8:30 LRN Newscast April 7

A strong cold front last night and during the overnight hours dropped heavy rainfall, hail and there are reports of tornado damage. K-T-B-S TV reports multiple trees are down in Red River Parish and there’s some structural damage. Authorities also say a home in south Natchitoches Parish had its partially torn off on LA Highway 484. No injuries reported.

Southeast Louisiana is getting over a billion dollars in federal money that can be used to pay for flood protection projects in southeast Louisiana…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Cajun Navy Relief is holding its first Search and Rescue Games today in the Atchafalaya Basin. The games will serve as a training exercise for disaster rescue scenarios in extreme flooding. Spokesperson Amy Jones says the Games also give the volunteer rescue group a chance to work with new GPS equipment…
Cut 24 (11) “natural disaster.”

Authorities have charged a juvenile with attempted carjacking after he allegedly tried to steal an unmarked State Police unit in New Orleans last Thursday. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says an on-duty trooper was sitting in the vehicle at the time and fired his weapon at the teen after he tried entering the vehicle…
cut 5 (13) “….apprehend him”
No one was injured.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

Former University High in Baton Rouge golfer Patrick Reed is the leader after two rounds at the Masters. Reed fired a 66 yesterday and is two strokes up on Marc Leishman and four strokes in front of Henrik Stenson. Tigers Woods made the cut, but he’s way back after shooting a 73 and 75.

LSU starting pitcher Caleb Gilbert gave up five runs in the first inning last night and the Tigers lost to Texas A&M nine to two. Also former Barbe star Bryce Jordan injured his knee, the same one that forced him to miss all of last season. Coach Paul Mainieri says he fears the worst.

La Tech got down five to nothing last night but came back to beat UT-San Antonio eight to seven. Mason Mallard had a career high four RBIs.

Also, Grambling outscored Prairie View 18-11, the Cajuns shutout UT Arlington two to nothing, ULM was rained out. In the Southland, Southeastern and McNeese were winners, Nicholls and UNO lost.

The Saints have signed restricted free agent Cameron Meredith to a two year contract, but the Chicago Bears have the right to match the offer. The 26-year-old receiver didn’t play last season because of an ACL injury, but in 2016, he had 66 catches for 888 yards and four touchdowns.

Panthers three-time pro bowl linebacker Thomas Davis posted a video on his twitter account that said he’s been suspended for the first four games for testing postivie for a banned substance. The 35-year-old said he’s not taking steroids or HGH, but he tested postive for an estrogen blocker, which comes in a supplement.

The Pelicans are in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Western Conference after beating the tanking Phoenix Suns 122 to 103 last night. Nikoa Mirotic had a season-high 31 points and 16 rebounds, while Anthony Davis had 33 points and 11 rebounds. New Orleans is a full game up on Denver, who is in the ninth place. The Pels are at Golden State tonight.

5:30PM LRN Newscast April 6

Louisiana is receiving a 1.2 billion dollar block grant from the federal government to construct flood protection projects in southeast Louisiana. There’s been a push for this funding after the 2016 August flood caused an estimated 8.7 billion dollars in damage. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the block grant will go right to the state and skip the red tape.

Cut 12 (10)   “for decades.”

Graves expects the money to be available by summer.

The northern half of Louisiana is under an enhanced risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will sweep through the state bringing the chance for flash flooding, but more concerning is the chance for tornadoes

Cut 9 (08) “pretty bumpy”

Some scary moments for a Louisiana State Trooper last night in New Orleans as a yet unidentified man attempted to get into his vehicle. Police later apprehended a juvenile and charged him with attempted carjacking of the unmarked police vehicle. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says it started when a strange car just pulled up.

Cut 3 (09) “troopers vehicle”

Big crowds are expected this weekend for Wrestlemania 34 which will take place Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 75-thousand pro wrestling fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss will defend her RAW Women’s Championship when she battles Nia Jax on Sunday and says its the wrestling fan’s Mecca.

Cut 7 (11)  “forward to”

 

16:30 LRN Newscast April 6

A pair of bills are heading to the House floor that require TOPS students to perform better in order to be eligible for the scholarship and also achieve a higher minimum GPA in order to keep it. It’s uncertain if the legislation has enough votes to pass the House. Opposition comes from the Taylor Foundation, its executive director James Callier….
cut 30 (10) “….to school”
Baton Rouge Representative is the author of the proposals.

Louisiana is set to receive one-point-two billion dollars in federal money that will go towards the construction of stalled flood control and flood prevention projects. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says which projects will get funded has yet to be decided, but they want to make sure the money is well spent….
cut 13 (09) “…different folks”
The money comes from a 90-billion dollar disaster recovery project approved by Congress in February.

Louisiana State Police say a juvenile tried to carjack a Trooper’s unmarked unit last night in New Orleans. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says the Trooper observed the juvenile trying to gain entrance into his vehicle and fired his gun.
Cut 4 (11) “for that.”
The suspect has been charged with attempted carjacking.

Big crowds are expected this weekend for Wrestlemania 34 which will take place Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Hotel occupancy in the Big Easy is expected to be around 95-percent and when the city hosted Wrestlemania in 2014, the economic impact was 164-million dollars. WWE Superstar Alexia Bliss….
Cut 6 (08) “WWE”

3:30 LRN Newscast April 6

Authorities have charged a juvenile with attempted carjacking after he allegedly tried to steal an unmarked State Police unit in New Orleans last night. L-S-P Sergeant Jared Sandifer says an on-duty trooper was sitting in the vehicle at the time and fired his weapon at the teen after he tried to enter the vehicle…
cut 5 (13) “….apprehend him”
No one was injured. Sandifer says they are still looking for the driver who helped the juvenile flee the scene.

State Police have arrested a 61-year-old convicted felon after authorities executed a search warrant of his Ponchatoula home and found 17 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Edward Sutter is banned from possessing firearms, because he was previously convicted of domestic abuse battery.

The federal government will allocate one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that can be spent on flood-control and prevention projects. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says they are still waiting on full details from the federal government regarding how these funds can be spent, but he anticipates Louisiana will have access to the money soon…
cut 14 (06) “….this summer”
Graves says this money can likely be spent on several stalled flood control projects in southeast Louisiana.

Big crowds are expected in New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 which goes down on Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A fan convention called WrestleMania Axxess is underway at the Morial Convention Center. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss says it should be an amazing few days in the Big Easy…
Cut 8 (11) “over again”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the economic impact for Orlando, who hosted Wrestemania last year, was 184-million dollars.

LRN PM Newscall April 6

An on-duty Louisiana State Trooper shot at a person last night in New Orleans as a young man allegedly attempted to get into his vehicle. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

______________________________________________

Southeast Louisiana is getting over a billion dollars in federal money to pay for flood protection projects in southeast Louisiana. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________________

Some scary moments for a Louisiana State Trooper last night in New Orleans as a yet unidentified man attempted to get into his vehicle. Police later apprehended a juvenile and charged him with attempted carjacking of the unmarked police vehicle. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says it started when a strange car just pulled up.

Cut 3 (09) “troopers vehicle”

Sandifer says the trooper observed the juvenile attempt to gain entrance into his vehicle and pulled his gun.

Cut 4 (11) “for that.”

Legal experts say the trooper was justified in shooting at the subject because a vehicle is considered the same as your home. You do not have to retreat in your own home. Sandifer says he was later caught.

Cut 5  (14) “apprehend him.”

________________________________________________________

Big crowds are expected this weekend for Wrestlemania 34 which will take place Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Hotel occupancy in the Big Easy is expected to be around 95-percent and when the city hosted Wrestlemania in 2014, the economic impact was 164-million dollars. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss….

Cut 6 (08)  “thirty percent”

75-thousand pro wrestling fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network. Bliss will defend her RAW Women’s Championship when she battles Nia Jax on Sunday and she can’t wait…..

Cut 7 (11)  “forward to”

A fan convention called WrestleMania Axxess is underway at the Morial Convention Center. Bliss says it should be an amazing few days in the Big Easy…

Cut 8 (11) “over again”

_________________________________________________________

The northern half of Louisiana is under an enhanced risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will sweep through the state bringing the chance for flash flooding, but more concerning is the chance for tornadoes

Cut 9 (08) “pretty bumpy”

There’s a slight chance for severe weather for south Louisiana. Keim says the greater threat is for the northern parishes….

Cut 10 (06) “of that”

Keim says once this cold front moves through, be prepared for a chilly weekend. He says temperatures will be around 50 degrees in north Louisiana on Saturday and in 60s for south Louisiana

Cut 11 (10) “the state”

________________________________________________________

Louisiana is receiving a 1.2 billion dollar block grant from the federal government to construct flood protection projects in southeast Louisiana. There’s been a push for this funding after the 2016 August flood caused an estimated 8.7 billion dollars in damage. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the block grant will go right to the state and skip the red tape.

Cut 12 (10)   “for decades.”

Graves says there’s been extensive coordination between Governor John Bel Edwards, the White House, and federal agencies to make sure the project addresses clogged waterways, bayous, and basins that have plagued the area for decades.

Cut 13 (09) “of time”

There’s still a few steps left before Louisiana gets the money, but Graves says it shouldn’t be long before projects can begin.

Cut 14 (11)   “to school”

2:30 LRN Newscast April 6

Southeast Louisiana is getting over a billion dollars in federal money to pay for flood protection projects in southeast Louisiana. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A massive search is underway for a four-year-old black male who went missing in Claiborne Parish. Authorities have been searching for Junior Phillips says yesterday afternoon. His mother reported him missing around 12:30 after he appartenly wandered away from home, while the father was working outside.
Severe weather is expected tonight and through the overnight hours as a strong cold front moves through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says once this cold front moves through, be prepared for a chilly weekend. He says temperatures will be around 50 degrees in north Louisiana on Saturday and in 60s for south Louisiana
Cut 11 (10) “the state”
The weather shouldn’t stop the big party in New Orleans as pro wrestling fans will storm the city for Wrestlemania 34 on Sunday. 75-thousand fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss will defend her RAW Women’s Championship when she battles Nia Jax and she can’t wait…
cut 7 (11) forward to”

1:30PM LRN Newscast April 6

Louisiana is receiving a 1.2 billion dollar block grant from the federal government to build up flood protection projects in parishes impacted by the historic 2016 floods that caused an estimated 8.7 billion dollars in damage. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the block grant will go right to the state and skip the red tape.

Cut 12, 10 seconds, for decades

The northern half of Louisiana is under an enhanced risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will sweep through the state bringing the chance for flash flooding, but more concerning is the chance for tornadoes

Cut 9 (08) “pretty bumpy”

Expect temperatures as low as 50 in north Louisiana this weekend.

Big crowds are expected this weekend for Wrestlemania 34 which will take place Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A fan convention called WrestleMania Axxess is underway at the Morial Convention Center. Bliss says it should be an amazing few days in the Big Easy…

Cut 8 (11) “over again”

75-thousand pro wrestling fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network.

Louisiana State say an unidentified male tried to enter a Troopers car last night in New Orleans. Police later apprehended a juvenile and charged him with attempted carjacking of the unmarked police vehicle. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says the trooper observed the juvenile attempt to gain entrance into his vehicle and pulled his gun.

Cut 4 (11) “for that.”

12;30 LRN Newscast April 6

There’s the potential threat of tornadoes in Louisiana as a result of a cold front that will sweep through the state later today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a slight chance for severe weather for south Louisiana, but the greater threat is for the northern parishes….
cut 10 (06) “…of that”
It will be a chilly weekend as temperatures on Saturday will only be around 50 degrees in north Louisiana.

The weather shouldn’t stop the big party in New Orleans as pro wrestling fans will storm the city for Wrestlemania 34 on Sunday. 75-thousand fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss will defend her RAW Women’s Championship when she battles Nia Jax and she can’t wait…
cut 7 (11) forward to”
A fan convention called WrestleMania Axxess is underway at the Morial Convention Center.

A bill legalizing the prescription of medical marijuana to children with autism passed the House on a 71-21 vote and heads next to the Senate. Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons says allowing these prescriptions sends a message of support to those families.
Cut 15 (12) “their voice”
And a House committee has approved legislation that would allow those suffering from PTSD and pain disorders to get a legal prescription of medical marijuana once it becomes available in Louisiana, which should happen later this year.

11:40 LRN Sportscast April 6

LSU pitcher Zack Hess said following his start last night he didn’t feel great, but you couldn’t tell based on his performance in a 4-1 victory over Texas A-and-M. Hess fired eight shutout innings, allowing four hits, three walks and striking out five. The Tigers scored four runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run single by Antoine Duplantis. Game 2 is tonight at six.

22nd ranked Louisiana Tech looks to hold on to first place in Conference USA when they begin a three game series versus the U-T-S-A Roadrunners. The Bulldogs have a team ERA of 2.26, which is the third best in the nation.

Grambling begins a three-game series versus Priarie View this afternoon. The Tigers lead Texas Southern by half a game for first place in the SWAC Western Division.

Nicholls State hosts Southland Conference leader Sam Houston State for a series starting tonight in Thibodaux. McNeese, Southeastern and Northwestern State are all at home this weekend as well.

LSU quarterbacks Lowell Narcisse and Justin McMillan met with reporters for the first time this Spring as they are competing with Myles Brennan for starting Q-B. Narcisse says he’s not spending too much time wondering about how much playing time he’ll see next season, his main focus is getting better every day….
Cut 18 (14) “last practice”
Justin McMillan is hoping to make the jump from Scout team Quarterback to starting Q-B. The former three-star prosect from Texas is excited about what this offense can do with new offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger.

Former LSU running back Derrius Guice is one of 22 players who will attend the NFL draft in Dallas on April 26th.

The Pelicans are in Phoenix tonight in a game they should win. The Suns have won just two games since the start of February. Tip off is at 9.