LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 13

The final A-P football Top 25 poll came out today and LSU is no where to be found for the first time since 2008. It’s the second time in the Les Miles era that the Tigers did not finish the season ranked in the Top 25.

Meanwhile, Miles continues to search for a new defensive coordinator to replace John Chavis. The search is entering its third week, Charles Hanagriff, of 104-5 ESPN Baton rouge, says fans shouldn’t be concerned that LSU has yet to find a D-C…
cut 18 (15) “….every option”
Meanwhile, nola-dot-com reports LSU has stepped up its pursuit of Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who maybe looking to run a defense, without Nick Saban’s involvement.

Several media outlets are reporting that Louisiana Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz will promote safeties coach Blake Baker to defensive coordinator. Baker was hired in February after coaching at Arkansas State and he’s a former three-year starter at Tulane in the early 2000s.

Northwestern State’s Mike McConathy has the chance to win the 600th game of his coaching career tonight when his Demons host Abilene Christian. McConathy says 600 wins are great, but he’s more worried about improving to 3-and-1 in the Southland. Tip-off tonight is at 6:30 at Prather Coliseum.

Nicholls State is also home tonight. The Colonels are searching for their first win in the Southland, and they’ll host Houston Baptist. Nicholls is 3-and-9 on the year, while the Huskies are six and seven.

Tomorrow night it’s LSU at Ole Miss. Both teams are 1-and-1 in league play. But the Rebels have owned this series of late, winning seven of their last eight.

ULM Athletic director, Doctor Brian Wickstrom, has been named one of the top-10 fundraising ADS in college atheltics by College A-D, which is a news and resource service for college athletic programs. According to a news release from ULM, Wickstorm has led Warhawk athletics to one of its most successful fundraising periods since arriving.

LRN Newscast 16:30 January 13, 2015

Nearly 400-thousand people here in Louisiana have dealt with the flu during this season…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

Senator David Vitter has announced he has 4 million dollars for his Louisiana gubernatorial campaign with 3.5 million dollars cash on hand. Vitter’s office says that 88 percent of campaign contributions are from over 25 hundred in-state donors. Vitter announced his candidacy last January.
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It’s a very sad story out of Bastrop, as two young children who authorities believe were left home alone, died in a house fire. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the blaze, which ignited Monday afternoon, was likely started by a gas space heater inside the wood-framed home…:
CUT 3 (10) “home alone”
The mother of the 4 year-old and 3 year-old, – 21 year-old Ciarra Johnson – reportedly was getting her hair done.

A Monroe stand-off this morning at an assistanted living complex has ended tragically, as the resident courtesy officer died after he was allegedly shot by a resident . Monroe Police Detective Reggie Brown says they got the call from the complex about shots fired from the apartment of 64 year-old Adam Spillman…
CUT 11 (10) Q: ‘is in question’
Seventy-six year-old Alton Sutter died at a local hospital.

LRN Newscast 15:30 January 13, 2015

Two young children from Bastrop, who authorities believe were left home alone, have died in a house fire. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says if they do find out that the mother left these young ones alone, negligent homicide charges could be coming for 21 year-old Ciarra Johnson…:
CUT 5 (10) Q: ‘we’re gonna do that”
Her dead children are idenitified as four year-old Tashae Johnson and 3-year-old Clifton Johnson.

Louisiana’s flu season is here, and officials say, it’s serious…
CUT 6 (11) Q: ‘as well’
That is Doctor Frank Welch, the medical director for the state’s immunization program, who adds an estimated 400-thousand people have come down with the flu statewide.
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A stand-off at an assisted living complex in Monroe this morning has ended with one man dead. Monroe Police Detective Reggie Brown says a resident courtesy officer at Frances Towers reported shots fired from the apartment of 64-year-old Adam Spillman. That officer was shot in the leg…
CUT 10 (09) Q: ‘local area hospital’
Some witnesses said that Spillman may have had some mental issues.

Some state audits of life insurance companies have uncovered more than $31 million in unclaimed property for beneficiaries in the past eight years. State Treasurer John Kennedy says they found that some insurance companies violated their life insurance contracts. So, if you think you are owed money, just go to the website…
CUT 14 (08) Q: ‘at your leisure’

LRN Newscast 14:30 January 13, 2015

Sad story out of Bastrop, as two young children who authorities believe were left home alone while their mother was getting her hair done, died in a house fire…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Senator David Vitter has announced he has 4 million dollars for his Louisiana gubernatorial campaign with 3.5 million dollars cash on hand. Vitter’s office says that 88 percent of campaign contributions are from over 25 hundred in-state donors.
—————————-
Louisiana State Treasurer John Kennedy announces that audits have uncovered more than $31 million in unclaimed property for life insurance companies’ beneficiaries in the past eight years. He says some insurance companies are reluctant to pay benefits, and they want to help…
CUT 13 (11) Q: ‘her a check’
Kennedy says check their website for more information at latreasury dot-com

If you think there’s a lot of flu going around, you would be right. Most estimates have the numbers around 400 thousand in the state…
CUT 8 (10) Q: “of the flu”
That’s Doctor Frank Welch, medical director for the state’s immunization program, who says you still to get a flu shot.

PM Newscall January 13

Sad story out of Bastrop as two young children who authorities believe were left home alone while their mother was getting her hair done, died in a house fire. Michelle Southern reporting…:

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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Nearly 400-thousand people in Louisiana have dealt with the flu bug during this influenza season. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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Sad story out of Bastrop as two young children who authorities believe were left home alone while their mother was getting her hair done, died in a house fire. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the blaze, which ignited Monday afternoon, was likely started by a gas space heater inside the wood-framed home…:

CUT 3 (10)  “home alone”

Browning says investigators discovered the bodies of a 4-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy at the Madison Parish home. He says criminal charges are anticipated if they confirm that there was nobody responsible for supervising the children when the fire started. Browning says investigators believe the young siblings never had a chance to get out…:

CUT 4 (12)  “require supervision”

The mother has been identified as 21-year-old Ciarra Johnson and her 4-year-old daughter is Tashae Johnson and 3-year-old son named Clifton Johnson. Browning says if they do find out that the mother didn’t ask anyone to supervise the children why she was gone, negligent homicide charges could be coming…:

CUT 5 (10)  “we’re gonna do that”

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It’s a bad flu season and the numbers prove it. Doctor Frank Welch, medical director for the state’s immunization program, says nearly an estimated 400-thousand people have come down with the flu during this flu season and influenza has hospitalized up to four-thousand people…

CUT 6 (11)  “as well”

Welch says they are still seeing an extraordinarily large number of cases reported each week, but

CUT 7 (10)  “anymore”

Welch says the strain of flu that’s most predominent is H-3-N-2….

(Even though the flu vaccine is not a direct match with the flu strain going around, Welch still advises getting an influenza shot.) 

CUT 8 (10) “of the flu”

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The Monroe Police Department says a stand off situation at an elderly assisted living complex has ended with one man dead. Detective Reggie Brown says a resident courtesy officer at Frances Towers reported shots fired from the apartment of 64-year-old Adam Spillman. Brown says the courtesy officer and a police officer went to make contact with Spillman…

CUT 9 (10)  “victim to safety”

Spillman shot the courtesy officer, 76-year-old Alton Sutter, in the leg. Brown says Spillman then barricaded himself in his apartment. He says SWAT teams were brought in and they were able to negotiate with Spillman to surrender peacefully…

cut 10 (09)  “local area hospital”

Sutter succumbed to his injuries at a local area hospital. Brown says Spillman is a military veteran, but he did not see any combat. The investigation is ongoing and it has not been determined what charges Spillman will face. Brown says, according to witness statements, there is a question in regard to Spillman’s state of mind at the time of the shooting…

cut 11 (10)  “is in question”

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State Treasurer John Kennedy announces that audits of life insurance companies have uncovered more than $31 million in unclaimed property for beneficiaries in the past eight years. He says the audit found that some insurance companies violated their life insurance contracts…

cut 12 (11)  “keep the money”

Kennedy says the audits are necessary because families are often unaware that an insurance policy exists and unless the insurance company tries to locate beneficiaries, the benefit will go unpaid. He says they’re already helping people receive life insurance payments…

cut 13 (11)  “her a check”

The audits are one component to the state’s Unclaimed Property Program. Kennedy says if you think you are owed money, you should search their website… (The website is latreasury-dot-com.)

cut 14 (08)  “at your leisure”

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13:30 Newscast January 13th, 2015

State Treasurer John Kennedy announces that audits of life insurance companies have uncovered more than $31 million dollars in unclaimed property for beneficiaries in the past eight years. He says the audit found that some insurance companies violated their life insurance contracts…:
CUT 12 (11) “keep the money”
Kennedy says the audits are necessary because families are often unaware that an insurance policy exists. He says you can search their website to see if you’re due money at latreasury.com.

US Senator David Vitter reports his campaign for Governor was able to raise $4 million dollars in 2014. They say there’s nearly $3.5 million in the bank and 88 percent was collected from 2,500 Louisiana donors. Public Service Commission Scott Angelle reported last week he raised $1.5 million in just the final quarter of last year.

This flu season is awful and the numbers point that out. Doctor Frank Welch, medical director for the state’s immunization program, says nearly an estimated 400-thousand people have come down with the flu this season. He says they are still seeing an extraordinarily large number of cases reported each week, but:
CUT 7 (10) “anymore”
Even though the flu vaccine is not a direct match with the flu strain going around, Welch still advises getting an influenza shot.

State Police say a 30-year-old man from Delhi died last night when he stepped out of his truck in the lane of travel and into the path of a pickup. They say it happened on Louisiana Highway 865 near Winnsboro. Investigators believe Michael Earl was hit by 25-year-old Kelly Armstrong who reported she tried to avoid striking the man but wasn’t able to do so. Earl was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

12:30 Newscast January 13th, 2015

Nearly 400-thousand people in Louisiana have dealt with the flu bug during this influenza season. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

US Senator David Vitter today announced he raised $4 million dollars for his Louisiana gubernatorial campaign for this year’s election and has $3.5 million cash on hand. Of the money raised they say 88 percent of the contributions came from more than 2500 in-state donors.

The Monroe Police Department says a stand off situation at an elderly assisted living complex has ended with one man dead. Detective Reggie Brown says a resident courtesy officer at Frances Towers reported shots fired from the apartment of 64-year-old Adam Spillman. Brown says the courtesy officer and a police officer went to make contact with Spillman…:
CUT 9 (10) “victim to safety”
Spillman shot the courtesy officer, 76-year-old Alton Sutter, in the leg and he later died from the injury. It’s not clear what charges Spillman will face at this time.

The current statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline now according to the American Automobile Association is $1.95.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 13

Several new names are popping up in LSU’s search for a new defensive coordinator. One of those names is Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who made one-point-three million dollars last season. But Charles Hanagriff, sports director of 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge, says Smart looks at the LSU job as an opportunity to show he can coach, without Nick Saban looking over his shoulder…
cut 17 (09) “…bit faster”
Jeremy Flower of ESPN is also reporting that LSU has shown interest in Chicago Bears defensive backs coach Jon Hoke. And coaching-search-dot-com, says Dallas Cowboys linebackers coach Matt Eberflus is a name to an eye on. Eberfus was the defensive coordinator at Missouri from 2001-08.

And Johnathan Ford with Bleed Tech Blue is reporting that Bulldogs head coach Skip Holtz will promote safeties coach Blake Baker to defensive coordinator. Baker was a three-year starter at Tulane in the early 2000s.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis scored 34 points last night, but that wasn’t enough as New Orleans fell to Boston 108-100. The Pels gave up 36 points in the 4th quarter to a Celtics team has only 13 wins on the year. New Orleans is now 18-and-19 overall, 6-and-14 on the road as they head to Detroit to face the Pistons on Wednesday night.

In college hoops…Southern improved to 3-and-1 in the SWAC with a 60-52 win over Jackson State. Grambling fell to 0-and-4 in the league as the Tigers lost to Alcorn State 72-70. Southeastern Louisiana was also a loser last night as Sam Houston State dribbled past the Lions 72-59.

Tonight…Northwestern State hosts Abilene Christian. Demons Coach Mike McConathy is going after win number 600 in his career. A win for Northwestern will also push its conference record to three and one. Nicholls State who seeks its first win in Southland conference play, hosts Houston Baptist tonight at six-thirty.

11:30 Newscast January 13th, 2015

Authorities in Bastrop say two children died in a house fire and they believe their mother was getting her hair done away from the home at the time. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says criminal charges are anticipated if they find out the children were home alone…:
CUT 4 (12) “require supervision”
He says they believe a gas space heater could have started the fire.

It’s a bad flu season and the numbers prove it. Doctor Frank Welch, medical director for the state’s immunization program, says nearly an estimated 400-thousand people have come down with the flu during this season and it’s sent up to four-thousand people to the hospital…:
CUT 6 (11) “as well”
Welch says this year’s flu vaccine is not perfect but it’s still important to get a flu shot.

Louisiana State Police say they are looking for a 30 percent pay raise for many of its troopers. Col Mike Edmonson says the raise would apply to rank-and-file troopers under the rank of major. The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget is scheduled to vote Friday on the increases Friday.

Officials in northwest Louisiana plan to meet with the EPA today over plans to conduct an open burn of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

 

10:30 Newscast January 13, 2015

A sad story out of Bastrop as two young children who authorities believe were left home alone while their mother was getting her hair done, died in a house fire. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the blaze, which ignited Monday afternoon, was likely started by a gas space heater inside the wood-framed home…

cut 3 (10) “home alone”

He says criminal charges are anticipated if they confirm that there was nobody responsible for supervising the children when the fire started.

Louisiana”s newly selected Higher Education Commissioner, Joseph Rallo, is embarking on a statewide tour to introduce himself to communities and school leaders. Rallo says he wants all of the system presidents to be on the same page when it comes to dealing with issues facing higher ed…

cut 10 (04) “vitally important”

Rallo says he plans to engage with leaders who share the common goal of creating a stronger economy through higher education.

A federal judge has ordered former Saints safety, Darren Sharper, to be brought to New Orleans to face federal drug charges. This ruling puts the federal case ahead of the separate state rape charges Sharper faces in Arizona, California, and Louisiana. In December, Sharper, along with former St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s deputy Brandon Licciardi, was charged with three federal narcotics counts related to drugging women in order to sexually assault them.

This year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival promises another stellar lineup including huge acts like Elton John, Keith Urban, JImmy Buffett, Ed Sheeran, and many many more. Festival Producer Quint Davis says says they strive to have something for everyone…

cut 15 (13) “like anything”

Other exciting names playing this year are Widespread Panic, Jerry Lee Lewis, Galactic and Pitbull. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival runs April 24th through May 3rd. Tickets are on sale now.