LRN AM Newscall May 20

Prostate cancer is on the minds of millions of Americans in light of former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The House Appropriations Committee approves a bill that would streamline the post conviction appeals process. Sean Richardson reports Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says death penalty cases in particular are taking too long, because defense attorneys are dragging out the appeals process…

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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There was spirited debate on the Senate Floor but no vote was taken on a bill that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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New research finds that 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana are ALICE households, which means they live paycheck to paycheck but their income is high enough that they do not qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says many of these workers are the backbone of the community; they are cooks, personal care aides, fast food workers and food preparation workers.

Cut 4 (09) “…things like that.”

The 31-percent of ALICE households do not include the 15-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana that live in poverty. Chrisope says residents that live below the ALICE Threshold are having to make difficult financial survival decisions.

Cut 5 (09) “…rent that month.”

Chrisope says Louisiana has the nation’s highest financial hardship rate, with 87-percent of single-female-headed households with children struggling.

Cut 6 (12) “…verge of losing it.”

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Prostate cancer is on the minds of many Americans in light of the news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men; and as such, they need to stay on top of their prostate health.

Cut 7 (13) “…around age 45.”

Dr. Halbert says prostate cancer is a hormone-sensitive cancer.

Cut 8 (14) “…for prostate cancer.”

Halbert says with prostate cancer being sensitive to hormones, the key to treat it is to lower testosterone levels.

Cut 9 (11)  “…three years.”

Another option that prostate cancer patients have is a new advanced treatment that some locations offer called Pluvicto, which is essentially a targeted form of radiation.

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The House Appropriations Committee has approved a bill that would streamline the post conviction appeals process for incarcerated individuals. The measure is part of Attorney General Liz Murrill’s legislative package. Murrill says the legislation is designed to speed up the appeals process in capital murder cases. She says they can still file numerous appeals, but they can’t wait three to four years between appeals…

Cut 10 (12) “…in this system (2x).”

The legislation is making its way through the process at the same time that death row inmate, Larry Roy, also known as the Cheneyville slasher, is still fighting against an execution date and he’s been on death row since 1997. Murrill says this is torture for the family members of the three people Roy killed…

Cut 11 (10) “…going to fix it.”

The bill will cost the state an additional four-million dollars. The Office of the State Public Defender’s office says it needs the additional dollars, because if the post conviction appeals process was sped up, they will need more lawyers to defend the additional cases. Attorney Robert Morris represents death row inmates and expressed his concerns about the legislation…

Cut 12 (10) “…by this bill.”

The bill goes to the House floor for debate.

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After almost 25 minutes of spirited debate, the Senate did not vote on a bill that would make the position of insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. That’s something that 39 other states currently do. It was written by New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplessis, who wants to take politics out of the role.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the people.”

The notion of removing citizens’ ability to choose their insurance commissioner did not sit well with Bossier City Republican Adam Bass, and he confronted Duplessis about it.

Cut 14 (15) “…finding another solution.”

River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot spoke out against the bill, which he acknowledged was ironic because he wrote a very similar bill in 2019 when he was in the House. Talbot says making insurance commissioner an appointed position would do nothing to lower insurance premiums.

Cut 15 (14) “…not this.”

When Duplessis closed on his bill, he acknowledged that the votes to pass it likely were not there, so he returned it to the calendar.

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U-L Lafayette begins its quest for the Sun Belt baseball championship tonight against Marshall. Both teams finished the regular season 16-and-14 in conference play, with Marshall achieving a better overall record. Cajuns head coach Matt Deggs says his team will have its work cut out against the Thundering Herd.

Cut 16 (17) “…to come by.”

Deggs will counter with Tate Hess, who was 6-and-2 in the regular season with an ERA of 5.17. The Cajuns achieved an overall record of 26-and-29, good enough for the fifth seed in the double-elimination tournament. The top seed is Coastal Carolina, which finished the regular season with an overall record of 44-and-11, 26-and-4 in Sun Belt play. Coach Deggs says his team has nothing to lose.

Cut 17 (20)  “…in this thing.”

First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama, is approximately 7:30 tonight.

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Louisiana Tech will face Jacksonville State tonight in the opening round of the Conference USA Tournament. The Bulldogs are 14-and-12 in league play and finished fifth in the standings. Coach Lane Burroughs says his team has enough talent to make a run in the tourney…

Cut 18 (11)  “…do that.”

The Bulldogs lost a series to the Gamecocks earlier this month.

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LSU baseball is ranked number one in all of the polls but have they done enough to be a Top 8 National seed, which puts them in position to host a Super Regional if they win their Regional. But LSU is ranked eighth in the RPI which is a metric the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee relies on when determining seeding. LSU Pitcher Kade Anderson believes the Tigers should be a Top 8 national seed…

Cut 19 (19) “…we will be ready”

LSU plays in the SEC Tournament on Friday night. The Tigers will need to win twice to reach the SEC Tournament Championship game on Sunday. Coach Jay Johnson says they are going to Hoover, Alabama to win…

Cut 20 (18) “…not do that.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast/Legislative Report

The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. The vote was 57-to-32, with three Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Transportation Committee approves a Senate bill that is attempting to prevent speed cameras from operating outside of school zones. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says these cameras are unconstitutional and the citizens of Louisiana agree….

Cut 10 (10) “…go away”

Shreveport’s Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark testified against it, saying the city does not have the physical ability to send officers to run radar. He says speed cameras are an effective tool to get drivers to slow down.

Cut 13 (10)  “…paying attention.”

The House Appropriations Committee advanced Republican Brian Glorioso’s bill that bars those who plead guilty from claiming innocence. Attorney General Liz Murrill says this will accelerate death-row case deadlines.

Cut 23 (12) “…in this system (2x).”

Opponents warn that it strains public defenders and risks errors, given the state’s high death row reversal rate.

One Senate bill that was not voted on was one that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. Author Royce Duplessis, a Democrat from New Orleans, returned it to the calendar, but not before being confronted about it by Bossier City Republican Adam Bass.

Cut 24 (15) “…finding another solution.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Organized team activities got underway for the Saints today and it’s a chance for the four quarterbacks on the roster to make their case to be the starting Q-B. Jake Haener is entering his third season, Spencer Rattler his second and Tyler Shough and Hunter Dekkers are both rookies. Coach Kellen Moore is eager to see what these guys can do, even if it’s just seven on seven practice sessions.

Cut 17 (09)  “…about.”

Since Shough was drafted by this coaching staff, he’s considered the front-runner to win the starting job.

WAFB’s Jacques Doucet is reporting LSU softball coach Beth Torina will remain the head coach, despite the Tigers disappointing performance in the Baton Rouge Regional. Southeastern Louisiana beat LSU twice to eliminate the Tigers before they could reach the championship round.

Conference baseball tournaments are underway. In the SEC Tournament….Alabama eliminated Missouri four to one. Mizzou goes 3-and-28 against conference opponents this year.

Fifth seeded Tulane defeated fourth seeded Florida Atlantic six to three. The Green Wave have won seven straight AAC baseball championship games since 2023 and they’ll play again on Thursday.

Louisiana Tech plays tomorrow night against Jacksonville State in the Conference USA Tournament. Bulldogs freshman pitcher Brooks Roberson was named the league’s freshman of the year. Roberson has a 4.70 ERA.

Doctor Carrie Castille has been named the new president at ULM. Castille wants to see athletics flourish at the Monroe school…

Cut 19 (12) “…paramount”

4:30 PM Newscast

A 33-year-old Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, was arrested for aiding the escape of 10 inmates from the Orleans Justice Center, as announced by the Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Cut 3 (07) “…period of time.”

Williams confessed to turning off the water in a cell as instructed by an inmate, enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Murrill says he was identified after reviewing footage and interviewing employees who had directly interacted with inmates.

Two people who died in separate accidents hours apart Friday night were a couple and had a child. 25-year-old Alexis Lee died when her car traveling north went off Hwy 67 hitting a culvert and overturning around 2:00 a.m. It happened in East Baton Rouge Parish. Nearly 2 hours later 35-year-old John Collins traveling south ran off Hwy 67 striking a tree after missing a curve. Some believe Collins was traveling to check on Lee.

One of Governor Landry’s priority bills advances to the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The 2025 Louisiana Survey polled one thousand Louisiana adults and it shows that once again, the economy is the top concern.  The director of the Louisiana Survey, Doctor Michael Henderson of LSU says that’s a shift from a year ago, when crime was the top priority.

Cut 14 (11) “…back on top.”

3:30 PM Newscast

A maintenance worker at the Orleans Parish Justice Center was arrested for aiding in the escape of 10 inmates this past weekend.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A six-year-old special needs child drowned in Toledo Bend Lake Monday, and her mother has been arrested. Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell says it appears the child was left unattended and walked a short distance from her home into the lake at Lanan Bay Cove. The child’s mother, 27-year-old Bethany Stocking pulled the child from the water, called 9-1-1, and began CPR. The child was pronounced deceased at Sabine Medical Center. Stocking has been charged with on count of felony cruelty to juveniles.

The House Transportation Committee advances a Senate bill that would outlaw speed cameras that issue tickets from operating outside of school zones. Several local police departments oppose the legislation. They say cameras that issue speeding tickets help with highway safety, but Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey argues manpower improves public safety…

Cut 11 (09) “…pulling you over.”

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux testified against the bill saying speed cameras in school zones have helped to reduce speeding in front of schools and the city plans to install speed cameras outside of school zones…

Cut 12 (13) “…local level.”

This bill does not address traffic-light cameras and speed cameras would still be legal in school zones.

2:30 PM Newscast

A 33-year-old Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker, Sterling Williams is facing 10 counts of principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office. He confessed to turning off the water in a cell enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Williams says one of the inmates threatened to stab him with a makeshift knife if he didn’t turn off the water. Attorney General Liz Murrill says the investigation into the escape of the 10 inmates continues and she urges anyone involved to turn themselves in.

Cut 5 (11) “…came forward voluntarily.”

Four out of the ten inmates have been captured.

The economy is the top concern of Louisianans according to the 2025 Louisiana Survey polled Survey director, Doctor Michael Henderson of LSU, says that’s a shift from a year ago, when crime was the top priority. Henderson says homeowners’ insurance with its rising premiums is showing up as a challenging issue.

Cut 15 (09) “…just a year ago.”

 

The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. The vote came after two hours of impassioned debate. More than a dozen Black Democrats took to the house floor to denounce Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s bill some calling it an anti-Black bill. When Chenevert returned to the podium, she delivered a heartfelt plea to support her bill saying her bill does not codify discrimination.

Cut 9 (10)  “…is it doesn’t.”

The bill now moves to the Senate. Governor Landry is in support of the bill.

 

The House Transportation Committee approves a Senate bill that would outlaw speed cameras that issue tickets. The bill makes an exception to allow them in school zones. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says these cameras are unconstitutional and the citizens of Louisiana agree….

Cut 10 (10) “…go away”

The bill only addresses speed cameras and ignores red light cameras. Several local police departments oppose the legislation and say the cameras help with highway safety.

LRN PM Newscall

A maintenance worker at the Orleans Parish Justice Center was arrested for aiding in the escape of 10 inmates this past weekend.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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One of Governor Landry’s priority bills advances to the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports it’s quite divisive. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A 33-year-old Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, was arrested for aiding the escape of 10 inmates from the Orleans Justice Center, as announced by the Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Cut 3 (07) “…period of time.” 

Williams confessed to turning off the water in a cell as instructed by an inmate, enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Murrill says he was identified after reviewing footage and interviewing employees who had directly interacted with inmates.

Cut 4 (12) “…assigned to it.”

Williams faces 10 counts of principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office. Murrill says its an ongoing investigation and urges anyone involved to turn themselves in.

Cut 5 (11) “…came forward voluntarily.”

According to an arrest affidavit, Williams said one of the inmates threatened to stab him with a makeshift knife if he didn’t turn off the water.

Four out of the ten inmates have been captured.

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The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. The vote was 57-to-32, with three Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The vote came after two hours of impassioned debate. More than a dozen Black Democrats took to the house floor to denounce Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s bill, including Candace Newell of New Orleans, who called it the most racially offensive piece of legislation she’s ever had to debate.

Cut 6 (08) “…or white guilt.”

Edmond Jordan of Baton Rouge says Chenevert’s bill is an anti-Black bill.

Cut 7 (13) “…the Japanese internment?”

A pair of Republicans offered a rebuttal to the Black Democrats’ arguments. Gray Republican Beryl Amedee took exception with the concept of equity.

Cut 8 (09) “…for is equality.”

Chenevert delivered a heartfelt plea in support of her bill. She says her bill does not codify discrimination.

Cut 9 (10)  “…is it doesn’t.”

Chenevert said she filed the bill to keep the state compliant with President Trump’s executive order to retain its federal funding for state universities. The bill now moves to the Senate. Governor Landry is in support of the bill. 

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The House Transportation Committee approves a Senate bill that is attempting to prevent speed cameras that issue cameras from operating outside of school zones. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says these cameras are unconstitutional and the citizens of Louisiana agree….

Cut 10 (10) “…go away”

Several local police departments oppose the legislation. They say cameras that issue speeding tickets help with highway safety, but Cathey argues manpower improves public safety…

Cut 11 (09) “…pulling you over.”

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux testified against the bill. Arceneaux says speed cameras in school zones have helped to reduce speeding in front of schools and the city plans to install speed cameras outside of school zones…

Cut 12 (13) “…local level.”

Cathey’s bill, which has already passed Senate, would result in local officials being charged with malfeasance if speed cameras were used outside of school zones.

Shreveport’s Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark says the city does not have the physical ability to send officers to run radar. He says the speed camera has shown it’s an effective tool to get motorists to drive at the speed limit…

Cut 13 (10)  “…paying attention.”

Cathey’s bill heads to the House floor for more debate.

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The 2025 Louisiana Survey polled one thousand Louisiana adults and once again, the economy is the top concern of the state’s residents.  The director of the Louisiana Survey, Doctor Michael Henderson of LSU, says that’s a shift from a year ago, when crime was the top priority.

Cut 14 (12) “…back on top.”

Henderson says homeowners’ insurance is a challenging issue for current and potential homeowners with rising premiums.

Cut 15 (09) “…just a year ago.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

The House has advanced a bill, nearly along party lines, that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. Three Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The vote came after two hours of impassioned debate. More than a dozen Black Democrats took to the house floor to denounce Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s bill. Edmond Jordan called Chenevert’s bill an anti-Black bill.

Cut 7 (13) “…the Japanese internment?”

A pair of Republicans offered a rebuttal to the Black Democrats’ arguments. Gray Republican Beryl Amedee took exception with the concept of equity.

Cut 8 (09) “…for is equality.”

The bill now moves to the Senate.

The manhunt continues for six of the ten inmates who escaped the Orleans Parish Jail last Friday – and now we’re getting word that a maintenance worker has been arrested for allegedly aiding in the escape. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Tragedy in Sabine Parish as a six-year-old special needs girl drowns in Toledo Bend Lake. The sheriff’s office says the girl was left unattended inside her house and walked a very short distance to the lake. The girl’s mother, 27-year-old Bethany Stocking, is charged with felony cruelty to juveniles for allegedly leaving her daughter unattended.

12:30 LRN Newscast

A maintenance worker at the Orleans Parish jail has been arrested for his role in last Friday’s jail break that resulted in ten inmates escaping, six of them are still on the run. Attorney General Liz Murrill says 33-year-old Sterling Williams confessed to turning off the water in a cell as instructed by an inmate, enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Murrill says he was identified after reviewing footage and interviewing other employees.

Cut 4 (12) “…assigned to it.”

According to an arrest affidavit, Williams said one of the inmates threatened to stab him with a makeshift knife if he didn’t turn off the water.

The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. State Representative Candace Newell of New Orleans, who called it the most racially offensive piece of legislation she’s ever had to debate.

Cut 6 (08) “…or white guilt.”

Chenvert says her legislation is not intended to divide the state.

Shreveport officials and several local police departments oppose a bill that would result in malfeasance in office charges against an elected official that allows speed cameras to operate outside of school zones. Shreveport’s Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark says the traffic issuing cameras have reduced the number of motorists who speed through a school zone…..

Cut 13 (10) “….paying attention”

Shreveport is looking at installing speed cameras in areas outside of the city that are not in the speed zone. But the bill, which has Senate approval and has now received approval from the House Transportation Committee.

The 2025 Louisiana Survey polled one thousand Louisiana adults and it shows that once again, the economy is the top concern.  The director of the Louisiana Survey, Doctor Michael Henderson of LSU says that’s a shift from a year ago, when crime was the top priority.

Cut 14 (11) “…back on top.”

Henderson says homeowners’ insurance is a challenging issue for current and potential homeowners with rising premiums.

11:30 LRN Newscast

A 33-year-old Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, was arrested for aiding the escape of 10 inmates from the Orleans Justice Center, as announced by the Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Cut 3 (07) “…period of time.”

Williams confessed to turning off the water in a cell as instructed by an inmate, enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Murrill says he was identified after reviewing footage and interviewing employees who had directly interacted with inmates.

 

Former President Joe Biden’s office says the 82-year-old is reviewing treatment options after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology Doctor Kevin Hebert says according to the statement the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management…

Cut 6 (07) “…from prostate cancer”

 

An effort to get local governments from using speed cameras that issue traffic tickets outside of school zones has been approved by the House Transportation Committee. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill, which has already passed Senate, would result in local officials being charged with malfeasance if speed cameras were used outside of school zones.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux testified against the bill. Arceneaux says speed cameras in school zones have helped to reduce speeding in front of schools and the city plans to use speed cameras outside of school zones…

Cut 12 (13) “…local level.”

Local police departments say cameras that issue speeding tickets can improve highway safety, but Cathey argues manpower improves public safety…

Cut 11 (09) “…pulling you over.”