06:30 Newscast, April 27th, 2016

Louisiana is the least prepared state when it comes to a major health emergency. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police have issued a Level II Endangered Missing Child Advisory seeking 12-year-old Jalon Bradley who they say was taken from Mamou High School by his non-custodial mother and is believed to be in imminent danger. The woman is 34-year-old Elaine Freeman, a 34-year-old black female possibly driving a white SUV.

An Amite man has been arrested following a fatal hit and run near Hammond early Tuesday morning. State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says 32-year old Brandon Fowler hit 30-year-old bicyclist Anand Asi of Hammond with his truck in Tangipahoa Parish…:
cut 14 (09) “the scene”
Fowler was taken into custody and booked with felony hit and run and illegal passing of a bicycle. More charges will be referred to the DA’s office.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for most of west Louisiana through noon today. Threats include strong wings, hail, heavy rain, localized flash flooding and possibly isolated tornadoes. The system is moving across the state throughout Wednesday.

 

LRN AM Newscall April 27, 2016

 

A bill to require movie theaters to use metal detectors will be heard in a House committee today. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana is the least prepared state when it comes to a major health emergency. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Supreme Court has ruled that juvenile offenders cannot be sentenced to life without the chance for parole, and Louisiana lawmakers are trying to figure out the implications of that ruling. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A bill that would require movie theaters to install metal detectors is scheduled to be heard in the House Criminal Justice committee today. Shreveport Rep. Barbara Norton wants to ensure movie goers are safe. Norton says she’s received many positive phone calls supporting this proposal.

cut 4  (10)  “done something”

Last summer a gunman walked into a Lafayette movie theater and killed two people and injured nine. Norton says nothing changes until you put something in place.

Cut 5  (10)  “an effort”

Norton says when a tragedy hits in your backyard, like the Lafayette Theater shooting, it makes you think something like this could happen anywhere. She says it would not cost theater operators a lot of money to install a detector or use a metal detecting wand.

Cut 6 (07)  “feels safe”

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This year’s National Health Security Preparedness Index finds Louisiana is the least prepared state to respond to a major health emergency. The state scores 5.6 out of 10 on the index. Bob Johannessen with the Department of Health and Hospitals says the survey is somewhat misleading. But he says some aspects used to determine this ranking are true.

CUT 7 (10)  “an issue” 

Johannessen says emergency preparedness in the state has greatly improved since Hurricane Katrina. He says different measures were asked to determine preparedness, like if Louisiana uses an electronic surveillance system to monitor diseases and reported and the answer was yes.

Cut 8  (09)  “is yes” 

Johannessen says this report does show that we have access to care issues and there are more areas than not in Louisiana that have health care shortages. He also says the report penalizes Louisiana for using state agencies to man emergency shelters when other states can hire private contractors.

Cut 9 (10)  “of work”

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State legislators are dealing with the repercussions of a Supreme Court ruling that says juveniles cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the chance for parole. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny’s would ensure that underage criminals with life sentences would become eligible for parole after 35 years behind bars. But Nathan Allbritton of Natchitoches Parish doesn’t think they should ever get parole. His wife and son were murdered by a 15-year-old, and he spoke in opposition to the bill.

Cut 10 (12) “him apart”

Allbritton says if dangerous criminals are released from jail, other people will get hurt. He says it’s important that these juveniles realize that actions have consequences, because it’s not a game.

cut 11 (09) “of em”

Allbritton’s niece, Andrea Pickett, also testified against the bill. She says not all of these cases are kids making bad judgement calls.

cut 12 (09) “kill someone”

Martiny’s bill also mandates that the juvenile maintain a good behavioral record and participate in educational programs to qualify. He says the purpose of the bill is not to get criminals out of jail, but lawmakers have to do something because of the court ruling.

Cut 13 (10)  “remedy is”

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An Amite man has been arrested following a fatal hit and run on highway 443 near Hammond early Tuesday morning. State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says 32-year old Brandon Fowler hit 30-year-old bicyclist Anand Asi of Hammond with his truck.

cut 14 (09)  “the scene”

Dwight says there were witnesses of the incident, but initially troopers did not have much information to go on. He says through the help of witnesses, other agencies, and local media, they were able to locate Fowler on Tuesday afternoon.

Cut 15 (09) “the story”

Asi was reportedly wearing an approved helmet and had both front and rear lamps on his bike. Dwight says Fowler’s Chevy pick-up damage has damage on the passenger side as the head light is busted out.

Cut 16  (11)  “a bicycle”

Troopers are reminding motorists that passing vehicles are required to allow at least three feet when passing a bicycle travelling in the same direction.

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Former Louisiana Tech star Vernon Butler is in Chicago as he is one of 25 players that is attending the NFL draft after receiving a personal invitation from commissioner Roger Goodell. Butler is confident he’ll hear his name called when the first round takes place tomorrow night….

Cut 17 (07) “….true really”

Butler was a standout player on Louisiana Tech’s defensive line the last two seasons as he recorded over 100 tackles, nearly two dozen tackles for a loss and four sacks. NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier believes Butler will go late in the first round. Butler says he’s anxious to find out who he’ll play for…

Cut 18 (08) “get better”

Butler says he’s had individual work outs for Carolina, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Seattle. He would love to be taken by the Saints, who have the 12th overall pick….

Cut 19 (10) “on Sundays”

18:30 LRN Newscast April 26

Louisiana lawmakers are working to regulate drones. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor has legislation that prevents people from using drones for stalking, voyeurism, and other crimes. He says his proposals are intended to protect people from people, as well as the government.

CUT 3 (10)  “search warrant”

One of Claitor’s measures would prevent people from using drones for stalking, harassment or assault, and that bill is scheduled to be hear in a Senate committee.

Legislation dealing with police body cameras and what footage should be exempted from public record laws has been approved by a Senate committee. New Orleans Senator J.P Morrell says it causes a lot of financial strain on police departments to save these body cam videos for three years, which is currently required by law.

cut 16 (07) “really comprehend”

The Houston-based Union Tank Car Company said it expects to lay off about 224 employees at its Alexandria facility beginning June 24th. Jim Clinton is the CEO of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. He says they’ve known for some time that this cutback was coming…:

CUT 9 (07) “related commodities”

UTLX said they will continue to employ about 350 people.

An ad released today by the Louisiana Federation for Children features parents accusing Governor John Bel Edwards of breaking campaign promises by cutting the state’s voucher program. LFC President Ann Duplessis says cutting the voucher program will not save the state any money….

cut 14 (08)  “impacted”

The governor responded, saying every student who is currently receiving a scholarship will continue to get one.

17:30 LRN Newscast April 26

A pro-voucher group, the Louisiana Federation for Children, releases an ad today that features parents accusing Governor John Bel Edwards of breaking campaign promises by cutting the Louisiana Scholarship Program. LFC President Ann Duplessis says fewer children will receive vouchers to attend private or parochial schools.

cut 12 (08) “children’s future”

The governor has responded by saying the L-F-C’s accusations are blatantly false.

Metairie Senator Danny Martiny proposed a bill to ensure that underage criminals with life sentences become eligible for parole after 35 years. But Nathan Allbritton doesn’t think they should ever get parole because his wife and son were murdered by a juvenile. Allbritton says it’s important that these criminals realize that actions have consequences.

cut 23 (09) “of em”

A Senate committee has approved legislation that deals with police body camera footage and how much of it can be made available to the public. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says there needs to be some privacy safeguards but…

cut 15 (11) “…real transparency”
The legislation requires a court order for video that might violate a “reasonable expectation of privacy.”

Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor proposed a bill that prevents people from using drones for stalking, voyeurism, and other crimes. Claitor has proposed similar legislation before, but lawmakers were more hesitant because drones were not as popular a few years ago. He says technology is advancing, and regulation of drones is needed to keep up with the times.

CUT 4 (07)  “your house”

The measure is scheduled to be heard in a Senate committee.

16:45 LRN Sportscast April 26

The NFL Network reports the Saints talked about trading some of their draft picks to acquire the number one overall pick, so they can select a quarterback. Mike Triplett with ESPN says those discussions never occurred, but the team is interested in drafting a QB as 37-year-old Drew Brees is entering the final year of his contract.

LSU and Tulane renew its rivalry on the baseball diamond when the two ranked teams meet at sold-out Turchin Stadium. The Green Wave is looking to sweep the season series as Tulane beat the Tigers 7-1 earlier this season at Alex Box Stadium.

UL Lafayette announced that it has added Houston to this year’s schedule. The Cajuns will travel down I-10 to play the Cougars on May 11th at 5 PM. Tonight, the Cajuns have another tough road midweek game as they visit Southern Miss.

Elsewhere tonight….ULM is at Stephen F Austin, Grambling hosts Alcorn and Northwestern State begins a two-game series against Mississippi Valley State.

Richie Riley was introduced as the new men’s basketball coach at Nicholls. The 33-year-old is the 11th head coach in Colonel men’s basketball hsitory. Riley was an assistant at Clemson the last two seasons. He’s also served as an assistant at UAB, Eastern Kentucky and Coastal Carolina. Riley played his college basketball at Eastern Kentucky.

The Pelicans television ratings on Fox Sports New Orleans dropped 32-percent from the previous season. That’s the fifth biggest drop in the league according to reasearch done by the Sports Business Journal. After making the playoffs in the 2014-15 season, New Orleans finished 22 games under five-hundred last season.

In the NBA playoffs…the Clippers have announced former Hornet Chris Paul is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to fix his broken hand. Paul’s teammate Blake Griffin is out for the playoffs with an injured left quad.

Former Louisiana Tech star, Paul Millsap, and the Atlanta Hawks face the Boston Celtics tonight. That series is tied at two games a piece.

16:30 LRN Newscast April 26

Parents of voucher students are voicing their concerns about cuts to Louisiana’s voucher program in an ad paid for by the Louisiana Federation for Children. LFC President Ann Duplessis says the cuts were made to save money, but it will actually increase costs for local school districts….

cut 14 (08)  “impacted”

The governor has responded by saying every student who currently receives a scholarship will continue to get one.

The Houston-based Union Tank Car Company said it expects to lay off about 224 employees at its Alexandria facility because of market conditions. Jim Clinton, CEO of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, says UTLX is a strong company that shouldn’t have a problem adding staff once the economy rebounds…:

cut 10 (08) “workforce again”

Legislators are looking at proposals to prevent individuals from using drones to commit crimes, like stalking and voyeurism. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Don Molino”

An Amite man has been arrested following a fatal hit and run that took the life of bicyclist Anand Asi of Hammond. 32-year-old Brandon Fowler struck Asi with his truck while Asi was riding on LA 443 early this morning. Fowler has been charged with felony hit and run and illegal passing of a bicycle.

15:30 LRN Newscast April 26

A pro-voucher group is attacking John Bel Edwards in a new TV ad as they are criticizing the first year governor for cutting six million dollars from the state’s voucher program. Louisiana Federation for Children president Ann Duplessiss says 71-hundred students receive vouchers, but not all of them will get one next year, if the governor has his way….
cut 13 (09) “….school year’
Governor Edwards says the ad is blatantly false.

There’s a handful of bills in this session that attempt to regulate drone use. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor has a couple of measures, one of them will make it illegal to fly a drone over someone’s property without their permission…
cut 5 (08) “…the government”
So far, the drone regulation bills have received very little opposition.

Legislation is moving to the Senate floor that deals with police body camera video. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says it causes a lot of financial strain on police departments to save these body cam videos for three years, which is required by law…
cut 16 (07) “….really comprehend”
The legislation also addresses what video connected to a crime should be available to the public

An Alexandria teen is facing several charges including terrorizing after he allegedy made threats on social media about a potential incident that would occur at Alexanderia Senior High’s prom. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Lt. Tommy Carnline…
cut 6 (10) “….of justice”
The prom was Saturday night and the teen is held on a 21-thousand dollar bond.

14:30 LRN Newscast April 26

An ad airs today from the Louisiana Federation for Children, a pro-voucher group that shows parents of voucher students saying Governor Edwards lied to them by cutting the budget for taxpayer funded vouchers. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (26) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The National Weather Service says it’s possible areas north of Interstate 10 will see a few severe storms tomorrow. There’s the potential for large hail, damaging winds and an isolated tornado from storms that will move through Texas today.

Houston-based Union Tank Car has infomed the Louisiana Workforce Commission that it will lay off about 224 employees in June. CEO of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, Jim Clinton, says they’ll try to assist employees anyway they can….
cut 11 (11) “…possibly do”
Union Tank car says they’ll continue to employ about 350 people.

A Senate committee has approved legislation that deals with police body camera footage and how much of it can be made available to the public. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says there needs to be some privacy safeguards but…
cut 15 (11) “…real transparency”
The legislation requires a court order for video that my violate a “reasonable expectation of privacy.”

PM Newscall, April 26th, 2016

Legislators are looking at proposals to regulate drones to prevent individuals from using them to commit crimes, like stalking and voyeurism. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Don Molino”

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An ad airs today from the Louisiana Federation for Children, a pro-voucher group, that shows parents of voucher students saying Governor John Bel Edwards lied to them by cutting the budget of the Louisiana Scholarship Program. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (26)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Louisiana lawmakers are working to regulate drones. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor has legislation that prevents people from using drones for stalking, voyeurism, and other crimes. He says his proposals are intended to protect people from people, as well as the government.

CUT 3 (10)  “search warrant”

Claitor has proposed similar legislation before, but lawmakers were more hesitant, as drones were not as popular a few years ago as they are now. He says technology is advancing, and regulation of drones is needed to keep up with the times.

CUT 4 (07)  “your house”

Claitor says you shouldn’t be able to do something with a piece of technology that would wouldn’t do with your physical person.

CUT 5 (08)  “the government”

One of Claitor’s measures would make it illegal to fly a drone over someone’s property without their permission, and that bill has passed the Senate. Another proposal, which would prevent people from using drones for stalking, harassment or assault, is scheduled to be hear in a Senate committee.

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A 17-year-old is under arrest after making threats online involving the Alexandria Senior High School prom. Rapides Parish Lt. Tommy Carnline says investigators believed an incident could take place at the prom and discovered a fake internet social media account. Carline says evidence found led them to arrest Adrian Ray of Alexandria at his home.

CUT 6 (10) “of justice”

The prom was held on Saturday night. Carnline says Ray is currently being held in the Rapides Parish Detention Center on a 21-thousand dollar bond. He says anytime they have threats of this kind, they take them very seriously.

CUT 7 (09) “high school”

Authorities believe Ray is the only person involved with the threats. Carnline says Ray is charged with Terrorizing, Stalking, and Obstruction of Justice.

CUT 8 (07) “those charges”

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One of the largest employers in central Louisiana announces mass layoffs are coming. Houston-based Union Tank Car Company (UTLX) said it expects to lay off about 224 employees beginning June 24th at its Alexandria facility. Jim Clinton is the CEO of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. He says they’ve known for some time that this cutback was coming…:

CUT 9 (07) “related commodities”

Clinton says the manufacturing company announced it would cut its production in half due to market conditions and poor demand outlook for railroad tank cars to plants. He says UTLX is a strong company that shouldn’t have a problem adding staff once the economy rebounds…:

cut 10 (08) “workforce again”

UTLX said they will continue to employ about 350 people. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says it will conduct orientation sessions for affected employees next week. Clinton says they hate to see anyone in their region out of work…:

Cut 11 (11) “possibly do”

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A pro-voucher group, the Louisiana Federation for Children, releases an ad today that features parents accusing Governor John Bel Edwards of breaking campaign promises by cutting the Louisiana Scholarship Program. LFC President Ann Duplessis says fewer children will receive vouchers to attend private or parochial schools based on the governor’s proposed budget…

cut 12 (08) “children’s future”

Duplessis says the governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year cuts the program’s budget by 14-percent. She says currently 71-hundred students receive vouchers, but not all of them will get one next year, if the governor has his way…

Cut 13 (09)  “school year”

The governor has responded by saying the L-F-C’s accusations are blatantly false. John Bel Edwards also says that every student who is currently receiving a scholarship will continue to get one. Duplessis maintains that a cut to the state’s voucher program will not save the state any money….

cut 14 (08)  “impacted”

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A Senate committee has approved legislation dealing with police body cameras and what footage should be exempted from Louisiana’s public record laws.  Author of the bill, Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns, says there needs to be some privacy safeguards but…

cut 15 (11) “real transparency” 

New Orleans Senator J.P Morrell says it causes a lot of financial strain on police departments to save these body cam videos for three years, which is currently required by law. He says this is a very complicated scenario.

cut 16 (07) “really comprehend”

 

13:30 Newscast, April 26th, 2016

A pro-voucher group, the Louisiana Federation for Children, releases an ad today that features parents accusing Governor John Bel Edwards of breaking campaign promises by cutting the state scholarship Program. LFC President Ann Duplessis says fewer children will receive vouchers to attend private or parochial schools based on the governor’s proposed budget…:
cut 12 (08) “children’s future”
The governor has responded by saying the L-F-C’s accusations are blatantly false.

Houston-based Union Tank Car Company (UTLX) said it expects to lay off about 224 employees beginning June 24th at its Alexandria facility. Jim Clinton is the CEO of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. He says they’ve known for some time that this cutback was coming…:
CUT 9 (07) “related commodities”
UTLX said they will continue to employ about 350 people.

A 17-year-old student from Alexandria Senior High is under arrest for allegedly making threats about the school’s prom over social media. Lt. Tommy Carnline says anytime they get wind of a threat like this, they take it very seriously…:
CUT 7 (09) “high school”
17-year-old Adrian Ray is charged with terrorizing, stalking, and obstruction of justice.

Louisiana lawmakers are working to regulate drones. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor has legislation that prevents people from using drones for stalking, voyeurism, and other crimes. He says technology is advancing, and regulation of drones is needed to keep up with the times…”
CUT 4 (07) “your house”
Claitor says you shouldn’t be able to do something with a piece of technology that would wouldn’t do with your physical person.