5:30 LRN Newscast April 8

House Civil Law approves legislation to prohibit transgender individuals from using a public bathroom that’s in line with their gender identity. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says he’s trying to prevent a biological woman from having to share a bathroom with a transgender female.

Cut 7 (09) “…situations of assault”

The proposal covers bathrooms in schools, prisons, and domestic violence shelters.

An advocate for domestic violence victims, Morgan Lamandre, argued it would put federal funding for domestic violence shelters at risk because Louisiana’s shelters would be in violation of federal rules

Cut 8 (11) “…what they receive.” 

The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The brakes have been put on removing the requirement of the brake tags in Louisiana. In House Appropriations Monday Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley voluntarily pulled his immensely popular bill at the request of State Police. A portion of the cost of the vehicle inspections goes towards their budget.

Cut 11 (11) “…about so.”

The bill could still be brought before lawmakers before the current session ends.

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map which added a second majority-black district. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs claim the map is racial gerrymandering.

Cut 9 (10) “…only factor.” 
The hearing is set to end on Wednesday.

4:30 LRN Newscast April 8

Three federal judges in Shreveport are hearing a suit filed by Republicans against the most recent congressional map passed by the legislature. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Portions of central Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 8 PM meaning conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado. North Louisiana is under the risk of severe thunderstorms with the possibility of hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Rainfall totals of up to three to six inches are expected. The National Weather service recommendations says review your emergency plans and be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued.

The longtime head coach of the Warhorses, Charles Smith will be inducted in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2024 class. The Basketball Hall of Famer is Louisiana’s all-time winningest head coach with 1, 208 wins and has helped over 70 players secure scholarships to pursue collegiate basketball opportunities. He says one of the greatest fulfillment in his coaching career…

Cut 5 (12)  “…of work.”

Smith is one of 13 inductees of the 2024 class.

The state has announced the Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program will end on April 30th so those still living in the 500 or so travel trailers will have to find a new home. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodeaux says it’s a challenge to find these individuals still in travel trailers a place to live…
cut 14 (09) “….interested in that”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU is out of the college baseball polls and the Ragin Cajuns are in. U-L Lafayette has the nation’s longest winning streak at 15 games and they’ve entered the national rankings in several polls for the first time since the 2017 season. D-1 Baseball has the Cajuns ranked 19th.

After dropping another conference series, the LSU baseball team is now 3-and-9 in SEC play. Vanderbilt took two of three from the Tigers and won the series on Saturday with a 13-3 win in eight innings. Coach Jay Johnson on what’s wrong with LSU’s pitching
Cut 19 (09) “…right now”
LSU hosts McNeese tomorrow, who just lost two of three to Lamar.

The LSU Lady Tigers finished sixth in the last A-P poll of the year. And LSU men’s basketball player Jalen Cook has declared for the NBA draft.

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge from a shooting in Farmerville on February 15th that injured two people. A Union Parish grand jury rejected that charge. The 19-year-old still faces one felony gun charge. Coach Brian Kelly does not expect the criminal case against Holly to drag on…
Cut 7 (12) “…reinstatement”
Holly said in a social media post on February 17th that he was 100-percent innocent and had been falsely identified, accused and arrested.

Peabody High School Coach Charles Smith has been inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. That’s the greatest honor a person involved in basketball can receive. Smith has won more than 12-hundred games and nine state championships. But Smith says winning games is not the only reason why he coaches…
cut 5 (12) “…OF WORK”
Induction ceremonies are scheduled for August 17th.

3:30 LRN Newscast April 8

Heavy cloud coverage obstructed the view of the eclipse for most of the Bayou State today. Northwest Louisiana had the best opportunity for a glimpse 90% totality this afternoon. Due to the inclement weather Louisiana’s make up date for the eclipse is August 23, 2044.

Legendary Peabody boys’ basketball coach Charles Smith joins basketball greatest names as he’s an inductee into the Naismith basketball Hall of Fame. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

 

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map. Plaintiff says the map violates the Equal Protection Act. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the state will have to argue there was a compelling interest to satisfy the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He believes it will be difficult for the state to contend because…

Cut 11 (09) “…only factor.”

 

April 30th is the deadline for those still in travel trailers as part of the Ida Sheltering program. Jacques Thibodeaux, who became director of GOSHEP in January says the deadline for those living in about 540 units, has been extended numerous times by FEMA and the state, but with a state fiscal cliff looming…

Cut 12 (12) “…the state.” 

He says caseworkers have been working with those in need of continued sheltering.

LRN PM Newscall April 8

Legendary Peabody boys basketball coach Charles Smith joins basketball greatest names as he’s an inductee into  the Naismith basketball Hall of Fame. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________

Three federal judges in Shreveport are hearing a suit filed by Republicans against the most recent congressional map passed by the legislature. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

Legendary boys’ basketball Coach Charles Smith of Peabody High School in Alexandria will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is one of a handful of high school coaches to join the ranks. Smith says it is an honor to join the elite group.

Cut 3 (12) “…professional coaches.”  

Smith won 9 state championships with the Warhorses and has coached Peabody since 1979. The Basketball Hall of Famer is Louisiana’s all-time winningest head coach with 1, 208 wins.

Cut 4 (13) “…for me.” 

During his tenure with the Warhorses, Smith has helped facilitate over 70 players in securing scholarships to pursue collegiate basketball opportunities. He says one of the greatest fulfillment in his coaching career…

Cut 5 (12)  “…of work.”

Smith is one of 13 inductees of the 2024 class. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on August 17 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

_____________________________________________________________

LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge as a result of a shooting that occurred in Farmerville on February 15th that injured two people. A Union Parish Grand Jury has rejected the charge. LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says they felt good about Holly’s chances of avoiding serious charges…

Cut 6  (05) “…don’t know” 

The 19-year-old still faces one felony gun charge. His attorney, Michael Small, says Holly intends to plead not guilty to the charge. Kelly does not expect the criminal case against Holly to drag on…

Cut 7 (12) “…reinstatement”  

Holly said in a social media post on February 17th that he was 100-percent innocent and had been falsely identified, accused and arrested. He was suspended from the team when he was arrested. But Kelly says they will look at reinstating him once his case is resolved.

Cut 8 (04) “…welcome him back.” 

Holly appeared in three games as a freshman last season, but is expected to see significant playing time this sophomore season. He’s the all-time leading rusher in Louisiana High School football history at 10,523 yards.

____________________________________________________________________

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map which added a second majority-black district. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs claim the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and the map is racial gerrymandering.

Cut 9 (10) “…only factor.” 

In recent affirmative action decisions, Ciolino says the United States Supreme Court has been critical of states treating race differently. He says if race was the predominant factor for drawing the maps…

Cut 10 (07) “…protection clause. “

Ciolino says the state will argue there was a compelling state interest to satisfy the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in passing the current map. He believes it will be difficult for the state to contend because…

Cut 11 (09) “…only factor.”

A May deadline has been set for a decision so candidates will know the districts they’ll be running for in the November 5th election.

____________________________________________________________________

April 30th is the deadline for those still in travel trailers as part of the Ida Sheltering program. Jacques Thibodeaux, who became director of GOSHEP in January says the deadline for those living in about 540 units, has been extended numerous times by FEMA and the state, but with a state fiscal cliff looming…

Cut 12 (12) “…the state.” 

Thibodeaux says those still in the program have been notified of the deadline and are working with their caseworkers on future housing options. He says GOSHEP is also awaiting a State Attorney General’s opinion on donating travel trailers.

Among the reasons those still in the program have been unable to rebuild, Thibodeaux says is the ongoing insurance crisis that has forced many to lose or drop coverage.

Cut 13 (10) “…piece of it.”

Thibodeaux says among the options are for the affected parishes to apply for federal assistance and continue the sheltering program which he says none have yet or impacted individuals can apply for a rapid house voucher which would move them into an apartment.

Cut  14 (09) “…in that.” 

The deadline for the Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta sheltering programs, Thibodeaux says is set to expire in August.

2:30 LRN Newscast

The Great American Eclipse is almost over in Louisiana for many it was a non-event because of cloud cover. But for some areas in the state, there was enough of a break in the clouds to see the moon cover most of the sun. If you missed it, the next one in North America is not until 2044.

Three federal judges in Shreveport are hearing a suit filed by Republicans against the most recent congressional map passed by the legislature. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s a chance suspended LSU running back Trey Holly could return to the team soon. The attempted murder charge he was facing has been dropped after a grand jury in Union Parish rejected the charge. Holly still faces a felony gun charge, but Kelly is optimistic the case could resolved soon…
cut 8 (04)”…him back”
Holly was adamant on social media he was not involved in a shooting that injured two people in Farmerville on February 15th.

The Hurricane Ida sheltering program will come to an end on April 30th. This federally funded program that the state operated provided sheltering for more than 15-thousand people after the 2021 Category Four storm. There are still people living in about 600 travel trailers and GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodeaux says high insurance rates are keeping many from not being able to find permanent housing…
cut 13 (10) “…piece of it”

1:30 LRN Newscast April 8

The eclipse is underway and the heavy cloud coverage in Louisiana is hampering the view. It’s expected to reach as close to totality around 1:45 here. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says you can also expect the eclipse to impact our weather….

Cut 24 (10)  “…on the earth.”

Ophthalmologists remind you to never look directly at the eclipse without proper eclipse glasses.

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map. In recent affirmative action decisions Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says SCOTUS has been critical of states treating race differently and if race was the predominant factor for drawing the maps…

Cut 10 (07) “…protection clause. “

A May deadline has been set for a decision.

 

LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge after a shooting in Farmville February 15th that injured two people. The 19-year-old still faces one felony gun charge. Coach Brian Kelly does not expect the criminal case against Holly to drag on…

Cut 7 (12) “…reinstatement”  

 

Legendary boys’ basketball Coach Charles Smith of Peabody High School in Alexandria will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is one of a handful of high school coaches to join the ranks. Smith says it is an honor to join the elite group.

Cut 3 (12) “…professional coaches.”  

The ceremony will be in August in Massachusetts.

 

12:30 LRN Newscast

The solar eclipse has begun and it will reach near totality at around 1:45. Much of the state will not get a good view of it because of the clouds, but it will still get dark. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Doctor Natalie Hinkle says crickets have been known to emerge because they think it’s nighttime and livestock can show signs of anxiety….
cut 20 (07) “….of thing”
The eclipse is set to end around 3 PM.

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map which added a second majority-black district. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs claim the map is racial gerrymandering.
Cut 9 (10) “…only factor.”
The hearing is set to end on Wednesday.

The state has announced the Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program will end on April 30th so those still living in the 500 or so travel trailers will have to find a new home. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodeaux says it’s a challenge to find these individuals still in travel trailers a place to live…
cut 14 (09) “….interested in that”
The sheltering program at its peak involved nearly 54-hundred units and more than 15-thousand people.

Legendary high school basketball coach Charles Smith has been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. That’s the highest honor someone in basketball can receive. Smith has won nine state championships as the head coach at Peabody High School in Alexandria and he’s won more than 12-hundred games…
cut 4 (12) “…for me”
Smith will be enshrined in August.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU has dropped out of the D-1 baseball poll, while the Ragin Cajuns are in it. The Tigers have fallen out of the Top 25 after losing their fourth consecutive SEC series. They dropped two out of three to Vanderbilt. But U-L Lafayette has now won 15 in a row after sweeping ULM and they are ranked 19th in the poll.

Legendary boys’ basketball Coach Charles Smith of Peabody High School in Alexandria will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is one of a handful of high school coaches to join the ranks. Smith says it is an honor to join the elite group.
Cut 3 (12) “…professional coaches.”
Smith won 9 state championships with the Warhorses and has coached Peabody since 1979. The Hall of Famer is Louisiana’s all-time winningest head coach with 1, 208 wins.

The spring game is this Saturday at Tiger Stadium. LSU Coach Brian Kelly says they’ve worked hard at improving the running game. Kelly has also been impressed with the development of receiver Kyren Lacy and likes what he is seeing from defensive back Major Burns, who is playing at nickel back
Cut 18 (18) “…really really good”
And there’s a chance suspended LSU running back Trey Holly could return to the team soon. The attempted murder charge he was facing has been dropped after a grand jury in Union Parish rejected the charge. Holly still faces a felony gun charge, but Kelly is optimistic the case could resolved soon…
cut 8 (04)”…him back”
Holly was adamant on social media he was not involved in a shooting that injured two people in Farmerville on February 15th.

11:30 LRN Newscast April 8

Millions are excited to see the Great American Eclipse today, and in Louisiana, the moon will begin to eclipse the sun around 12:30, with the best totality view around 1:45. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the northwest corner of the state is under a flash flood watch from Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning as multiple rounds of heavy rainfall is expected. Keim says there’s the potential for five inches of rain or more

Cut 12 (09) “…systems.” 

LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge as a result of a shooting that occurred in Farmerville on February 15th that injured two people. A Union Parish Grand Jury has rejected the charge. LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says they felt good about Holly’s chances of avoiding serious charges…

Cut 6  (05) “…don’t know” 

The 19-year-old still faces one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Michael Small, says Holly intends to plead not guilty to the charge.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars for his congressional bid since announcing he would run for the newly created 6th congressional district seat in January. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Fields is off to a good start with finances…

Cut 4 (11) “…of money.”

Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves in November.