07:30 Newscast, March 21st, 2016

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee begins reviewing today the 400 tax exemptions given by the state to individuals and businesses. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Experts say southeast Louisiana is at a high risk of a Zika outbreak this summer. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Department Health and Hospitals says state and local health officials are performing extensive surveillance…:
cut 4 (11) “rapidly”

It’s expected the legislature will get involved in the public versus private school split that’s impacted high school sports. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot has filed a bill that attempts to reverse the LHSAA’s decision to split its postseason in several sports. Talbot says the split is hurting high school athletics..:
CUT 7 (06) “in mind”
Schools around the state have been invited to join a new high school sports association that would NOT have a split playoff system.

Last year, the state legislature approved a bill that gives Louisiana residents legal access to medical marijuana, but it’s still not available in this state. The man who pushed for the legislation, St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills, says the department of agriculture along with a couple of other groups are still working on the details…:
Cut 13 (10) “dispensed”

 

10:30 LRN Newscast

A Slidell Teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with students. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (31) “…reporting”

A disaster recovery center opened today in Bossier City to help flood victims. It’s open seven days a week at the Bossier Parish Public Safety Complex on Shed Road. Several agencies are housed there to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans.

The Red River is expected to crest Sunday night at a level that hasn’t been seen in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says so far no homes have been flooded.
cut 16 (09) “this time”
Good news for motorists heading to Texas, Interstate 10 is now open in both directions at the Texas state line.

All the flood waters and recent rainfall could lead to more mosquitoes and heath officials are urging folks to make sure they are taking precautions. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health and Hospitals says this is typical for this time of year, but the flooding makes it worse…:
CUT 9 (09) “mosquitoes”
Welch says people need to remove standing water around their home to help lower the mosquito population.

09:30 LRN Newscast March 19

Residents living in central Louisiana are keeping a close eye on the Red River as its expected to crest at its highest level in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says there is a low spot in the levee at Brouillette and they’re using large sandbags to raise it a foot and a half. He says they’ve also raised the Vick levee 18 inches….
cut 15 (07) “…Monday morning”
Officials are asking motorists not to drive around barricades that have closed off roads because of high water.

A man suspected of stealing a generator from a home drowned as he tried to flee from the scene. LaFourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says 37-year-old Michael Gonzales dropped the generator in the driverway and ran from a home in Golden Meadow after he was spotted by the homeowner. A witness says he saw Gonzales jump into a bayou and his body was recovered later that day.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says his office will announce next week how much of a cut higher education and health care will receive as a result of a 70-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year. Dardenne says unfortunately these two areas are on the chopping block, because cuts have already been made to other state agencies…
cut 11 (09) “…those out”
And Dardenne says public colleges have already received a 28-million dollar loss in funding this fiscal year, because the state ran out of money to pay for TOPS scholarships.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he is almost 100% sure he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the fall. The seat is currently held by US Representative Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos….
CUT 3 (05) “for Holden”
An official announcement from Holden is expected next month.

08:30 LRN Newscast March 19

Good news for motorists that need to travel to Texas. I-10 is open in both directions as all lanes have been re-opened, after flood waters covered the interstate on the Texas side of the highway. And the state will begin distributing disaster food stamps next week. Flood victims are encouraged to register now at DCFS’ website. To see if you qualify call 1-888-LA-HELP-

Rapides and Avoyelles Parish are preparing to protect themselves from flooding as the Red River is expected to crest at a level that hasn’t been seen in more than 30 years. Rapides Parish Homeland Security Director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion urges residents in the most flood prone areas to take action now and don’t wait until it’s too late.
Cut 13 (08) “that area”
The Red River is expected to crest at Sunday night at 39.5 feet.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he’s fairly certain he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat. Holden would challenge US Representative and fellow Democrat Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Holden ran a good campaign when he ran for Lt. Governor last year, but he did not raise a lot of campaign money…
Cut 4 (08) “not just here”
Holden plans to make an official announcement next month.

Slidell Police have arrested a girls basketball coach at Slidell High for allegedly having sexual relations with students. Police Chief Randy Smith says there were several students in which 35-year-old Raymond Winzy exhibited inappropriate behavior with…
cut 7 (10) “…with him”
Smith says police searched Winzy’s home and classroom and found nude photos and videos on multiple electronic devices.

06:30 LRN Newscast March 19

The extensive flooding in Louisiana is raising concerns for a boom in the mosquito population. Halen Doughty reports health officials are concerned about the diseases carried by these pesky insects….
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

The latest estimate on the number of homes damaged by flooding is over 11-thousand. That’s according to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.And  I-10 is back open in both direction at the Louisiana-Texas state line.

A now EX-Slidell High school teacher and girls basketball coach has been arrested for allegedly having sex with several of his students and possessing pictures and videos of the acts. Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith says 34-year-old Raymond Winzy is accused of dirty talking to his students then asking for pictures then sex. He says anyone threatening or bullying victims will be arrested…:
CUT 8 (10) “be victims”
Winzy faces several charges.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is seriously considering a campaign to run against Second District Congressman Cedric Richmond of New Orleans. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the term limited mayor would present a challenge for Richmond…
cut 5 (11) “…a pushover”
Holden plans to make an official announcement next month.

18:30 LRN Newscast March 18, 2016

A teacher at a Slidell high school has been arrested after allegations of inappropriate behavior with students were reported to police. Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith says police searched 35-year-old Raymond Winzy’s home and classroom and found nude photos and videos on multiple electronic devices. He says Winzy has been fired and this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

CUT 7 (10) “with him”

All the flood waters are bringing in more mosquitoes and health officials are urging people to take precautions. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health and Hospitals says the mosquito that carries the Zika virus is active in southeast Louisiana. He says people need to remove standing water in and around their yards to keep those mosquitoes away.

cut 10 (09)  “a tire”

The Red River is expected to crest over the weekend at a level that hasn’t been seen in over 30 years, and Rapides and Avoyelles Parish are making preparations. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says so far no homes have been flooded.

cut 16 (09)  “this time”

Interstate 10 westbound at the Texas state line is now open. Eastbound remains closed at this location.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he may challenge US Representative Cedric Richmond in the race for the 2ndCongressional District seat. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says while it is not easy to unseat an incumbent, the level of dissatisfaction with the federal government could help Holden. Dubos says Holden would present a challenge for Richmond.

CUT 5 (11)  “a pushover”

17:30 LRN Newscast March 18, 2016

A Slidell high school teacher has been arrested for alleged sexual contact with students. Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith says Raymond Winzy is charged with two counts of molestation of a juvenile by an educator, 9 counts of production of child pornography and three counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Smith says some students at the high school have been bullied and threatened regarding this case.

Cut 8 (10) “victims”

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says is fairly certain he’ll run for the 2ndCongressional District seat. Holden would challenge US Representative Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says although Holden ran a good campaign when he ran for Lt. Governor last year, he did not raise a lot of campaign money, which would pose a problem…

Cut 4 (08) “not just here”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says his office will announce next week how much of a cut in state funding higher education and health care will receive. Dardenne says public colleges have already received a 28-million dollar loss in funding this fiscal year.

Cut 12 (07) “cuts around”

Rapides and Avoyelles Parish are making preparations to protect themselves from flooding as the Red River is expected to crest over the weekend at a level that hasn’t been seen in over 30 years. The Homeland Security Director of Rapides Parish Sonya Wiley-Gremillion says the Red River is expected to crest Sunday night at 39.5 feet. She says their main concern is the safety of the people in Rapides Parish, not their property.

Cut 14 (10) “our office”

16:30 LRN Newscast March 18

A Slidell Teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with students. Emelie Gunn has more…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says over 11-thousand homes received some type of flood damage. 26 parishes are eligible for federal assistance. The state will begin distributing disaster food stamps next week, flood victims are encouraged to register now at DCFS’ website.

Residents living in central Louisiana are keeping a close eye on the Red River as its expected to crest at its highest level in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says there is a low spot in the levee at Brouillette and they’re using super sack sandbags to raise it a foot and a half. He says they’ve also raised the Vick levee 18 inches….
cut 15 (07) “…Monday morning”
All the flood waters could lead to more mosquitoes and heath officials are urging folks to make sure they are taking precautions. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health and Hospitals says this is typical for this time of year, but the flooding makes it worse…:
CUT 9 (09) “mosquitoes”
Welch says people need to remove standing water in and around their yards to help lower the mosquito population.

15:30 Newscast March 18,2016

A Slidell High School teacher and girls basketball coach has been arrested after allegations of inappropriate behavior with students. Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith says 35-year-old Raymond Winzy allegedly would start casual conversations with his female students, which turned sexual. He says once Winzy gained their trust he would invite them into his classroom…
CUT 6 (11) “classroom”

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he is almost 100% sure he’ll be running for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the fall. The seat is currently held by US Representative Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says if Holden gets in, it will make for an interesting race….
CUT 3 (05) “for Holden”

Dubos says although Holden ran a good campaign when he ran for Lt. Governor last year, he did not raise a lot of campaign money, which would pose a problem…

 

The extensive flooding in Louisiana is raising concerns for a boom in the mosquito population…
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Rapides and Avoyelles Parish are preparing to protect themselves from flooding as the Red River is expected to crest at a level that hasn’t been seen in more than 30 years. Rapides Parish Homeland Security Director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion urges residents in the most flood prone areas to take action now and don’t wait until it’s too late.
Cut 13 (08) “that area”

14:30 LRN Newscast March 18

Slidell Police have arrested a girls basketball coach at Slidell High for allegedly having sexual relations with students. Police Chief Randy Smith says there were several students in which 35-year-old Raymond Winzy exhibited inappropriate behavior with…
cut 7 (10) “…with him”
Smith says police searched Winzy’s home and classroom and found nude photos and videos on multiple electronic devices.

With all the flooding and the fact we are getting more rain, there’s a concern the mosquito population will boom in the next couple of weeks. Doctor Frank Welch, with the state department of health and hospitals, says people need to remove standing water in and around their yards….
cut 10 (09) “…a tire”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says his office will announce next week how much of a cut in state funding higher education and health care will receive as a result of a 70-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year. Dardenne says unfortunately these two areas are on the chopping block, because cuts have already been made to other state agencies…
cut 11 (09) “…those out”
Dardenne says public colleges have already received a 28-million dollar loss in funding this fiscal year, because the state ran out of money to pay for TOPS scholarships.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is seriously considering a campaign to run against Second District Congressman Cedric Richmond of New Orleans. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the term limited mayor would present a challenge for Richmond…
cut 5 (11) “…a pushover”
Holden plans to make an official announcement next month.