06:45 Sportscast, May 17th, 2016

The LSU baseball team hosts Northwestern State in a non-conference match-up tonight. After the game against the Demons, LSU will have three more games left with number one ranked Florida. The Tigers enter the final week of the regular season with a 17-9 record in the SEC, and coach Paul Maineiri says that’s pretty darn good…:
CUT 17 (11) “our guys”
The Tigers are currently tied with Ole Miss for third place in the SEC West, but Mainieri says the team still has a chance to move up in the league standings.

No. 19 UL-Lafayette will close out its five-game road swing today as the Ragin Cajuns hosts UNO. This is a contest that was originally scheduled for April but was moved because of inclement weather. UL-Lafayette will then host ULM for the final series of the season beginning Thursday. The Warhawks play Southern Miss on the road tonight.

Nicholls State takes on No. 11 Tulane in New Orleans.

New Orleans Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry is headed to New York today as he represents the team at the NBA Draft lottery. The position reveal will air on ESPN beginning at 7pm. The Pels finished with the 6th worst record in the NBA, so they’ll have the 6th spot in the draft lottery tonight.

The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly in negotiations with former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu which would make him among one of, if not the highest-paid safety in the NFL. The Honey Badger is entering the final year of his current four-year deal with the Cards. He is set to make roughly $1.5 million in 2016.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson won yet another round in his dispute with his estranged heirs over eventual ownership of the franchises. A federal judge on Monday said Benson does have the power to substitute assets previously established for the heirs. This battle however is not over.

The General Manager of the Louisiana Ice Gators says the team will suspend operations for the 2016-2017 hockey season due to renovations to the Cajundome.

 

06:30 Newscast, May 17th, 2016

Scientists are in the Gulf of Mexico studying the effects of the 88-thousand gallon oil spill from a Shell platform. Florida State University Oceanographer, Dr. Ian MacDonald says the leak is contained, but oil remains on the surface…:
CUT 7 (10) “metallic sheen”
He says they are working find out what impacts the oil will have on marine life once it starts to decompose.

The State Capitol and a nearby casino were evacuated Monday evening following apparent bomb threats, but was cleared about two hours later after no explosive devices were found. State Police said they had taken an unidentified man into custody in connection with the incident, but no arrest has been made at this time. The House had just convened for the day and there were only a few people were inside at the time. The investigation is ongoing.

The medical marijuana expansion bill is heading to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. The measure by St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills says those with cancer, epilepsy or HIV/AIDS will benefit from this measure…:
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.

Crews who were cutting the lawn in the median if I-10 in Ascension Parish discovered a body Monday, according to State Police. They did not identify the body as male or female, but they did say it appears to be a case of a hit and run crash.

 

AM Newscall May 17,2016

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”

______________________________________

 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 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 fast food chain, Wendy’s, will offer self-serving kiosks at over 6-thousand 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 many European fast food restaurants are using kiosks to take orders. He says other fast food restaurants are the U.S. could move in this direction because of higher minimum wages.

cut 4  (06)  “level jobs”

 In California, the state minimum wage will soon increase to 15-dollars and the city of New York also has a minimum wage of 15-bucks. Rosa says minimum wage earners in these areas could be making more than those who have recently achieved a degree from college. He says those pushing for a higher minimum wage should be cautious, because this could lead to a loss of entry level jobs.

Cut 5  (08)  “labor pool”

Rosa says Wendy’s will likely start using the kiosks where the minimum wage is the highest, like in California and New York. He says we live in a do it yourself economy and most people won’t mind the self-serve kiosk.

Cut 6 (06)  “at it”

___________________________________________________

Scientists are in the Gulf of Mexico studying the effects of the 88-thousand gallon oil spill from a Shell oil field. Florida State University Oceanographer, Dr. Ian MacDonald, says they want to find out what will happen as the oil starts to decompose and the impacts on marine life. He says the leak is contained, but oil remains on the surface.

CUT 7 (10)  “metallic sheen” 

The leak occurred on Thursday about 90 miles off of Louisiana’s coast, near Timbalier Island. MacDonald says porpoise and fish are swimming through the thick oil. He says scientists were funded to study oil spills after the massive BP spill in 2010 and will collect water samples to look at how the bacteria is responding with this most recent oil spill.

Cut 8  (07)  “spill effect” 

MacDonald says it’ll be a few weeks before data is back, but they should get some good results from cameras that go under the floating oil to see how it falls to the sea floor. He says even though this is considered a minor spill, the cleanup efforts are not enough.

Cut 9 (08)  “minimal”

___________________________________________________

Medical marijuana legislation is heading to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. The bill by Parks Senator Fred Mills expands the list of conditions medical marijuana can be used once it becomes available. Mills says those with cancer, epilepsy or HIV/AIDS will benefit from this measure.

Cut 10 (10) “my daughters”

The ag centers at LSU and Southern have first right of refusal to grow the state’s medical marijuana, but they have not yet agreed to do it. Under this bill, they would have to make a decision by September. Mills says he thinks this bill could get them to agree to grow the cannabis.

cut 11 (09) “medical marijuana”

Opponents to the bill say it will open the door for the legalization of recreational marijuana. But Mills says that’s not the case. He 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, but Mills says it will probably be another year or two before the public has access to medical marijuana.

_______________________________________________

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 Senator Yvonne Colomb says using a cell phone while driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel.

Cut 13 (09)  “football field”

The bill seeks to raise the fine from $175 to $500 for a first offense. Colomb says texting while driving is a serious problem because so many people are doing it, and she says it’s costing people their lives.

cut 14 (10)  “safety commission”

No one spoke out in opposition to the bill. 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 measure now heads to the House floor for final legislative passage.

__________________________________________________________

The LSU baseball team hosts Northwestern State in a non-conference match-up tonight. After the game against the Demons, LSU will have three more games left with number one ranked Florida. The Tigers are currently tied with Ole Miss for third place in the SEC West, but Coach Paul Mainieri says the team still has the chance to move up in the league standings…

Cut 16  (24)  “SEC Tournament”

LSU enters the final week of the regular season with a 17-9 conference record. Mainieri says that’s not a bad record…

Cut 17 (11)  “our guys” 

The Tigers bring an eight-game winning streak into the final week of the regular season. Mainieri says they need to keep winning to improve their seeding in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. Tonight’s starting pitcher, John Valek, says they know what needs to be done…

Cut 18 (14) “be exciting”

18:30 Newscast May 16,2016

Medical marijuana legislation is heading to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. The bill by Parks Senator Fred Mills expands the list of conditions medical marijuana can be used once it becomes available. Mills says those with cancer, epilepsy or HIV/AIDS will benefit from this measure.
Cut 10 (10) “my daughters”

Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill.

A woman who was the on-duty nurse when a patient at a Veterans Home in St. John the Baptist Parish died, is facing charges for allegedly trying to cover up negligence. Inspector General Stephen Street says a resident fell and 58-year-old Cheryl Poirrier failed to keep checking on him, as per policy. He says she then lied about what happened and could go to jail for it…:
CUT 4 (06) “public records”

 

The spending plan for next fiscal year is moving through the legislature with a proposed $35 million cut to the LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport and about a $15 million cut to the center in New Orleans. Shreveport Health Science Center Chancellor G.E. Ghali says his center already made drastic cuts to reduce their spending and is as lean as it can be when it comes to employees.
CUT 7 (09) “situation”

Ghali says this could impact accreditation and enrollment at his center.

Former Lt. Governor Bobby Freeman has passed away at 82-years-old. His family says Freeman passed away this morning after suffering an aneurysm last week. The St. Martinville native served as Lt. Governor from 1980-88. Edwin Edwards was the governor during Freeman’s second term and says Freeman was an energetic man…
CUT 9 (10) “a problem”

17:30 LRN Newscast May 16th

Final passage has been given to legislation that expands the number of diseases that would legally be able to receive a prescripition for medical marijuana once it becomes available in the state. Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill, despite opposition from sheriffs and district attorneys

Under the current budget proposal for next fiscal year, the LSU Health Science Centers in Shreveport and New Orleans would receive a combined 50-million dollars in cuts to state funding. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I”m Jeff Palermo

A couple of members of Senate Revenue Fiscal Affairs Committee say the state’s too broke to beef up the program to attract more movies. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says even without the film tax credits, they already know move makers will come to Louisiana…
cut 14 (09) “….this tax credit”
Changes to the state’s film tax credit program could come in a potential special session in June.

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 Senator Yvonne Colomb says using a cell phone while driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel.
Cut 30 (09) “football field”
The bill seeks to raise the fine from $175 to $500 for a first offense.

16:45 LRN Sportscast May 16

The LSU Baseball Tigers are taking an eight game winning streak into the final week of the regular season. The Bayou Bengals completed a sweep of Tennessee by beating the Volunteers 10 to 7 yesterday. In the baseball rankings that came out today, LSU is ranked eighth by Baseball America and 10th by D-One-Baseball-dot-com. The Tigers host Northwestern State tomorrow night and then conclude the regular season by hosting number one ranked Florida on Thursday night.

In the Sun Belt, UL Lafayette is two games out of first place after taking two of three from league leader South Alabama. The Cajuns conclude the regular season at home with a three-game series against ULM. The Warhawks are in 9th place in the league and one game back of Arkansas State who occupies the final spot in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Grambling begins the SWAC Tournament on Wednesday. The Tigers finished second in the West Division and they’ll play Alcorn State in New Orleans on Wednesday.

The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly interested in making former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu the highest paid safety in the NFL, even though his season was shortened last year because of a torn ACL. The 24-year-old has become the anchor of the Cardinals defense after just three seasons in the league.

One other NFL note, the Titans released former LSU Quarterback Zach Mettenberger after two seasons in Tennessee. Mettenberger started 10 games for the Titans.

Tomorrow night is the NBA Draft Lottery and Head Coach Alvin Gentry will represent the team in New York in the hopes the team can receive a top three pick. If the Pels lottery ball doesn’t come up, the team will likely pick sixth in the June NBA Draft. New Orleans has a six-percent chance to get the number one pick.

The Barbe Buccaneers are now three-time defending state baseball champs in Class Five-A. Barbe added to their trophy case yesterday by beating Byrd five to two.

16:30 LRN Newscast May 16

A former state Department of Veterans Affairs nurse faces jail time after a patient at a veterans home in St. John the Baptist Parish died under her care. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A grass cutting crew found a body this afternoon in the median of Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish. The local coroner has yet to identify the body or cause of death. State Police is not sure how long the body may have been there. An official with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says it’s possible the person is a victim of a hit and run.

In these tough budget times, some state senators are concerned about growing Louisiana’s film tax credit program. Lawmakers are reviewing the budget for next fiscal year which currently contains a $600 million dollar hole, and proposals to cut healthcare and education are on the table. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau thinks the movie incentives don’t have a tangible economic impact:
UT 12 (07) “investment”
But others who defend the program says the movie making business does bring money to the state especially at the local level.

Former Lt. Governor Bobby Freeman has passed away at the age of 82 after suffering an aneurysm last week. The Democrat from Plaquemine served as the state’s second highest elected official from 1980 to 1988. His second term was under former Governor Edwin Edwards…
cut 11 (08) “great citizen”
Freeman was also a state legislator, a city judge in Plaquemine and he’s in the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame as he is a former member of the boxing team.

15:30 LRN Newscast May 16

A former nurse with the state Department of Veterans Affairs is facing jail time after a patient died under her care. Inspector General Stephen Street says 58-year-old Cheryl Poirrier of LaPlace was on-duty the night a resident fell at a Veterans Home in St John Parish. He says after a fall, it’s policy to check the patient’s neurological signs for the next 72 hours…:
CUT 3 (12) “the checks”
Poirrier

Former Lt. Governor Bobby Freeman has passed away. Freeman was 82 years old and served as Lt. Governor from 1980 to 88. Edwin Edwards was the governor during Freeman’s second term and says Freeman was a promoter of race relations…
cut 10 (10) “…to him”
Freeman is also an LSU athletic hall of famer as he was on the school’s boxing team.

Senators on the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee voiced concerns today over the state’s film tax credit program, which is credited with bringing movies and jobs to Louisiana, but studies have shown it’s cost the state more than the revenue it produces. However, Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Columb says she understands that many vital services are looking at cuts, but…
cut 13 (11) “…done here”

In Senate Finance, the leaders for the LSU Hospitals and medical schools express their concerns about potential budget cuts to their facilities. LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport Chancellor G.E Ghali says the proposed budget calls for them to receive a 35-million dollar cut…
cut 8 (12) “…science center”
The Senate will have the opportunity to increase funding to LSU’s medical schools.

14:30 LRN Newscast May 16th

A former nurse who worked at the Southeast Louisiana War Veteran’s Home in St. John the Baptist Parish faces felony charges after she allegedly fasified records on a patient who died. Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street says 58-year-old Cheryl Poirrier of LaPlace lied on paperwork that she checked on a patient after he fell in his room and that patient passed away a few hours after his fall…
cut (12) “….after the fact”
Street says there’s also surveillance video that shows she didn’t perform any of the checks.

Officials say a grass cutting crew found a body on Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish. The investigation is just beginning, but authorities say it appears the person’s death was caused by foul play. The body was found in the median.

The leaders of the LSU Health medical schools in Shreveport and New Orleans went before lawmakers to express their concerns about large cuts to their facilities. Shreveport Health Science Center Chancelllor G.E. Ghali says the Shreveport hospitals is already as lean as it can be in terms of employees…
cut 7 (09) “….situation”
Ghali is concerned about accrediation and enrollment if they receive a 35-million dollar cut.

The Senate and Revenue Fiscal Affairs Committee, discussed the state’s film tax credit program today and a couple of lawmakers said the state’s too broke to beef up the program to attract more movies. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says even without the film tax credits, they already know move makers will come to Louisiana…
cut 14 (09) “….this tax credit”
Changes to the state’s film tax credit program could come in a potential special session in June.

LRN PM Newscall May 16

A former Department of Veterans Affairs nurse faces jail time after a patient at a St. Charles veterans home died under her care. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (27)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

================

Under the current budget proposal for next fiscal year, the LSU Health Science Centers in Shreveport and New Orleans would receive a combined 50-million dollars in cuts to state funding. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

===================

A former nurse with the Department of Veterans Affairs is facing jail time after a patient died under her care. Inspector General Stephen Street says 58-year-old Cheryl Poirrier was the on-duty nurse the night a resident fell at a Veterans Home in St Charles Parish. Street says after a fall, it’s Veterans Affairs policy to check the patient’s neurological signs for the next 72 hours.

CUT 3 (12)  “the checks”

Some eight hours after the patient’s fall, he was found unresponsive in his room and it was determined that he died during the night.  Street says Poirrier has been charged with multiple felony offenses, and faces time behind bars if convicted.

CUT 4 (06)  “public records”

Street says this kind of behavior cannot be tolerated, especially with our veterans. He says this is criminal conduct, and his office is treating it as such.

CUT 5 (12)  “after the fact”

====================================================

The spending plan for next fiscal year is moving through the legislature with a proposed $35 million cut to the LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport and about a $15 million cut to the center in New Orleans. Chancellor of the New Orleans center, Larry Hollier says this will impact many of their programs.

CUT 6 (11) “neuroscience center program”

Hollier says the cuts could force him to close the dental hygiene and undergraduate nursing programs. Shreveport Health Science Center Chancellor G.E. Ghali says his center has already made drastic cuts to reduce their spending. He says his center is as lean as it can be in terms of employees.

CUT 7 (09) “situation”

Ghali says this could also impact accreditation and enrollment at the Shreveport center.

CUT 8 (12) “science center”

The budget proposal for next fiscal year has been approved by the House and is being debated in the Senate Finance Committee.

====================================================

Former Lt. Governor Bobby Freeman has passed died. His family says Freeman passed away this morning after suffering an aneurysm last week.  He was 82-years-old. The St. Martinville native served as Lt. Governor from 1980-88. Edwin Edwards was the governor during Freeman’s second term and the former governor says Freeman was a very energetic man…

CUT 9 (10) “a problem”

Freeman also served as a state legislator from 1968-1980. Edwards recalls Freeman was a promoter of race relations…

cut 10 (10)  “to him”

Freeman also served in the US Army and is a former member of the LSU boxing team. In 1977, he was elected into the LSU Hall of Fame. He was an attorney in Plaquemine prior to his death. Edwards says Freeman was a good man…

Cut 11 (08) “great citizen”

—————————————————————————————-

In these tough budget times, some state senators are concerned about growing Louisiana’s film tax credit program. Lawmakers are reviewing the budget for next fiscal year which currently contains a $600 million dollar hole, and proposals to cut healthcare and education are on the table. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau thinks the movie incentives don’t have a tangible economic impact:

cut 12 (07) “investment”

But others who defend the program says the movie making business does bring money to the state especially at the local level. Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb says she understands that many vital services are looking at cuts, but..:

Cut 13 (11)  “done here”

Luneau says, even without the film tax credits, they already know movie makers will come to Louisiana because they want The Bayou State backdrop…:

cut 14 (09)  “this tax credit”