12:30 Newscast March 11th, 2015

A blackhawk helicopter crash over the Florida Panhandle has left eleven servicemen missing and presumed dead. 4 of the soldiers were from a Hammond based National Guard Unit. Louisiana National Guard Col. Pete Schneider says the two helicopters used in last night’s training mission were from their facility in Hammond…:
CUT 4 (09) “fly out of”
It has been reported that human remains have also been found. We are awaiting additional details at this hour.

Jamie Croom, the New Roads man accused of killing three people including a US deputy marshal, has died from injuries suffered during a shootout with authorities yesterday in Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner, Dr. Beau Clark, says the US deputy Marshal who died is 27-year-old Josie Wells…:
CUT 7 (04) “other autopsy”
He says they are working to determine how many times each man was shot.

Payscale-dot-com’s annual College Return on Investment Report ranks Louisiana Tech number one in the state in overall ROI for both in-state and out-of-state students. This is the second straight year that Tech has gotten the honor. Spokesman Dave Guerin says the school puts an emphasis on high quality education…:
CUT 12 (08) “their careers”
Tech also ranks number 13 in the nation in highest annual percent ROI for students living on campus and getting financial aid.

The gas price keeps rising. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.26 up a penny from the day before.

 

**Correction** 11:30 March 11th, 2015

Four soldiers from a Hammond based National Guard Unit and 7 others are presumed dead in a blackhawk helicopter crash over Florida. Eglin Air Force Base spokesperson Amy Parr says after receiving the call, a search and rescue mission began immediately…:
CUT 4 (08) “still ongoing”
Human remains have reportedly been found.

Jamie Croom, the New Roads man accused of killing three people including a US deputy marshal, has died from injuries suffered during a shootout with authorities yesterday in Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner, Dr. Beau Clark, says the exchange of gunfire in the attempt to arrest Croom has now claimed two lives…:
CUT 6 (10) “as well”
Autopsies will be conducted on both men to determine how many times each was shot.

The video of a 7-year-old girl’s tearful reaction to tight end Jimmy Graham getting traded to Seattle has gone viral. The child was devastated at what was one of the most surprising moves of the start of NFL free agency on Tuesday and her mother, Ashley Ann Woods, got it on video…:
CUT 9 (13) “over there”
Woods says her daughter has received an outpouring of love from Seahawks fans who’ve assured her they will take good care of Graham in Seattle.

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for all of southeast Louisiana. Waves of repeating heavy rainfall will move over the area through Friday. Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with amounts up to 8 inches will be possible throughout the remainder of this event.

 

11:30 Newscast March 11th, 2015

Four soldiers from a Hammond based National Guard United and 7 others are resumed dead in a blackhawk helicopter crash over Florida. Eglin Air Force Base spokesperson Amy Parr says after receiving the call, a search and rescue mission began immediately…:
CUT 4 (08) “still ongoing”
Human remains have reportedly been found.

Jamie Croom, the New Roads man accused of killing three people including a US deputy marshal, has died from injuries suffered during a shootout with authorities yesterday in Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner, Dr. Beau Clark, says the exchange of gunfire in the attempt to arrest Croom has now claimed two lives…:
CUT 6 (10) “as well”
Autopsies will be conducted on both men to determine how many times each was shot.

The video of a 7-year-old girl’s tearful reaction to tight end Jimmy Graham getting traded to Seattle has gone viral. The child was devastated at what was one of the most surprising moves of the start of NFL free agency on Tuesday and her mother, Ashley Ann Woods, got it on video…:
CUT 9 (13) “over there”
Woods says her daughter has received an outpouring of love from Seahawks fan who’ve assured her they will take good care of Graham in Seattle.

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for all of southeast Louisiana. Waves of repeating heavy rainfall will move over the area through Friday. Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with amounts up to 8 inches will be possible throughout the remainder of this event.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Many in the Who Dat Nation are in shock after the Saints traded tight end Jimmy Graham plus a fourth round pick to Seattle for Seahawks center Max Unger and a first round pick in this year’s draft. Graham caught 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says it will be hard for New Orleans to replace that kind of production…
cut 14 (08) “give up something”
There are reports the Saints are also looking at bringing back running back Reggie Bush. But CBS Sports reports that Bush is visiting with the San Francisco 49ers today.

And former Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton has reportedly signed with the Oakland Raiders. And Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis has asked the team to guarantee the remaining three years of his contract or let him go.

The Pelicans are now tied with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after cutting down the Brooklyn Nets 111 to 91 last night. New Orleans is now 36-and-29 and there’s 17 games left in the regular season.

Louisiana Tech senior guard Speedy Smith has been named Conference USA Player of the Year and the Bulldogs Michael White has been named Coach of the Year. Tech enters the conference USA Championship as the top seed and they’ll play either North Texas or Rice in the quarterfinals tomorrow night.

The Southland Tournament starts today in Katy, Texas. Southeastern Louisiana takes on McNeese State, while UNO faces Nicholls State at 7:30. The Colonels enter the tourney on a three-game winning streak.

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team has won six in a row and they were scheduled to play at Southern tonight, but that game has been delayed until April 8th because of poor field condition.

The LSU baseball team will attempt to play at four PM today against McNeese State.

10:30 Newscast March 11, 2015

A blackhawk helicopter crash during a training exercise over the Florida Panhandle has left eleven servicemen missing and presumed dead, including four soldiers from a Hammond based National Guard Unit. Eglin Air Force Base spokesperson Amy Parr says two helicopters took off from the Destin airport to perform a training mission…:
CUT 3 (05) “reported missing”
There are also reports this morning that human remains have been found.

The man suspected of killing two siblings in New Roads and a deputy US Marshal in Baton Rouge, Jamie Croom, died at a hospital in Baton Rouge. The 31-year-old was being investigated for the double murder by US Marshals Tuesday morning when there was an exchange of gunfire. The US Marshal, Josie Wells, died and Croom passed sometime between Tuesday night and this morning. Autopsies will be conducted on each man today.

The National Weather Service has extended the flood watch for southeast Louisiana until Friday afternoon. Heavy stagnant rain is expected throughout the area and 3-6 inches of water is expected and some areas could see up to 8 inches.

Many Saints fans are still trying to digest Tuesday’s blockbuster trade that sent tight end Jimmy Graham to Seattle. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
CUT 3 (28) “reporting”

Graham tweeted thanks to the whodat nation this morning and the city for all the support, love and hospitality.

 

09:30 Newscast March 11, 2015

A helicopter crash during a training exercise over the Florida Panhandle has left eleven servicemen, including four soldiers from a Hammond, Louisiana based National Guard Unit, missing and presumed dead according to a Pentagon official. Search crews found debris from the aircraft early this morning and an Eglin Air Force base spokesman reports human remains have also been discovered. The names of the servicemen have not been released.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards has received the endorsement of the Louisiana AFL-CIO. The Louisiana AFL-CIO is made up of over 100,000 members statewide in both the public and private sector. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if Edwards can capitalize on this endorsement and grab some others, it will make him a real player in the governor’s race…

cut 6 (06) “the runoff”

Pinsonat says endorsements like this for Edwards, will make it more difficult for another Democrat to enter the race.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says two men are cited for allegedly changing freshness dates on seafood packages. Spokesman Adam Einck says they found bags of mahi-mahi filets with a best by date of September 2013 that were being repackaged into bags with May 2016 best by dates. He says all of the fish was then taken by agents…

cut 8 (10) “for this business”

26-year-old Seth Delaune and 49-year-old Thomas Smith are cited with misbranding seafood, but additional charges could be coming.

Effective this week, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing a new format for all classes of Louisiana driver’s licences. State Police Sgt. Nick Manale says the new card looks drastically different…

cut 11 (11) “across the country”

The updated credentials will be issued statewide within the next six to eight weeks.

08:30 Newscast March 11, 2015

A total of eleven servicemen are missing, including four soldiers from a Hammond, Louisiana based National Guard Unit after their helicopter crashed during a training exercise over the Florida Panhandle last night. Debris from the aircraft was found early this morning and a spokesman from Englin Air Force base reports human remains have also been found. A Pentagon official says all eleven are presumed dead.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says two men are cited for allegedly changing freshness dates on seafood packages by almost three years…

cut 2 (32) “reporting”

Democratic Amite Representative John Bel Edwards has received the endorsement of the Louisiana AFL-CIO in his quest to become the state’s next governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says endorsements like this for Edwards, will make it more difficult for another Democrat to enter the race, like New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu…

cut 5 (09) “designated Democrat”

Edwards is the lone Democrat, so far, in this year’s governor’s race.

Many in the Who Dat Nation are in shock after the Saints traded tight end Jimmy Graham plus a fourth round pick to Seattle for Seahawks center Max Unger and a first round pick in this year’s draft. Graham caught 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says it will be hard for New Orleans to replace that kind of production…

cut 14 (08) “give up something”

There’s a report the Saints are also looking at bringing back running back Reggie Bush.

07:30 LRN Newscast March 11

Eleven servicemen are missing, including four soldiers from a Hammond, Louisiana-based National Guard Unit after the helicopter they were riding in crashed in the Florida panhandle. Search crews have found a debris site, but a rescue operation for the missing soldiers continues. CBS News reports that weather may have been a factor in the crash.

Effective this week, the Office of Motor Vehicles will issue a new format for all classes of Louisiana driver’s licences. State Police Sgt. Nick Manale says there’s also a new design for I-D cards and handicap placards…
cut 10 (11) “…aware of it also”
Manale says the new licenses contain multiple layers of security components and design features for greater security, protection of privacy and resistance to tampering.

Two men are in trouble after the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries allegedly found that they changed the freshness date on frozen mahi-mahi filets. The incident happened at a wholesale facility in New Orleans and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says the seafood ‘s original freshness date was September 2013, but they put the seafood in bags that had a best by date of May 2016. Einck says 26-year-old Seth Delaune and 49-year-old Thomas Smith were cited with misbranding seafood…
cut 9 (03) “…year in prison”

Gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards has received an endorsement from the Louisiana A-F-L/C-I-O. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a signficant endorsement for the democratic state representative….
cut 4 (09) “…I’m running”
Edwards is the only announced democratic candidate for governor.

06:45 LRN Sportscast March 11

Saints Coach Sean Payton says the decision to trade tight end Jimmy Graham was a difficult one and they wish him the best. New Orleans pulled off a shocking deal with Seattle yesterday that sent Graham and a fourth round pick to the Seahawks for center Max Unger and a first round pick in this year’ draft. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Unger improves a Saints o-line that has some holes in it….
cut 13 (11) “….in there”

In the NBA, the Pelicans had six players who scored in double figures last night in a 111-91 win over Brooklyn. Quincy Pondexter and Alexis Ajinca each had 17 points, Eric Gordon and Norris Cole had 16 points a piece and Anthony Davis had 15 for New Orleans, who is now tied with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot int he Western Conference.

LSU baseball will face McNeese State at four o’ clock today. The game was moved up two and a half hours in the hopes of avoiding expected rainfall tonight. Also at four o’ clock today, Louisiana Tech hosts long-time rival Northwestern State. U-L-M is set to host Grambling at six P-M. The Ragin Cajuns, who have won six in a row, are at Southern. And Southeastern Louisiana is at South Alabama.

LSU quarterback Brandon Harris spoke last night and told reporters his second spring practice is easier mentally than his first….
cut 29 (11) “…quarterback here”
Harris is battling Anthony Jennings for the starting quarterback spot at LSU.

At the Boys Top 28 Tournament in Lake Charles, Natchitoches Central and Scotlandville advanced to the Class 5 A Championship, while Atlanta and New Living Word will battle for the Class C title on Friday afternoon.

06:30 LRN Newscast March 11

A frantic search is underway for four missing soldiers from a Hammond, Louisiana-based National Guard unit. They were on a helicopter, along with seven marines, performing a training exercise in the Florida panhandle last night when officials say there chopper crashed. Rescue crews found debris at around two o’ clock this morning, but no soldiers.

We’re learning more about the deputy US Marshal who was fatally shot yesterday. He’s been identified as 27-year-old Josie Wells, a Mississippi native, who attended Jackson State and joined the U-S Marshal Service in 2011. Authorities say Wells was fatally shot by Jamie Croom, who was wanted for a double muder that occurred last month in Pointe Coupee Parish.

Democratic state Representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards receives an endorsement from the Louisiana AFL-CIO. Scott Carwile has more…
cut 1 (29) “…reporting”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have cited two men for allegedly changing freshness dates on seafood packages by almost three years. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says during a routine inspection of a wholesale seafood facility in New Orleans, they found two men changing packaging on frozen mahi-mahi filets which originally had a freshness date of September 2013…
cut 7 (09) “…2016”
Einck says the two men cited face hefty fines and possible jail time.

And all of southeast Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until Friday afternoon.