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.

LRN Newscast 08:30 October 24

Polls are open and they will remain open until 8 PM. The headliner on the ballot is the governor’s race. There are four main candidates on the ballot, Republican Scott Angelle, Republican Jay Dardenne, Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter.

A person connected to the Vitter campaign was arrested yesterday and accused of recording a conversation involving Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand. The incident happened at the Old Metairie coffee shop. The man arrested is Robert Frenzel, a private investigator from Texas. According to campaign finance reports, Vitter’s campaign has spent 130-thousand dollars this year on an investigative agency, where Frenzel works.

Normand, who supports Dardenne in the governor’s race, told a New Orleans television station, he believes Frenzel was spying on behalf of Vitter. A statement from Vitter’s campaign admits Frenzel works for a firm they hired to do research, which is legal, but this incident has nothing to do with the sheriff.

Amite police have arrested a mother and father after their four-year-old child allegedly brought a loaded pistol to school. Investigators believe the gun was in the parents’ vehicle and the child put it into his book sack during the ride to school. 36-year-old Kenji Steptow and 30-year-old Kenisha Steptow were charged with child desertion, which is a misdemeanor.

The Mississippi Cop who was refused access to a restaurant in Destin because he was wearing an LSU hat says he’s never going back, even though Harry T’s has issued an apology for “Unsportsmanlike conduct.” The fan is Don Bass with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi. He says following being told he was not welcome, he sent the owner an email…:
CUT 10 (11) “went from there”
Harry T’s is “very sorry” and is hosting an LSU party at the establishment today.

17:30 Newscast, October 23rd, 2015

Louisiana will get some much needed rain over the next few days. State Climatologist Barry Keim we’ve been in extreme drought and this wet weather will likely change all of that. He says we’ll be in an incredibly rainy pattern until at least Tuesday…:
CUT 3 (10) “of rain”
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch from Saturday evening through Monday morning for most of the western half of the state.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says US Senator David Vitter was not injured in a minor fender bender he was involved in Friday in Metairie, a day before the election. They say the Republican candidate for governor was a passenger in a Mercedes that struck a Honda. The woman in the Honda said her hand hurt but refused medical. The driver of the car Vitter was in was issued a citation for improper lane usage.

So which candidates for Governor will make the runoff after Saturday’s election? As we head into the October primary, polls have shown Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards in a run-off. But Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says surveys out this week show Vitter is battling for that second spot…:
Cut 12 (10) “this point”
Polls close Saturday at 8pm.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office has secured a handgun after it was found in a Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School student’s backpack. Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says they believe the student didn’t know it was there and he’s been cooperating fully…:
CUT 8 (05) “it’s available”
Meanwhile, police in Amite say a 4-year-old child brought a loaded gun to school and was showing it off and his parents are arrested. They say they found a .22 automatic pistol in the child’s backpack. The parents are charged with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

 

16:30 Newscast, October 23rd, 2015

Louisiana will get some much needed rain over the next five days. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch from Saturday evening through Monday morning for most of the western half of the state.

Fender benders don’t usually make news, but today US Senator David Vitter was involved in a minor vehicle accident in Metairie the day before the election. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says the Republican candidate for governor was a passenger in a Mercedes that struck a Honda. They say the woman in the Honda said her hand hurt but refused medical. The driver of the car Vitter was in was issued a citation for improper lane usage.

There was enough social media outrage this week over a restaurant in Destin, Florida denying an LSU fan inside during the Tigers/Gators game, that Harry T’s has now issued a “sincere apology.” The fan is Don Bass, the Chief Criminal Deputy at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi. He says he went to Harry T’s to meet up with some friends.:
CUT 9 (07) “welcome here”
He emailed Harry T’s and they responded that LSU did not have a good name there. Bass posted it on Facebook, it went viral and the restaurant is now back peddling big time even offering an LSU scholarship donation.

Tomorrow is Election Day … so who does it look like will make the runoff in the Governor’s race? Jeremy Alford with lapolitics.com says the surprise we could see when polls close at 8 is that Republican David Vitter is edged by either GOP candidates Jay Dardennne or Scott Angelle. He says Democrat John Bel Edwards should lead the primary field…:
CUT 13 (08) “high 30s”
Polls open tomorrow morning at 7am.

 

15:30 Newscast, October 23rd, 2015

It’s election day tomorrow and polls will close at 8 PM, so who will be in the runoff in the governor’s race? Don Molino has the story..:
CUT 2 (26) “I’m Don Molino”

The AP is reporting that an investigation into the Black Hawk helicopter crash in March which killed 11, including four Louisiana National guardsmen, was caused after the pilots disobeyed direct orders. The report shows the helicopter was not to fly into worsening weather conditions but they did anyway. The pilots on the training mission were Louisiana National guardsmen.

It looks like weather is going to be a big story next week as a lot of badly needed rain heads our way. A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect from Saturday evening through Monday morning for the western half of the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the coast will likely get hit the hardest but much of the state will see a couple of inches…:
CUT 5 (07) “equal opportunity”
He says three to six inches of rain is possible throughout the state.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office has secured a handgun after it was found in a Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School student’s backpack. Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says they believe the student didn’t know it was there and he’s been cooperating fully…:
CUT 8 (05) “it’s available”
He says at no point did the student pose a threat to his classmates.

Meanwhile, police in Amite say a 4-year-old child brought a loaded gun to school and was showing it up and his parents are arrested. They says they found a .22 automatic pistol in the child’s backpack. The parents are charged with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

 

14:30 Newscast, October 23rd, 2015

The good news is that drought-stricken Louisiana is about to get some rain, the bad news is that it could be a little too much. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the system is forecast to begin early Sunday into Tuesday and unfortunately we could see some flooding…:
CUT 4 (10) “right now”
He says three to six inches of rain is possible throughout the state.

Tomorrow is Election Day — so are there any surprises in order in the governor’s race? LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says with Democrat John Bel Edwards nearly a lock to make the runoff, the big shocker we could see is whether Republicans Scott Angelle or Jay Dardenne can catch Senator David Vitter for the second runoff spot…:
CUT 14 (09) “passing Vitter”
Polls are open from 7am-8pm.

The Amite Police Department says a couple was arrested after their 4-year-old child brought a loaded gun to school this morning. They say the child was showing it off and the parents, 36 year old Kenji Steptoe and his wife Kenisha Steptoe were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Today is a good day to familiarize yourself with the ballot you’ll face tomorrow on Election Day. Secretary of State’s Office spokeswoman Meg Casper says it’s online at GeauxVote.com and on the GeauxVote app…:
CUT 1 (07) “real time”
She says you’ll have three minutes in the booth.

A restaurant in Destin called Harry T’s denied an LSU fan inside and when he told the story on Facebook, the Tiger Nation got angry. Don Bass, a chief criminal deputy in Mississippi, says he asked why he wasn’t allowed in, and the owner of Harry T’s emailed him and said LSU fans have a bad name at the establishment. That email went viral and the backlash was enough for Harry T’s to do a complete 180, but Bass says he’s never going back…:
CUT 11 (07) “ludicrous”