5:30 PM Newscast

There’s legislation this session to allow surveillance cameras to be installed in the classroom to protect special needs students. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 
Two riders in the Krewe of Thoth are both listed in stable condition after falling from floats in two separate incidents.  They were reportedly not wearing safety harnesses. One rider was leaning against the door at the rear of the float when it unexpectedly opened. The other rider was leaning over the side of the float handing out throws when he fell headfirst to the ground.

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Last year, we were told Louisiana teachers were paid about 22-hundred dollars below the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey says states around Louisiana have done a better job keeping up with the S-R-A…
Cut 4 (05) “…than Louisiana.”
The session deciding the pay bump starts in two weeks.
The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says they’ll implement the plan as fast as possible

Cut 9 (07) “…need to do″

Forbes says they expect the money will become available in the spring

4:30 LRN Newscast Feb 24

Two riders in the Krewe of Thoth that were rushed to the hospital Sunday after falling from floats in two separate incidents were reportedly not wearing safety harnesses. One rider was leaning against the door at the rear of the float when it unexpectedly opened. The other rider was leaning over the side of the float handing out throws when he fell headfirst to the ground. The riders did not suffer serious injuries, and they were both listed in stable condition. Two people were killed in float related accidents last week.

The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says the Louisiana Watershed Initiative will work with regional steering communities to guide flood mitigation decisions and investments…

Cut 11 (08) “their communities”

The Edwards administration has indicated they would support a 500-dollar raise for teachers in an effort to get Louisiana teacher salaries closer to the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey hopes lawmakers will see the value in paying teachers a good salary…
cut 5 (08) “…fund it”

A bill will be presented by Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil in the upcoming legislative session to add surveillance cameras in the classrooms to protect special needs students. If enacted parents can request school systems install cameras in the classrooms to monitor interactions. Foil believes cameras will clear up any questions parents have of what’s really going on in the classroom.

Cut 7 (12) “…bullying them.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans are getting closer to catching Memphis for the final spot in the Western Conference. New Orleans won for the fifth time in its last six games last night as they defeated Golden State 115 to 101. The Pels are now 3.5 games back of the eighth-seeded Grizzlies. New Orleans hit 17 three-pointers, six of the made long balls were by Nicolo Melli, who is now shooting 40-percent from beyond the arc. Zion Williamson had 28 points in the win and the Pels will take on the Lakers in Los Angeles tomorrow.

The LHSAA released the boys basketball playoff pairings today. In Class Five-A, Natchitoches Central is the top seed. Peabody has the top seed in Four-A, and Bossier is the number one seed in Three-A.

A football player who recently signed to play at Southeastern Louisiana has been shot and killed in Baton Rouge, 17-year-old Terry Delaney was a standout player at Tara High Schol. No arrests have been made.

LSU baseball scored seven runs in the third inning on their way to 10-2 victory and a series win over Eastern Kentucky on Sunday. First baseman Cade Beloso had three hits and drove in three runs on the afternoon…
cut 17 (24) “…for sure”
LSU got excellent starting pitching throughout the weekend as Cole Henry, Landon Marceaux and AJ Labas combined to throw 20 innings and compiled a 1.35 ERA.

LSU will host Louisiana Tech on Wednesday. The Bulldogs are 4-and-2 on the season after dropping two of three to Troy this past weekend. The Monroe News-Star reports that Lane Burroughs has received a one-year contract extension through the 2024 season.

3:30 LRN Newscast Feb 24

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand-dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey applauds Governor Edwards for changing his mind…

Cut 3 (10)  “…of last year.”  

Surveillance cameras may soon be in place to protect special need students in Louisiana classrooms. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says he was approached by the Developmental Disabilities Council to sponsor Senate Bill 39 after the council placed a recorder on a child and they were able to document ongoing abuse of an autistic student attending Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy in 2018.

Cut 6 (06) “…of safety.”

The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says he expects the money will become available in the spring and they’ll start using the dollars to improve rain and river gauges and models for every watershed in the state

Cut 10 (11) “…flood risk”

55-year-old Gary James Goulas of Breaux Bridge faces animal cruelty charges accused of tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Ginny Higgins says the puppies are in the care of Every Paw Animal Rescue in Evangeline Parish and they appear to be doing well.

Cut 14 (10) “…be adopted”

 

LRN PM Newscall February 24

There’s legislation this session to allow surveillance cameras to be installed in the classroom to protect special needs students. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

____________________________

Federal officials have given the state approval to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that can be used to protect communities from flooding. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

___________________________

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey applauds Governor Edwards for changing his mind…

Cut 3 (10)  “…of last year.”  

The governor’s initial budget proposal did not include specific language for a pay raise. But Edwards’s education policy adviser told a task force that a 39-million dollar funding increase for public schools should go to teacher pay raises.

Last year, we were told Louisiana teachers were paid about 22-hundred dollars below the southern regional average. Posey says states around Louisiana have done a better job keeping up with the S-R-A…

Cut 4 (05) “…than Louisiana.”

The debate over whether teachers will get another pay raise will head up two weeks from today when lawmakers convene for the 2020 legislative session. Posey hopes lawmakers will see the value in paying public school teachers a good salary…

Cut 5 (08)  “…fund it”

___________________________________________

Surveillance cameras may soon be in place to protect special need students in Louisiana classrooms. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says he was approached by the Developmental Disabilities Council to sponsor Senate Bill 39 after the council placed a recorder on a child and they were able to document ongoing abuse of an autistic student attending Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy in 2018.

Cut 6 (06) “…of safety.”

If enacted parents can request school systems install cameras in the classrooms to monitor interactions. Foil says stories of abuse are statewide and he believes cameras will clear up any questions parents have of what’s really going on in the classroom.

Cut 7 (12) “…bullying them.”

A similar measure to protect nursing home patients passed in 2018 and Foil believes Senate Bill 39 to safeguard Special Need students will be enacted as well.

Cut 8 (08) “…protect them.”

The estimated cost of installing the cameras is about $7-million with each camera costing around $5-thousand.

____________________________________________________

The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says they’ll implement the plan as fast as possible

Cut 9 (07) “…need to do″

Forbes says they expect the money will become available in the spring and they’ll start using the dollars to improve rain and river gauges and models for every watershed in the state

Cut 10 (11) “…flood risk”

Forbes says the Louisiana Watershed Initiative will work with regional steering communities to guide flood mitigation decisions and investments…

Cut 11 (08) “their communities”

________________________

A Breaux Bridge man faces animal cruelty charges, accused of tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Ginny Higgins credits the public’s help for nabbing 55-year-old Gary James Goulas.

Cut 12 (10) “… cruelty to animals.”

The charges, one for each puppy, are felony offenses with a fine of $5,000 to $25,000 and possible prison time of 1 to 10 years for each count. Higgins says it is an act that is not taken lightly.

Cut 13 (10) “…somebody being charged.”

The puppies are in the care of Every Paw Animal Rescue in Evangeline Parish and Higgins says they appear to be doing well.

Cut 14 (10) “…conversation”

A nearby fisherman saw the suspect toss what appeared to be litter into the water and drive away. Upon retrieval of the bag, the fisherman discovered the pups inside.

2:30 LRN Newscast Feb 24

Federal officials have given the state approval to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that can be used to protect communities from flooding. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The family of Joseph Sampson, who was tragically run over by a tandem float during the Endymion parade in New Orleans Saturday, has launched a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses. A description of the fundraiser says Sampson had no life insurance.  To date they have raised just over their goal three thousand dollars.

Surveillance cameras may soon be in place to protect special need students in Louisiana classrooms. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says he was approached by the Developmental Disabilities Council to sponsor Senate Bill 39. A similar measure to protect nursing home patients passed in 2018 and Foil believes Senate Bill 39 to safeguard Special Need students will be enacted as well.

Cut 8 (08) “…protect them.”

55-year-old Gary James Goulas of Breaux Bridge faces animal cruelty charges accused of tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. He faces 8 felony charges, one for each puppy, St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Ginny Higgins says it is an act that is not taken lightly.

Cut 13 (10) “…somebody being charged.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation filed for the upcoming session would allow surveillance cameras to be installed in the classroom of special needs students. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Edwards administration has indicated they would support a 500-dollar raise for teachers in an effort to get Louisiana teacher salaries closer to the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey hopes lawmakers will see the value in paying teachers a good salary…
cut 5 (08) “…fund it”

The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says they’ll implement the plan as fast as possible
Cut 9 (07) “…need to do″
Forbes says they expect the money will become available in the spring.

A Breaux Bridge man faces animal cruelty charges for allegedly tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Major Ginny Higgins credits the public’s help for nabbing 55-year-old Gary James Goulas.
Cut 12 (10) “… cruelty to animals.”
The charges, one for each puppy, are felony offenses.

12:30 PM Newscast

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Last year, we were told Louisiana teachers were paid about 22-hundred dollars below the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey says states around Louisiana have done a better job keeping up with the S-R-A…
Cut 4 (05) “…than Louisiana.”
The session deciding the pay bump starts in two weeks.
Governor Edwards announces the creation of a “Climate Initiatives Task Force” that will work on ways to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to slow sea level rise. Edwards showcased his billion dollars a year coastal restoration plan last week, but officials admit it requires a slowing of sea-level rise to work longterm. Edwards’ Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe says it’ll have to be a global effort, but…
Cut 14 (12) “…conversation”

There are two days left of parades and partying, but a somber mood has come over Carnival 2020 after a second person was struck and killed by a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Longtime St. Mary Parish lawmaker Butch Gautreaux has died. He was 72.

11:40 LRN Sportscast February 24

Zion Williamson had 28 points last night as the Pelicans defeated Golden State 115 to 101 for their fifth win in their last six games. That’s eight straight games of 20 points or more for Williamson. Jrue Holiday had a big second half as the veteran guard scored 23 points, 21 were in the second half. Holiday also had 15 assists and seven rebounds. New Orleans is 3.5 games back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the West. The Pels conclude their road trip on Tuesday versus the Lakers.

After getting a much-needed win on the road Saturday in South Carolina, the LSU men’s basketball team will visit Florida on Wednesday. The Tigers are tied with Auburn for second place in the league, one game ahead of the Gators.

Louisiana Tech knocked off Conference USA leader North Texas on Saturday. So the Bulldogs are tied for second in the league with Western Kentucky, one game back of the Mean Green. Tech visits the Hilltoppers on Thursday.

After getting shutout on Friday, LSU baseball responded with victories on Saturday and Sunday over Eastern Kentucky to take the series over the Colonels. LSU won 10 to 2 on Sunday. Coach Paul Mainieri hopes Sunday’s performance at the plate will build the confidence of his hitters…
cut 18 (20) “….of that”

The Ragin Cajuns scored just four runs in their series with Virginia Tech and lost the series to the Hokies after winning the series opener on Friday. Va Tech took the series with a three to nothing win on Sunday. It’s the second time this season U-L Lafayette has been shutout.

Runs were not a problem for ULM over the weekend. They scored 45 of them in a three-game sweep over Grambling. That’s the most runs in a series for the Warhawks since 2008.

11:30 LRN Newscast Feb 24

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey applauds Governor Edwards for changing his mind…

Cut 3 (10)  “…and stay there.”  

 

Mardi Gras safety will be a hot topic in New Orleans in the months ahead after a second person in three days was killed by a float. Some say banning tandem floats is not the answer to preventing further deaths during the rowdy street parades. Others say the city should put up more barricades keeping partygoers off the street. But Endymion Vice President Charles Bruno says more barricades can create a different problem…

Cut 6 (10) “…larger crowd”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is coordinating its fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Horse Adoption Program. In the past potential adopters could choose from available horses after Carnival season, but with the program’s increased popularity, Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says they are seeing a new trend.

Cut 8 (11) “…few weeks.”

You can visit the Mardi Gras Horses Facebook page for more information.

An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency has broken down how the 2020 Presidential election could be hacked in a report distributed to the National Association of Secretaries of State. While Louisiana appears to be secure, Ingalls Information Security CEO Jason Ingalls says local level election systems are a likely target.

Cut 11 (09) “…advanced malware attacks.”