LRN PM Newscall Feb 12

A Baton Rouge police officer is recovering from his injures after 34-year-old Eugene Thomas Junior allegedly fired a weapon at him.  Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Shreveport caregiver is being held on a 150,000 dollar bond after allegedly stealing money from an elderly, disabled patient. Jim Shannon talked to the Caddo Sheriff’s Office.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon.

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Baton Rouge Police arrest a man after he allegedly fired shots at a police officer and four others, including his mother, sister and cousin.  Cops located 34-year-old Eugene Thomas Junior about 15 minutes after the initial shooting and Sgt. Don Coppola says that’s when the suspect started shooting at the officer…

Cut 3 (11) “was struck.”

The officer was rushed to the hospital and is expected to survive the injuries.   After a brief chase, another officer was able to stop and take Thomas into custody.  Coppola says Thomas faces several charges…

Cut 4  (07) “a firearm.” 

Coppola credits the quick response by police that kept this situation from being worse than what it was…

Cut 5  (06)  “facing already.”

Coppola says they are investigating why the situation escalated to the level it did.

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An 83-year-old grandmother is the first Louisiana Lotto jackpot winner for the year. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kim Chopin says Josephine Prendergast of Gonzales thought she won only 600-dollars.  Prednergast was quite surprised when she found out at the lottery office she won 525-thousand-dollars…

Cut 6 (10)  “of suprise.”

Chopin says Prendergast has been trying to win it big for sometime…

Cut 7 (11)  “January 20th.”

And what does the latest winner want to do with her earnings?  Chopin says Prendergast wanted to get a good cup of coffee…

Cut 8 (10) “right now.”

After taxes, Prendergast is taking home over 367-thousand-dollars.

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A Shreveport woman was arrested and charged with exploitation of persons with infirmities and felony identity theft after an investigation by Caddo Parish deputies. 37-year-old Dorothy Edwards was a caregiver for a disabled 65-year-old-woman and is accused of stealing more than 20,000 dollars. Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says it was a long con.

Cut 9 (10) “open accounts.”

Edwards is accused of using the victim’s personal bank accounts and credit cards to pay her bills. Chadwick says she was also able to steal the victim’s sister’s identity.

Cut 10 (09) “with that.”

Chadwick says this is the second case in the last week involving identity theft of an elderly disabled person. She wants to remind listeners to always protect their personal documents.

Cut 11 (11) “properly secured”

Edwards is being held at the Caddo Correctional Center on a 150,000 dollar bond.

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The federal government has declared this year’s flu season as the worst breakout since the 2009 swine flu epidemic. State Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says if you’re holding out on getting your shot because of vaccine related rumors, you’re making a big mistake.

Cut 12 (10) “get it”

Estimates say nearly half a million people around world will die from the flu this year. Gee says if you’re concerned about potential mercury in the flu vaccine, you’re misinformed.

Cut 13 (06) “have that”

Gee says there is a lot of misinformation online and on the airwaves about vaccines and the flu. She says before making medical decisions, make sure you have trustworthy medical advice.

Cut 14 (07) “up facts”