8:30 LRN Newscast March 3, 2018

The Louisiana House of Representatives will continue their struggle to avoid the tumbling off a fiscal cliff when they meet on Sunday afternoon at 5 pm. The weekend duty is a scramble to address a one billion dollar budget short fall. Failure to agree on a revenue solution will force severe budget cuts that could mean less money for TOPS, higher education, and hospitals. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton made this plea during Friday’s session.

Cut 14 (09) “back home”

The special session ends on Wednesday.

Authorities are investigating the finding of a severed head in Cameron Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

February’s rainfall in North Louisiana set a record going back to the 1870’s. Shreveport National Weather Service forecaster Matthew Duplantis says it’s no wonder the lakes, rivers and creeks are at or above flood stage…

Cut 11 (10) “zero inches.”

Duplantis says there’s so much water now in the area, experts are concerned the over saturated ground won’t be able to handle any more.

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are among the lawmakers urging the Interior Department to expand offshore oil leasing in the Gulf of Mexico. A letter was drafted to the U.S. Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke to consider. The Outer Continental Shelf Draft Proposed Program plans leases from the 2019 to 2024.

The LSU baseball team dominated Toledo 8-1 last night meanwhile today the LSU men’s basketball team closes out its regular season as they host Mississippi State at noon.

7:30 LRN Newscast March 3 2018

The weekend is off to a good start for the LSU baseball team, who dominated Toledo 8-1 last night behind tremendous pitching from Zack Hess. The sophomore right-hander struck out a career-high 13 and did not walk a batter. Hunter Feduccia (fuh-DEW-shuh) hit a grand slam as the Tigers improved their record to 6-4. LSU faces Sacred Heart at the Box tonight as Caleb Gilbert looks for his first win of the season.

Big win for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs upset 10th ranked Texas A-and-M four to two in the Frisco College Classic. The Cajuns offensive problems continue as they lost 3-1 to Mississippi State. ULM edged Southern Illinois 5-4. Sacred Heart knocked off Southeastern Louisiana five to three, Ohio State doubled up Nicholls 6 to 3, Northwestern State edged Little Rock 6-5, and UTSA topped McNeese 1-0. Grambling crushed Prairie View 10-4.

The LSU men’s basketball team closes out its regular season at noon today as they host Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have won seven of their last ten as State has put themselves in position to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers need to win in order to avoid having to play on the first day of the SEC Tournament. The Ragin Cajuns look to finish off the regular season with a perfect record at home as they host Arkansas Little-Rock. ULM needs a win to have a shot at getting a first round bye in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana will play for the top seed in the Southland as the two teams will meet in Hammond. McNeese will host Lamar and a win for the Cowboys and they can lock up the final spot in the Southland Tournament.

And Grambling will win a SWAC title if they beat Alabama State. Louisiana Tech looks to end a three-game losing streak at Southern Miss. The Bulldogs are in 9th place in conference USA.
The Pelicans put their seven game winning streak on the line tomorrow night at Dallas.

7:30 Sportscast

The weekend is off to a good start for the LSU baseball team, who dominated Toledo 8-1 last night behind tremendous pitching from Zack Hess. The sophomore right-hander struck out a career-high 13 and did not walk a batter. Hunter Feduccia (fuh-DEW-shuh) hit a grand slam as the Tigers improved their record to 6-4. LSU faces Sacred Heart at the Box tonight as Caleb Gilbert looks for his first win of the season.

Big win for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs upset 10th ranked Texas A-and-M four to two in the Frisco College Classic. The Cajuns offensive problems continue as they lost 3-1 to Mississippi State. ULM edged Southern Illinois 5-4. Sacred Heart knocked off Southeastern Louisiana five to three, Ohio State doubled up Nicholls 6 to 3, Northwestern State edged Little Rock 6-5, and UTSA topped McNeese 1-0. Grambling crushed Prarie View 10-4.

The LSU men’s basketball team closes out its regular season at noon today as they host Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have won seven of their last ten as State has put themselves in position to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers need to win in order to avoid having to play on the first day of the SEC Tournament.

The Ragin Cajuns look to finish off the regular season with a perfect record at home as they host Arkansas Little-Rock. ULM needs a win to have a shot at getting a first round bye in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana will play for the top seed in the Southland as the two teams will meet in Hammond. McNeese will host Lamar and a win for the Cowboys and they can lock up the final spot in the Southland Tournament.

And Grambling will win a SWAC title if they beat Alabama State. Louisiana Tech looks to end a three-game losing streak at Southern Miss. The Bulldogs are in 9th place in conference USA.

The Pelicans put their seven game winning streak on the line tomorrow night at Dallas.

18:30 LRN Newscast March 2

An income tax bill that was designed to help close a one billion dollar shortfall failed in the House of Representatives. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh an outspoken critic of higher taxes spoke out against the legislation. Seabaugh says Louisiana residents are already paying higher taxes, because the federal tax overhaul changed Louisiana’s witholding tables, which means the state is collecting more tax money from its citizens

Cut 15 (11) “be doing”

The legislation would have increased state revenues by an estimated 79-million dollars. Seabaugh says the measure is bad tax policy….

Cut 16  (11)  “thank you”

Legislators have less than a week to solve the budget shortfall. The special session ends March 7th.

Having breaking a record for rainfall in Shreveport for the month of February, experts are concerned the over saturated ground won’t be able to handle any more. National Weather Service Forecaster Matthew Duplantis says the rivers won’t have enough of a break before getting into the time of year when the most rain typically falls…

Cut 12 (06) “active weather.”

Flood warnings remain in effect for the Mississippi, Ouachita and Red Rivers until further notice.

A Monroe woman who pleaded guilty to attempted first degree murder of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Agent Tyler Wheeler was sentenced to a total of 120 years in prison. 32-year-old Amethyst Baird Rathore shot Wheeler during a traffic stop in Morehouse Parish last year leaving him for dead.   Rathore entered the guilty plea last October. There are three different sentences that will run concurrently.

17:30 LRN Newscast March 2

An income tax bill described as the linchpin towards reaching an overall deal to close a looming a one-billion dollar budget shortfall failed on the House floor this afternoon. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin asked his colleagues to put aside party politics and vote for the legislation…

Cut 13 (06) “her people”

Failure of this legislation means its likely legislators will not be able to solve the fiscal cliff and  hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts will be needed in state government. That means less money for TOPS, hospitals that depend on state money and higher education. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton…

Cut 14 (09) “back home”

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh an outspoken critic of higher taxes spoke out against the legislation that failed today. Seabaugh says Louisiana residents are already paying higher taxes, because the federal tax overhaul changed Louisiana’s withholding tables, which means the state is collecting more tax money from its citizens..

Cut 15 (11) “be doing”

The legislation would have increased state revenues by an estimated 79-million dollars. Seabaugh says the measure is bad tax policy….

Cut 16  (11)  “thank you”

Legislators have until March 7th to come up with a solution before the special session ends.

16:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team is looking for better starting pitching this weekend. They have just one quality start on the year and that was by Zack Hess last Friday. He pitches again tonight against Toledo. On Sunday freshman right-hander AJ Labas will make his first start against Southeastern Louisiana. Labas hasn’t pitched yet after having back surgery in December…
cut 18 (19) “…more flexible”
Tonight’s game against Toledo will begin at 7 PM.

Other games of note…The Ragin Cajuns face Mississippi State in Houston. Louisiana Tech takes on 9th ranked Texas A-and-M in Frisco. McNeese is at home against Texas San Antonio. Tulane faces Cal State Fullerton.

The LSU men’s basketball team will complete the regular season on Saturday when they host Mississppi State. A win for the Tigers and they’ll be seeded anywhere from 9th to 12th in next week’s SEC Tournament. If LSU is seeded 10th or higher they will avoid playing on the first day of the tournament, which is Wednesday. A loss to the Bulldogs and LSU will be seeded 12th.

ULM is seeking a first round bye in the Sun Belt Tournament and to help that cause they need to beat Arkansas State on Saturday.

UL Lafayette has already secured the top seed by winning the Sun Belt. They will try to complete an undefeated season in the Cajundome when they face Arkansas-Little Rock.

Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana will battle for the top seed in the Southland Tournament. The two teams meet at 5 PM in Hammond. The Colonels already have clinched a share of the league title, but they lost to the Lions earlier this season.

Grambling State can win a SWAC title on Saturday when they visit Alabama State. The Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak with an 84-74 win in overtime over Alabama A-and-M.

16:30 LRN Newscast March 2

A vote to pass an income tax bill to help bridge a one-billion-dollar budget fell short today getting 50 of the 53 needed yes votes. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh an outspoken critic of higher taxes rallied against the legislation. Seabaugh says Louisiana residents are already paying higher taxes, because the federal tax overhaul changed Louisiana’s withholding tables, which means the state is collecting more tax money from its citizens

Cut 15 (11) “be doing”

The legislation would have increased state revenues by an estimated 79-million dollars. Seabaugh says the measure is bad tax policy….

Cut 16  (11)  “thank you”

Authorities in Cameron Parish are trying to figure out how a severed human head ended up in a marsh alongside LA Highway 27. Sheriff Ron Johnson says road crews discovered it Thursday afternoon. He’s surprised someone didn’t spot the head sooner…

Cut 10 (10) “Cameron Parish.”

Johnson says the discovery is not believed to be connected to any missing person cases in Cameron Parish.

A new report finds the majority of Louisiana’s young people are un-fit for military service.  The Pentagon says more than 70 percent of Americans aged 17 to 24 cannot join the United States military – 26 million young Americans. The percentage in Louisiana is 75 percent. Admiral David Callahan says there are many reasons.

Cut 3 (:14) “another 3rd.”

PM Newscall March 2

A report says 75 percent of Louisiana’s young people are un-fit to serve in the military. Jim Shannon has the reaction from a retired Louisiana Marine General.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

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Authorities are investigating the finding of a severed head in Cameron Parish.   Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

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A new report finds the majority of Louisiana’s young people are un-fit for military service.  The Pentagon reports that more than 70 percent of Americans aged 17 to 24 cannot join the United States military – 26 million young Americans for various reasons. The percentage in Louisiana is 75 percent. Admiral David Callahan says there are many reasons.

Cut 3 (:14) “another 3rd.”

Callahan says the problems in Louisiana are not any different from young people around the country.

Cut 4  (09) “from qualifying.” 

With 75 percent of Louisiana kids in-eligible to serve,  the former chief of the Marine’s Paris island training facility Major General Ron Richard, from here, says it’s time for people to wake up and pay more attention to our youth.

Cut 5  (09 ) “test of time.”

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Authorities are on the lookout for a man involved in the murder of a 29-year-old man from New Iberia. Iberia Sheriff Louis Ackal says Courtland Hall was shot and killed by 26-year-old Akeam Daniels. Daniels remains on the run.  He is described as a black male, five-foot-ten, 155-pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Ackal says it was a crime of passion…

Cut 6 (11)  “month old.”

That prompted an AMBER Alert, which was later canceled. Ackal says two-month-old Amari Daniels was found late last night abandoned in the car the father was last seen driving…

Cut 7 (09)  “the child.”

Ackal thinks someone may be harboring Daniels and knows where he is hiding, but are too scared to come forward…

Cut 8 (07) “neon lights.”

Daniels is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. If anyone knows where he is, Ackal says to contact his Sheriff’s Office at 337-369-3711 or Iberia Crime Stoppers at 337-364-TIPS.

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A road crew in Cameron Parish made a grizzly discovery. A severed human head was found inside of a bag alongside Louisiana Highway 27. Sheriff Ron Johnson says it appears the head has been there quite a while, with no other evidence at the scene.  Johnson says the coroner is trying to determine the age and sex…

Cut 9 (11) “a picture.”

It’s unknown at this time when the bag and head were dumped in the area. Johnson says he’s surprised someone didn’t see it sooner, even though it was in a marshy area…

Cut 10 (10) “Cameron Parish.”

Johnson says the discovery is believed to not be connected to any missing person cases in Cameron Parish, as the last case dates back to the 1980’s.

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February’s rainfall in North Louisiana set a record going back to the 1870’s. Shreveport National Weather Service forecaster Matthew Duplantis says it’s no wonder the lakes, rivers and creeks are at or above flood stage…

Cut 11 (10) “zero inches.”

Duplantis says there’s so much water now in the area, experts are concerned the over saturated ground won’t be able to handle any more. He says the rivers won’t have enough of a break before getting into the time of year when the most rain typically falls…

Cut 12 (06) “active weather.”

Flood warnings remain in effect for the Mississippi, Ouachita and Red Rivers until further notice.

_________________________________________________________

An income tax bill described as the linchpin towards towards reaching an overall deal towards closing a looming a one-billion dollar budget shortfall failed on the House floor this afternoon. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin asked his colleagues to put aside party politics and vote for the legislation…

Cut 13 (06) “her people”

Failure of this legislation means its likely legislators will not be able to solve the fiscal cliff and  hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts will be needed in state government. That means less money for TOPS,  hospitals that depend on state money and higher education. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton…

Cut 14 (09) “back home”

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh an outspoken critic of higher taxes spoke out against the legislation. Seabaugh says Louisiana residents are already paying higher taxes, because the federal tax overhaul changed Louisiana’s witholding tables, which means the state is collecting more tax money from its citizens

Cut 15 (11) “be doing”

The legislation would have increased state revenues by an estimated 79-million dollars. Seabaugh says the measure is bad tax policy….

Cut 16  (11)  “thank you”

 

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15:30 LRN Newscast March 2

An income tax bill described as the linchpin towards reaching an overall deal towards closing a looming a one-billion dollar budget shortfall failed on the House floor this afternoon. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin asked his colleagues to put aside party politics and vote for the legislation…

Cut 13 (06) “her people”

Failure of this legislation means its likely legislators will not be able to solve the fiscal cliff and hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts will be needed in state government. That means less money for TOPS,  hospitals that depend on state money and higher education. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton…

Cut 14 (09) “back home”

The bill needed 53 yes votes to pass. It only got 50.

Authorities are investigating the finding of a severed head in Cameron Parish.   Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

A Monroe woman who pleaded guilty to attempted first degree murder of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Agent Tyler Wheeler was sentenced to a total of 120 years in prison. 32-year-old Amethyst Baird Rathore shot Wheeler during a traffic stop in Morehouse Parish last year leaving him for dead.   Rathore entered the guilty plea last October…

14:30 LRN Newscast March 2

Authorities are on the lookout for a man involved in the murder of a 29-year-old man from New Iberia. Iberia Sheriff Louis Ackal says Courtland Hall was shot and killed by 26-year-old Akeam Daniels. Daniels remains on the run.  He is a black male, five-foot-ten, 155-pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. An earlier AMBER Alert was canceled after two-month-old Amari Daniels was found late last night abandoned in the car the father was last seen driving. Sheriff Ackal…

Cut 7 (07)  “the child.”

At this hour the Louisiana House is debating tax bills that would help bridge a one-billion-dollar budget gap. House Speaker Taylor Barras promised yesterday that the entire schedule of items will be considered this afternoon, including numerous amendments. A sales tax bill that would generate 300-million dollars annually was soundly defeated on Wednesday.

A report says 75 percent of Louisiana’s young people are un-fit to serve in the military. Jim Shannon has the reaction from a retired Louisiana Marine General.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

February’s rainfall in North Louisiana set a record going back to the 1870’s. Shreveport National Weather Service forecaster Matthew Duplantis says it’s no wonder the lakes, rivers and creeks are at or above flood stage…

Cut 11 (10) “zero inches.”