13:30 Newscast, July 26th, 2016

Franklinton Police are searching for a suspect or suspects who broke into 25 vehicles that belong to members of the Louisiana National Guard. Maj. Justin Brown says robbers stole money, electronic, and personal weapons from the vehicles. He says the secure facility is patrolled regularly:
cut 10 (08) “they had”
He says the guardsmen were out training in Slidell when their vehicles were hit and it’s an absolute disgrace. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man drowned in a subdivision lake this morning in Denham Springs while he was fishing with a juvenile. They say initial reports indicate the two were in the boat when it capsized. The juvenile was able to make it to safety but the adult male did not. The investigation continues, no foul play is suspected.

The man responsible for last year’s Mardi Gras crash in Lafayette that killed one woman and left three others injured has plead guilty to one count of vehicular homicide and three counts of vehicular injury. 25-year-old Bryce Chapman was driving drunk at over 100 miles per hour and struck Carol Richard’s vehicle. First Assistant District Attorney Daniel Landry says Richard was just on her way home from the grocery store…:
cut 12 (09) “into flames”
He says Chapman is currently incarcerated, waiting for his sentencing on November 3rd.

Oil prices are currently trading at about $42 a barrel, a 3 month low. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute, Eric Smith, says there is too much supply right now, and eventually we’ll see $60 prices again but there will be ups and downs along the way…:
CUT 5 (07) “oil price”

 

12:30 Newscast, July 26th, 2016

Governor John Bel Edwards said in a statement that he’ll be joined by Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta Lynch at the vigil honoring the three fallen law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty. The event is open to the public and will be held at the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge Thursday beginning at 11:30 am.

Franklinton Police are searching for a suspect or suspects who broke into 25 vehicles that belong to members of the Louisiana National Guard. Maj. Justin Brown says they believe the thieves hoped over a fence where the cars were parked, while the Guardsmen were training in Slidell…:
CUT 9 (11) “disgraceful”
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Franklinton Police Department.

This price of oil is the lowest it’s been in three months at about $42 a barrel due to an overwhelming supply. That’s according to Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute, Eric Smith, says some companies jumped the gun and started drilling, expecting prices to rise, but the increase in supply pushed them back down. He says we’ve seen the number of oil rigs increase for the past three or four weeks in a row…:
CUT 4 (08) “for him”
He says this is driving gas prices down, which is good for consumers but could spell even more trouble for the oil and gas industry.

 

 

11:30 Newscast, July 26th, 2016

Oil prices are at a three month low of $40 a barrel after dropping 12% in July. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The sister of rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, a native of Ferriday in Concordia Parish, has suddenly died at the age of 71. According to a post on Facebook, Frankie Jean Lewis Terrell’s family is asking for strength as they go through this difficult time. Terrell was a well-known personality in Ferriday and to her brother’s fans from around the world.

14 deputies from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office traveled to Dallas to deliver donation checks to two foundations to help the families of the fallen officers who were killed in the July 7th attack on police. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Brennan Matherne says raised over 50-thousand dollars:
CUT 6 (11) “experience”
He says they plan to do something similar for the families of the fallen and injured Baton Rouge police officers.

State officials say more students than ever are getting ACT scores that allow them to go to college. DOE Superintendent John White says over 25,000 students in the Class of 2016 scored an 18 or higher on the ACT, and a record number also qualified for TOPS.
CUT 9 (07) “our state”

 

10:30 LRN Newscast

Oil prices have fallen to a three month low at just over $40 a barrel. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute, Eric Smith, says he expects prices to continue to go up and come back down. He says there is too much supply to help oil prices rebound completely, and companies keep drilling more.

Cut 3 (09) “…the prices”

Compensation for disabled veterans should go up next year because of a bill by Congressman Ralph Abraham that’s just been signed into law. Abraham says veterans have been failed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the VA has got to get better.

Cut 6 (12) “really are”

Abraham says the cost of living adjustment will affect compensation for disability, dependents, and clothing allowance.

A record number of students scored an 18 or higher on the ACT, which makes them eligible for college acceptance. State Superintendent John White says over 25-thousand students earned that score or higher last school year.

Cut 7 (08) “since 2012”

White credits the rise to a 2012 initiative that allows students to take the exam at no cost.

The LHSAA has decided that Eddie Bonine will remain as executive director even after he called the organization a “proverbial dumpster fire.” Bonine says he will remain in this position until his contract is up in 2019. He says it will be tough to mend the fences with some of the executive members.

Cut 14 (10) “point further”

Bonine did apologize for his dumpster fire comment.

09:30 Newscast, July 26th, 2016

More students than ever have achieved ACT scores that allow them to go to college. That’s according to State Superintendent of Education John White. He says over 25-thousand students in the Class of 2016 scored an 18 or higher on the ACT. they also saw a record number of students qualify for the TOPS…:
Cut 8 (10) “life opportunity”
He credits this to the 2012 “ACT for All” initiative that allows students to take the exam at no cost.

The body of the gunman who killed the three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge has reportedly been released to his family. The coroner’s office says Gavin Long’s body was claimed by his mother.

Hundreds of restaurants from throughout southeast Louisiana participated Monday in #25onthe25th in which the establishments commit to donating a quarter of profits to the families of the slain cops. The communities responded in full force as many places were packed with patrons last night eager to give back.

A doctor from Metairie is facing charges amid allegations he was illegally distributing drugs and threatening to murder law enforcement agents. U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced the unsealing of a criminal complaint against 43 year-old Shannon Christopher Ceasar. According to court records, Ceasar dispensed and conspired with others to illegally dispense controlled substances, and said that if anyone came after him with a warrant he’d kill every single one.

Eddie Bonine remains the executive director of the LHSAA. Emelie Gunn has more details…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

 

08:30 Newscast, July 26th, 2016

The nationwide average for a gallon of gas is at a 12 year low, according to AAA….:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Education news in Louisiana got another boost as officials say more students than ever are getting ACT scores that allow them to go to college. DOE Superintendent John White says since 2012, over 4,000 more students have qualified for TOPS as a result…:
CUT 9 (07) “our state”

There’s good news for disabled veterans. Congressman Ralph Abraham says his bill to increase their compensation beginning next year has been signed into law. He says the increase is tied to the social security increase, so we won’t know how much more money these disabled vets will get until the end of November…:
Cut 5 (09) “adjustments”
He says the bill will adjust the amount of compensation veterans receive for things like disability and dependents.

During a special hours long meeting Monday, the LHSAA talked about the controversial statement Executive Director Eddie Bonine made at a national convention, but he is not ousted from his post. Bonine says after the “airing it out” session, he believes the board is fully behind him..:
Cut 15 (09) “at hand”
Bonine referred to high school athletics in the state as a proverbial dumpster fire, but has since apologized.

 

 

07:30 Newscast, July 26th, 2016

A record number of Louisiana students have achieved an ACT score of 18 or higher that will allow them to go to college. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

We’re paying less at the pump than in 12 years, according to AAA. Spokesman Don Redman says we’re paying about $1.99 a gallon right now in Louisiana, but that will probably keep going down before summers end…:
CUT 11 (07) “$1.94”

At the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to take part today in a round table discussion on how to help Americans with chronic health.

Disabled veterans will see an increase in their compensation beginning next year thanks to a bill by Congressman Ralph Abraham that has just been signed into law. Abraham says the bill will adjust the amount of compensation veterans receive for disability, dependents, and clothing allowance, as well as compensation for surviving spouses…:
cut 4 (08) “all together”
Abraham has been an advocate for veterans since he was elected to Congress in 2014.

Former LSU star shortstop Alex Bregman made his debut in the majors last night, playing third base for the Astros. He went 0-4 on the night in Houston’s 2-1 loss to the Yankees at Minute Maid Park, but he put on an incredible performance on defense. He was greeted with a standing ovation as he stepped into the batter’s box for the first time in the 2nd.

 

06:30 Newscast, July 26th, 2016

According to AAA, nationwide gas prices are at a 12 year low. Spokesperson Don Redman says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is about $1.99…:
Cut 10 (08) “a gallon”
He says drivers could see prices at the pump go down even more before the end of the summer.

More students than ever have achieved ACT scores that allow them to go to college, according to State Superintendent John White, who says the state’s composite ACT score has increased nearly a half a point since 2013. He says over 25-thousand students in the Class of 2016 scored an 18 or higher on the ACT…:
CUT 7 (08) “since 2012″
White says he credits this to the 2012 “ACT for All” initiative that allows students to take the exam at no cost.

After a nearly 4-hour meeting, the LHSAA Executive Committee decided Eddie Bonine will remain the director of the organization. Bonine referred to the LHSAA as a “proverbial dumpster fire” in a report to the N-F-H-S, which led to the special meeting that went into executive session. LHSAA President Vic Bonnaffee couldn’t elaborate what went into the decision to keep Bonine…:
Cut 13 (10) “no comment”
Before the meeting went behind closed doors, Bonine apologized for his dumpster fire comment.

Louisiana law enforcement is hosting a memorial for fallen officers on Thursday, and Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta Lynch are slated to appear. The service is set to begin at 2pm at the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge.

 

18:30 LRN Newscast July 25

The last officer killed in the Baton Rouge police ambush has been laid to rest. Governor John Bel Edwards says Cpl. Montrell Jackson was a pillar of this community and used God’s gifts to make a difference for Baton Rouge and Louisiana. Jackson’s younger brother, 24-year-old Kendrick Pitts, spoke to Montrell and said he was loved by everyone…:

cut 10 (10)  “the whole world loves you”

Chairman of the House Transportation Committee Kenny Havard says the newly formed Transportation Taskforce will look at increasing the state’s gasoline tax to fund roadway maintenance. Havard says he is open to any other ideas to fund transportation projects, including tolls and public-private partnerships.

CUT 8 (09) “infrastructure”

A father and his two sons drowned in the Sabine River over the weekend. Beauregard Sheriff Rick Mosely says by the time his deputies arrived at the scene, it was already too late. He says they recovered 51-year-old Harlin Powel from the river, who was pronounced dead at the scene. He says search teams then began trying to locate the two boys.

CUT 4 (10)  “last night”

Mosely says it’s been about five years since anyone has drowned in that part of the river.

LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye returns to New Iberia today after surviving a fatal wreck in Wisconsin. Delahoussaye was in Wisconsin to participate in the Kohl’s Kicking Camp. He was participant in the camp last week and was scheduled to serve as a camp counselor this week. Delahoussaye’s coach at New Iberia High, Rick Hutson says Delahoussaye has attended that camp since high school and he’s thankful his former player only suffered minor injuries.

cut 14 (04)  “survived”

17:30 LRN Newscast July 25th

The last of the final goodbyes to the three recently slain Baton Rouge Police officers took place today as Corporal Montrell Jackson is laid to rest. Michelle Southern reports..:
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

After a lengthy meeting of the LHSAA executive committee, it’s been decided that Eddie Bonine will remain as the executive director of the association that oversees high school sports. Bonine apologized for the statement he made in a report to the NFHS that referred to the LHSAA as a proverbial dumpster fire.

Lawmakers will likely consider a bill to increase the state’s gasoline tax, when they meet for the 2017 fiscal session. That’s according to Representative Kenny Havard, who serves as chair of the House Transportation Committee and sits on the newly-formed Transportation Taskforce. Havard says there are not enough funds to address the $12 billion backlog for transportation maintenance, much less new projects…:
CUT 6 (10) “afloat”
Louisiana’s 20-cent gas tax ranks 41 in the nation.

LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye returns to New Iberia today after surviving a fatal wreck in Wisconsin that killed two others. Delahoussaye’s coach at New Iberia High, Rick Hutson, says Delahoussaye suffered injuries that require more medical attention..:
cut 12 (09) “from the accident”