LRN Newscast 14:30 10-16-14

An LSU employee who was recently in Ebola stricken Liberia has been asked to stay off campus for three weeks…

CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

There’s been another reported of a teacher having sex with under-aged students; this time in Acadia Parish, where a Crowley High School math teacher was arrested for indecent behavior with three sixteen-year old juveniles. Thirty-four year-old Tracie Marie Barras of Duson was arrested at her home Tuesday without incident.

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The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is implementing a new protocol for 9-1-1 operators to screen callers for Ebola. Director Kevin Davis says the callers’ answers would determine appropriate actions for first-reponders and hospitals…

CUT 8 (11) “would then kick in”

The questions would center around recent travel, and any flu-like symptoms.

 

In Northeast Louisiana, many residents are still without power as a result of a tornado that ripped through Monroe and West Monroe Monday. As the clean-up continues, Entergy spokesman Roderick Worthy reminds residents…

CUT 14 (11) Q: “away from it”

Power should be fully restored by Friday.

13:30 Newscast October 16th, 2014

A man who works for LSU and has recently visited Liberia has been asked to stay off campus for at least three weeks. Olivia Watkins with the Department of Health and Hospitals says they are going in to monitor the man two times a day to make sure he does not exhibit symptoms of the Ebola virus…but he is not being forced to stay home…:
CUT 10 (10) “the hospital”
Watkins says it’s important to remember that Ebola can not be passed to another individual when there are no symptoms present.

Meanwhile Governor Bobby Jindal is criticizing the Obama Administration for the nation’s response to the spread of Ebola saying it’s incompetent and malpractice has been committed.

A teenager from Lafayette is under arrest after police say he tried to rob a gas station with a stick wrapped in plastic while wearing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mask. 18-year-old Lacorrion Turner was booked with first degree robbery.

The LSU Police Department is asking for help in a possible rape investigation. Captain Corley Lalonde says a victim reported she was near the lakes when a group of men approached her and one of them raped her while the others watched. The alleged incident happened October 7th. LaLonde says LSUPD has no information to indicate that this is anything other than an isolated incident…:
CUT 5 (09) “as soon as possible”
They are asking anyone who may have seen something unusual in the area on that day to please contact LSU Police.

Gas prices slipped another cent last night in Louisiana. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.02.

Bayou Country Superfest producers announce the shows for 2015 will span over three days again and include a special Friday concert. The BCS lineup for the Tiger Stadium concerts will be announced November 5th.

12:30 Newscast October 16, 2014

An LSU employee, who was recently in Ebola stricken Liberia, has been asked to stay off campus for 21 days. Olivia Watkins, with the Department of Health and Hospitals, says that’s the time frame during which symptoms of the virus could show up. She says the man told DHH he did not have contact with anyone who had Ebola, so he’s not considered high risk…

cut 9 (12) “twice daily”

Watkins says the man is not being forced to stay in his home while he has no symptoms.

There’s a new protocol for 911 operators in Louisiana which has them screen callers for Ebola symptoms. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Kevin Davis says the information would immediately be sent to responders…

cut 7 (09) “on the scene”

He says operators would ask several questions including whether the person has recently been to an Ebola outbreak country.

Many homes and businesses in Monroe and West Monroe remain in the dark after a tornado moved through the area Monday. Entergy spokesman Roderick Worthy says less than 5,000 customers currently remain without electricity. He says Entergy’s system sustained significant damage as the EF-2 tornado rolled through…

cut 13 (13) “and repair service”

Entergy hopes to have power fully restored sometime tomorrow.

The Louisiana State Police is investigating a shooting involving an Opelousas Police officer. Authorities say 23-year-old Demarcus Jones lead police on a foot chase after threatening someone with a gun. Jones then reportedly fired on the officer who returned fire. Jones was treated for his injuries and released into police custody. The officer was unharmed.

11:30 Newscast October 16, 2014

A new protocol has been implemented to 911 operators in Louisiana which has them screen callers for Ebola symptoms. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Kevin Davis says the caller will be asked a series of questions about illnesses, particularly fever and recent travel. He says that will help EMS responding…

cut 6 (10) “a suspected case”

Davis says the callers answers would determine whether more questions would follow and whether the emergency responder would need to wear protective gear to the call.

An LSU employee, who returned home after training Liberian police in the use of protective clothing to combat the Ebola outbreak in Africa, has been asked to stay off campus for three weeks. The Department of Health and Hospitals say the man is not at risk for Ebola since he did not have any contact with infected people, but he is being monitored.

The LSU Police Department is seeking the public’s help in their investigation of an alleged rape that occurred on campus. Capt. Corey Lalonde says The incident happened October 7th along West Lakeshore Drive. He says there is normally a considerable amount of traffic in that area…

cut 4 (13) “our investigation”

LaLonde says LSUPD has no information to indicate that this is anything other than an isolated incident.

Many homes and businesses in Monroe and West Monroe remain powerless as a result of a tornado that moved through the area Monday. Entergy spokesman Roderick Worthy says at the height of the storm, about 38,000 customers were without power in the Ouachita Parish area…

cut 12 (06) “and tomorrow”

He says Entergy’s goal is to have power fully restored tomorrow.

10:30 Newscast October 16, 2014

Residents in Ouachita Parish continue to clean up after Monday’s EF-2 tornado ripped through the area. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

The Shreveport Police Department has closed the playground area of a local park after an apparent suicide. The body of a woman was found at Betty Virginia Park. A portion of the park has been closed while the authorities investigate the incident. The name of the woman has not been released.

The LSU Police Department is seeking the public’s help in their investigation of an alleged rape that occurred on campus. Capt. Corey Lalond says the victim reported she was walking along West Lakeshore Drive on October 7th when she was approached by a group of male subjects…

cut 03 (11) “incident took place”

They are asking anyone who may have seen something unusual in the area on that day to please contact LSU Police or Crime Stoppers.

A local chocolate maker doesn’t think the Ebola outbreak in West Africa will have an effect on the price we pay for chocolate. Michael Nelson, with the Elmer Candy Corporation in Ponchatoula, says he doesn’t see evidence, at this point, that the Ebola outbreak is moving the price of cocoa…

cut 12 (13) “thirty one hundred”

He says the concern among some market analysts is that the Ebola crisis could spread into Ghana, where almost two-thirds of the world’s cocoa beans are sourced.

09:30 Newscast October 16, 2014

Republican challenger Bill Cassidy has one million dollars more in cash on hand than Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu, according to the latest campaign finance totals in the US Senate race. Political analyst Clancy Dubos points out Landrieu raised more money than Cassidy in the third quarter…

cut 7 (09) “close that gap”

Landrieu raised two-hundred thousand dollars more than Cassidy in the third quarter.

Louisiana is projected to surpass 2 million overall jobs by 2015, according to the latest economic projection numbers by LSU Economists Loren Scott & Jim Richardson. Dr. Scott says Lafayette and Houma will see big gains but the big winner will be Lake Charles…

cut 15 (12) “a way to ship”

He says the Baton Rouge area is expected to see 2.4 percent growth over the next two years.

The Northwestern State University sophomore from Baton Rouge, who was reported missing by her parents, has been found and authorities say she’s doing fine. University Police say Laura Larisey was found last night with friends in good spirits and good health.

Could the Ebola outbreak in West Africa be having an effect on the price we pay for chocolate? A local chocolate maker doesn’t think so. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

08:30 Newscast October 16, 2014

According to the latest economic projection numbers by LSU Economists Loren Scott & Jim Richardson, Louisiana is projected to surpass 2 million overall jobs by 2015. Jeff Palermo reports.

cut 3 (26) “reporting”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved emergency rules giving local superintendents new authority to deal with a possible Ebola threat. The new guidelines give a local school superintendent the power to close schools early for a crisis that now includes “any actual or imminent threat to public health or safety, which may result in loss of life, disease or injury.”

The latest campaign finance totals in the US Senate race show Republican challenger Bill Cassidy with four-point-four million dollars in cash on hand, while Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu has three-point-four million. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says fundraising will continue up until the November fourth election and beyond…

cut 9 (10) “each”

The third major candidate in the race, retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness, reports he has 388-thousand dollars in his account.

Ouachita Parish continues to clean up after Monday’s tornado ripped through the area. An EF-2 tornado tore through Monroe and West Monroe causing widespread damage. Despite the destruction the storm left behind, Ouachita Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Neil Brown says all the news from Ouachita Parish isn’t bad…

cut 6 (11) “anything like that”

He says the biggest challenges facing residents now are debris and power.

07:30 Newscast October 16, 2014

The latest US Senate race campaign finance totals show Republican challenger Bill Cassidy with one million dollars more in cash on hand than Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu. However, Landrieu raised two-hundred thousand dollars more than Cassidy in the third quarter. Political analyst Clancy Dubos expects Landrieu to spend more of her campaign funds than her main GOP challenger

cut 8 (07) “for the runoff”

Cassidy has four-point-four million on hand, while Landrieu has three-point-four million.

According to the latest economic projection numbers for Louisiana by Loren Scott & Jim Richardson, The Bayou State is projected to surpass 2 million overall jobs by 2015. Dr. Scott says there has been this incredible industrial expansion and it’s due in part to the huge drop in the price of natural gas…

cut 14 (11) “really picked up”

He says areas north of I-10 will see growth but not nearly what the southern region will.

Residents in Ouachita Parish continue to clean up damage after an EF-2 tornado ripped through Monroe and West Monroe Monday. Ouachita Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Neil Brown says, as of now, he can’t set a monetary figure to the amount of damage the tornado has caused, but is is significant…

cut 5 (12) “lot of damage”

He says preliminary damage assessment teams will be coming to the area in the next few days.

Will we pay more for chocolate because of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa? A local chocolate maker doesn’t think so. Michael Nelson with Elmer Candy Corporation in Ponchatoula says chocolate is trading above what he would consider a fundamental level in terms of supply and demand, but he says that’s as much the Ebola scare as it is speculative traders in the market…

cut 11 (10) “financial speculators”

Nelson says you should know there is no way to contract Ebola from chocolate.

06:30 Newscast October 16, 2014

Residents in Ouachita Parish continue to clean up after Monday’s EF-2 tornado ripped through the area. Ouachita Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Neil Brown says the biggest challenges facing residents now are debris and power…

cut 4 (10) “on the debris”

Brown says many residents, including himself, may not get power restored to their home until Friday.

The latest campaign finance totals in the US Senate race show Republican challenger Bill Cassidy with one million dollars more in cash on hand than Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu. Political analyst Clancy Dubos points out Landrieu raised more money than Cassidy in the third quarter…

cut 7 (09) “close that gap”

Cassidy has four-point-four million on hand, while Landrieu has three-point-four million.

Could the Ebola outbreak in West Africa have an effect on the price we pay for chocolate? Michael Nelson with Elmer Candy Corporation in Ponchatoula doesn’t thinks so. He says the concern among some market analysts is that the Ebola crisis could spread from Liberia to Ghana, where almost two-thirds of the world’s cocoa beans are sourced…

cut 10 (11) “in that region”

Nelson says you should know there is no way to contract Ebola from chocolate.

According to the latest economic projection numbers for Louisiana by Loren Scott & Jim Richardson, The Bayou State is projected to surpass 2 million overall jobs by 2015. Dr. Scott says there’s an industrial boom going on right now that is completely off the charts…

Cut 13 (13) “in the state”

Louisiana’s Economic Outlook projects the state to add 34,100 jobs next year.

17:30 Newscast October 15th, 2014

Two nurses in Texas now have Ebola. Are Louisiana hospitals prepared to treat someone with the virus? Jeff Palermo reports..:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The LSU Police Department is investigating an alleged rape that reportedly happened on Tuesday night October 7th on West Lakeshore Drive in an area north of the Lod Cook Alumni Center. The victim said she was approached by a group of males in that location and one grabbed her and raped her while the others watched. Anyone with information regarding this alleged assault is asked to contact LSUPD at 225-578-3231.

Louisianians are talking about the US Senate Debate last night. We spoke with political analysts who say there really wasn’t a winner or loser. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says a lot of people were focusing less on Senator Mary Landrieu and Col Rob Maness and More on Bill Cassidy because it was the Congressman’s first debate…:
CUT 4 (08) “at this point 2X”
Hogan and others don’t think this debate will change voter’s minds.

Now we know what those horrible storms were all about in Monroe/West Monroe Monday as the National Weather Service confirms a tornado did indeed hit Ouachita Parish. NWS Meteorologist Bill Parker says an EF2 went right through the cities of Monroe and West Monroe…:
CUT 14 (06) “snapped, uprooted”
ULM says all classes will remain closed until 11am tomorrow morning as Entergy’s plan to restore power to campus was delayed.

Northwestern State University Police are looking for a missing student from Baton Rouge. They are asking for the public’s help in locating Laura Larisey.