10:30 Newscast, October 20th, 2015

The Hammond Police Department is investigating the discovery of two bodies found at a truck stop near I-12 last night. Cops now say the victims were a man and a woman who had been reported missing from Baton Rouge. The report indicates Baton Rouge Police got a call around 10:15 last night to make a welfare check at a home where the door was wide open, no residents inside and vehicle missing. More on this as it develops.

State Farm says over 44% of teenage drivers still admit to texting while behind the wheel, even though they know it’s dangerous. Spokesperson Roszell Gadson says it’s Teen Driver Safety week and they are trying to get the word out that young motortists need to put their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road…:
CUT 7 (10) “disturbingly high”
He says over 90 percent of teens also admitted that they know texting and driving is a distraction.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s second book is out today and it makes a case for why he should be should be the next man in the White House. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Westwego Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy. They say Kevin Thomas was talking with several other people in a parking lot when someone shot him multiple times as he tried to get away from the group. Authorities say Thomas made it to his parents house, but was pronounced dead at the scene. The police investigating is ongoing. If you have information on this incident, you are urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

 

09:30 Newscast October 20, 2015

A longtime Louisiana political analyst finds voter interest in this year’s governor’s election is as low as he’s ever seen. Jeff Palermo has more….

cut 3 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

While it is too late to register to cast your ballot in Saturday’s statewide elections, there’s still time to register to vote in the runoff election. Wednesday is the final day of voter registration for the November 21st runoff. Residents can register in person at their parish registrar of voters office and other authorized locations until close of business tomorrow. You could also register to vote online at geauxvote-dot-com, with “geaux” spelled the cajun way, until midnight Wednesday.

A State Farm survey finds 44-percent of teenagers are still texting and driving ever after understanding the potential dangers. Spokesperson Roszell Gadson says car crashes are the number one killer of teenagers and they want to engage students to drive safely in a supportive and positive way…

cut 9 (10) “this issue”

He says the number one deterrent of teen distracted driving is getting into a car accident.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have cited 40-year-old Glen Toups, Jr. of Abbeville after he illegally killed a legendary dear in Avoyelles Parish. Toups is cited for allegedly not having deer tags and basic season and big game hunting licenses. L-D-W-F Spokesperson Adam Einck says the deer was one of the top five biggest irregular deer shot with an arrow and was unofficially scored as a 208 class buck…

cut 14 (08) “for that”

08:30 Newscast October 20, 2015

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat finds voter interest in this year’s governor’s race is among the lowest he’s ever seen. He says 70-percent of voters give Governor Bobby Jindal a negative rating and that’s rubbing off on the newest candidates…

cut 12 (09) “right now”

A recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll found just 39-percent of Louisiana voters were interested in this election.

Governor Jindal releases his second book today and in it the Republican presidential hopeful shares why he thinks he should be the next Commander-in-Chief. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross thinks this book will be one thing Jindal hands out on the campaign trail…

cut 6 (09) “read it”

The book, “American Will: The Forgotten Choices That Changed our Republic”, is available at amazon-dot-com.

This week is Teen Driver Safety week and a survey finds teens are still texting and driving even after being aware of the consequences. Emelie Gunn has more….

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Although it’s too late to register to vote for Saturday’s statewide elections, it’s not too late to participate in the November 21st runoff. Voter registration for the runoff election ends Wednesday. You can register in person until close of business tomorrow at your parish registrar of voters office and other authorized locations. You have until midnight Wednesday to register online at geauxvote-dot-com.

07:30 Newscast October 20, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal’s second book, “American Will: The Forgotten Choices That Changed our Republic”, is out today. In it, Jindal makes a case for why he should be elected president through stories from history. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not that unusual for a presidential candidate to release a book…

cut 5 (11) “United States”

The book is available at amazon-dot-com.

A recent State Farm survey finds that 44-percent of teenagers are still texting and driving even though they know the dangers. Spokesperson Roszell Gadson says their survey found that 50-percent of teens are scared of being caught by the police…

cut 8 (08) “by cellphones”

He says this week is Teen Driver Safety week.

Longtime Louisiana political analyst Bernie Pinsonat finds the interest in this year’s governor’s race is a bad as he’s ever seen. He says the four major gubernatorial candidates haven’t been able to generate any interest, because they’re all being muffled by the constant attack ads…

cut 11 (09) “else’s fault”

Pinsonat says the voters are finding themselves shying away from believing the candidates can actually fix problems.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has cited a man accused of illegally killing a legendary deer in Avoyelles Parish. L-D-W-F Spokesperson Adam Einck says 40-year-old Glen Toups, Jr. of Abbeville shot a buck with a crossbow on a hunting club’s property near Simmesport…

cut 13 (11) “as well”

Toups is cited for not having deer tags and basic season and big game hunting licenses.

06:30 Newscast October 20, 2015

A longtime Louisiana political analyst finds the interest in this year’s governor’s race is a bad as he’s ever seen. Bernie Pinsonat says voters are very disappointed in the last four years with Governor Bobby Jindal and reduced funding toward higher education and hospitals…

cut 10 (09) “fix something”

A survey from LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab found just 39-percent of voters in Louisiana are interested in this election.

Governor Jindal’s second book is out today and in it the GOP presidential hopeful shares why he thinks he should be the next man in the White House. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not a surprise Jindal has released another book…

cut 4 (11) “presidential campaign”

The title is “American Will: The Forgotten Choices That Changed our Republic.”

A survey released from State Farm finds many teenagers are still texting and driving even after understanding the potential dangers. Spokesperson Roszell Gadson says over 90-percent of teens admit to knowing it’s distracting, yet 44-percent confessed they still text and drive. He says this week is Teen Driver Safety week and hopes they can get the word out for young drivers to stay focused on the road…

cut 7 (10) “disturbingly high”

Gadson says their survey also found the biggest deterrent for teenagers to stop distracted driving is getting into a car accident.

17:30 Newscast October 19, 2015

The Secretary of State’s Office reports that 222,000 Louisianians cast an early ballot for October 24th’s election. A breakdown of early voting numbers reveal that 71-percent of participants were white, while just 27-percent were black. Pollster John Couvillon says the low percentage of black voters participating in early voting could have an impact on the number of voters hitting the polls Saturday…

cut 5 (06) “October 24th”

Polls will be open from 7AM to 8PM Saturday.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry announce the arrest of 22-year-old Justin Murphy of Jonesboro who is charged with six counts of simple arson for intentionally setting fires when he worked as a volunteer firefighter in 2010 and 2011. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Murphy’s confession came while he was being questioned about another fire in north Louisiana last week…

cut 10 (07) “one home”

He says Murphy has not been charged in the Liberty Hill fire.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says two brothers have been arrested in connection with the murder of Nanette Me’Shell King whose dead body was found inside a burned car. Sheriff Jack Strain says the victim’s ex boyfriend, 53-year-old Gary Harris, allegedly murdered her and his brother, 64-year-old Ray Harris, helped him cover it up…

cut 12 (06) “individuals were”

Gary Harris is charged with second degree murder and Ray Harris with accessory after the fact.

According to LSU, Mike the Tiger will not be attending anymore home games, at least for the rest of this season. Ginger Gutner, with the LSU Vet School, says they can’t force the giant tiger to do anything and they will reevaluate the matter next season…

cut 8 (09) “and see”

Mike VI didn’t attend any games last season, and in 2013 he was only at three and some fans aren’t happy this tradition isn’t being honored.

16:30 Newscast October 19, 2015

A federal judge rules that Louisiana must continue Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood at least 14 more days despite Governor Bobby Jindal’s push to stop payments to the clinics. Jindal’s effort began following the release of videos which allegedly show Planned Parenthood workers talking about selling fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood denies the allegation and said in a statement that the ruling protects the health and safety of thousands of Louisiana’s men and women.

About 222,000 Louisianians cast an early ballot for Saturday’s election according to the Secretary of State’s Office. When you base this election’s early voting numbers on historical trends, a 45 to 50 percent voter turnout is expected for the election. Pollster John Couvillon says low voter turnout typically favors Republican candidates…

cut 4 (10) “Democratic intensity”

About 14,000 fewer voters participated in this year’s early voting than in last November’s election.

====================================

LSU mascot Mike VI will not be attending anymore home games this season. Ginger Gutner, with the LSU Vet School, says anyone who visits Mike’s dwelling knows that he likes to sleep by the windows up front around people, so she doesn’t think the big crowds are keeping him from the games…

cut 7 (07) “game day”

She says they plan to reevaluate the situation next season.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry announce the arrest of a man accused of intentionally setting a number of fires when he worked as a volunteer firefighter in Jonesboro in 2010 and 2011. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the suspect faces six counts of simple arson…

cut 9 (09) “near Jonesboro”

Strain says Murphy’s confession came while he was being questioned about an unrelated fire.

15:30 Newscast October 19, 2015

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, 222,000 Louisianians cast an early ballot for Saturday’s election. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

US Senator David Vitter’s brother has been named the new Chancellor of the University of Mississippi. Jeffery Vitter was named chancellor in an announcement earlier this afternoon. Jeffery previously served as provost at the University of Kansas. In a statement, the senator says he is proud for his brother but there’s going to be payback every time the LSU Tigers whoop Ole Miss in the SEC.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry announce the arrest of a man who is accused of intentionally setting fires when he worked as a volunteer firefighter in 2010 and 2011. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says 22-year-old Justin Murphy of Jonesboro faces six counts of simple arson. He says wildfires are something investigators take quite seriously…

cut 11 (09) “you cause”

Murphy’s bond was set at $90,000.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says two brothers are under arrest in connection with the murder of Nanette Me’Shell King. Sheriff Jack Strain says investigators believe that after the breakup from a 20-year relationship, 53-year-old Gary Harris talked King into coming back to their house on September 20th to talk about how they were going to divide their property and it was there that he murdered her. He says the story is disturbing…

cut 13 (06) “cover his crime”

Gary Harris is charged with second degree murder and 64-year-old Ray Harris with accessory after the fact.

14:30 LRN Newscast October 19

A federal judge ruled today that Louisiana must continue providing Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood facilities for two more weeks. This matter is in the court system, because Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order that seeks to oust Planned Parenthood from the state’s medicaid program. Another hearing on the matter in federal court is expected soon.

53-year-old Gary Harris and his 64-year-old brother, Ray Harris, are behind bars for their roles in them murder of Nanette Me’Shell King. Remains of her body were found in a burned out car in St. Tammany Parish. Sheriff Jack Strain says the steps the Harris brothers took to cover the crime up are appalling…
cut 14 (07) “….cold and calculating”
Strain says Gary Harris killed his former longtime girlfriend and his older brother helped burn the body.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, 222,000 Louisianians cast an early ballot for this Saturday’s statewide election. That’s about 14,000 less than participated in last November’s election. Pollster John Couvillon says the lower early voting turnout shows a lack of public interest in the governor’s race…:
CUT 3 (09) “policy proposals”
Basing this election’s early voting numbers on historical trends, a 45 to 50 percent voter turnout is expected for the October 24th primary.
LSU announces its live mascot, Mike the Tiger, will not attend anymore home games in Death Valley, at least for the rest of this season. Ginger Gutner, with the LSU Vet School, says they tried something a little different in order to get Mike VI into his trailer for the McNeese State game, but it hasn’t worked since….
CUT 6 (06) “next game”
LSU says they will reevaluate next season.

13:30 Newscast October 19, 2015

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says two brothers are under arrest in connection with the murder of Nanette Me’Shell King whose dead body was found in a burned car near Sun. Sheriff Jack Strain says the victim’s ex boyfriend, 53-year-old Gary Harris, allegedly murdered her — and his brother, 64-year-old Ray Harris, helped him cover it up…

cut 12 (06) “individuals were”

Gary Harris is charged with second degree murder and Ray Harris with accessory after the fact.

The Secretary of State’s Office reports that 222,000 Louisianians cast an early ballot for October 24th’s election. A breakdown of early voting numbers show that 71-percent of participants were white, while just 27-percent were black. Pollster John Couvillon says the low percentage of black voters participating in early voting can have an impact on the number of voters hitting the polls Saturday…

cut 5 (06) “October 24th”

A 45 to 50 percent voter turnout is expected for the election.

LSU says Mike the Tiger won’t be attending anymore home games, at least for the rest of this season. Ginger Gutner, with the LSU Vet School, says they can’t force this giant tiger to do anything and they will reevaluate the matter next season…

cut 8 (09) “and see”

Mike VI didn’t make any games last season, and in 2013 he was only at three and some fans aren’t happy this tradition isn’t being honored.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry announce the arrest of 22-year-old Justin Murphy of Jonesboro who is charged with six counts of simple arson for intentionally setting fires when he worked as a volunteer firefighter in 2010 and 2011. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Murphy’s confession came while he was being questioned about another fire in north Louisiana last week…

cut 10 (07) “one home”

He says Murphy has not been charged in the Liberty Hill fire.