The LSU/Clemson showdown in the Dome Monday night for the CFP National Championship is expected to bring a lot of money and attention to New Orleans and the state at large. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says events like these can generate tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, but even more so than that, it’s exposure…

Cut 6, 9 seconds, Louisiana

The Dome has seen three major games to start the year, the Georgia vs. Baylor Sugar Bowl, the Saints vs. Vikings playoff game, and now Clemson and LSU.

Heads up LSU students, you’ll be expected to be at class Monday and Tuesday despite LSU’s historic game Monday night. LSU Faculty Senate President Dr. Mandi Lopez says losing class time is not an option.

Cut 15 (08) “…planned.”

Spring classes start Monday.

Troopers locate and identify the driver involved in a fatal hit and run of a bicyclist on Thursday morning just south of Alexandria.  Trooper Casey Wallace says the 27-year-old Lacey Jade Jordan of Oakdale was behind the wheel of the southbound Chevy Silverado that hit a 50-year-old Taurus McQuarn of Alexandria on US Highway 165.

Cut 3 (08)  “… he became deceased.” 

Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says north Louisiana is chronically underserved by dentists, and the region needs a dental school in the Bossier/Shreveport medical hub to help solve that problem. The Senator says the lack of access is leading to expensive, and dangerous outcomes where people are taking their oral needs to an ER.

Cut 8 (10) “…setting.”

The Senator believes hosting a school in the north would make it more likely those students would stay in the region after graduation.

Northern Louisiana is under a moderate risk for severe weather tonight and central and southwest Louisiana are under an enhanced risk of severe weather. National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Thorne says the timing of this event produces an added danger…
cut 6 (11) “…people being asleep”
The severe weather threat shifts to southeast Louisiana tomorrow.

Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock is pushing for the construction of a dental school in north Louisiana. Peacock says the Board of Regents is looking at the proposal and awaiting for more information from LSU…
cut 9 (08) “…funded”
The potential dental school would presumably be a part of the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine.

A pitch to construct a hotel and conference center at Fontainebleau State Park sees heavy opposition at a meeting organized by Mandeville’s mayor. There have been rumors of placing a casino there as well, but Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says those rumors are untrue.
Cut 10 (11) “…pulled that back.”
But some residents in the area believe the hotel and conference center will be constructed anyway, despite opposition.

Even though many LSU students plan on spending the day in New Orleans Monday and staying up late, the school says the spring semester will still start as previously scheduled on Monday. LSU Faculty Senate President Doctor Mandi Lopez says canceling classes would hurt students in the long run…
cut 14 (12) “…class days’

The threat for severe thunderstorms will increase later this afternoon for the western side of the state. Shreveport, Ruston, Monroe and Natchitoches are all under a moderate risk for severe weather. That means damaging winds, tornadoes, hail and heavy rainfall are possible.

A state senator wants the Board of Regents to OK construction of a new dental school in the Shreveport/Bossier area. Matt Doyle spoke with him about the request…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A proposal to build a hotel and conference center at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville is running into opposition from local residents who are concerned over the impact the new buildings would have on wildlife and drainage. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has requested a feasibility study and told a rowdy crowd at a public meeting that if development were to occur, it would be an environmentally friendly facility…
cut 12 (11) “…parks in Louisiana.
Not only would there be a hotel and convention center, the proposal also calls for horseback riding and a zipline that could generate as much 2-point-five million dollars a year.

LSU Faculty Senate President Doctor Mandi Lopez says classes will take place Monday, despite LSU playing in the national championship game that night…
cut 13 (11) “…period”

North and central Louisiana could see tornados, hail and damaging winds late tonight as the climate prediction center calls for a moderate risk of severe weather for this part of the state. National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Thorne says moisture from the gulf will clash with a cold front
Cut 4 (08) “…that cold front.”

It got spicy at a public meeting this week in Mandeville where Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser discussed building a hotel and conference center at Fontainbleau State Park. Area residents are concerned about the proposal and Nungesser says state representative-elect Richard Nelson took it a step too far when he swiped his microphone when addressing the crowd…
cut 11 (08) “….plans there either”
Nungesser is shooting down rumors of a proposed casino at the state park.

Former Jennings high school football star Travis Etienne returns to his home state to play LSU in the national championship game on Monday.
The two-time ACC Offensive Player of the year understands he has a unique opportunity in front of him…
cut 18 (09) “…take care of business”
Both teams arrive in New Orleans later today.

Even though many LSU students plan on spending the day in New Orleans Monday and staying up late, the school says the spring semester will still start as previously scheduled on Monday. LSU Faculty Senate President Doctor Mandi Lopez says canceling classes would hurt students in the long run…
cut 14 (12) “…class days’

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Jeff Palermo….
cut 30
That’s Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham reading the names of 43 Louisiana soldiers killed by I-E-D’s manufactured by Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Abraham read the names before the House voted on a resolution seeking to restrain President Trump’s war powers.

A proposed hotel and conference center at Fontainbleau State Park is not sitting well with residents in the Mandeville area. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock is pushing to have a dental school built in the Shreveport/Bossier area, as the only school currently in the state is in New Orleans. Peacock says Louisiana really needs another dental school in general. He says our residents suffer from low levels of access to oral healthcare.
Cut 7 (11) “…thousand.”
The legislature has asked the Board of Regents to study the proposal.

Even though LSU will play for a national championship in New Orleans on Monday, the spring semester will still start Monday and there are no plans to cancel classes. LSU Faculty Senate President Doctor Mandi Lopez says with many classes only meeting once or twice a week, losing that time would be detrimental…
cut 15 (08) “….planned”

LSU students will not have Monday or Tuesday off for the National Championship game…
Cut 3 (30) “… I’m Matt Doyle”

The Board of Regents has postponed a vote on a proposal that would penalize public colleges financially for not complying with admission standards. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says LSU has violated the board’s constitution by relying less on standardized test scores and grade point averages for admission. The Board is seeking more info before making a vote.

Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock would like to see the Board of Regents approve construction for a new dental school in the Shreveport-Bossier area. The only dental school in the state is in New Orleans. Peacock says the dental school in north Louisiana could result in more dentists in the region and more dentists are needed because some residents are using the ER for their emergency dental needs…
cut 8 (10) “….setting”
The Board of Regents is waiting for more information from LSU on the feasibility of building a new dental school before making a decision.

There’s a moderate risk for severe weather in for much of north Louisiana tonight as a strong cold front is set to sweep through the state…
cut 5 (06) “….the front”
That’s National Weather Service Shreveport meteorologist Brandon Thorne.

A state senator want the Board of Regents to OK construction of a new dental school in the Shreveport/Bossier area. Matt Doyle spoke with him about the request…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The possibility of having a hotel and conference center constructed in Fontainbleau State Park is not sitting well with residents in the Mandeville area. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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LSU students hoping to get Monday or Tuesday off for the National Championship better think again…

Cut 3 (30)  “… I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Northwest Louisiana is could see tornados in the late night hours tonight as forecasters are calling for a moderate risk of severe weather.  National Weather Service Shreveport meteorologist Brandon Thorne says moisture from the gulf clashing with a cold front is to blame.

Cut 4 (08) “…that cold front.”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has activated the crisis team in preparation for the storm.

Thorne says the possibility is present for some isolated supercells to develop ahead of the front.

Cut 5 (06) “…of the front.”

A squall line type of a system is expected along the front, producing an extremely strong wind event.

Louisiana is no stranger to tornado outbreaks and Thorne says the timing of the weather’s impact on northwest Louisiana produces an added danger.

Cut 6 (11) “…people being asleep.”

The system will push into southeast Louisiana Saturday morning with an enhanced risk of severe weather.

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Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock is pushing to have a dental school built in the Shreveport/Bossier area, as the only school currently in the state is in New Orleans.

Peacock says to start, Louisiana really needs another dental school in general. He says our residents suffer from low levels of access to oral healthcare.

Cut 7 (11) “…thousand.”

The issue is being studied thanks to a Legislative request from the last session.

Peacock says north Louisiana, in particular, is underserved, leading to expensive, and dangerous outcomes where people are taking their oral needs to an ER.

Cut 8 (10) “…setting.”

The Senator believes hosting a school in the north would make it more likely those students would stay in the region after graduation.

Peacock says if you’re going to build a new dental school anywhere, it should be in the healthcare hub that is Shreveport/Bossier. Before the Board of Regents agrees to anything though, they have to answer…

Cut 9 (08) “…funded”

The potential dental school would presumably be a part of LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine.

_____________________________

A pitch to construct a hotel and conference center in Fontainbleau State Park in the Mandeville area sees heavy opposition at a meeting organized by Mandeville’s mayor.  Rumors that had circulated about the facility also being a casino, adding more opposition, but Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says those rumors were untrue.

Cut 10 (11) “…pulled that back.”

Nungesser says state park lodging development is something that has been done in 26 other states, with revenue generated going towards nature conservation efforts, but adds if the majority of residents or elected officials are in opposition, nothing will be done.  Nungesser says State Representative-elect Richard Nelson forcefully swiped his microphone when addressing area residents.

Cut 11 (08) “…plans there either.”

Nungesser says if development were to occur, it would be an environmentally friendly facility and that it is important to move slowly and look at every opportunity seriously.

Cut 12 (11) “…parks in Louisiana.”

_____________________________

LSU students will not be getting Monday or Tuesday off to prepare for, or recover from the CFP National Championship game Monday night.

Many students have called for an off-day or two because of the historic contest, but LSU Faculty Senate President Dr. Mandi Lopez says it’s not going to happen.

Cut 13 (11) “…period.”

Those with 8 AM Tuesday classes may shudder to hear it, but Lopez says taking off the first two days of the semester would just end up hurting students in the long run.

Cut 14 (12) “…class days”

Monday and Tuesday mark the start of the new semester, and Lopez says with many classes only meeting once or twice a week, losing that time would be highly detrimental.

Cut 15 (08) “…planned.”

So eat a big meal before the game, drink plenty of water, and have a Gatorade ready to go for your morning classes.

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LSU and Clemson will arrive in New Orleans later today to continue their preparations for Monday’s national championship. Lawrence and the Tigers are looking to repeat as chams

Cut 16  (15)  …to expect” 

With the game being played in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, Lawrence says they’ve prepared like they are playing a road game

Cut 17  (14) “really fun” 

LSU’s defense will have to figure out a way to slow down two-time ACC Offensive Player of the year in Clemson running back Travis Etienne. The junior from Jennings understands he has a unique opportunity in front of him…

cut 18  (09) of business”   

Clemson has won 29 straight. The Tigers last loss was to Alabama in the 2018 Sugar bowl. Etienne was a freshman that season and didn’t play well in that game after taking a big hit on the opening kickoff

cut 19 (16)  my brothers  

A study shows a net 28,000 college educated Louisianans migrated out of the state between 2007 and 2017, with a net 38,000 aged 25-54 leaving for greener pastures. Study author UL Lafayette Professor of Economics Gary Wagner says three-quarters of the migration is heading to just four states.

Cut 4 (09) “…Virginia.”

Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, New York, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania all had net positive migration to Louisiana…

Former LSU athletics director Joe Alleva spoke candidly to Advocate columnist Scott Rabalais about moves made during his tenure. Alleva detailed his support for hiring Coach O over more prominent names like Tom Herman and Jimbo Fisher, and lamented Les Miles failure to utilize his wealth of talent…

Cut 8 (11) “…at Michigan”

President of the Louisiana Association of Educators Dr. Tia Mills says the recent resignation of the state’s education superintendent John White is a welcomed change. Mills says many educators were not thrilled with his administration.

Cut 9 (07) “…across the state.”

White clashed with teacher unions on several issues, including the expansion of the state’s voucher program and student-testing is now a major component of teacher evaluations.

President Donald Trump officially qualifies to appear on the ballot for the April 4th presidential primary in Louisiana. Attorney General Jeff Landry filed the paperwork…

Cut 14 (12) “…Democrat is nominated.”

So far, nine Democrats have qualified in Louisiana for the primary. In November 2016, Donald Trump received one-point-one million votes, the most votes ever in Louisiana history.

A study shows Louisiana lost a net 28,000 college-educated workers to other states in a ten year period starting in 2007. Matt Doyle spoke with the study’s author…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

An I-10 traffic stop near Port Allen by State Police leads to the arrest of a California man accused of human trafficking.  The trooper became suspicious of criminal activity consistent with human trafficking after speaking with the 22 year old female passenger.  The suspect, 44-year old Ruben Delgado was booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail.

President Donald Trump officially qualifies to appear on the Louisiana Republican primary ballot in 2020. Attorney General Jeff Landry filed the paperwork on behalf of the President at the Secretary of State’s office this morning.

Cut 12 (12) “…I happily accepted.”

The primary is April 4th.

Former LSU athletics director Joe Alleva spoke candidly to Advocate columnist Scott Rabalais about moves made during his tenure. Alleva hired Ed Orgeron as head football coach in 2016. But in 2015 there were reports LSU wanted to fire Les Miles and hire then-Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher. In the Rabalais’ column, Alleva said he was not interested in Fisher

Cut 6 (11) “about that”