LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 27

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson, through his attorney, has filed a response to the lawsuit filed by his daughter and two grandchildren. In the filing, Benson says for years he attempted to groom Renee Benson and his two grandchildren to take over the professional franchises once he dies, but they never rose to the task. He adds the decision for his wife to take control of the team following his death was a deliberate and reasoned decision.

LSU defensive back Jalen Mills’ trial for misdemeanor simple assault will take place April eighth, which is about ten days before the spring game. Mills is accused of punching a woman in the mouth, which allegedly occurred last June. Mills has entered a plea of not guilty and his attorney claims it was actually Mills’ girlfriend who hit the woman.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a two-year, two-million dollar contract for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele when the board meets Friday in Shreveport.

In the NBA, the Pelicans are off tonight. They won their fourth in a row last night, beating the lowly 76ers 99-74. Tomorrow, New Orleans will host Denver, who is 18-and-27 season on the season. The Pels are a game and a half back of Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In college basketball…Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State and McNeese State all continue to fall towards the bottom of the Southland standings as they all lost last night. The Colonels were blown out by Northwestern State 80-51. The Demons are 5-and-3 in the league and they are at Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.

In recruiting news…Neville standout Kavonte Turpin has decided he’ll play his college football at TCU. The Ragin Cajuns 2016 baseball recruiting class has been rated as the best in the Sun Belt Conference, according to Perfect Game. Two of the top players in that class are from Louisiana, including Hogan Harris, a left-handed pitcher at St. Thomas More.

LRN Newscast 16:30 January 27, 2015

Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies are on the hunt for at least two suspects involved in a double homicide in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says around 3:30 yesterday afternoon, they arrived at the scene of a shooting and found 37-year-old Chad Nichols dead on the front lawn of his house..:
CUT 9 (10) “did not survive”
The believe the suspects stole the victim’s vehicles.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says the search for a teen, wanted in connection to a weekend robbery, ended unexpectedly when the suspect was found dead. Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan says Rayne Police were involved in a chase after the robbery with a vehicle that the victim, 18 year-old Slye Mier (meer)and a juvenile, occupied. After the chase, Mier and the juvenile fled…
CUT 4 ( 07) Q: ‘in the field”
The investigation continues.
——————————–
The drop in fuel costs had a brief stoppage today, as the state-wide average price of regular gas remained unchanged at $1.87 a gallon. AAA fuel analyst Don Redmond says the prices right now are astounding…
cut 14 (09) “a year ago”
Redmond says we should prices start to move back up a bit in about 2 to 3 weeks.

It has turned out to be a student retreat AND a snow day for some Ruston students from Cedar Creek school, as some 27 students and sponsors were left stranded in New York City because of a big snow storm. So now, they are taking in as much of the Big Apple as they possibly can, including Central Park…
CUT 7 (08) Q: ‘EXPERIENCE FOR US’
Director of Student Activities Elizabeth Walker, who says they plan to leave tomorrow.

LRN Newscast 15:30 January 27, 2015

There’s been an unexpected turn of events in the investigation of a weekend robbery in Acadia Parish, as the suspect was found dead in a field near Crowley.
CUT 3 (08) Q: ” face down”
That’s Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Maxine Trahan, who reports after the Sunday night robbery, Rayne Police were involved in a chase with a vehicle that Mier and a juvenile occupied. Police say Meir’s death appears suspicious.

For the 2nd day in a row, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas remains unchanged at $1.87, according to AAA. Some suspect the price has bottomed out, but fuel analyst Don Redmond says we might see a brief dip in February…
CUT 13 (06) Q: “into spring”
————————
A group of Louisiana high school students find themselves in the middle of all the snow in New York City. Students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston are now in the Big Apple on a extended school trip because of the storm back east…
CUT 8 (11) Q: “fun to do”
That’s Director of Student Activities Elizabeth Walker.

A hunter that had been missing since Thursday in the Pearl River Wildlife Management area has been found alive in St. Tammany Parish. St. Tammy Parish Sheriff’s office says that 42 year-old Robert “Rob” Varnado was reported missing by a hunting buddy in the area on Thursday. He was found alive today.

LRN Newscast 14:30 January 27, 2015

Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies are searching for at least two suspects involved in a double homicide in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says they believe the suspects killed the victims then stole their vehicles….
cut 11 (04) “to rob them”
The victims are identified as thirty-seven-year-old Chad Nichols of Doanldsonville, and 29 year-old Benny Booker of Prairieville.

A teen, wanted in connection to a weekend robbery in Acadia Parish, has been found dead in a field just east of Crowley. The body was identified as 18-year-old Slye Mier (mere) of Crowley. Rayne Police were involved in a chase after the robbery with a vehicle that Mier and the another suspect were in…
CUT 5 (10) Q: ‘the investigation”
That’s Acadia Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan
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According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out?
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The former Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a 16 year-old student will be going to trial in May. Shelly Dufresne faces the charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile; which is a felony Trial proceedings will begin May 20th.

PM LRN Newscall January 27

As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

==================

According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

===================

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says the search for a teen, wanted in connection to a weekend robbery, ended unexpectedly when the suspect was found dead. Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan says officers responded to a call from a crawfisherman who discovered a body in a field just east of Crowley…

CUT 3 (08)  “face down”

The body was identified as 18-year-old Slye Mier (mere) of Crowley. Trahan says after the Sunday night robbery, Rayne Police were involved in a chase with a vehicle that Mier and the other suspect, a juvenile, occupied. She says when the pursuit ended, both Mier and the juvenile fled on foot…

CUT 4 (07)  “in the field”

Authorities say Mier’s death is being classified as suspicious, although the exact cause of death is unknown at this time. Mier’s body has been taken to Calcasieu Parish for an autopsy. Trahan says their investigation is ongoing…

CUT 5 (10)  “the investigation”

============================

As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of Louisiana high school students find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston are in the Big Apple on a school trip. Director of Student Activities Elizabeth Walker says yesterday’s curfew cancelled the Broadway show they planned to attend, but they are making the best of the situation…

CUT 6 (09)  “what we can”

Walker says the group totals 27 people, including 14 students. She says that, even with the weather conditions being less than optimal, they are taking in as much of New York as they possibly can, including Central Park…

CUT 7 (08)  “experience for us”

Walker says the eight inches of snow made this a fun and memorable trip for everyone in the group. She says they are scheduled to fly back home tomorrow…

CUT 8 (11) “fun to do”

===================

Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies are searching for at least two suspects involved in a double homicide in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says around 3:30pm yesterday they arrived at the scene of a reported shooting and found 37-year-old Chad Nichols dead on the front lawn of his house..:

CUT 9 (10)  “did not survive”

Bacala says 29-year-old Benny Booker of Prairieville was also found shot in the doorway of the residence and he succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. He says as of right now they don’t know who is responsible for these murders…:

cut 10 (10)  “Booker’s vehicle”

Bacala says the suspects killed the victims then one drove away in a 2008-2011 white BMW 3 series vehicle and the other stole Bookers vehicle which is a 2007 white Dodge Magnum. He says investigators are actively searching for both cars. Bacala says they believe the victims were targetting by the shooters…:

cut 11 (04)  “to rob them”

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According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s possible, as the price of crude oil has stabilized between $45 and $48 a barrel…

cut 12 (09)  “of a plateau”

But Redman says there is also a chance that we could still see prices slip as we head into February…

cut 13 (06)  “into spring”

Redman says the drop in fuel costs is astounding, especially when you compare prices to this time last year…

cut 14 (09)  “a year ago”

13:30 Newscast January 27th, 2015

According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says that is possible as the price of crude oil has stabilized between $45 and $48 a barrel…:
CUT 12 (09) “of a plateau”
Redman says you can definitely expect to see gas prices moving up later in February as we start heading into spring.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says the search for a man, wanted in connection to a weekend robbery, ended unexpectedly when the suspect was found dead. Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan says Rayne Police were involved in a chase with a vehicle occupied by a juvenile and 18-year-old Slye Mier of Crowley who eventually got away on foot…:
CUT 4 (07) “in the field”
Authorities say Mier’s death is being classified as suspicious, but the exact cause is unknown at this time.

As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

The State Department of Health and Hospitals sets up a program that encourages Louisiana residents to take control of their health. The program is called “Own Your Own Health”. It’s a three month wellness challenge that can assist residents in living a healthier lifestyle. The challenges are meant to motivate Louisianians to make small daily steps to a healthy life. You can sign up at oyohla-dot-com.

 

12:30 Newscast January 27th, 2015

As the northeast gets pounded by a horrible blizzard, a group of Louisiana high school students find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston are in the Big Apple on a class trip. Director of Student Activities Elizabeth Walker says yesterday’s curfew cancelled the Broadway show they planned to attend, but they are hanging in there…:
CUT 6 (09) “what we can”
She says they are a group of 27 including 14 students.

State Police is assisting in an investigation about an ATM scheme where customer’s debit card numbers and pins may have been compromised along the I-10 corridor. Whitney Bank issued a statement acknowledging they found devices called “skimmers” on ATM machines and as a precaution have reissued about 7100 debit cards.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says they are looking for possibly two suspects involved in a shooting that left two dead in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Balaca says the victims are 37-year-old Chad Nichols and 29-year-old Benny Boooker. He says as of right now they don’t know who is responsible for these murders…:
CUT 10 (10) “Booker’s vehicle”
He says anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

LSU defensive back Jalen Mills is reportedly headed to court in April for battery. If found guilty of simple Battery, Mills could face up to 6 months in jail. The LSU football player vehemently denies the allegations.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 27

The Pelicans are on a season-high four game winning streak after beating the Philadelphia 76ers 99 to 74 last night. Anthony Davis had several big-time dunks and finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and five block shots. The Pels go for five in a row on Wednesday against the Nuggets.

In college hoops last night…Northwestern State easily defeated Nichollls State 80 to 51. Ta’Jon Welcome had 18 points and career-high seven rebounds to go along with three steals.

Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi defeated Southeastern Louisiana 70 to 61, Incarnate Word rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to beat McNeese State 86 to 84 and Southern lost to Alabama State 63 to 59 in overtime.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a two-year, two-million dollar contract for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele when the board meets Friday in Shreveport. The deal is 300-thousand dollars less than what John Chavis made in his final season with LSU.

And in a college football scheduling note….F-B schedules-dot-com reports that the Ragin Cajuns will host Northwestern State on September 12th. An official announcement is expected this week. And LSU has announced that spring practice will begin March 7th and the Spring game is set for April 18th.

In recruiting news…Neville standout Kavonte Turpin has decided he’ll play his college football at TCU. Plaquemine tight end Joe Keller has reportedly given a verbal pledge to Nicholls State.

In college baseball news…the Ragin Cajuns 2016 recruiting class has been rated as the best in the Sun Belt Conference, according to Perfect Game. Two of the top players in that class are from Louisiana…Nick Lee from Longville and Hogan Harris, a left-handed pitcher at St. Thomas More.

11:30 Newscast January 27th, 2015

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says they are investigating a double homicide in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says they got the call Monday around 3:30pm and when they arrived at the scene they located 37-year-old Chad Nichols dead on the front lawn of his house..:
CUT 9 (10) “did not survive”
Bacala says the suspects got away in a white 2008-2011 BMW 3 series and they stole Bookers white 2008 white Dodge Magnum. Cops are looking for both vehicles and if anyone has information to please call authorities.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says the search for a man, wanted in connection with a weekend robbery, ended when he was found dead. Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan says deputies responded to a call from a crawfish farmer who discovered a body in a field just east of Crowley…:
CUT 3 (08) “face down”
She says Mier’s death is being classified as suspicions but right now they don’t know how he died.

Louisiana’s budget picture continues to get worse because of falling oil prices. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 3 (32) “reporting”

Authorities say a man fatally stabbed his girlfriend in Lake Charles before taking his own life in Lincoln Parish later the same day. They say 22-year-old Octavia Jack was found murdered in an apartment then 30-year-old Christopher White, Jack’s boyfriend, was later located by the LPSO in a rural part of Lincoln parish a few hours later with what authorities described as “a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

 

10:30 Newscast January 27th, 2015

The Revenue Estimating Conference says due to the tumbling price of oil, a 103 million dollar reduction will have to be made this fiscal year by state government. Chief economist for the Louisiana legislature Greg Albrecht…:
CUT 13 (09) “is bad”
This means the Jindal Administration will have to make cuts in the next few weeks.

Gas prices are down another 3 cents in Louisiana from last week. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $1.87 according to the American Automobile Association.

The Governor is in Lafayette today. A release from his office indicates Jindal will be attending a ground breaking ceremony at the Lafayette Economic Development Authority at 1:20pm.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals sets up a program that encourages Louisiana residents to take control of their health. Scott Carwile has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

A man who the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s office was looking for on an armed robbery warrant was found dead in a field by a crawfish farmer. Authorities says 18-year-old Slye Mier was face down and his body had no apparent signs or markings that would indicate how he died. The Calcasieu Coroner office is performing an autopsy and more details will be released at that time.