1130AM LRN News

LSU will have to open up its wallet, because the SEC has fined the school 100-thousand dollars because fans rushed the field following the Tigers upset victory over Georgia. Athletic Director Joe Alleva shares the conference’s concerns for safety, but linebacker Michael Divinity appreciated Tiger Nation’s passion…

Cut 9 (12)  “…thank the fans”

If LSU beats Alabama in three weeks and the fans rush the field again, the fine will increase to 250-thousand dollars.

The Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville has been closed since Friday morning when a barge with a large crane on it slammed into the 54-year-old bridge causing extensive damage. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says to compensate, they’re running two ferries with longer hours.

Cut 7 (10)  “…as well”

It’s unknown when the bridge will reopen.

The Legislative Auditor says there’s some problems with child care standards in Louisiana. Auditor Krista Baker-Hernandez says the state is lacking many of the nationally recognized regulations on child care, such as our core licensing standards…

Cut 3 (11) “…providers.” 

The Office’s report revealed Louisiana is one of only eight states to allow unlicensed caregivers to watch over six children at a time.

Social Security beneficiaries are in for a 2.8 percent cost of living bump to their monthly checks next year to combat inflation. It’s the largest cost of living increase in some time. AARP Associate State Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says that’s extra cash in the pocket of 70 million Americans.

Cut 13 (10)   “…per year.”

The increase helps over half a million Louisianans.

11:40 LRN sportscast October 15

LSU is once again ranked 5th in the country after an electrifying 36-16 victory over previously unbeaten Georgia. The biggest win in Tiger Stadium in years improved LSU’s record to 6-1. But Quarterback Joe Burrow reminds everyone that it is just one win…
cut 12 (12) “….war room”
LSU hosts 22nd ranked Mississippi State on Saturday at 6 PM.

The SEC has fined LSU 100-thousand dollars because hundreds of fans stormed the field following the Tigers win over Georgia. LSU is a repeat offender, because fans also rushed the field after beating Ole Miss in 2014. The money will go towards an SEC Post-Graduate scholarship fund.

The Ragin Cajuns produced a record setting performance in a 66-38 win over New Mexico State on homecoming. UL Lafayette had 759 yards of total offense, which is a school record. Coach Billy Napier’s team started fast by scoring four first quarter touchdowns…
Cut 16 (13) “..establish here”
Senior quarterback Andre Nunez tied a school-record with five touchdown passes and named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week.

Kam McKnight rushed for two touchdowns in Louisiana Tech’s 31-3 win over U-T-S-A on Saturday. McKnight’s first touchdown ended the first drive of the game. Coach Skip Holtz on how the rest of the game played out…
cut 19 (15) “…competed tonight”
The 4-and-2 Bulldogs host UTEP for homecoming this Saturday.

10:30 LRN Newscast October 15

According to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Louisiana has slashed state funding to higher education by more than 40 percent in the last decade, which is the highest in the nation. That means rising tuition costs for students. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says that makes it tough on low-income families…
Cut 7 (12) “…it’s not accessible.”
Only six other states charge more for tuition and fees than Louisiana.

The SEC has fined LSU 100-thousand dollars because hundreds of fans ran onto the field following the Tigers thrilling 36-16 win over Georgia on Saturday. The league considers LSU a repeat offender, because fans also rushed the field after beating Ole Miss in 2014. The money will go towards an SEC Post-Graduate scholarship fund.

It’s unknown when the Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville will re-open. It’s been closed since Friday morning when a barge with a large crane on it slammed into the 54-year-old bridge causing extensive damage. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they are working on plans to make the repairs…
cut 6 (08) “….part done”
About 25-thousand travelers use the bridge to get across the Mississippi River on a daily basis.

The tale of the removal of Wild Horses on the Fort Polk military base has taken a new twist, this time courtesy of a Texas A&M professor….
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

9:30 LRN Newscast October 15

A report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities finds that no other state in the country has reduced funding to higher education more than Louisiana since 2008. There’s been more than a 40-percent decline in state dollars going towards Louisiana colleges. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed is hopeful the budget has been stabilized, so the cuts can stop….
cut 9 (08) “…access to education’
The cuts in state funding has resulted in a five-thousand dollar increase in tuition per student.

The Legislative Auditor’s office says the department of education is not meeting all of the national best practices when it comes to child care licensing standards. Auditors say Louisiana is one of eight states that allow family and in-home providers to care for more than six children without requiring a license. The D-O-E says they are discussing this issue with elected officials and stakeholders.

An unbelieveable win for the LSU Tigers on Saturday as they trounced Georgia 36-16 knocking them from the list of unbeaten teams. It was quite the performance for the Bayou Bengals, who were coming off a loss to Florida. Coach Ed Orgeron says the defeat in the Swamp inspired them..
cut 11 (12) “…their shoulder”
Now LSU gets ready for 22nd ranked Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are coming off a bye week and they are allowing just 13 points a game.

There’s a new twist in the saga of the Fort Polk wild horses: a Texas A&M professor says a genetic test has indicated they may be a rare breed of horses. Professor Gus Cothran says they tested 20, and found…that you
cut 4 (10) “…the Spanish”
Fort Polk has been trying to have the herd of four to five hundred horses removed from the base, because of safety reasons.

8:30 LRN Newscast October 15

The 5th ranked LSU Tigers are once again national title contenders after a convincing 36-16 victory over the previously unbeaten Georgia Bulldogs. The Bayou Bengals were four-for-four on 4th down chances. Head Coach Ed Orgeron…
Cut 10 (11) “…for it“
LSU hosts 22nd ranked Mississippi State on Saturday.

Social Security recipients will receive a cost of living increase starting next year that will result in a 39-dollar on average monthly increase. Andrew Muhl with Louisiana AARP says the increase comes at a time when inflation and rising medical costs have put a financial strain on many seniors…
cut 15 (10) “….themselves”

A new report finds college access may be at risk for low income students in Louisiana as state funding for higher education has dropped more than 40 percent in the last decade. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says he’ll look to see if a grand jury should determine if a former Baton Rouge Police officer should face charges after shooting at a motorist during a traffic stop in August. Yuseff Hamadeh was fired last week after an investigation found no evidence to support the officer’s story that he was shot at first.

7:30 LRN Newscast October 15

A new Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report finds Louisiana cut more state funding from higher education than any other state since 2008. Researchers determined the cut amounts to a five-thousand dollar decline in state funding per student. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the additional burden put on students, because of rising tuition costs, have kept many individuals from continuing their education…
cut 8 (08) “….development in Louisiana”
Only six other states charge more for tuition and fees than Louisiana.

But there is good news for those on Social Security, they will see about a 39-dollar increase in benefits starting next year. Andrew Muhl, with Louisiana AARP, says the cost of living increase will impact thousands…
cut 14 (10) “…dollars”

The tale of the removal of Wild Horses on the Fort Polk military base has taken a new twist, this time courtesy of a Texas A&M professor….
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

We hope to get more information today on a fatal shooting that resulted in the deaths of two people at a bar in Marksville early Sunday morning. Police responded to Borrel’s at 1:15 in the morning and one person was taken into custody. No other information is available.

The Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville remains closed after a barge accident on Friday morning. The damage is worse than previously thought.

6:45 LRN Sportscast October 15

Big win for the LSU Tigers on Saturday as they trounced Georgia 36-16 knocking them from the list of unbeaten teams. It was quite the performance for the Bayou Bengals, who were coming off a loss to Florida. Coach Ed Orgeron says the defeat in the Swamp inspired them..
cut 11 (12) “…their shoulder”
Now LSU gets ready for 22nd ranked Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are coming off a bye week and they are allowing just 13 points a game.

ULM’s Derrick Gore rushed for 147 yards and two touchdown as the Warhawks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 45-20 win over Coastal Carolina.

The Ragin Cajuns produced a school record 759 yards of total offense in a 66-38 homecoming win New Mexico State. Andre Nunez threw for 315 yards and five touchdowns.

After a bad loss to UAB, Louisiana Tech bounced back on Saturday with a 31-3 win over UTSA. J-Mar Smith threw for 309 yards and a touchdown as the Bulldogs are now 4-2, 2-1 in Conference USA. Coach Skip Holtz feels better about his team…
cut 20 (15) “….of us”
Tech will host UTEP for homecoming this Saturday.

Southeastern Louisiana lit up the scoreboard with a 62-52 win over Houston Batpist. Rough loss for Nicholls as they fell to Abilene Christian 28-12, Sam Houston trounced Northwestern State 42-28, Grambling beat Texas Southern 34-21 and Southern blanked Prarie View A-and-M 38-0.

6:30 LRN Newscast October 15

LSU is once again ranked 5th in the country after an electrifying 36-16 victory over previously unbeaten Georgia. The biggest win in Tiger Stadium in years improved LSU’s record to 6-1. But Quarterback Joe Burrow reminds everyone that is just one win…
cut 12 (12) “….war room”
LSU hosts 22nd ranked Mississippi State on Saturday at 6 PM.

A Texas A-and-M professor says hundreds of wild horses at Fort Polk could be descendants of horses brought by Spanish explorers and colonists. The Army has removed over 100 of the horses and placed them with nonprofit groups, because they say the animals are a safety risk. But Professor Gus Cothran…
cut 6 (07) “….for them’

AARP recipients are getting an extra 39 dollars a month on average starting next year in social security benefits. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Sunshine bridge in Donaldsonville remains closed indefinitely and state transportation officials say damaged caused by a barge collision Friday morning is more extensive then they originally thought. A timeline on when repairs will be completed has not been determined.

AM News October 14

The tale of The Wild Horses of Fort Polk has taken a new twist, this time courtesy of a Texas A&M professor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

According to a recent report, college access may be at risk for low income students as Louisiana’s state funding for higher education has dropped more than 40 percent in the last decade.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

__________________________________

AARP recipients are getting an extra 39 dollars a month on average starting next year. Matt Doyle has more.


Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_________________________________________

There’s a new twist in the saga of the Fort Polk wild horses: a Texas A&M professor says a genetic test has indicated they may be a rare breed of horses that you just don’t find very often in the wild. Fort Polk has been trying to have the herd of four to five hundred horses removed from the base. Professor Gus Cothran says they tested 20, and found…

Cut 4 (10) “…the Spanish”

And that makes them a rarity, as Cothran says in the hundreds of years since their initial arrival, the Iberian bred mounts have thinned out, and their bloodline is bordering on extinction.

Cut 5 (10)“north america.” 

Fort Polk says the horses need to be removed for their, and others safety.

Fort Polk has labeled the equine invaders “trespass horses”, and has completed an initial round of removals, including up to 200 horses who’ve been taken in by organizations like the Humane Society and Horse Lives Matters. Cothran says considering their unique Spanish Colonial heritage, he hopes the herd can remain united.

Cut 6 (07)“for them”

Fort Polk has been sued by a group hoping to keep the horses on the base territory.

_________________________

According to a recent report, Louisiana’s state funding for higher education has dropped more than 40 percent in the last decade.  That, along with rising tuition costs, means the task of footing the bill has shifted from the government to the students.  Only six other states charge more for tuition and fees than Louisiana.  Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says it’s had a heavy impact.

Cut 7 (12) “…it’s not accessible.”

Researchers found the cuts were more than any other state, to the tune of nearly $5k per student over the last ten years.  Reed says the burden put on families and students may result in seeing potential skill seekers leave the state.

Cut 8 (08) “…development in Louisiana”

Reed says Higher Ed is reinvestment ready.

Cut 9 (08) “…access to education.”

____________________

The number 5 LSU Tigers are once again national title contenders after a convincing 36-16 victory over the previously unbeaten Georgia Bulldogs. The Bayou Bengals would not be denied in this game as they rolled up 475 yards of total offense, with an up tempo attack. They successfully converted on 4th down four times in four chances. Head Coach Ed Orgeron…

Cut 10 (11)   “…for it“

Orgeron says the loss to Florida the week before inspired his team….

Cut 11 (12)   “…their shoulder”

The victory over Georgia was the biggest win in Tiger Stadium in several years. But Quarterback Joe Burrow reminds everyone that it is just one win…

Cut 12 (12)   “…war room”

___________________

Social Security beneficiaries are in for a 2.8 percent cost of living bump to their monthly checks next year to combat inflation. It’s the largest cost of living increase in some time. AARP Associate State Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says that’s extra cash in the pocket of 70 million Americans.

Cut 13 (10)   “…per year.”

Muhl says the 39 dollar on average increase is going to impact the lives of over half a million Louisianans.

Cut 14 (10)   “…dollars.”

Inflation and rising medical costs have put the financial stability of many who rely on the payments in jeopardy. Muhl says the substantial increase comes at a time when the extra money is sorely needed by many seniors.

Cut 15 (10)   “…themselves.”

_______________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns produced a record setting performance in a 66-38 win over New Mexico State on homecoming. UL Lafayette had 759 yards of total offense, which is a school record. Coach Billy Napier’s team started fast by scoring four first quarter touchdowns…

Cut 16 (13) “..establish here”

Senior quarterback Andre Nunez tied a school-record with five touchdown passes. Napier calls Nunez a student of the game…

Cut 17 (20)  “going forward”

The Cajuns have a tough game coming up this week against 4-1 Appalachian State.

___________________________________

Louisiana Tech bounced back from a bad loss to UAB to trounce UTSA 31-3. Quarterback J’Mar Smith threw for 309 yards and one touchdown

Cut 18 (11) “…job basically” 

Kam McKnight rushed for two touchdowns. He capped off the opening drive of the game with a two-yard run. Coach Skip Holtz…

Cut 19 (15) “..competed tonight” 

The Bulldogs are 4-2, 2-1 in Conference USA with a homecoming game against UTEP coming up. Holtz says

Cut 20 (15) “of us” 

11:30 AM Newscast

Drivers that use the Sunshine Bridge connecting Donaldsonville to Sorrento to cross the Mississippi River are going to have to find a new route for a while as damage sustained from a barge has resulted in the 54-year-old structure’s closing. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says there is no timeline for when the bridge will reopen.

Cut 12 (06)   “…open the bridge.”

An estimated 25 thousand drivers use the bridge everyday.

LSU and second-ranked Georgia meet today at Tiger Stadium. Tickets are sold out, but some are still available online for a hefty sum. StubHub spokesperson Cameron Papp says prices may get lower closer to kickoff.

Cut 5 (08)  “…last possible minute.” 

The lowest priced tickets sit around 150 dollars.

Starting in 2019, Louisiana high school students who compete sequences of STEM courses, will receive a special designation on their diploma for their efforts. Department of Education Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says it’s vital to the state’s future that more students get qualified in STEM fields, but he expressed optimism that after reviewing ACT survey information, that many students are hoping to join those fields.
Cut 8 (09) “…career field”

A recent report showed only 10 percent of Louisiana students have met the benchmarks needed to show proficiency in STEM.

Cajun Navy supporters have been deceived to donate funds to scammers impersonating the relief organization. Better Business Bureau president and CEO Carmen Million says scams are possible but it is up to donors to stay sharp…

Cut 11 (08) “…emotions”

Donors can verify charities at www.give.org