10:30 LRN Newscast January 21

With a 54% approval rating, Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democrat Governor according to a Morning Consult poll. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
voicer 3 (30) “…..Kevin Barnhart”

It’s a cold morning as we saw temperatures dip below freezing as far south as the I-10-12 corridor. It will be a chilly afternoon with high temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the low 50s along the coast.

President Trump’s impeachment trial begins today in the US Senate. This afternoon, Senators will vote on rules that will govern the trial. Once testimony begins each Senator will serve as a juror. Senator Bill Cassidy…
Cut 7 (11) “…you will”
Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has been appointed to President Trump’s impeachment team.

After conducting further research, LSU Geology Professor Brooks Ellwood believes the Indian Mounds on the LSU Baton Rouge campus could be 11,300 years old. Previous research estimated the mounds were about six-thousand years old…
cut 6 (08) “…things”
Ellwood has submitted a paper regarding the age of the structures for scientific review

9:30 LRN Newscast January 21

At one o’clock today the U-S Senate will gather to begin the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. The US constitution requires the Senators to serve as impartial jurors, but many Republican Senators, including Bill Cassidy, have openly voiced their thoughts on impeachment throughout the process. Cassidy says he’ll be impartial, but it looks to be a flimsy case so far…
cut 9 (08) “…terrible”

A Morning Consult poll finds Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democrat Governor in the country with a 54% approval rating. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says the solid approval numbers will help Edwards in the upcoming legislative session.
Cut 13 (11) “…voted for me.”
The legislative session starts March 9th.

Frontier Airlines announces it will no longer fly out of Lafayette Regional Airport. The low-cost carrier announced a temporary suspension of service in October a year after offering direct flights to Orlando and Denver. 40-thousand passengers used Frontier to fly in and out of Lafayette in 2019.

The American Heart Association’s Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science has found more than one in four high school students regularly using e-cigarettes. The number of middle school students using e-cigarettes increased nearly 50-percent last year. Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Tobacco Specalist Josh Pitre says parents need to maintain an open dialogue with their children as young as age five on the consequences of all nicotine…
cut 11 (12) “….of that nature”

8:30 LRN newscast

President Trump’s impeachment trial begins today in the US Senate. This afternoon Senators will vote on rules that will govern the trial. Once testimony begins each Senator will serve as a juror. Senator Bill Cassidy…
Cut 7 (11) “…you will”
Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has been appointed to President Trump’s impeachment team.

An American Heart Association study finds that one in four high school students use e-cigarettes and the number of middle school students using e-cigarettes increased nearly 50-percent last year. Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Tobacco Specialist Josh Pitre says they surveyed over 3-thousand teens and found parents who are more educated do a better job of explaining the harmful risks of e-cigarettes…
cut 12 (10) “…are harmful’

The Indian Mounds at LSU may be much, much older than previously thought. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Due to a water outage, classes are canceled at Grambling State University today. A water line broke and repairs are ongoing.

Former LSU defensive coordinator and current Youngstown State head coach Bo Pelini has surfaced as a possible replacement for Dave Aranda, who just took the head coaching job at Baylor. Pelini was LSU’s D-C for three seasons and helped the Tigers win a national title in 2007.

7:30 LRN Newscast January 21

Morning Consult tracks the approval rating of governors and it has found Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democratic governor in the country. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Edwards connects well with Louisiana residents…
cut 14 (09) “…relate to people”
Morning Consult has Edwards approval rating at 54-percent.

An LSU Geology Professor believes the Indian Mounds on LSU’s Baton Rouge campus may be 11,300 years old, making it the oldest man-made structures on Earth. Brooks Ellwood says a scan of the mounds, followed by a test of the material indicates the mounds are even older than the Pyramids of Giza (Gee-Zuh)in Egypt.
Cut 4 (11) “…state.”

The Wellcana group, which produces medical marijuana, tells the Advocate they are looking to build a 100-thousand square-foot indoor marijuana greenhouse and storage facility between Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The building would employ 100 to 200 workers and it will also be used as a collection center for hemp grown by Louisiana farmers.

A study from the American Heart Association shows that there are various reasons why teens might or might not believe vaping is dangerous…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

6:45 LRN Sportscast January 21

Jrue Holiday returned yesterday after missing the last seven games with a left tricep strain and hit a career-high seven 3s and scored 36 points in a 126 to 116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. New Orleans hit a franchise-record 21 3s on the day. They are now 3.5 games back of Memphis for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs and Zion Williamson is expected to return Wednesday when the Pels host San Antonio.

LSU brings a perfect 5-and-0 SEC record into tonight’s matchup against the Florida Gators. Both teams are ranked just outside of the A-P Top 25 and Coach Will Wade is expecting a tight contest…
cut 16 (20) “…to win”
Tip off is at 6 PM.

LSU cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract extension. The New Iberia native has been on LSU’s coaching staff since 2012 and reportedly turned down an offer to be an assistant at Texas A-and-M.

Former LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini’s name has surfaced as a possible replacement for Dave Aranda, who just took the head coaching job at Baylor. Pelini was LSU’s D-C for three seasons under former head coach Les Miles and helped the Tigers win a national title in 2007.

Backup LSU placekicker Connor Culp has entered the NCAA transfer portal. And former Houston quarterback D’Eriq King has announced he’s transferring to Miami. There was speculation King may want to play at LSU next season.

Back to college basketball,….Grambling fell to 3-and-3 in the SWAC after losing to Texas Southern 68-61. Southern improved to 3-and-3 in the league after a 74-70 win over Mississippi Valley State.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The US Senate reconvenes today and the first vote they’ll take is on the rules for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to propose just two days for each side to give opening statements and a vote on whether witnesses will be called will take place later. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy isn’t sure how long this process will take, he hopes for a speedy resolution…
cut 8 (12) “…Schiff”
Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has been named to President Trump’s impeachment team.

Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon has demoted his chief deputy Bruce Prejean after he admitted to having an affair with a district judge. Prejean’s pay has also been cut by 500-dollars a month. There’s a concern Prejean’s intimate relationship with Judge Jessie LeBlanc had an effect on criminal cases that went before LeBlanc and were investigated by Prejean.

With a 54% approval rating, Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democrat Governor according to a Morning Consult poll. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
voicer 3 (30) “…..Kevin Barnhart”

New research has found that boys, blacks and teens living in urban areas are least likely to think the contents inside e-cigarette products are harmful. Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified tobacco Specialist Josh Pitre…
cut 10 (09) “…teen residents”

AM Newscall 01/21/2020

The Indian Mounds at LSU may be much, much older than previously thought. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________________

A study from the American Heart Association shows that there are various reasons why teens might or might not believe vaping is dangerous. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

____________________________________________

With a 54% approval rating, Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democrat Governor according to a Morning Consult Poll. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

 

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

____________________________________________

An LSU Geology Professor believes the Indian Mounds at LSU’s flagship campus may be the oldest man-made structures on Earth, with parts of the structure believed to possibly be 11,300-years-old.

Brooks Ellwood says a scan of the mounds, followed by a test of the material indicates the mounds are likely far, far older than the Pyramids of Giza.

Cut 4 (11) “…state.”

Prior research indicated the mounds were only about 6,000 years old.

The structures are thought to be ceremonial burial grounds for tribes that inhabited the region millennia ago. Ellwood says the discovery was made by testing bone fragments in those graves.

Cut 5 (10) “…them.”

The local tribes are thought to have placed their dead on the pit and burn them, with most of the construction occurring over two stages separated by global climate events.

For decades the Mounds were a meeting place for students, but imaging showed the structures were internally collapsing due to the constant stress. Ellwood says the Mounds need more protection.

Cut 6 (08) “things”

Ellwood has submitted a paper regarding the age of the structures for scientific review.

_____________________________

The impeachment trial of President Trump begins today in the US Senate, where Senators will vote on rules that will govern the trial. Senator Bill Cassidy says the affair will demand their attention for eight hours a day, six days a week, and while the process is ongoing it’s important to remember this isn’t a criminal trial.

Cut 7 (11) “…you will”

The two articles, charge the President with Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress.

Cassidy isn’t sure how long this process will take, but he’s hoping for a speedy resolution.

Cut 8 (12) “…Schiff”

The trial calls for impartial jurors, but many Senators, Cassidy included, have openly voiced their thoughts on impeachment throughout the process. Cassidy says he’ll be impartial, but it looks to be a flimsy case so far…

Cut 9 (08) “…terrible”

The Senate convenes at 1 PM.

____________________

According to the American Heart Association’s Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science study, whether teens believe nicotine and vaping products are harmful is largely due to gender, household income and education level. Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Tobacco Specialist Josh Pitre…

Cut 10 (09) “…teen residents.”

Pitre says with mixed views from teens on the dangers of vaping it’s extremely important for parents to maintain an open dialogue with their children as young as age five on the consequences of all nicotine.

Cut 11 (12) “…of that nature.”

The study shows that one in four high school students use e-cigarettes and the trend among middle school students has increased 50-percent. Pitre says a parent’s education level can skew a teen’s outlook on vaping.

Cut 12 (10) “…are harmful.”

Pitre hopes the new federal law to raise the national minimum age to purchase nicotine products to 21 will soon be a major deterrent among teens.

_____________________________________

A Morning Consult pull finds Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democrat Governor. Overall, he is ranked 15th with a 54% approval rating. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says the popularity plays into the favor of Edwards and his clout as the legislative session draws near.

Cut 13 (11) “…voted for me.”

Stockley says a big part of Edwards being the most favored Democrat governor is his popularity and connection to the people of the state outdoes that of other Democrats in other states.

Cut 14 (09) “…relate to people.”

Stockley says if the national Democrat Party is not paying attention to Edwards both as an individual and as a model for how to win as a Democrat in the south, then they are making a significant strategic error and it could cost them elections in 2020 as well as the White House.

Cut 15 (13) “…Trump is popular.”

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant ranked above Edwards, but has left office since the poll was taken in the final quarter of 2019. Governors of Wyoming, Maryland, and Massachusetts all tied for the highest approval rating at 69%.

__________________________________________

LSU brings a perfect 5-and-0 SEC record into tonight’s matchup against the Florida Gators. Both teams are ranked just outside of the A-P Top 25 and Coach Will Wade is expecting a tight contest…

Cut 16  (20)  …to win” 

LSU is second in the SEC in scoring, averaging nearly 80 points per game. But the Tigers are only shooting 32-percent from three-point territory. Wade says getting good looks at the basket from the perimeter is the key

Cut 17  (23) “don’t” 

Florida is coming off a 22-point over Auburn, who was ranked fourth in the country at the time. Wade says the Gators feature four players who score in double figures

cut 18  (26) “they move”   

 

4:30 PM Newscast

A new Legislative class was sworn in last week and for the first time in nearly a century, Louisiana finds itself without a member of the Long family serving in public office. Gerald Long served as a Republican Senator for Natchitoches during his time at the Capitol and says the family has a gift for keeping the pulse of state politics…
Cut 4 (09) “…needs.”
The political dynasty began with Governor Huey Long, the firecracker leftwing populist who pushed a massive public works program, built Tiger Stadium, but was also impeached.
A Comeaux High football player is fighting for his life after an alleged attempted car robbery ended with him being shot by two juveniles. 17-year-old Matthew Carter was found unresponsive in his vehicle early Saturday morning when police arrived. Lafayette Police Corporal Bridgette Dugas on what they know so far…
Cut 9 (12) “shoot him”

Winter temperatures have returned to Louisiana. High temps today are in the low 50’s statewide, which is about ten degrees below normal.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says tomorrow morning, expect a freeze north of the I-10/I-12 corridor.
Cut 12 (09) “…this current wave.”
A slight warmup should be coming Wednesday, but another front will drop temps again and bring rain on Thursday.

74 percent of respondents to a KingCakeSnob.com survey admit they’ll eat king cake at least six to ten times during carnival season. Website spokesperson Andrew Alexander says people are willing to be patient in long lines to get their hands onto a King Cake.

Cut 7 (10) “…to all year.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast January 20

The Honeybadger is headed to the Super Bowl. Tyrann Mathieu led Kansas City in tackles in the AFC Championship game as the Chiefs defeated the Titans 35 to 24. Matthieu was signed in the offseason to bolster a K-C defense that struggled last season…
cut 30 (30) “….from past”
The Chiefs will clash with the San Francisco 49ers on February 2nd in Miami. Kansas City is a slight favorite.

LSU cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond has agreed to a three-year contract to stay with the Tigers. Back-up field goal kicker Connor Culp has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Former LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda has been introduced as the head coach of the Baylor Bears.

Despite a 5-0 record in SEC play, the Fighting Tigers are still not ranked in the A-P top 25. Coach Will Wade’s team can make another statement tomorrow night when they face the Florida Gators.

Louisiana Tech is 4-and-2 in Conference USA after losing to North Texas 51 to 50 at the Buzzer. Tech is at Middle Tennessee on Thursday. The Blue Raiders are winless in league play this year.

The Ragin Cajuns and Warhawks are both tied for last place in the Sun Belt. The two teams will face each other on Saturday.

Nicholls is a half-game back of first place in the Southland after beating Central Arkansas 79-72. After starting 0-3 in the Southland, McNeese has won four straight and the Cowboys are at Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday.

330PM LRN News

Firebrand Governor Huey Long came into office nearly 100 years ago and since then there’s never been a time when a Long hasn’t worked in elected office, until now. Natchitoches Senator Gerald Long ended his legislative tenure last week, and says his families’ political dynasty has the legendary Kingfish to thank for kick-starting a century of service…

Cut 3 (11)  “…the bar” 

Huey Long was assassinated in 1935 in the midst of a run against President Roosevelt, who he attacked for not being far not being leftwing enough. He would be followed by his brother Earl, who served for three terms as governor and continued Huey’s substantial legacy of public works.

A 16-year-old is dead in Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s custody after authorities say the boy suffered a cardiac attack during an incident where he was being arrested. Police say the boy was being put under arrest after they responded to reports that he had bit a man in the face. During the incident, the boy allegedly also bit responding officers.

Below freezing temps are expected in the Bayou State tomorrow morning. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Comeaux High football player is fighting for his life after an alleged attempted car robbery ended with him being shot by two juveniles. Lafayette Police Corporal Bridgette Dugas says they believe teens attempted to steal the victim’s car, but it may not have been your usual carjacking.

Cut 10 (08) “…victim” 

17-year-old Matthew Carter is being mentioned in media reports as the victim.