08:30 LRN Newscast September 30

Hundreds of cancer patients and survivors are in Washington to lobby Congress to make the fight against cancer a national priority. Amber Stevens of Metairie says they’re calling on the federal government to increase funding for cancer research by an additional six billion dollars over the next two years…
cut 4 (05) “…research”
Stevens says legislation is also needed to be signed that ensures cancer patients and doctors are on the same page when it comes to treatment.

A new airline will offer daily non-stop flights between New Orleans and Shreveport. The airline is called Glo and founder Trey Fayard says they’ll also have flights from Louis Armstrong to Little Rock and Memphis. Fayard says he started the airline after experiencing years of trouble getting around the mid-South….
cut 13 (10) “…these cities”
Flights begin in mid-November.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the ballots for the October 24th primary were sent to the printer, but it’s possible more names will be removed before election day. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 1 (31) “…reporting”

A couple of employers in Louisiana have notified the Louisiana Workforce Commission about layoffs. The ALCOA Lake Charles-Anode Production company plans to lay off 130 employees. Hercules Offshore is letting 50 employees go, who are part of efforts to transport workers to offshore rigs from Cameron Parish and Port Fourchon.

07:30 LRN Newscast Sept 30

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the ballots for the October 24th primary were sent to the printer, but it’s possible several names will be removed before election day. He says they started out with about 1150 races statewide, but due to offices running unopposed, challenges or candidates dropping out, there are now about 575 active races…:
cut 7 (10) “…withdraw”
He says accurate ballots can be found at geaux-vote-dot-com.

A new independent poll on the Lieutenant Governor’s race shows a very tight election. The Clarus Research survey, paid for by the Advocate and W-W-L-T-V, shows Democrat Kip Holden leading Republican John Young by two percentage points. Fellow Republican Billy Nungesser is not far behind, while GOP candidate Elbert Guillory is polling in the single digits.

According to the American Cancer Society Action Cancer Network, more than nine-thousand Louisiana residents will die of cancer in 2015. That’s why hundreds of cancer survivors and patients are in D-C to urge Congress to make the fight against cancer more of a priority. Amber Stevens of Metairie says one of their concerns is the cost barrier some Medicare patients deal with when it comes to colorectal screening…
cut 6 (11) “….dollars”
Stevens says they are also asking Congress to increase funding for cancer research.

A start-up airline called “Glo” is offering non-stop daily flights from New Orleans to Shreveport, Little Rock and Memphis. Founder Trey Fayard says this will help the business person get around the mid-south quick…
cut 15 (07) “…for tickets”
Flights begin November 15th.

06:45 Sportscast September 30

The Saints return to practice today to get ready for Sunday night’s game against Dallas. Michael Farrar has the latest on injured quarterback Drew Brees…
voicer 2 (25) “…reporting”

Training camp is underway for the Pelicans. They are at the Greenbrier in West Virginia, the same place the Saints train prior to the season. New Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry is bringing an up tempo style of basketball to the Crescent City…
cut 30 “…what we are doing”
The Pelicans first preseason game is Saturday at Indiana.

So far this season much of LSU’s offensive production is coming from one man. Running back Leonard Fournette has 647 all-purpose yards, which accounts for 45-percent of the Tigers total yards. LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron says they are seeking to get more touches for the other skill position players…
cut 18 (15) “…even more”
LSU hosts Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

Coming off a win over FIU at Joe Aillet Stadium, the Bulldogs are back at home this Saturday to host U-L Lafayette, a team they beat 48-20 last year. Tech quarterback Jeff Driskel says they look at the Cajuns as a rival and would like to beat them again…
cut 16 (15) “…other game”
The Bulldogs have won seven straight games over the Cajuns.

06:30 September 30th LRN Newscast

The election is less than a month away and the Secretary of State is busy removing names from the ballot. Tom Schedler says for last year’s federal election, about five-percent of the candidates that qualified either withdrew or were disqualified and this year it’s up to eight-percent of the candidates who qualified. He says the Louisiana Ethics Administation has been a lot more agressive in making sure candidates are eligible to run…
cut 8 (08) “…of that”
Schedler says if a candidate is listed on the ballot but is not in the race come voting day, notices will be posted near the voting booths.

The search continues for a convicted killer who was released from prison on a technical glitch. Thirty-two-year-old Benjuiel Johnson of Plaquemine, was convicted on manslaughter and serving 40-years, but was released as a result of an error by the Louisiana Department of Corrections. If someone spots Johnson, they are urged to call 9-1-1.

A new airline will offer daily non-stop flights out of New Orleans to Shreveport. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 3 (30) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

For those waiting for cooler weather you’ll get your wish, a cold front will move through the state, dropping high temperatures into the mid and lower 80s starting tomorrow.

AM Newscall September 30,2015

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the ballots for the October 24th primary was sent to the printer, but it’s possible more names will be removed before election day. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

The Saints return to practice today to get ready for Sunday night’s game against Dallas. Michael Farrar has the latest on injured quarterback Drew Brees…

Cut 2 (25) “I’m Michael Farrar”

______________________________________

A new airline will offer daily non-stop flights out of New Orleans to Shreveport. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Hundreds of cancer patients and survivors are in Washington to lobby Congress to make the fight against cancer a national priority. Amber Stevens, of Metairie, is a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and says they’re calling on the federal government to increase funding for cancer research by an additional six billion dollars over the next two years…

cut 4  (05)  “research”

Stevens says they’re also asking lawmakers to sign a quality of life bill to ensure cancer patients and their doctors are all working together. She says often times situations get even worse for patients because of poor coordination with the patient’s treatment team.

Cut 5  (09)  “same page”

According to the American Cancer Socity Cancer Action Network, more than 9-thousand Louisiana residents will die of cancer in 2015. Stevens says they are also in D-C to address the Medicare colorectal cancer screening loophole. She says A-C-S also wants to alleviate some of the cost barriers that some Medicare patients deal with when it comes colorectal screening…

Cut 6 (11)  “dollars”

______________________________________

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the ballots for the October 24th primary have been sent to print, but it’s possible more candidates will be removed before election day. He says they started out with about 1150 races statewide but, due to offices running unopposed, challenges or candidates dropping out, there are now about 575 active races…:

CUT 7 (10)  “withdraw”

Schedler says in the November 2014 Congressional elections they found that about 5 percent of the candidates either withdrew or were disqualified, and for this one it’s up to 8 percent. He says in the last few cycles, the Louisiana Ethics Administration has been a lot more aggressive…:

Cut 8  (08)  “of that” 

Schedler says if a candidate is listed on the ballot but is not in the race come voting day, notices will be posted near the booths about the elections which are affected. He says when you go to the precinct you should make sure the person you are voting for is still active…:(He says the sample ballots at geauxvote.com are always up to date.)

Cut 9 (07) “will not count” 

___________________________________________

Two men are accused of animal cruelty after shooting and killing a calf and a total of four people are accused of stealing the calf’s meat in Morganza. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says  Point Coupee Parish Sheriff’s deputies we’re alerted about a dead calf on the spillway levee. He says investigators discovered the four suspects went to the area with the intention of killing a calf.

Cut 10 (10) “shot gun”

Strain says Leonard and Devillier received help from Kale Ashten David and Dustin James Vidrine to load the calf into the vehicle. He says the suspects cut off portions of the hindquarter and loin after realizing the calf was too big.

cut 11 (08) “interviews”

Strain says all four of the suspects have been arrested and booked into the Point Coupee Parish Jail on charges of theft of livestock for taking the meat. Strain says both Leonard and Devillier are also charged with animal cruelty for allegedly killing the calf and Leonard has an additional charge.

Cut 12 (08) “event”

____________________________________________________

A new airline will soon offer daily non-stop flights between Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans and Shreveport Regional Airport. New Orleans Resident Trey Fayard is the founder of the new airline called Glo, which will also have flights from New Orleans to Little Rock and Memphis. He says he started the airline after experiencing years of wasted time having trouble getting to different locations in the mid-South region.

Cut 13 (10)  “these cities”

Fayard says their first flights are scheduled to take off November 15th and you tickets are available for purchase now. He says many experienced executives have joined the Glo team from American Airlines, Pan Am, and Air Tran….

Cut 14 (08) “business venture”

Fayard says Glo will operate three 30-passenger aircrafts. He says with a lot of business coming to Louisiana, it’s time to be able to get around quick.

Cut 15  (07)  “for tickets”

_____________________________________________

Coming off a win over FIU at Joe Aillet Stadium, the Bulldogs are back at home this Saturday to host U-L Lafayette, a team they beat 48-20 last year. Tech quarterback Jeff Driskel says they look at the Cajuns as a rival and would like to beat them again

Cut 16  (15)  “any other game”

Louisiana Tech comes into this game leading Conference USA in total offense, as they are averaging 523 yards a game. But Driskel says there’s room for improvement….

Cut 17 (17) “they are there” 

__________________________________________________

So far this season much of LSU’s offensive production is coming from one man. Running back Leonard Fournette has 647 all-purpose yards, which accounts for 45-percent of the Tigers total yards. LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron says they are seeking to get more touches for the other skill position players…

Cut 18 (15) “even more”

In LSU’s three games, they’ve only thrown 47 passes. But Cameron says they are running the ball a lot, because that’s what opposing defenses are giving them…

Cut 19 (15) “backwards”

17:30 LRN Newscast Sept 29

An independent poll on the Louisiana governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. The poll was paid for by The Advocate and WWL-TV. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, during Vitter’s years in public office, it appears the Senator has managed to alienate some voters…:
CUT 9 (09) “don’t like you”
The survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not give a favorability rating to any of the other three major candidates.

Blueprint Louisiana, which is a group of businessmen and executives, is calling on the next governor to expand Medicaid. Blueprint chairman, Doctor Phillip Rozeman, says the group doesn’t necessarily agree with the Affordable Care Act, but an expansion of Medicaid could save the state 165-million dollars over five years…
cut 7 (10) “…this state”
Rozeman says the group would also like to see an increase in the gasoline tax to pay for better roads.

The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing the Bossier Parish School Board of violating the US Constitution by allowing the Fellowship of Student Athletes to set up prayer boxes at Airline High School in Bossier City. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this does appear to go against the First Amendment’s Establishment of Religion Clause…:
CUT 3 (09) “particular Christianity”
The School Board says they plan to address the issue at their next meeting.

The US Marshals office along with Louisiana authorities are looking for a convicted killer who was mistakenly released from prison. He’s 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson and an error led to him being released on bond. He was serving time at the Dixon Correctional Center and Iberville Parish Sheriff Major Ronnie Hebert says they are not sure where Johnnson my have gone…
cut 14 (04) “…this time”
Johnson was convicted on manslaughter for a fatal shooting in Plaquemine in 2010.

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 29

ESPN’s Ed Werder reports Drew Brees’ throwing session went well today and the Saints quarterback expects to take some practice reps tomorrow. Brees hasn’t thrown in practice since suffering a bruised rotator cuff in Week 2. Earlier this week, Brees and Coach Sean Payton sounded optimstic that number nine will play this Sunday against Dallas.

Payton talked about the game against the Cowboys. He sees it as a good time to get their first win of the year…
cut 20 (16) “…so it’s improtant”

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson has moved up 76 spots on Forbes’ list of wealthiest people in the United States. According to Forbes, the 88-year-old Benson has a net worth of two-point-two billion dollars and comes in at number 307 on their list.

Heading into game number four, LSU is last in the SEC in pass offense, averaging just 100 yards through the air a game. But quarterback Brandon Harris is completing 62-percent of his passes and has not turned the ball over. Coach Les Miles expects the passing game will become more explosive…
cut 18 (16) “….getting it done”

Louisiana Tech heads into its game with UL Lafayette, leading Conference USA in total offense, as they are averaging 523 yards a game. But Bulldogs quarterback Jeff Driskel says there’s room for improvement…
cut 17 (17) “…they are there”
Coach Skip Holtz says he would like to see Joe Aillet Stadium sold out for this Saturday’s game.

16:30 Newscast, September 29th, 2015

The group Blueprint Louisiana, comprised of businessmen, is recommending the next governor raise the gasoline tax, expand Medicaid and alter the TOPS program. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

According to ESPN, Saints quarterback Drew Brees had a successful throwing session today and it’s said that he will take practice reps starting tomorrow if nothing unexpected happens. Number 9 missed the Carolina game due to a rotator cuff injury. A return to practice could mean that Brees will be able to play Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

A recent media poll conducted on behalf of The Advocate and WWL-TV finds 44% of voters view US Senator David Vitter unfavorably in the governor’s race. The Clarus survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not say one way or the other on Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is a sign that people are not quite fully engaged with the election…:
cut 10 (08) “known candidates”
Cross believes this is a sign thought that Vitter is already alienating some voters.

The state Department of Ag and Forestry says two men are accused of animal cruelty for allegedly shooting and killing a calf while four men total are accused of stealing the animal for its meat. Austin Leonard, James Devillier, Kale David, and Dustin Vidrine were arrested after a cattleman found a dead calf on the spillway levee near Gonzales.

 

15:30 Newscast, September 29th, 2015

A recent Clarus Research Group poll on Louisiana’s governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, be that as it may, this doesn’t mean the US Senator couldn’t win he if made the runoff..:
CUT 11 (08) “two evils”
The Advocate/WWL-TV survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not even give a favorability rating to any of the other three major candidates.

The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing the Bossier Parish School Board of violating the US Constitution by allowing prayer boxes to set at Airline High School in Bossier City. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the nation’s highest court stands firm on prayer in school…:
CUT 5 (09) “the Constitution”
The School Board will discuss the situation at their next meeting Thursday.

Authorities in Iberville Parish are searching for a convicted murderer who was released from prison by mistake. 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2013. Major Ronnie Hebert, with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, says the Department of Corrections computer system did not list the manslaughter conviction and Johnson was released on bond due to a glitch..:
CUT 13 (05) “this problem”
The encourage anyone who may know where Johnson is to please call 911.

The Denham Springs Police Department says a woman was stabbed to death in her front yard this morning allegedly by her boyfriend. They say 52-year-old Kent Scott and the victim were arguing when the fight moved outside and the suspect stabbed her multiple times. The woman died at an area hospital. Scott is expected to be charged with either first or second degree murder.

 

14:30 Newscast, September 29th, 2015

Blue Print Louisiana, a group made up of businessmen, is recommending to the next governor that the TOPS scholarship program should be reformed so that the full tuition is not automatically included. Chairman Dr. Phillip Rozeman says this way it could be used more in the community and technical college system…:
CUT 8 (07) “our state”
The group would also like to see Medicaid expanded and a gas tax for transportation funding.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office is searching for a convicted killer who was released from prison due to a computer glitch. 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson was serving 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in 2013. Major Ronnie Hebert says Johnson was sent to East Feliciana Parish to face some prior charges…:
cut 12 (09) “he was released”
If you see Johnson, you are asked to immediately call 9-1-1.

A recent Clarus Research Group poll on the Louisiana governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says as of this Friday, taxpayers will no longer be able to choose the Louisiana MyRefund Prepaid Debit Card as an option to receive their state return. They say the reason is that JPMorgan chase is ending its line of business for prepaid debit card services.