14:30 Newscall, May 17th, 2016

A 17-year-old Sulphur teen allegedly stabbed an elderly couple in their driveway, killing the man and critically injuring his wife. Calcaiseu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says 69-year-old Robert Anderson died as a result of the stabbing, and 57-year-old Rita Anderson is in critical condition. He believes Antonieo Smith of Sulphur also robbed and vandalized Anderson’s home…:
CUT 13 (12) “stabbing them”
He says Smith knew the Andersons somehow. He is being held on several charges including murder and attempted murder with $2 million dollars bond.

A measure headed to the desk of Governor John Bel Edwards would ban the ticketing of lemonade stands set up in neighborhoods. The bill exempts minors who make less than $500 year from a law requiring businesses to pay an occupational license tax. The new law goes into effect in August.

Two Alabama football players have been arrested in Monroe on gun and drug charges. Police say Cam Robinson and Hootie Jones were found smoking weed in a vehicle at Forsythe Park, and officers also discovered two guns in the car as well, one of which was stolen. KTVE-TV Sports Director Gene Ponti says they picked a bad location to for this, because police frequently survey the area:
CUT 9 (11) “the morning”
The two northeast Louisiana football stars were booked on the drugs and weapons charges.

Two coaches and three students from Plaisance Elementary School have been arrested for “questionable disciplinary actions” against three students, according to St. Landry Parish sheriff’s deputies. They say PE teachers Kendrick Owens and Mona Wilson are accused instructing three older students to take at least three younger students into the back of the locker room and whip the younger students with belts.

 

PM Newscall, May 17th, 2016

Two Crimson Tide football players have been arrested in Monroe on gun and drug charges. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The legislature approves a bill stating local police officers can’t ticket children for operating a lemonade stand in their neighborhood. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (25)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Public and charter school students could be required to learn cursive writing, as a bill to mandate script is moving through the legislature without opposition. It passed out of House Education today with an amendment to include charter schools. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says kids need to learn to write in cursive so they can read historic documents.

CUT 3 (10)  “education”

Broadwater says a signature is still required on legal documents, and without cursive writing, kids wouldn’t be able to sign their name. He doesn’t think it would interfere with the rest of the curriculum.

CUT 4 (08)  “as well”

Broadwater says there are plenty of things that he has to read, or wants to read, that are written in cursive.

CUT 5 (09)  “understand that”

The Senate-approved measure won unanimous approval in the House Education Committee and now heads to the House floor.

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Spirited debate took place in a Senate committee today over the sanctuary cities bill that would punish cities who refuse to enforce the federal immigration law. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny expressed concerns about the Attorney General having sole power over determining who is considered a sanctuary city.

CUT 6 (09) “does it”

The measure could prevent New Orleans and Lafayette, which are considered sanctuary cities, from borrowing dollars for construction projects. The committee will continue debate on this bill next week. Attorney General Jeff Landry explains why this legislation is needed…

CUT 7 (08) “for terrorists”

Landry says if the bond commission chooses, they can negate his opinion and continue to issue the bonds. But Martiny says this needs to be done the right way if we’re going to restrict sanctuary cities.

CUT 8 (07) “on them”

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Two Alabama football players have been arrested in Monroe on gun and drug charges. Police say Cam Robinson and Hootie Jones were found smoking weed in a vehicle at Forsythe Park, and officers also discovered two guns in the car as well, one of which was stolen. KTVE-TV Sports Director Gene Ponti says they picked a bad location to for this, because police frequently survey the area.

CUT 9 (11) “the morning”

Robinson played at West Monroe High School and has started at Alabama at left tackle the last two seasons. Jones, a former Neville Tiger, has been a backup safety for the Tide. Ponti says both boys come from good families and have never been trouble makers. He says this arrest took everyone by surprise.

cut 10 (07)  “any sense”

The two football stars have been charged with possession of a controlled substance and illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of narcotics. Robinson has also been charged with illegal possession of a stolen firearm. Ponti says there are rumors going around as to why they would have been in that park so late at night.

Cut 11 (07) “take place”

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An elderly couple was stabbed by a 17-year-old in the driveway of their home in Calcasieu Parish. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says 69-year-old Robert Anderson is deceased, and his wife 57-year-old Rita Anderson is in critical condition at a local hospital. Mancuso says Antonieo Smith of Sulphur attacked the couple as they were coming home. Mancuso says Smith knew the Andersons.

cut 12 (06) “one point”

Mancuso says Smith was arrested less than 20 minutes after fleeing the scene, when he wrecked a stolen vehicle in front of a sheriff’s deputy then tried to run away. Mancuso says Smith also robbed and vandalized the Andersons’ home.

Cut 13 (12)  “stabbing them”

Smith has been charged with 2nd degree murder, attempted 2nd degree murder, armed robbery, aggravated burglary, possession of stolen items, and several traffic charges. His bond has been set at $2-million. Mancuso says the violent acts took place between the front door and the driveway of the Andersons’ home.

cut 14 (08)  “truly is”

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13:30 Newscast, May 17th, 2016

Two Crimson Tide football players have been arrested in Monroe on gun and drug charges. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Spirited debate took place in a Senate committee today over the sanctuary cities bill that would punish cities who refuse to enforce the federal immigration law. Attorney General Jeff Landry explains why this legislation is needed…:
CUT 7 (08) “for terrorists”
The committee will continue debate on this bill next week.

Kids in public and charter schools would be required to learn cursive under a measure that is nearing final legislative approval. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says there are plenty of things that are written in cursive:
CUT 5 (09) “understand that”
The Senate-approved measure won unanimous approval in the House Education Committee and now heads to the House floor.

A measure headed to the desk of Governor John Bel Edwards would ban the ticketing of lemonade stands set up in neighborhoods. The bill exempts minors who make less than $500 year from a law requiring businesses to pay an occupational license tax. The new law goes into effect in August.

A teen from Sulfur is in jail on 2 million dollars bond for allegedly stabbing a man to death and injuring his wife after he broke into their home. Antonieo Smith is accused of fatally stabbing 69-year-old Robert Anderson, and injuring 57-year-old Rita Anderson of Sulphur. His charges include murder and attempted murder.

 

12:30 Newscast, May 17th, 2016

Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban has issued a statement in response to the two Crimson Tide football players who were arrested in Monroe overnight. Saban said they are aware of the situation and are in the process of gathering facts. Hootie Jones and Cam Robinson were booked overnight on weapons and drug charges. KTVE-TV Sports Director Gene Ponti says this incident was shocking:
CUT 10 (07) “any sense”
Robinson played at West Monroe and Jones at Neville.

A measure that would punish cities that adopt sanctuary policies that don’t enforce federal immigration laws was heard today in a Senate committee. The vote was delayed one week. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny expressed concerns about the Attorney General having sole power over determining who is considered a sanctuary city…:
CUT 6 (09) “does it”
The measure has already won approval in the House.

Lawmakers want it to be a requirement that kids in public and charter schools learn cursive. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says a signature is still required on legal documents, and without cursive writing, kids wouldn’t be able to sign their name. He doesn’t think it would interfere with the rest of the curriculum…:
CUT 4 (08) “as well”
The Senate-approved measure won unanimous approval in the House Education Committee and now heads to the House floor.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office has charged a 17-year-old with murder in the stabbing death of a 69-year-old man. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says this was a burglary that turned violent. He is also booked with attempted murder in the injuring of the victim’s wife.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast May 17th

Two former northeast Louisiana prep stars and current Alabama football players are in trouble with the law after they were arrested on gun and marijuana charges early this morning in Monroe. Police say Cam Robinson and Hootie Jones were in a parked car in Forstyhe Park and an officer approached their vehicle, detecting a strong odor of marijuana. The officer ordered the two men out and allegedly found two guns in the vehicle, one of them stolen and a bag of weed. Robinson played at West Monroe and has started at Alabama at left tackle the last two seasons. Jones, who starred at Neville, has been a backup safetyfor the Tide.

LSU’s season opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay will kick-off at 2:30 PM. The game will air on ABC. It’s the first college football game at Lambeau since 1983 and the fourth all-time.

Tonight is the NBA draft lottery. After a 30-52 season, New Orleans has a 6-percent chance to get the number one pick. They have a 44-percent chance at the sixth pick. Pelicans executive vice president Mickey Loomis says it would be great if they got the top pick…
cut 30 (10) “…with that lottery”
That lottery is at 7 PM on ESPN.

Weather permitting, 11th ranked LSU hosts Northwestern State. The Tigers have won eight in a row and they are in position to host a regional, possibly a super regional. Tonight’s starting pitcher, John Valek, says Coach Paul Mainieri laid out the situation for them…
cut 18 (14) “…be exciting”
First pitch is at 6:30.

11:30 Newscast, May 17th, 2016

Public and charter school students could be required to learn cursive writing, as a bill to mandate script is moving through the legislature without opposition. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says kids need to learn to write in cursive so they can read historic documents…:
CUT 3 (10) “education”
The measure passed out of House Education today with an amendment to include charter schools.

Two Alabama football players were arrested in Monroe this morning on drug and weapons charges. Cops say Offensive lineman Cameron Robinson and defensive back Hootie Jones, two former northeast Louisiana prep stars, were sitting in a car that smelled like weed in Forsythe Park around 2am. The University of Alabama has yet to comment on the arrests.

A bill has been approved by the Senate and the House Transportation that would raise the fine for texting or using social media while driving from $175 to $500 for a first offense. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The state Department of Revenue announces there will be no Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday this year. Normally the weekend you can get items like batteries, flashlights and generators without having to pay the state’s sales tax occurs in the last Saturday and Sunday each May, but not in 2016.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast May 17th

A bill to expand the number of diseases that could use medical marijuana in Louisiana is sitting on the governor’s desk. The measure by state senator Fred Mills received final legislative approval and Mills says those with cancer, epilepsy or HIV/AIDS will benefit…:
Cut 10 (10) “my daughters”
Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill, but Mills says it will probably be another year or two before the public has access to medical marijuana.

State Police say a man they believe called in a bomb threat that resulted in the evacuation of the State Capitol and a nearby casino last night is being examined for mental health issues. So far no charges have been filed.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office has charged a 17-year-old with murder in the stabbing death of a 69-year-old man. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says this was a burgalry that turned violent.

Wendy’s’ announces they’ll put kiosks in six-thousand restaurants around the country by the end of the year to take customers’ orders. It’s to combat the push to increase minimum wage for fast food workers. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa doesn’t think customers will mind…
cut 6 (06) “…at it”
Rosa anticipates the kiosks will go in restaurants in states where minimum wage is the highest.

A group of scientists is already examining the effect of last week’s oil spill about 90 miles off the coast of Louisiana. About 88-thousand gallons of oil spewed into the Gulf from a Shell oil field. Florida State University oceanographer, Doctor Ian MacDonald. says even though this is considered a minor spill, Shell’s and the Coast Guard’s cleanup efforts are not good enough…
cut 9 (08) “…minimal”

09:30 Newscast, May 17th, 2016

The bill that would increase the fine for a texting while driving violation to $500 is nearing final legislative approval. Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb says this practice is one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel…:
Cut 13 (09) “football field”
The Senate approved measure is headed to the House floor.

Two players from the Alabama Crimson Tide football team were arrested today in Monroe, according to cops. They say the charges against Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson and safety Laurence Jones are possession of narcotics and stolen firearms. More on this as it develops.

A band of teenagers is facing serious charges after cops say they barged into a woman’s East Baton Rouge Parish home and threatened to set it on fire and kill her son over a debt. An 18-year-old was arrested for home invasion, communicating of false information of planned arson and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Several juveniles were also booked.

Fast food restaurant, Wendy’s, announced they’ll start using self-serving kiosks at over 6-thousand locations. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The medical marijuana expansion bill has received final legislative approval. Parks Senator Fred Mills says LSU and Southern have first right of refusal to grow the state’s medical marijuana, and hopefully they will agree to it now.:
CUT 11 (09) “medical marijuana”

 

08:30 Newscast, May 17th, 2016

Scientists are in the Gulf to study the effects of the recent 88-thousand gallon Shell oil spill that’s about 90 miles off the coast of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A proposal that would have banned the open burning of hazardous waste has been dropped by Minden Representative Gene Reynolds. He says the support wasn’t there for his bill he brought due to constituents issues with Colfax Clean Harbors — a waste disposal company. However Reynolds did get the green light on a resolution that would require DEQ and Clean Harbors to discuss cleaner burning options.

The fast food chain, Wendy’s, will offer self-serving kiosks at over 6-thousand locations this year. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says this could be a response to higher minimum wages so he says people pushing for the higher pay should be cautions because this self service technology could lead to the loss of entry level jobs…:
CUT 5 (08) “labor pool”
He says we live in a do it yourself economy and most people won’t mind the self-serve kiosk.

Senate approved legislation to increase the fines for texting or using social media while driving unanimously passed out of the House Transportation Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle supports the proposal and hopes higher fines will get people to stop this dangerous habit…:
Cut 15 (07) “they’re doing”
The bill seeks to raise the fine from $175 to $500 for a first offense.

 

07:30 Newscast, May 17th, 2016

A bill that would raise the texting or using social media while driving fine to $500 for a first offense is headed to the House floor for final legislative approval. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Legislation that would expand the number of diseases that could be treated with medical marijuana is headed to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Parks Senator Fred Mills says this measure is just about getting medication to the people who need it…:
cut 12 (07) “no one else”
Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill.

Researchers are going to the Gulf of Mexico to the site of the more than 88,000 gallons of oil that was spilled from a Shell platform. Ian MacDonald, an oceanographer at Florida State University, said their group was set up to study spills following the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010…:
CUT 8 (07) “effect”
He says they’re going to monitor the spill and research how the oil might affect wildlife.

Wendy’s will offer self-serving kiosks at over 6-thousand of its fast food locations across the country by the end of this year. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says this is what we can expect for the future and other fast food restaurants could move self-service because of higher minimum wages…:
cut 4 (06) “level jobs”
He feels those pushing for a higher minimum wage should be cautious, because this could lead to a loss of entry level jobs.