2:30 LRN Newscast March 25

At the State Capitol, a House committee approves a bill to impose the death sentence on parents who murder their own small child. Baton Rouge Democrat Representative Barbara Carpenter brings the bill, and says there have been at least four such crimes in Louisiana in the past year. Mandeville Republican Richard Nelson questions the wisdom of her bill…:

CUT 08  (08)        “…that distinction.”

However, the bill passed committee with only 2 “nay” votes and moves forward to the House floor.

Louisiana is getting back to work, so says data released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Adjusted nonfarm employment figures are at their highest in two years, and this past February the state posted an unemployment rate of 4.3%, the third-best February since 1976. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says the rise in Louisianans getting back to work hasn’t been limited to any particular region either…:

CUT 10(08)      “…adding jobs.”

 

State lawmakers have until midnight tonight to decide if they want to hold a veto override session to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ rejection of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature last month. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford believes the veto session will happen…:

CUT 12(08)      “…out there.”

Louisiana is closing in on reaching a $100-million settlement of a class-action lawsuit that dates back to 1983, when 12-hundred homes and businesses in Tangipahoa Parish sued the state over flooding caused by the construction of I-12. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state already has $21-million set aside to pay for the settlement and Dardenne says they need the Legislature to allocate $45-million this year and another $35-million next year to satisfy the settlement…:

CUT 04(11)      “…with this.”

1:30 LRN Newscast March 25

Louisiana is nearing a settlement on a 100-million dollar class-action lawsuit that dates back to 1983. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The father of slain Edna Karr High School student Caleb Johnson is under arrest for the murder of the man charged in the killing of Johnson and his step-sister last year. Bokio Johnson had allegedly been following 21-year-old Hollis Carter, on several occasions prior to the shooting on Wednesday. Carter and his mother were fatally injured at the scene.

Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Carpenter wants parents convicted of killing their minor children added to the list of first-degree murder, making them eligible for the death penalty. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle spoke in opposition and says many adults who kill their children suffer from mental illness. She also opposes the death penalty in its entirety.

Cut 7 (10) “…to death.”

Louisiana is getting back to work, so says data released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Adjusted nonfarm employment figures are at their highest in two years, and this past February the state posted an unemployment rate of 4.3%, the third-best February since 1976 says LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore.

Cut 9 (12) “…COVID-19.”

12:30 LRN Newscast Mar 25

Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Carpenter wants parents convicted of killing their minor children to be added to the list of first-degree murder thus making them eligible for the death penalty.

 Cut 6  (11) “…these babies.” 

The bill cleared the committee with two votes in opposition and now goes to the House.

Louisiana is closing in on reaching a 100-million dollar settlement on a class-action lawsuit dating back to 1983 when 12-hundred home and business owners in Tangipahoa Parish sued the state over flooding caused by the construction of I-12.  Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says 21- million is set aside for the settlement, but the Legislature will need to allocate 45-million dollars this year and another 35-million dollars next year…

Cut 4 (11) “…with this.”

The Louisiana Board of Regents is removing a major roadblock on the path to graduation. David Grubb has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

 

11:30 LRN Newscast

A preliminary report by the National Weather Service on the deadly E-F 3 tornado that hit Arabi on Tuesday has found the twister had maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour. N-W-S forecaster Lauren Nash says it’s one of the strongest twisters to ever hit the New Orleans area…
cut 12 (08) “….stronger than that”

The tornado caused significant damage to about 150 homes in St. Bernard Parish. CEO of the United Way of Southeastern Louisiana Michael Williamson says a recent study indicated as much as 60-percent of the households in the area were already struggling with basic needs…
cut 9 (12) “…..already there”
Tornado relief efforts can be found at united-way S-E-L-A-dot-org.

Louisiana is closing in on reaching a 100-million dollar settlement on a class-action lawsuit that dates back to 1983 when about 12-hundred home and business owners in Tangipahoa Parish sued the state over flooding caused by the construction of I-12. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…
cut 3 (13) “….this to rest”
The state already has 21-million dollars set aside and it plans to allocate 45-million dollars this year and another 35-million dollars next year to satisfy the settlement.

Individuals who kill a parent in a car crash and are convicted of vehicular homicide would have to pay restitution charges to the victim’s children under legislation heading to the House floor. There’s opposition from the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana…
cut 15 (09) “….attached”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 25

Brian Kelly’s first spring practice at LSU was all about the details. Throughout the 90-minute workout, Kelly took notes and moved from station to station, checking everything to see if it met his exacting standards. His Tigers will practice with tempo and intention, with very little time to waste.

Cut 21 (18) “…been really good.”

On the basketball court, the Tigers are losing a pair of key contributors to last season’s team. Guards Brandon Murray and Xavier Pinson have both entered the transfer portal according to multiple reports. Pinson averaged 10 points and five assists in 28 games, and Murray, a former four-star recruit, posted 10 points and three rebounds per game.

Key college baseball series this weekend include: Louisiana Tech hosting Florida International, Grambling visits Southern, Northwestern State takes on UNO, Tulane welcomes Dayton, South Alabama travels to Lafayette to face the Ragin Cajuns, and Southeastern battles Nicholls.

After a tough extra-inning loss to Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night, the 21st ranked LSU Tigers are at 8th ranked Florida tonight to begin a three-game series. LSU is 15 and 6. Though they’ve lost three of their last four, senior reliever Trent Vietmeier says the Tigers are close to playing their best baseball.

Cut 17 (14) “…this weekend.”

The New Orleans Pelicans are now winners of three of their last four after taking down the Chicago Bulls, 126-109 in the Smoothie King Center. The Pels closed the game with a season-high 40 points in the fourth quarter to pull away. Devonte Graham scored a season-best 30 points, including five three-pointers, and Jonas Valanciunas held it down inside with 16 points and 19 rebounds. New Orleans moved back into ninth in the West with the victory.

Arkansas returns to the NCAA’s Elite 8 for the second straight year after shocking top-seeded Gonzaga last night. Houston beat Arizona, Duke topped Texas Tech, and Villanova got past Michigan to advance as well.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 25

The National Weather Service says the tornado that tore through St. Bernard Parish Tuesday MAY be the strongest to ever hit the Greater New Orleans area. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Michael Williamson, CEO of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana says they are collecting items to help those impacted by the tornado.

Cut 7 (10) “…and supplies.”

A bill to force those guilty of vehicular homicide of a parent to pay restitution advances from House Criminal Justice. Bill author Lafayette Representative Johnathan Goudeau says the offender would make payments to the victim’s minor child until the age of 18 or 21 if enrolled in college.

Cut 13 (12) “…that difference.”

The Board of Regents is eliminating remedial courses at Louisiana colleges instead students who need remediation will be placed in gateway math-English courses. Doctor Tristan Denly says this new approach gives students more time on task and helps them earn actual credits towards graduation, rather than shorter, non-credited, remedial courses…

Cut 5 (11) “…credit-bearing class.”

9:30 LRN Newscast March 25

In its preliminary report on the tornado that struck St. Bernard Parish this week, the National Weather Service says it MAY have been a record-breaker. NWS New Orleans forecaster Lauren Nash says preliminary damage assessment indicates the twister WAS a very stronger EF-3…:

Cut 10 (14) “…two of those houses.”

Nash says the Arabi tornado had max winds at 160 miles per hour.

Within hours of the tornado that hit Arabi, Michael Williamson, CEO of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana says they launched a link on their website at UnitedWaySELA-dot org to collect donations and they’ve received a tremendous outpouring. There you can find a list of supplies to drop off at their New Orleans office or make a monetary donation.

Cut 8 (08)  “…stretch a dollar.”

Legislation that would force a person found guilty of vehicular homicide to pay restitution to the children of a parent who dies in the crash heads to the House floor. Valerie Sanders testified in favor of the bill after her son was killed by a drunk driver and left behind two small children to be raised by her son’s widow.

Cut 14 (10)  “…financial responsibility.”
The measure heads to the House floor.

The Louisiana Board of Regents has set a goal of 60 percent of working adults with a degree or credential of some type by 2030. To help get there, Dr. Tristan Denly says Louisiana colleges and universities will be removing what has been a significant barrier for many in completing their coursework…remedial studies.

Cut 4 (11)  “…not to work.”

 

8:30 LRN Newscast March 25

New 2021 census data shows that Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes had among the largest one-year population percentage declines in the country. Hurricane Laura is the reason. Cameron’s population declined from 2020 to 2021 by 9.5 percent, Calcasieu five percent.

The Louisiana Board of Regents is removing a major roadblock on the path to graduation. David Grubb has the story.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

At least 150 homes were significantly damaged in St. Bernard Parish from an EF3 tornado that killed one person in Arabi. Michael Williamson, CEO of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana says they are collecting basic needs items and distributing them to those in need.
Cut 7 (10) “…and supplies.”
Williamson says within hours of the tornado they launched a link on their website at UnitedWaySELA-dot org to collect donations and received a tremendous outpouring from all over.

Individuals who kill a parent in a car crash and are convicted of vehicular homicide would have to pay restitution charges to the victim’s children under legislation heading to the House floor. The House Criminal Justice Committee approved the bill but heard opposition from the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana…
cut 15 (09) “….attached”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The National Weather Service has determined that the deadly tornado that tore through Arabi on Tuesday had maximum sustained winds at 160-miles per hour. N-W-S forecaster Lauren Nash says the twister began its track through the New Orleans area in Gretna…
cut 11 (09) “….tracked through Arabi”
The 160-mile per hour winds make it one of the strongest tornadoes to ever hit the New Orleans area.

The tornado caused significant damage to about 150 homes. CEO of the United Way of Southeastern Louisiana Michael Williamson says a recent study indicated as much as 60-percent of the households in the area were already struggling with basic needs…
cut 9 (12) “…..already there”
You can donate to tornado relief efforts at united-way S-E-L-A-dot-org.

The Board of Regents is eliminating remedial courses at Louisiana colleges instead students who need remediation will be placed in gateway math-English courses. Doctor Tristan Denly says this new approach gives students more time on task and helps them earn actual credits towards graduation, rather than shorter, non-credited, remedial courses…
cut 5 (11) “….credit-bearing class”
The new policy will go into place for math courses in the fall of 2023 and English courses in the fall of 2024 semester.

A bill to force those guilty of vehicular homicide of a parent to pay restitution advances from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Bill author Lafayette Representative Johnathan Goudeau says the offender would make payments to the victim’s minor child until the age of 18 or 21 if enrolled in college.
Cut 13 (12) “…that difference.”
The measure heads to the House floor.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU began spring football practice yesterday and the Tigers are nearly in full health. But junior wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was in a walking boot. Coach Brian Kelly says the star pass-catcher from New Iberia needed a second surgery on his right ankle that he hurt against Kentucky last season.

Bad news for former LSU linebacker Damone Clark. He will likely miss the upcoming season after an MRI at the NFL combine showed he had a herniated disk. So Clark underwent spinal fusion surgery. The two-year starter at LSU was considered one of the top linebackers in this year’s NFL draft.

Former Saints Quarterback Trevor Siemian has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears. Siemian started four games for the black and Gold last season but went 0-4 in those starts.

Devonte Graham scored a season-high 30 points last night and the Pelicans dribbled past the Chicago Bulls 126 to 109. Larry Nance Junior played for the first time for New Orleans and had nine points and four rebounds in 18 minutes. Nance has missed the last six weeks after surgery on his knee.

After a tough extra-inning loss to Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night, the 21st ranked LSU Tigers are at 8th ranked Florida tonight to begin a three-game series. In the loss to the Bulldogs, starting pitcher Will Hellmers gave up four runs in one inning, Eric Reyzelman walked three hitters without getting an out and Ty Floyd was also wild and suffered the loss. Senior relief pitcher Trent Vietmeier expects the pitching staff to bounce back…
cut 16 (17) “…next weekend”
LSU is 15 and 6, but they’ve lost three of their last four.

Elsewhere, Louisiana Tech has won eight of its last nine and they host F-I-U, who is 2-1 in Conference USA play.

The Ragin Cajuns host South Alabama. The Jaguars are 15-and-4 and undefeated in the Sun Belt. ULM hosts Georgia State.