16:30 LRN Newscast October 11th

LSU says it’s live mascot, Mike the Sixth, has lost his battle with cancer and he was euthanized this morning. Doctor David Baker at the LSU Vet School has cared for Mike since he arrived on campus in 2007 and he says it’s a heartbreaking day for LSU fans, but he’s thankful for all of the support…
cut 12 (10) “….I’m very thankful”
Mike VI will be cremated and his remains will be given to the school’s Andoine museum.

The Jefferson Parish School Board is expected to vote on a resolution tonight that would ban Parish President Mike Yenni from public school campuses. It’s the result of Yenni’s sexting scandal involving a 17-year-old boy. School board member Mark Morgan says some action is needed because Yenni allegedly had contact with the victim on school property…
cut 3 (10) “…that of us”

The new Republican Party deputy chairman of Louisiana, Tim Breaux, says he will stand by Presidential candidate Donald Trump amid an 11-year-old recording that had Trump making lewd comments about women. Breaux, from Lafayette, says he’s been around Trump on many occasions and…
CUT 6 (10) “him elected”
But Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Stephen Handwerk, says even if we dismiss the tape, we only have to go back a week to find more inappropriate tweets or comments…:
CUT 9 (10) “believing that”

US Attorney Walt Green of Louisiana’s Middle District says the investigation into the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling is ongoing and there’s no timetable on when they’ll be finished.

LRN PM Newscall October 11th ##Update##

The new Louisiana GOP deputy chairman stands by Donald Trump even after the recently released recordings of the presidential candidate’s lewd remarks against women 11 years ago. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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LSU’s Mike the Tiger has died following a four month battle with cancer. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Following Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni’s admission to sexting a teenage boy, the Jefferson Parish School Board wants to ban him from being on public school campuses. School board member Mark Morgan says the fact that Yenni made contact with the boy on a school campus makes it even more important that Yenni not be allowed there.

CUT 3 (10)  “that of us” 2x

Tonight’s school board meeting, where members are expected to take up a resolution, comes just a week after the Jefferson Parish Council called for Yenni’s resignation. Morgan says the motion would ban Yenni from public and charter school properties.

CUT 4 (09)  “on school campuses”

Yenni was deployed with his military unit assisting with Hurricane Matthew relief efforts, but he came home early to have a closed meeting with his staff Monday. Morgan says the controversy surrounding Yenni’s inappropriate behavior could lead to classroom disruptions.

CUT 5 (10)  “taking place”

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The new Republican Party deputy chairman of Louisiana, Tim Breaux, says he will stand by Presidential candidate Donald Trump amid an 11-year-old recording recently released with the businessman making lewd comments about women. Breaux, from Lafayette, says he’s been around Trump on many occasions and has never heard him make statements of this nature.

CUT 6 (10) “him elected”

But Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Stephen Handwerk, says the President of the United States shouldn’t behave like this. He says he couldn’t believe how easily these remarks came to Trump, but…

CUT 7 (11) “excuse yourself”

Breaux says his wife also works closely with Trump’s businesses and has never felt uncomfortable or heard him make inappropriate comments. He believes the republican candidate still has a good chance to win.

CUT 8 (09) “to make”

Handwerk says even if we dismiss the tape from 11 years ago, we only have to go back a week to find more inappropriate tweets or comments.

CUT 9 (10) “believing that” 

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LSU announces that its live mascot, Mike VI, was euthanized today at the age of 11 following a four-month battle with cancer. His vet, Dr. David Baker, says one of the things he loved the most about Mike is that he was never shy, even from the first day he met him at the Great Cats of Indiana nonprofit rescue facility…

cut 10 (09)  “up where the people were”

LSU says there will not be a formal memorial service for Mike VI, but fans are encouraged to share their memories, stories and photos on social media using #MikeVI. Dr. Baker says Mike VI had all the perfect characteristics of a beloved mascot tiger…:

Cut 11 (06) “and interactive”

Tiger fans came to offer flowers and notes and take pictures outside the cage with Mike VI before he was moved to “hospice care” for the remainder of his time. He even received and purple and gold flower bouquet from the University of Texas’ Longhorn, Bevo. Dr. Baker said it’s a heartbreaking day for LSU fans, but he’s thankful for all the support they’ve received:

cut 12 (10) “I’m very thankful”

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One in four Americans report having a medical condition worsen because of delaying emergency medical attention for fear of insurance gaps. That’s according to a poll of more than 2-thousand registered voters paid for by the American College of Emergency Physicians. The survey also found more than half of respondents are paying more for insurance coverage. ACEP president, Dr. Jay Kaplan of New Orleans, is not surprised.

Cut 13 (10)  “emergency care”

The poll found that while 15-percent of respondents say their insurance has gotten better in the last year, twice as many say it got worse. Kaplan says insurance companies trying to keep premiums low are raising deductibles. He says this is leading to higher costs for patients.

cut 14 (10)  “out of pocket”

Kaplan says high deductible insurance plans have risen over 40-percent in the last several years. He says one in four patients also say they have lost access to their physicians because insurance companies are narrowing down their networks.

cut 15 (12) “their docors”

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LRN Newscast 14:30 October 11th

LSU’s live mascot, Mike the Sixth, has passed away after a four month battle with cancer. Doctor David Baker at the LSU Vet school says Mike Six had the characterisists you wanted in a school mascot…
cut 11 (05) ‘…interactive”
The 420-pound Tiger had been on LSU’s campus since 2007 and he was 11-years-old at the time of his death.

The new Louisiana GOP deputy chairman stands by Donald Trump even after the recently released recordings of the presidential candidate’s lewd remarks against women 11 years ago. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (27) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

A study paid for by the American College of Emergency Physicians found 30-percent of respondents nationwide say their health insurance coverage has gotten worse. Doctor Jay Kaplan is an emergency physician in New Orleans and says the study also found one in four patients have lost access to their physican because insurance companies are narrowing down their networks…
cut 15 (12) “…their doctors”

The Jefferson Parish School Board plans to vote on a resolution that would ban Parish President Mike Yenni from being on school property. Yenni is the subject of a sexting scandal. School Board member Mark Morgan says the controversy surrounding Yenni can lead to classroom disruptions…
cut 5 (10) “…taking place’
Yenni has refused to resign despite calls that he should step down.

13:30 Newscast, October 11th, 2016

LSU announces that its live mascot, Mike VI, was euthanized today at the age of 11 following a four-month battle with cancer. His vet, Dr. David Baker, says one of the things he loved the most about Mike is that he was never shy, even from the first day he met him at the Great Cats of Indiana nonprofit rescue facility…
CUT 10 (09) “up where the people were”
LSU says there will not be a formal memorial service for Mike VI.

One in four Americans report having a medical condition worsen because of delaying emergency medical attention for fear of insurance gaps. That’s according to a poll by the American College of Emergency Physicians. The survey also found more than half of respondents are paying more for insurance coverage. ACEP president, Dr. Jay Kaplan, is not surprised:
Cut 13 (10) “emergency care”

The new Republican Party deputy chairman of Louisiana, Tim Breaux, says he will stand by Presidential candidate Donald Trump amid an 11-year-old recording recently released with the businessman making lewd comments about women. Breaux, from Lafayette, says he’s been around Trump on many occasions and has never heard him make statements of this nature…:

CUT 6 (10) “him elected”
But Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Stephen Handwerk, says even if we dismiss the tape from 11 years ago, we only have to go back a week to find more inappropriate tweets or comments…:
CUT 9 (10) “believing that”
Today is the last day to register to vote for the November 8th election.

Again our breaking news at this hour is that LSU’s live mascot Tiger, Mike VI, has died.

 

12:30 Newscast, October 11th, 2016

A central Louisiana woman created a GoFundMe account which benefits a man who had a part in raising LSU’s dying mascot, Mike IV. Steve Cotner of Indiana posted online that he wished there was a way he could come say his final goodbyes to the tiger he knows as Roscoe. Jeri Guinn of Pineville said Cotner’s story touched her so launched a GoFundMe:
CUT 10 (08) “five hours”
She says they’ve reached the goal of raising over $3000 and hopes Cotner can be here by the end of the week.

The US Justice Department has released a statement to update the status of the criminal investigation into Alton Sterling’s death by Baton Rouge Police Officers. US Attorney Walt Green says it’s ongoing and there is no timetable on when the investigation will be finished. He says a team of career federal prosecutors, FBI agents and support personnel have devoted hundreds of hours to the investigation.

Tonight the Jefferson Parish Public School Board is scheduled to take a vote on whether Parish President Mike Yenni will be allowed at school functions. Yenni said he has no plans to step down in the wake of an apparent sexting scandal that he admitted to and apologized. School board member Mark Morgan says tonight’s motion would ban Yenni from schools:
CUT 4 (09) “on school campuses”
He says the boy Yenni admitted to texting he met at a school which makes this an important matter.

The former assistant principal accused of killing and dumping a pregnant teacher’s body in a ditch pleaded “not guilty” in court Tuesday morning. 39-year-old Robert Marks was arraigned on charges of second degree murder and first degree feticide.

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 11th

The postponement of the LSU-Florida game has many Tiger fans frustrated, but head coach Ed Orgeron says it was a productive weekend for the football team. Orgeron says they got some good work in on the practice field and then hit the recruiting trail…
cut 16 (11) “…was postive”
It’s still a big unknown over whether the Tigers will be able to play Florida this season. Senior center Ethan Pocic says they are getting ready to play Southern Miss this Saturday and let others figure out the schedule…
cut 19 (11) “…Southern Miss”
It’s also unclear if running back Leonard Fournette will play against the Golden Eagles, he continues to be hampered by an ankle injury.

The loser of this Sunday’s Saints-Panthers game will be in last place in the NFC South. Carolina lost to Tampa Bay last night and the defending NFC Champs are now 1-and-4 on the season. Panthers QB Cam Newton did not play last night, because of a concussion.

Haughton native Dak Prescott is on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Prescott has led the Cowboys to a 4-and-1 record. The rookie QB has a big test this Sunday as Dallas visits Green Bay.

Louisiana Tech kicker Jonathan Barnes was named Conference USA Special teams player of the week and Carlos Henderson was named the league’s offensive player of the week. Barnes kicked two field goals in Tech’s 55-52 win over Western Kentucky last week. Henderson had eight catches for a career-high 232 yards and three touchdowns.

K. Matthew Roan has been named the new athletics director at Nicholls State. He’s currently the deputy director of athletics at Eastern Kentucky and will begin work on the Thibodaux campus on November 15th

11:30 Newscast, October 11th, 2016

Following Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni’s admission to sexting a teenage boy, the Jefferson Parish School Board wants to ban him from being on public school campuses. School board member Mark Morgan says the fact that Yenni made contact with the boy on a school campus makes it even more important that Yenni not be allowed there…:
CUT 3 (10) “that of us” 2x
Yenni maintains he didn’t break any laws and has no plans to resign.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation has launched a campaign to promote roundabout safety tips. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they receive a lot of positive feedback from motorists about the roundabouts…:
Cut 10 (08) “overall”
DOTD has installed about 30 roundabouts and 100 more have been proposed.

A central Louisiana woman is creating all sorts of waves on social media for her GoFundMe account which benefits a man who had a part in raising LSU’s live mascot. Steve Cotner is from Indiana and said on Facebook he wishes there was a way he could come say his final goodbyes to Mike VI aka Roscoe — before the Bengali-Siberian hybrid tiger succumbs to cancer. Jeri Guinn of Pineville said Steve’s story touched her. The help Steve Reunite with Mike VI GoFundMe raised over $3000 in 3 days.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler has unveiled a very special “I Voted” sticker..:
Cut 3 (20) “I’m Halen Doughty”

 

10:30 Newscast October 11,2016

The Department of Children and Family Services announces they’ve received federal approval for a second round of disaster food stamps for the 11 hardest hit parishes by the August flooding. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says there is a history of getting additional aid from their federal partners after really big disasters, but typically not this many parishes are included.
Cut 8 (10) “so many”

The Secretary of State’s Office has created a new way to get people out to vote in the November 8th presidential election. A new “I voted” sticker features the Louisiana Blue Dog in front of an American flag. The late blue dog artist’s wife Wendy Rodrigue says they searched within what George had already designed and found a solution.
Cut 14 (09) “Sept. 11”

Today is the last day to register to vote.

 
A new state taskforce aims to put a stop to opioid abuse in Louisiana. Bob Johannessen with the Department of Health says the goal of this commission is to have recommendations for the legislature by February. He says they’re working to improve communications between physicians to avoid over prescribing.
Cut 6 (10) “lead to”

Johannessen says patients who are over prescribed these medications often build up a tolerance, which leads to addiction.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation launches a roundabout safety campaign as the state is introducing more of these intersections on our roadways. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says motorists slow down, but don’t stop when entering a roundabout so it helps will congestion. He says this type of intersection is safer than a stop light.
Cut 11 (09) “T-bone.”

09:30 Newscast, October 11th, 2016

The Department of Children and Family Services says DSNAP benefits will continue to be distributed for a second month for the 11 parishes most impacted by the August flood. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they are just trying to help people in any way they can during this difficult recovery process…:
Cut 9 (12) “to do”
She says recipients cards will be loaded by next Tuesday.

A state task force charged with tackling the opiod problem in Louisiana just had their first meeting. Department of Health spokesman Bob Johannessen says Louisiana has received more than $2 million in federal dollars to assist with this effort…:
Cut 5 (09) “behavioral health”
He says Louisiana has the seventh highest rate of painkiller prescriptions in the country.

The Department of Transportation is getting the message out to Louisiana motorists how to navigate a roundabout. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The chief aide to US Senate candidate David Duke’s campaign has resigned. Mike Lawrence told the Baton Rouge Advocate that the two disagreed over how Duke should present his past as Imperial Wizard of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, but Duke refused to downplay it. Duke’s campaign has not done well according to several polls that show him with little support…most in the single digits.

 

08:30 Newscast, October 11th, 2016

Secretary of State Tom Schedler, who is charged with increasing the voter turnout in Louisiana, introduces new “I Voted” stickers featuring artist George Rodrigue’s iconic Blue Dog for the November 8th election. Schedler says the art is also on display in an exhibit called “Blue Dog for President” at the Rodrigues gallery in New Orleans.
Cut 15 (11) “I don’t know”
He says they have distributed 4 million stickers to precincts throughout the state and everyone who votes will get one. Today is the last day to register to vote for the November 8th election.

Tonight the Jefferson Parish Public School Board is scheduled to take a vote on whether Parish President Mike Yenni will be allowed at school functions. Yenni said he has no plans to step down in the wake of an apparent sexting scandal that he admitted to and apologized. Yenni insists he broke no laws and isn’t the target of an investigation.

You’re starting to see more and more roundabouts pop up in Louisiana and the Department of Transportation is getting the word out on how to navigate them properly. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says the key is to slow down, yield to traffic, proceed right, and follow signs. He says roundabouts are found to reduce traffic related fatalities by 90-percent:
cut 12 (09) “severe accidents”
DOTD has installed about 30 roundabouts and 100 more have been proposed.

A new task force aims to address the epidemic of opioid abuse in Louisiana. Bob Johannessen with the Department of Health says Louisiana has the seventh highest rate of painkiller prescriptions in the country..:
cut 4 (07) “they treat”
The Commission on Preventing Opioid Abuse was established in the 2016 legislative session, and they just had their first meeting.