10:30 LRN Newscast Dec 21

A Baton Rouge judge has reportedly dismissed a lawsuit filed by former LSU athletics executive Sharon Lewis who claimed she faced harassment and retaliation after she reported sexual harassment allegations involving former coach Les Miles.  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it appears Judge Tim Kelley determined the lawsuit to be frivolous

Cut 9 (11) “…it didn’t stick” 

Lewis alleged that LSU and its now former law firm Taylor-Porter engaged in a criminal conspiracy against her.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s RISE Act would lift a cap on royalties to energy-producing states and more capital for coastal rebuilding. While the bill passed out of committee, Cassidy says it got pushed aside in the mad dash to pass the spending bill.

Cut 8 (08)  “…they pass.”

The Salvation Army is offering additional ways for you to donate to their annual Red Kettle Campaign. You can use your smartphone at a kettle and a QR code will take to you a donation site. With inflation causing so many to tighten their belts, Lt. Thomas Johnson says that means more people need assistance.

Cut 15 (11)  “…too small.”

By day Alistair Adkinson is a New Orleans attorney and when he’s not practicing law, he’s saving Christmas. After reading about porch pirates stealing packages in their neighborhood, he decided to offer his office as a drop-off site and with all the positive feedback Adkinson believes it will become a holiday tradition.

Cut 6 (07)  “…lifesaver.

You can contact him at TripleALawyer-dot com that the work triple spelled out.

9:30 LRN Newscast Dec 21

A Baton Rouge woman convicted of poisoning her former live-in boyfriend in 2015 has been sentenced to life in prison. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…

Cut 10 (09) “…in a verdict.” 
Moore believes money led to Meshell Hale killing Damian Skipper. She’s also been accused of killing her estranged husband, 42-year-old Arthur Noflin. The charred remains of his body were found in a burned-out pickup truck in New Orleans in 2016.

Because people tend to not carry cash on them these days, the Salvation Army is offering additional ways for you to donate to their annual Red Kettle Campaign. Lt. Thomas Johnson with the Salvation Army in Lafayette says now it’s as easy as pulling out your phone to donate when you see a bell ringer.

Cut 13 (08) “…to the site.”

As Congress races to pass a federal spending bill before a government shutdown deadline, Senator Bill Cassidy laments there’s NO money in it for coastal restoration. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Bayou State will begin to feel more like the frozen state tomorrow night. Louisiana is under a deep freeze warning beginning at 9 pm Thursday until 4 am Sunday. Wind chills on Friday are expected to be below zero so make preps for your pipes, plants, and pets today.

8:30 LRN Newscast

A judge has sentenced 54-year-old Meshell Hale of Baton Rouge to life in prison after she was convicted of poisoning her live-in boyfriend 41-year-old Damian Skipper. Authorities also suspect Hale poisoned her estranged husband Arthur Noflin. The charred remains of Noflin’s body were found in New Orleans in a burned out pickup truck in 2016. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…
cut 12 (10) “…where we are”
Hale has only been convicted for the 2015 death of Skipper.

There are good people in this world and it appears New Orleans attorney Alistar Adkinson is one of them. Adkinson is allowing people to deliver packages to his law office in the lower garden district so porch pirates do not get to them….
cut 5 (08) “….give us call”
Adkinson says it’s the first Christmas they’ve offered this service.

The Salvation Army is making it easier to donate in a variety of ways. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications today at 5 PM. Desiree Honore Thomas is Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Administration.
Cut 23 (05) “..funds left. ”
The programs started to provide assistance for those who lost jobs as a result of COVID.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Efforts to bring more federal funding for coastal restoration, via higher oil & gas royalty payments, are dead for the year. Senator Bill Cassidy says the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act is not a part of the federal spending bill that Congress must pass this week…:
Cut 7 (08) “…not included.”
Cassidy says he’ll try to pass the RISE Act again next year.

54-year-old Meshell Hale has been sentenced to life in prison after she was convicted in the poisoning death of her former live-in boyfriend 41-year-old Damian Skipper. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says when they exhumed Skipper’s body, they found high levels of barium acetate. Moore says money was the likely motive.
Cut 11 (09) “…intent.”

Because fewer people are carrying cash on them, Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign is falling behind. Lt. Thomas Johnson says every year the Salvation Army helps thousands of individuals and families in need….
cut 14 (11) “….come to us”
With five days left before Christmas, the Salvation Army is asking the public to make a physical or online donation today.

By day Alistair Adkinson is a New Orleans attorney and when he’s not practicing law, he’s saving Christmas. After reading about porch pirates stealing packages in their neighborhood, he decided to offer his office as a drop-off site because they have an indoor door.
Cut 4 (08) “…holidays.”
Adkinson and his wife are allowing folks to send packages to their Lower Garden district office so Christmas gifts don’t get swiped.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Today is the first day of the early signing period for college football recruits. Recruiting analyst Shea Dixon with on3-dot-com says the Tigers head into today with the seventh best recruiting class…
cut 18 (17) “….up well”
The class features one five-star prospect, Neville offensive tackle Zalance Heard.

LSU is also busy in the transfer portal as three defensive linemen have announced their commitment to the Tigers. Arizona defensive end Paris Shand, Oregon edge rusher Bradyn Swinson and Florida nose tackle Jalen Lee, who is from Live Oak High School in Livingston Parish.

Meanwhile, LSU defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy announces his intentions to enter the NFL draft after recording a career-high 49 tackles this season.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts East Tennessee State in its final game before taking few days off for Christmas Break. Coach Matt McMahon’s team is 10-and-1 and he’s looking for his guys to be mentally locked in tonight…
Cut 19 (27) “…take of business”
The Buccaneers are four and eight. Tip off is at 7 PM.

In other action, Jacksonville defeated ULM 66-55. Northwestern State lost to 12th ranked Baylor 58-48.

LSU baseball is ranked number one in Collegiate Baseball’s Preseason poll and the Saints place guard Cesar Ruiz on injured reserve.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The U-S Senate is expected to approve a one-point-seven trillion dollar spending bill this week that would avoid a partial government shutdown. But Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy told reporters he will likely vote “No” on the legislation…
cut 9 (13) “…I’m no”
Cassidy is disappointed the legislation does not contain a provision that would result in the state receiving nearly two-billion dollars over ten years to repair its coast.

A Baton Rouge woman convicted of poisoning her former live-in boyfriend in 2015 has been sentenced to life in prison. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…
cut 10 (09) “….a verdict”
Moore believes money led to Meshell Hale killing Damian Skipper. She’s also been accused of killing her estranged husband, 42-year-old Arthur Noflin. The charred remains of his body was found in a burned out pickup truck in New Orleans in 2016.

Concerned about porch pirates stealing gifts? Brooke Thorington reports a New Orleans attorney is doing his part to save Christmas.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LRN Am Newscall December 21

Tried of porch pirates stealing your gifts? Brooke Thorington talks to an attorney who’s doing his part to save Christmas.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________________

As Congress races to pass a federal spending bill before a government shutdown deadline, Senator Bill Cassidy laments there’s NO money in it for coastal restoration. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

The Salvation Army is making it easier to donate in a variety of ways. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________

By day Alistair Adkinson is a New Orleans attorney and when he’s not practicing law, he’s saving Christmas. After reading about porch pirates stealing packages in their neighborhood, he decided to offer his office as a drop-off site because they have an indoor door.

Cut 4 (08)  “…holidays.”

Adkinson and his wife are allowing folks to send packages to their Lower Garden district office so your Christmas gift won’t get swiped by a Grinch. And if you’re worried that their office will be closed by the time you can pick up your package, they’ve got that covered.

 Cut 5 (08) “…give us a call.”

It’s the first Christmas they’ve offered the free service and with all the positive feedback they’ve received Adkinson believes it will become a holiday tradition.

Cut 6 (07)  “…lifesaver.” 

You can call Adkinson at his office at 504-444-6910 or visit their website triplealawyer.com that’s triple spelled out for package arrangements.

________________________________________________

Efforts to bring more federal funding for coastal restoration, via higher oil & gas royalty payments, are dead for the year. Senator Bill Cassidy says he and Senator John Kennedy worked on the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act was not a part of the omnibus federal spending bill that Congress must pass this week…:

Cut 7 (08) “…not included.”

Cassidy’s RISE Act would lift a cap on royalties to energy-producing states to give them more capital for coastal rebuilding. The bill passed out of committee without opposition, but Cassidy says it got shunted aside in the mad dash to pass the spending bill. He says Congress dithers too long on important matters…:

Cut 8 (12)  “…this will change.”

Cassidy says the RISE Act could have brought nearly $ 2 billion to Louisiana over ten years, and he vows to bring it back in the next Congress. As for the spending bill itself…Cassidy says he cannot support it…:

Cut 9 (13)  “… I’m a NO.”

Cassidy calls the failure of the RISE Act to pass, and the rush to pass a massive spending plan at the last minute “chaos by design.”

__________________________________________

A Baton Rouge woman is sentenced to life in prison for the 2015 poisoning death of her boyfriend Damian Skipper. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says it was persistence that led to the second-degree murder conviction of Meshell Hale.

Cut 10 (09) “…in a verdict.” 

Moore says when they exhumed Skipper’s body, they found high levels of barium acetate which they believe Hale used to poison him and possibly her husband Arthur Noflin. Moore says they believe money was the motive.

Cut 11 (09)  “…intent.”

Two years after Skipper died in a Baton Rouge hospital his body was exhumed and his death was ruled a homicide after barium was found in his system. The charred remains of Noflin, the estranged husband, were found in the back of a truck in New Orleans in 2016. Moore says both men had been hospitalized with similar symptoms before their deaths.

Cut 12 (10) “…where we are.”

Hale has only been convicted for the death of Skipper.

______________________________________________

Because people tend to not carry cash on them these days, the Salvation Army is offering additional ways for you to donate to their annual Red Kettle Campaign. Lt. Thomas Johnson with the Salvation Army in Lafayette says now it’s as easy as pulling out your phone to donate when you see a bell ringer.

Cut 13 (08) “…to the site.”

Johnson says the Salvation Army has made it easier than ever to donate and your contribution stays in the community. He says donations help them fill a variety of needs.

Cut 14 (11)  “…come to us.”

With the inflation causing so many to tighten their belts, Johnson says that also means more people need assistance.

Cut 15 (11)  “…too small.”

Johnson says funds raised during the holidays go towards programs year-round, not just Christmas.

______________________________________________

A three-day early signing period begins today for high school football recruits to sign with college programs and the LSU Tigers are on the verge of signing a Top 5 class. On3.com ranks LSU’s 2023 Class as the seventh best. It features several defensive backs, including safety Javien Toviano, cornerback Daylen Austin and safety Kylin Jackson from Zachary. On3-dot-com’s Shea Dixon says five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks could also sign with the Tigers on Thursday

Cut  16 (23)  “..next class” 

In Kelly’s first recruiting class, the Tigers only signed 15 high school players last year. Dixon says Coach Brian Kelly will sign well over 20 high school players this recruiting cycle, a good combination of players from Louisiana and out of state…

Cut 17 (19) “…D-C area” 

Dixon says this goes down as Kelly’s first full signing class and it’s looking good…

Cut 18 (17) “…up well.” 

 ______________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts East Tennessee State in its final game before taking few days off for Christmas Break. Coach Matt McMahon’s team is 10-and-1 and he’s looking for his guys to be mentally locked in tonight…

Cut 19 (27) “…take of business”

McMahon is looking for better perimeter defense after allowing opponents to make 18 three-pointers over the last two games…

Cut 20 (23)     ….of the year” 

5:30 LRN Newscast Dec 20

In a 26-hour period, three separate house fires claimed three lives in Louisiana. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents to be aware of the dangers of space heaters if used improperly and spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says to be mindful of holiday decorations also.

Cut 11 (09)  “…outlet.”

The fires happened in New Orleans, Leesville, and Ruston.

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Administration, Desiree Honore Thomas says the programs have helped people stay afloat through financial challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Cut 4 (09)  “…few people 

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to have Capitol Lakes declared as a Superfund site. Edwards says the letter he sent last week is the final step to make the long-polluted lakes eligible for federal assistance.

Cut 12 (10) “…by the EPA.”  

Edwards says it could take three to five years before remediation work begins.

The Corps of Engineers has given the green light to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project to use Mississippi River sediment to rebuild parts of Louisiana’s coast. Bren Haase executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says it’s a monumental development

Cut 6 (12)  “…first place”

He says the project will also provide more hurricane protection for New Orleans.

 

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast December 20

Weather will be a factor in the Saints-Browns game in Cleveland on Saturday. Not much snow, maybe less than an inch, but the forecast calls winds at 30-miles per hour and a high temperature around 13-degrees. Coach Dennis Allen says both teams have to play in it….
cut 28 (28) “…about the elements”
Kick-off is at noon.

The man who shot & killed former NFL player Joe McKnight during a 2016 road rage incident in Jefferson Parish changed his plea to guilty of manslaughter today and received a ten-year prison sentence. 61-year-old Ronald Gasser was awaiting a retrial after his 2018 conviction was tossed out because it was a non-unanimous jury verdict.

The 10-and-1 LSU Tigers will host East Tennessee State tomorrow in their final game before a Christmas Break. Coach Matt McMahon talked today about how his team has improved….
cut 29 (35) “….defensive glass”
Tip off tomorrow is at 7 PM.

In college hoops today, ULM lost to Jacksonville 66-55 after scoring just 17 points in the first half. Tonight Northwestern State is at 12th ranked Baylor. NBA, the Pelicans lost their fourth straight last night as they fell to Milwaukee 128 to 119.

4:30 LRN Newscast Dec 20

With the cold weather in Louisiana comes the horror of house fires. Three people perished in fires within just over 24 hours; one in New Orleans, one in Leesville and one in Ruston. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says check your smoke detectors and – if they don’t work – replace them now…:

CUT 10(09)      “…us yet.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants to the federal government to help clean up the lakes adjacent to the State Capitol; which have been dangerously polluted for 40 years or more. Edwards says unfortunately the state doesn’t have the resources for remediation and he’s asking the EPA for assistance…:

CUT 14(10)      “…immediately.”

He says getting such a project rolling could take a couple years to get started.

 

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. The help was available for folks affected by the pandemic. Assistant Commissioner of Administration Desiree Thomas says the state will continue reviewing applications submitted by the deadline until all funds are expended…:

CUT 05(05)      “…Wednesday at 5.”

To learn more or to apply, go to “lacovidhousing.com”

The Corps of Engineers has given the green light to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project to use Mississippi River sediment to rebuild parts of Louisiana’s coast. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority director Bren Haase says construction on the project could get underway next spring. He says once its operational, it will be able to build and sustain up to 26,000 acres of wetlands…:

CUT 08(09)      “…vegetation grows.”