12:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

The number of Louisiana Public Schools earning a state performance grade of an A has gone up from 187 to 241 this year, according to the Department of Education. Education officials released the reports earlier today. Superintendent John White says numbers are up because schools are responding to what they have been asked to achieve…:
CUT 6 (12) “on state tests”
This year’s school report card also shows 10 Louisiana school districts earning an A and no school districts in the state receiving an F grade.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office says an arrest has been made in the October 11th hit and run that left a 6 month old child injured after a truck rammed into a house. They say 28-year-old Dustin Wayne Lasseter was the owner of a vehicle spotted Monday with damage that matched evidence collected at the scene. The man was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center for hit and run and reckless operation.

Former President Bill Clinton tells a crowd of Mary Landrieu supporters in Louisiana yesterday he doesn’t see how the senior senator is not a clear favorite in the state’s US Senate race over her republican challengers. Clinton says Landrieu has a history of getting things done…:
CUT 27 (13) “loud cheers”
Early voting began this morning for the November 4th election and members of both parties are working hard to get out the vote for this massive Louisiana ballot with important races and issues. Polls are open through October 28th, excluding Sunday, and are open from 8:30am-6pm.

LRN Sportscast 11:40 October 21st

Last year’s co-champs in the Sun Belt Conference meet tonight on national television as the Ragin Cajuns host Arkansas State. Both teams are 2-and-0 in league play this season. U-L Lafayette domianted the Red Wolves last season, beating them 23-7 in Jonesboro. Kick-off tonight is at seven o’ clock and Coach Mark Hudspeth wants to see a big crowd.

LSU’s Les Miles wants to see the 12th man involved in their game against third ranked Ole Miss this Saturday. Many fans tend to leave Tiger Stadium at halftime, but Miles wants the fans to stay late and make some noise. The Tigers go into the game as a three and a half point underdog.

Louisiana Tech is a nine and a half point favorite as they go on the road this Saturday to face Southern Miss. The Bulldogs are 3-and-0 in Conference USA. The Bulldogs have allowed only 44 points in those three conference games. Southern Miss is 1-and-2 in league play and they rank last in scoring in the conference, averaging 20 points a game.

The Saints are 2-and-4 and some in the Who Dat nation are putting part of the blame on Quarterback Drew Brees. The veteran signal caller’s interception in the late stages on Sunday set up Detroit’s game-winning touchdown. But Coach Sean Payton is defending Brees’ play….
cut 19 (16) “…are worries”
The Saints offense will reportedly be without running back Pierre Thomas for the next two to three weeks, because of a shoulder injury he sustained in the loss tot he Lions. New Orleans hosts Green Bay this Sunday.

In NA preseason action last night…the Pelicans beat the Washington Wizards 88-84. Anthony Davis had 14 points, before leaving the game with a minor wrist injury. The final preseason game is Thursday against Dallas, which will be played at the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City.

11:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

Early voting is underway as of today and people started lining up at the 8:30am opening to cast their ballot for the November 4th election. The Secretary of State’s Office is calling this the biggest election Louisiana has had in decades and these voters we spoke with today told us why they prefer to early vote…:
CUT 9 (13) “out of the way”
To find out where you can early vote download the Geaux Vote app.

ULM Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom says the freshman basketball player who is charged with the forcible rape of a female student is suspended indefinitely from the team. Officials with the university say 18-year-old Roderick Taylor allegedly arranged on social media to meet the victim in a parking lot on campus where she reported the incident took place. Taylor is booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center.

Officials say a third man involved in the 2010 murder of Rayville Police Sergeant Thomas Alexander has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the case. Alexander was killed while responding to a burglary at a home in Richland Parish. District Attorney Mack Lancaster says they are glad to have a third plea in this case…:
CUT 3 (11) “murder occurred”
Previously, Richard Long pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and Robert Walker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Both are serving life sentences.

State Education Officials have released the performance grades for Louisiana public schools and while there are no longer anymore F districts according to the report, there are 104 F schools. The DOE says the good news is that schools earning an A or B has gone up from 575 a year ago to 607 this year.

10:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

You can cast your ballots early for the November 4th election now and through October 28th. The hours are 8:30am to 6pm, excluding Sunday. The Secretary of State’s office says this is the biggest election Louisiana has had in decades and you can bring a set sample ballot with you to the polls with the app GeauxVote (geaux spelled the cajun way.)

There was a big rally for US Senator Mary Landrieu Monday staring former President Bill Clinton…:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says a 20-year-old sprinter on LSU’s track team was arrested for allegedly raping a woman at an off-campus party over the weekend. They say Nathaneel Joseph Mitchell-Black was booked into prison and remained in jail Monday afternoon on a $100,000 bail after a woman reported the alleged incident to cops. The suspect denies the allegation.

The Louisiana Heroin Summit hosted by State Police is underway today with the purpose of addressing the recent rise in heroin use and overdose deaths from the drug here. Trooper Jared Sandifer says they encourage the public to attend the all day event at BREC Independence Park in Baton Rouge as heroin is a huge problem and it’s important to sit down and address it…:
CUT 9 (07) “could be passed”
He says in Louisiana last year there were at least 310 heroin-related arrests which is significantly higher than the year prior.

09:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

The early voting period for the November 4th election kicks off today and runs through October 28th. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (31) “reporting”

A University of Louisiana at Monroe freshman basketball player has been arrested on a charge of forcible rape. Authorities say 18-year-old Roderick Taylor, Jr. was taken into custody after allegedly raping a victim on campus who he arranged to meet with online. Taylor has been suspended indefinitely from the basketball team.

Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about the increase of heroin use in Louisiana. Trooper Jared Sandifer says last year there were at least 310 heroin-related arrests made by LSP and law enforcement agencies across the state…

cut 8 (11) “in 2012″

The event is being held at the BREC Independence Park Theatre and the public is urged to participate.

Two St. John the Baptist Parish utilities workers have been indicted for falsifying records that lead to the discovery of a deadly amoeba in the parish’s drinking water supply in August. Kurt Wall with the state Attorney General’s office says the parish government is fully cooperating and taking corrective steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen again…

cut 12 (10) “from here forward”

Kevin Branch of LaPlace and Danielle Roussel of Pauline were each charged with one count of malfeasance in office and one count of filing and/or maintaining false public records.

08:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

Former President Bill Clinton spoke at a campaign rally for Senator Mary Landrieu in Baton Rouge Monday. During a nearly 30-minute speech, Clinton spoke about Landrieu’s efforts to help college students afford their education, her support for a higher minimum wage and chairmanship of the Senate Energy Committee…

cut 15 (12) ” I do”

Election day is November fourth, but early voting begins today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says for sample ballots and early voting locations, you can go online to geauxvote-dot-com. Schedler says he expects a voter turnout between 45 and 50-percent for this US Senate election…

cut 6 (12) “high participation”

Early voting will take place through October 28th from 8:30AM to 6PM, excluding Sunday.

Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about heroin use and address the recent rise in heroin deaths. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (33) “reporting”

The woman killed in the French Quarter Sunday morning after a drunk driver crashed into a pole that fell on her, has been identified. The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Taylor McGonigle of Baker. The driver, 37-year-old Tevest Vance has been charged with vehicular homicide. McGonigle would have turned 22 on Monday.

07:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

Former President Bill Clinton was in Baton Rouge Monday and spoke at a Senator Mary Landrieu campaign rally. Landrieu’s main opponent, Bill Cassidy, constantly ties Landrieu and her voting record to policies supported by President Obama. But Clinton says Louisiana voters should not look at the Senate race as a chance to vote against Obama…

cut 14 (07) “crowd that’s right”

Clinton says Landrieu has a history of getting things done in the Senate.

Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about heroin use and address the recent rise in heroin deaths. Trooper Jared Sandifer says Col Mike Edmonson is going to be the keynote speaker and joined by several other people from around the state who know a lot about heroin…

cut 7 (11) “the area”

Sandifer says last year there were at least 310 heroin-related arrests made by LSP and law enforcement agencies across the state.

Early voting for the November 4th election kicks off today. This year’s election is highlighted by a hotly contested US Senate race. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says voters should expect a lengthy ballot…

cut 5 (06) “available, statewide”

Early voting will take place through October 28th, excluding Sunday.

Two St. John the Baptist Parish utilities workers have been indicted in connection with an investigation into a deadly amoeba which was found in the parish’s drinking water in August. Kurt Wall with the state Attorney General’s office says the workers were reporting satisfactory chlorine levels, but DHH did random testing and discovered, instead, the amoeba. He says that’s when State Police stepped in and decided to check GPS coordinates on the employees’ vehicles…

cut 11 (13) “correctly”

Kevin Branch of LaPlace and Danielle Roussel of Pauline were each charged with one count of malfeasance in office and one count of filing and/or maintaining false public records.

06:45 Sportscast October 21, 2014

The U-L Lafayette Ragin Cajuns look to keep their winning ways going on Tuesday nights when they host Arkansas State in a matchup of unbeaten teams in Sun Belt play. Coach Mark Hudspeth’s team has won its last three games played on Tuesday, dating back to last season…

cut 16 (21) “Arkansas State team”

Tonight’s game can be seen nationlly on ESPN Two.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has named Louisiana Tech linebacker Terrell Pinson as their College Defensive Player of the Week. Pinson had two interceptions and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the Bulldogs win over Texas San Antonio. Grambling quarterback Johnathan Williams is their Offensive Player of the Week, while LSU punt returner Tre’Davious White was tapped as Special Teams Player of the Week.

LSU gets another chance to beat a team ranked in the Top 5 this Saturday when they host the third ranked Ole Miss Rebels. The Tigers lost earlier this season to number 5 Auburn and Mississippi State who is now number one. Coach Les Miles thinks his improving defense is up to the challenge…

cut 18 (21) “that matchup”

Kick off is scheduled for 6:15PM.

The Saints are 2-and-4, but they are in second place and not that far behind division leader Carolina, who is 3-and-3-and-1 on the season. But Coach Sean Payton says the players are not worried about the standings…

cut 20 (11) “ourselves”

The Saints host Green Bay this Sunday night.

06:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

Former President Bill Clinton tells a crowd of Mary Landrieu supporters he doesn’t see how the senior senator is not a clear favorite in Louisiana’s US Senate race over her republican challengers. Clinton says Landrieu has a history of getting things done…

cut 13 (15) “(loud cheers)”

Clinton spoke at a Landrieu rally in Baton Rouge Monday.

The early voting period for the November 4th election kicks off today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says early voting will take place through October 28th from 8:30AM to 6PM, excluding Sunday. Schedler says early voter participation is on the rise…

cut 4 (08) “of early voting”

Schedler says, statewide, this is the biggest election in the state in decades.

A grand jury indicted two St. John the Baptist Parish utilities workers in connection with an investigation into a deadly amoeba which was found in the parish’s drinking water in August. Kurt Wall with the state Attorney General’s office says there was a question about whether or not samples being collected were accurate…:

cut 10 (13) “randomly testing”

Kevin Branch of LaPlace and Danielle Roussel of Pauline were each charged with one count of malfeasance in office and one count of filing and/or maintaining false public records.

AM-Newscall October 21st, 2014

The early voting period for the November 4th election kicks off today and runs through October 28th. Michelle Southern reports…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about heroin use and address the recent rise in heroin deaths. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (33) “reporting”

______________________________________

Former President Bill Clinton makes a campaign stop in Louisiana to help Senator Mary Landrieu with her re-election efforts. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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The early voting period for the November 4th election kicks off today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says early voting will take place through October 28th from 8:30AM to 6PM, excluding Sunday. Schedler says early voter participation is on the rise…

Cut 4  (08)  “of early voting”

This year’s election is highlighted by a hotly contested US Senate race and several contested Congressional races. Schedler wants to remind voters that there are 14 Constitutional Amendments on this year’s ballot. He says voters should expect a lengthy ballot…

Cut 5  (06)  “available, statewide”

Schedler says, statewide, this is the biggest election in the state in decades. He says for sample ballots and early voting locations, you can go online at geauxvote-dot-com. Schedler says he expects a voter turnout between 45 and 50-percent for this US Senate election…

Cut 6 (12)  “high participation”

______________________________________

Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about heroin use and address the recent rise in heroin deaths. Trooper Jared Sandifer says Col Mike Edmonson is going to be the keynote speaker and joined by several other people from around the state who know a lot about heroin…:

CUT 7 (11)  “the area”

The event is being held between 9am-5pm at the BREC Independence Park Theatre and the public is urged to participate. Sandifer says in Louisiana last year there were at least 310 heroin-related arrests made by LSP and law enforcement agencies across the state…:

Cut 8 (11)   “in 2012”

Sandifer says the CDC named the Greater Baton Rouge area as the 19th worse in the nation per capita for heroin over dose deaths in 2013. He says it’s a huge problem it’s important to sit down and address it:

Cut 9 (07)  “could be passed” 

______________________________________

A grand jury indicted two St. John the Baptist Parish utilities workers in connection with an investigation into a deadly amoeba which was found in the parish’s drinking water in August. Kurt Wall with the state Attorney General’s office says there was a question about whether or not samples being collected were accurate…:

Cut 10 (13)  “randomly testing”

Wall says the workers were reporting the chlorine levels in the water supply were up to par but DHH did random testing and discovered, instead, the amoeba. He says that’s when State Police stepped in and decided to check GPS coordinates on the vehicles these parish employees were using at the time they said samples were taken…:

cut 11 (13)  “correctly”

Kevin Branch of LaPlace and Danielle Roussel of Pauline were each charged with one count of malfeasance in office and one count of filing and/or maintaining false public records. Each felony count carries up to 5 years in prison. Wall says the St. John Parish Government is fully cooperating and are taking corrective steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen again…:

cut 12 (10)  “from here forward”

______________________________________

Former President Bill Clinton tells a crowd of Mary Landrieu supporters he doesn’t see how the senior senator is not a clear favorite in Louisiana’s US Senate race over her republican challengers. Clinton says Landrieu has a history of getting things done

Cut 13 (15)  “(loud cheers)”

Clinton was in Baton Rouge Monday and spoke at a Landrieu rally. Her main opponent, Bill Cassidy, constantly ties Landrieu and her voting record to policies supported by President Obama. But Clinton says Louisiana voters should not look at the Senate race as a chance to vote against Obama

Cut 14 (07)  “crowd that’s right”

During a nearly 30-minute speech, Clinton spoke about Landrieu’s efforts to help college students afford their education, her support for a higher minimum wage and chairmanship of the Senate Energy Committee

Cut 15  (12)  ” I do”

________________________________________________

The U-L Lafayette Ragin Cajuns look to keep their winning ways going on Tuesday nights when they host Arkansas State in a matchup of unbeaten teams in Sun Belt play. Coach Mark Hudspeth’s team has won its last three games played on Tuesday, dating back to last season

Cut 16  (21)   “Arkansas State team”

Tonight’s game can be seen nationlly on ESPN Two. Hudspeth wants to see a big crowd, because it’s a game that can show the university in a positive light…

Cut 17  (10)   “12th man”

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LSU gets another chance to beat a team ranked in the Top 5 this Saturday when they host the third ranked Ole Miss Rebels. The Tigers lost earlier this season to Auburn, who is ranked fifth and Mississippi State who is now number one. Coach Les Miles thinks his improving defense is up to the challenge…

Cut 18 (21) “that matchup”

___________________________________________________

The Saints are 2-and-4 and some in the Who Dat nation are putting part of the blame on Quarterback Drew Brees. The veteran signal caller’s interception in the late stages on Sunday set up Detroit’s game-winning touchdown. But Coach Sean Payton is defending Brees’ play…

Cut 19 (16)   “are worries”

Even though the Saints have a losing record, they are in second place and not that far behind division leader Carolina, who is 3-and-3-and-1 on the season. But Payton says the players are not worried about the standings

Cut 20 (11)  “ourselves”