AM LRN Newscall March 2

The search for missing Georgia business executive Nathan Millard who went missing in Downtown Baton Rouge intensifies. More from Teiko Foxx…

Cut 1 (32)  “…Teiko Foxx.”

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The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry’s Annual Meeting today in Baton Rouge will feature the first forum of 2023 Governor candidates….:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Two farmers and a retired educator will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction this evening. Don Molino has more.

Cut 3 (00) “…working in sugarcane.” 

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During his weekly press conference, Senator Bill Cassidy addressed comments from the FBI and federal Energy Department saying COVID-19 most likely got out of a viral research lab in Wuhan, China. Cassidy reminds us that former President Trump and others were scorned and ridiculed for suggesting as much during the pandemic…:

Cut 4 (09)  “…for so long.”

Media outlets told people worldwide the virus emerged “organically:” from people consuming animals at a Wuhan “wet market.” Any other theories were considered paranoid fantasy. Cassidy says health and government officials told us many things about COVID that have since proven to be inaccurate, or even untrue…:

Cut 5 (11) “…natural vaccination.”

Cassidy says a great deal of misinformation about the coronavirus has come from official sources, who may been trying to deceive or were simply wrong…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…everything we know.” 

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Newly released photos show 42-year-old Nathan Millard (Me-lard) inside a downtown Baton Rouge hotel before he vanished. Millard, a Georgia executive and married father of five, disappeared after leaving Happy’s Irish Pub on February 22. Texas EquuSearch Search Coordinator, Kristen Harvey says he has not been seen since.

Cut 7 (11) “…on there.”

Millard was in town for a business meeting and went to an LSU basketball game with a client. Harvey says volunteers with their organization will be in town today combing the area.

Cut 8 (07)  “…you’re down.”

Harvey says video shows an individual using Millard’s debit cards at the Greyhound bus station in Baton Rouge.

Cut 9 (10)  “…into the future.”

Anyone with information on Millard’s disappearance can contact BRPD at 225-389-3853.

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The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry’s Annual Meeting today in Baton Rouge will feature the first forum of 2023 Governor candidates. LABI President & CEO Stephen Waguespack says the four declared republican candidates – A.G. Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder, and state legislators Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson – are confirmed to be there, speak and answer questions…:

Cut 10 (08)  “…statewide business community.”

LABI has embarked on an effort they call “LA 23”; a strategic game plan to help make Louisiana and economic driver by 2030. Waguespack says that will also be a big focus of today’s LABI Annual Meeting…:

Cut 11 (10)  “…that plan; LA 23.”

The LABI event gets underway this morning at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Baton Rouge. The candidates’ forum will take place during the luncheon. Waguespack says the theme is the future of the state and its future leaders…:

Cut 12 (07) “…informative policy.”

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow wants to give parents legal protections so they can inquire about what their child is being taught in school with the Parents Bill of Rights Act. Letlow says during the pandemic parents were exposed to their child’s lesson plans and when they questioned them…

Cut 13 (07) “…domestic terrorist.” 

The act gives parents the right to know what their child is being taught, the right to be heard, the right to see a school’s budget, and the right to protect their child’s privacy and to keep them safe.

As a former educator, Letlow says the bill isn’t an attack on teachers whatsoever, it merely helps build a foundation between teachers, schools, and parents.

Cut 14 (09)  “…child’s education.”

Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley supports the legislation and Letlow says upon introduction she’s received positive feedback on the bill and she’s already received more than 60 co-sponsors.

Cut 15 (05)  “…time and time again.”

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LSU announced they will be hiring Defensive Analyst former Georgia and Tennessee Defensive Coordinator John Jancek as the new Special Teams Coordinator and Outside Linebackers Coach for the Tigers. Jancek worked with LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly on his staff at Grand Valley State and Central Michigan and has over 30 years of college football coaching experience, but has never worked as a special teams coordinator. Brody Miller of the Athletic says the move shows LSU is looking for help on the defensive end…

Cut  16 (15)  “…rusher spot.” 

Jancek will play both roles for the Tigers in a somewhat surprising move after special teams may have been LSU’s biggest area of concern last year. With focus divided some fans are concerned that there may not be much improvement, but Miller says that there are no doubts on the amount of attention special teams will receive…

Cut 17 (20) “…special teams.” 

The Tigers return to practice next week as the Tigers look to improve on last year’s 10-win season. Quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to be one of the top Quarterbacks in the SEC and a dark-horse Heisman prospect for next season but may start the Spring sidelined with a nagging knee injury suffered late last year. Miller says the team, though, isn’t too worried about Daniels missing time…

Cut 18 (18) “…pretty minimal.”

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The Louisiana Tech Men’s Basketball team has struggled to close out the season, losing their last 6 straight dating back to early February. Their 63-49 loss to Middle Tenessee Saturday was the least the Bulldogs have scored all year. Coach Talvin Hester says the team’s offensive woes are largely due to their lack of depth at point guard, but Junior Forward Isaiah Crawford has been one bright spot averaging 15 points, 6 boards, 3 assists, and 2 steals a game over the last month…

Cut 19 (20) “…through Isaiah.”

LA Tech is set to host FIU in a rematch of the 4 point loss that started the Bulldogs’ 6-game skid. FIU has also struggled to find a rhythm losing their last four, but Hester knows his team needs to prepared for the Panthers. Hester says he expects more full-court pressure from a team that forced 23 turnovers against the ‘Dogs…

Cut 20 (18)  “…have a chance.” 

Tip-off is at 6:00

Edit

4:30 LRN Newscast March 1

With federal pandemic protections ending, states can once again reevaluate Medicaid participants annually for eligibility…and some could lose their coverage, if they don’t act quickly…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Additional pandemic food stamp benefits also end this month; taking about $100 on average away that households had grown used to for nearly three years. SNAP recipients who feel they won’t be able to make ends meet afterward are encouraged to local food banks and community organizations to see what other aid they can get.

 

Congressman Garret Graves says he met with Attorney General Jeff Landry as he moves closer to making a decision on whether to run for governor. Graves says he’s receiving strong encouragement to run as many are not happy Landry already has the Louisiana Republican Party’s endorsement…:

CUT 06(10)      “…path forward.”

He says he’ll announce his decision within the next ten days or so.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’ll enter the race for Governor, but only if Graves does not. Schexnayder is term-limited in the House and has served as Speaker of the House since 2020. The 54-year-old from Gonzales was also rumored to be a candidate for Lt. Governor, before incumbent Billy Nungesser, decided to run for re-election…:

CUT 10(12)      “…from there.”

The Republican field for governor also includes Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Schroder, and state lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. Landry is considered the front-runner.

3:30 LRN Newscast March 1

The Louisiana Speaker of the House is looking at running for governor. Jeff Palermo spoke with Clay Schexnayder about his political future…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Good news for Louisiana’s tens of thousands of diabetes patients; drug manufacturer Eli Lilly says it’s cutting its insulin costs and capping them at $35-a-month for folks with health insurance or Medicare, and they offer a savings card for those that don’t. The move is in compliance with the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

 

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility, and some may lose coverage. Louisiana Medicaid program Executive Director Tara LeBlanc says no one’s been removed from the program since March 2020 because of the pandemic but annual reviews can now resume…:

CUT 03(10)      “…disenroll them.”

She says watch the mail for a letter that you will need to reply to quickly.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. Cantrell says the city was disrespected- she was provoked and she reacted…:

CUT 11(08)      “…love you.”

Cantrell says it was a mistake that she regrets. A petition to recall Cantrell is having its 49-thousand-plus signatures verified by the Orleans Parish registrar.

2:30 LRN Newscast March 1

With federal pandemic protections ending, a lot of Medicaid recipients in Louisiana could be losing coverage. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Legislation was filed yesterday that would, if passed, remove the tax-exempt status of non-profit organizations that own property in Louisiana that is found to be a danger to public health or safety. New Orleans Rep. Jason Hughes is the bill’s author. Three New Orleans apartment complexes, which are owned by a local church, have been deemed to be slums.

 

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. She says she reacted poorly to a float theme she thought was insulting, and she regrets the mistake…:

CUT 13(11)      “…happen again.”

The outcome of the citizens’ petition to recall Cantrell is still unknown.

State House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s considering a run for governor, but it will depend on whether congressman Garret Graves is in or out. Schexnayder says he’s also hearing from supporters who would like him to run…:

CUT 09(09)      “…most of ‘em.”

The Republican field for governor also includes Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Schroder, and state lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. Landry is considered the front-runner.

1:30 LRN Newscast March 1

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. Cantrell says the city was disrespected- she was provoked, and she reacted.

Cut 12 (08) “…the city.”

Cantrell has faced a wave of criticism over the past few months. Cantrell says it was a mistake that she regrets.

Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s considering a run for governor. The Republican from Ascension Parish says he will only get into the race if Congressman Garret Graves decides not to run…

Cut 8 (07)  “…t-shirt on” 

Graves says he’s receiving encouragement to run and told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that expects to decide within the next ten days or so.

It was a week ago today that a Covington, Georgia man went missing from a business trip to Baton Rouge. The wife of Nathan Millard says she last spoke to her husband he was with a client attending an LSU basketball game. Millard was last seen leaving Happy’s Irish Pub at 11:30 walking towards his downtown hotel. Millard’s phone was found blocks away from his hotel. The 42-year-old man was wearing a green baseball cap, black shirt, and blue jeans. He’s 5’9’, weighs approximately 180 pounds and has brown hair.

With federal pandemic protections ending, states can once again reevaluate Medicaid participants annually for eligibility. Tara LeBlanc Executive Director of Louisiana’s Medicaid program says it’s vital for participants to reply to letters and update their contact information.

Cut 5 (06) “…healthcare coverage.”

She says letters will be mailed out over a 12-month period beginning in May.

12:30 LRN Newscast March 1

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. Cantrell says the city was disrespected- she was provoked, and she reacted.

Cut 11 (08)  “…love you”

Cantrell has faced a wave of criticism over the past few months. She says it was a mistake that she regrets.

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility. Tara LeBlanc Executive Director of Louisiana’s Medicaid program says they’ll begin mailing pink letters and recipients must respond if they wish to remain enrolled and they’re still eligible.

Cut  4 (10)  “…contact information.” 

 

The Louisiana Speaker of the House is looking at running for governor. Jeff Palermo spoke with Clay Schexnayder about his political future…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

11:30 LRN Newscast March 1

A Princeton University study indicates that climate change is behind the phenomenon of back-to-back major hurricanes. Brooke Thorington has more…

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Good news for Louisiana’s te4ns of thousands of diabetes patients; drug manufacturer Eli Lilly says it’s cutting its insulin costs and capping them at $35-a-month for folks with health insurance or Medicare, and they offer a savings card for those that don’t. The move is in compliance with the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

 

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility. Louisiana’s Medicaid executive director Tara LeBlanc says they’ll begin mailing pink letters soon, and recipients must respond if they wish to remain enrolled and they’re still eligible…:

CUT 04(10)      “…contact information.”

Those who are removed from the program will receive information for alternative coverage.

Congressman Garret Graves says he met with Attorney General Jeff Landry as he moves closer to making a decision on whether to run for governor. He says the Sunday meeting lasted about 90 minutes, and he is close to ending the suspense…:

CUT 07(07)      “…ten days or so.”

Graves says many have told him they do not want Landry to be the governor.

10:30 LRN Newscast

A proposed so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Danny McCormick, State Representative from Oil City says Louisianans may already “open carry” a firearm in plain view, provided they have no criminal record. McCormick says concealed carry without a permit is a right guaranteed by the Second Amendment. Critics say it will make Louisiana like the “wild, wild west”, but McCormick says …

Cut 11 (07)  “…criminals have firearms.”

The legislative session begins April 10th.

 

Democrat, Dustin Granger, announces he’ll run for State Treasurer of Louisiana this fall. Granger, a professional financial planner from Lake Charles, says he wants to make the state better for future generations…:

Cut 13 (07) “…running for Treasurer.” 

Baton Rouge state Representative Scott McKnight, a Republican, is the only other announced candidate for State Treasurer so far. Granger’s website is “grangerforla.com”

 

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility. Tara LeBlanc Executive Director of Louisiana’s Medicaid program says since March 2020 no one was removed from the program because of the pandemic but annual reviews can resume.

Cut 3 (10) “…disenroll them.” 

Those who are removed from the program will receive information for alternative coverage.

 

Congressman Garret Graves says he met with Attorney General Jeff Landry as he moves closer to making a decision on whether to run for governor. Graves says he’s receiving strong encouragement to run as many are not happy Landry already has the Louisiana Republican Party’s endorsement

Cut 6 (10)  “…path forward” 

Graves says his meeting on Sunday with Landry lasted about 90 minutes before he made a final decision that will be made soon….

9:30 LRN Newscast

A Princeton University study indicates that climate change is behind the phenomenon of back-to-back major hurricanes. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

 

Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s considering running for Governor. Shcexnayder says the consideration stands only if  U.S. Representative Garret Graves decides not to run. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III recently made the announcement not to run for Governor.

Dustin Granger, a professional financial planner, enters the race for Louisiana State Treasurer.  Granger says the state should shift billions away from the oil and gas industry. He says the state should diversify its revenues more wisely…:

Cut 14 (13)  “…a lot of investments.”

State Representative Scott McKnight, a Republican, from Baton Rouge is the only other candidate to announce his candidacy for State Treasurer so far. Granger’s website is “grangerforla.com”

 

Lafayette biotech company, Tides Medical expands its headquarters and increases employment. Tides Medical CEO, Joe Spell, says innovative treatment for difficult-to-heal wounds plays an important role in saving lives.

Tides Medical CEO, Joe Spell, says the expansion will 77 retain jobs and create 40 new ones.

Spell says the state offered a competitive incentives package that included a $200,000 performance–based grant.

Cut 6 (06)  “…the state.” 

The company estimates the project will be complete by the end of this year.

8:30 LRN Newscast

A so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill has been filed for the legislative session that starts in April. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says Louisianans may already “open carry” a firearm in plain view, provided they have no criminal record. His bill would extend that right to a concealed weapon…:
Cut 10 (08) “…murderers and rapists.”
Governor John Bel Edwards has opposed previous Constitutional Carry bills, because he believes the training needed to get a permit is important.

42-year-old Dustin Granger, a Democrat from Lake Charles, announces he’s running for State Treasurer. Granger is a financial advisor…
cut 15 (11) “….for the state”
Baton Rouge Representative Scott McKnight, a Republican, is the other announced candidate.

Lafayette biotech company Tides Medical is expanding its operations and adding 40 jobs and retaining 77 existing positions. Tides Medical is a producer of skin graft products and CEO Joe Spell says they play an important role in saving limbs and lives…
cut 5 (07) “…their limbs”
Spell says their skin substitutes are primarily used to treat chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers and burns.

Research out of Princeton University says back to back hurricanes hitting a particular area of the coast is a trend that will continue as a result of climate change. State Climatologist Barry Keim says back-to-back hurricane patterns used to occur once every few decades, a trend of them happening more often has emerged.
Cut 8 (07) “…you’re down.”
Keim points to major hurricanes Katrina and Rita hitting the state in 2005 and more recently Laura and Delta in 2020.