14:30 LRN Newscast September 18

Phi Delta Theta has shut down its LSU chapter as result of 18-year-old Max Gruver’s death. Gruver was pledging at the fraternity and died from the result of a possible hazing incident. No charges have been filed in the case and East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says that could take awhile. Moore says he’s met with the Gruver family and they are devasted…
cut 11 (08) “….pick up your son”

Baton Rouge police say 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason remains a person of interest in the fatal shooting of two black men last week. Sergeant Don Coppola says Gleason, who is white, was in a vehicle that matched the description from the two homicides and it’s possible the shootings were racially motivated…
cut 4 (08) “….possible motive”
Gleason is facing drug charges and has bonded out of jail.

The White House is holding a summit for leaders of black colleges, but Grambling State President Rick Gallot has decided not to go. Gallot says it’s not a sign of protest and in fact, he’s pleased the White House has re-opened the access to Pell Grants for summer school students….
cut 8 (07) “….right direction”
Gallot says he’s not able to attend, because of his busy schedule.

Senate Republicans, led by Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, are making one final push to repeal and replace President Obama’s health care law. The Louisiana Democratic Party opposes such an effort. Party spokesperson D’Seante Parks says it’s important to protect the Affordable Care Act, because it has allowed many individuals to finally have access to affordable health insurance….
cut 14 (10) “…their families’
Cassidy needs 50 votes for his legislation to pass.

 

LRN PM Newscall September 18

A person of interest in the fatal shooting of two black men in Baton Rouge last week has been released on bond. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Whether or not charges will be filed in the case of the LSU freshman who died in a possible hazing incident is still a long way from being known. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A Baton Rouge man considered a person of interest in the shooting deaths of two black men last week, has bonded out of jail. 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason was arrested over the weekend on drug charges. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says Gleason has yet to be cleared of the homicides.

Cut 3 (09) “together”

The first murder took place last Tuesday night when 59-year-old Bruce Cofield was fatally shot and on Thursday, near LSU, 49-year-old Donald Smart was shot to death while walking to work. Coppola says Gleason was in a vehicle that matched the description from the two homicide investigations. He says they are still working to determine a motive.

Cut 4  (08) “possible motive”

Coppola says Gleason was charged with possession of a schedule one, marijuana and a schedule three, human growth hormone. He says the circumstances surrounding both shootings are extremely similar.

Cut 5  (09)  “two together”

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The White House holds a summit with presidents of black colleges today, but Grambling State President Rick Gallot is not there. Gallot says he’s not boycotting, but there’s a lot happening on Grambling campus’ between the start of a new semester and football season…

Cut 6 (07) “this year”

New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says he’s not surprised many black college presidents have declined to come. Richmond says policies need to be established to help these schools with scholarships, campus infrastructure and teacher pay. Gallot adds they are still waiting for a person to be named to head the White House Initiative on HBCUs….

Cut 7 (11)  “with my schedule”

Gallot attended a White House meeting earlier this year and he’s pleased they’ve re-opened the access to Pell Grants for summer school students…

Cut 8 (07) “right direction”

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East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore says it will probably be a while before they’ll know if charges will be brought in the case of the LSU freshman who died in a possible hazing incident at his fraternity. Preliminary autopsy findings indicated that 18-year-old Max Gruver had high levels of alcohol in his system at the time of death. Moore says this investigation will be long:

Cut 9 (05)  “60 people”

The official cause of death from the coroner’s office may not be known for several weeks as they await toxicology results. Moore says some members of the fraternity were fully cooperative with LSU police…:

Cut 10 (08) “yet to be interviewed”

Attorneys say whether or not felony charges would be brought likely depends on if there is evidence of hazing. Moore says he’s met with the Gruver family and they are devastated…:

Cut 11 (08) “pick up your son”

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The Louisiana Democratic Party opposes U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy’s and three other Republican lawmakers bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Party Spokesperson D’Seante Parks says this legislation would end the Medicaid expansion, which covers more than 430-thousand Louisiana residents.

Cut 12 (11) “health insurance” 

Parks says every resident should have access to affordable healthcare and Cassidy’s legislation to provide block grant funding to the state will make it more difficult for low income individuals to purchase coverage.

Cut 13 (11) “lowering costs “

Parks says it’s important to protect the Affordable Care Act, because it has allowed many individuals to finally have access to affordable health insurance….

(Cassidy says his legislation will give power to the states when it comes to how health care should be offered in this country. He says that will hope lower premiums and the ball also calls for the end of the individual and employer mandate.)

Cut 14 (10) “their families”

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13:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

A person of interest in the fatal shooting of two black men in Baton Rouge last week has been released on bond. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The national Phi Delta Theta organization has removed the charter from the Beta Chapter at LSU, where a pledge recently died in a possible hazing incident. The organization said it suspended operations based on information in the investigation of the death of 18-year-old Max Gruver which found some chapter members were in violation of the alcohol-free housing policy.

The Louisiana Democratic Party opposes U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy’s and three other Republican lawmakers bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Party Spokesperson D’Seante Parks says this legislation would end the Medicaid expansion, which covers more than 430-thousand Louisiana residents…:
Cut 12 (11) “health insurance”
She says Democrats believe that all Louisianians should have access to affordable healthcare.

Sports fans of Louisiana’s two most popular teams are down in the dumps today as both LSU and the Saints lost rough games. The Tigers had 9 penalties in a 37-7 loss to Mississippi State which is what bothered Quarterback Danny Etling the most…:
Cut 16 (15) “shoot yourself in your foot”
The Saints dropped a 36-20 decision to the New England Patriots Sunday.

 

12:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

A Baton Rouge man considered a person of interest in the shooting deaths of two black men last week, has bonded out of jail. 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason was arrested over the weekend on drug charges. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says Gleason has yet to be cleared of the homicides…:
Cut 3 (09) “together”
He says it’s a possibility that these murders were racially motivated, but the investigation is ongoing.

Whether or not charges will be filed in the case of the LSU freshman who died in a possibly hazing incident is still a long way from being known. That’s according to East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore who says some members of 18-year-old Max Gruver’s fraternity were fully cooperative with LSU police…:
CUT 10 (08) “yet to be interviewed”
Preliminary autopsy findings indicated Gruver had high levels of alcohol in his system.

A summit is being held at the White House today for presidents of black colleges, but Grambling State President Rick Gallot did not go. He says it’s not a boycott, they’re just busy at Grambling; and still waiting on a person to be named to head the Washington Initiative on HBCUs…:
Cut 7 (11) “with my schedule”
He says September is the worst time to hold a summit for academics, as it’s the beginning of a semester and the kickoff of football season.

LSU has completed its contract with the company that will grow medical marijuana. The AgCenter says the deal is done with GB Sciences, and the drug is expected to reach patients by mid-2018.

 

LRN Sportscast 11:40 September 18

For the fourth straight season the Saints are 0-2 as New England beat New Orleans 36-20 to hand the Black and Gold their second straight defeat to start the year. The Patriots jumped out to a 20-3 lead as Quarterback Tom Brady threw three first quarter touchdown passes in the first quarter. Head Coach Sean Payton says the lack of a pass rush allowed the Pats to put up 557 tiotal yards of offense…
cut 8 (12) “….much time”
New Orleans is now 1-11 in the month of the September over the past four seasons.

The Saints will visit Carolina next Sunday. They will not have to worry about tight end Greg Osen, who broke his foot in the first half against the Bills, but Carolina still won 9-3. Atlanta and Tampa Bay also won yesterday.

“Tell the truth Monday” will not be kind for the LSU Tigers after they were embarrassed 37-7 by Mississippi State. The Tigers were beat at the line of scrimmage, the defense had blown assignments and LSU also committed 9 penalties for 112 yards. Quarterback Danny Etling is bothered by the high number of penalties…
Cut 16 (15) “shoot yourself in your foot”
LSU looks to get it turned around on Saturday against Syracuse.

Lousiaina Tech ended Western Kentucky’s 13-game home winning streak in conference games with a 23-22 win on Saturday. Sophomore quarterback J’Mar Smith passed for 306 yards…
cut 20 (17) “…the victory
Tech is at South Carolina on Saturday.

11:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore says it will probably be a while before they’ll know if charges will be brought in the case of the LSU freshman who died in a possible hazing incident at his fraternity. Preliminary autopsy findings indicated that 18-year-old Max Gruver had high levels of alcohol in his system at the time of death. Moore says this investigation will be long:
Cut 9 (05) “60 people”
Attorneys say whether or not felony charges would be brought likely depends on if there is evidence of hazing.

The White House holds a summit with presidents of black colleges today, but Grambling State President Rick Gallot is not there. Gallot says he’s not boycotting, but there’s a lot happening on Grambling campus’ between the start of a new semester and football season…:
Cut 6 (07) “this year”
New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says he’s not surprised many black college presidents have declined to come.

While the nation saw an increase in median household income in 2016, Louisiana saw the largest decline in the country at 2.1-percent…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

Police in Baton Rouge are investigating two shootings they believe are linked and say could be racially motivated. They still have not made an arrest in the murders, but did have a man in custody on drug charges that is considered a person of interest in last week’s shootings. 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason was released on $3500 bond.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast September 18

The median household income in Louisiana declined by over 2-percent in 2016, the largest decrease in the nation according to Census Figures. LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says this decrease is a result of the struggling oil and gas industry…:
Cut 10 (08) “oil patches”
Those areas in a recession are Houma, Lafayette and Shreveport.

Governor John Bel Edwards and state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson are in Washington DC to discuss federal funding for the Comite River Diversion Canal. Wilson says the flood control project could have reduced the massive flooding that took place in the Baton Rouge area last year and Louisiana is ready to move forward on the plan….
cut 5 (10) “…its obligations”
Wilson says the plan would divert water into the Mississippi River.

The LSU AgCenter has finalized its contract with GB Sciences, which will grow medical marijuana for Louisiana patients who have specific conditions. GB Sciences will renovate the production facility and availability to patients is expected by mid-2018.

If you’re shopping for a car, be on the lookout for flood damaged vehicles. That’s the advice from state attorney general Jeff Landry. Landry says if you suspect someone is knowingly selling a flood damaged vehicle, contact your local authorities or call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 351-4889.
cut 15 (11) “…to justice’
Landry says if a vehicle is being sold for an unrealistically low price, it may have previously been involved in a flood.

09:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

For the fourth consecutive year, the Saints have started 0-2 as they dropped a 36-20 decision to the New England Patriots. They travel to Carolina this Sunday, and Coach Sean Payton believes this team can turn things around…:
Cut 9 (13) “made of”
The Saints have now lost 11 of their last 12 games in the month of September.

The median household income in Louisiana declined by over 2-percent in 2016, the largest decrease in the nation according to Census Figures. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says there are definitely signs of optimism for better numbers in 2017. He says the rate of decline in both Houma and Lafayette has significantly lessened…:
Cut 11 (10) “the state”

Jeff Palermo reports on LSU’s 37-7 shocking loss to Mississippi State…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is alerting consumers about buying flooded vehicles from Texas. He says when shopping on the lot, there are some things to watch for that could point to a previously flooded vehicle..:
Cut 14 (11) “of water”

 

08:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

State leaders are in Washington D.C. today meeting with the US Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the Comite River Diversion Canal. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The random murders of two black men in Baton Rouge last week were likely racially motivated, police said Sunday. A 23-year-old white man was arrested after being questioned about the slayings, but only booked on drug charges in which he bonded out. Baton Rouge Police say Kenneth Gleason drove a car fitting the description of the vehicle used in the killings, but there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him with murder.

“Tell the truth Monday” will not be kind for the LSU Tigers after they were embarrassed 37-7 by Mississippi State. Quarterback Danny Etling says he’s ready to lead the team back into the win column…:
cut 18 (11) “going again”
LSU is back in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night as they host Syracuse.

Louisiana looks to be improving in the workforce as the state gained 24,200 non farm jobs since August of last year. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says employment was up for May, June and July…:
Cut 12 (10) “oil patch”
But new Census Figures found the median household income in Louisiana declined by over 2-percent in 2016, the largest decline in the country.

 

07:30 Newscast, September 18th, 2017

While the nation saw an increase in median household income in 2016, Louisiana saw the largest decline in the country at 2.1-percent…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is alerting consumers to be on the lookout when buying vehicles, as nearly one million vehicles were flooded in Texas and Florida during recent hurricanes. Landry says these flood-damaged vehicles could end up on the streets and sold to unsuspecting car buyers…:
Cut 13 (10) “ride”

Sports fans of Louisiana’s two most popular teams are down in the dumps today as both LSU and the Saints lost rough games. The Tigers had 9 penalties in a 37-7 loss to Mississippi State which is what bothered Quarterback Danny Etling the most…:
Cut 16 (15) “shoot yourself in your foot”
The Saints dropped a 36-20 decision to the New England Patriots Sunday.

Governor John Bel Edwards and DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson are in Washington D.C. to meet with the US Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the long-delayed Comite River Diversion Canal, a flood control project for the Baton Rouge area. Wilson says the dollars that the state has ready to spend will help move the project forward, but the feds need to commit to getting it done:
Cut 6 (07) “we will proceed”
He says they know that the floods of 2016 would have been lessened to a certain extent by this project, and Louisiana is ready to move the ball.