12:30 LRN Newscast May 26

A bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students. Freeman told committee members that many female students miss class due to a lack of access to feminine products and providing them will ease that burden.

Cut 4 (06) “…for them.”

Ponchatoula police have made multiple arrests involving firearms in recent weeks. The first took place in a Walmart parking on May 18 when officers responded to a call of an individual pointing a gun at children. Chief Bry Layrisson says two men, 22-year-old Kylin Sexton and 25-year-old Tyshon Coleman, both of Hammond were taken into custody on weapons and drug charges without incident.

Cut 6 (10) “…incidents occurred.”

Former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves, who is facing a contempt charge, has agreed to turn over his personal journals by tomorrow afternoon if they remain sealed from public view. Houma Representative Tanner Magee is seeking to hold Reeves in contempt after he withheld certain pages from the journals from a committee investigating the state police custody death of Ronald Green…

Cut 9 (12) “…for now.”

Reeves’ attorney Lewis Unglesby says his client has nothing to hide.

Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying hurricane restoration charges monthly for the next several years. However, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s time for the utility provider to pay their fair share after giving stockholders $3 billion in dividends and the CEO a one million dollar raise.

Cut 12 (12) “…the people.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast May 26

After several delays, the LSU Tigers will finally get to play their opening game at the SEC tournament when they face 12th-seeded Kentucky at 7 pm tonight. Having a couple of extra days of rest could be good for the LSU pitching staff. Ma’Khail Hilliard has been the team’s top starting pitcher, but a true number two hasn’t emerged, meaning the Tigers will rely heavily on their bullpen. SEC Network host Peter Burns says a lack of quality arms is a problem across the SEC.

Cut 18 (20) “…is injured.”

Tulane beat South Florida, 9-6 to stave off elimination in the AAC tournament. The Wave will play either Cincinnati or East Carolina on Friday at 1 pm.

In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech scored a 4-0 shutout of Charlotte. The Bulldogs scored all four runs in the bottom of the first, capped off by a two-run home run by Adarius Myers. Cade Gibson went five innings, striking out seven without a walk to pick up the win. Tech advances to face third-seeded Old Dominion this afternoon at 4 pm.

Grambling fell to Bethune-Cookman 4-3 at the SWAC tourney. The Tigers will face either Alabama State or Texas Southern this afternoon in an elimination game. Southern opens the tournament against Jackson State at 1 pm.

Due to weather, the Sunbelt conference tourney is now single-elimination. No games today, but UL-Lafayette will play South Alabama at 4 pm Friday, followed by UL-Monroe and top-seeded Texas State.

The best-of-three Southland Conference championship series starts tonight in Lake Charles with the top two seeds, McNeese and Southeastern squaring off. The Cowboys swept the Lions during the regular season, outscoring Southeastern 21-11 over three games. Game one starts at 6 pm.

The Saints’ preseason schedule is final. New Orleans will play three games starting on the road vs the Texans on Aug. 13 and the Packers on the 19th; finishing at home on Aug. 26 versus the Chargers.

11:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Louisiana Congressmen react to Tuesday’s mass shooting at a grade school in Uvalde, Texas. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Triple-A predicts 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says nearly eight percent of travelers are choosing air travel…

cut 10 (07) “…right now”

A House bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students.

Cut 3 (09) “..they need.”

The bill was referred to Senate Finance for funding for the products.

A House Resolution for members to volunteer as substitute teachers passes in House Governmental Affairs. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey supports the legislation and says while many lawmakers already volunteer in the community this is an ideal way to serve and have a better understanding of what teachers’ experience.

Cut 13 (09) “…our children.”

The resolution advances to the House floor.

10:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter reacts to Tuesday’s tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Carter says the massacre is “heartbreaking”, and mass shooters often have mental problems and there are steps we could take to screen them before they get a gun…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…should have been checked.”

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools finally gets House approval after it failed to get enough votes in the lower chamber on two previous tries this session. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he’s voted against the legislation in the past but likes the opt-in language it contains…

Cut 16 (11)  “…on their child.”

The legislation still needs Senate approval, and the legislative session ends June 6th

State Police are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Winn Parish that resulted in one death. LSP says shortly after 5 PM Wednesday they were asked by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office to investigate a deputy-involved shooting involving the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on US Highway 167 Dodson. No other details were available.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and people are ready to hit the road. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

9:30 LRN Newscast

More details are coming out about Tuesday’s Texas school shooting, where a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde. About a half-hour before an 18-year-old gunman unleashed terror at Robb Elementary School, he posted on Facebook he would shoot his grandmother, then announced he shot her and then sent another message declaring he would shoot an elementary school. Republican Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves says the issues for many mass shooters, particularly younger ones-often start in the home…
cut 7 (07) “….by their parents”
Democrat Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says local and federal authorities need to take whatever steps are necessary to assure maximum safety for children at school…
cut 5 (14) “….prospensity for violence”

A resolution urging state representatives to serve as substitute teachers and then write about their experiences is awaiting a vote on the House floor. New Orleans Representative and former teacher Candace Newell says it’s important for lawmakers to serve in the education trenches, especially when they end up voting on a policy that impacts public schools…
cut 12 (11) “….should demand”

Triple-A is predicting 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, an eight percent increase over last year. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says about 35-million travelers will travel via automobile…
cut 9 (09) “…summer travel”
Redman says daily car rental rates have increased 170-percent compared to last year.

8:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Louisiana Congressmen react to Tuesday’s mass shooting at a grade school in Uvalde, Texas. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police is investigating a fatal deputy-involved shooting in Winn Parish. Very little information has been released. All we know is that a subject is deceased after a deputy-involved shooting involving the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on U-S Highway 167 near Dodson. L-S-P says more information will be released when it becomes available.

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools finally gets House approval after it failed to get enough votes in the lower chamber after two previous tries in this session. It’s not a total ban. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty amended her legislation giving parents the option to authorize a spanking of their child through written consent…
Cut 14 (10) “…making that choice.”
The bill passed on a 70-28 vote and still needs Senate approval before the session ends on June 6th.

Triple-A predicts 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says nearly eight percent of travelers are choosing air travel…
cut 10 (07) “…right now”
Triple-A finds the average lowest airfare at six percent more than last year, coming at 179-dollars a ticket.

7:30 LRN Newscast May 26

Debate is underway on what to do to prevent the next school shooting. Louisiana Republican Congressman Garret Graves says it’s time to revisit public policy on school safety and screening gun owners, but it should be a deliberate process…
cut 6 (15) “…from happening”

The Louisiana House has approved a bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools, but a parent can authorize a spanking at the child’s school through written consent. Erath Representative Blake Miguez voted against the measure. He says each school district should clarify its policy on corporal punishment and if parents don’t want their child spanked, they could opt out…
Cut 15 (09) “…as well.”
The measure still needs Senate approval.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and an estimated 39-million Americans are expected to travel…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson has authored a resolution strongly encouraging state representatives to spend at least one day as a substitute teacher. Jefferson says it can be helpful to local school districts that are struggling with a teacher shortage…
cut 11 (10) “….is serve”
Jefferson’s resolution is awaiting a vote on the House floor.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Weather continues to wreak havoc on the SEC baseball tournament. LSU was scheduled to play its first game in the tourney last night, then it was scheduled for this morning, now the hope is the Tigers will play today at 4:30 against 12th seeded Kentucky, who beat Auburn 3 to 1 yesterday. The LSU game is scheduled to be the third game of the day, but more rain is in the forecast for Hoover, Alabama. SEC Network’s Peter Burns says the extra rest is helpful, but the Tigers really need to get some wins too…
cut 17 (19) “….on the road”

Because of all of the rain in Montgomery, Alabama, the Sun Belt Tournament has been turned into a single-elimination tournament. So the fourth-seeded Ragin Cajuns will face fifth-seeded South Alabama at 4 PM tomorrow. Following that game it will be ULM against top-seeded Texas State.

At the Conference USA Tournament in Hattiesburg, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs blanked Charlotte four to nothing. It’s the Diamond Dogs’ first shutout in tournament history and Adarius Myers hit a home run and drove in two runs. Tech takes on Old Dominion at 4 PM today.

In the SWAC Tournament, Grambling State lost to Bethune Cookman four to three. While Southern is scheduled to play Jackson State this morning.

The Southland Conference’s championship series gets underway in Lake Charles tonight as McNeese hosts Southeastern Louisiana in a best of three series, with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

6:30 LRN Newscast May 26

More details are coming out about Tuesday’s Texas school shooting, where a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde. About a half-hour before 18-year-old Salvador Ramos unleashed terror at Robb Elementary School, he posted on Facebook he would shoot his grandmother, then announced he shot her and then sent another message declaring he would shoot an elementary school. Republican Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves says the issues for many mass shooters, particularly the very young ones-often start in the home…
cut 7 (07) “….by their parents”
Democrat Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says more screening needs to be in place before a person purchase’s a gun…
cut 4 (11) “….have been checked”

A resolution calling on members of the Louisiana Legislature to substitute for one day in K-12 schools advances from House Governmental Affairs. Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Despite record gas prices, Triple-A predicts nearly 40 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Spokesperson Don Redman says people are ready to hit the road at levels we haven’t seen in five years.
Cut 8 (10) “…have to ignore.”

LRN AM Newscall May 26

Louisiana Congressmen react to Tuesday’s mass shooting at a grade school in Uvalde, Texas. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

____________________________________

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and people are ready to hit the road. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

_____________________________________

A resolution calling on members of the Louisiana legislature to substitute for one day in K-12 schools advances from House Governmental Affairs. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________

Members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation react to Tuesday’s tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. On Tuesday, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos walked into the Robb Elementary school and killed 19 children and 2 teachers. Louisiana District 2 Congressman Troy Carter says the massacre is “heartbreaking”, and says mass shooters often have mental problems and there are steps we could take to screen them before they get a gun…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…should have been checked.”

Carter says local and federal authorities need to take whatever steps are necessary to assure maximum safety for children at school…:

Cut 5 (14) “…propensity for violence.”

District 6 Congressman Garret Graves says the Uvalde shootings were “disgusting”, and also feels it’s time to revisit public policy on school safety and screening gun owners. However, he feels it needs to be a well-thought-out and deliberate process…:

Cut 6 (15)  “…killings from happening.”

Before the attack at Robb school, Ramos posted online he intended to kill his grandmother, then that he had shot her, then that he was going to “shoot up a school”. Graves says the issues for many mass shooters – particularly the very young ones – often start in the home…:

Cut 7 (07) “…by their parents.”

________________________________________

Despite record gas prices, Triple-A predicts nearly 40 million Americans will be traveling this Memorial Day weekend. Spokesperson Don Redman says people are ready to hit the road at levels we haven’t seen in five years.

Cut 8 (10)  “…have to ignore.”

This Memorial Day weekend is expected to be the busiest in two years, consistent with a trend of more and more people making travel plans that started earlier this spring. Redman says this is a strong indicator that the roads will only get busier over the coming months.

Cut 9 (09)  “…for summer travel.”

Air travel has picked up as well, with three million passengers expected to take flight over the weekend, representing 7.7 percent of all travelers. Redman says that figure tops 2019, the last year prior to the pandemic.

Cut 10 (07) “…drive right now.”

Triple-A advises that if you are driving this weekend, make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready with a full inspection before you go.

________________________________________

A resolution for House members to volunteer as substitute teachers passes in House Governmental Affairs and advances to the House Floor. Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson who also serves as vice-chair of House Education says this is a way for members to gain firsthand experience and also assist with the ongoing teaching shortage.

Cut  11 (10)  “…is serve.” 

Jefferson says he was inspired to author the resolution after Former House Speaker John Alario suggested other lawmakers volunteer in Louisiana schools in the past.

New Orleans Representative and former teacher Candace Newell spoke in favor of the resolution and says it’s important for lawmakers to serve in the education trenches casting votes impacting K-12 schools.

Cut 12 (11) “…should demand.” 

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey also supported the legislation. He says while many lawmakers already volunteer in the community this is an ideal way to serve and have a better understanding of what teachers experience.

Cut 13 (09) “…our children.”

The resolution advances to the House floor.

_______________________________________

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools finally gets House approval after it failed to get enough votes in the lower chamber on two previous tries in this session. It’s not a total ban. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty amended her legislation giving parents the option to authorize a spanking of their child through written consent…

Cut 14 (10)  “…making that choice.”

The bill passed on a 70-28 vote. Erath Representative Blake Miguez voted against the measure. He says each school district should clarify its policy on corporal punishment and if parents don’t want their child spanked, they could opt out…

Cut 15 (09)  “…as well.”

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he’s voted against Hilferty’s bill in the pass, but likes the opt-in language that the legislation now contains…

Cut 16 (11)  “…on their child.”

The legislation still needs Senate approval and the legislative session ends June 6th.

___________________________________________

LSU should finally take the field today at the SEC baseball tournament after not playing since last Saturday. It’s been a wild ride this season for the Tigers, but SEC Network host Peter Burns says LSU can use the time off to its advantage on the way to grabbing a couple of much-needed wins in its bid to host an NCAA regional.

Cut 17 (19) “ …on the road.” 

Having a couple of extra days of rest could be good for the LSU pitching staff. Ma’Khail Hilliard has been the team’s top starting pitcher, but a true number two hasn’t emerged, meaning the Tigers will rely heavily on their bullpen. Burns says a lack of quality arms is a problem across the SEC.

Cut 18 (20) “ …is injured.” 

______________________________________________