18:30 Newscast March 17

State health officials say the mumps outbreak in Louisiana will get worse before it gets better. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health says after someone is exposed to mumps, it can take two to three weeks for them to show symptoms.

Cut 3 (09) “lag time”

LDH has confirmed at least 12 cases of mumps so far.

As federal lawmakers work to repeal and replace the affordable care act, US Senator John Kennedy says he’ll vote for anything that’s better than Obamacare, even if it’s not perfect. He says one change he’d like to see in the House bill is more healthcare assistance for those that need it.

Cut 7 (08) “the help”

Kennedy says he also wants more flexibility for states to run Medicaid.

There have been three arrests made after a noose was found hanging at Westminster Christian Academy. Major Eddie Thibodeaux with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says two juveniles and one 18-year-old, Judah Barber of Opelousas, have been arrested on one count.

Cut 12 (06) “to intimidate”

The incident began after three black boys and three white boys were arguing on the baseball field. All three of those arrested are students.

A Rapides Parish man will spend 21 months behind bars after authorities say he stole more than $100-thousand in Veterans Affairs benefits. 51-year-old Tracy Marler of Ball withdrew more than $100-thousand from a deceased woman’s account between 2008 and 2014. He was sentenced for one count of theft of government property. The judge also sentenced Marler to two years supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution.

17:30 Newscast March 17

An arrest has been made in the case of a quadruple homicide in Metairie. Authorities say 20-year-old Armande Tarte is booked on four counts of first degree murder, and one count of attempted murder. Police say three victims were fatally shot, one was fatally stabbed in the head, and another survived a gunshot to the head. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand says this is a cold blooded killing for the sake of money and drugs.

The State Department of Health predicts the mumps outbreak in Louisiana will get worse. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

US Senator John Kennedy says there are problems with the House Republican’s plan to overhaul the nation’s health care law, but he’s confident it will be improved as it moves through the legislative process. Kennedy likes that the House bill is not as generous with tax credits as Obamacare, but it’s not ungenerous either.

Cut 6 (10) “buy insurance”

One change he would like to see in the bill is giving states more flexibility to operate Medicaid.

A Washington Parish man is behind bars after police say he shot and killed fie puppies that were abandoned on the side of the road. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says during the interrogation, 25-year-old Shawn Jones denied killing the puppies, until detectives learned he obtained a .22 caliber rifle just before the shooting.

Cut 11 (08) “the puppies”

Jones is booked on 5 counts of cruelty to animals.

16:45 LRN Sportscast March 17th

SEC play begins tonight for the LSU Baseball team as they host the Georgia Bulldogs. The Tigers are still searching for a regular designated hitter. Coach Paul Mainieri says he continues to wait for someone to step up and take that role on a permanent basis…
cut 18 (19) “….step up”
LSU will also be without closer Hunter Newman. He’s out indefinitely with a bad back.

Sun Belt play also begins tonight. The Cajuns host Appalachian State. Gunner Leger starts for UL Lafayette, he nearly threw a no-hitter last time out. ULM is at Arkansas State.

Louisiana Tech hosts Southern Miss to begin Conference USA play.

The big upset in the NCAA tournament took place in the east region as 11th seeded USC knocked off sixth seeded SMU 66-65. The Mustangs missed a shot at the buzzer to advance.

The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters makes their first postseason appearance since 2011 when they visit SMU for a matchup in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. Tech has never lost to SMU in women’s basketball.

Grambling pulled off a big upset in the WNIT last night. The Tigers defeated Ole Miss 78-75. Jazmine Torian had 23 points to lead Grambling, who is 19-14 on the year.

The Pelicans are home to take on Houston. The Rockets have won seven of the last eight meetings played between the two teams in the Big Easy.

In the NFL, Saints Head coach Sean Payton says he was impressed with restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler. Butler was at the team’s headquarters yesterday. Still no word on a possible deal with New England to send Butler to the Black and Gold.

16:30 LRN Newscast March 17th

As federal lawmakers devise a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, US Senator John Kennedy says he will vote for any plan that’s better than Obamacare. …
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The state has restarted the process of selecting a contractor who will manage the distribution of one-point-six billion dollars in federal flood relief dollars for homeowners. U.S. Representative Garret Graves says this will lead to further delays, but the governor’s office says they plan to hire a program manager next month.

There are 12 confirmed cases of the mumps and it will likely keep rising, according to Dr. Frank Welch with the state Department of Health. He says the viral infection has a long incubation period which is why it’s important to know how to prevent the spread of mumps this St. Patrick’s Day weekend…:
cUT 5 (11) “through saliva”
He says know the symptoms, such as headache, fever, fatigue, and jaw swelling just below your ear.

A Washington Parish man is behind bars after police say he shot and killed five abandoned puppies in February. Chief Deputy Mike Haley with the Sheriff’s Office says a concerned citizen contacted the Humane Society after seeing the abandoned puppies on the side of the road:
Cut 9 (10) “they were dead”
25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie faces animal cruelty charges.

15:30 LRN Newscast March 17th

The major criticism with the House Republicans plan to overhaul the nation’s health care system is that fewer people will be insured as they are now under the Affordable Care Act. But Senator John Kennedy says that’s because the GOP’s plan repeals the individual and employer mandates. He says residents will decide whether they want insurance or not…
cut 8 (08) “….American way”

The State Department of Health predicts the mumps outbreak in Louisiana will get worse. Medical director of the state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch says the viral infection has a long incubation period so it could be a few weeks before cases are report. He says it’s a good idea to know the symptoms…:
cut 4 (08) “both sides”
So far, LDH has confirmed 12 cases.

A man in Washington Parish is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly shooting and killing 5 puppies. Deputy Mike Haley with the Sheriff’s Office 25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie initially denied being involved in the February incident, but then the truth came out…:
CUT 10 (09) “at the location”
Jones is booked on five counts of cruelty to animals, and he’s being held in the Washington Parish Jail on a $15,000 bond.

The St. Landry Sheriff’s office announces three teenagers have been arrested for the hanging of a noose on the campus of Westminster Christian Academy. Major Eddie Thibodaux says one of the juveniled involved performed well in school, but made a very bad decision…
cut 14 (10) “….his life”
The school says all three students are no longer enrolled at Westminster.

LRN PM Newscall March 17th

The State Department of Health predicts the mumps outbreak in Louisiana will get worse. Michellle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

As federal lawmakers devise a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, US Senator John Kennedy says he will vote for any plan that’s better than Obamacare. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health confirms 12 mumps cases, and a state health official predicts this developing outbreak will only get worse before it gets better. Medical director of the state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch says mumps has a long incubation period, which means it can be two to three weeks after someone is exposed before they show symptoms.

Cut 3 (09) “lag time”

The first cluster of cases has been identified on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. The university is taking extra precautions to prevent the spread among students and faculty. Welch says you can protect yourself by receiving two doses of the mumps vaccine and know the symptoms of mumps.

cut 4  (08) “both sides”

Welch says if you see anyone exhibiting those symptoms, tell them to self-isolate and avoid other people. He says following these precautions will slow the mumps outbreak. He says with this being St. Patrick’s Day weekend, there’s a concern the disease will spread.

Cut 5  (11)  “through saliva”

_________________________________________________________

US Senator John Kennedy says there are problems with the House Republican’s plan to overhaul the nation’s health care law, but he’s confident it will be improved as it moves through the legislative process. Kennedy likes that the House bill is not as generous with tax credits as Obamacare, but it’s not ungenerous either.

Cut 6 (10) “to buy insurance”

Giving states more flexibility with how they operate Medicaid is one of the changes Kennedy would like to see with the GOP health care plan. He also wants to see more healthcare assistance for those that need it.

CUT 7 (08)  “the help”

Opponents of the proposal say more people will become uninsured. But Kennedy says that’s because their plan repeals the individual and employer mandates. He says at least some people will decide not to purchase insurance and give up their coverage.

Cut 8 (08) “the American way”

_________________________________________________________

A Washington Parish man is behind bars after police say he shot and killed five abandoned puppies in February. Chief Deputy Mike Haley with the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office says a concerned citizen contacted the Humane Society after seeing the abandoned puppies on the side of the road.

Cut 9 (10)  “they were dead”

Haley says they launched an investigation, and a tip led them to 25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie. He says initially, Jones denied knowing anything about the puppies, but as the questioning continued, the truth eventually came out.

Cut 10 (09) “at the location”

Haley says Jones still denied shooting the puppies, until detectives learned he had obtained a .22 caliber rifle just before the shooting. He says the suspect did not have the weapon with him when he dropped off the puppies, but…

cut 11 (08) “the puppies”

Jones is booked on five counts of cruelty to animals, and he’s being held in the Washington Parish Jail on a $15,000 bond.

_________________________________________________________

There have been three arrests made in the case of a noose that was found hanging at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Landry Parish. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Major Eddie Thibodeaux says detectives began investigating the incident on March 7th. He says two juveniles and one 18-year-old, Judah Barber of Opelousas have been charged with…

cut 12 (06) “to intimidate”

The incident began after three black boys and three white boys were arguing on the baseball field. Thibodeaux says even though hanging the noose was meant as a joke, it is humiliating and hateful.

Cut 13 (06) “lives”

Thibodeaux says one of the juveniles involved performed well in school but made a very bad decision when participating in hanging the noose.

cut 14 (10) “his life”

_______________________________________________

14:30 Newscast March 17

The State Department of Health predicts the mumps outbreak in Louisiana is going to keep growing for now. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Shreveport Police are reportedly investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex. Authorities say a man was at his home putting his kids to bed when he was shot through a window around 3 a.m. The victim reportedly died from his injuries at the scene. There’s no word yet on a suspect or motive, and the investigation is ongoing.

Three arrests have been made after a noose was hung at the baseball field of Westminster Christian Academy following an argument between three black boys and three white boys. Maj. Eddie Thibodaux with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says even though it was meant as a joke, it’s humiliating and hateful.

Cut 13 (06) “lives”

Two juveniles and one 18-year-old are charged with public display of a noose with intent to intimidate.

A Washington Parish man is behind bars in the case of five abandoned puppies that were found shot to death on the side of the road. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says their investigation led them to 25-year-old Shawn Jones. He says Jones denied killing the puppies, until detectives learned he obtained a .22 caliber rifle just before the shooting.

Cut 11 (08) “the puppies”

Jones is booked on 5 counts of cruelty to animals.

13:30 Newscast, March 17th, 2017

US Senator John Kennedy isn’t entirely sold on the House GOP plan to overhaul the nation’s health care law. But he says improvements can easily be made like including more healthcare assistance for those that need it:
CUT 7 (08) “the help”
Giving states more flexibility with how they operate Medicaid is another of the changes Kennedy would like to see with the House bill.

There have been three arrests made in the case of a noose that was found hanging at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Landry Parish. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Major Eddie Thibodeaux says two juveniles and one 18-year-old, Judah Barber of Opelousas, have been charged with…:
cut 12 (06) “to intimidate”
He says Barber was booked and later bonded out, and the two juveniles were booked and released in the custody of their parents.
The number of confirmed mumps cases in Louisiana is likely going to keep rising before it goes down, according to Dr. Frank Welch with the state Department of Health. He says the viral infection has a long incubation period which is why it’s important to know how to prevent the spread of mumps this St. Patrick’s Day weekend…:
cUT 5 (11) “through saliva”
He says it’s a good idea to know the symptoms such as headache, fever, fatigue, and jaw swelling just below your ear.

LSU says they have identified a person of interest in the case of an alleged rape and abduction near a sorority house on campus. The initial incident was reported on Wednesday. Few other details are being released at this time. LSU says they’ve also identified property of interest, but that this is still an active and developing investigation.

 

12:30 Newscast, March 17th, 2017

The State Department of Health predicts the mumps outbreak in Louisiana is going to keep growing for now. Medical director of the state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch says the viral infection has a long incubation period so it could be a few weeks before we know how bad it will get here. He says it’s a good idea to know the symptoms…:
cut 4 (08) “both sides”
He says mumps is spread through saliva so limit kissing time and don’t share drinks when you’re celebrating St. Patty’s this weekend.

US Senator John Kennedy says there are problems with the House Republican’s plan to overhaul the nation’s health care law, but he’s confident it will be improved as it moves through the legislative process. Kennedy likes that the GOP plan is not as generous with tax credits as Obamacare, but it’s not ungenerous either…:
Cut 6 (10) “to buy insurance”
Opponents of the proposal say more people will become uninsured.

A man in Washington Parish is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly shooting and killing 5 puppies. Deputy Mike Haley with the Sheriff’s Office 25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie initially denied being involved in the February incident, but then the truth came out…:
CUT 10 (09) “at the location”
Jones is booked on five counts of cruelty to animals, and he’s being held in the Washington Parish Jail on a $15,000 bond.

The effort to recall Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni is over; and was not successful. Organizers say they came up more than 40,000 signatures short and they needed more than 90,000 from Jefferson Parish voters. The recall petition began in October, when reports surfaced that Yenni had sent inappropriate text messages of a sexual nature to a 17-year-old boy.

 

11:30 Newscast, March 17th, 2017

Opening arguments are slated to begin on Monday in the case of the Marksville City Marshall accused of killing a 6-year-old boy. The judge ruled today that there will not be a change of venue in Derrick Stafford’s murder trial.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirms at least 12 mumps cases, and indicates that number is likely growing. Medical director of the state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch says the viral infection has a long incubation period…:
Cut 3 (09) “lag time”
He says the infection spreads through saliva so preventative measures include not sharing drinks and cleaning surfaces that are often touched.

The reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible in the fatal shooting of 3 people in a New Orleans neighborhood, including two children, is now $10,000. Anyone with information in the case can call Crimestoppers.

A Washington Parish man is behind bars after police say he shot and killed five abandoned puppies in February. Chief Deputy Mike Haley with the Sheriff’s Office says a concerned citizen contacted the Humane Society after seeing the abandoned puppies on the side of the road:
Cut 9 (10) “they were dead”
25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie is booked on five counts of cruelty to animals.

After years of problems, Greater Ouachita Water Company is looking for a buyer. Ouachita Parish Police Jury President Scotty Robinson says they’re looking for a company that’s good for the citizens and good for the parish…:
Cut 25 (12) “Ouachita Parish”
Robinson says residents have been receptive to the idea of selling GOWC to another company.