18:30 LRN Newscast March 1

Frustrations are high and time is short for lawmakers trying to solve the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

House Speaker Taylor Barras says the House will reconvene at 10am tomorrow to consider tax bills. He says there is some progress, but there is still plenty of work to do and stressed that the clock is ticking. The special session is nearly through it’s second week and it must end no later than next Wednesday.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents are offering a 55-hundred-dollar reward for information about who killed two black bears last month in St. Mary Parish in the Atchafalaya Basin. Spokesman Adam Einck says the bears were about a half mile apart. There’s no evidence as to why they were killed…

Cut 5  (05)  “under investigation.”

Anyone with information can call 800-442-2511 or use the Tip 411 phone app.

A state Department of Children and Family Services report finds there has been a 77-percent increase in the amount of juvenile human trafficking victims aged 12 or less. Juveniles account for over 52-percent of the 681 identified victims in 2017.   Author of the report Walter Fahr says once a victim is identified, they ask qualified organizations to help provide services they need…

Cut 11 (09) “related issues.”

17:30 LRN Legislative Report March 1

The special session is on the verge of collapsing without a tax plan that addresses a looming one billion dollar shortfall. The House has failed to get behind a proposal to raise revenues to replace expiring sales taxes. Republican Barry Ivey of Baton Rouge says GOP legislators are not willing to work with a Democratic governor…

Cut 12 (05) “tax reform”

Legislators have been meeting today behind closed doors.  It’s unclear if they are any closer to resolving the fiscal cliff.

State Senator Troy Carter has filed a bill for the regular session that raises the age to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21. Opponents could say you can join the military under the age of 21 and carry an assault rifle, so why couldn’t you buy one? Carter argues….

Cut 15 (08) “or none.”

Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, has died. Mijalis family owned the Farmers Seafood Company which opened in 1918. Former Governor Edwin Edwards remembers Mijalis in an adversarial position when they first met. But things quickly changed.

Cut 6 (10)  “ever since”

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday and the former governor says he will attend.

A judge who halted the construction of the Bayou Bridge oil pipeline says her decision was designed to prevent further irreparable harm to wetlands.   U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick issued a temporary injunction after environmentalists, including the Louisiana Bucket Brigade expressed concerns about it’s effect on the economy and wildlife.  The line would pass through the Atchafalaya Basin between Lake Charles and St. James.

4:45 LRN Sportscast March 1

Former LSU running back Derrius Guice is at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and he told reporters his message to teams that don’t draft him is he’ll give their defense h-e-double-hockey stick. Guice also compares his running style to Marshawn Lynch, who is known as beastmode…
cut 30 (19) “…myself”
Guice also believes he can be a weapon catching passes out of the backfield.

Anthony Davis has been named the N-B-A’s Western Conference Player of the Month. A-D put up huge numbers as he averaged 35 points 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks a game. The Pels have won seven in a row and came back from 15 points down to beat San Antonio last night.

LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri is making a change with his weekend rotation. He’s moving Todd Peterson out as the Sunday starter and replacing him with freshman right-hander AJ Labas (LAY-biss), who has yet to pitch this season after undergoing back surgery in December. The Tigers will play three different teams this weekend. On Friday night it’s Toledo, Saturday Sacred Heart and then the Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday. The Lions beat LSU last night 5-4.

The Sun Belt champion Ragin Cajuns return to the Cajundome tonight to host Arkansas State. A win tonight and UL Lafayette will break the record most wins in a season. They are currently 25-4. The Cajuns have also won 16 straight home games, the second longest streak in the nation.

ULM looks to start a new winning streak when they host Little Rock. The Warhawks five-game winning streak ended last Saturday against Troy. Grambling looks to end a two-game losing streak when they visit Alabama A-and-M. And Tulane hosts 10th ranked Cincinnati.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Partisan politics are complicating state budget talks while the one billion dollar shortfall gets closer.  Chairman of the House Republican Legislative Caucus, Lance Harris, blames Governor Edwards for poor negotiating tactics….

Cut 13 (10) “what happened?”

But the governor blames the House Speaker for abandoning his own plan that was on the table.

A state Department of children and Family Services report says there was a 77-percent increase in the number of juvenile human trafficking victims. 72 of juvenile victims were 12 or younger, which is a 260-percent increase from 2016. Walter Fahr with Child Protective Services says these young victims are easily coerced back to the trafficking lifestyle…
cut 10 (09) “….the juveniles”
Fahr says they need more oganization to help get these children out of the trafficking lifestyle.

Gus Mijalis (Muh-Jail-Us), a well known businessman of Shreveport has died.  His family owned the Farmer’s seafood company that began 100 years ago.   He was beloved by former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards who says during his four terms as Louisiana’s governor he met plenty of friends. But few were like Mijalis (Muh-Jail-Us).

Cut 8 (10) “we were very close”

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday and Edwards says he will attend.

A 55 hundred dollar reward could be yours if you have information about who killed 2 black bears in St Mary parish.  L-D-W-F spokesman Adam Einck says they think the same suspects may be involved in both bear killings.

Cut 4  (09) “any information.”

Call 800-442-2511 or the dial Tip 411 app on smartphones .

15:30 LRN Newscast March 1

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement saying he was in disbelief after a sales tax bill was soundly defeated. The legislation is a critical piece towards addressing a looming one billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards says some lawmakers are unwilling to negotiate
Cut 14 (10) “move forward”
The House is set to meet again this afternoon, but time is running out as the special session must end Wednesday.

A state Department of Children and Family Services report finds there has been a 77-percent increase in the amount of juvenile human trafficking victims aged 12 or less over the past year. Author of the report Walter Fahr says part of the increase has to do with better identification methods…
Cut 9 (07) “reporting this.”
72 of the human trafficking victims identified in 2017 are 12 and younger, an astounding 260-percent increase over 2016.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents are offering a 55-hundred-dollar reward for information about who killed two black bears in St. Mary Parish in the Atchafalaya Basin. It is believed they were killed between February 2nd and 4th. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says both bears were discovered in a fairly remote area…
Cut 3 (09) “from there.”
Einck says they believe they are looking for the same suspect in both killings.

A massive manhunt has been ongoing in south Natchitoches Parish for Rapides Prison escapee Brandon Clark. Authorities say the 39-year-old white male stole a 2018 Ford F-250 and led State Police and Rapides deputies on pursuit into Natchitoches Parish, where he ditched the vehicle and fled in the woods near the Marco -Lena areas.

14:30 LRN Newscast March 1

The state House is set to convene again at 3:00. Will they be able to pass a tax proposal to help close a nearly one-billion dollar budget gap that’s the result of expiring state sales taxes. A key sales tax bill was overwhelmingly voted down last night and time is running out in this special session.

Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, has died. We have reaction from Edwards…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

A 55-hundred dollar reward has been offered for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting deaths of two adult male Louisiana black bears. It’s believed the bears were killed during the first weekend of February about 10 miles south of Franklin in St. Mary Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck….
cut 5 (05) “…under investigation”
It is illegal to hunt bears.

A new report on human trafficking showed a 77-percent increase in juvenile victimes identified over the past year, including more than three times as many victims age 12 or younger, compared to 2016. Walter Fahr with D-C-F-S Child Protective Services says the report shows more needs to be done to help juvenile human trafficking victims, get out of that lifestyle…
cut 11 (09) “…related issues”
For juveniles, Caddo and Orleans parishes were the most identified as the parishes of orgin.

PM Newscall March 1

Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, has died. Jim Shannon talked to Edwards about his longtime friend.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

______________________________________

Frustrations are high and time is short for lawmakers trying to solve the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

_________________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents are offering a 55-hundred-dollar reward for information about who killed two black bears in St. Mary Parish in the Atchafalaya Basin. It is believed they were killed between February 2nd and 4th. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says both bears were discovered in a fairly remote area…

Cut 3 (09) “from there.”

The Humane Society of the United States, the Acadiana Chapter of Safari Club International and The Safari Club International Foundation are assisting in offering the reward. After an initial investigation, Einck says they believe they are looking for the same suspects in both killings…

Cut 4  (09) “any information.” 

Einck says the Louisiana black bear is protected after nearing extinction and was considered a “threatened species” between 1992 and 2016. Einck says sadly the bears were shot and killed and there’s no evidence as to why…

Cut 5  (05)  “under investigation.”

Anyone with information can call 800-442-2511 or the Tip 411 app on smartphones.

_________________________________________________________

Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, has died. Mijalis family owned the Farmers Seafood Company which opened in 1918. Former Governor Edwin Edwards remembers Mijalis in an adversarial position when they first met. But things quickly changed.

Cut 6 (10)  “ever since”

Edwards says he never shied away from Mijalis even when Gus was in trouble.

Cut 7 (07)  “a lot of friends”

Edwards says during his four terms as Louisiana’s governor he met plenty of friends. But few like Mijalis.

Cut 8 (10) “we were very close”

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday and he says he will attend.

_________________________________________________________

A state Department of Children and Family Services report finds there has been a 77-percent increase in the amount of juvenile human trafficking victims aged 12 or less. Juveniles account for over 52-percent of the 681 identified victims in 2017.   Author of the report Walter Fahr says part of the increase has to do with better identification methods…

Cut 9 (07) “reporting this.”

The report found that 72 of human trafficking victims identified in 2017 are 12 and younger, an astounding 260-percent increase over 2016. Fahr says they are vulnerable and easily coerced back to the trafficking lifestyle…

Cut 10 (09) “the juveniles.”

Once a victim is identified, Fahr says they need more organizations to provide services that will help them get these youth away from their trafficker…

Cut 11 (09) “related issues.”

For juveniles, Caddo and Orleans Parishes were the most identified as the parishes of origin, while East Baton Rouge Parish was the most mentioned for adult victims.

_________________________________________________________

The special session is on the verge of collapsing without a tax plan that addresses a looming one billion dollar shortfall. The House has failed to get behind a proposal to raise revenues to replace expiring sales taxes. Republican Barry Ivey of Baton Rouge says GOP legislators are not willing to work with a Democratic governor…

Cut 12 (05) “tax reform”

Chairman of the House Republican Legislative Caucus, Lance Harris, blames the governor for poor negotiating tactics….

Cut 13 (10) “what happened”

A sales tax bill that would have generated 300-million dollars annually was overwhelmingly defeated. After the vote, the governor issued a statement that said he was in disbelief the speaker abandoned the plan that he put on the table and ended the day in such a chaotic fashion. Edwards says some lawmakers are unwilling to negotiate…

Cut 14 (10) “move forward”

Tax negotiations continue today. The special session must end Wednesday.

_________________________________________________________

 

13:30 LRN Newscast March 1

Frustrations are high and time is short for lawmakers trying to solve the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Chairman of the House Republican Legislative Caucus, Lance Harris, blames the governor for poor negotiating tactics….
Cut 13 (10) “what happened”
Despite all of the animosity tax negoitations continue.

A state Department of children and Family Services report says there was a 77-percent increase in the number of juvenile human trafficking victims. 72 of juvenile victims were 12 or younger, which is a 260-percent increase from 2016. Walter Fahr with Child Protective Services says these young victims are easily coerced back to the trafficking lifestyle…
cut 10 (09) “….the juveniles”
Fahr says they need more oganiziation to help get these children out of the trafficking lifestyle.

Shreveport businessman and confidante of former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards, Gus Mijalis, has passed away at the age of 83. His family owns Farmers Seafood and he was an influential person during Edwards’ four terms. The former governor says there was no one like Mijalis…
cut 8 (10) “…we were very close”
Mijalis’ memorial service is Monday.

LRN 12:30 P.M. Newscast 03/01/2018

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents are offering a 55-hundred-dollar reward for information about who killed two black bears in St. Mary Parish in the Atchafalaya Basin. It is believed they were killed between February 2nd and 4th. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says.

After an initial investigation, Einck says they believe they are looking for the same suspects in both killings…

Cut 4  (09) “any information.” 

The Humane Society of the United States, the Acadiana Chapter of Safari Club International and The Safari Club International Foundation are assisting in offering the reward.

Gus Mijalis, a Shreveport businessman and noted close friend of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, has died. Mijalis family owned the Farmers seafood company which opened in 1918. Former Governor Edwin Edwards says he never shied away from Mijalis even when Gus was in trouble.

Cut 7 (07)  “a lot of friends”

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday and he says he will attend.

A sales tax bill that would have generated 300-million dollars annually was overwhelmingly defeated. After the vote, the governor issued a statement that said he was in disbelief the speaker abandoned the plan that he put on the table and ended the day in such a chaotic fashion. Edwards says some lawmakers are unwilling to negotiate

Cut 14 (10) “move forward”

Tax negotiations continue today. The special session must end Wednesday.

A State Department of Children and Family Service report finds there has been a 77-percent increase in the amount of juvenile human trafficking victims aged 12 or less. Juveniles account for over 52-percent of the 681 identified victims in 2017.   Author of the report Walter Fahr says part of the increase has to do with better identification methods by service providers…

Cut 9 (07) “reporting this.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 1

Thirty-one-hundred fans were on hand in Hammond and saw Southeastern Louisiana beat LSU in baseball for the first time since 2008. The Lions took a five to nothing lead in the fifth inning and held on for a five to four win over the Fighting Tigers. Drew Avans hit a two-run homer for S-L-U and right-hander Carlisle Koestler struck out six in seven innings to get the win.

McNeese also had a big win last night. The Cowboys defeated 21st ranked Mississippi State six to three. Tyler Wesley went five innings and struck out five for his first win on the season. Jake Cochran and Carson Maxwell each homered.

Northwestern State defeated Louisiana Tech six to four in ten innings. Kelsey Richard drove in the winning run. The Ragin Cajuns edged Nicholls two to one as Gavin Bourgeois drove in the winning run.

The NFL Network reports Saints right tackle Zach Strief plans to retire after 12 seasons. Strief finished the 2017 season on injured reserve with an injured knee.

The Pelicans were down by as many as 15 points last night but rallied back to beat San Antonio 121-116 for their seventh straight victory. Anthony Davis had 26 points and 15 rebounds to lead the way for New Orleans. Jrue Holiday added 25 points and Rajon Rondo had 13 points and 12 assists. New Orleans is in fifth place in the Western Conference standings