17:30 LRN Newscast Legislative Report

A bill to address equal pay in Louisiana will be heard on the Senate floor Tuesday. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 5 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Edwards administration will also present to lawmakers on Tuesday the proposed budget for next fiscal year. The governor has already described the spending plan as “very sobering,” because of a 750-million dollar revenue shortfall for the financial year that begins July 1st. This means higher ed and health care are subject to more cuts.

The House Civil Law Committee will hear testimony Tuesday on the “Pastor Protection Act,” which would allow a clergy member or religious organization to deny participation in a same sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says the bill should not create a lot of controversy….
Cut 30 (06) “essential”
But Matthew Patterson, with Equality Louisiana says what the bill actually does is give organizations with any sort of religious affiliation to deny service to people in same sex relationships. He says this could include places like hospitals, homeless shelters and food banks that are typically associated with a religious group….
cut 23 (07) “…harm to people”
However, Johnson is confident that once people read the legislation and understand it, any opposition will be withdrawn.

16:45 LRN Sportscast April 11

Saints Owner Tom Benson says former defensive end Will Smith was an inspiration to many. Smith was killed in what police are calling a road rage shooting that occurred Saturday night in New Orleans. The Big Easy is unfortunately familiar with this type of violence. Current Saints offensive tackle Zach Streif says this shooting gives the city a black eye…
cut 18 (16) “…it really does”
Saints Coach Sean Payton made some strong comments to USA Today about the violence in New Orleans. He says the city is broken and its madness people argue that everybody needs a gun.

In other Black and Gold news…the NFL Network reports that Cal quarterback Jared Goff is expected to visit the Saints this week. He’s expected to be a first round pick.

In the latest D-1 Baseball poll, LSU has moved up four spots to number eleven after taking two of three from fifth ranked Vanderbilt. Tulane has also moved into the Top 25. The Green Wave are ranked 22nd after taking two of three from East Carolina. In Baseball America’s rankings, LSU is up to number nine, while the Green Wave are ranked 24th.

UL Lafayette’s Evan Guillory has been named Sun Belt pitcher of the week. Guillory tossed a complete game one-hit shutout last week in a win over Northwestern.

Louisiana Tech second baseman Jordan Washam has been named Conference USA Hitter of the Week. Washam was 11-of-16 at the plate as Tech went 3-and-1 last week. The Bulldogs are 18-and-10 on the year.

Nicholls sophomore catcher Kyle Knauth has been named the Southland Hitter of the Week. Knauth had 13 hits last week and drove in six runs. He’s reached base in 18 consecutive games.

In the NBA, the Pelicans final home game of the season is tonight as they’ll host the Chicago Bulls.

16:30 LRN Newscast April 11, 2016

The man who is accused of shooting and killing former-Saints defensive end Will Smith is claiming he was not the aggressor. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Autopsies of the two 19-year-old Southern University students who were fatally shot reveal that one of the women was shot in the head and the arm, and the other was hit in the torso. A ballistics test that could prove which of the two shooters involved fired the deadly shots will not be released until later this week or possibly next week.

A fatal accident in Livingston parish left two Baton Rouge children dead. Trooper Bryan Lee says the vehicle that struck five people on the side of the road was driven by 26-year-old Jerry Ervin, who is believed to have been impaired. He says they also believe 50-year-old Travis Rose was drunk and left a garbage compactor in the road after it fell out of his truck, which started the series of tragic events.

CUT 7 (09) “no insurance”

Lee says the two children were pronounced dead at the scene.

Pinwheels lined the front of the state capitol today as a display of child abuse prevention awareness, and Governor John Bel Edwards declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. State Police Major Doug Cain says the public can get involved in raising awareness about this issue.

cut 10 (07)  “it represents”

15:30 LRN Newscast April 11

A defense attorney for 28-year-old Cardell Hayes says there may have been a second gun recovered at the scene where former Saints star Will Smith was fatally shot on Saturday night. Hayes has been charged with second-degree murder. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison has only said one gun was found.

Two children were killed in Livingston Parish after being struck by an apparent drunk driver. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Baton Rouge police are waiting on ballistics tests before they charge anyone with murder in the death of two Southern University students who were fatally shot when gunfire erupted outside of an apartment complex early Sunday morning. Sergeant Don Coppola says they know there were two gunmen…
cut 3 (08) “…young ladies”
So far police have arrested one person and charged him with attempted murder.

Most parishes north of Interstate 10 are under a severe thunderstorm watch until seven o’ clock tonight. CS Ross, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says there’s already been reports of Hail in the Texarkana area and there’s good chances we’ll see heavy downpours with these storms…
cut 16 (05) “…of rainfall”
Current radar shows most of the heavy rainfall in northeast Louisiana.

14:30 LRN Newscast April 11

A lawyer representing Cardell Hayes, the man accused of killing Saints Super Bowl champion Will Smith, told reporters that someone other than Hayes may have had a firearm. Legal analyst Chick Foret says if Hayes wants to use self-defense as a claim, it will be hard to prove unless police found a gun in Smith’s vehicle…
cut 13 (09) “….in this case”
Hayes is being held on a one-million dollar bond.

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. State Police Major Doug Cain says law enforcement are getting the tools and training nececessary to recognize and prevent abuse…
cut 11 (11) “…change it”
According to Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, there were over 12-thousand victims of child abuse and neglect in 2014, the latest year statistics are available

Two children are dead in a suspected drunk driving wreck in Livingston Parish last night. State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says 26-year-old Jerry Ervin of Holden plowed into a six and four year old child who were standing on the side of the road as adults were attempting to remove a garbage compactor from the highway. Lee says investigators suspect Ervin was impaired…
cut 8 (08) “…this week”
Lee says three other people were also injured, after Ervin’s vehicle hit them.

Southern University is mourning over the death of two of its students who were killed when gunfire rung out an apartment complex early Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Sergeant Don Coppola…
cut 5 (04) “….hospital”
One person has been arrested and police hope to make another arrest in the near future.

LRN PM Newscall Monday April 11

Two children were killed in Livingston Parish after being hit being struck by an apparent drunk driver. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The man who is accused of shooting and killing former-Saints defensive end Will Smith is claiming he was not the aggressor. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Baton Rouge Police are looking to arrest another gunman in the shooting that killed two Southern University students and injured another man. 22-year-old Ernest Felton has already been arrested and charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder and Illegal Use of a weapon. Sgt. Don Coppola says investigators are working to determine who fired the gun killing the two women.

CUT 3 (08)  “young ladies”

Coppola says gunfire was exchanged between Felton and the 24-year-old injured victim after the victim drove up to the social gathering at the apartment complex. He says investigators believe the women were not the intended targets of the shooting.

CUT 4 (08)  “gunfire exchange”

Coppola says they’re confident they will be making another arrest in the near future. He says the victims were 19-year-old Lashunte Benton of Lake Charles and 19-year-old Annette January of Indiana.

CUT 5 (04)  “hospital”

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State Police say two children are dead after a fatal wreck on a highway in Livingston Parish last night. Trooper Bryan Lee says impairment is suspected on the part of two of the four vehicles involved. Lee says the two children killed were ages four and six and they were standing on the road as adults were attempting to remove a garbage compactor from the road…

CUT 6 (09) “those vehicles”

Lee says the vehicle that struck the five people on the side of the road was driven by 26-year-old Jerry Ervin of Holden, who is believed to have been impaired. He says they also believe 50-year-old Travis Rose of Denham Springs was drunk and left the garbage compactor in the road after it fell out of his truck.

CUT 7 (09) “no insurance”

Lee says the two children, four-year-old Samuel Shropshire and six-year-old Khaiden Ramsey were pronounced dead at the scene. He says 34-year-old Michelle Ramsey, a 16-year-old male, and a 15-year-old female were transported to a hospital with serious injuries after being struck by Ervin.

CUT 8 (08) “this week”

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Today Governor John Bel Edwards declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Louisiana. According to Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, there were over 12-thousand victims of child abuse and neglect in 2014, the latest year statistics are available. State Police Major Doug Cain says kids are our most important resource, and everyone needs to do what they can to them.

CUT 9 (12) “look into it”

Pinwheels lined the front of the state capitol as a display of child abuse prevention awareness. The pinwheel serves as a symbol for the childhood that all children deserve. Cain says the public can also get involved in raising awareness about this issue.

cut 10 (07)  “it represents”

Cain says police deal with cases of child abuse throughout the state. He says it’s something they are working to put an end to by arming law enforcement officers with the tools and training necessary to recognize and prevent abuse.

Cut 11 (11) “change it”

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A legal expert says a claim of self-defense will be hard to prove in the murder of former Saints standout Will Smith. Cardell Hayes is facing a charge of second-degree murder, but attorney John Fuller spoke with Hayes, who says he was not the aggressor in the incident. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says police will have to look at witness testimony to see exactly what happened.

cut 12 (09) “piece this together”

Police have referred to the shooting as a road rage incident. But Fuller the story is much more complex. So far police have not uncovered a weapon in Smith’s vehicle. Foret says if Hayes wants to use self-defense as a claim, it will be hard to prove unless police find that Smith had a gun.

Cut 13 (09)  “in this case”

Hayes is being held on a one million dollar bond. Foret says the investigation is still ongoing, but at this point forensic evidence seems to tell a different story than what Hayes is suggesting.

cut 14 (08)  “the defendant”

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Most parishes north of Interstate 10 are under a severe thunderstorm watch until seven o’ clock tonight. CS Ross, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, advises people to keep an eye to the sky. He says scattered thunderstorms have the potential to produce severe weather threats.

cut 15 (07) “or two” 

Ross says they are getting reports of one inch hail in the Texarkana area and parts of northern Texas. He says the rainfall associated with these storms will be brief, but heavy.

cut 16 (05) “of rainfall”

13:30 Newscast, April 11th, 2016

A legal expert says a claim of self-defense will be hard to prove in the murder of former Saints standout Will Smith. Cardell Hayes is facing a charge of second degree murder, but his attorney says Hayes was not the aggressor in what cops are calling a road rage incident. Legal analyst Chick Forest….:
CUT 12 (09) “this together”
Hayes is being held on a million dollars bond.

Baton Rouge Police say another arrest will almost certainly be made in the shooting incident which took the lives of two 19-year-old Southern University women. Sgt. Don Coppola says they’ve already arrested 22-year-old Ernest Felton for the attempted murder of an injured male victim. He says investigators believe the women were not the intended targets of the shooting…:
CUT 4 (08) “gunfire exchange”
The victims are 19-year-old Lashunte Benton of Lake Charles and 19-year-old Annette January of Indiana.

State Police say two children are dead after a fatal wreck on a highway in Livingston Parish last night. Trooper Bryan Lee says impairment is suspected on the part of two of the four vehicles involved. Lee says the two children killed were ages four and six and they were standing on the road as adults were attempting to remove a garbage compactor from the road..:
CUT 6 (09) “those vehicles”
He says the driver of that vehicle is suspected of being impaired as is the driver of the vehicle who lost the garbage compacter, 50-year-old Travis Rose of Denham Springs. So far Rose is the only charged in the vehicular homicides.

Northern and Central Louisiana could get hit with more heavy rain, as the National Weather Service issues a Severe Thunderstorm Watch. Forecaster CS Ross advises people to keep an eye to the sky today and tomorrow…:
cut 15 (07) “or two”

 

 

12:30 Newscast, April 11th, 2016

New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says he visited with the wife of former Saints player Will Smith Sunday. Smith was shot to death in an apparent road rage incident and Cardell Hayes is booked in the murder. Harrison says Smith’s wife, Racquel, was also shot and injured…:
CUT 1 (08) “tough time”
Hayes is being held on a million dollars bond.

A 4-year-old and a 6-year-old were killed in a four vehicle fatality crash in Livingston Parish Sunday evening, and State Police say impairment is a suspected factor. They say a man dropped a trash compactor in a roadway, left it there and returned home. 34-year-old Michelle Ramsey and another vehicle stopped to try to remove the object, when a drunk driver drove through hazard triangles and crashed into five people. The 2 young Ramsey children died on the scene. 4 others were seriously injured, including the impaired driver. The man who dropped the trash compactor was located at his home impaired and was arrested on many charges including vehicular homicide.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Louisiana. State Police Major Doug Cain says kids are our most important resource, and everyone needs to do what they can to them…:
CUT 9 (12) “look into it”
According to Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, there were over 12-thousand victims of child abuse and neglect in 2014, the latest year statistics are available.

An 85-year-old man was killed as he tried to cross the interstate in Westlake, according to cops. They say Walter J. Kibodeaux of Sulphur was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast April 11

The Saints and their fans are mourning the death of former defensive end Will Smith. Smith and another man exchanged words after a fender bender involving their vehicles in New Orleans on Saturday night. Police say the other man pulled out a gun and fatally shot Smith. Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief played with Smith and says he’s been dealing with a lot of different emotions…
cut 16 (14) “…how could this happen”
New Orleans Police have yet to establish a motive for the murder. Twenty-eight-year-old Cardell Hayes has been charged with second-degree murder and his attorney John Fuller says Hayes was not the aggressor during the altercation and believes toxicology reports on all of the individuals involved could shed light on the behavior of some of the participants.

Former LSU golfer Smylie Kaufman finished tied for 29th at the Masters after he shot a nine over-par 81 on Sunday. Kaufman teed off in the last group on Sunday with Justin Spieth, but Spieth ran into trouble on the par-3 12th hole, where he quadruple bogeyed and finished in second behind the winner Danny Willett.

In college football news…the NCAA has banned the creation of any new bowl games for at least the next three years. There are currently 40 bowl games and last season, three 5-and-7 teams received bowl bids because there wiere not enough eligible teams to fill all 80 slots.

The LHSAA has told high schools no more walk-up music for hitters at baseball and softball games. It’s because there were complaints about “explicit content” that were in some of the songs.

It’s the final home game of the season tonight for the Pelicans, who host the Chicago Bulls. Neither team is heading to the playoffs.

11:30 Newscast, April 11th, 2016

The New Orleans Police Department says there are no new updates in the case of the shooting death of former Saints player Will Smith. The suspect in the case, Cardell Hayes, faces second degree murder charges after police say he rear ended Smith’s vehicle and then shot and killed him after an argument. Hayes is being held on a million dollars bond. His attorney claims his client did not start the fight and looks forward to the details of the case coming out.

Baton Rouge Police are looking to arrest another gunman in the shooting that killed two Southern University students and injured another man. 22-year-old Ernest Felton has already been arrested and charged with attempted second Degree murder in the case. Sgt. Don Coppola says investigators are working to determine who fired the gun killing the two women…:
CUT 3 (08) “young ladies”
He believes the 19-year-old women were caught in a crossfire.

Even though lawmakers weren’t able to raise enough to fill the budget hole for next fiscal year which still needs $750 million dollars, it looks like we may end the financial year that ends June 30th with a surplus. State Treasurer John Kennedy says it could happen if tax increases that came out of the special session generate more than what the legislative fiscal analysts predicted…:
Cut 15 (09) “as well”
He says tn December, the state revenues were down 15-percent, but now revenues are only down 6-percent.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a man accused of shooting a killing another man. They say 54-year-old Lorenzo Zeigler of Calhoun allegedly shot the victim, 26-year-old Mario Wiley following an argument. Zeigler is charged with second degree murder.

Longtime WWL radio analyst Hokie Gajan, who has been battling cancer, has been moved into intensive care according to the station.