6:45 LRN Sportscast August 19

Saints Coach Sean Payton says the Black and Gold still has a lot to work on after watching his team come from behind to beat the Chargers 19-17 in preseason action on Sunday. New Orleans had a couple of turnovers in the red zone and Teddy Bridgewater was 5 of 12 for 40 yards and an interception. Taysom Hill led the comeback as he was 11 of 15 for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

In a scrimmage on Saturday, LSU starting Q-B Joe Burrow threw for 160 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Backup Myles Brennan threw for 260 yards and a touchdown. Coach Ed Orgeron says the coaches are impressed with Brennan’s development…
cut 18 (18) “….believe that”
LSU’s season opener against Georgia Southern is 12 days away.

U-L Lafayette football coach Billy Napier is facing criticism for asking his scholarship athletes to give 50-dollars to the Ragin Cajuns Athletic Foundation. Napier says giving 50-dollars is a nice gesture to support a foundation that makes the student-athlete experience great….
cut 14 (12) “….their opportunity’
Napier says if a player can’t afford the 50 dollars or has a problem with giving money to the R-C-A-F, he’ll cover the cost.

LSU has added another top 50 wide receiver to its 2020 recruiting class as Rummel pass catcher Koy Moore announced his commitment to the Tigers during his 18th birthday party celebration at a restaurant in Kenner. He’s six-foot-one, 175 pounds and 24-7 sports ranks him as the 45th best receiver nationally.

6:30 LRN Newscast August 19

After a long battle with cancer, former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco passed away at the age of 76. In 2003, Blanco defeated Bobby Jindal to become the state’s first female governor. Her former communications director Bob Mann says education was her top priority…
cut 7 (12) “….them better”
20 months into her administration the state was hit with two killer storms, Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Critics said Blanco was unprepared, indecisive and overwhelmed, but Mann says the criticism softened as time went on…
cut 8 (12) “…as governor”
Blanco had a rare eye cancer in 2011 that she was able to defeat, but the cancer came back and spread to her liver. She died in her hometown of Lafayette.

For the fourth straight month, the state remains at full employment according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

The Saints rallied to beat the Chargers 19-17 in preseason action yesterday, but back-up quarterback Teddy Bridgewater struggled.

LRN AM Newscall August 19 ###Updated with cuts on the passing of Kathleen Blanco###

For the fourth straight month, the state remains at full employment.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

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Louisiana is mourning the passing of former Governor Kathleen Blanco who died Sunday at the age of 76 from cancer. Kevin Barnhart looks back at her life…

Cut 2 (45) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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The internatinal hot sauce market is expected to see a 61 percent increase over the next seven years as Asia’s craving for liquified pepper heats up. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July is down almost a full percentage point from this time last year. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says the number of people looking for work has declined by 14-thousand over the last year…

Cut 4 (09) “…month of July.”

Dejoie says this is the fourth consecutive month the state remains at full employment, meaning there are more vacancies in the workforce than there are people left to fill those jobs.

Cut 5 (07) “…job seekers market.”

New Orleans showed the biggest year-to-year gain, up 8,200 jobs.  Shreveport lost 3,100 jobs over the year, Houma lost 2,900 jobs. The Republican Governor’s Association says the nonfarm seasonally adjusted numbers show, Louisiana lost 1,000 jobs over the last year, the only state to lose jobs during this period.

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Louisiana’s only elected female governor, Kathleen Blanco, has passed away at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer. Blanco was a mother to six children and a former school teacher. It wasn’t until her early 40s that she got into politics when she was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1983. Her former communications director in the governor’s office, Bob Mann

Cut 6 (12) “…more honest government”

Blanco served five years in the House of Representatives and in 1988 the New Iberia native became the first woman elected to the Public Service Commission. In 2003, she defeated Republican Bobby Jindal to become the state’s first female governor. Mann says education was her top priority

Cut 7 (12) “…them better.”

20 months into her administration the state was hit with two killer storms, Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Many people said Blanco was unprepared, indecisive and overwhelmed, but Mann says the criticism against the former governor has softened as time went on…

Cut 8 (12) “…as governor.

Blanco did not seek re-election in 2007. Ten years later, she announced that she had a rare cancer which eventually attacked her whole body. In public appearances leading up to her death, the former governor said she had made peace with her future and the devout Catholic said she had an extraordinarily full life. Mann says Blanco’s final weeks were inspiring

Cut 9 (10) “…around her”

The study was conducted by analyzing satellite imagery from before, and after the diversions were opened.

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A new report shows the Asian market’s craving for hot sauce is on the rise and is expected to push international hot sauce sales from 2.3 billion dollars to 3.7 billion in 2026.  The report by Fortune Business Insights says that’ll be a real boon to Louisiana products like Tabasco which Chef Kevin Belton says has a unique flavor…

Cut 10 (10) “…sauces.”

Belton adds that other Bayou State hot sauces like Crystal and Louisiana also share that distinctive vinegar profile.

Tabasco Pepper sauces control the largest share of the market at 22.6 percent, which is good news for Louisiana produced Tabasco. Belton says the Louisiana product broke open the worldwide hot sauce market…

Cut 11 (09) “…countries.”

North American sales make up 40 percent of the market. The Louisiana hot sauce market continues to expand exports year to year, and Belton says people outside the state are starting to catch on to the idea that hot sauce isn’t just about heat…

Cut 12 (06) “hot”

The report pegs the hot sauce market’s compound annual growth rate at 6.5 percent over the next seven years.

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Despite criticism, U-L Lafayette Football Coach Billy Napier says he still wants his scholarship players to give 50-dollars annually to the Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation, which raises funds for the athletic department. Napier says his goal is to create a culture where players are grateful for the opportunity

Cut 13 (12) “…college education.”

Napier says if a player can’t afford the 50 dollars or has a problem with giving money to the R-C-A-F, he’ll cover the cost. He says giving a 50-dollars is just a nice gesture to support a foundation that makes the student-athlete experience great

Cut 14 (12) “…their opportunity”

But critics say how can you ask a student-athlete who isn’t getting paid and helping to bring thousands of dollars to an athletic program contribute to a school’s booster club. Napier says none of his players have told him they have a problem with it, so he’ll move forward with the policy

Cut 15 (12) “…student athlete.”

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LSU made it official over the weekend by announcing the hiring of Bill Johnson as the team’s defensive line coach. Johnson fills in for Dennis Johson, who badly injured his knees in a pickup basketball game. Johnson was the Rams defensive line coach the last two season and before that he was with the Saints from 2009 to 2016. Coach Ed Orgeron says Johnson has a long track record of coaching and developing top defensive linemen…

Cut 16  (16) “…to have em”   

On the offensive line, Orgeron says freshman guard Kardell Thomas will undergo surgery on his injured ankle and he could be out for the season. Coach O is still looking for someone to step up at left guard. Senior Adrian Magee started two games at that position last year and they are also trying to get Chasen Hines healthy after offseason knee surgery

cut 17 (19) “…we’ll see.” 

In Saturday’s second scrimmage of fall practice, starting Q-B Joe Burrow threw for 160 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Backup Myles Brennan threw for 260 yards and a touchdown. Orgeron says the coaches are impressed with Brennan’s development

Cut 18 (18) “…believe that” 

10:30 LRN Newscast August 17

A multiple emmy-award winning TV news anchor and a stunt pilot are dead after a fiery plane crash in New Orleans East yesterday afternoon. Nancy Parker was shooting a story about the stunt pilot, who has been identified as 69-year-old Franklin J-P Augustus of New Orleans. Parker was from Alabama and a beloved on Fox 8 television in New Orleans.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics show since July 2018, seasonally adjusted private-sector employment increased by 11-hundred jobs. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says Education and Health services gained 8,700 jobs year-to-year and is at a record high at 323,000 jobs.
Cut 6 (11) “…of our regions”
But it’s not all good news, Shreveport lost 3,100 jobs over the year, while Houma lost 2,900 jobs.

A Caddo Parish court judge has ruled that Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton does not live in Senator Greg Tarver’s district and she’s not eligible to run against him in the fall elections. Norton has 48 hours to appeal. If her appeal is unsuccessful, Republican Jim Slagle will be Tarver’s lone opponent on the October 12th ballot.

Despite criticism, U-L Lafayette Football Coach Billy Napier says he still wants his scholarship players to give 50-dollars annually to the Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation, which raises funds for the athletic department. Napier says his goal is to create a culture where players are grateful for the opportunity…
cut 13 (12) “…college education”
Napier says if a player can’t afford the 50 dollars or has a problem with giving money to the R-C-A-F, while being an unpaid student-athlete, he’ll cover the cost

9:30 LRN Newscast August 17

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July is down almost a full percentage point from this time last year. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says the number of people looking for work has declined by 14-thousand over the last year…
Cut 4 (09) “…month of July.”
The Republican Governor’s Association says based on the nonfarm seasonally adjusted numbers, Louisiana lost 1,000 jobs over the last year, the only state to lose jobs during this period.

Ruston High School plans to unveil a new logo this week after Rutgers University asked the school to change its current logo. Both use an identical block R, but Rutgers holds the trademark. Principal Dan Gressett…
Cut 3 (09) “…ready to roll.”

Today is the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Camille’s devastating landfall along the Mississippi coast in 1969. Before Hurricane Katrina, Camille was the Gulf Coast’s defining storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the impact was so devastating that it led to the creation of the Saffir-Simpson Scale, which categorized hurricanes in a way the public could understand.
Cut 10 (09) “…told”
The system is one of only four Cat 5s to make landfall.

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is underway and numerous police agencies have ramped up patrols looking for drivers under the influence. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says efforts to curtail drunk or drugged driving in the bayou state are making an impact.
Cut 13 (07) “…numbers at bay
Recent stats indicate 376 people died in traffic crashes around the country during the Labor Day holiday.

8:30 LRN Newscast August 17

Award-winning New Orleans TV reporter and anchor Nancy Parker was killed in a small plane crash yesterday near the New Orleans Lakefront Airport. Parker was on assignment when the crash occurred as she was shooting a story in a stunt plane. The pilot, Franklin J-P Augustus, was also killed. He was known as someone who taught kids the dangers of drugs and youth violence.

Today marks 50 years since Hurricane Camille ravaged the north-central Gulf Coast. Matt Doyle spoke with State Climatologist Barry Keim….
Voicer 2 (28) I’m Matt Doyle”

The President’s decision to delay implementing a new 10 percent tariff on a range of items from China likely spares Krewe members increased prices on beads. The tariffs were set to take effect on September 15th, but that sparked fears Christmas shoppers could have sticker shock. December 15th is the new date, and Beads by the Dozen president Dan Kelly says…
Cut 6 (10) “…imposed”
Kelly says a ten percent tariff would have translated to about a seven percent increase on retail prices.

Cops are stepping up patrols to get impaired drivers off the road with the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” national law enforcement campaign underway. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel if you are impaired.
Cut 14 (09) “…are beefed up.”
Rid sharing services are now offered statewide.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

The Saints will have closed practice today in Costa Mesa, California after holding two joint practices with the Chargers. Tomorrow, New Orleans will face the Chargers in a preseason game. Starters are not expected to play much. Cornerback Marcus Lattimore is entering his third season and he wants to avoid the slow start that he had last year…
cut 30 (16) “…big for me”
Tomorrow’s preseason game starts at 3 PM.

LSU will hold a scrimmage today. Coach Ed Orgeron has said he wants to give a long look at the younger players on his roster. Spotted at practice yesterday, new defensive line Bill Johnson, who is taking the place of Dennis Johnson who suffered serious knee injuries in a basketball game.

Second-year U-L Lafayette football coach Billy Napier is facing criticism for requiring scholarship athletes on his team to donate 50-dollars a year to the Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation. Athletics director Bryan Maggard told the Advocate that it’s only optional. Napier says the hope is that if student-athletes are introduced to donating to the R-C-A-F in college, they will continue to do so after graduation. He says if they can’t afford the 50-dollars, he’ll pay for it for them.

The Louisiana Select Association says it will hold its four state championship football games between December 5th through the 7th. That’s the weekend before the non-select schools will hold their title games at the Superdome. L-S-A C-E-O, J-P Kelly, also says that three of the four divisions have waived their rights to host a championship game, which means title games for those divisions will be played at a neutral site, possibly on a college campus.

5:30 PM Newscast

The Ruston High Bearcats are getting a new logo after a request from Rutgers University to do so. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Vinton mother is under arrest after police received a call about her two-year-old son being spotted walking alone in the middle of a road. Upon the arrival of deputies to the child’s home, 34-year-old Anastasia Waddell was found passed out in a chair with what was presumed to be synthetic pot in her lap. She is charged with child desertion and a slew of drug charges.

The President’s decision to delay implementing a new 10 percent tariff on a range of items from China likely spares Krewe members increased prices on beads. The tariffs were set to take effect on September 15th, but that sparked fears Christmas shoppers could have sticker shock. December 15th is the new date, and Beads by the Dozen president Dan Kelly says if the tariff schedule had not changed, a majority of the beads available for retail would have been slapped with the increases.
Cut 8 (10) “…fifteen”
A ten percent tariff would have translated to about a seven percent increase on retail prices for customers.
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is underway and State Police have ramped up patrols looking for drivers under the influence. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says efforts to curtail inebriated drivers in the bayou state are making an impact.
Cut 13 (07) “…numbers at bay

4:30 PM Newscast

Saturday marks 50 years since Hurricane Camille ravaged the north-central Gulf Coast. Matt Doyle spoke with State Climatologist Barry Keim about the storm’s legacy.

cut  2 (28) I’m Matt Doyle”  

Two people are dead following a small plane crash in New Orleans East this afternoon. Officials indicate the place crashed in a field near Morrison Road and Jordan Road. The scene is under control, but officials are asking residents to avoid the area. The crash is still under investigation.

President Trump’s decision to delay implementing a new 10-percent tariff on products that come from China means that we will not see a mark up in beads for the 2020 carnival season. Beads by the Dozen president Dan Kelly a ten percent tariff would have translated to about a seven percent increase on retail prices for customers. That can really add up for big throwers…
Cut 7 (10) “…merchandise”

If the tariff schedule had not changed, a majority of the beads available for retail would have been slapped with the increases.

Ruston High School plans to unveil a new logo next week, because the current block “R” they use is the same one Rutgers University uses, so they’ve asked not to use it anymore. Ruston High principal Dan Gressett says the high school and the university has a memorandum of understanding over the logo’s use, but no one is going to court over the issue.

Cut 5 (07) “…was totally false.”

330PM LRN News

Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Camille’s devastating landfall along the Mississippi coast in 1969. Before Hurricane Katrina, Camille was the Gulf Coast’s defining storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Camile certainly had Katrina beat in terms of hurricane-force winds

Cut 9 (09) “…per hour.”

Camile formed in the Caribbean just south of Cuba before heading to the north-central Gulf Coast.

Cops are stepping up patrols to get impaired drivers off the road with the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” national law enforcement campaign.  Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel if you’ve had anything that could impair your driving. 

Cut 14 (09) “…are beefed up.”

Uber is now offered statewide.

The President’s decision to delay implementing a new 10 percent tariff on a range of items from China likely spares Krewe members increased prices on beads. The tariffs were set to take effect on September 15th, but that sparked fears Christmas shoppers could have sticker shock. December 15th is the new date, and Beads by the Dozen president Dan Kelly says…

Cut 6 (10) “…imposed”

Kelly says a ten percent tariff would have translated to about a seven percent increase on retail prices.

The Ruston High Bearcats are getting a new logo after Rutgers University asked the school to change it.  Both use an identical block R, but Rutgers holds the trademark.  Principal Dan Gressett says it’s not a big deal.

Cut 4 (08) “…I’ve been here.”

Gressett says the high school and the university has a memorandum of understanding over the logo’s use