to creditors upon filing bankruptcy.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says early voting has been a remarkable success so far and if the current trends hold up he anticipates this year will set a record for total number of early votes cast. Ardoin says as of noon we hit over 225,000 votes cast, and at the current rate we’ll blow past 2015’s total early voting total by the end of the day. Whether that increases total turnout remains to be seen as 90 percent of voters so far have been “chronic” voters.

12:30 PM Newscast

An attorney representing some of the steel mill workers laid off by Bayou Steel in LaPlace this week is questioning whether the company complied with federal law when notifying workers of the layoffs. Attorney Brent Barriere says he’s also working to have the bankruptcy case moved from Delaware to New Orleans.

Cut 4 (12) “…receiving a paycheck.”

The closure led to 376 being left without a job.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Fibrebond’s headquarters in Minden this morning that will result in road improvements in the area to keep the  Webster Parish manufacturer in northwest Louisiana. Fibrebond CEO Graham Walker says they have been fighting to stay

Cut 9 (11) “northwest Louisiana”

Campaign finance reports are in for the home stretch of the Governor’s race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross broke down the numbers with Matt Doyle…

cut  2 (39) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to visit New Orleans at 1 on Saturday afternoon for a Republican rally for the Governor’s race.

1130AM LRN New

An attorney representing some of the workers laid off by Bayou Steel in LaPlace this week is questioning whether the company complied with federal law when notifying workers of the layoffs.  Attorney Brent Barriere says employees were blindsided by the mass layoff.

Cut 3 (13) “…60 days of pay.”

Barriere says he’s also working to have the bankruptcy case moved from Delaware to New Orleans.

Campaign finance report numbers are out for the period running September 3rd through September 22nd and heading into the final stretch Governor Edwards leads the pack with 3.1 million on hand, followed by self-funding Eddie Rispone at 2.7 million, and Ralph Abraham with just 318,000 dollars. Rispone spent 3.5 million in a massive statewide ad blitz that polls show has moved him into second place.

Tomorrow is a big day for LSU Superfan Colton Moore. Today he’s on the road making his way from Odenville, Alabama to meet Coach O. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

A man whose dog died after a carjacking in Baton Rouge in July is donating to help a dog who was found in Slidell early this week with it’s legs sawed off in an alleged animal cruelty case. David Mohr traveled to Mandeville, where the abused dog is recovering, and dropped off two dog beds, a blanket, and dog food alongside a 1,000 dollar check to help the pup’s recovery.

10:30 AM Newscast

Gumbo Pac and the Republican Governor’s Association are running two of the toughest attack ads of the campaign season with nine days left until voters head to the polls. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

An LSU PHD candidate struck by a vehicle last week on Burbank Drive has died. Baton Rouge Police say no arrests have been made in the death of Binod Nepal, but the case remains under investigation. Nepal is the fourth LSU student to die since the start of the school year.

LSU’s Superfan fan 9-year old Colton Moore lives in Alabama, but today he’s making the road trip of a lifetime with his parents to meet his idol, Coach O. Colton’s mother Jennifer Moore never dreamed this would happen. A photo of Colton who has spina bifida reached the athletic department an invite was sent. LSU fans responded as well.

Cut 7 (08) “…me away.” 

Colton will tour the athletic facility tomorrow and meet his idol Coach O.

The Department of Transportation and Capital Region Planning Commission are conducting a survey to get a better picture of the daily travel habits of motorists in the area.  It’s the first study of it’s kind since the early 90s. Capital Region Planning Commission Executive Director Jamie Setze says thousands throughout five parishes should check their mailbox for an invite to take part.

Cut 10 (11) “…best information available.”