11:40 LRN Sportscast October 28th

Sunday’s game between the Saints and Seahawks marks the return of tight end Jimmy Graham to New Orleans. Graham was a huge part of the Saints offense during his five seasons in the Big Easy. He had 4,752 yards on 386 catches and 51 touchdowns. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says it will be weird to see Graham in an opposing uniform…
cut 17 (19) “…love there”

Tomorrow night in Ruston, it will be Louisiana Tech hosting Rice. Tech has the third best passing offense in college football. Rice won its first game of the season last week. Owls quarterback Tyler Stehling threw for 407 yards and five touchdowns in the win over Prairie View.

So what will Anthony Davis do for Game two. Davis scored 50 points in a loss to Denver in the season opener. Tonight A-D and the Pelicans host the Golden State Warriors. The defending Western Conference champs also lost their season opener as they were blown out by San Antonio. Tip-off is at 8:30 tonight as ESPN will televise the contest.

In high school football…the defending champs in Class 1A has a big game tonight as Kentwood travels to Ascension Catholic. Ascension Episcopal visits Lafayette Christian and Amite hosts McDonogh 35 in another interesting non-district game.

The best game in the Southland Conference this week is in Hammond as Southeastern Louisiana hosts Central Arkansas. The 18th ranked Bears are 6-1 overall, 5-0 in the league. The Lions have won three in a row and they are 4-1 in the conference. Kickoff is at 2:30.

In other Southland action, Nicholls is at Northwestern State, McNeese hosts Abilene Christian. Both of those games are at 6 PM.

11:30 Newscast, October 28th, 2016

The Republican Party in Louisiana is sending volunteers to Florida to help campaign for Donald Trump. The Sunshine State is looking at an extremely close race between Trump and Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Louisiana GOP Party Chair Roger Villere…:
CUT 4 (08) “we have to win Florida”
Villere says they aren’t worried about Trump not getting the nomination in Louisiana.

In a University of New Orleans poll on the US Senate race, Republican John Kennedy still leads at 22% and fellow GOP candidate Charles Boustany is tied with Democrat Foster Campbell for second place at 15-percent. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says if Campbell wants to surpass Boustany and get in the runoff, he’ll have to take votes away from Democrat Caroline Fayard..:
Cut 1 (10) “his side”

The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating an apparent attempted murder-suicide incident where a husband allegedly shot and critically injured his wife, then killed himself. They say the husband is identified as 34-year-old Tyronne Cincore, and the wife is 35-year-old Sereathia.

A Korean War veteran from Crowley is finally laid to rest in his Louisiana hometown today. Army Sgt. First Class Lawrence Smith died 65 years ago in a prisoner of war camp in North Korea. Alex Juan with the State Department of Veteran’s Affairs says they are so happy to welcome Smith home. She hopes this brings his family peace…:
Cut 6 (08) “some peace”
Juan says they are able to identify remains by using DNA testing now.

Louisiana agencies and colleges are once again being asked to prepare for budget cuts of up to 10% of their state financing to close a $313 million dollar deficit. The shortfall is from the budget year that ended June 30th.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast October 28th

The Republican Party in Louisiana is so sure Donald Trump has locked up the presidential votes here, they are sending its volunteers to Florida — a battleground which accounts for 29 electoral votes. Party chair Roger Villere says it’s part of a nationwide effort among GOP members to go door to door in the Sunshine State…:
cut 3 (09) “…win Florida”

The LSU AgCenter will be talking to potential private investors today about its plan to grow medical marijuana. LSU Vice President for Agriculture, Dr. Bill Richardson, says it will take just over $11 million total to grow the prescription cannabis…:
Cut 9 (10) “to do this”
The AgCenter is not using state dollars to finance the growing process.

A Jena mother has been arrested for the death of her six-year-old daughter who died in a house fire earlier this week. Chief Deputy of the State Fire Marshal’s office, Brant Thompson, says they’ve learned the mother was shooting up drugs in an abandon house, when the fire started…
cut 12 (08) “…methamphetamine”
Twenty-nine-year-old Wendy Blasingame has been charged with negligient homicide.

The first of three controlled burns to get rid of explosive material stored at Camp Minden in Webster Parish takes place at 11 AM this morning. Colonel Ed Bush, with the Louisiana National Guard, says they do not anticipate any problems with any of these explosions…
cut 15 (10) “…is safe”
The first burn will consiste of 820 pounds of Clean Burning . A second burn is scheduled for Sunday.

09:30 Newscast, October 28th, 2016

The LSU AgCenter will pitch its plan to grow the state’s medical marijuana today at a public meeting that will be attended by potential private investors. LSU Vice President for Agriculture, Dr. Bill Richardson, says they need outside businesses to assist with the growing, shipping, storing, and securing of the medical cannabis…:
Cut 8 (09) “going on”
The AgCenter is not using state dollars to finance the growing process.

Tragic story out of Jena. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a 6 year old little girl died in a fire, and her mother has been arrested in connection with the death. Chief Deputy Brant Thompson says Ayla Breeland’s mom wasn’t home at the time, and investigators were only able to speak to her hours after the fire had been put out…:
cut 11 (10) “intoxication”
29-year-old Wendy Blasingame is booked with negligent homicide.

Workers at Camp Minden will begin burning off volatile explosives stored in three bunkers, the first one going today. Col. Ed Bush with the Louisiana National Guard Facility in Webster Parish says they expect the unstable CBI to ignite and burn up quickly, but they are ready for anything…:
cut 14 (10) “after the fact”
The second bunker will be burned on Sunday, and the third will be ignited November 5.

Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick says a grand jury has returned an indictment for first-degree murder against Joshua Every for the killing of Raising Canes manager Taylor Friloux in Kenner. He said in a news release that his office has decided to seek the death penalty. Friloux died on June 29th after being stabbed multiple times during an armed robbery of the business.

 

08:30 Newscast, October 28th, 2016

At a public meeting today, the LSU AgCenter will pitch its medical marijuana plan to potential investors. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Records continue to be broken in Louisiana after three days of early voting in the 2016 Presidential election. According to JMC Analytics, as of yesterday, previous early voting periods don’t even compare to the nearly 230,000 people who have thus far already cast a ballot. That’s a 67% increase over 2012.

Republican John Kennedy is shown in another poll to have a strong lead in the US Senate Race at 22-percent. It’s out of the University of New Orleans and UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says in order for Republican Charles Boustany to make the runoff over #2 in the poll, Democrat Foster Campbell, he’ll likely have to go on the attack…:
CUT 5 (08) “Boustany campaign”
Boustany and Campbell are tied for second at 15-percent in the UNO poll.

Today, Camp Minden officials will begin burning off volatile explosives that are stored in three bunkers at the Louisiana National Guard Facility in Webster Parish. Col. Ed Bush says they plan on burning one of three bunkers today….:
Cut 13 (08) “the bunker”
He says there are 200-thousand pounds of explosives left of the 320-thousand pounds that have been stored at Camp Minden. Today’s explosion will be conducted between 11 am and 1 pm.

 

07:30 Newscast, October 28th, 2016

The LSU AgCenter will be talking to potential private investors today about its plan to grow medical marijuana. LSU Vice President for Agriculture, Dr. Bill Richardson, says it will take just over $11 million total to grow the prescription cannabis…:
Cut 9 (10) “to do this”
The AgCenter is not using state dollars to finance the growing process.

Louisiana agencies and colleges are once again being asked to prepare for budget cuts of up to 10% of their state financing to close a $313 million dollar deficit. The shortfall from the budget year that ended June 30th is due largely in part to lower than expected business tax collections. The Edwards Administration says it hasn’t yet decided how to deal with the hole, but they want to hear from different departments about what cuts of that size would make their operation look like.

A mother has been arrested in the death of her 6-year-old daughter who perished in a fire in Jena early Wednesday morning while her mom was gone shooting up drugs, according to investigators. Chief Deputy Brant Thompson with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says they found illegally energized electrical wires where Ayla Breeland was sleeping…:
CUT 10 (08) “Ayla’s”
29-year-old Wendy Blasingame is charged with negligent homicide.

Another statewide poll has Republican John Kennedy as the front-runner in Louisiana’s US Senate race. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

 

 

06:45 Sportscast, October 28th, 2016

The Saints passing game faces a major test this Sunday against Seattle. The Seahawks have become one of the best teams in the league, because of how they defend the pass. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees says Seattle’s defense doesn’t have a weak link…:
Cut 16 (13) “handle pressure”
Sunday’s game also marks the return of tight end Jimmy Graham to the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The Seahawks tight end’s first five seasons in the NFL were in New Orleans where he caught 51 touchdown passes. Brees said it was surprising to see Graham go in the offseason of 2015, adding they were close but both understand that things like that happen in this league. He says he’s sure Graham will be excited to be back, and that the fan base will be happy to see him again, as they appreciate all he did for New Orleans. The FOX game kicks off at noon.

In college football around the state, the Southland Conference Game of the Week comes to Strawberry Stadium, as Southeastern Louisiana hosts No. 18/19 Central Arkansas for a huge 2:30 p.m. league contest Saturday.

McNeese State hosts Abilene Christian on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech takes on a big team too in Ruston as Rice comes to Joe Aillet Stadium in Conference USA action.

Arkansas Pinebluff visits Grambling. It’s homecoming week for the Tigers.

Northwestern State lines up against Nicholls on Saturday night in Turpin Stadium, and the Demons will be celebrating its annual “Military Appreciation Day.”

After dropping back-to-back games against American Athletic Conference foes, Tulane returns home to play its homecoming game against SMU.

In Sunbelt Conference play, Louisiana Monroe travels to take on Arkansas State. The Warhawks are 2-5 overall.

Anthony Davis made NBA history on Wednesday night, but the Pelicans didn’t win. They’ll give it another shot tonight as the Pels return to the Smoothie King Center to face the Golden State warriors at 8:30.

 

06:30 Newscast, October 28th, 2016

More bad budget news for Louisiana as another round of cuts could be coming. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The LSU AgCenter will pitch its plan to grow the state’s medical marijuana today at a public meeting that will be attended by potential private investors. LSU Vice President for Agriculture, Dr. Bill Richardson…:
CUT 7 (10) “near future”
The AgCenter is not using state dollars to finance the growing process.

The family of a 6-year-old autistic boy who was killed in an officer-involved shooting in Avoyelles parish is suing the city of Marksville. Jeremy Mardis was killed by police when officers open fired on his father’s vehicle. The suit reportedly claims city officials improperly trained officers to use deadly force, and alleges that the officers did nothing to alleviate the boy’s suffering.

A new poll from the University of New Orleans shows Republican John Kennedy with a strong lead in the US Senate race at 22-percent. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says Republican Charles Boustany and Democrat Foster Campbell are tied for second at 15-percent. He says it will be a close race for the second runoff spot…:
cut 4 (08) “anytime soon”
Early voting ends Tuesday but polls are closed Sunday.

 

LRN AM NEWSCALL OCT 27

At a public meeting today, the LSU AgCenter will pitch its medical marijuana plan to potential investors. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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More bad budget news for Louisiana as another round of cuts could be coming. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Another statewide poll has Republican John Kennedy as the front-runner in Louisiana’s US Senate race. Jeff Palermo reports…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

A new poll from the University of New Orleans shows Republican John Kennedy with a strong lead in the US Senate race at 22-percent. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says Republican Charles Boustany and Democrat Foster Campbell are tied for second at 15-percent. He says it will be a close race for the second runoff spot.

cut 4  (08) “anytime soon”

Republican John Fleming polled at 11-percent to come in fourth place. Chervenak says for Boustany to make the runoff, he has to improve his numbers somehow, which could mean more attack ads are coming.

Cut 5  (08)  “Boustany campaign”

Democrat Caroline Fayard isn’t far behind Campbell, as she polled at 10-percent. Chervenak says if Campbell wants to surpass Boustany and get in the runoff, he’ll have to take votes away from Fayard.

Cut 6 (10) “his side”

____________________________________________

The LSU AgCenter will pitch its plan to grow the state’s medical marijuana today at a public meeting that will be attended by potential private investors. LSU Vice President for Agriculture, Dr. Bill Richardson, says they have about 450 people signed up to come to the meeting.

CUT 7 (10)  “near future”

LSU and Southern University have agreed to grow medical marijuana in line with the plan that was established by state legislators earlier this year. Richardson says for the plan to work and they need private businesses to assist the AgCenter with the growing, shipping, storing, and securing of the medical cannabis.

Cut 8 (09) “going on”

The AgCenter is not using state dollars to finance the growing process. LSU estimates operating the growing facility will cost more than $1 million for the first year, and over $5 million for the next five years. Richardson says it will take just over $11 million total to grow the medical pot.

Cut 9 (10)  “to do this”

___________________________________________

A mother has been arrested in the death of her 6-year-old daughter who died in a fire in Jena early Wednesday morning. Chief Deputy Brant Thompson with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says investigators found illegally energized electrical wires and an electric space heater in use near the mattress where Ayla Breeland was sleeping.

Cut 10 (08) “Ayla’s life”

Thompson says Ayla’s mother, 29-year-old Wendy Blasingame, was not in the camper home when the fire broke out, and it’s unclear how long the child was left alone. He says investigators were only able to speak to her hours after the fire had been put out.

cut 11 (10) “intoxication”

Thompson says Blasingame has been charged with one count of negligent homicide. He says the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are possible. He says they have confirmed that the mother was shooting up drugs in an abandoned house while her daughter was in the burning home.

cut 12 (08) “methamphetamine”

______________________________________________________

Today, Camp Minden officials will begin burning off volatile explosives that are stored in three bunkers at the Louisiana National Guard Facility in Webster Parish. Col. Ed Bush says 200-thousand pounds of explosives are left of the 320-thousand pounds that have been stored at Camp Minden since the company that was storing them improperly went out of business. He says they plan on burning one of the three bunkers today.

Cut 13 (08) “the bunker”

Bush says they will conduct three burns, and today’s is the smallest, with 820 pounds of Clean Burning Ignitor being stored in this bunker. He says they expect the unstable CBI to ignite and burn up quickly. He says they are prepared for anything that might go wrong.

cut 14 (10) “after the fact”

Today’s explosion will be conducted between 11 am and 1 pm, as long as weather conditions are favorable. The second bunker will be burned on Sunday, and the third will be ignited November 5. Bush says everyone involved in this process is a subject matter expert in their field. He says they do not anticipate any problems with any of these explosions.

Cut 15 (10) “is safe”

_____________________________________________________

The Saints passing game faces a major test this Sunday against Seattle. The Seahawks have become one of the best teams in the league, because of how they defend the pass. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees says Seattle’s defense doesn’t have a weak link…

Cut 16  (13)  “handle pressure”

Sunday’s game also marks the return of tight end Jimmy Graham to the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The Seahawks tight end’s first five seasons in the NFL were in New Orleans where he caught 51 touchdown passes. Since then he’s only caught three. Brees says it will be weird to see Graham in an opposing uniform…

Cut 17 (19)” love there”

During the 2015 offseason, the Saints traded Graham and a fourth round pick to Seattle for a late first-round choice and center Max Unger. Brees says Unger has played better then he could ever envision….

Cut 18 (18) “in a captain”

17:30 LRN Newscast October 27th

More bad budget news for Louisiana. The books are balanced from last fiscal year and the state ended up with a 313-million dollar deficit. That has resulted in the Edwards administration asking state agencies and colleges to prepare for budget cuts of seven to ten percent. Lagging business tax collections is the reason for the deficit and it’s still not clear how state officials will address this shortfall. Dollars from the the rainy day fund might be used to soften the budget cuts.

NOAA issues a report that finds Americans ate nearly a pound more seafood in 2015 than in the previous year. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

According to the Secretary of State’s office, over 162-thousand people early voted during the first two days of early voting. John Couvillion with JMC Analytics says when you take a closer look at the numbers, it appears a lot of chronic voters went to the polls…
cut 11 (11) “…local elections”
Early voting continues through November first, except on Sunday.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says an arrest has been made in a cold case dating back to 1991. Sheriff Brett Stassi says 61-year-old Tommy Francise of Plaquemine was booked in Lafayette as a fugitive from justice for the murder of a man in 1991 and another in 2002…:
CUT 12 (10) “District Attorney’s Office”
Stassi says they believe the two victims had done work for Francise and at some point an altercation led to their deaths.