12:30 Newscast, October 26th, 2015

Despite finishing second in the October 24th primary, US Senator David Vitter is confident he will be elected as the state’s next governor on November 21st. Vitter believes voters will choose him over Democrat John Bel Edwards, because Edwards does not represent the values that Louisiana is seeking…:
CUT 12 (10) “Obama liberal”
But Edwards says a vote for Vitter will continue to send Louisiana down the wrong path…:
CUT 13 (11) “people first”
Vitter got 23% of the vote on the primary and Edwards had 40%.

The Southeastern Conference announced today that the LSU/Alabama game in Tuscaloosa on November 7th will kick off at 7pm and be televised on CBS. Both teams are on a bye this weekend.

In addition to the Governor’s race, the state’s next Lt. Governor and Attorney General will also be decided November 21st. Eric Gill reports..:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

 

11:30 Newscast, October 26th, 2015

The Governor’s race is not the only statewide race heading to a runoff next month. Louisiana’s next Lt. Governor and Attorney General will also be decided November 21st. Democrat Kip Holden narrowly came out on top in the Lt. Governor primary over Republican Billy Nungesser. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says signs point to Nungesser winning the runoff:
CUT 3 (10) “Lt. Governor”
In the Attorney General’s race, incumbent Buddy Caldwell is in a tight contest with fellow Republican Jeff Landry.

In the Governor’s race, Democrat John Bel Edwards got 40% of the vote and Republican David Vitter had 23%. Vitter is expected to keep tying Edwards to President Barack Obama in this race and Edwards will continue calling the US Senator a dishonest politician.

The Ruston Police Department says the woman accused of kidnapping an 8-year-old boy has been arrested by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say Dakota Johnson was located safe in the Swartz area. Ruston PD Deputy Chief Clint Williams says the boy’s mother reported her son was in their vehicle asleep at a motel when a woman stole it..:
CUT 9 (09) “issued”
Williams says 23-year-old Sommer Hattaway will be charged with theft of a motor vehicle and kidnapping.

LSU enters the bye week with a perfect 7-0 record after beating Western Kentucky 48 to 20 in a mud-filled game at Tiger Stadium. It’s the eighth time the Tigers have started the season 7-0, but Coach Les Miles says there’s still room for improvement….
cut 14 (08) “coaching”
The Tigers will next take the field November 7th at Alabama.

 

10:30 Newscast, October 26th, 2015

Analysts predict Louisiana voters are about to witness a tight and possibly nasty race between Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards leading up to the November 21st runoff. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley gives a slight edge to Edwards who got 40% in the primary…:
CUT 11 (10) “Scott Angelle”
He says you can expect Vitter to keep tying Edwards to President Barack Obama in this race and Edwards will continue calling the US Senator a dishonest politician.

The man accused of kidnapping and murdering a Baton Rouge couple allegedly so that he could steal money from their safe has waived extradition in Florida and will be brought back to Baton Rouge. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree kidnapping in the deaths of 71-year-old Denis Duplantier and his wife, 70-year-old Suzanne Duplantier.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested the woman accused of kidnapping an 8-year-old boy from Ruston. State Police cancelled the Amber Alert and said Dakoto Knox is being sent back to his family in Lincoln Parish. 23-year-old Sommer Ann Hattaway will also be sent back to Lincoln Parish and charged with kidnapping and theft of a motor vehicle. The investigation is ongoing.

The Louisiana National Guard Museum at Jackson Barracks will open a new exhibit in February to mark the 25th Anniversary of Operation Desert Storm. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

 

09:30 Newscast October 26, 2015

A tight race is expected in the gubernatorial runoff between Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The governor’s race is not the only statewide race heading to a runoff next month. In the Lt. Governor’s race, Democrat Kip Holden will face off against Republican Billy Nungesser. The state attorney general will also be decided by runoff. Incumbent Buddy Caldwell and fellow Republican Jeff Landry will square off November 21st.

Democrat John Bel Edwards will face Republican David Vitter in the November 21st gubernatorial runoff. On election night, Edwards was not afraid to criticize Vitter, including the incident that occurred Friday that led to the arrest of a man who was working for the Vitter campaign. Edwards says that’s why the people of Louisiana should not elect Vitter…

cut 8 (13) “governor’s office”

Edwards won the primary with 40-percent of the vote, while Vitter placed second with 23-percent.

Alexandria Police has arrested a 12-year-old in connection with a shooting death over the weekend. They say when officers responded to the scene, they found 29-year-old Courtney Honore lying in the street. Honore was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say it appeared Honore suffered a single wound from an air pellet type weapon. The juvenile was arrested and charged with negligent homicide. The 12-year-old was described as an acquaintance of Honore.

08:30 Newscast October 26, 2015

The November 21st runoff has been decided. Democrat John Bel Edwards had 40% of the vote, and Republican David Vitter pulled it out with 23%. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

State Police has cancelled the amber alert issued for 8-year-old Dakota Knox after Knox was found safe in Ouachita Parish last night. Knox was asleep in the back of vehicle at a motel in Lincoln Parish Sunday morning when the vehicle was allegedly stolen by 23-year-old Sommer Ann Hattaway. Officials are releasing very little information at this time. Authorities are still on the lookout for Hattaway.

Analysts are anticipating a close governor’s race between Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter in the November 21st runoff. Vitter is expected to tie Edwards to President Barack Obama in this race, and ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says the state representative from Amite will have to show his politics are different from the Commander in Chief…

cut 13 (12) “conservative democrat”

He expects an intense battle for votes leading to the runoff.

Gavin Phillips, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says the heavy rains that have impacted much of the state the last couple of days should come to an end today. He says it’s rare to have this kind of prolonged rain event in Louisiana in October, but it’s much needed after several weeks without significant rain…

cut 17 (07) “rainfall”

The storm system has dumped more than a half a foot of rain in some areas of the state.

07:30 Newscast October 26, 2015

The November 21st gubernatorial runoff will be between Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter. Edwards won the primary with 40-percent of the vote. Vitter, who got 23% of the vote, said in his post-election speech that Edwards is a liberal who supports the president…

cut 9 (12) “for illegals”

Vitter will likely continue to tie Edwards to President Barack Obama over the next month.

Political Analysts feel the gubernatorial runoff will be a close one between Edwards and Vitter. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Vitter will have to convince all of the republicans who didn’t vote for him in the primary to vote for him in the runoff…

cut 12 (06) “vote for him”

Stockley says at this moment, he gives a slight edge to Edwards.

The heavy rainfall that has impacted much of the state the last couple of days should come to an end today. Gavin Phillips, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says the storm system that has dumped more than a half a foot of rain in some areas is finally moving out…

cut 16 (09) “24 hours”

Phillips says it’s rare to have this kind of prolonged rain event in Louisiana in October.

A Desert Storm exhibit will open in February at the Louisiana National Guard Museum at Jackson Barracks. Museum Director Captain Heather Englehart says they’re seeking the help of current and former guardsmen. She says if any guardsmen has a particularly interesting story, they’re willing to interview them on camera…

cut 5 (09) “perspective”

Any past or present National Guardsman can contact Beverly Boyko at (504) 278-8024 to donate artifacts.

06:30 Newscast October 26, 2015

It’s Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter in the November 21st gubernatorial runoff. Edwards won the primary with 40-percent of the vote. He told his supporters he’ll run a honest campaign as he seeks to replace Bobby Jindal

cut 7 (09) “cheering”

Vitter captured the second runoff position with 23% of the vote.

Analysts are anticipating a close governor’s race as Edwards and Vitter will battle for votes leading up to the November 21st runoff. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says at this moment, he gives a slight edge to Edwards, who received 40-percent of the vote in the primary

cut 11 (10) “Scott Angelle”

Stockley says Vitter will have to convince all of the republicans who didn’t vote for him in the primary to vote for him in the runoff.

The Louisiana National Guard Museum at Jackson Barracks will open a Desert Storm exhibit in February to mark the 25th anniversary and they’re seeking the help of current and former guardsmen. Museum Director Captain Heather Englehart says they’re searching for items to help tell the story of how the National Guard assisted in Operation Desert Storm.

cut 4 (10) “their photographs”

Englehart says the museum is really struggling to find videos from that time period. Any past or present National Guardsman can contact Beverly Boyko at (504) 278-8024 to donate artifacts.

10:30 LRN Newscast Oct 24

It’s election day across Louisiana as polls will remain open until 8 PM. The governor’s race is the headliner on the ballot. Citizens will also be asked to vote on four constitutional amendments and there’s also local tax measures to consider.

The governor’s race is expected to go into a runoff. Republican US Senator David Vitter’s campaign has to deal with allegations of spying. That’s because a man connected to the Vitter campaign was arrested by Jefferson Parish Sheriff deputies yesterday. Sheriff Newell Normand reportedly accusses the man of trying to record a conversation he was having with associates at a coffeehouse in Metairie. Robert Frenzel was booked on criminal mischief. Vitter’s campaign has confirmed that Frenzel works for a firm they hired to do research, which is within the bounds of the law, but they said Frenzel’s work had nothing to do with Normand. Normand has endorsed Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne in the governor’s race.

Rain is falling across much of north Louisiana this morning and there’s more precipitation that will be coming in from Texas. It’s the first significant rainfall the state has seen in weeks. But state climatologist Barry Keim says there’s also a concern about flooding as the rain will stick around for a few days…
cut 4 (10) “…right now”
Central and Southwest Louisiana are under a flash flood watch until Monday morning.

Rain could impact the college football games that will be played in the state today. The undefeted LSU Tigers host Western Kentucky at six o’ clock tonight. McNeese State is also unbeaten on the season and the Cowboys will host Northwestern State tonight. Grambling is undefeated in the SWAC and they host Mississippi Valley State, while Louisiana Tech has a big Conference USA matchup with Middle Tennessee.

09:30 LRN Newscast October 24

It’s election day and the headliner on the ballot is Louisiana’s governor’s race. There are nine candidates who are seeking to replace Governor Bobby Jindal, who is term-limited. It’s expected the race will go to a runoff, which will take place on November 21st. Polls are open until 8 PM. To find out what’s on your ballot go to geaux-vote-dot-com.

There’s been an interesting development in the governor’s race. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office arrested Robert Frenzel yesterday on misdemeanor charges after he allegedly conducted surveillance at a coffeeehouse on a group of people that included Sheriff Newell Normand. The sheriff, who supports Jay Dardenne in the governor’s race, says he believes Frenzel was snooping on him. The Vitter campaign admits Frenzel works for a firm they hired to do research, which is legal, and this has nothing to do with Normand.

Also on Friday, Senator Vitter was as a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a minor accident. No serious injuries were reported.

Baton Rouge Police have made an arrest in the case involving a 15-year-old girl who was found bound and gagged in a drainage canal earlier this week. Authorities say 31-year-old Robert Jacobs turned himself and he’s been charged with first degree rape and sexual battery.

Get ready for a lot of rain over the next few days. State climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll be in an incredibly wet pattern until at least Tuesday…
cut 3 (10) “….of rain”
Southwest and central Louisiana are under a flash flood watch until Monday morning.

And rain could impact college football games around the state. Tonight 5th ranked LSU hosts Western Kentucky. Louisiana Tech faces Middle Tennessee this afternoon, McNeese State hosts Northwestern State and Grambling State is also home for homecoming.