2:30 LRN Newscast May 04

Hurricane season is less than a month away, and the Governor says there’s no time to waste in getting prepared. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

A New Orleans man arrested Tuesday near Bogalusa was found to have a dozen small baggies of cocaine hidden in his mouth and some marijuana stuck up his … bottom. Deputies stopped to help 38-year-old Isaac Sabatier with car trouble, but grew suspicious and then found the illegal drugs.

 

The U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to overturn the landmark Roe versus Wade case based on an opinion draft leaked to the media.  Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom coordinator Jessica Frankel says for women considering an abortion, the three licensed clinics in the state are still open..:

CUT 13(11)      “…in Louisiana.”

Speaking on the leaked opinion draft and the chance of Roe v. Wade being tossed, pro-life Senator Bill Cassidy…:

CUT 14(04)      “…I support.”

At the State Capitol, a bill to ban persons born male from competing in women’s sports passes out of the House Education Committee. The vote was 7 for and 1 against. The bill moves forward to the full House for debate.

1:30 LRN Newscast

The House Education Committee approved a Senate-backed measure that prohibits transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams. The panel heard testimony from retired women’s soccer player Anne Metz, who said her career ended when she was blindsided during a game by a biological male who self-identified as a female…
cut 11 (11) “…my head” (2x)
The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act just needs full House approval and then it goes to the governor, where could it be vetoed again.

A bill to prohibit handheld cell phones while driving failed to gain passage in the House. Plaquemine Representative and Attorney Chad Brown is concerned Mike Huval’s proposed law could lead to illegal searches…
Cut 4 (09) “..thank you”
The bill failed to pass by five votes.

The U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to overturn the landmark Roe versus Wade case based on an opinion draft leaked to the media. Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom coordinator Jessica Frankel says the nation’s highest court is going against popular opinion across the country…
cut 12 (10) “…abortion is okay”
A recent LSU poll found 49-percent of Louisiana residents thought abortion should be illegal, while 46-percent say it should be legal.

It’s hurricane preparedness week and state officials are encouraging residents to get prepared now even though the season does not officially begin until June 1st. Governor Edwards says one of the lessons learned from Hurricanes Laura and Ida is that storms are intensifying faster…
cut 8 (08) “…new normal”

12:30 LRN Newscast May 4

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval is having a hard time connecting with his House members on a bill to prohibit the use of a handheld cell phone with driving. Michelle Southern has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

As part of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, Governor John Bel Edwards and other officials held a press conference to signal the state’s ramp up with hurricane season less than a month away.

Cut 6 (12) “…natural disasters.”

A bill to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports in Louisiana cleared another legislative hurdle. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed this measure last year, but Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the public overwhelmingly supports her legislation

Cut 9 (11) “…biological females.”

Mizell’s measure has been approved by the Senate and today passed out of the House Education Committee on a seven to one vote. One of the governor’s arguments is that the bill is in search of a problem that doesn’t exist in Louisiana.

To date, there have been no cases brought before the Louisiana High School Athletic Association regarding transgender participation in female sports.

11:40 LRN Sportscast May 4

Tyrann Mathieu and the New Orleans Saints are expected to officially announce their agreement on a three-year, $33-million contract to sign the three-time All-Pro safety. You can expect that a portion of those dollars will be dedicated to giving back. Community service has been a major part of Mathieu’s career; he was nominated by the Kansas City Chiefs for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award last season, an honor that went to another former LSU Tiger, Andrew Whitworth. CEO of St. Augustine high school in New Orleans, Aulston Taylor says these were the values Mathieu was taught as a Purple Knight years ago.

Cut 19 (20) _“…young men.”

The NFL announced the Saints will play the Vikings in London during week 4 of the upcoming season.

Number 16 LSU led 10-0 over Nicholls, but had to hold off the Colonels as they rallied for six runs in the last two innings. The Tigers hit four home runs, two from freshman Josh Pearson, but committed three errors to help keep the game close. Edgar Alvarez had two hits for Nicholls in the losing effort. LSU heads to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. With three series left in the regular season, the Tigers are in a three-way tie for second in the SEC West, two games behind Arkansas.

In other scores from last night…Lamar routed Southern 15-5 on The Bluff, while McNeese blasted Stephen F. Austin, 17-7. Eight different Cowboys had at least two hits, with seven driving in at least one run. Braden Duhon, Payton Harden, and Julian Gonzales combined to go 10-for-15, with nine RBI and five runs scored.  Louisiana Tech picked up its third straight win, beating UL-Monroe 11-5. Jorge Corona’s grand slam in the top of the eighth broke the game open for the Bulldogs. And Tulane took the Pelican Cup from UNO for the first time since 2018 with a 6-5 win over the Privateers.

11:30 LRN Newscast

A recent surge in sextortion of children cases has the FBI on alert. David Grubb has more…
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State Police have changed the status of the case of Ella Goodie, the 33-year-old ride share driver from Lafayette Parish who vanished in March. It’s now a homicide investigation instead of a missing person case. Goodie’s vehicle was found in Missouri and Brandon Francisco has been named a person of interest.

The major national news story is the draft opinion indicating the US Supreme Court might be poised to overturn Roe v Wade would immediately make abortions illegal in Louisiana. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says having a justice’s draft opinion leaked to the press is rare and the Supreme Court will not take it lightly…:
Cut 13 (08) “a vigorous one”

A bill banning handheld cell phone use while driving failed to get approval in the Louisiana House. During the debate, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s legislation faced opposition from Amite Representative Robby Carter, who says not everyone drives a car with Bluetooth technology, but Huval says there are inexpensive accessories available that allow for hands-free cell phone use…
Cut 3 (11) “…your hands”
Huval says banning hand held cell phone use will cut down on distracted driving crashes.

10:30 LRN Newscast May 4

The House Education Committee has voted against a bill that would prohibit teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in front of the entire classroom. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says her bill isn’t intended to hurt or discriminate against anyone, but to assure children are not exposed to inappropriate adult topics…
cut 10 (07) “….instruction time”
The panel heard from numerous opponents, including this parent of two children in the East Baton Rouge school system…
cut 25 (10) “…discriminatory”
The House committee agreed and voted against it on a vote of seven to four.

Today the House Education Committee debates a bill that bans transgender women from participating in female sports.

The FBI says there’s been an increase in sextortion schemes targeting children in Monroe, Shreveport, and Alexandria. FBI spokesperson Connor Hagan says the predators are engaging in sexual activity over video chat. He says the juvenile believes the questionable content will be deleted, but the predator than threatens to post the videos on social media pages, unless they receive money…
cut 5 (08) “….for financial gain”
If you know someone who may be a victim, contact the FBI.

The lawyer for the former head of State Police, Kevin Reeves, says the legislative committee investigating the fatal 2019 arrest of Ronald Green has what they need from his client. Houma Representative Tanner Magge believes Reeves is acting in contempt for refusing to provide a particular journal entry. But Lewis Unglesby says what Magee is looking for is not relevant…:
cut 15 (08) “interested in”

09:30 LRN Newscast May 4th Judge me by my size, do you?

Attorney Lewis Unglesby says it’s an unreasonable response for state lawmakers to hold former State Police leader Kevin Reeves in contempt for not handing over a certain journal entry. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Ahead of the start of hurricane season on June 1st, Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to hold a news conference this morning with other emergency preparedness officials to discuss how the public should get ready for a potential storm.

Abortion will become illegal in Louisiana if the leaked Supreme Court opinion stands. Chief Justice John Roberts has confirmed the leaked draft IS authentic, and Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) feels – IF there are enough votes to reverse Roe V. Wade – that will eventually happen. He says the Supreme court more often seeks to narrow precedent rulings..:
CUT 12 (08) “opinion was drafted”
He points out the draft has preliminary support but it’s not a done deal.

Louisiana’s so-called version of what opponents call the Don’t Say Gay bill was halted in a House Committee. The bill drew opposition from several witnesses, like Brenna Wells, with the LSU School of Social Work and LGBTQ Studies, who feels the bill is mean-spirited…:
Cut 8 (12) “…and their future.”
The committee voted 7-to-4 to reject the bill.

08:30 LRN Newscast May 4th This is the way.

Louisiana’s version of what opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill has been killed for this legislative session. House Education voted 7-to-4 to reject the measure. Bossier Parish Republican Dodie Horton wrote the bill…:
Cut 7 (12) “state standard-slash-curriculum”
Some in opposition argued the measure is too broad.

The committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene wants to hold former State Police Head Kevin Reeves in contempt for refusing to hand over a journal entry on the matter, but Reeves’ lawyer says members already have what they need. Attorney Lewis Unglesby says anything in the journals kept by Reeves pertaining to the Greene case has been given to lawmakers..:
Cut 16 (11) “the committee”

The draft opinion indicating the US Supreme Court might be poised to overturn Roe v Wade would immediately make abortions illegal in Louisiana. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says having a justice’s draft opinion leaked to the press is rare and the Supreme Court will not take lightly…:
Cut 13 (08) “a vigorous one”
Abortions would be illegal here, under a 2006 “trigger bill”; written to kick in if the Justices ever took that action.

The FBI is warning parents about a sextortion scheme going around in Louisiana which tricks minors into sending inappropriate photos which are then used to extort them into sending money, or else. Spokesperson Connor Hagan offers this to parents who believe their kid is a victim..:
CUT 6 (12) “contact the FBI”

07:30 LRN Newscast May 4th Luke I am your father

A House committee rejects Louisiana’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

After a long stretch of falling gas prices, we’re starting to see them slowly inch back up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.89 which is down 7 cents from a month ago — but up nearly a nickel over the week.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to make the signing of former LSU star safety Tyrann Mathieu official today.

The lawyer for the former head of State Police, Kevin Reeves, says the committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Green has what they need from his client. The members believe Reeves is acting in contempt for refusing to provide a particular journal entry. But Lewis Unglesby says it’s not relevant…:
Cut 15 (08) “interested in”

The FBI is warning parents of a rise in sextortion schemes targeting children in Louisiana. The crime-fighting agency says it has received several reports in the Monroe, Alexandria, and Shreveport areas of predators posing as children and coercing minors into sending them sexually explicit materials for the purpose of extorting money. Spokesperson Connor Hagan…:
Cut 4 (11) “that they are”
Hagan says an underage person should never send intimate or explicit photos or videos over the internet.

06:45 LRN Sportscast May 4th

The homecoming of former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu has electrified New Orleans Saints fans, but perhaps no place is more proud of the “Honey Badger” than St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, where Mathieu’s athletic career began. School CEO Aulston Taylor says it’s been a long time coming, but it’s great to see a Purple Knight back in the Black and Gold…:
Cut 17 (20) “ coming back”

New Orleans is expected to make it official today, and The Honey Badger reportedly set to land a three year 33-million-dollar deal and $18 million fully guaranteed.

The LSU Baseball team took care of business last night knocking off Nicholls in The Box 10-6. Tiger Freshman right fielder Josh Pearson blasted two homers and collected five RBI in the game. LSU improved to 30-14 on the year, while Nicholls dropped to 24-17. Jay Johnson’s Tigers will now turn their attention back to the SEC has they travel to Tuscaloosa this weekend for a 3-game set versus Alabama.

Louisiana Tech used a five-run bottom of the eighth inning including a grand slam for Jorge Coronoa to pull away from ULM 11-5 Tuesday night at JC Love Field. The Bulldogs now move to 31-15 overall. The Warhawks are now 15-27. Tech now heads to Natchitoches for a quick road trip to take on Northwestern State this evening at 6.

Elsewhere around the diamond in the state, Southern fell to Lamar 15-5. Tulane edged UNO 6-5. McNeese clobbered Stephen F Austin 17-7.