14:30 LRN Newscast November 16th

A 23-year-old Baton Rouge mother has been arrested after her one-year-old daughter was accidentally shot in the face by her two-year-old son. B-R-P-D Corporal L’ Jean McKneely says Crystal Kinchen was charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile for leaving the children alone in the car. He says the infant is still hospitalized…
cut 5 (07) “….the best”
McKneely says the car was parked at a strip mall at the time of the shooting and the children were alone in the vehicle.

UNO and Northwestern State say they will cover the TOPS shortfall for students at their universities that have been told they’ll have to pay for 60-percent of their tuition next semester. Incoming UL System president Jim Henderson says many universities are doing what they can can to help TOPS students…
cut 8 (06) “…of students”
The critically injured East Baton Rouge Parish deputy shot in a July ambush has been moved to a state-of-the-art rehab hospital in Texas. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

There’s been a lot of reaction on social media to the name change of New Orleans Triple-A baseball team. The New Orleans Zephyrs are now the New Orleans Baby Cakes and the team’s general manager Cookie Rojas is happy the new nickname has drawn a ton of interest….
cut 14 (08) “…been fantastic”

LRN PM Newscall November 16th

The University of New Orleans and Northwestern State plan to cover the TOPS shortfall for recipients next semester. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The critically injured East Baton Rouge Parish deputy shot in a July ambush has been moved to a state-of-the-art rehab hospital in Texas. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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An infant is in critical condition and a mother is facing charges following an accidental shooting in a vehicle. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says 23-year-old Crystal Kinchen of Baton Rouge left two small children unattended in a parked car with a handgun.

Cut 3 (12) “the face”

McKneely says Kinchen called 911, as she drove the child to the hospital. He says detectives arrived at the hospital shortly after.

cut 4  (07) “investigaton”

McKneely says the mother has been charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile for leaving the children alone in the car. He says the infant is being treated for the gunshot wound.

Cut 5  (07)  “the best”

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The University of New Orleans and Northwestern State say they will use other financial resources to cover the 60-percent of tuition TOPS students will be required to pay for next semester. NSU President Jim Henderson says the scholarship program promised to pay 100% of a recipients’ tuition and they intend to keep the promise for their students.

Cut 6 (08) “that option”

Henderson, who will become the U-L System President in January, says about 21-hundred students at NSU are on TOPS, which gives them more flexibility for payment options. He says they’ve identified some resources from donors to cover the tuition cost but they’re still looking for a statewide solution.

CUT 7 (10)  “is sacrosanct”

Henderson says for TOPS students to drop out of school or incur additional debt is not an option they will consider. He says many universities are doing what they can to lessen the damage on students.

Cut 8 (06) “of students”

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An Orleans Parish criminal court judge rules that the jury in the Cardell Hayes murder trial will be sequestered. Hayes is accused of killing former-Saints player Will Smith after a car accident on April 9th. Legal analyst Chick Foret says there will be a lot of media coverage of the trial, and the judge wants to prevent any potential bias.

Cut 9 (11)  “the evidence”

Judge Camille Buras has ruled the jury will not have any contact with the outside world for the duration of the trial, which is set to begin December 5th. Foret says this will likely change the makeup of the jury, because the jurors will have to be people who don’t have anywhere to be.

Cut 10 (08) “the jury”

Foret says it’s not often we see juries sequestered, but he expects this to be one of the most publicized cases in the history of Orleans parish. He says he’s not surprised by the judge’s decision.

cut 11 (09) “same ruling”

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There has been lots of talk on social media about the name change of the Triple-A Minor League baseball team, The New Orleans Zephyrs to the Baby Cakes. General Manager Cookie Rojas says they took ideas from fans and focus groups to come up with a new nickname to liven up baseball in the Crescent City. He says the moment he heard the name, he knew this was it.

cut 12 (10) “of endearment”

Rojas also adds the King Cake with the baby inside helped them develop the new name. He says they wanted to keep the traditional colors of dark blue and gold but add a little spin.

Cut 13 (08) “to it”

Rojas says the reaction has been both positive and negative on social media. But he says he wants people to be passionate about minor league baseball.

cut 14 (08) “been fantastic”

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13:30 Newscast, November 16th, 2016

An Orleans Parish criminal court judge rules that the jury in the Cardell Hayes murder trial will be sequestered. Hayes is accused of killing former-Saints player Will Smith after a car accident on April 9th. Legal analyst Chick Foret says there will be a lot of media coverage of the trial, and the judge wants to prevent any potential bias…:
Cut 9 (11) “the evidence”
The trial is set to begin December 5th.

The critically injured East Baton Rouge Parish deputy shot in a July ambush has been moved to a state-of-the-art rehab hospital in Texas. Deputy Nick Tullier was one of six officers hit during the attack in Baton Rouge on July 17th that claimed the lives of three other cops. Wednesday morning, Tullier received a police escort to the airport in Baton Rouge where he was taken to TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston — one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation hospitals.

The University of New Orleans and Northwestern State plan to cover the TOPS shortfall for recipients next semester. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

There has been lots of talk on social media about the name change of the Triple-A Minor League baseball team, The New Orleans Zephyrs to the Baby Cakes. Team General Manager Cookie Rojas says the reaction has been both positive and negative on social media. But he says he wants people to be passionate about minor league baseball…:
cut 14 (08) “been fantastic”

 

12:30 Newscast, November 16th, 2016

The University of New Orleans and Northwestern State say they will cover the 60-percent of tuition TOPS students will be required to pay for next semester. NSU President Jim Henderson says they’ve identified some resources from donors to cover all of TOPS the way students were promised:
CUT 7 (10) “is sacrosanct”
Henderson, who will become the U-L System President in January, says many universities are doing what they can to lessen the damage on students.

Officials with Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge say Deputy Nick Tullier has been discharged and is now at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston — one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation hospitals. Tullier was critically injured in the July ambush on officers that claimed the lives of three other cops. His family says TIRR is the next phase of his recovery.

Some lawmakers don’t agree with the Office of Motor Vehicles new policy of “no cash” as a form of payment. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Most of the reaction on social media to the new nickname of the Triple-A Minor League baseball team in New Orleans has been negative. They are now called the Baby Cakes instead of the Zephyrs.

11:40 LRN Sportscast November 16th

Saturday is expected to be star running back Leonard Fournette’s final game in Tiger Stadium. Fournette says the juniors on the team will meet with Coach Ed Orgeron after the season to determine whether they should return for their senior season, but it’s expected Fournette will NOT be back. The All-American ball carrier has battled an ankle sprain all season long and says he’ll be ready for Saturday’s game against the Gators…
cut 17 (09) “….every day”
Fournette has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award. The New Orleans native was a finalist for the award last season.

College basketball last night, Antonio Blakeney had 26 points as the LSU Tigers improved to 2-0 on the season with a 78-61 win over Southern Miss. For the second year in a row, Louisiana College beat Mcneese State.

Southern University has been placed on five years of probation as the NCAA has determined the school lacked intitutional control when it improperly certified over 200 student-athletes during a six year period.

Another win for ULM on Saturday against Appalachian State and the Warhawks will improve their Sun Belt record to 4-3 and their overall mark to 5-6. But the Moutaineers are 7-3 and have the top defense in the league. ULM Coach Matt Viator says App State’s defense doesn’t give up many big plays…
cut 20 (18) “…here we go”

Most of the reaction on social media to the new nickname of the Triple-A Minor League baseball team in New Orleans has been negative. They are now called the Baby Cakes instead of the Zephyrs.

11:30 Newscast Nov 16

An infant is in critical condition and a mother is facing charges following an accidental shooting in a vehicle. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says 23-year-old Crystal Kinchen of Baton Rouge left two small children unattended in a parked car.

Cut 3 (12) “the face”

McKneely says the mother has been charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile.

For the first time ever, TOPS recipients are preparing to pay almost 60-percent of their spring tuition, which raises questions about the future of the program. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says TOPS needs to be a bigger priority in the next session, because last time there was a push to fund public-private hospitals.

Cut 8 (08) “11-percent”

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to discuss TOPS on his call in radio show today at 2pm.

Some lawmakers are fuming over the Office of Motor Vehicles’ decision to no longer accept cash payments. OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain says not accepting cash saves the OMV 500-thousand dollars because it costs money to handle and securely transport the cash.

Cut 15 (08) “that cash”

Some state legislatures have requested that the Governor’s Office reverse the change because not everyone carries cash.

CSRA has just opened a new facility in Bossier City, which means more jobs coming to northwest Louisiana. LED Secretary Don Pierson says CSRA may not the household name like IBM, but it’s still a major IT company.

Cut 10 (10) “homeland security”

Pierson hopes the new integrated technology center will attract more IT giants to Louisiana.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast November 16th

TOPS recipients are preparing to pay nearly 60-percent of their tuition for the spring semester, and state leaders say they are committed to making sure that doesn’t happen again next year. Jeff Palermo has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

TOPS is expected to be a topic on the governor’s monthly call-in show. The governor will take your calls on many of these same stations at 2 PM. Joining him in the studio will be the first lady, Donna Edwards.

Before the show, there’s a court hearing regarding the L-G-B-T executive order dispute between the governor and Attorney General Jeff Landry.

Some state lawmakers are upset the Office of Motor Vehicle is no longer accepting cash as a form of payment. OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain says accepting cash has become a burden for OMV workers, because they are on the hook if they come up short. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin says this is not a valid reason for why the change was made…
cut 14 (11) “…the cash”

The I-T service company called C-S-R-A has moved into its new 96-hundred square foot facility at the National Cyber Research Park in Bossier City. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson hopes this new high tech center will attract more cyber companies to Louisiana…
cut 12 (11) “….also security”
C-S-R-A already employs 400 individuals, but plan to increase its workforce to 800 by June 2018.

9:30 Newscast Nov 16

The Baton Rouge Police Department says the mother of the 2-year-old who accidentally shot his 1-year-old sister in the face has been arrested. Cops say the woman was not properly supervising the toddler when he managed to grab the weapon and she’s been booked with 2nd degree cruelty to juveniles. The baby is in critical condition.

Weather in Louisiana is going to be on a wild swing this week and the potential for severe weather as a cold front moves in has even caused some high school football games to be moved to Thursday. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says rain chances are fairly low…:
Cut 6 (10) “some problems”
He says temperatures this week are in the 80s, but we can expect morning lows in the 30s by Monday.

CSRA has opened a new integrated technology center in Bossier City, which is good news for economic development in northwest Louisiana. LED Secretary Don Pierson says Louisiana is funding a 10-year $14 million higher education initiative with colleges in northwest Louisiana to help the company expand its workforce…:
cut 11 (12) “great company”.
The 96-hundred square foot facility anchors the 3-thousand acre National Cyber Research Park in Bossier City.

It’s likely LSU running back Leonard Fournette’s final game in Tiger Stadium on Saturday. The junior from New Orleans is expected to be a Top Five pick in next spring’s NFL draft, but he admits it will be hard to leave college early…:
Cut 16 (10)” Coach O”
Fournette says the juniors on the team will meet with Coach Ed Orgeron after the season to determine whether they should return for their senior season.

08:30 Newscast, November 16th, 2016

Many parents and students are wondering about the future of the TOPS scholarship program now that they have the letter letting them know only about 40% of their tuition will be covered in the spring. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says he supports throwing more money to fund TOPS, but he will not vote to raise more taxes…:
CUT 9 (11) “spend less”
Edwards issued a statement saying he hopes the legislature is more willing to work with him on the budget in the next session so that that Louisiana’s students are not left to shoulder the burden of the state’s financial problems.

There’s been a horrible tragedy in Baton Rouge. Police say a 2-year-old child somehow got a hold of gun inside a car, and shot a 1-year-old sibling in the face by mistake. Officials said the victim was taken to the hospital in a personal vehicle in extremely serious condition. More on this as it develops.

Good news for IT workers in northwest Louisiana, as CRSA just opened their new integrated technology center in Bossier City. Halen Doughty has more…:
cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Temperatures in Louisiana are expected to be all over the place in the coming days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re looking at 80s this week, but we’ll see minimum temperatures in the 30s across most of Louisiana by Sunday and Monday.
CUT 5 (11) “of time”

 

07:30 Newscast, November 16th, 2016

TOPS recipients are preparing to pay nearly 60-percent of their tuition for the spring semester, and state leaders say they are committed to making sure that doesn’t happen again next year. Jeff Palermo has more:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating an incident in which a 2-year-old shot a 1-year-old sibling in the face by mistake while inside a vehicle, leaving the baby in serious condition. Details are limited at this time, but cops confirm the family drove the injured infant to the hospital and it’s not yet known how the 2-year-old was able to obtain the weapon.

Some lawmakers are not happy with the Office of Motor Vehicles decision to stop accepting cash as a form of payment. The OMV announced the new policy as a way to save money and prevent theft by state workers. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin says many senior citizens do not have credit cards and they shouldn’t have to suffer because employees might steal cash…:
Cut 13 (09) “the agency”
OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain says the new policy saves the state 500-thousand dollars.

CSRA has opened a new integrated technology center in Bossier City, which is good news for economic development in northwest Louisiana. LED Secretary Don Pierson says CSRA isn’t a household name like IBM and CenturyLink, but it’s still a major information technology company…:
Cut 10 (10) “homeland security”
Pierson says now employs 400 people in Shreveport-Bossier but will expand to 800 by June 2018.