09:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2015

An agreement between the United States and Iran over their nuclear program will likely lead to another downturn in oil prices. David Dismukes, LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director, says motorists will notice a big drop at the gas pump..:
CUT 11 (09) “driving season”
He says a nuclear deal will result in Iran putting billions of barrels of its oil on the market.

Public elementary students could be taught gun safety when school starts in fall under a bill passed in the last session and signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal. Erath Representative Blake Miguez sponsored the measure and he says the purpose is to reduce accidental gun deaths in Louisiana…:
CUT 8 (08) “bill does”
He says the material essentially gives children who might not have any firearm knowledge learn that they should never touch or play with weapons.

The National Journal reports that Republican US Representative Charles Boustany has told donors he will run for US Senate next year, if Senator David Vitter is elected governor this year. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says if that happens, Vitter will appoint a person to complete his term and have an advantage when the election takes place for a full six year term next year
CUT 15 (10) “inside track”
Republican Congressman John Fleming of Minden and GOP state treasurer John Kennedy could also run for US Senate next year.

The Town Talk reports that Army cuts are expected to be coming Thursday and they could significantly affect Fort Polk and the surrounding communities. Army officials have to cut at least 40,000 troops and personnel and some of that could fall on Fort Polk.

 

08:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2015

The first step in the legal dispensing of medical marijuana in Louisiana lies with the Department of Agriculture to establish the regulations. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says their is currently a question about the development of the seeds for growing the medical marijuana…:
CUT 5 (06) “capacity have?”
He says along with the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, they are working to get a better idea of when medical marijuana can be put in the hands of patients.

Us Representative Charles Boustany says if David Vitter wins the governor’s race, the Lafayette Republican plans to run for US Senate. Republican Congressman John Fleming of Minden and GOP state treasurer John Kennedy could also run for US Senate next year. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross..:
CUT 14 (10) “raise and spend”

A deal between the U.S. and Iran over a nuclear program could result in another downfall for oil prices. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

The New Orleans Police officer who originally arrested accused cop killer Travis Boys has himself been arrested for actions which took place during the suspect’s initial incident last month. Investigators believe Officer Wardell Johnson tried to cover up evidence at the scene. He is charged with obstruction, malfeasance and theft and is on emergency suspension. Boys faces a possible death penalty in the shooting death of Officer Daryle Holloway.

 

07:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2015

An agreement between the US and Iran over their nuclear program will likely lead to another downturn in oil prices. David Dismukes, Executive Director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says a nuclear deal will result in Iran putting billions of barrels of its oil on the market…:
Cut 10 (10) “these barrels”
Dismukes says the market is already reacting to a possible deal as oil prices fell eight-percent yesterday.

Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law a bill that allows gun safety education to be taught in elementary public schools. Author of the legislation, Erath Rep. Blake Miguez, says it will be similar to “stop, drop and roll” fire instruction…:
CUT 7 (06) “a firearm”
The age appropriate classroom instruction regarding firearm accident prevention and safety can start being taught in the fall.

The National Journal reports Republican Congressman Charles Boustany of Lafayette says he plans to run for US Senate next year, if David Vitter is elected Governor. Scott Carwile has more…:
CUT 3 (28) “reporting”

New information is out on a man found dead in his trailer in the East Baton Rouge Parish town of Zachary over the weekend. 47-year-old Robert Noce was murdered just two weeks after he began serving probation for a sex crime involving a young child. Noche pleaded no contest to carnal knowledge of a juvenile on June 22nd. He was found strangled and stabbed to death on Saturday at his residence and there are no suspects at this time according to cops.

 

06:30 Newscast, July 7th, 2015

The State Department of Agriculture has been put in charge of establishing the regulations for the legal dispensing of medical marijuana. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says one of the big questions is how much they will need…:
CUT 4 (11) “to produce”
He says the agency is in touch with LSU and Southern’s Ag Centers about developing the drug.

The National Right to Life convention this week in New Orleans will also feature a Republican presidential candidate debate on Friday but Governor Bobby Jindal won’t be there. His office says there is a scheduling conflict but that the Governor would be there as keynote speaker Thursday night on opening day. Jindal is campaigning in New Hampshire today.

The National Journal reports that Republican US Representative Charles Boustany has told donors he will run for US Senate next year, if Senator David Vitter is elected governor. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Boustany will be a strong candidate, but will likely face some tough competition from his own party…:
CUT 13 (09) “a lot of money”
If Vitter is elected as governor, he will appoint a person to finish out the remainder of his term.

Cox Communications says it has no plans to air the Miss USA pageant which takes place on Sunday In Baton Rouge and was dropped by NBC and Univision last week due to comments made by Miss Universe owner Donald Trump. The Reelz channel agreed to air the show but it’s only available on AT&T, DirecTV and Dish Network, not Cox.

 

LRN Newscast 17:30 July 6,2015

An annual statewide survey from LSU finds that consumer confidence has fallen below the nation for the first time in recent years. Michael Henderson, research director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says the Louisiana Consumer Sentiment Index fell by six points from the end of the third quarter of 2014 to the end of the first quarter this year…
CUT 3 (06) “six months earlier”
He says the main culprit is the drop in oil prices.

Same-sex couples who want to change their last name on their driver’s license to reflect the same name as their spouse can do so starting today. State Police Lieutenant JB Slaton says the Office of Motor Vehicles had to upgrade their computers.

cut 9 (11) “…is working’
Slaton says couples who wish to change their name, must bring a certified marriage license, along with social security records.

The rising number of youth who are constantly on their cell phones and computers are putting strain on their eyes. Doctors say they’ve seen a growing amount of young patients suffering from computer vision syndrome. Dr. Monica Monica, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, says when looking at screens your blink rate decreases….

cut 6 (10) “….syndrome”
She says the best thing to do if you’re in front of a computer all day is to take periodic breaks.

A 36-year-old man faces vehicular homicide charges after the utility terrain vehicle he was driving fipped over and killed a 12-year-old passenger. The incident happened in St. Helena Parish on July fourth. Detective Joe Chaney says people need to be careful on these type of vehicles…
cut 14 (10) “…safety guidelines”
The man arrested has been identified as Joshua Tharpe and he was released from jail on a 100-thousand dollar bond.

LRN Newscast 16:30 07-06-15

An annual statewide survey from LSU that finds- while consumer sentiment grew nationally by 10 percent,-Louisiana’s confidence rate is now 10 points below the national average. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research lab says it points right to lower oil prices…
CT 4 (07) Q: “similar pattern here”

The St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office says a 12-year-old boy has died on the 4th of July when riding on a utility terrain vehicle being driven by an adult. Detective Joe Chaney says 36-year-old Joshua Tharpe of Baton Rouge and the juvenile were riding the UTV on a wet sand bar and took a sharp sudden turn…:
cut 12 (10) “on the child”
Tharpe has been charged with vehicular homicide.
——————————–
If Louisiana Senator David Vitter is successful in his bid for governor, Lafayette Representative Charles Boustany says he is prepping a campaign to seek Vitter’s seat. The National Journal reports Boustany has hired an experienced Senate Campaign manager, and has told supporters quote-“you cannot wait to make your plans.”

Eye doctors say they’re seeing a spike in the number of technology crazed youth suffering from computer vision syndrome…:
CUT 2 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”

LRN Newscast 15:30 07-06-15

An annual statewide survey from LSU finds that consumer confidence has fallen below the nation for the first time in recent years. Michael Henderson, research director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says the Louisiana Consumer Sentiment Index fell by six points from the end of the third quarter of 2014 to the end of the first quarter this year…
CUT 3 (06) “six months earlier”
He says the main culprit is the drop in oil prices.

The Sheriff’s Office in St. Helena Parish says a 12 year-old boy is dead following a a Fourth of July accident involving a UTV. Detective Joe Chaney says 36-year-old Joshua Tharpe of Baton Rouge was charged with vehicular homicide, and he says they are still working to determine what happened and if Tharpe was being negligent..:
cut 13 (07) “homicide”
————————–
The Office of Motor Vehicles began issuing drivers’ licenses today for same-sex married couples who wish to legally have the same last name of their spouse. State Police Lt. JB Slaton says for ALL motorists, licenses will now be good for 6 years instead of four. He says it will cost four dollars more, but it should lead to shorter lines…
cut 11 (10) “going to help”

It’s called “computer vision syndrome,” and a rising number of younger people are suffering, stemming from too much time on smart phones and tablets. Dr. Monica Monica, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, says the extended close vision call actually cause the eye muscles contract, and dry eyes…
CUT 8 (09) Q: “devices’
And she advises to take periodic breaks.

LRN Newscast 14:30 07-06-15

An LSU survey that tracks consumer sentiment finds that consumer confidence in this state has fallen below the national average…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It was a Fourth of July display that did a little more than light up the sky in Sabine Parish at Toledo Bend near the Texas line. Six people -who were celebrating the fourth-were sent to the hospital after lightening struck a nearby tree at an RV park. Authorities believe all six were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
——————————–
For same-sex married couples in Louisiana who want to change their last name on their drivers’ license to reflect the same name as their spouse, can do this starting today. State Police Lieutenant JB Slaton says they must bring a certified marriage license, along with social security records to the OMV…
CUT 10 (08) Q: “social security level”

Too much time on smart phones and tablets are creating a rising number of youth who are developing eye strain. It’s called computer vision syndrome, and Dr. Monica Monica, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, says it’s hitting millennials and younger harder than most groups…
CUT 7 (10) Q: “taking breaks”
She says about about 68 percent of millennials suffer from the condition, and when it happens, people need to take periodic breaks.

 

13:30 LRN Newscast July 6

An annual LSU study on consumer confidence finds that Louisiana’s Consumer Sentiment Index is nearly 10 points below the nation. Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says since they conducted this survey, oil prices have stablized, slowing down lay-offs in the energy sector…
cut 5 (06) “….energy prices”
Henderson says northwest Louisiana, southwest Louisiana and the New Orleans area all fell significantly below the national estimate.

Same-sex couples who want to change their last name on their driver’s license to reflect the same name as their spouse can do so starting today. State Police Lieutenant JB Slaton says the Office of Motor Vehicles had to upgrade their computers so that it would allow a man to change his last name…
cut 9 (11) “…is working’
Slaton says couples who wish to change their name, must bring a certified marriage license, along with social security records.

A 14-year-old was arrested in Bossier City after detectives discovered the juvenile could be responsible for the stabbing death of a 91-year-old woman he was believed to be robbing inside her home. The teen was charged with first degree murder in the death of Ludella Scott and was transferred to the Wade Juvenile Detention Center.

The rising number of youth who are constantly on their cell phones and computers are putting strain on their eyes. Doctors say they’ve seen a growing amount of young patients suffering from computer vision syndrome. Dr. Monica Monica, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, says when looking at screens your blink rate decreases….
cut 6 (10) “….syndrome”
She says the best thing to do if you’re in front of a computer all day is to take periodic breaks.

12:30 LRN Newscast July 6th

An LSU survey finds consumer confidence in this state has slipped below the national Index of Consumer Sentiment. Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says the drop in oil prices and the effects it had on the state’s energy industry could be to blame…
cut 4 (07) “….similar pattern here”
The consumer confidence reading was based on residents’ attitudes from the third quarter of 2014 to the first quarter of 2015.

A 36-year-old man faces vehicular homicide charges after the utility terrain vehicle he was driving fipped over and killed a 12-year-old passenger. The incident happened in St. Helena Parish on July fourth. Detective Joe Chaney says people need to be careful on these type of vehicles…
cut 14 (10) “…safety guidelines”
The man arrested has been identified as Joshua Tharpe and he was released from jail on a 100-thousand dollar bond.

Eye doctors say they’re seeing a spike in the number of technology crazed youth suffering from computer vision syndrome. Michelle Southern reports…:
cut 2 (25) “…I’m Michelle Southern

State Police and the Office of Motor Vehicles are getting the word out that you can renew your driver’s license every six years instead of four. Lt. JB Slaton says it will cost an additional four dollars for the extra two years, but hopefully it will lead to shorter lines at the DMV, with drivers having to go less often to renew their license…
cut 11 (10) “…gonna help’