11:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore says it will probably be a while before they’ll know if charges will be brought in the case of the LSU freshman who died in a possible hazing incident at his fraternity. Preliminary autopsy findings indicated that 18-year-old Max Gruver had high levels of alcohol in his system at the time of death. Moore says this investigation will be long:
Cut 9 (05) “60 people”
Attorneys say whether or not felony charges would be brought likely depends on if there is evidence of hazing.

The White House holds a summit with presidents of black colleges today, but Grambling State President Rick Gallot is not there. Gallot says he’s not boycotting, but there’s a lot happening on Grambling campus’ between the start of a new semester and football season…:
Cut 6 (07) “this year”
New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says he’s not surprised many black college presidents have declined to come.

While the nation saw an increase in median household income in 2016, Louisiana saw the largest decline in the country at 2.1-percent…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

Police in Baton Rouge are investigating two shootings they believe are linked and say could be racially motivated. They still have not made an arrest in the murders, but did have a man in custody on drug charges that is considered a person of interest in last week’s shootings. 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason was released on $3500 bond.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast September 18

The median household income in Louisiana declined by over 2-percent in 2016, the largest decrease in the nation according to Census Figures. LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says this decrease is a result of the struggling oil and gas industry…:
Cut 10 (08) “oil patches”
Those areas in a recession are Houma, Lafayette and Shreveport.

Governor John Bel Edwards and state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson are in Washington DC to discuss federal funding for the Comite River Diversion Canal. Wilson says the flood control project could have reduced the massive flooding that took place in the Baton Rouge area last year and Louisiana is ready to move forward on the plan….
cut 5 (10) “…its obligations”
Wilson says the plan would divert water into the Mississippi River.

The LSU AgCenter has finalized its contract with GB Sciences, which will grow medical marijuana for Louisiana patients who have specific conditions. GB Sciences will renovate the production facility and availability to patients is expected by mid-2018.

If you’re shopping for a car, be on the lookout for flood damaged vehicles. That’s the advice from state attorney general Jeff Landry. Landry says if you suspect someone is knowingly selling a flood damaged vehicle, contact your local authorities or call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 351-4889.
cut 15 (11) “…to justice’
Landry says if a vehicle is being sold for an unrealistically low price, it may have previously been involved in a flood.

09:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

For the fourth consecutive year, the Saints have started 0-2 as they dropped a 36-20 decision to the New England Patriots. They travel to Carolina this Sunday, and Coach Sean Payton believes this team can turn things around…:
Cut 9 (13) “made of”
The Saints have now lost 11 of their last 12 games in the month of September.

The median household income in Louisiana declined by over 2-percent in 2016, the largest decrease in the nation according to Census Figures. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says there are definitely signs of optimism for better numbers in 2017. He says the rate of decline in both Houma and Lafayette has significantly lessened…:
Cut 11 (10) “the state”

Jeff Palermo reports on LSU’s 37-7 shocking loss to Mississippi State…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is alerting consumers about buying flooded vehicles from Texas. He says when shopping on the lot, there are some things to watch for that could point to a previously flooded vehicle..:
Cut 14 (11) “of water”

 

08:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

State leaders are in Washington D.C. today meeting with the US Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the Comite River Diversion Canal. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The random murders of two black men in Baton Rouge last week were likely racially motivated, police said Sunday. A 23-year-old white man was arrested after being questioned about the slayings, but only booked on drug charges in which he bonded out. Baton Rouge Police say Kenneth Gleason drove a car fitting the description of the vehicle used in the killings, but there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him with murder.

“Tell the truth Monday” will not be kind for the LSU Tigers after they were embarrassed 37-7 by Mississippi State. Quarterback Danny Etling says he’s ready to lead the team back into the win column…:
cut 18 (11) “going again”
LSU is back in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night as they host Syracuse.

Louisiana looks to be improving in the workforce as the state gained 24,200 non farm jobs since August of last year. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says employment was up for May, June and July…:
Cut 12 (10) “oil patch”
But new Census Figures found the median household income in Louisiana declined by over 2-percent in 2016, the largest decline in the country.

 

07:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

While the nation saw an increase in median household income in 2016, Louisiana saw the largest decline in the country at 2.1-percent…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is alerting consumers to be on the lookout when buying vehicles, as nearly one million vehicles were flooded in Texas and Florida during recent hurricanes. Landry says these flood-damaged vehicles could end up on the streets and sold to unsuspecting car buyers…:
Cut 13 (10) “ride”

Sports fans of Louisiana’s two most popular teams are down in the dumps today as both LSU and the Saints lost rough games. The Tigers had 9 penalties in a 37-7 loss to Mississippi State which is what bothered Quarterback Danny Etling the most…:
Cut 16 (15) “shoot yourself in your foot”
The Saints dropped a 36-20 decision to the New England Patriots Sunday.

Governor John Bel Edwards and DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson are in Washington D.C. to meet with the US Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the long-delayed Comite River Diversion Canal, a flood control project for the Baton Rouge area. Wilson says the dollars that the state has ready to spend will help move the project forward, but the feds need to commit to getting it done:
Cut 6 (07) “we will proceed”
He says they know that the floods of 2016 would have been lessened to a certain extent by this project, and Louisiana is ready to move the ball.

 

 

06:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

Police in Baton Rouge are investigating two shootings they believe are linked and say could be racially motivated. They still have not made an arrest in the murders, but do have a man in custody on drug charges that is considered a person of interest in last week’s shootings. 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason was released on $3500 bond.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Saints have started 0-2 as they dropped a 36-20 decision to the New England Patriots. On offense, the Saints converted just 33% of their third down opportunities. Coach Sean Payton…:
Cut 7 (12) “us a chance”
The Saints have now lost 11 of their last 12 games in the month of September.

LSU was embarrassed by Mississippi State Saturday night. The Tigers dropped a 37-7 decision in Starkville, and dropped 13 spots in this week’s AP Top 25 poll, to number 25.

The median household income in Louisiana declined by over 2-percent in 2016, the largest decrease in the nation according to Census Figures. Dr. LSU Economist Loren Scott says this decrease is a result of the struggling oil and gas industry…:
Cut 10 (08) “oil patches”
Those areas in a recession are Houma, Lafayette and Shreveport.

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards and DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson are in Washington D.C. with the US Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the long-delayed Comite River Diversion Canal, a flood control project for the Baton Rouge area. Wilson says the state has committed a significant amount of resources for this project, and it’s time for the Corps to do their part…:
Cut 4 (10) “for the state match”
After last year’s floods, the public is clamoring for the project to move forward.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast September 16

While the nation saw an increase in median household income in 2016, Louisiana saw the largest decline in the country at 2.1-percent. Michael Ferrar has more…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

Another big day of college football is on tap. LSU visits Mississippi State in the SEC Opener. Louisiana Tech takes on Western Kentucky in a rematch of last year’s Conference USA title game. UL Lafayette is at Texas A-and-M, ULM hosts Southern Miss and the defending champs in the SWAC Grambling begin defense of their league title by hosting Jackson State.

The principal wanted by Baton Rouge police after allegedly locking a 5-year-old in a closet has turned himself in to authorities. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 31-year-old Shafeeq Deen has been charged with cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment…:
Cut 12 (10) “additional charges”
He says other students at Laurel Oaks Charter School are coming forward claiming Deen punished them in similar ways.

If you’re shopping for a car, be on the lookout for flood damaged vehicles. That’s the advice from state attorney general Jeff Landry. Landry says if you suspect someone is knowingly selling a flood damaged vehicle, contact your local authorities or call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 351-4889.
cut 15 (11) “…to justice’
Landry says if a vehicle is being sold for an unrealistically low price, it may have previously involved in a flood.

09:30 LRN Newscast September 16

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark has released the findings from hospitals tests on the body of an 18-year-old LSU student who died in what the university calls a possible hazing incident. Clark says they did not find any internal or external signs of trauma on Maxwell Gruver:
CUT 3 (06) “the hospital”
His office will provide a toxicology test which takes about four weeks to complete. Meanwhile, a memorial mass and prayer vigil for Gruver will take place Monday at 6 PM at the Christ King Catholic Church at LSU.

An Alexandria Police officer has been booked into the Rapides Parish detention center on malfeasance and drug charges. State Trooper Scott Moreau says State Police received a tip last month regarding criminal activity involving 42-year-old Kenneth Thomas who allegedly had sex with at least one woman, while on-duty, and distributing illegal drugs…:
Cut 11 (09) “detention center”
Alexandria Police Chief Neal Bates says Officer Thomas has been placed on Administrative Leave.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is alerting consumers to be on the lookout when buying vehicles, as nearly one million vehicles were flooded in Texas and Florida during recent hurricanes. Landry says these flood-damaged vehicles could end up on the streets and sold to unsuspecting car buyers…
cut 13 (10) “…ride”
Landry says fraudsters tend to cross state lines to avoid scrutiny and they work to obtain false titles to hide flood damage. He advises consumers to obtain a vehicle history report.

And here’s a bizarre story out of Terrebonne Parish. Houma Police arrested a man and woman who were allegedly caught having sex in a library. Authorities say 33-year-old Elizabeth Jernigan and 35-year-old Rex Jernigan also recorded themsevles and uploaded the video to a porn site. Through their investigation, it was determined the couple recorded themselves doing similar activities at other businesses.

08:30 LRN Newscast September 16

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says the LSU fraternity pledge whose death is being investigated as a possible hazing incident had a high level of alcohol in his body. Clark says many people don’t realize that even though alcohol is legal, it still has potentially dangerous adverse effects..:
Cut 5 (09) “some trouble”
He says a toxicology report on Max Gruver should be complete in about 4 weeks.

A principal in Baton Rouge is accused of locking a kindergarten student in a roach infested cafeteria closet as a form of punishment. B-R-P-D Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 31-year-old Shafeeq Deen may have punished other students at Laurel Oaks Charter School in a similar way…
Cut 13 (10) “other students”
Deen is charged with cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment and the charter school’s board suspended Deen while they investigate.

Authorities say a prison guard at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola fatally shot an inmate after first firing a warning shot. The state department of Corrections says 35-year-old Brandon Lizotte was among a group of prisoners being escorted to work an area when he aggressively ran towards a correctional officer. The officer fired his service weapon striking Lizotte. Lizotte was serving a life sentence for second-degree murder in Tangipahoa Parish in 2006.

An Alexandria Police officer has been booked into the Rapides Parish detention center on malfeasance and drug charges. State Trooper Scott Moreau says 42-year-old Kenneth Thomas of Deville is accused of having sex with at least one woman while on duty, and distributing illegal drugs. He says State Police is leading the investigation since the suspect is a cop…:
Cut 10 (09) “your own”
Alexandria Police Chief Neal Bates says Officer Thomas has been placed on Administrative Leave.

18:30 Newscast, September 15th, 2017

The preliminary autopsy report on the LSU student who died during a possible fraternity hazing incident has been released. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana’s unemployment rate has now declined for four consecutive months according to data released by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. At 5.2%, the current rate is the lowest it’s been since August of 2008. That figure is also 0.9 percentage points lower from the same time period a year ago.

An Alexandria Police officer has been booked into the Rapides Parish detention center on malfeasance and drug charges. State Trooper Scott Moreau says State Police received a tip last month regarding criminal activity involving 42-year-old Kenneth Thomas of Deville…
cut 9 (09) “illegal drugs”
Alexandria Police Chief Neal Bates says Officer Thomas has been placed on Administrative Leave.

The principal wanted by Baton Rouge police after allegedly locking a 5-year-old in a closet has turned himself in to authorities. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 31-year-old Shafeeq Deen has been charged with cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment. He says luckily other teachers heard the 5-year-old crying…:
Cut 14 (08) “had occurred”
He says there could be more charges as other students are coming forward.