1:30 LRN Newscast Jan 26

21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette is sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempted murder of a gay man as part of a hate crime scheme. U-S Attorney Brandon says hate crimes are a top priority for the D-O-J and they take these kinds of cases very seriously…

Cut 8 (11)  “…ever gets out.” 

Charges against 19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose have been upgraded after authorities say he sold 15-year-old female drugs in October that led to her death. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says detectives identified Terrebonne as the suspect and originally charged him with drug distribution.

Cut 5 (09) “…our office.”

The indicated high levels of fentanyl.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responded to allegations she had a sexual relationship with a New Orleans Police Officer assigned to be her bodyguard. Those claims were made in divorce papers by the estranged wife of NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie. Cantrell says this is a personal matter for the Vappie family.

Cut 12 (03) “…of yours.”

Cantrell has denied the allegations after a FOX 8 tv investigation showed video of Vappie sending time with herr during the day and late at night at the city own apartment.

Many elected officials from Louisiana are in the nation’s capital for Washington Mardi Gras, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says over the next three days, says there will be several different dinners featuring Louisiana cuisine and there are also plenty of social events at night…

Cut 10 (11) “…hazardously” 

12:30 LRN Newscast Jan 26

Charges against 19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose have been upgraded to second-degree murder after authorities say he sold 15-year-old female drugs that led to her death. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says on October 27th, deputies first responded to a 16-year-male in Galliano.

Cut  4 (10)  “…suspected overdose.” 

Toxicology results indicated high levels of fentanyl in her system.

The state department of corrections says it’s reviewing a U-S Department of Justice report that finds the state is routinely keeping inmates in prison past their release dates, which is a violation of the 14th amendment. Baton Rouge attorney Lindsey Blouin says it’s been a problem for over a decade…

cut 12 (09) “…issues fixed”

A federal judge sentences 21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette for attempting to kill a gay man he groomed on the dating app, Grindr. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

11:30 LRN Newscast

The U-S Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections is violating inmates constitutional rights by routinely holding them past their release dates. The report highlighted a four-month period last year where 27-percent of the people released from state custody were held past their release dates. Defense attorney Lindsey Blouin says this practice costs Louisiana millions of dollars…
cut 11 (09) “….thousands of people”
Defense attorney Lindsey Blouin says the department of corrections needs more money to update their computer system.

Many elected officials from Louisiana are in the nation’s capital for Washington Mardi Gras, but House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s not all fun and games. Schexnayder says there are economic development meetings with the goal of bringing more manufacturing jobs to the state
Cut 9 (08) “…get it done”
21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette has been sentenced to 45 years in a federal prison for attempting to dismember a gay man that he met on the dating app Grindr. US Attorney Brandon Brown says Seneca became fixated with the idea of killing gay men and he was fascinated with notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer…
cut 7 (07) “…quite some time”
The victim survived the attack, but has physical, emotional and psychological scars.

19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose has been charged with second-degree murder for selling a pill containing fentanyl that led to a 15-year-old female’s overdose death last October. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says the victim thought she was taking Percocet, but the toxicology report said otherwise.
Cut 3 (12) “…second-degree murder.”
Bail for Terrebonne has been set at 500-thousand dollars.

10:30 LRN Newscast

A Lafayette man has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempting to murder a gay man as part of a hate crime scheme. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says Chance Seneca used the dating app, Grindr, to groom his victim and in 2020, he handcuffed his victim at a Lafayette home and tried to dismember him…
cut 6 (07) “…changed his mind”
The victim is 21-year-old Holden White who says the attack has left him with no feeling in his hands, a limited voice and permanent scars.

The U-S Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections regularly violates the Fourteenth Amendment when it holds inmates past their release date. Baton Rouge Defense Attorney Lindsay Blouin (blu-in) says the pandemic revealed a number of deficiencies within the criminal justice system that should be fixed.
Cut 10 (06) “…update their status.”
The D-O-C says it’s reviewing the D-O-J report, which says between January and April last year, nearly 27-percent of the people released from state custody were held past their release date.

Three Louisiana teachers received a $25 thousand dollar award for their outstanding educator skills.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Washington Mardi Gras gets underway today in D-C as Governor Edwards and several elected officials and business leaders from Louisiana conduct meetings with federal officials. But there is also partying and LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says including a formal ball on Saturday…
cut 8 (09) “…Carnival style”

9:30 LRN Newscast

The Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections is violating the 14th Amendment by holding inmates beyond their release date. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged 19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose with second-degree murder in the death of a 15-year-old girl who overdosed on fentanyl last October. Blayne Terrebonne was originally arrested for drug distribution, but investigators say they’ve learned Terrebonne sold the victim a pill pressed from pure fentanyl.

The annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras gets underway today. The event has become a staple for political folk who want to “see-and-be-seen,” network and fund raise. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford is in the nation’s capital…
Cut 7 (13) “…events take place.”
Candidates running for governor will use Washington Mardi Gras as a chance to build their campaign teams and fund raise.

Lafayette Parish third grade teacher Corrie Campbell is one of three teachers in Louisiana to receive a 25-thousand dollar award from the Milken Family Foundation because of her outstanding teaching skills…
cut 6 (14) “…more engaging”
Prairieville teacher Elise Frederic and Port Allen’s Dereka Duncan also received the Milken Educator Award.

8:30 LRN Newscast

The state department of corrections says it’s reviewing a U-S Department of Justice report that finds the state is routinely keeping inmates in prison passed their release dates, which is a violation of the 14th amendment. Baton Rouge attorney Lindsey Blouin says it’s been a problem for over a decade…
cut 12 (09) “…issues fixed”

Washington Mardi Gras gets underway today and numerous elected officials are in D-C conducting business, building relationships and since this is an election year, they are also raising cash….
cut 9 (07) “…raising money”
La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says gubernatorial candidates Jeff Landry and John Schroder held fundraisers last night and this afternoon Sharon Hewitt will hold one.

Authorities arrested a 15-year-old female who allegedly called in bomb threats into a restaurant in Opelousas and five schools in St. Landry Parish. Deputy Chief of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Eddie Thibodaux says they got involved yesterday when Northwest High School received a bomb threat. He says the school was evacuated and bomb dogs were brought in…
Cut 13 (10) “…received one.”
A final bomb threat was called into Washington Career Center.

Three south Louisiana teachers are $25 thousand dollars richer for receiving the Milken Educator Award which goes to about 40 elementary educators across the country every year. The three recipients are Prairieville teacher Elise Frederic, Port Allen’s Dereka Duncan, and Lafayette Parish teacher Corrie Campbell. Frederick won the award for her innovative teaching skills with first graders.
Cut 4 (12) “…appreciate it.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

The U-S Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections is violating inmates constitutional rights by routinely holding them past their release dates. The report highlighted a four-month period last year where 27-percent of the people released from state custody were held past their release dates. The report says this unconstitutiional practice costs Louisiana over two-point-five million dollars a year…
cut 11 (09) “….thousands of people”
Defense attorney Lindsey Blouin says the department of corrections needs more money to update their computer system.

A 15-year-old has been taken into custody after allegedly calling in bomb threats to a restaurant in Opelousas and five different schools in St. Landry Parish. Deputy Chief of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, Eddie Thibodaux, says some kids might think it’s a fun prank, but the consequences are not…
cut 14 (10) “….the departments”

Washington Mardi Gras gets underway today in D-C as Governor John Bel Edwards and numerous other elected officials and business leaders from Louisiana conduct meetings with federal officials. But there is also some partying and LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Washington Mardi Gras ends with a formal ball on Saturday night…
cut 8 (09) “…Carnival style”

Students and teachers at Cohn (CAH-n) Elementary School in Port Allen are celebrating fifth grade science teacher Dereka Duncan’s achievement of receiving 25-thousand dollars as she is a recipient of the Milken Educator Award….
cut 5 (13) “…state of Louisiana”
Duncan is one of three Louisiana teachers to receive the Milken Educator Award.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Brandon Ingram returned from a two-month absence because of a toe injury, but the forward could not help the Pelicans snap their losing streak last night. Ingram scored 13 points as New Orleans lost to Minnesota 111 to 102 as the Pels lost for a sixth straight game. New Orleans led by six at half, but were outscored 39-21 in the third quarter. Anthony Edwards had 37 points for the Timberwolves, while C-J McCollum had 25 for the Pels.

The market for former Saints Coach Sean Payton could be cooling off as the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Payton has yet to secure a second interview with any of the teams he sat down with. Rapoport says it doesn’t seem like there’s place for Payton.

A state audit shows LSU accidentally paid coach Brian Kelly an extra one million dollars in 2022. So they will adjust his pay down this year to make up for the clerical error.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team returns home as they host Troy tonight. Coach Bob Marlin’s team is looking to extend the team’s winning streak to seven games…
cut 17 (18) “…good basketball”
Tip off in the Cajundome is at 7 PM.

Louisiana Tech is 4-and-5 in Conference USA Play as they visit UAB tonight. First-year coach Talvin Hester is looking for more consistency from his team…
cut 18 (17) “,….had it”

ULM is at Marshall tonight.

6:30 LRN Newscast January 26

The U-S Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections regularly violates the Fourteenth Amendment when it holds inmates past their release date. Baton Rouge Defense Attorney Lindsay Blouin (blu-in) says the pandemic revealed a number of deficiencies within the criminal justice system that should be fixed.
Cut 10 (06) “…update their status.”
The D-O-C says it’s reviewing the D-O-J report, which says between January and April last year, nearly 27-percent of the people released from state custody were held past their release date.

A 15-year-old female is in custody after allegedly calling bomb threats to a restaurant in Opelousas and five different schools in St. Landry Parish. Deputy Chief of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Eddie Thibodaux urges parents to talk to their kids about the repercussions of calling in false complaints…
cut 15 (10) “…false alarms”

The annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras gets underway today. Kevin Gallagher reports on the must-attend event for movers, shakers and candidates for office…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

LRN AM Newscall January 26

Three Louisiana teachers received a $25 thousand dollar award for their outstanding educator skills. Whitney Thomas reports.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

_______________________________________________

The annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras gets underway today. Kevin Gallagher reports on the must-attend event for movers, shakers and candidates for office…:

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

The Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections is violating the 14th Amendment by holding inmates beyond their release date. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________________

Three south Louisiana teachers are $25 thousand dollars richer for receiving the Milken Educator Award which goes to about 40 elementary educators across the country every year. The three recipients are Prairieville teacher Elise Frederic, Port Allen’s Dereka Duncan, and Lafayette Parish teacher Corrie Campbell. Frederick won the award for her innovative teaching skills with first graders. 

Cut 4 (12)  “…appreciate it.”

Duncan was honored for teaching her fifth graders to challenge themselves beyond expectations, and now they’re dreaming of careers beyond their imaginations.

Cut 5 (13) “…of Louisiana.”

Campbell’s award recognized her ability to do whatever it takes to give her third graders the best learning environment as possible.

Cut 6 (14)  “…more engaging.” 

All teachers who received the award were completely surprised by the huge honor. Students were able to attend the award ceremony as well.

(For photos and videos visit www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/elise-fredric)

_____________________________________________

The annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras gets underway today. The event has become a staple for political folk who want to “see-and-be-seen,” network and fund raise.  “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford is in the nation’s capital, and says un-official events started Wednesday, but the Big Show begins this evening…:

Cut 7 (13) “…events take place.”

In addition, he says, there is any number of unofficial receptions, luncheons, and cocktail parties…where deals can be made. Alford says the events all lead to the big celebration, which brings the sights and sounds of a Mardi Gras parade indoors…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…classic Carnival style.”

Lobbyists, lawmakers, and candidates all rub elbows in full formal attire; bringing a bit of Louisiana to the capital city. Alford says a great many people running for office this fall will be in attendance, and it’s not just to “Let the Good Times Roll”…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…raising money.”

Alford says if a person intended to announce a run for office this fall, this would be the place and time do it.

____________________________________________

The Department of Justice says it’s a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment when the Louisiana Department of Corrections holds inmates past their release date. Baton Rouge Defense Attorney Lindsay Blouin (blu-in) agrees and says the pandemic revealed a number of deficiencies within the criminal justice system that should be fixed.

Cut 10 (06)  “…update their status.”

The DOJ says there’s an obligation to incarcerated persons and taxpayers not to keep someone confined longer than they should be. Blouin says the extra days are costly.

Cut 11 (09)  “…thousands of people.”

The ruling says for more than a decade the DOC has been on notice for its over-detention problem and has failed to correct it. Blouin is optimistic the DOC will finally receive adequate funding to modernize its computer system.

Cut 12 (09) “…issues fixed.”

The DOC released a statement they are reviewing the DOJ report and cannot provide a response until the report is reviewed.

____________________________________________

Authorities arrested a 15-year-old female who allegedly called in bomb threats into a restaurant in Opelousas and five schools in St. Landry Parish. Deputy Chief of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Eddie Thibodaux says they got involved yesterday when a bomb threat was made towards Northwest High School. He says the school was evacuated and the search failed to find any devices, and students were allowed to return to class.

Cut 13 (10)  “…received one.”

The final bomb threat was for the Washington Career Center. McAlister’s restaurant in Opelousas also received a bomb threat on Tuesday night.

Thibodeaux says the searches stretched their resources and it wasn’t until after 2 o’clock yesterday that every school was cleared. Multiple agencies responded and Thibodeaux says some kids might think it’s a fun prank the consequences are not amusing.

Cut 14 (10)  “…the departments.”

Thibodeaux says when they have to respond to pranks it diverts their attention away from real emergencies. He urges parents to explain to their children it’s not something to take lightly.

Cut 15 (10)  “…false alarms.”

The minor is charged with three counts of terrorizing in Opelousas and three additional charges are expected from the parish.

________________________________________________________

UL-Lafayette men’s basketball returns to the Cajundome tonight and they look to extend their winning streak to seven games as they host the Troy Trojans. Coach Bob Marlin’s team is coming off a 60-51 at Texas State and  he says Troy presents his team another tough challenge…

Cut  16 (12)  “…type game” 

Troy leads the Sun Belt in field goal percentage defense, three-point shooting defense and scoring defense, allowing 62 points a game. Marlin’s team is one of three in the Sun Belt tied for first place with a six-and-two league record…

Cut 17 (18) “…good basketball.” 

Tip off is at 7 PM.

___________________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech is at UAB tonight. The Bulldogs are 11-9 overall, 4-and-5 in Conference USA as they’ve reached the halfway point of the 20-game league schedule. Tech is in a four-way tie for fifth in the league standings. Coach Talvin Hester says he’s looking for his team to be more consistent…

Cut 18 (17) “…had it” 

Tech lost to UAB earlier this month in Ruston 81-74. Hester says they need to rebound better this time, after giving up 21 offensive rebounds to the Blazers in the first meeting…

Cut 19 (16) “…boxing out”