06:30 Newscast July 31, 2015

In addition to the chilling surveillance footage from just moments before the deadly Lafayette movie theater shooting, cops have also released 911 calls from the night of July 23rd. 59-year-old John Houser opened fire during the film around 7:28pm. Two women died and 9 others were injured at the Grand 16…

cut 13 (11) “older man”

The two women killed in the shooting are identified as 21-year-old Mayci Breaux and 33-year-old Jillian Johnson.

The night sky will light up tonight with what’s known as a blue moon. LSU Astronomy Professor Brad Schaeffer says the moon will not look blue, but it’s referred as a “blue moon” because it’s the second time in a calendar month that there’s been a full moon…

cut 4 (06) “doesn’t matter”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the phenomenon only occurs once every three years.

It’s not too late for the Who Dat nation to head to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia where the Saints are holding training camp. Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau Spokesperson Kristi Godby says in small town West Virginia, they don’t have an NFL team so they’re welcoming the Saints with open arms for a second straight year…

cut 10 (11) “New Orleans”

Godby says last year they received many Louisiana visitors and expect to see more this year as training camp continues through August 20th.

LRN Newscast 17:30

Cops have released 911 calls from the Lafayette Theater shooting the night of July 23rd. Michelle Southern reports…:
cut 3 (32) “…reporting”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office announces one of their own deputies has been arrested for indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer sex solicitation. Twenty-five-year-old John Roy Griffith of Pineville was taken into custody as hit home by State Police investigators. He’s worked as a communications officer at the sheriff’s office for nearly two years.

The Slidell Police Department says a group of organized criminals were busted for stealing nearly half a million dollars at businesses with ATMs and check cashing outlets over the past year. Sgt. Daniel Seuzeneau says two suspects were arrested after trying to steal 12 grand from the Cash Cow in Slidell. He says the pair had a sophisticated scheme going…:
CUT 12 (07) “would respond”
36-year-old Marvin Hudson and 44-year-old Allden Jones are charged with burglary and cops say there could be more people involved.

We saw a couple of 100-degree readings in the state today. Danielle Manning, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says a weak cold front will move across the state as we approach the weekend…
cut 6 (08) “…quite as a humid”

And in sports….the preseason coaches football poll came out today. LSU is ranked 13th.

LRN Newscast 16:30 07-30-15

Baton Rouge Police say a Morgan City man wanted for a Lafayette shooting death, was killed during a shootout with police and US Marshals yesterday. Thirty-seven year-old Lawrence Blackburn -who was accused of killing 18 year-old Dravin Stevenson – was found hiding in a Baton Rouge apartment complex, where the gunfire erupted.

The LSU football team comes in at number 13 in the preseason coaches’ poll. Here’s Jeff Palermo with more…
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
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State-wide heat advisories and an extreme Heat Warning for northeast Louisiana were the norm today, as several locations matched or broke previous high temperature records. There is some relief on the way in the form of a cold front…
CUT 7 (08) Q: ‘nearly as high’
That’s Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service.

In Slidell, police have made two arrests as part of a group of organized criminals that are accused of stealing nearly a half million dollars from check cashing outlets and business ATM’s. Thirty-six Marvin Hudson and 44-year-old Allden Jones, were arrested after trying to steal $12,000 from the Cash Cow in Slidell. Slidell Police Sgt. Daniel Souzeneau says there may be more arrests in this operation…
CUT 14 (08) Q: ‘down everybody’

LRN Newscast 15:30 07-30-15

On the north shore, a group of organized criminals have been busted for stealing nearly half a million dollars at business ATMs and check cashing outlets over the past year. Slidell Police Sgt. Daniel Seuzeneau says 36-year-old Marvin Hudson and 44-year-old Allden Jones, allegedly first performed timed “dry runs”, then were able to complete their burglaries in two minutes…
CUT 13 (08) Q: ‘ in cash’
He says more people may be involved.

Much of Louisiana has Heat Advisories today, with an Extreme Heat Warning for northeast Louisiana. Danielle Manning, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says a weak cold front will move across the state as we approach the weekend…
CUT 6 (08) “quite as humid”
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A man wanted for first degree murder in the killing of Lafayette man has been killed in a shoot-out by US Marshals in Baton Rouge. Thirty seven year-old Lawrence Blackburn of Morgan City is accused of killing 18 year-old Dravin Stevenson, and authorites found him hiding out at an apartment complex. They starting evacuating residents…
CUT 3 (09) Q: “task force”
That’s BRPD Cpl. L’Jean McKneely

The LSU Tigers are ranked number 13 in the preseason football Coaches Poll, and there are still some quarterback questions to be answered for the upcoming season. Not so much in the mind of ESPN-dot-com college football writer Chris Low. He expects Brandon Harris to win the starting Q-B job…
CUT 9 (10) Q: “end up going”

LRN Newscast 14:30 07-30-15

A Morgan City man, wanted in a Lafayette shooting death, was killed during a shootout with police in Baton Rouge. Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says members of the US Marshal’s Office learned that 37-year-old Lawrence Blackburn of Morgan City was hiding in an apartment complex.
CUT 5 (08) Q: ‘those locations’
Blackburn was wanted for first-degree murder in the death of 18 year-old Dravin Stevenson of Lafayette.

It’s no secret the LSU Tigers have a question mark at the quarterback for the upcoming season. On defense, however, ESPN-dot-com college football writer Chris Low says new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron are good additions to the staff…
cut 11 (09) “both of those guys”
The Tigers are #13 in the preseason poll.
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Slidell Police say a group of organized criminals were busted for stealing nearly half a million dollars at businesses with ATMs and check cashing outlets over the past year.
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

A man a from Mooringsport has been arrested by Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputies for sex crimes against children that go back as far as 1997. Forty-eight year-old James Tony Jordan is charged with aggrevated crime against nature involving four year-old this year, a three year-old in 2011 and a seven year-old in 1997. No bond has been set.

13:30 Newscast, July 30th, 2015

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles says they’ve officially hit 100 degrees today and it’s more of the same throughout the state. We’re under a heat advisory and there’s an extreme heat warning in effect for northeast Louisiana. Meteorologist Danielle Manning says there is a cold front approaching but it probably won’t affect high temps much…:
CUT 7 (08) “nearly as high”

The Slidell Police Department says a group of organized criminals were busted for stealing nearly half a million dollars at businesses with ATMs and check cashing outlets over the past year. Sgt. Daniel Seuzeneau says two suspects were arrested after trying to steal 12 grand from the Cash Cow in Slidell. He says the pair had a sophisticated scheme going…:
CUT 12 (07) “would respond”
36-year-old Marvin Hudson and 44-year-old Allden Jones are charged with burglary and cops say there could be more people involved.

A Morgan City man wanted for a Lafayette murder was discovered then killed in a shootout with cops in Baton Rouge. BRPD spokesman Cpl L’Jean McKneely says US Marshals shot 37-year-old Lawrence Blackburn, who they believe initiated the gunfire, at the complex where he was hiding…:
CUT 4 (08) “of gunfire”
The investigation is ongoing.

The LSU football team comes in at number 13 in the preseason coaches’ poll:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

 

12:30 Newscast, July 30th, 2015

There is a heat advisory in effect for almost the entire state until 7 this evening. High temps are in the upper 90s south of I-10 and in the low 100s north of the cooridor with heat index values of 109-113. Danielle Manning, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says everyone should take precautions outdoors…:
CUT 8 (07) “work outside”
She says there is a weak cold front moving in as we approach the weekend that will mainly just drop humitity levels.

The Slidell Police Department says a group of organized criminals were busted for stealing close to $500,000 at businesses with ATMs and check cashing outlets over the past year. They say two suspects, identified as Marvin Hudson and Allden Jones, were arrested after trying to steal $12,000 from the Cash Cow in Slidell. Investigators believe the two ran a ring that included practice runs of the thefts. Cops believe other people are possibly involved in the ring.

LSU football is ranked once again in the top 25 teams in the nation in the preseason coaches poll as the Tigers were tabbed No. 13. It’s the 15th straight season the Bayou Bengals are ranked in the top 25. ESPN-dot-com college football writer Chris Low says the Tigers defense is what will win them a bunch of games this season…:
CUT 10 (10) “one defense”
LSU is one of eight teams from the SEC in the Top 25.

According to a new poll released today, Governor Bobby Jindal is still not in the top 10 of support for Republican Presidential candidates. The numbers show Jindal tied for 11th place in the field with former Texas Governor Rick Perry.

 

11:30 Newscast, July 30th, 2015

Sweltering heat continues to impact Louisiana. Much of the state us under a heat advisory today, whcih an Extreme Heat Advisory in effect for northeast Louisiana. Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell says a weak cold front will move across the state as we approach the weekend…:
CUT 6 (08) “humid”
Several locations in the state matched or broke hi temp records yesterday.

The LSU Tigers, who are coming off an eight and five eason and have question marks at the quarterback position, are ranked 13th in the preseason coaches poll. ESPN.com college football writer Chris Low expects Brandon Harris to win the starting QB battle…:
CUT 9 (10) “end up going”
The Bayou Bengals are one of eight teams from the SEC ranked in the top 25.

State Police say a single vehicle crash in Allen Parish has left one dead and another injured. They say 38-year-old Jeremy Drake of Oakdale lost control of his vehicle, left the roadway, and struck a tree head on. Drake, who was unrestrained, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger, 36-year-old Tabitha Johnson, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Authorities say impairment could be a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.

Baton Rouge Police say a Morgan City man, wanted in a Lafayette shooting death, was killed during a shootout with police. Cpl L’Jean McKneely says members of the US Marshal’s Task Force learned that 37-year-old Lawrence Blackburn was hiding in an apartment complex in Baton Rouge. He says authorities began evacuating the apartments…:
CUT 3 (09) “Task Force”
Blackburn was on the run, wanted for first degree murder in the death of an 18-year-old. He died on the scene.

 

 

10:30 Newscast, July 30th, 2015

A gathering is taking place in Lafayette this evening for the Acadiana community to reflect together on the tragic movie theater shooting which took place a week ago. Two women were killed and 9 others injured and all victims and their families will be honored at the “Lafayette Strong: Unite. Honor.Heal.” event. City government spokeswoman Cydra (sid-ruh) Wingerter…:
CUT 9 (11) “to heal”
The event is from 7pm-8:30 and will be held at Blackham Coliseum.

Baton Rouge Police say a Morgan City man, wanted for first degree murder in a Lafayette shooting death, was shot and killed by law enforcement authorities in the Capitol City last night. 37-year-old Lawrence Blackburn was being sought by authorities for the murder of 18-year-old Dravin Stevenson who was killed Monday.

According to a new report from the National Partnership for Women and Families, more than 45% of the private sector workforce in Louisiana cannot earn paid sick days. Scott Carwile reports…::
CUT 3 (28) “reporting”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney District Attorney Hillar Moore says it’s likely the criminal charges against LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings could be dropped. Moore says he’s waiting on some paperwork to decide. Jennings and two other football players were arrested in an alleged break-in last month. Moore says the victim is not seeking to pursue charges.

 

09:30 Newscast July 30, 2015

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says it’s likely that the criminal charges against LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings could be dropped. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Shreveport Police have arrested a homeless man for allegedly claiming to have planted an explosive device in a local library. They say 41-year-old Derek Robinette was overheard telling another person he had left a bomb inside the library. The area was evacuated and authorities conducted a thorough sweep of the building. No expolsive devices were found. Robinette is charged with committing false information of arson.

A new report from the National Partnership for Women and Families shows that almost half of the private sector workforce in Louisiana cannot earn paid sick days. The National Federation of Independent Business opposes any mandate requiring employers to offer paid sick time. State Director Dawn Starns says owners should be able to have flexibility when it comes to running their operation…

cut 16 (10) “for their employees”

The NPWF says, for a typical family in the US without paid sick days, 3.5 days lost to illness is equal to a family’s entire monthly grocery budget.

Nachitoches has been named by Good Houskeeping magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America. Public Relations Director for the city of Nachitoches, Samantha Bonnette, says she can see how Good Housekeeping picked Natchitoches for this list…

Cut 6 (07) “streetscape together”

Other small towns on the list include Breckenridge, Colorado, Sedona, Arizona, and Cooperstown, New York.