17:30 LRN newscast March 20th

State Police has identified the suspect accused in the shooting death of Sgt. Shawn Anderson with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office. Trooper Bryan Lee says 30-year-old Brandon Wiley is still in critical condition as he was also injured. Lee says Anderson was conducting a rape investigation with another deputy at a hair salon.:
Cut 9 (09) “shots were fired”
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of the 43-year-old sergeant, who is the second EBR deputy to be killed in the line of duty in the last year. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks…
cut 7 (09) “…for everyone”
Sergeant Anderson is a father of two and served as an EBR deputy for 18 years.

A north Louisiana lawmaker believes he has the solution to preventing midyear budget cuts. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin says the Revenue Estimating Conference consistently overestimates how much money the state will bring in, which leads to midyear cuts every year…:
Cut 14 (10) “the reduction”
Fannin plans to propose a bill in the upcoming fiscal session that says the state can only spend 98-percent of what the R-E-C estimates in state revenues.

Today is the first day of Spring and it’s certainly in the air. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the long range forecast calls for above average temperatures and rainfall over the next three months, and the rainy spring weather has already started…:
Cut 4 (06) “to continue”
He says we should be done with freezes until next fall.

16:45 LRN Sportscast March 20th

The LSU Tigers completed a three-game sweep of Georgia with a seven to six win over the Bulldogs yesterday . Gred Deichmann drove in a pair of runs, Eric Walker was the winning pitcher and Caleb Gilbert earned his second save. The Tigers also got two good innings of relief from Matthew Beck. Coach Paul Mainieri likes what he saw from the Alexandria native…
cut 20 (17) “….we can count on”
Sophomore left fielder Antoine Duplantis was named SEC Player of the Week. The Lafayette native drove in 14 runs last week.

McNeese third baseman Matt Gallier is the Southland Hitter of the Week. The Lake Charles native hit three home runs in four games. Southeastern’s Corey Gaconi was the Southland pitcher of the week. The junior from New Orleans tossed a complete game in a victory over Lamar on Saturday.

The NFL’s competition committee will reportedly recommend using full-time refs for the 2017 season. The league will first work on making referees full-time, instead of working other jobs during the week.

ESPN’s Mike Triplett reports a Saints-Patriots trade for cornerback Malcolm Bulter is still in play, but the process of making what would be a complicated could still go either way, acccording to sources. Butler and the Saints have to first work out a long-term contract.

There’s also a report the Saints are close to signing former Notre Dame and San Diego Charger linebacker Manti Te’o, who has had trouble staying healthy during his NFL career.

LSU Football coach Ed Orgeron announces fifth year senior Christian LaCourture will wear number 18 for the Tigers.

KNOE in Monroe reports Sterlington High Football Coach Jason Thompson is stepping down as head coach of the Panthers to take an administrative role at the school. Thompson led the Panthers to the 2A state championship this past season.

16:30 LRN Newscast March 20th

State Police announced today that the suspected shooter in the death of East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy Shawn Anderson is 30-year-old Brandon Wiley of Baton Rouge. The shooting took place Saturday night at a barber shop and deputies went there to talk with Wiley, because he is a suspect in the rape of a 15-year-old girl. A struggle ensued between Wiley and Anderson. Both men were shot, Wiley remains in critical condition, while Anderson was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Hicks says Sergeant Anderson was a true public servant who did whatever needed to be done…
cut 6 (10) “…of the road”
Sergeant Anderson had been with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office for nearly 18 years and had received numerous awards. He leaves behind two children.

The latest U.S. Census report on income finds 44-percent of children under the age of 5 in New Orleans, are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says we’ve seen statistics like this for a while…:
Cut 11 (09) “a trend”
He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty.

Today is the first day of spring and the climate prediction center is calling for above-normal temperatures over the next three months and above-average rainfall. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re probably done with the cold weather…
cut 5 (08) “…has to offer”

And LSU along with the state office of public health will provide all students and faculty with free mumps vaccinations on Wenesday and Thursday. About a dozen LSU students have been diagnosed with the mumps.

15:30 LRN Newscast March 20th

Midyear budget cuts have become the norm in Louisiana, which is why state senator Jim Fannin plans to file a bill that calls on the state only spending 98-percent of the revenue that’s been forecasted by the Revenue Estimating Conference. Fannin believes this strategy can reduce the need for midyear cuts…
cut 15 (08) “…with excess”
Governor Edwards has signaled his support for this legislation.

The latest U.S. Census report on income finds 44-percent of children under the age of five in New Orleans are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the median income for a household in Orleans Parish is very low, in the upper 30-thousands. He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty….
cut 13 (10) “…good jobs”

The man accused in the shooting death of an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy was wanted questioning in the rape of a teen….
voicer 1 (28) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

Meanwhile, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office is dealing once again with a deputy who was killed in the line of duty. The second time it’s happened in the last eight months. EBR sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Hicks…
cut 8 (10) “….get throw this”
Sergeant Anderson was with the department for nearly 20 years.

LRN PM Newscall March 20th

The man accused in the shooting death of an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy was wanted for questioning in the rape of a teen. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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As of 5:29 this morning, spring has officially sprung in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has more on the spring forecast…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Spring is officially in the air, as the season kicked off at 5:29 this morning with the onset of the vernal equinox. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the Climate Prediction Center forecasts a hot and wet spring for Louisiana. He says that’s because of neutral conditions in the Pacific Ocean.

Cut 3 (10) “three months”

Keim says this means the chances of another freeze in the Bayou State are very low, and we can expect an early start to the growing season. He says we’ve been in warm conditions throughout the winter, and the wet spring weather has already started.

Cut 4  (06) “to continue”

Keim says it’s not unprecedented for Louisiana to see a cold front in April or even May. But he says it likely won’t bring the same freezing temperatures we saw last month. He doesn’t expect the cold fronts to get that cold.

Cut 5  (08)  “has to offer”

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Authorities say the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy killed in the line of duty was the epitome of public service. Police say 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson was fatally shot Saturday night after he encountered a rape suspect at a barber shop. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks says Sgt. Anderson exemplified everything a law enforcement officer should be. She says he was a true public servant who did whatever needed to be done.

Cut 6 (10) “of the road”

Hicks says the loss of Sgt. Anderson is devastating, only 8 months after Deputy Brad Garafola was killed and Deputy Nick Tullier was injured in an ambush last July. She says before that, it’d been 30 years since an East Baton Rouge deputy was killed in the line of duty in such a manner.

Cut 7 (09)  “for everyone”

Hicks says the outpouring of support from the public and law enforcement has been incredible. She says making sure the family of Sgt. Anderson has what they need is their top priority right now. She says Sheriff Sid Gautreaux was at the hospital with the family throughout the night.

Cut 8 (10) “get through this”

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State Police has identified the suspect accused in the shooting death of Sgt. Shawn Anderson with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office. Trooper Bryan Lee says 30-year-old Brandon Wiley is still in critical condition as he was also injured in the incident. Lee says Anderson was conducting a rape investigation with another deputy at a hair salon.:

Cut 9 (09)  “shots were fired”

According to authorities, Wiley was wanted for questioning in regards to the rape allegations made by a 15-year-old girl. He was remotely booked by EBRSO on the initial charges: first-degree rape, resisting an officer and with tattooing and body piercing of minors. Lee says Wiley has not been arrested yet in connection with the murder of Anderson…:

Cut 10 (09) “from there”

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The latest U.S. Censes report on income finds 44-percet of children under the age of 5 in New Orleans, are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that’s a very concerning number. He says we’ve seen statistics like this for a while.

Cut 11 (09) “a trend”

Rigamer says living in extreme poverty makes it difficult for these children to get ahead in life. He says this is a daunting problem everyone tries to address but more can be done.

Cut 12 (08) “educational facilities”

Rigamer says the median income for a household in Orleans Parish is very low, in the upper 30-thousands. He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty.

Cut 13 (10) “good jobs”

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A north Louisiana lawmaker believes he has the solution to Louisiana’s ongoing midyear budget cuts. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin says the Revenue Estimating Conference consistently overestimates how much money the state will bring in, which leads to midyear cuts every year.

Cut 14 (10) “the reduction”

Fannin says he plans to propose a bill in the upcoming fiscal session to limit the amount of money the state budgets each year. He says the plan would limit lawmakers to using only 98-percent of the revenue forecast by the REC. He says that way if they come up short, midyear cuts wouldn’t be necessary.

Cut 15 (08) “with excess”

Fannin says if the state reaches the estimate three years in a row, they could go back to budgeting 100-percent of the funds. He says he proposed a similar idea under former-Governor Bobby Jindal, but it didn’t gain much traction. He says Governor John Bel Edwards supports the plan. But he doesn’t expect everyone in the legislature to back the bill.

Cut 16  (10)  “discussion about it”

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14:30 Newscast March 20

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday night. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks says this is a devastating loss only 8 months after Deputy Brad Garafola was killed in an ambush on police.

Cut 7 (09) “for everyone”

Hicks says before last July, it had been 30 years since an East Baton Rouge deputy was killed in such a manner.

The murder trial of Derrick Stafford is underway in Avoyelles Parish, as the prosecution called their first witness today. Prosecutors are trying to portray Stafford as having a violent history before he allegedly shot a 6-year-old boy after a car chase in 2015. Aleathia Barbin testified the former Marksville police officer shocked her with a stun gun while she was handcuffed in the back of a patrol vehicle in 2011. The witness says the officer then spoke casually with her as he drove her to a hospital.

A bill to be taken up in the upcoming regular session seeks to end the cycle of midyear budget cuts by limiting the amount of money lawmakers could spend each year. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin’s proposal would limit the legislature to spending only 98-percent of the revenue forecast for that year, and he expects to encounter some opposition.

Cut 16 (10) “discussion about it”

Fannin says Governor John Bel Edwards supports the plan.

According to census data, 44-percent of children under 5 in New Orleans live in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says living in extreme poverty makes it hard for these children to get ahead in life, and more can be done to address this daunting problem.

Cut 12 (05) “educational facilities”

Rigamer says improving education could help end childhood poverty.

13:30 Newscast, March 20th, 2017

State Police say the injured suspect involved in the shooting that claimed the life of an East Baton Rouge deputy is identified as 30-year-old Brandon Wiley. Authorities say 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson was killed in the line of duty while questioning Wiley about an alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl. Trooper Bryan Lee says Wiley has not been arrested yet in connection with the murder of Anderson…:
Cut 10 (09) “from there”
Wiley, who is in critical condition, was remotely booked by EBRSO on the initial charges: first-degree rape, resisting an officer and with tattooing of minors.

The lawyer for the man on trial for allegedly shooting and killing a 6-year-old boy during a traffic stop says the child’s father is the one to blame. Prosecutors argue former Marksville City Marshal Derrick Stafford and another deputy opened fire on the victim’s vehicle as he clearly had his hands in the air. But Stafford’s attorney said if Christopher Few had stopped the vehicle to begin with, his child would still be alive.

The latest U.S. Census report on income finds 44-percent of children under the age of 5 in New Orleans, are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says we’ve seen statistics like this for a while…:
Cut 11 (09) “a trend”
He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty.

Today is the official first day of Spring and it’s certainly in the air. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it looks to be a hot and wet few months. He says we’ve been in warm conditions throughout the winter, and the rainy spring weather has already started…:
Cut 4 (06) “to continue”
He says another freeze in Louisiana isn’t likely, but residents can expect an early start to the growing season.

 

12:30 Newscast, March 20th, 2017

Authorities say the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy killed in the line of duty was the epitome of public service. Police say 43-year-old Sgt. Shawn Anderson was fatally shot Saturday night after he encountered a rape suspect at a barber shop. EBRSO spokesperson Casey Hicks says Sheriff Sid Gautreaux was at the hospital with the family throughout the night…:
Cut 8 (10) “get through this”
30-year-old Brandon Wiley is identified as the suspect and cops say he remains in critical condition. Wiley was wanted for questioning in a reported rape by a 15-year-old girl. EBRSO has remotely charged Wiley in that incident but State Police have not officially charged the man in the murder of Anderson.

Opening arguments have concluded in Marksville in the Derrick Stafford trial. The former deputy marshal faces murder and attempted murder charges after he and another officer allegedly shot at a vehicle killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring his father.

As of 5:29 this morning, spring has officially sprung in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has more on the spring forecast…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A north Louisiana lawmaker believes he has the solution to Louisiana’s ongoing midyear budget cuts. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin says the Revenue Estimating Conference consistently overestimates how much money the state will bring in, which leads to midyear cuts every year…:
Cut 14 (10) “the reduction”
Fannin says he plans to propose a bill in the upcoming fiscal session to limit the amount of money the state budgets each year.

 

11:30 Newscast, March 20th, 2017

State Police has identified the suspect accused in the shooting death of Sgt. Shawn Anderson with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office. Trooper Bryan Lee says 30-year-old Brandon Wiley is still in critical condition as he was also injured in the incident. Lee says Anderson was conducting a rape investigation with another deputy at a hair salon.:
Cut 9 (09) “shots were fired”
Casey Hicks with the sheriff’s office says Anderson was a true public servant who did whatever needed to be done…:
Cut 6 (10) “of the road”
LSP says Wiley is in critical condition and has not yet been officially charged in the death of Anderson.

A bond of $475,000 has been set for the man accused of sexually abducting an LSU student. 20-year-old Frank Herrera Jr. is booked on numerous charges including kidnapping and 2nd degree rape.

Spring is officially here and forecasters indicate we’ve got a hot wet season ahead. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because of neutral conditions in the Pacific Ocean…:
Cut 3 (10) “three months”
He says we can expect an early start to the growing season.

Governor John Bel Edwards is looking to talk tax reform in the upcoming session, and according to Representative Alan Seabaugh, the plan includes eliminating many business tax exemptions. But the Shreveport lawmaker says this would hurt economic development efforts…:
Cut 17 (08) “for everybody”
Others say Louisiana’s tax structure is a mess and something needs to change.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 20th

In the D-1 baseball rankings, LSU has moved up two spots to number five after sweeping Georgia. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says anytime you can sweep a team in the SEC, you have to be happy…
cut 19 (19) “…scoring”
LSU scored 34 runs during the three game series. This week, LSU hosts Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday and visits Florida this weekend. The Gators dropped to 11th in the D-1 poll as they were swept by Auburn.

Speaking of getting swept, Louisiana Tech had a tough series against Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles took all three games, winning yesterday’s series finale by the final score of eight to five.

McNeese is now 6-0 in the Southland after the Cowboys swept Stephen F Austin. Yesterday, the Cowboys won 11-1 as Ricky Ramirez drove in four runs. Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana are 5-1 in league play. The Colonels edged Houston Baptist three to two yesterday, while the Lions lost to Lamar 13-5.

In the Sun Belt, the Cajuns took two of three from Appalachian State, while ULM lost its series over Arkansas State.

Tiger Rag dot com reports Will Wade and LSU are in discussions as the Tigers search for a new men’s basketball coach. Wade is 34-years-old, a native of Nahsville. He’s led VCU to the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons and was 40-25 at Chattanooga.

In football…The Saints are reportedly talking with Chase Daniel about returning to the Black and Gold. Daniel spent his first four seasons in the NFL in New Orleans, before leaving for Kansas City in 2013. He was recently released by the Eagles.