830 AM LRN News

LSU faces  St, Bonaventure in the first round of NCAA Tournament today at 12:45. The Bonnies are known for playing great defense and coach Will Wade says LSU will have to be disciplined offensively since the Tigers like to play fast….

Cut 3 (15)  “…what we do.”  

Governor Edwards pushed back against calls for additional punitive action against those named in the Husch Blackwell report that detailed a culture of indifference towards sexual misconduct and assault at LSU. He says the people who contributed to the system-wide failure are not employed at LSU anymore…

Cut 6 (12) “…longer there.”

An effort to recall Governor John Bel Edwards falls way short of the signatures needed to force a recall election. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Don Molino”  

Starting Monday all essential workers will be eligible to call a local pharmacy or other vaccine administrator and make an appointment to get their COVID-19 vaccine. That includes a range of over 20 different professions from grocery store workers to those in higher education. Edwards says this will be the final expansion of eligibility that we’ll see until eligibility restrictions for vaccination are lifted for those over 15 entirely.

5:30 LRN Newscast Mar 19

State Health Officer Dr Joe Kanter says the one area of the state he is worried about is Lake Charles. He says they’ve been seeing an increase in COVID cases for about two weeks.

Cut 14 (08) “…outbreak.” 

The Calcasieu Parish positivity rate sits at 8.1 percent per the most recent update.

Louisiana gaming revenue is still slow to get back to normal after a tough 2020 was followed up by extreme weather last month. Louisiana Casino Association President Wade Duty says February revenue is down 23-percent from 2020, and that’s partially due to the water situation that happened in Shreveport, but also close to the industry’s new normal.

Cut 10 (11) “…picture” 

Several female lawmakers have called on LSU to fire instead of suspending two high-ranking athletic officials for their role in the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases outlined in the Husch Blackwell report. Governor Edwards says the people who contributed to the system-wide failure are not employed at LSU anymore…

Cut 6 (12) “…longer there.”

LSU faces St, Bonaventure in the first round of NCAA Tournament on Saturday LSU is a young team, with only Javonte Smart and Darius Days having experience in the tournament.  Smart says the team needs to treat this like any other game.

Cut 5  (10)  “…just another game” 

Tip-off Saturday is at 12:45.

4:30 LRN Newscast Mar 19

Louisiana reports fewer than 400 COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first time since late March. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we’re seeing historic lows in nearly all COVID-related categories right now.

Cut 12 (10) “ …to date.” 

Louisiana gaming revenue is still slow to get back to normal after a tough 2020 was followed up by extreme weather to start 2021. Louisiana gaming establishments lost 877 million in revenue for 2020 compared to 2019. Louisiana Casino Association President Wade Duty…

Cut 9 (10) “…temperatures”

Close to 5,000 employees were laid off from state casinos throughout the course of 2020.

An effort to recall Governor John Bel Edwards falls way short of the signatures needed to force a recall election. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Don Molino”  

Voters in the 5th and 2nd Congressional Districts head to the polls Saturday to pick their next representative. District 2 was vacated after Congressman Cedric Richmond left to work in the Biden Administration and in District 5 after the death of Luke Letlow who died from COVID days before was to be sworn-in office. Polls open at 7 and close at 6.

3:30 LRN Newscast Mar 19

A federal grand jury returns a six-count indictment on 19-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette. Seneca met a gay teen on the dating app Grindr and then allegedly proceeded to torture him in June 2020. Among the charges are hate crime and kidnapping.

Louisiana casinos lost 877 million dollars last year compared to 2019 and are starting off 2021 down significantly from where they were this same time last year.

Cut 1 (27) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Several female lawmakers have called on LSU to fire instead of suspending two high-ranking athletic officials for their role in the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases outlined in the Husch Blackwell report. Governor Edwards says he while some disagree with the suspensions, he’s not questioning the decision.

Cut 7 (11) “…decision.”

LSU faces St. Bonaventure in the first round of NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 12:45. St. Bonaventure is anchored defensively by big man Osun Osunniyi, who averages almost three blocks per game.  LSU Coach Will Wade says he’s one of the best rim protectors he’s seen.

Cut 4 (11) “…in the country” 

 

2:30 LRN Newscast March 19

The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Louisiana has fallen below 400 to 399. State Health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says this is evidence that we are doing a good job of stopping the spread, using mitigation measures, and proof the vaccine is working.
Cut 13 (08)“…hospitalizations.”
Nearly a million Louisianans have now received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine and 568-thousand have completed their full series.

Louisiana casinos and other gaming establishments lost about 877-million dollars in 2020. Will we see a recovery in 2021? Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty does not expect revenues to immediately return to normal even after the public health emergency ends…
Cut 11 (09) ” that point

Governor Edwards calls it a reasonable decision to not fire, but suspend two LSU athletic administrators for failing to handle sexual misconduct allegations properly. Edwards says mistakes were certainly made, including the investigation involving former LSU Coach Les Miles who was accused of inappropriate behavior with female students…
cut 8 (13) “….inappropriate”

The LSU men’s basketball team faces St. Bonaventure in the first round of NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 12:45. The Bonnies are known for playing great defense and coach Will Wade says LSU will have to be disciplined offensively since the Tigers like to play fast
Cut 3 (15) “…what we do.”

1:30 LRN Newscast March 19

An effort to recall Governor John Bel Edwards falls way short of the signatures needed to force a recall election. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Don Molino”  

Beginning Monday essential workers will be eligible for the COVID vaccine. That includes people working in foodservice and grocery stores, manufacturing, construction, clergy, and other essential jobs. Essential workers will need to make appointments and bring proof of employment.

After a legislative hearing last week, several female lawmakers called on LSU to fire instead of suspending two high-ranking athletic officials for their role in the mishandlings of sexual misconduct outlined in the Husch Blackwell report. Governor Edwards was asked about it Thursday.

Cut 6 (12) “…longer there.”

Louisiana gaming revenue is still slow to get back to normal after a tough 2020 was followed up by extreme weather last month. Louisiana Casino Association President Wade Duty says February revenue is down 23-percent from 2020, and that’s partially due to the water situation that happened in Shreveport, but also close to the industry’s new normal.

Cut 10 (11) “…picture” 

 

1230 PM LRN News

Voters in the New Orleans, River Parishes, and north Baton Rouge-based 2nd Congressional District will be voting on their next representative Saturday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Democratic New Orleans State Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson are favorites to make it to a runoff.

Cut 5 (11)“…District.”

The 5th district special election will also be held Sunday.

Beginning Monday all Essential Workers will be eligible for the COVID vaccine. Governor John Bel Edwards Like all other eligible groups for the vaccine, essential workers will have to schedule appointments and also identify themselves as eligible workers and provide documentation.

Cut 8 (10) “…eligible

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have dropped below 400 for the first time since late March.

Louisiana casinos lost 877 million dollars in 2020 compared to 2019 and are starting off 2021 down significantly from where they were this same time last year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (27) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

11:30 LRN Newscast Mar 19

Beginning Monday all Essential Workers will be eligible for the COVID vaccine. Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement Thursday. The list includes grocery store, food service, and postal workers.

Cut 7 (09)  “…eligible.”

The list of professions also includes hotel, construction, manufacturing, energy, emergency preparedness workers, and media.

Voters in the 5th and 2nd Congressional Districts head to the polls tomorrow to pick their next U-S House Representative. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the 5th District race should be a landslide win for Republican Julia Letlow who may avoid a runoff.

Cut 4 (10)“…husband.”

Pinsonat says the second district congressional election will need a runoff.

Louisiana gaming revenue is still slow to get back to normal after a tough 2020 was followed up by extreme weather to start 2021. Louisiana gaming establishments lost 877 million in revenue for 2020 compared to 2019. Louisiana Casino Association President Wade Duty…

Cut 9 (10) “…temperatures”

Close to 5,000 employees were laid off from state casinos throughout the course of 2020.

The state and federal tax filing deadline has been extended to June 15th in Louisiana for all individuals and businesses. Postlethwaite and Netterville Associate Tax Director Kathryn Pittman says this is because of the federal disaster that was approved for Louisiana as a result of last month’s winter storms.

Cut 10 (09) “…taxpayers.”

10:30 LRN Newscast March 19

The state is expanding vaccine eligibility and starting Monday restaurant workers, grocery store employees and those who work at manufacturing facilities and at construction sites are eligible to get the vaccine. Governor Edwards says like all other eligible groups for the vaccine, essential workers will have to schedule appointments and also identify themselves as eligible workers and provide documentation.
Cut 8 (10) “…eligible
And the state health department is launching an outreach campaign that will get vaccines into hard-to-reach areas of Louisiana. State Health officer Doctor Joe Kanter…
cut 14 (11) “….next week”
Kanter expects community vaccination events during the second and third weekends of April.

Tomorrow is a special election for the 5th and 2nd Congressional District seats. Matt Doyle has more on both races.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The I-R-S and the state Department of Revenue are giving taxpayers until June 15th to file their 2020 taxes. But Postlethwaite and Netterville Associate Tax Director Kathyrn Pittman says do not procrastinate…
cut 11 (11) “…refund”

9:30 LRN Newscast March 19

Governor Edwards announces essential workers can begin receiving vaccines on Monday.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

And the state is launching an outreach effort designed to remove any barriers that exist so residents make informed decisions on when it comes to COVID vaccines. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the campaign is designed to bring us back to where we were pre-pandemic…
cut 13 (05) “…right now”

Voters in the 2nd and 5th Congressional Districts can elect a new Representative to represent them in the U-S House. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says in the 2nd district, New Orleans state Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson are likely headed to a run-off…
cut 5 (11) “…District”
Another Democrat Gary Chambers is also running a visible campaign and Claston Bernard has the support of the Louisiana Republican Party.

The I-R-S and the state Department of Revenue will allow Louisiana taxpayers until June 15th to file their 2020 returns. Postlethwaite and Netterville Associate Tax Director Kathyrn Pittman says Louisiana is getting extra time because of the winters storms that impacted the state last month…
cut 12 (10) “…thing”