06:30 Newscast, November 8th, 2017

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act, aimed at preventing people from using cars or trucks to attack Americans. He says this is especially important as technology improves..:
Cut 4 (09) “from happening”
He says this bill would give Congress information cops could use to help expand their role to more technical issues.

Recent record breaking heat in some areas of the state will give way to much cooler temperatures as a cold front moves in. State Climatologist Barry Keim says expect a gray dreary day…:
Cut 7 (08) “light rain”
He says once this front moves through you can expect much cooler temperatures by tomorrow morning.

How hard is it to break into Louisiana’s voting machines and access critical information? Kelley Ray says it’s tougher than you think…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

In Calcasieu Parish, two out- of- state contractors are dead after falling from a helicopter. The Sheriff’s Office reports both men were working on electrical lines from a chopper when their safety harness snapped, causing them to fall about 100 feet to the ground. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

AM Newscall November 8

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced legislation to prevent terrorists from using vehicles to attack Americans.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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How hard is it to break into Louisiana’s voting machines and accessing critical information?  Kelley Ray says it’s tougher than you think…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

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Emerge Louisiana is searching for interested women who want to run for political office as Democrats. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3  (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”  

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Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act, aimed at preventing terrorists from using vehicles to attack Americans.  Cassidy says as technology improves, newer vehicles can become weapons in the hands of terrorists…

Cut 4  (09) “from happening.”

Cassidy says driverless vehicles are basically computers on wheels that can be controlled remotely and hacked as easily as computerized bank accounts.  He says this bill would give Congress information law enforcement needs to help expand their role to more technical issues…

Cut 5  (08)  “that fashion.”

Cassidy says it’s sad that terrorist organizations and their followers look at objects we rely on every day to get important tasks done to use against us to their own ends.  He says it’s forcing Americans to take protective measures…

Cut 6 (10) “to do.”

Ohio Republican Representative Bob Latta has introduced similar legislation in the House.

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Recent record breaking heat in some areas of the state will give way today to much cooler temperatures as a cold front moves in.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says expect a gray dreary day…

Cut 7 (08)  “light rain.”

After the front moves through, Keim says to expect much colder air descending on Louisiana…

Cut 8 (12) “the 60s.”

Keim says the cold front should provide Louisiana with a fall like weekend, especially for those attending the LSU-Arkansas game which kicks off at 11am…

Cut 9 (11)  “the game.”

Keim says even though Louisiana hasn’t seen temperatures in the 90s, the recent humid weather is not normally seen in early November.

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Emerge Louisiana is a new group that will train female Democrats on how to run a successful campaign for political office. Executive Director Melanie Oubre says any interested females can apply for the training program through November 18th and 20 to 25 women will be selected. She says Emerge Louisiana’s program will take place one weekend each month for the next six months starting in January.

Cut 10 (11)  “online strategy”

Oubre says after graduating, the women will be provided with a network of support locally and nationally. She says Emerge Louisiana brings in Louisiana based trainers to give the students future contacts.

Cut 11 (12) “network”

Tuition for the program is $750 dollars. Oubre says only females registered as a Democrat in the Bayou State can apply to take the training course. She says they hope to get more females elected to the state legislature in 2019 when many term-limited seats will become available.

Cut 12 (10) “the state”

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The subject of Cybersecurity surrounding voting procedures and the ballot box are of upmost importance to the Secretary of State’s Office.  Tom Schedler says some information he was to present this week before a congressional subcommittee would have showed the scope of information they are tasked with protecting…

Cut 13 (07) “registration list.”

He says if anyone were to be successful in breaching the confidential information by physically taking a voting machine, they would have a very short time to do it.  Schedler says the machines are scattered throughout 64 warehouses with numerous security measures in place…

Cut 14 (09) “seal back.”

Schedler says they take their job very seriously and keep up on the latest ways to protect the valuable information they have…

Cut 15 (09) “get in.”

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Danny Etling will make his 20th start at quarterback for the LSU Tigers this Saturday when they host Arkansas. Head Coach Ed Orgeron gave Etling a vote of confidence earlier this week when he said Danny is our quarterback. Etling appreciates his coach’s vote of confidence…

Cut 16  (15)  “at that”

Etling struggled against Alabama on Saturday missing several opportunities to connect with D-J Chark on some deep passes. Chark also had issues as the Tigers punt returner. He says the team is ready for a bounce back performance this Saturday against Arkansas…

Cut 17 (18)  “maybe”

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It’s been a tough season for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Tech is 4-and-5 on the year and they lost three of their games by just one point. The Bulldogs will not be able to repeat as Western Division champs in Conference USA, but Head Coach Skip Holtz says that doesn’t mean they’ll give up on the season….

Cut 18 (21) “just yet” 

This Saturday, Louisiana Tech hosts Florida Atlantic, who is 5-0 in Conference USA. The Owls are led by running back Devin Singletary who leads the league in rushing yards and has 19 touchdowns on the year. Holtz says Singleton is a special back…

Cut 19 (15)    happen” 

17:30 LRN Newscast November 7

State Attorney General Jeff Landry said today the decision to expand the Medicaid program has contributed to the opioid epidemic…
Cut 6 (10) “Medicaid expansion.”
But in a post on Twitter, the governor’s communications director Richard Carbo, said 14-thousand people have used the Medicaid program to receive substance abuse treatment.

State Education Superintendent John White released school performance scores today and there are 272 schools statewide that have received a D or F grade for three straight years. White says it will be harder for schools to get an A or B Grade on future report cards…
Cut 11 (10) “education”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is hoping the public can provide information into the death of a Gonzales man found near his home. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A man identified as the legislative aid to Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop was found dead today in Central. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks says they believe 31-year-old Larry Warino Jr. took his own life after fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend.
Cut 13 (05) “suicide”
Calls to Representative Bishop’s legislative office have not been returned.

16:30 LRN Newscast November 7

Attorney General Jeff Landry is tackling the opioid crisis saying he knows why there is a problem in Louisiana. Michelle Southern has that…:

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says two men who fell from a helicopter have died.  The men were from California and were working on electrical lines in Sulphur.  The safety harness they were using rubbed against the power lines, causing the harness to snap and the men fell some 100 feet to their death.    Foul play is not suspected.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for any information about the death of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found dead on the street where he lived last Friday. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says Tumas suffered significant trauma, was transported to a local hospital and died about 12 hours later.

Cut 3 (11) “his body”

Wiley says they are not sure where Tumas was employed or why he was up that early.

Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education John White released the annual school performance scores for the 2016-2017 year. White says the scores have remained steady for the third consecutive year. He says Louisiana fourth graders are showing the most improvement in reading and math.

Cut 9 (06)  “progress”

To view performance scores go to Louisiana-believes-dot-com

15:30 LRN Newscast November 7

State Education Superintendent John White released updated school performance scores. He says the percentage of students scoring Mastery and above on English Language Arts and math has increased 13 percent since 2013, which is extremely important…:
Cut 10 (09) “ever before”
This is the last year public schools will be graded on a curve.

A man listed as a legislative aid to Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop allegedly fatally shot a 24-year-old woman and then killed himself in Central this morning. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Hicks says they believe 31-year-old Larry Warino Junior is an ex-boyfriend of 24-year-old Alyssa Kanouse and this appears to be a domestic incident…
cut 14 (08) “….report it”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office released more information today in the mysterious death of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found severely injured on a street in his subdivision late last week. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says they aren’t ruling out hit and run, but foul play could still be a factor. Wiley says Tumas lived with his parents, but they don’t know much else…
Cut 4 (11) “schedules”

Attorney General Jeff Landry has been announcing locations for prescription drug take back boxes that can be found at local police headquarters. Landry says prescription pills lying around and getting into the wrong hands is contributing to the state’s opioid epidemic. Landry says there are currently 41 drug take back boxes in 32 parishes…
cut 8 (09) “…website”
The website is end-the-epidemic-l-a-dot-org.

14:30 Newscast November 7,2017

State Attorney General Jeff Landry has announced a drug prescription takeback box is now available 24 hours a day at the Baton Rouge Police Department. Landry also addressed the drug problem taxing the state and says statistics show the problem may be related to recent Medicaid expansion.
Cut 6 (10) “Medicaid expansion.”

State Education Superintendent John White released school performance scores and this is the last year public schools will be graded on a curve. White says 272 schools statewide received D or F grades for three straight years or saw high school graduation rates less than 67-percent. He says all improvements starts with an awareness of where there have been successes and challenges.
Cut 11 (10) “education”

 
The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found dead on the street where he lived. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says they believe the incident could be a hit and run and they are asking to public to come forward with any information. He says Tumas lived with his parents in the senior citizen area of Pelican Point in Gonzales.
Cut 5 (09) “about it.”
Wiley does say they are not ruling out any scenario.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 24-year-old woman and her ex-boyfriend were found dead in Central this morning. EBRSO Spokesperson Casey Hicks says Alyssa Kanouse was found dead inside a silver sedan, and 31-year-old Larry Warino Jr. was found dead in a white one.
Cut 13 (05) “suicide”
Hicks says it’s believed Warino shot Kanouse before turning the gun on himself.

13:30 Newscast, November 7th, 2017

During an announcement about a program to combat the opioid epidemic, Attorney General Jeff Landry blamed Louisiana’s problem on Medicaid expansion. He says once approved, it opened the door for many more opioids to become available..:
Cut 7 (09) “for free”
The governor’s office responded and said 14,000 people have already taken advantage of substance abuse treatment under Medicaid expansion.

State Superintendent of Education John White released the annual school performance scores for last year. He says the percentage of students scoring Mastery and above on ELA and math tests has increased 13 percent since 2013, which is extremely important…:
Cut 10 (09) “ever before”
This is the last year public schools with be graded on the state’s curve transition policy.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is urging the community to come forward with any info into the mysterious death of a Gonzales man.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says this morning’s deadly shooting in Central was the result of a domestic murder suicide. EBRSO spokeswoman Casey Hicks…:
CUT 26 (06) “on himself”
The victim is identified as 24-year-old Alyssa Kanouse. The ex-boyfriend as 31-year-old Larry Warino Jr of Lafayette.

12:30 Newscast, November 7th, 2017

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces a new program aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic in Louisiana. He says there will now be a 24/7 prescription drug takeback box located at Baton Rouge Police headquarters, with the ultimate goal of having one in every parish…:
CUT 25 (10) “per hundred people”
The locations of all Drug Take Back Boxes in Louisiana may be found online at EndTheEpidemicLA.org.

Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education John White released the annual school performance scores for the 2016-2017 year. White says the scores have remained steady for the third consecutive year, with Louisiana fourth graders are showing the most improvement in reading and math…:
Cut 9 (06) “progress”
This is the last year public schools with be graded on the state’s curve transition policy.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has released more information in the mysterious death of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found on a street in his subdivision. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says they aren’t ruling out hit and run, but foul play could still be a factor. Wiley says there was a lot about Tumas that nobody knew like when he stopped working for the state:
Cut 4 (11) “schedules”
He says autopsy results revealed that in addition to the localized brain damage, Tumas had significant injuries through his entire body.

 

11:30 Newscast, November 7th, 2017

Attorney General Jeff Landry and the Baton Rouge Police Department announced a new tool they hope will help to curb opioid abuse. There is a new drug prescription take-back box that was installed at BRPD headquarters where people can bring unused medication. Landry said the goal is to have a box in every parish in Louisiana. For a full list of current boxes, visit endtheepidemicla.org.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in the case of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found dead on the street where he lived. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says Tumas suffered significant trauma, was transported to a local hospital and died about 12 hours later…:
Cut 3 (11) “his body”
But he says exactly what happened remains a mystery. Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities.

The Louisiana Department of Education has launched a website to help families select the best K-12 public schools for their children..:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Energy Information Administration says October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman believes the warm fall has led to more people driving:
Cut 10 (08) “and Texas”
The current average in Louisiana is $2.26.

10:30 LRN Newscast November 7

Performance scores for public schools will be released today. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says this will be the last year that schools will be graded on a curve…
cut 13 (10) “…letter grades”
Erwin says starting with this school year, schools are being asked to produce more students who are achieving above basic to receive a higher score.

The state department of education has launched a new website today to help parents decide what public schools in there area is best for their child. Director of Family and Education Communications Annie Morrison says parents can compare schools and child care centers and do customizable searches…
cut 6 (11) “…those options”
The website is Louisiana-schools-dot-net.

Gas prices are about 20 cents higher than they were a year ago, because of higher demand. But Kelley Ray reports the price at the pump may come down soon…
voicer 3 (30) “….I”m Kelley Ray”

In St. Tammany Parish, the Pearl River Police Department is asking parents to check their child’s trick or treat candy after a needle was found in a piece of candy that was given out on Halloween. Pearl River police say they are taking this incident very seriously and investigating what they are calling a horrific act.