6:30 Newscast February 27,2017

What kind of jail time might the man who drunkenly plowed into a crowd at the Endymion parade in New Orleans be facing? 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto is charged with negligent vehicular injury among other charges after cops say he crashed into a crowd sending 21 to the hospital…:
CUT 6 (10) “five year sentence”

That’s legal analyst Tim Meche who says Rizzuto could be looking at 5-10 years but it depends on how the prosecution stacks up the counts.

A Mansfield man is behind bars on a murder charge after he fatally shot a man who was allegedly vandalizing his car. Police Chief Gary Hobbs says 34-year-old Cody Parker has filed police reports in the past for issues with vandalism.
Cut 14 (11) “…of it”
Hobbs says they’re trying to determine if Parker and the victim, 50-year-old James Hewitt, had a previous connection.

 

Sneezing more than normal? Itchy/watery eyes? Experts say allergy season is hitting Louisiana with a bang this year. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Breaux Bridge man has been arrested after trying to rob a store in Henderson but eventually bought an item after the clerk did not immediately do as ordered. The St. Martin’s Parish Sheriff’s Office says 35-year-old Homer John left the store and went to a casino where he was arrested. John faces multiple charges including attempted armed robbery with the use of a firearm.

LRN Newscast 17:30 February 27th

A legal analyst says the man accused of injuring more than two dozen Endymion parade goers in New Orleans may only face 5 years in jail…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Allergy season is in full swing earlier this year, and experts say because Louisiana had such a mild winter, there never really was a low pollen period. Dr. Kenneth Paris, with LSU Health New Orleans, says warm winters typically mean pollen season will peak earlier, and last longer…:
Cut 9 (09) “when we don’t have rain”
Paris says there’s excellent medicine available to control symptoms.

A DeSoto Parish homeowner has been arrested for fatally shooting a man who was allegedly vandalizing his car. Mansfield Police Chief Gary Hobbs says 34-year-old Cody Parker saw 50-year-old James Hewitt near his car and shot Hewitt multiple times as he was fleeing the scene….
cut 12 (11) “pronounced dead”
Hobbs says Parker is charged with second-degree murder.

Volunteers are coming together to help Louisiana flood victims get back into their homes. Louisiana Launch volunteer Shanna Forrestall says their group helps families who are not getting what they need from insurance or FEMA….:
Cut 3 (10) “their houses”
She says Lousiaina Launch can provide donations to families who need it the most, those with elderly, disabled and special needs members.

16:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27th

Colonel Mike Edmonson has no plans to resign even though U-S Senator John Kennedy is calling on the head of the L-S-P to step down as result of four troopers charging the state overtime and hotel expenses for a side trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Kennedy is disappointed the legislative auditor is not investigating…:
Cut 17 (06) “find the truth”
But Edmonson says Kennedy doesn’t have all the facts and the LSP and the Governor’s investigation need to play out…:
Cut 15 (05) “change those”

Our warm winter means allergy season has arrived early and it’s producing high pollen counts. Doctor Kenneth Paris with LSU Health Sciences says pollen impacts those with asthma…
cut 10 (10) “….resipartory symptoms”
Paris says there are effective medications to help allergy suffers.

U-S Representative Clay Higgins has been appointed to a task force to stop terrorists from entering the country. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 4 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Volunteers are coming together to help Louisiana flood victims get back into their homes. Louisiana Launch volunteer Shanna Forrestall says Let’s Rock uses donations to get flood victims a gift certificate that covers drywall, and more..
cut 4 (10) “those walls up”
You can find out more at launchlouisiana.com.

15:30 Newscast Feb 27

Police say the drunk driver who crashed into parade goers at Endymion in New Orleans had a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit. A judge says if 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto is able to post bond, he’ll be put on house arrest. Legal analyst Tim Meche says his circumstances aren’t really that bad.

Cut 7 (11) “jail time”

Rizzuto is charged with negligent vehicular injury, hit and run, and careless operation.

Launch Louisiana is helping August flood victims rebuild their damaged homes by covering the cost of their drywall. Volunteer Shanna Forrestall says donations can be made at LaunchLouisiana.com.

Cut 5 (10) “that are hurting”

She encourages everyone to share the link on social media to raise awareness for the cause.

A Mansfield man is behind bars on a murder charge after he fatally shot a man who was vandalizing his car. Police Chief Gary Hobbs says 34-year-old Cody Parker has filed police reports in the past for issues with vandalism.

Cut 14 (11) “…of it”

Hobbs says they’re trying to determine if Parker and the victim, 50-year-old James Hewitt, had a previous connection.

If you’re struggling with allergies more than usual this year, you’re not alone. Dr. Ken Paris with LSU Health New Orleans says a mild winter has led to more pollen. But he says there are plenty of effective medicines to help keep their symptoms under control.

Cut 11 (10) “…illness”

Paris recommends non-sedating oral antihistamines and over the counter intranasal steroid sprays.

14:30 LRN Newscast February 27th

25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto of St. Charles Parish remains behind bars on a 125-thousand dollars bond. Rizzuto is accussed of driving through a crowd of parade goers in New Orleans on Saturday. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Rizzuto is facing several years behind bars and anticipates that his attorneys will try to play the sympathy card in court…
cut 8 (11) “…of this guy”

A homeowner in DeSoto Parish has been booked on second-degree murder after authorities say he fatally shot 50-year-old James Hewitt who was allegedly vandalizing his car. Mansfield Police Chief Gary Hobbs on why they charged 34-year-old Cody Parker with second-degree murder…
cut 13 (09) “…deadly force”
Parker told police that he’s had problems before with vandalism.

Here’s a distrubing story out of Shreveport. A 24-year-old employee at the Caddo Parish Animal Shelter has been arrested for allegedly having a sex with a dog. She’s been identified as Celina Ann Cabrera. 41-year-old Booker Thomas Junior of Shreveport was also arrested after he allegedly recorded the act.

Sneezing more than normal? Itchy/watery eyes? Experts say allergy season is hitting Louisiana with a bang this year. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

13:30 Newscast, February 27th, 2017

A legal analyst predicts jail time for the man accused of injuring more than two dozen Endymion parade goers in New Orleans..:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Volunteers from around the country are coming together to help Louisiana flood victims get back into their homes. Louisiana Launch volunteer Shanna Forrestall says Let’s Rock uses donations to get flood victims a gift certificate that covers drywall, and more..
cut 4 (10) “those walls up”
You can find out more at launchlouisiana.com.

If you’ve noticed the allergy season is hitting you a bit harder this season, there’s a reason for that. Dr. Kenneth Paris, head of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at LSU Health New Orleans, says the warm winter and dry weather has made the pollen stronger and last longer. He says it really impacts kids and adults with asthma..:
Cut 10 (10) “respiratory symptoms”
He says excellent over the counter allergy meds are available and the earlier you start the better.

US Senator John Kennedy is calling on the head of State Police to resign amid the investigations as result of four troopers charging the state overtime and hotel expenses on a personal side trip while traveling on business. Kennedy says he’s disgusted as a Louisiana taxpayer over what happened…:
Cut 14 (11) “get an award”
Col Edmonson says Kennedy doesn’t know all the facts. The governor’s office is investigating the incident.

 

12:30 Newscast, February 27th, 2017

What kind of jail time might the man who drunkenly plowed into a crowd of revelers at the Endymion parade in New Orleans be facing? 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto is charged with negligent vehicular injury, hit and run with serious injury, and reckless operation after cops say he crashed into a crowd sending 21 to the hospital…:
CUT 6 (10) “five year sentence”
That’s legal analyst Tim Meche who says Rizzuto could be looking at 5-10 years but it depends on how the prosecution stacks up the counts.

A 30-year-old Donaldsonville man is under arrest amid allegations he crashed into a house that then burst into flames while he was fleeing police. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says Brandon Payton drove off at a high rate of speeding during a traffic stop, and slammed into the residence that caught fire and is a total loss. Payton faces many charges including aggravated flight from an officer, stop signs and speeding, no headlights, aggravated damage to property.

Allergy season is in full swing a little early this year, and experts say because Louisiana had such a mild winter, there never really was a low pollen period. Dr. Kenneth Paris, head of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at LSU Health New Orleans, says warm winters typically mean pollen season will peak earlier, and last longer…:
Cut 9 (09) “when we don’t have rain”
He says there is excellent allergy medication available over the counter and the earlier you start treatment, the easier it will be to keep symptoms under control.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with President Donald Trump to talk mostly about Louisiana’s recovery from natural disasters, and express the need to get more federal aid into the Bayou State.

 

11:30 Newscast, February 27th, 2017

Should State Police Col Mike Edmonson lose his job over the side trip four troopers are accused of taking on the taxpayers dime while on business? US Senator John Kennedy thinks so…:
Cut 16 (10) “not right”
But Edmonson says Kennedy doesn’t have all the facts and the LSP investigation and the Governor’s investigation into the incident need to play out…:
Cut 15 (05) “change those”

3rd Congressional District Congressman Clay Higgins is a member of a group charged with coming up with ways to keep terrorists from entering the US. He says the Homeland Security Task Force is going to explore every possible option to make our country safe…:
Cut 11 (08) “for it to stop”
Higgins says he wants to get a boots-on-the-ground perspective from the those directly involved in vetting the people who enter our country.

It’s been a warm February for the Bayou State and it could turn out to be the warmest on record since 1932. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Volunteers from around the country are coming together to help Louisiana flood victims get back into their homes. Louisiana Launch volunteer Shanna Forrestall says a lot of families either aren’t getting what they need from insurance or they’re delays on getting help from FEMA….:
Cut 3 (10) “their houses”
She says the donations are going to families who need it the most, those with elderly, disabled and special needs members.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast February 27th

Colonel Mike Edmonson has no plans to resign even though U-S Senator John Kennedy is calling on the head of the L-S-P to step down as result of four troopers charging the state overtime and hotel expenses while taking a side trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Edmonson says Kennedy doesn’t know all the details…:
Cut 13 (08) “those changes”
Kennedy is disappointed the legislative auditor is not being used for this investigation…:
Cut 17 (06) “find the truth”
The governor has auditors within the Division of Administration looking into the incident.

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards is scheduled to have a chance to talk with President Donald Trump as part of a group meeting with other governors. The governor’s office says Edwards will tell the President about Louisiana’s unmet needs from the floods of 2016.

US Representative Clay Higgins from St. Landry Parish is one of eight Congressmen that’s been named to the Homeland Security Task Force, which will look at policies that could be put in place to keep terrorists out of our country. Higgins says they want to take a balanced approach to ensure that those who do not mean us harm are still welcomed…
cut 12 (08) “…in place”
The panel will being working next month and hopes to provide a final report later this year.

A four-year study out of London finds there’s a connection between stress and obesity. People who were obese through the entire sutdy showed higher levels of stress hormones. Doctor Amanda Staiano, with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, says while some stress is out of our control, there are ways people can reduce their stress levels….
cut 5 (09) “…long term health”
Staiano says this type of research can be beneificial to Louisiana, since two-thirds of Loisiana adults are over weight.

09:30 Newscast, February 27th, 2017

Could this be the warmest February on record in Louisiana? State Climatologist Barry Keim says, so far this month, we’re averaging eight degrees above normal and he attributes this to a lot of warm air moving in from the coast…:
Cut 8 (06) “and humid”
He says February’s average temperature is around 61 so far, and the record in 1932 is 61.2 degrees.

State Police say a 6-year-old died after her parents vehicle was hit from behind by a man suspected of being impaired and speeding in Ascension Parish. They say 29-year-old Kenneth Lewis didn’t slow down when he approached the Keatings SUV, and the impact caused both vehicles to travel into the median striking trees. 6-year-old Samantha Keating died at a hospital. 29-year-old Kenneth Lewis of Geismar’s charges include vehicular homicide.

The New Orleans Police Department says 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto was three times the legal limit when he plowed into a crowd injuring 28 people who were watching the Endymion Parade. He faces multiple charges including first degree vehicular negligent injuring, hit and run driving and reckless driving.

US Senator John Kennedy is calling on the head of State Police to resign amid the investigations as result of four troopers charging the state overtime and hotel expenses on a personal side trip while traveling on business. Kennedy says he’s disgusted as a Louisiana taxpayer over what happened…:
Cut 14 (11) “get an award”
The governor’s office is investigating the incident.

A new study out of London finds stress may be linked to obesity. Dr. Amanda Staiano (Sty-AH-no) with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says over two-thirds of Louisiana adults and half of the children in our state are overweight or obese…:
Cut 6 (09) “citizens healthier”
The study found that individuals who had persistently high levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol over long periods of time weighed more.