12:30 Newscast, October 1st, 2015

Investigators have discovered that the Eunice mother who shot her two daughters then herself purchased the gun nine days in advance. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A man who owns a movie making business in Mandeville is sentenced to six months in jail for cheating the state’s film tax credit program. 38-year-old Daniel Garcia pleaded guilty in 2013 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Authorities caught Garcia writing $3 million dollars in canceled checks to create fraudulent documents indicating the money was for a movie, so that he could collect $900,000 in film tax credits.

According to records from the National Weather Service, this September will go down as one of the driest for north Louisiana. Senior Meteorologist Jason Hansford says Shreveport Regional Airport recorded only 0.07 inches of rain during the entire month, which just surpassed the previous record set in 1994…:
CUT 9 (10) “on record”
Hansford says the drought is having a big impact on agriculture and creating fire issues.

The first televised Louisiana gubernatorial debate featuring all four candidates airs tonight on W-D-S-U-in New Orleans and NBC TV affiliated stations. It will also air online beginning at 6pm.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 1

Saints quarterback Drew Brees is optimistic he can play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Brees missed last Sunday’s game because of a bruised rotator cuff. But the veteran QB says there was a bright spot to missing the game. Brees says he got a chance to see how the players pull for each other…
cut 17 (16) “….for us”
The Saints have traded defensive lineman Akiem Hicks to New England and former Saint Jimmy Graham sent out a tweet, telling Hicks he should feel blessed for getting out of New Orleans. The tweet was later deleted.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette has also taken to social media to tell the public how feels about the suggestion he should not play next season, so that he’s healthy for the NFL draft in 2017. In the tweet, Fournette said he’ll never jump ship.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame has announced eight new inductees that will be part of the class of 2016. One of the headliners is four time Major League Baseball All-Star Pitcher, Ben Sheets, who starred at ULM. Hall of fame chairman Doug Ireland says Sheets also won an Olympic Gold Medal….
cut 27 (10) “…excellent control”

ULM is getting ready to play Sun Belt rival Georgia Southern this Saturday. The Warhawks are coming off a frustrating 34-0 loss to Alabama. Both of their losses have come against SEC schools and Coach Todd Berry is eager to begin conference play….
cut 18 (15) “…Georgia Southern”

11:30 Newscast October 1, 2015

Investigators have learned that the Eunice mother who shot her two children then took her own life, while also setting her home on fire, purchased a hand gun nine days before the double murder suicide. Deputy Chief with the state Fire Marshal’s Office Brant Thompson says the autopsy results came back confirming their suspicions…

cut 3 (10) “the head”

Thompson says the mother, 39-year-old Carla Watford, carefully planned out this murder.

A recent poll of Louisiana voters on the presidential race, paid for by The Advocate and WWL-TV, shows Governor Bobby Jindal receiving only three-percent support from state Republicans. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this has to be disheartening to Jindal…

cut 6 (08) “top spot”

The poll, conducted by Clarus Research Group, shows Ben Carson leading the Republican field with 23-percent.

A grand jury has indicted a Lafayette woman on a second degree murder charge in the death of her newborn baby whose body was discovered 14 years later in a storage unit. 57-year-old Rebecca Landry was arrested in June after a renter discovered the corpse after the storage unit was auctioned off. Authorities say Landry claims she was suffering from alcoholism when she gave birth to the baby in secret. When the child died a few days later, she hid the body. If convicted, Landry faces a mandatory life sentence.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2016 will be enshrined next summer at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum in Natchitoches. NBA standout PJ Brown of Winnfield is among next year’s class of eight. Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Doug Ireland says Brown was a great player at Louisiana Tech, but didn’t project to be a 15 year NBA Veteran…

cut 25 (08) “in New Orleans”

The class also includes Major League All-Star pitcher Ben Sheets and former NFL star Anthony Thomas.

10:30 Newscast October 1, 2015

A study finds more Louisiana motorists are buckling up in 2015. Jeff Palermo has more….

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Department of Children and Family Services announces changes to the food assistance program. Beginning today, those considered able-bodied adults without dependents must work at least 20 hours a week or be enrolled in a federally-approved job training program to qualify for SNAP benefits. If not, they will only receive benefits for three months over a three-year period. There is currently no imposed time limit for adults who are not able to work.

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces its 2016 induction class and once again it’s a star studded group of athletes and coaches. One of the headliners is four time Major League Baseball All-Star Pitcher Ben Sheets out of St. Amant High. Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Doug Ireland says Sheets is also an Olympic Gold Medalist…

cut 7 (10) “excellent control”

The group of eight will be enshrined next summer at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum in Natchitoches.

Some beautiful weather is on tap for Louisiana as a cold front has moved through the state and cooler weather is on the way. State Climatologist Barry Keim feels, for the most part, the long periods of hot sticky weather are over for 2015….

cut 15 (10) “…of Louisiana”

You can expect highs in the mid-80s today, and around 80-degrees tomorrow.

09:30 Newscast October 1, 2015

The four major gubernatorial candidates are slated to appear tonight in a televised debate that will air on N-B-C affiliated stations across the state. L-S-U Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne will use this as their chance to prove to Louisianan’s why they should be elected over David Vitter…

cut 5 (07) “generally see”

The debate, hosted by W-D-S-U T-V in New Orleans, will also be streamed online beginning at 6PM.

2015 Louisiana Seat Belt and Motorcycle Helmet Observation Survey found a record 86 percent of front seat passengers and drivers we’re using their seatbelt. But Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Col. John LeBlanc says front seat seatbelt use among African Americans measured lower than other races…

cut 11 (10) “those crashes”

LeBlanc says 58 percent of drivers killed in Louisiana are not buckled up.

A recent survey paid for by The Advocate and W-W-L T-V, shows that 23-percent of Republicans in Louisiana support Ben Carson for President. Carson is followed by Donald Trump in the poll, who received 19-percent. On the Democrat side, 57-percent favor Hillary Clinton for president while Joe Biden received 22-percent.

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces its 2016 induction class and once again it’s a star studded group of athletes and coaches. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

LRN Newscast 8:30 october 1

The first televised Louisiana gubernatorial debate featuring all four candidates airs tonight on W-D-S-U-in New Orleans and NBC TV affiliated stations. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Republican David Vitter has missed several recent forums and debates, but it doesn’t look good for him to miss too many…
cut 6 (10) “….so much”
The debate begins at 6 PM.

An independent poll finds Louisiana Republican voters prefer Ben Carson over Donald Trump for President, while Democrats in this state support Hillary Clinton.

Reward money of up to six-thousand dollars is being offered for information leading to the arrest of 32-year Benjueil Johnson. He’s the man who was mistakenly released from jail last week, when he should be behind bars serving a 40-year sentence for manslaughter. Johnson lived in Plaquemine prior to incarceration.

A record percentage of drivers are wearing seatbelts in Louisiana. That’s according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Executive director Colonel John Leblanc says their seat belt observation survey found a record 86-percent of front seat passengers and drivers are buckled up. He attributes the increse to “Click it or Ticket” and other seatbelt campaigns…
cut 12 (10) “…rate up”
Leblanc says they’re still trying to get more young male drivers to buckle up.

Louisiana residents are feeling good about the weather this morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures are in the low to mid 60s…
cut 13 (08) “…so much better”
Keim says the nice weather will last through the weekend.

07:30 LRN Newscast october 1

The four major gubernatorial candidates will debate tonight and it will be shown on W-D-S-U TV and NBC affiliated stations across the state. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this is a chance for Republican candidates Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne to gain some traction against frontrunner David Vitter…
cut 4 (09) “…this debate”
The debate will also be streamed online, beginning at 6 PM.

Get ready for lower temperatures and lower humidity as a result of a cold front that’s moved through the state. State climatologist Barry Keim says this weather pattern will persist through the weekend and perhaps into early next week…
cut 14 (10) “…foothold now”
High temps today will be in the mid-80s.

A study shows more Louisiana drivers are buckling up than ever before. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director, Col. John LeBlanc, says their 2015 Louisiana Seat Belt and Motorcycle Helmet Observation Survey found a record 86 percent of front seat passengers and drivers we’re using their seatbelt….
cut 10 (11) “…last year”
Leblanc says they’re still trying to convince more young male drivers to buckle up.

The Department of Children and Family Services announces changes to the food assistance program. Starting today, those who are considered able-bodied adults without dependents must work at least 20 hours a week or be enrolled in a federally-approved job training program to qualify for SNAP benefits. If not, they will only receive benefits for three months over a three-year period. Currently there is no imposed time limit for adults who are not able to work.

06:45 LRN Sportscast October 1

It sounds like there’s a good chance Saints quarterback Drew Brees will play this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Brees missed week three’s loss to Carolina, because of a bruised rotator cuff. But the future Hall of Famer is back at practice throwing and he believes he’s making good progress….
cut 16 (09) “…that’s the key”
The Saints have traded defensive end Akiem Hicks to the New England Patriots and in return the Black and Gold receive tighe end Michael Hoomanawanui, who caught 20 passes for the Patriots the last three years.

LSU fans are fired up about a suggestion from the website Pro Football Talk that it would be smart for LSU star running back Leonard Fournette to opt out of playing next year, so he doesn’t get injured and ruin his pro career. But NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says that kind of talk is ridiculous…:
CUT 24 (05) “in 2016″
Fournette weighed in on the topic by tweeting, “I will never jump ship, I’m drowning with my brothers.”

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces its 2016 induction class and once again it’s a star studded group of athletes and coaches. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 3 (31) “….I’m Michelle Southern’

Southeastern Louisiana will host Lamar in college football action at Strawberry Stadium tonight. Both teams are 2-and-1 overall and 1-0 in the Southland.

And injured Southern football player Devon Gales begins a rigourous rehabilition program at a spinal cord injury facility in Atlanta today. Gales injured his neck while blocking on a kickoff return in last Saturday’s game against Georgia.

06:30 LRN Newscast October 1st

Tonight all four major gubernatorial candidates will appear at a televised debate hosted by W-D-S-U-TV in New Orleans. Emelie gunn has more…
cut 1 (31) “….reporting”

According to a poll paid for by The Advocate and W-W-L-T-V, republicans in this state support Ben Carson for President. Twenty-three-percent of the respondents prefer him over Donald Trump, who received 19-percent. Fifty-seven-percent of democrats like Hillary Clinton for president while Joe Biden received 22-percent.

A cold front has moved through the state and cooler weather is on the way as high temperatures will be in the mid-80s today, and around 80-degrees tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim believes for the most part, those long periods of hot sticky weather are over for 2015….
cut 15 (10) “…of Louisiana”

Cash rewards are now being offered for information on the whereabouts of a convicted killer who was mistakenly released from prison last week. Authorities are trying to apprehend 32-year-old Benjueil Johnson of Plaquemine after he was accidentially let out of the East Feliciana Parish jail. A department of corrrections worker was not aware he was convicted of manslaughter after he finished time for other charges.

AM Newscall October 1,2015

Tonight all four major gubernatorial candidates will appear at a televised debate hosted by W-D-S-U T-V in New Orleans. Emelie Gunn has more….

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

A study finds more Louisiana motorists are buckling up in 2015. Jeff Palermo has more….

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces its 2016 induction class and once again it’s a star studded group of athletes and coaches. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

The four major gubernatorial candidates for governor are slated to appear tonight at 6 in a televised debate hosted by W-D-S-U T-V in New Orleans. It will also air online and on N-B-C affiliated stations across the state. L-S-U Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this is the chance for Republican candidates Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne to gain some traction against frontrunner David Vitter.

cut 4  (09)  “this debate”

Hogan says Angelle and Dardenne are getting a chance to receive free publicity. He expects both republicans will use this as their chance to prove to Louisianan’s why they should be elected over Vitter.

Cut 5  (07)  “generally see”

This is the only televised debate before the October 24th primary that the four major candidates have committed to attend. Vitter has missed his fair share of debates and forums, but Hogan says it doesn’t look good for him to miss too many.

Cut 6 (10)  “so much”

______________________________________

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces its 2016 induction class and once again it’s a star studded group of athletes and coaches. One of the headliners is four time Major League Baseball All-Star Pitcher Ben Sheets out of St. Amant High. Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Doug Ireland says Sheets is also an Olympic Gold Medalist…:

CUT 7 (10)  “excellent control”

The group  of eight will be enshrined next summer at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum in Natchitoches. NBA standout PJ Brown of Winnfield will also be recognized in next year’s class. Ireland says Brown was a great player at Louisiana Tech, but didn’t project to be a 15 year NBA Veteran…:

Cut 8  (08)  “in New Orleans” 

Included in the class is University of Michigan and NFL star Anthony Thomas aka, “The A-Train,” also from Winnfield and 21 year long Tulane Baseball Coach Rick Jones. Ireland says another big headliner is St. Thomas More coach Jim Hightower who is the second-winningest high school football coach in state history…:

Cut 9 (07) “St Thomas More” 

___________________________________________

A study shows more Louisiana drivers are buckling up this year. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Col. John LeBlanc says their 2015 Louisiana Seat Belt and Motorcycle Helmet Observation Survey found a record 86 percent of front seat passengers and drivers we’re using their seatbelt.

Cut 10 (11) “last year”

LeBlanc says they’re still trying to get more young male drivers to buckle up. And he says front seat seatbelt use among African Americans measured lower than other races.

cut 11 (10) “those crashes”

LeBlanc says even though the numbers are going up, we can always improve. He attributes the yearly increase to, “Click it or Ticket” and other seatbelt campaigns……. (LeBlanc says 58 percent of drivers killed in Louisiana are not buckled up.)

Cut 12 (10) “rate up”

____________________________________________________

Get ready for some beautiful weather Louisiana as another cold front settles over the state over the next several days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says today is just the beginning with slightly cooler and less humid conditions. He says the temperatures this morning are in the 60s across most of Louisiana…:

Cut 13 (08)  “so much better”

Keim says by tomorrow morning, the minimum temperatures are going to be in the 50s, with high temperatures only in the 70s. He says this weather pattern is going to persist through the weekend and perhaps even into early next week…:

Cut 14 (10) “foothold now”

Keim says from here on out, cooler and less humid weather should start to dominate the pattern as we kiss summer heat goodbye. He feels, for the most part, those long periods of hot sticky weather are over..:

Cut 15  (10)  “of Louisiana”

_____________________________________________

It sounds like there’s a good chance Saints quarterback Drew Brees will play this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Brees missed week three’s loss to Carolina, because of a bruised rotator cuff. But the future Hall of Famer is back at practice throwing footballs to his receivers and he believes he’s making good progress….

Cut 16  (09)  “that’s the key”

Brees there was a bright spot to him missing last Sunday’s game. By watching from the sidelines he got a chance to see how the players pull for each other…

Cut 17 (16) “for us” 

__________________________________________________

ULM is getting ready to play Sun Belt rival Georgia Southern this Saturday. The Warhawks are coming off a frustrating 34-0 loss to Alabama. Both of their losses have come against SEC schools and Coach Todd Berry is eager to begin conference play….

Cut 18 (15) “Georgia Southern”

ULM goes into Saturday’s game without leading receiver Rashon Ceaser, who is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. Berry says some younger players will have to step up….

Cut 19 (20) “freshman quarterback”