5:30 LRN Newscast

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announces a 62-count indictment against five people, including four law enforcement officers, in connection with a visa fraud scheme. The indicted officers are Oakdale Police Chief Chad Boyle; Michael Slaney of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon and Former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea. The fifth suspect is businessman Chandrakant Patel.  Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, says this involves U-Visas, which foreign nationals who are victims of or are witnesses to crimes can obtain to remain in the country during the investigation.

Cut 5 (12) “…United States Government.”

The indictment says Patel paid the officers five-thousand dollars for each foreign national placed on the report, in an effort to keep them and their family members in the United States.

South Louisiana is bracing for rain – and a lot of it. While a current disturbance in the gulf is not expected to grow into a tropical storm, it is expected to hover over the area for quite some time. So LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while wind won’t be a factor, rainfall certainly will be.

Cut 8 (13) “…rain on us.”

LSU faces Alabama in Tuscaloosa November 8th, as they try to snap a two-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide. Alabama went 9-and-4 in their first season under Head Coach Kalen DeBoer and missed the College Football Playoff. DeBoer says that team last season fell short of the Alabama standard.

Cut 13 (09)  “…because of it.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Head coach Brian Kelly confirmed linebackers Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins would both be ready to return from injury by the start of camp. Perkins will be returning to outside linebacker, where he was First-Team All-SEC and a Freshman All-American in 2022. Weeks says they grew close rehabbing together.

Cut 18 (14) “…for him too.”

Southern was picked to defend its SWAC West title in the conference preseason poll today. Senior defensive end Ckelby Givens was named preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year after sharing the award last year. Jaguars head coach Terrence Graves says he spoke to Givens about the accolades.

Cut 21 (10) “…post season.”

LSU landed commitments from Kansas pitcher Cooper Moore, Oregon State third baseman Trent Caraway and Grand Canyon first baseman Zach Yorke. Moore is a sophomore righty who struck out 85 batters with a 3.93 ERA in 14 starts last season. Caraway slugged 12 home runs and 47 RBI, hitting .267 last year. Yorke blasted 13 homers in 48 games for the Lopes.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke at SEC Football Media Days today. With quarterback Jalen Milroe off to the NFL, the Crimson Tide have a three-way QB battle among redshirt junior Ty Simpson, redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and freshman Keelon Russell. DeBoer says if the season started today, Simpson would get the nod.

Cut 12 (12) “…another level.”

LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide November 8.

4:30 LRN Newscast

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announces a 62-count indictment against five people, including four law enforcement officers, in connection with a visa fraud scheme. Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, told a news conference this morning that the five are charged with fraudulently obtaining non-immigrant U-visas.

Cut 3 (12) “…witnesses to crime.”

The five indicted are – Oakdale Police Chief Chad Boyle, Michael Slaney with the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, Former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea and businessman Chandrakant Patel. According to the indictment, the foreign nationals would pay Patel five-thousand dollars, who in turn would give that money to a law enforcement officer for a phony police report in order to obtain a U-Visa to remain in the country.

Heavy rains are heading for the Louisiana coast this week. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

In preparation for the storm, many parishes are handing out sandbags. Make sure you bring your ID, since many locations require proof of residency. Some locations will provide the shovels but will require you to bring your own bags; in others, it’s the other way around. So be sure to check ahead of time. In any event, you’re urged only to take what’s necessary to protect your property from floodwaters.

3:30 LRN Newscast

A major indictment announced in Lafayette this morning against five people, including four Louisiana law enforcement officers. Alex Van Hook, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, announced the 62-count indictment.  

Cut 23 (06) “…non-immigrant U-Visas.”

The law enforcement officers arrested are Oakdale Police Chief Chad Boyle, Michael Slaney of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon and Former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea. The other man arrested is businessman Chandrakant Patel. Van Hook says the five conspired to produce false police reports in order to obtain these U-Visas to allow foreign nationals and their families to remain in the United States.

Cut 24 (08) “…law enforcement report.”

If convicted, each defendant faces decades in federal prison.

Forecasters are now urging those of you near the Gulf Coast to be weather aware for the next few days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a disturbance brewing in the gulf; however, it will not rise to the level of a major storm. 

Cut 6 (07) “…have to watch.”

Keim says while wind will not be a factor, heavy rainfall will be. Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP headquarters tomorrow morning to give an update on the state’s emergency response, should it be necessary.

The Ouachita River is set for designation as a U.S. Marine Highway. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says numerous industries will benefit, but it will have a particularly positive impact on a region dominated by commodities.

Cut 11 (11) “…Arkansas as well.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announces a 62-count indictment against five people, including four law enforcement officers, in connection with a visa fraud scheme. Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, says the five indicted are – Oakdale Police Chief Chad Boyle; Michael Slaney of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, Former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea and businessman Chandrakant Patel.

Cut 4 (12) “…several Louisiana parishes.”

Van Hook says the foreign nationals paid Patel five-thousand dollars, and he in turn paid the money to the law enforcement officers for the false police reports. They would then use those false police reports to obtain U-Visas so that they and their families could remain in the United States. If convicted, each faces several decades in federal prison.

The Ouachita River is set for designation as a U.S. Marine Highway. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the increased traffic through the river will lead to economic development and job creation in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 10 (13) “…Ouachita River.”

Letlow says numerous industries will benefit, but it will have a particularly positive impact on a region dominated by commodities.

LSU takes on Alabama in Tuscaloosa November 8th, looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The Crimson Tide have a three-way QB battle among redshirt junior Ty Simpson, redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and freshman Keelon Russell. Coach Kalen DeBoer says if the season started today, Simpson would be the starter.

Cut 12 (12) “…another level.”

LRN PM Newscall July 16

A major indictment announced in Lafayette this morning against five people, including several Louisiana law enforcement officers. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (45) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

Heavy rains are heading for the Louisiana coast this week. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

___________________________________________________

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announces a 62-count indictment against five people, including four law enforcement officers, in connection with a visa fraud scheme. Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, told a news conference this morning that the five are charged with fraudulently obtaining non-immigrant U-visas.

Cut 3 (12) “…witnesses to crime.”

Van Hook says the five indicted are – Oakdale Police Chief Chad Boyle; Michael Slaney, the marshal of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale; Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, Former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea, and businessman Chandrakant Patel.

Cut 4 (12) “…several Louisiana parishes.”

Van Hook says the people listed on the fraudulent U-Visa applications were never victims of or witnesses to crime, which are requirements in order to obtain a U-Visa.

Cut 5 (12) “…United States Government.”

The indictment says Patel paid the officers five-thousand dollars for each foreign national placed on the report, in an effort to keep them and their family members in the United States.

________________________________________________

Forecasters are now urging those of you near the Gulf Coast to be weather aware for the next few days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a disturbance brewing in the gulf; however, it will not rise to the level of a major storm.

Cut 6 (07) “…have to watch.”

Keim says there’s less than a 50-50 chance of a tropical cyclone forming.

Cut 7 (09) “…a tropical depression.”

Keim says while wind will not be a factor, heavy rainfall will be.

Cut 8 (13) “…rain on us.”

Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP tomorrow morning to give an update on the state’s emergency response, should it be necessary.

________________________________________________

The Ouachita River is set for designation as a U.S. Marine Highway. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the designation will increase opportunities for infrastructure upgrades.

Cut 9 (07)  “…infrastructure grants.”

Grants can be applied for through the Department of Transportation and Development.

Letlow says the increased traffic through the Ouachita River will lead to economic development and job creation in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 10 (13) “…Ouachita River.”

Letlow says numerous industries will benefit, but it will have a particularly positive impact on a region dominated by commodities.

Cut 11 (11) “…Arkansas as well.”

________________________________________________

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke at SEC Football Kickoff Media Days today. With quarterback Jalen Milroe off to the NFL, the Crimson Tide have a three-way QB battle among redshirt junior Ty Simpson, redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and freshman Keelon Russell. DeBoer says if the season started today, Simpson would be the starter.

Cut 12 (12) “…another level.”

Alabama went 9-and-4 in the first season under DeBoer and missed the College Football Playoffs. Deboer says his team fell short of the Alabama standard.

Cut 13 (09)  “…because of it.”

LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide November 8.

LSU will open SEC play hosting Florida September 13. The Gators will face one of the toughest schedules in the country again this year, but head coach Billy Napier is leaning on sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway to lead his team.

Cut 14 (14) “…really special.”

Lagway went 6-and-1 as a starter after taking over midseason, including a 27-16 victory over LSU in Gainesville.

1:30 PM LRN Newscast

Five people, including Police Chiefs from Oakdale and Forest Hill, Former Police Chief of Glenmora Tebo Onishea, and businessman Chandrakant Patel face charges for allegedly fraudulently obtaining non-immigrant U-visas. Acting Western District U.S. attorney Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook says the people listed on the U-Visa applications were never victims of or witnesses to crime, which is required to obtain the special Visa.

Cut 5 (12) “…United States Government.”

The indictment says Patel paid the officers five-thousand dollars for each foreign national placed on the report, to keep them in the United States.

The Ouachita River is set for designation as a U.S. Marine Highway. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the designation will increase opportunities for infrastructure upgrades.

Cut 9 (07)  “…infrastructure grants.”

A tropical rainstorm is heading for the Louisiana coast this week. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

In Football news, LSU will open SEC play on September 13 hosting Florida. The Gators face one of the toughest schedules in the country again this year, but head coach Billy Napier is leaning on sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway to lead his team.

Cut 14 (14) “…really special.”

12:30 PM LRN Newscast

A major indictment announced in Lafayette this morning against five people, including several Louisiana law enforcement officers. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (45) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Forecasters are now urging those who live near the Gulf Coast to be weather aware for the next few days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a disturbance brewing in the gulf, but it’s not expected to rise to the level of a major storm.

Cut 7 (09) “…a tropical depression.”

He says while wind will not be a factor, heavy rainfall will be. Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP Thursday morning to give an update on the state’s emergency response, should it be necessary.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU will kick off the season at Clemson, which means a high-stakes matchup between top quarterbacks Garrett Nussmeier and Kade Klubnik. Tiger linebacker Whit Weeks says he lives for this kind of big-time game, and he has confidence in Nussmeier.

Cut 16 (18) “…good team.”

The Tigers will take the field in Clemson August 30 at 6:30

Texas quarterback Arch Manning stole the show in Atlanta yesterday. Manning says he and Nussmeier grew close rooming together at the Manning Passing Academy.

Cut 22 (08) “…over there.”

Louisiana Tech and the Sun Belt will hold a press conference this afternoon to discuss the Bulldogs’ return. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Tech has a history of overlooking its in-state rivals.

Cut 5 (14) “…Sun Belt Conference.”

ULM and UL-Lafayette were two of the Bulldogs’ biggest advocates. Dietrich says those officials have moved on, and the new guard is ready to move past old grudges.

LSU received a commitment from Kansas right-handed pitcher Cooper Moore. Moore recorded a 3.96 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 88 and two-thirds innings last year. The Tigers also landed Oregon State infielder Trent Caraway and Grand Canyon first baseman Zach Yorke yesterday.

The Pelicans suffered their third straight Summer League loss to the Trailblazers last night 93-87. Guard Antonio Reeves led the team with 18 points, followed by rookie Derik Queen’s 17 points and 10 boards.

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

Police Chiefs from Oakdale, Forest Hill, and a former chief from Glenmora were arrested, at least one while attending a conference in Baton Rouge. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announces a 62-count indictment against five people, including four law enforcement officers, in connection with a visa fraud scheme. Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, told a news conference this morning that the five are charged with fraudulently obtaining non-immigrant U-visas.

Cut 3 (12) “…witnesses to crime.”

A disturbance brewing in the gulf is not expected to rise to the level of a major storm but

LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while wind will not be a factor, heavy rainfall will be.

Cut 8 (13) “…rain on us.”

Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP Thursday morning to give an update on the state’s emergency response, should it be necessary.

After 21 years, Louisiana Tech is headed back to the Sun Belt. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you hold a library card at the state library or at the library systems in Iberville, Livingston, Tangipahoa or Rapides parishes, you can now use that card to get into a museum! State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says it’s an expansion of the State Library’s “Check Out Louisiana” program, which was originally developed to allow cardholders to obtain passes to state parks.

Cut 8 (08) “…with our museums.”