7:30 LRN Newscast May 23rd

In a video message, Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras calls it “political theater” Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’ decision to begin the special session by delivering a speech on the UL Lafayette campus. Barras also blames the governor for resisting bipartisan efforts and being responsible for legislative gridlock…
cut 11 (12) “….new taxes”
Barras also says the governor’s decision to veto a budget approved by lawmakers can make it difficult to pass another budget, plus raise revenue to stave off cuts during a two-week special sesion which begins its first full day today. Yesterday, Edwards asked legislators to stay away from divisive partianship.

We’ll find out today if New Orleans will host the Super Bowl in 2024. A vote by the NFL owners will take place this morning in Atlanta.

A pilot study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows a noticeable, positive drop in blood pressure and blood sugar when restricting your eating to early in the day. The study had participants restrict eating to 6 hours a day, starting in the morning. Associate Executive Director for Clinical research Dr. Eric Ravussin has a suggestion if you’re interested in trying out fasting.
Cut 7 (05) “at night”
Researchers say eating late at night is bad for the metabolism.

When you go on vacation, do you still check in on work. A study from Accountemps finds that 56-percent of Americans do. Spokesperson Carrie Lewis says their study found millennials are more prone to being tethered to their phone, while only 39-percent of 55 and older respondents stay plugged in….
cut 5 (12) “…habit”

06:45 LRN Sportscast May 23rd

The LSU baseball team roared back from a 3-0 deficit in the 5th inning to beat Mississippi State 8-5 last night to advance to the double elimination portion of the SEC Tournament. The Tigers scored two runs in the 5th, 6th 7th and 8th innings for a victory that should help their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. Coach Paul Mainieri on the comeback…
cut 30 (19) “…battle back”
LSU faces top ranked Florida at around 4:30 this afternoon.

Starting at noon today, Billy Cannon’s public visitation will begin inside the Maravich Center on the LSU Campus. A funeral service from two to three PM will follow visitation.

Second-seeded Louisiana Tech begins play in the Conference USA Tournament in Biloxi today by facing seventh-seeded Rice at 12:30 at MGM Park. The Bulldogs swept the Owls in Ruston, to open the first weekend of league play. Left-hander David Leal will start for Tech.

The second-seeded UL Lafayette baseball team begins play in the Sun Belt Tournament by hosting Little Rock at Russo Park. The Ragin Cajuns are on a four-game winning streak, while the Trojans beat Georgia State 2-1 in an elimination game yesterday.

The Southland Conference Baseball Tournament begins today in Frisco, Texas. First game of the day is at 9:30 as Northwestern State meets McNeese. Following that game it’s Nicholls versus S-L-U.

In the American Athletic Confernece, Tulane beat Houston 11-6 yesterday and they’ll face East Carolina today.

The NFL owners approve new rules in an effort to make kick-offs safer. Players on the kicking team cannot line up more than one yard from the point of the kickoff.

06:30 LRN Newscast May 23

State legislators are seeking a solution to avoid going over the fiscal cliff, which would result in big cuts in state government. Jeremy Alford of La-Politics-dot-com says there is some consensus around a plan to renew a portion of a temporary one-cent sales tax that’s set to expire June 30th….
cut 13 (10) “…quarter penny”
The special session on taxes must conclude June 4th.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research pilot study finds that by restricting your eating to six hours a day and finishing meals by mid-afternoon, it can help drop your blood pressure. Clinical research Doctor Eric Ravussin says fasting helps cut back on the unhealthy habit of snacking….
cut 8 (10) “…designed for”

G-C-I, a tech company in Lafayette, is adding 400 new jobs in a planned expansion. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…reporting”

Lafayette’s Antoine Duplantis had three hits and drove in two runs as LSU defeated Mississippi State 8-5 to advance to play top ranked Florida today in the SEC Tournament.

LRN AM Newscall May 23

CGI, a tech company in Lafayette, is adding 400 new jobs in a planned expansion. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30)    Matt Doyle“

______________________________________

A new study out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows health benefits for people who only eat early in the day. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________.

The special session is back on after a failed attempt in February to solve the fiscal cliff. Michael Farrar has more.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Michael Farrar”

____________________________________________

Vacation once held the luxury of being offline, but more workers are admitting they cannot stop checking into the office. A recent study by staffing firm Accountemps reports that 56-percent of vacationing workers check in with the office. Spokesperson Carrie Lewis says this is an increasing trend.

Cut 4  (09) “2016” 

There is a generational gap that governs whether you will follow this trend. Lewis says that millennials are more prone to being tethered to their phones. 70-percent of respondents ages 18-34 will keep in touch with work, while only 39-percent of 55 and older respondents staying plugged in.

Cut 5  (12)  “habit”

Vacations are vital for successful employees, but disconnecting can be more stressful. There are different recipes for everyone, so Lewis advises we set our own limits.

Cut 6 (10) “set limits”

_____________________________________

A pilot study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has shown there are noticeable, positive drop in blood pressure and blood sugar when restricting your eating to early in the day. The study had participants restrict eating to 6 hours a day, starting in the morning. Associate Executive Director for Clinical research Dr. Eric Ravussin has a suggestion if you’re interested in trying out fasting.

Cut 7 (05)  “at night”

Ravussin says this is because the body evolved to undergo intermittent periods of fasting, due to the scarcity of food. He says fasting helps cut back on the unhealthy habit of snacking.

Cut 8 (10)  “designed for”

The study did not have participants undergo a fasting period that began later in the day.

But the Doctor says this type of dietary plan may not work for everyone, specifically those who have to engage in strenuous early morning activity.

Cut 9 (08)  “fitting all”

The study did not focus on how fasting effected individuals weight loss.

____________________________________________________

The special session is underway and lawmakers can now replace one-point-four-billion dollars in sales taxes that are set to expire June 30th. Those expiring sales taxes are at the heart of the impending fiscal cliff that threatens to wreck healthcare and higher ed. But LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says don’t expect a deal to be reached any time soon.

Cut 10 (11)   “possibility”

The session is set to run until June 4th. Another session could be called to give lawmakers time to fill the 648 million dollar budget gap.

Speaker Taylor Barras ripped into the Governor, calling his decision to hold the speech outside of the capital a political stunt. Barras accused the Governor of resisting bipartisan offers, and being personally responsible for legislative gridlock of the regular session.

Cut 11 (12) “new taxes”

He went after the governor, who he says is trying to scare Louisianans into higher taxes, with a little one liner.

Cut 12 (11) “heard taxes”

Reports say a consensus is building around a compromise plan to renew a portion of the one cent sales tax that was raised two years ago to plug the last fiscal cliff. But Alford says that might be easier said than done.

Cut 13 (10)  “quarter penny” 

________________________________________

CGI, an international tech company, has announced a big expansion, bringing 400 new jobs to the Lafayette area as part of its IT Center of Excellence. Another Lafayette Parish site will add an additional 100 jobs, bringing the company’s total to 900 employees in Acadiana. Louisiana Secretary of Economic Development Don Pierson says the expansion comes down to ULL’s partnership with the company.

Cut 14 (08) “paying jobs”

Pierson says they’ve been emphasizing a program that pairs companies with universities, technical colleges, and community colleges to build a pipeline program that gets graduates good paying jobs, and guarantees companies a steady stream of qualified workers.

Cut 15 (11) “the state”

Pierson says the program has yielded results such as DXC Technology’s decision to locate in New Orleans. It’s even led to the creation of a pipeline that leads New Orleans Delgado students on a path to putting people back in space.

Cut 16 (11) “and beyond”

17:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

The sixth special session since Governor John Bel Edwards took office is underway. Edwards opened the session on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus, as public colleges are at risk of budget cuts, unless legislators approve 648-million dollars in taxes. Edwards hopes the legislature can come together on a plan…
Cut 12 (12) “deserve”
UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects any tax plan that comes out of the special session to only be a temporary solution…
cut 11 (11) “…2020″
The special session comes to an end June 4th, but there are already concerns whether two weeks is enough time to pass a budget and revenue raising measures in two weeks.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical disturbance in the Caribbean, which is expected to impact the Gulf Coast during Memorial Day weekend. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Danielle Manning says Louisiana could dodge the worst of it.
Cut 3 (07) “of Louisiana”
Forecasters give the system a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical storm when it reaches the Gulf of Mexico later this week.

For the second time this year, the Monroe Police Department lost an officer while on duty. Twenty-six-year-old Ayrian Williams died last night in a car crash while responding to a call. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo…
cut 8 (08) “…Monroe police department”
In January, Officer Chris Beaudoin was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash. Williams joined Monroe P-D last November after graduating from LSU and then serving as a Southern University Police officer. She’s a native of New Orleans.

16:45 LRN Sportscast May 22nd

Later today it will be LSU versus Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. LSU is on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament after a 15-and-15 showing in the Southeastern Conference this season. LSU was scheduled to play at 4:30, but a rain delay in the first game of the tournament has pushed everything back.

We’ll find out tomorrow morning whether New Orleans will host an 11th Super Bowl. Saints Owner Gayle Benson will make an official presentation for the Big Easy to host the Super Bowl in 2024. New Orleans is the only candidate to host Super Bowl 58 under the league’s new bidding process.

The NFL is also considering a new policy where the home team will decide if the two teams should take the field for the playing of the National Anthem. Albert Breer of Monday Morning Quarterback says the league’s owners are also discussing a 15-yard penalty for kneeling during the anthem.

Billy Cannon’s funeral will be tomorrow inside the Maravich Center, starting at noon. The visitation and funeral services, which will start at 2 PM, will both be open to the public. The 1959 Heisman Trophy Winner passed away peacefully in his St. Francisville home on Sunday at the age of 80.

Louisiana Tech announces they will celebrate the first 50 years of football at Joe Aillet Stadium by honoring the top 50 Bulldog players to ever play in the stadium during the home opener against Southern on September eighth. The 32 members of the All-Century Team will be included on the 50th Anniversary Team.

O-T-A’s began today for the Saints. First time the team was on the field since the heart-breaking playoff loss to the Vikings. Running back Alvin Kamara says they can’t dwell on last season…
cut 30 (13) “….better things”

16:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

Another special session to solve the fiscal cliff started today. Governor John Bel Edwards says this is the last chance for lawmakers to approve revenue raising measures to avoid deep cuts when temporary taxes expire on June 30th…
cut 13 (13) “….tourism”
Instead of giving the opening address to a session with a speech in front of lawmakers at the State Capitol, the Democratic Governor spoke on the campus of University of Louisiana at Lafayette. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards is hoping to draw attention to the importance of higher ed….
cut 9 (09) “…chopping block”
The special session must end June 4th.

The National Hurricane Center says an area of disturbed weather has a medium chance of development once it reaches the Gulf of Mexico…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A 26-year-old Monroe Police Officer was killed in a single vehicle wreck last night. Police Chief Eugene Ellis says 26-year-old Ayrian Williams was in her patrol vehicle…
Cut 6 (09) “large tree”
Williams was an LSU grad who worked as a Southern University Police Officer before taking a job with Monroe P-D just over six months ago

15:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

The sixth special session since Governor John Bel Edwards took office is underway. Don Molino reports the governor is optimistic this one will be successful…
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Don Molino”

A February special session to address the fiscal cliff did not accomplish anything, so will this one be more successful. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross….
cut 10 (09) “…governor wants”

A 26-year-old Monroe Police Officer died in a single-vehicle crash last night. Ayrian Williams was an LSU grad and New Orleans native who worked at the Southern Campus Police Department before taking a job with Monroe P-D last November. Police Chief Eugene Ellis says Officer Williams had a great reputation and had the talent to work anywhere.
Cut 7 (09) “police department”
Williams is the second Monroe officer to die in the line of duty this year.

If you are heading to beach this Memorial Day weekend, you might want to keep an eye on the Gulf as forecasters are predicting a tropical weather system could impact the Gulf coast this weekend, anywhere from Louisiana to Florida. Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell….
cut 5 (11) ‘…gulf coast”

LRN PM Newscall May 22nd

The National Hurricane Center says an area of disturbed weather has a medium chance of development once it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________________

The sixth special session since Governor John Bel Edwards took office is underway. Don Molino reports the governor is optimistic this one will be successful…

Cut 2 (30)I’m  Don Molino “

Cut 3 (07) “of Louisiana”

But Manning warns the system has the potential of developing into at least a tropical depression

Cut 4 (10) “five days”

That has Memorial Day beach goers worried about the potential for a vacation washout. Manning says those who plan on heading out for the weekend need to check in on the system’s progress over the rest of the week.

Cut 5  (11) “gulf coast”

_______________________________________________

A 26-year-old Monroe Police Officer died in a traffic accident yesterday. Ayrian Williams was an LSU grad and New Orleans native who worked at the Southern Campus Police Department before taking a job with Monroe in November of 2017. Police Chief Eugene Ellis says Williams was on the clock when the accident occurred.

Cut 6 (09)  “large tree”

Ellis says the officer had a great reputation in the department after just half a year on the force, and had the talent to work anywhere, but chose to make Monroe her home.

Cut 7 (09)  “police department”

Funeral plans have not been finalized yet, and Mayor Jamie Mayo is asking for the public to keep the Williams family and the Monroe community in your thoughts and prayers.

cut 8 (08) “police department”     

_____________________________________________

Governor Edwards spoke at UL Lafayette today breaking tradition of opening a session by addressing legislators in the House chamber. The Governor is calling on the legislature to replace expiring sales taxes to avoid 648 million dollars in budget cuts. University of Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards is hoping to draw attention to the importance to higher ed.

Cut 9 (09) “chopping block.”

This will be the 6th special session since governor Edwards took office in 2016, when temporary sales taxes that are set to expire in July were raised to address the last fiscal cliff. Cross says this time might be different, as GOP legislators appear more willing to talk revenue.

Cut 10 (07) “governor wants”

Cross says the Governor will most likely have to settle for a compromise built around renewing half of the one penny sales tax that is set to expire. But he did warn that whatever compromise is reached will most likely involve kicking the can down the street to whoever wins the governor’s mansion next year.

Cut 11 (11) “2020”

—————————————————————

The sixth special session since Governor John Bel Edwards took office is underway. Edwards opened the session on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus, as public colleges are at risk of budget cuts, unless legislators approve 648-million dollars in taxes. Edwards hopes the legislature can come together on a plan…

Cut 12 (12)   “deserve”

The special session must end June 4th. Edwards says now is the time to pass revenue measures that will replace most of the temporary sales taxes that are set to expire on June 30th….

Cut 13 (13) “and tourism”

The Democratic governor has said he can support a proposal to keep up to a half penny of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Edwards says he would also like to see legislators remove certain sales tax exemptions

Cut 14 (07)  “for businesses”

2:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

Governor John Bel Edwards began the sixth special session of his term from Acadiana, where he spoke on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus. Instead of a traditional speech inside the House chambers, Edwards made his case on a college campus for lawmakers to approve tax bills in this special session that would generate 648-million dollars in revenue to stave off cuts across state government. Edwards says he would like to see legislators remove certain sales tax exemptions…
cut 14 (07) “…for businesses”
UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects any tax plan that comes out of the special session to only be a temporary solution…
cut 11 (11) “…2020”

The National Hurricane Center says an area of disturbed weather has a medium chance of development once it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

For the second time this year, the Monroe Police Department lost an officer while on duty. Twenty-six-year-old Ayrian Williams died last night in a car crash while responding to a call. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo…
cut 8 (08) “…Monroe police department”
In January, Officer Chris Beaudoin was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash.