1:30PM Newscast April 4

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is expecting 30 to 35 thousand people to attend this weekend’s massive festival just outside Lafayette. Festival Spokesperson Angelique Bernard says it’s not just food, festival goers will be treated to an Acadiana specialty.

cut 8 (06) “stages”

The festival starts today with a celebrity crawfish eating contest.

The chemical fire has been distinguished at Flowchem in Duson and evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes Friday morning. The massive blaze shutdown I-10 on Thursday, but it’s has since re-opened. State Police spokesperson Brooks David says investigators still don’t know what caused the blaze, and says given the size of the fire, it’s amazing no one was injured…

Cut 11 (11) “that blaze”

Flowchem Technologies is a chemical blending facility that provices products and services to the oil and gas industry.

Louisiana has been given full control of Red Snapper waters from the feds for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Harry Blanchet says Blanchet says part of the reason the state has been given authority over both waters is that early projections indicate that anglers won’t have a lot of success fishing in the federal waters this season.

Cut 5  (08) “this year”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that prohibits the use of your hand-held cell phone while driving. Supporters say it will minimize distractions while behind the wheel and Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson says it’s about a driving culture change.

cut 14 (10) “…done it”

12:30PM LRN Newscast April 4

Louisiana has been given full control of Red Snapper waters from the feds for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Harry Blanchet says that’s great news for bayou sportsmen. Not only will it be easier to keep track of where you are allowed to fish, Blanchet says you’ll be allowed to head out all week long.

Cut 4 (12) “to quickly”

This year’s season will kick off Friday, May 25th, with a total allocation of 743,000 pounds allowed to be harvested

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is expecting 30 to 35 thousand people to attend this weekend’s massive festival just outside Lafayette. Festival Spokesperson Angelique Bernard says there’s a little something for everyone.

Cut 7 (08)  “crawfish jambalaya”

The festival starts today with a celebrity crawfish eating contest.

The chemical fire has been distinguished at Flowchem in Duson and evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes Friday morning. The massive blaze shutdown I-10 on Thursday, but it’s has since re-opened. State Police spokesperson Brooks David says investigators still don’t know what caused the blaze. Flowchem Technologies is a chemical blending facility that provices products and services to the oil and gas industry. David says which chemicals sparked the blaze is part of the investigation….

Cut 10 (08) “release it”

The state is still testing negative for cronic wasting disease in northeast Louisiana deer. Concerns were raised after nearby counties in Mississippi tested positive for the incurable ailment that wrecks local populations. LDWF has a 95 percent confidence in the results.

And now, heres commodity prices.

11:30AM LRN Newscast April 4

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is expecting 30 to 35 thousand people to attend this weekend’s massive festival just outside Lafayette. Festival Spokesperson Angelique Bernard says an unbelievable amount of mudbugs will be consumed over the three days.

Cut 6 (05)  “peeled crawfish”

The food options are extensive, with everything from crawfish burritos to spinach bread bowls, and over 30 zydeco bands are expected to play throughout the festival that starts today.

The chemical fire has been distinguished at Flowchem in Duson and evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes Friday morning. The massive blaze shutdown I-10 on Thursday, but it’s has since re-opened. State Police spokesperson Brooks David says investigators still don’t know what caused the blaze

.Cut 9 (10) “go from there”

A bill barring drivers from touching their cellphones while on the road narrowly escaped the House and is on its way to the Senate. The anti-distracted driving legislation was inspired by the uptick in distracted driving road deaths in recent years. Bill sponsor Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the legislation is about protecting the next generation of drivers.

Cut 13 (06)  “distracted drivers” 

Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson says the legislation is about a driving culture change. Now-a-days he doesn’t fire up his car without buckling up, but that didn’t always used to be the case.

But the bill wasn’t without opposition. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says living 250 miles away from the capital means she has to spend hours of her day on the road getting work done.

Cut 15 (12) “on me”

The bill passed with 53 votes.

11:40 LRN Sportscast May 4

Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Pelicans and Warriors is tonight inside the Smoothie King Center. Golden State has a two games to nothing lead and the defending champs have taken an alarming lead in the amount of free throws earned in the series, but coach Alvin Gentry says that will not discourage the Pels from continuing to pound the ball inside…
cut 19 (15) “….do it”
Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday did not attempt a single free throw in Game 2’s loss.

It’s also a big weekend of high school baseball quarterfinal as there are best of three series involving most of the classes in division. In Class 5A, 4th seeded Barbe hosts fifth seeded Captian Shreve. In Four-A, 27th seeded Buckeye is still around and they face third seeded DeRidder.

The LSU baseball team can turn its season around, if they can take this weekend’s series versus fourth ranked Arkansas. Coach Paul Mainieri’s team is in a slump, while the Razorbacks are one of the top teams in a loaded SEC
Cut 16 (15) “pitching great”
LSU’s Josh Smith is not expected to play this weekend because of a bad back. Arkansas is also dealing with injuries. Closer Matt Cronin might not be available this weekend and one of Arkansas’ best hitters Carson Shaddy is also banged up.

The Ragin Cajuns host 15th ranked Coastal Carolina this weekend. UL Lafayette has won 14 of its last 18.

Louisiana Tech is in second place in Conference USA and they host Middle Tennessee this weekend. The Blue Raiders are in 10th place.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 4

Louisiana has been given full control of Red Snapper waters from the feds for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Harry Blanchet says that’s great news for bayou sportsmen.

Cut 3, 7 seconds, offshore waters

This year’s season will kick off Friday, May 25th, with a total allocation of 743,000 pounds allowed to be harvested

The “Adoption Option” bill that would require abortion clinics to provide information about the adoption process to women seeking abortions is nearing final passage. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says too many women are choosing abortion

Cut 6 (10) “of adoption”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is set to end his second term Monday after 8 years in charge of the Crescent City. Landrieu guided the city through a tumultuous post Katrina recovery period, but political analyst Clancy DuBos says nationally he’ll be most remembered for his part in the removal of the confederate monuments to Robert E Lee, Jefferson Davis, and PT Beauregard.

Cut 7 (08)  “for that”

A bill barring drivers from touching their cellphones while on the road narrowly escaped the House and is on its way to the Senate. The anti-distracted driving legislation was inspired by the uptick in distracted driving road deaths in recent years. Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson says the legislation is about a driving culture change. Now-a-days he doesn’t fire up his car without buckling up, but that didn’t always used to be the case.

Cut 14 (10) “done it”

09:30 LRN Newscast May 4

Mitch Landrieu’s eight-year run as the mayor of New Orleans is coming to an end as his second term finishes on Monday with the swearing in of LaToya Cantrell. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos when Landrieu was sworn-in, the Katrina recovery was slow and the city’s finances were a mess…
cut 9 (12) “…politice recruiting”
Dubos says New Orleans violent crime rate remains too high.

The state legislature is close to approving legislation that would make more information available about putting a child up for adoption for women who are seeking to have an abortion. Ben Clapper is the executive director of the Louisiana Right to Life…
cut 5 (07) “…of adoption”
There will be a new website called adoption-option-dot-la-dot-gov.

A 62-year-old Hammond man faces a vehicular negligent homicide charge, plus a host of other charges for a fatal wreck on I-12 that killed a one-month old child and injured four others. Don Molino has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Residents that were forced to evacuate yesterday as a result of a massive chemical fire at Flowchem in Duson are allowed to return home this morning. The state department of environmental quality is available to provide an air quality check for those who request one for their home. The blaze also shut down on I-10, but the interstate has since been reopened.

8:30 LRN Newscast May 4th

Mitch Landrieu is in his final few days as Mayor of New Orleans. Landrieu was sworn in eight years ago as the city was still trying to rebound from Hurricane Katrina. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Landrieu did well in moving the recovery along, but the failure of the Sewage and Water Board will weigh on his legacy as it led to flooding that could have been avoided…
cut 8 (10) “…his watch”

State Police say 62-year-old Erroll Nugent was impaired when he attempted a U-Turn on I-12 through the grassy median. Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight says when Nugent re-entered the interstate, an 18-wheeler hit his vehicle and the impact killed a one-month old child in his car…
cut 11 (09) “…around”
Nugent has been charged with vehicular negligent homicide.

Legislation is one step away from the governor’s desk that would require abortion clinics to provide additional information to women seeking their services. Michael Farrar has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that prohibits the use of your hand-held cell phone while driving. Supporters say it will minimize distractions while behind the wheel and Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson says it’s about a driving culture change…
cut 14 (10) “…done it”

7:30 LRN Newscast May 4th

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s two term run ends Monday and Matt Doyle looks back at his administration…
Voicer 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

Still no word on what caused a massive chemical plant fire in Duson that led to an evacuation of homes and businesses one mile around FlowChem Technologies. No injuries reported and those evacuated are allowed back in their home this morning. They can request the department of environmental quality to conduct an air quality check of their home.

The Louisiana House has passed legislation that says drivers are not allowed to handle their cell phone while behind the wheel. It passed on a 53-34 vote. State Representative Barbara Norton voted no. The Shreveport Democrat says she conducts work on her phone during her 250-mile drive to the capitol….
cut 15 (12) “….on me”
More debate will take place in the Senate.

A one-month old child was killed in a wreck involving an 18-wheeler on I-12 near Covington. Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight says 62-year-old Erroll Nugent attempted a U-Turn through a grassy median when he truck upon re-entering the interstate. Nugent now faces numerous charges…
cut 12 (10) “….consequences”
Nugent and four others were injured.

6:45 LRN Sportscast May 4th

The Pelicans need to find a way to get a win tonight down 2-0 to the defending champion Golden State Warriors. New Orleans lost the first two games of the series by an average of 14 points, after beating Golden State in the final week of the regular season. Coach Alvin Gentry says this isn’t the same they faced in that contest….
cut 18 (15) “…right now”
New Orleans is hoping to get to the free throw line more in this game. Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday never made a trip to the charity stripe in game two.

LSU officials told the Advocate that football season ticket renewals are down only one-percent, despite a nationwide trend of falling attendence across college football.

Georgia Football Coach Kirby Smart has received a new seven-year, 49-million dollar contract.

LSU baseball takes on the first place team in the SEC West when they host Arkansas tonight for the start of a weekend series. The Tigers are 10-11 in the league, while the Razorbacks are 13-8. Sophomore infielder Josh Smith is not expected to play this weekend as he continues to have issues with his back. Blaine Knight starts on the hill for the Hogs, he’s 7-0 on the year.

The Ragin Cajuns get a chance at the best team in the Sun Belt as they host 15th ranked Coastal Carolina for a three game series. Coastal is 17-4 in the Sun Belt, while UL Lafayette is 12-9, a half game back of Little Rock for first place in the West Division. ULM hosts Georgia State.

Louisiana Tech begins a three-game set with Middle Tennessee tonight. The Bulldogs have won seven of their last nine. In six of those victories, they’ve scored in double figures.

In the Southland, all of the Louisiana teams are on the road. Southeastern is at first place Sam Houston.

Grambling is at Texas Southern in a big matchup in the SWAC.

06:30 LRN Newscast May 4th

A bill barring drivers from touching their cellphones while on the road narrowly escaped the House and is on its way to the Senate. The legislation is inspired by the uptick in distracted driving road deaths in recent years. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval…
Cut 13 (06) “distracted drivers”
The measure received 53 “yes” votes which is the minimum number required for passage.

State Police charge a Hammond man with vehicular negligent homicide as result of a crash on I-12 near Covington that killed a one-month old child. Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight says 62-year-old Erroll Nugent missed his exit to Highway 190 and instead of turning around at the next exit, he tried a U-Turn through the grassy median…
Cut 10 (07) “rear of his vehicle”
One-month old Bryce Martin from Hammond was killed.

The “Adoption Option” bill that would require abortion clinics to provide information about the adoption process to women seeking abortions is nearing final passage. The legislation also mandates the creation of a state website with information about adoption. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says he hopes it will result in fewer abortions.
Cut 4 (09) “as well”
The bill has received little opposition in the legislature.

Acadia Parish residents near Chem-Flo in Duson are being allowed back in their home this morning following a massive fire at the facility. No injuries reported, as officials say Xylene was among the chemicals that contributed to the huge blaze. The state Department of Environmental Quality is providing air quality checks of homes if evacuated residents ask for it.