08:30 Newscast, July 21 2014

With no standardized test in place for the school year that is just around the corner, where does that put Louisiana right now?  Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says BESE leaders believe they are the ones who should decide what kind of assessment test is used in public schools, but the Jindal administration believes they should be involved in that process. He says a lawsuit to settle this dispute could be filed by BESE…:
CUT 14 (12) “does have a standing”
He says the judicial system is needed to settle this dispute.

State Police have arrested a Kaplan man in the hit-and-run death that took the life of a Youngsville cyclist two weeks ago.  Last night, 42-year-old Fitzpatrick Doucette of Kaplan was arrested at this home and charged with negligent homicide, felony hit and run, driving under suspension and limitations on passing bicycles.  The victim, 30-year-old Lon Lomas, was riding his bicycle July 7 when he was struck & killed by a car.

State Farm has announced the hurricane deductible for home owner policy holders will go up from 2 to 5 percent. But Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon asks that they let policy holders here have the option to buy back down to the 2 percent deductible in their policy by paying a higher insurance premium. He says a typical policy holder with a two percent hurricane deductible on a $150,000 home would pay $3,000 out of pocket before their insurance took effect…:
CUT 5 (08) “kick in”
He says State Farm is considering the request.

I scientist in Shreveport has just gotten a grant that would help her produce a gum that has the potential to prevent cancer. Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan with the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport says curcumin is a food substance found in the spice turmeric which could have cancer-preventing qualities. She says curcumin is one of the top selling supplements on the market…:
CUT 11 (12) “anti-oxidant as well”
She was awarded a $50,000 grant from the LSU System’s LIFT2 Program for the study.

We’ve seen a nice steady drop in gas prices over the past month. Louisiana stands at $3.39 a gallon of regular which is down a dime from 4 weeks ago.

07:30 Newscast July 21, 2014

We’re another day closer to the start of the school year and because of the dispute over Common Core a standardized test is not in place for the upcoming school year. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says a lawsuit needs to be filed, so the judicial system can determine who has constitutional authority over education policy…:
CUT 13 (06) “the courts”
Meanwhile, good government group, the Public Affairs Research Council, has issued a commentary criticizing Governor Jindal for creating a “crisis in education.” PAR President Robert Travis Scott says Jindal’s actions call into question whether he’s a reliable leader…:
CUT 15 (15) “educational outcomes”
He feels court action could be avoided if Jindal would work better with others.

Qualifying for the November 4th election is a month away. So how are things looking so far. Well the US Senate race between the incumbent Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu and Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy has been an extremely close one according to most polls. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Wayne Parent says we are still a few weeks away before campaigning ramps up but the ground work for both Landrieu and Cassidy’s platform has already been laid…:
CUT 8 (12) “doing quite well”
Qualifying begins August 20th.

A 22-year-old Gonzales man died in an Ancension Parish crash over the weekend. State Police say Patrick Breaux was a passenger in a car driven by a woman that was hit on the drivers side by another car at a stop-sign intersection. They say the victim was wearing his seat-belt but sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

A Shreveport researcher has a grant from the LSU System’s LIFT2 Program to help produce a potentially cancer preventing gum.  Eric Gill has the story…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

06:45 Sportscast, July 21, 2014

The 2014 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll was released over the weekend and the UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns football team was the unanimous choice to repeat as champions. Arkansas State was picked to finish second in the poll with South Alabama at No. 3, Troy fourth and the University of Louisiana at Monroe comes in at No. 5.

LSU Coach Les Miles will join six other coaches from the SEC today at ESPN going through the “Car Wash.” The Mad Hatter will participate in just about every one of ESPN’s daily shows including an appearance on SportsCenter, First Take and College Football live. Miles will spend nearly five hours talking about LSU football starting at 9am with an interview with ESPN.com, then he’ll appear on SportsCenter at 9:20, First Take at 9:40 then a football roundtable at 10am. Fans can get a behind the scenes look at Miles day by following @LSUfball on Twitter.

The New Orleans Saints have high hopes for the 2014 season and the excitement is just around the corner. The Black and Gold head to training camp Thursday in West Virginia.

LSU junior shortstop Alex Bregman was named the tournament Most Valuable Player Sunday as the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team defeated Japan, 6-3, to win the championship game. Bregman was one of several Tigers who have earned the distinction this summer as six of his LSU teammates have been picked to play in their respective leagues’ All Star games. They are Senior infielder Conner Hale, junior outfielders Mark Laird and Andrew Stevenson, junior catcher Chris Chinea, senior left hander Henri Faucheaux and right hander Brady Domangue.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is holing a news conference today and it’s expected he’ll introduce the Tigers new assistant coach, Andy Cannizaro who played at Tulane. The 2015 schedule is also expected to be unveiled today.

Former LSU baseball star Kevin Gausman suffered the loss Sunday as The Oakland As beat the Orioles 10-2. Gausman gave up 5 runs in 4 innings.

In the NBA, the Pelicans signed former Florida Gator Patric Young. He averaged 7 points 8 rebounds in summer league.

06:30 Newscast, July 21, 2014

The three day qualifying period for the November 4th election is now one month away. Thus far the US Senate race between the incumbent Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu and Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy has been an extremely close one according to most polls. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Wayne Parent says it’s a toss up.
CUT 7 (14) “strong candidate”
Qualifying begins August 20th.

Baton Rouge firefighters say the deadly fire on Saturday likely happened because of an electrical malfunction involving a power strip. Investigators say 90-year-old Steve Paxton died in the blaze on Bay Street. They conclude the fire broke out in a back bedroom where an air conditioner was plugged into a power cord. Paxton’s wife, Helen, was also at home at the time of the fire and has been released from the hospital.

State Farm has announced the hurricane deductible for home owner policy holders will go up from 2 to 5 percent. Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon met with State Farm officials and requested that they allow policy holders in Louisiana the option to buy back down to the two percent deductible in their policy by paying a higher insurance premium…:
CUT 4 (10) “in our state”
He says higher hurricane deductibles became prevalent in every coastal state after Hurricane Katrina. State Farm says they are considering Donelon’s request.

A Shreveport researcher has a grant to help produce a potentially cancer preventing gum. Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan, with the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport, was awarded a $50,000 grant from the LSU System’s LIFT2 Program. Nathan says she will use the funds to help produce a gum that contains curcumin…:
CUT 10 (08) “prevention of cancer”
She says, once the gum is manufactured, they will enroll 16 healthy volunteers for a clinical trial.

LRN Newscall for Monday July 21

The three day qualifying period for the November 4th election is now one month away. Michelle Southern reporting…:

CUT 1 (33) “reporting”
__________________________________________________________________________

A Shreveport researcher has a grant from the LSU System’s LIFT2 Program to help produce a potentially cancer preventing gum. Eric Gill has more…

Cut 2 Audio
__________________________________________________________________________

The stalemate over Common Core and what assessment tests should be used in public schools could lead to legal action soon. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 Audio (35) “….reporting”
__________________________________________________________________________

State Farm has announced the hurricane deductible for home owner policy holders will go up from 2 to 5 percent. Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon met with State Farm officials and requested that they allow policy holders in Louisiana the option to buy back down to the two percent deductible in their policy by paying a higher insurance premium…

Cut 4 (10) “in our state”
__________________________________________________________________________

He says State Farm allowed policy holders in Mississippi to buy back down to the two percent deductible and he wants the same option for policy holders in Louisiana. Donelon says a typical policy holder with a two percent hurricane deductible on a $150,000 home would pay $3,000 out of pocket before their insurance took effect…

Cut 5 (08) “kick in”
__________________________________________________________________________

He says higher hurricane deductibles became prevalent in every coastal state after Hurricane Katrina. State Farm says they are considering Donelon’s request. Donelon says the real solution of this problem is for Congress to enact a bill that creates “Named Storm Deductible Savings Accounts”…

Cut 6 (14) “taxes expense”
__________________________________________________________________________

The three day qualifying period for the November 4th election is now one month away. Thus far the US Senate race between the incumbent Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu and Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy has been an extremely close one according to most polls. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Wayne Parent says it’s a toss up…:

CUT 7 (14) “strong cadidate”
__________________________________________________________________________

Parent says we are still a few weeks away before campaigning really starts to ramp up, but the ground work for both Landrieu and Cassidy’s platform has already been laid…:
CUT 8 (12) “doing quite well”
__________________________________________________________________________

In the race for the 6th Congressional District, Parent says even though a majority of its voters tend to vote Republican, former Governor Edwin Edwards will most certainly make the runoff…:
CUT 9 (12) “good publicity”
/a>
__________________________________________________________________________

A Shreveport researcher has received a grant to help produce a potentially cancer preventing gum. Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan, with the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport, was awarded a $50,000 grant from the LSU System’s LIFT2 Program. Nathan says she will use the funds to help produce a gum that contains curcumin…

cut 10 (08) “prevention of cancer”
__________________________________________________________________________

Curcumin is a food substance found in the spice turmeric that reportedly has cancer-preventing qualities. Nathan says curcumin is one of the top selling supplements on the market…

cut 11 (12) “anti-oxidant as well”
__________________________________________________________________________

One problem with curcumin is that it is not absorbed well in the stomach. Nathan hopes this gum will allow for direct absorption of the substance and help prevent head and neck cancers. She says, once the gum is manufactured, they will enroll 16 healthy volunteers for a clinical trial…

cut 12 (17) “to the capsule”
__________________________________________________________________________

We’re another day closer to the start of the school year and because of the dispute over Common Core a standardized test is not in place for the upcoming school year. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says a lawsuit needs to be filed, so the judicial system can determine who has constitutional authority over education policy…

Cut 13 (06) “….would be the courts”
__________________________________________________________________________

Erwin says BESE leaders believe they are the ones who should decide what kind of assessment test is used in public schools, but the Jindal administration believes they should be involved in that process. He says a lawsuit to settle this dispute could be filed by BESE…

Cut 14 Audio (12) “…..does have standing”.
__________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, good government group, the Public Affairs Research Council, has issued a commentary criticizing Governor Jindal for creating a “crisis in education.” PAR President Robert Travis Scott says Jindal’s actions call into question whether he’s a reliable leader…

Cut 15 Audio (15) “…educational outcomes”

——————————————————————————–
__________________________________________________________________________

Scott says Jindal regularly criticizes the federal government for this type of executive over reach. He says court action could be avoided if the governor could demonstrate he has the skills to work with others

Cut 16 Audio (12) “of Louisiana

10:30 Newscast July 19, 2014

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested 13 people during an operation targeting prostitution. Lt. Tommy Carnline says their detectives became suspicious illegal sexual activity was taking place at local hotels when they came across internet advertisements that offered “massages”, “quality time”, and “anything you want”. Carnline says in one night, over 17-hundred dollars was paid and taken as evidence from those soliciting prostitution…

cut 14 (12) “wanted to do”

He says several of those arrested are from various parts of the state including Bossier City and suburban New Orleans.

A former Fork Polk soldier has been sentenced to almost 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact with a minor while on base. Thirty nine year-old Emil Roland Rath will also have five years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says two people from Raceland are under arrest for allegedly abusing four children all under the age of 13. Spokesman Brennan Matherne says juvenile detectives could visibly see bruising on one child’s body and learned 30-year-old Christopher Gaudet had allegedly punched the child…

cut 7 (10) “responded to”

Detectives also learned that Gaudet had also allegedly forced three of the children to have sex with him. Gaudet has been charged with four counts of cruelty to juveniles and three counts of aggravated rape. His girlfriend, 27-year-old Brandy Triche has been booked on four counts of cruelty to juveniles.

New research suggests that your stress is extremely contagious. Michelle Southern explains…

cut 1 (33) “reporting”

09:30 Newscast July 19, 2014

The state’s unemployment rate has inched upward for a second consecutive month. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (26) “reporting”

New research shows that stress can be passed on to another person as easily as the common cold. Michele Many, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the LSU School of Medicine says you shouldn’t let yourself be dragged down by someone else’s mood as it just spreads the stress. She says you should first focus on your own wellness, then pull people into that…

cut 5 (04) “into your calm”

She says it’s collectively good for us to be empathetic because when we naturally know how another person is feeling, we can react better to them.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says two people from Raceland are under arrest for allegedly abusing four children all under the age of 13. Spokesman Brennan Matherne says juvenile detectives were called to investigate a complaint regarding physical and sexual abuse of the kids…

cut 6 (10) “aggravated rape”

Matherne says Triche is booked with four counts of cruelty to juveniles with force and violence. Gaudet is charged with the same and also three counts of aggravated rape.

13 people have been arrested by The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office during an operation targeting prostitution. Lt. Tommy Carnline says their detectives became suspicious of illegal sexual activity at local hotels when they came across internet advertisements that offered “massages”, “quality time”, and “anything you want”. Carnline says the individuals arrested are from various parts of the state, including suburban New Orleans…

cut 13 (12) “out of town”

He says in one night, over 17-hundred dollars was paid and taken as evidence from those soliciting prostitution.

The body discovered in a burned out home in Fisher has been identified. Sabine Parish authorities say 49-year-old James Paul Green was found dead on the kitchen floor. Authorities have ruled Green’s death a homicide.

08:30 Newscast July 19, 2014

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says two people from Raceland are under arrest for allegedly abusing four children all under the age of 13. Spokesman Brennan Matherne says during questioning of all parties involved, detectives discovered a history of alleged physical abuse of the four children by 30-year-old Christopher Gaudet and his 27-year-old girlfriend Brandy Triche. He says they also learned Gaudet allegedly forced three of the children to have sex with him…

cut 8 (13) “dollars bond”

Triche is charged with four counts cruelty to juveniles with force and violence.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says an accident Friday night has claimed the lives of two people. Investigators believe that one of the vehicles may have crossed into the lane of the oncoming vehicle in a curve in the road. They say one person from each vehicle has died.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested 13 people during an operation targeting prostitution. Lt. Tommy Carnline says their detectives became suspicious illegal sexual activity was taking place at local hotels when they came across internet advertisements that offered “massages”, “quality time”, and “anything you want”…

cut 12 (14) “of prostitution”

Carnline says those arrested are from various parts of the state including Bossier City and suburban New Orleans.

According to new research, stress can be passed on to another person as easily as the common cold. Michele Many, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the LSU School of Medicine, says it’s collectively good for us to be empathetic because when we naturally know how another person is feeling, we can react better to them…

cut 4 (08) “to each other”

Many says one thing we can to to help the ripple is to manage our won streess well by getting good rest, eating well, and limiting caffeine and alcohol.

The Wall Street Journal’s business website has listed Lafayette as the happiest city in America. In fact, the top 5 happiest cities are all in Louisiana. Houma was ranked number two, followed by Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Alexandria. The list was compiled by a Harvard professor.

17:30 Newscast July 18, 2014

The state’s unemployment rate has inched upward for a second consecutive month. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 2 (26) “reporting”

According to new research, stress can be passed on to another person as easily as the common cold. Michele Many, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the LSU School of Medicine, says people tend to tune in to the moods and feelings of others…

cut 3 (05) “support each other”

She says one thing we can do to help the ripple is to manage our own stress well by getting good rest, eating well, and limiting caffeine and alcohol.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says two people from Raceland are under arrest for allegedly abusing four children all under the age of 13. Spokesman Brennan Matherne says juvenile detectives could visibly see bruising on one of the child’s body and learned 30-year-old Christopher Gaudet had allegedly punched the child…

cut 7 (10) “responded to”

Detectives also learned that Gaudet had also allegedly forced three of the children to have sex with him. Gaudet has been charged with four counts of cruelty to juveniles and three counts of aggravated rape. His girlfriend, 27-year-old Brandy Triche has been booked on four counts of cruelty to juveniles.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested 13 people during an operation targeting prostitution. Lt. Tommy Carnline says their detectives became suspicious illegal sexual activity was taking place at local hotels when they came across internet advertisements that offered “massages”, “quality time”, and “anything you want”. Carnline says in one night, over 17-hundred dollars was paid and taken as evidence from those soliciting prostitution…

cut 14 (12) “wanted to do”

He says several of those arrested are from various parts of the state including Bossier City and suburban New Orleans.

LRN 16:45 Sportscast July 18th

The LSU Tigers were picked by the media to finish third in the SEC West. Alabama and Auburn are projected to finish one-two, and Ole Miss is expected to finish fourth. The Rebels return nine starters on defense this season and on offense quarterback Bo Wallace is back, as this will be his third season starting in Oxford. Ole Miss Head Coach Hugh Freeze believes Wallace could have a big season….
cut 19 (22) “….what he’s doing”
LSU will host Ole Miss on October 25th.

One other LSU football note…fan day has been set for Sunday August 10th at the Maravich Assembly Center and the Carl Maddox Field House on the LSU campus.

Officials with U-L Lafayette have announced the Ragin Cajuns and the University of Tulsa have agreed to a home-and-home football series. The Cajuns are scheduled to visit Tulsa in 2017 and the Golden Hurricanes will return the trip to Lafayette in 2019. The two teams have met nine times in school history and the Cajuns lead the series five to four.

Southern has been picked to repeat as champions of the West division in the SWAC. Grambling is predicted to finish in last place. The Jaguars landed two players on the league’s preseason first team, offensive lineman Anthony Mosley and wide receiver Willie Quinn.

The Pelicans reportedly signed Jimmer Fredette, who played last season with the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings. Fredette averaged nearly six points a game last season. Jimmer won NCAA national player of the year honors with BYU and was the tenth overall pick in the 2011 draft.

The Pels have also reportedly re-signed forward Darius Miller. The six-foot-eight forward was a second round pick of New Orleans in 2012. In 45 games last season, Miller averaged four points a contest.

The LSU baseball team received some good news today. Left-handed pitcher and LSU signee Mac Marshall from Georgia did not sign a professional baseball contract with the Houston Astros. Marshall who was selected in 21st round by the Astros had until four o’ clock Friday to sign a deal with Houston.