LRN PM Newscall August 24

Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of the Smitty’s Supply explosion in Roseland and contamination concerns remain. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU football coach Lane Kiffin responds to the criticism he’s receiving for recruiting a football player that was competing for an NFL roster spot. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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This past weekend marked the year anniversary of the Smitty’s Supply plant explosion in Roseland. The blast released stored motor oils, lubricants and fuel additives into the local environment and the Tangipahoa River. Pat Mashburn lives 35 miles south of the explosion site and told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that wildlife still has not come back…

Cut 3 (08) “…not one.”

It’s been estimated 12 million gallons of oily liquid and industrial chemical waste were released into the local drainage systems and Tangipahoa River. Mashburn tells Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that he’s disappointed in the lack of updates from local leaders…

Cut 4 (09) “…Roseland.”

Smitty’s Supply has been responsible for cleaning its Roseland plant. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was put in control of operations related to the cleaning of the polluted riverways and ponds. The EPA says millions of gallons of oily runoff have been recovered and containment systems remain active. But Mashburn tells Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that oil is still in the river…

Cut 5 (07) “…a year ago.”

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Louisiana’s Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is underway and runs through September 7th. State Police Superintendent Frank Besson (beh-SAHN) says there will be extra patrols at both the state and local levels specifically looking for impaired drivers during this campaign.

Cut 6 (10) “…and proactive patrol.”

According to data from the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU, 18 people were killed and 271 people were injured in crashes over the Labor Day holiday from 2020 through 2024. Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says go out and have a good time this Labor Day weekend, but don’t ruin it by driving home when you’re in no condition to do so.

Cut 7 (13) “…all ideal options.”

LDWF Law Enforcement Division Superintendent Colonel Stephen Clark says not only will patrols on roadways be beefed up, so will patrols on Louisiana’s waterways, which can be just as deadly as highways.

Cut 8 (15) “…fatality boat accidents.”

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LSU received a commitment from former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright to return to college football after being waived by the Browns. Wright would become the first player to ever play in an NFL training camp and return to college football thanks to a ruling by a Baton Rouge judge giving him a fifth season of eligibility. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says this situation is unprecedented and you cannot compare it to previous standards.

Cut 9 (11)  “…unique circumstance.”

The NCAA approved a new five-year eligibility model this summer that opened the door for hundreds of athletes who just finished their eligibility to file lawsuits to get the fifth year many of their teammates and future athletes will now receive. Kiffin says his obligation is to LSU and its fans and to go recruit the best available players.

Cut 10 (13) “…against them.” 

Kiffin says eligibility injunctions are not a new thing, and judges are ruling that student-athletes should have been told about and given a fifth season of eligibility along with their peers. He says he and his staff will continue to do whatever it takes to make LSU better.

Cut 11 (10) “…no matter what.”

LSU also received a commitment from returning fifth-year Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka (TOO-ee-ah-luh-mah-kuh). He did not sign a professional contract.

LRN Newscast 2:30

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin responds to the criticism he’s receiving for recruiting a football player that was competing for an NFL roster spot. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A couple of former LSU football players are on the move. Kayshon Boutte, who starred at Westgate High School in New Iberia has been traded by the Patriots to the Houston Texans. And the Saints have traded linebacker Deion Jones to San Francisco for running back Zamir White.

 

Amazon Web Services will hold an open house tomorrow at the Shreveport Convention Center to discuss the three data centers they are building in the Shreveport-Bossier area. There are concerns about how much water and electricity the facilities will use. AWS Vice President of Economic Development Roger Wehner says the data centers will use water for cooling only when temperatures climb above 85 degrees — which he says is expected to happen less than 13 percent of the year.

Cut 13 (11)  “…load on the grid.”

Saturday marked the one year anniversary of the Smitty’s Supply Plant explosion in Roseland. Pat Mashburn who lives on the Tangipahoa River told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge he believes there’s still oil  and toxins in that river…

Cut 5 (07) “…a year ago”

1:30 LRN Newscast

It’s the new NFL-to-college pipeline, and LSU is poised to be the first beneficiary. After being waived by the Browns, tight end Dae’Quan Wright is set to return to college football, committing to LSU. This is due to a ruling by a Baton Rouge judge granting him a fifth season of eligibility. LSU Coach Lane Kiffin says this is unprecedented.

Cut 9 (11)  “…unique circumstance.”

It’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” time once again in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says go out and have a good time this Labor Day weekend, but don’t ruin it by driving home when you’re in no condition to do so.

Cut 7 (13) “…all ideal options.”

18 people were killed and 271 people were injured in crashes during Labor Day weekends from 2020 through 2024.

Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of the Smitty’s Supply explosion in Roseland, and contamination concerns remain. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Colleges throughout the state are divvying up one-million dollars to help minimize food insecurity among students. 34 schools are participating in the program. A recent study has shown that some 3.8-million college students across the country – almost one out of every four – experience food insecurity.

12:30 LRN Newscast

This past weekend marked the year anniversary of the Smitty’s Supply plant explosion in Roseland. The blast released stored motor oils, lubricants and fuel additives into the local environment and the Tangipahoa River. Pat Mashburn lives 35 miles south of the explosion site and told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that wildlife still has not come back…

Cut 3 (08) “…not one”

It’s been estimated 12 million gallons of oily liquid and industrial chemical waste were released into the local drainage systems and Tangipahoa River.

Louisiana’s Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is underway and runs through September 7th. State Police Superintendent Frank Besson (beh-SAHN) says officers will be out in full force specifically looking for impaired drivers during this campaign.

Cut 6 (10) “…and proactive patrol.”

 

A new mRNA vaccine to reduce the risk of melanoma returning is showing great promise. Dr. Katherine Chang, an assistant professor of ear, nose and throat surgery at LSU Health Shreveport, says the vaccine being developed by Merck and Moderna works by removing the melanoma tumor, test it for genetic mutation and create an mRNA vaccine specific to that patient’s genetic profile – and that vaccine is taken with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda.

Cut 10 (09) “…it from coming back.”

Dr. Chang says clinical trials of the new vaccine have been very successful.

Monroe, Ruston and the Delta parishes are getting some much needed rain today and there’s the possibility we can see strong thunderstorms in southeast Louisiana later today. Unfortunately, the western half of the state continues to bake.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU has received a commitment from an NFL player. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright is expected to come to Baton Rouge if he clears waivers after being released by the Browns. Wright is one of the 16 football players granted a temporary restraining order by a Baton Rouge judge to return for a fifth season. An initial hearing in the case is scheduled for next week.

Will Wade is also hoping to welcome a former pro. 2025 Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis has a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled in Baton Rouge this afternoon as he tries to return to college basketball after signing two NBA G League contracts, though he never played a game. Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau says even LSU’s lawyers thought he might not make it to campus.

Cut 7 (09) “…gonna happen.”

The Saints are signing two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson. Carlson made 22 of 27 attempts with the Raiders last season and joins a kicker battle with Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown.

 

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt’s most reliable target this season could be a tight end. Junior Trey’Dez Green is a preseason All-American and first-team All-SEC selection, and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis says he has all of the physical and intangible attributes a coach could dream of.

Cut 17 (16) “…with him.”

The Saints are back at their training facility in Metairie after finishing their week in California with a brutal 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Coach Kellen Moore says a performance like that, even in the preseason, is unacceptable…

Cut 19 (17) “…really frustrating.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

Very sad news out of north Louisiana as an eight-year-old Ruston girl has died after contracting a rare brain amoeba infection that she acquired from swimming in Lake Claiborne. Lillian Smart had been in the hospital since August 15th. Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba that’s found in warm bodies of water and it can infect the brain if water rushes up the nose.

At this hour, University Medical Center New Orleans’ expanded cancer center officially opens. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

Amazon Web Services will meet with residents from 4 to 8 pm tomorrow at the Shreveport Convention Center to discuss their plans to build three data centers in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Watchdog and local advocacy groups have raised concerns that residential and business utility bills will go up But AWS Vice President of Economic Development Roger Wehner says Amazon will cover the cost of the energy improvements needed…

`          Cut 14 (12) “…customers.”

LSU has received a commitment from an NFL player. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright is expected to come to Baton Rouge if he clears waivers after being released by the Browns. Wright is one of the 16 football players granted a temporary restraining order by a Baton Rouge judge to return for a fifth season.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Amazon Web Services will meet with residents tomorrow at the Shreveport Convention Center to discuss their plans to build three data centers in the Shreveport-Bossier Area. The project is expected to create more than 700 permanent jobs and AWS Vice President of Economic Development Roger Wehner says they plan to hire local folks to man these jobs…

Cut 15 (08) “….workforce development”

The open house will run from 4 to 8 PM.

The ribbon gets cut today on an expanded cancer center at University Medical Center New Orleans. Dr. Amelia Jernigan with UMC New Orleans says this expansion is possible thanks to federal funding that Congressman Troy Carter helped secure.

Cut 6 (10) “…to our community.”

Jernigan says the expansion will allow them to care for more patients.

 

College athletics continues to be at an interesting place as Dae’Quan Wright has been waived by the Cleveland Browns and according to his agents, Wright, who was an All-SEC tight end at Ole Miss last season, plans to enroll at LSU and play for Lane Kiffin and the Tigers. Wright is one of several athletes granted a fifth year of college eligibility by a Baton Rouge judge last week.

Twenty-three-year-old RJ Luis’s (Lewis) case for another year of eligibility goes before another Baton Rouge judge today as the former Big East Player of the Year wants to play for Will Wade and LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau says Luis has previously signed with NBA teams, but did not play in a regular season game…

Cut 9 (11) “…it’s ridiculous”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has said athletes who sign with a professional team in America should not be allowed to return to college athletics.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Amazon Web Services hosts an open house tomorrow at the Shreveport Convention Center to answer the community’s questions about the three data centers they are building in Shreveport-Bossier. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

An 8-year-old Ruston girl passed away from a rare brain-eating amoeba believed to have been contracted while swimming in Lake Claiborne. After being hospitalized since August 15, Lillian Smart died on Saturday, a day after her birthday. More than two dozen Ruston businesses donated portions of sales to support the Smart family.

Merck and Moderna are developing an mRNA vaccine that helps reduce the risk of melanoma returning. Dr. Katherine Chang, an assistant professor of ear, nose and throat surgery at LSU Health Shreveport, says clinical trials of the new vaccine have been very successful.

Cut 11 (11) “…the long term.”

The biopharmaceutical companies plan on filing for approval from regulators within months.

LSU men’s basketball commit RJ Luis (Lewis) has a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon that could decide his basketball future. The 23-year-old was the Big East Player of the Year at St. John’s two seasons ago but is now looking to return to college basketball after signing two brief NBA deals. Luis never played a pro game, but Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau says LSU knew his chances of making it to campus were slim.

Cut 7 (09) “…gonna happen.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

University Medical Center New Orleans officially opens phase one of its expanded cancer center, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 this morning. Dr. Amelia Jernigan with UMC New Orleans says the additional space will allow cancer patients to be able to be seen quickly for frontline care and will help support the needs of oncology patients regionally.

Cut 5 (15) “…systemic therapy.”

A new mRNA vaccine that’s patient specific, based on an individual’s genetic profile is being developed to reduce the risk of repeat melanoma. Dr. Katherine Chang with LSU Health Shreveport, says the vaccine by Merk and Moderna has seen success in clinical trials and they plan to file for approval of the vaccine within months.  Dr. Chang says this vaccine could be a game-changer, especially in states like Louisiana.

Cut 12 (10) “…a death sentence.”

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LSU basketball commit RJ Luis has a preliminary injunction hearing this afternoon to decide his basketball future. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

LSU is at the center of history as former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright is set to become the first football player to participate in an NFL training camp but return to play in college. Wright has been released by the Browns and if he clears waivers, is expected to end up on LSU’s campus. A Baton Rouge judge has given Wright and several other players a fifth year of eligibility.

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

University Medical Center New Orleans’ expanded cancer center officially opens at 11 this morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

An 8-year-old Ruston area girl has died after contracting a rare, brain-eating amoeba infection during a recent swim at Lake Claiborne.  Lillian Smart died Saturday from severe brain injuries caused by Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic amoeba that leads to primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Little Lillian died just a day after her birthday.

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Amazon Web Services will hold an open house tomorrow at the Shreveport Convention Center to discuss the three data centers they are building in the Shreveport-Bossier area. There are concerns about how much water and electricity the facilities will use. AWS Vice President of Economic Development Roger Wehner says the data centers will use water for cooling only when temperatures climb above 85 degrees — which he says is expected to happen less than 13 percent of the year.

Cut 13 (11)  “…load on the grid.”

A new mRNA vaccine to reduce the risk of melanoma returning is showing great promise. Dr. Katherine Chang, an assistant professor of ear, nose and throat surgery at LSU Health Shreveport, says each vaccine is patient specific, based on their genetic profile, taken in combination with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda and she says clinical trials have been quite successful.

Cut 11 (11) “…the long term.”