12:30 PM Newscast

Governor Edwards signs legislation barring residents from suing a restaurant, claiming they got the coronavirus from their business. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says it’s tough to prove where someone contracted COVID-19, but that wouldn’t stop someone from trying…

Cut 5 (10)  “…jobs”

But McMath notes that if restaurants refuse to follow COVID guidelines like mandatory mask wearing for employees they could still get sued.

The Louisiana House has approved two bills that Republicans say will lead to lower auto insurance rates because it would limit what a person can receive in compensation from an auto accident. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry remains skeptical…
Cut 15 (10) “…zero.”
The measure heads to the Senate for more consideration. Governor Edwards has already vetoed a similar bill.

Louisiana Highway 1 in Lafourche Parish receives $135 million in federal grant money to construct an 8.3-mile elevated highway from Leeville Bridge to Golden Meadow, making it the largest transportation grant in America. Congressman Garret Graves says the road is vital to get to Port Fourchon.
Cut 11 (13) “…the United States.”
The governor’s office says in order to alleviate the impacts of frequent flooding, the roadway will be elevated 22 feet above sea level and connect to the existing L-A one bridge.

The state reports the third straight day of double digit addition of COVID-19 hospitalizations, bringing the total to 588, up by 20. Total cases: 47,706… up by 534, but the Department of Health says 148 of those come from a testing backlog dating back to mid-April. There are 24 new deaths reported today, more than the last three days combined. Total death toll is at 2,930. Ventilator usage is at 77, up by one.

11:30 LRN Newscast June 16

Monday’s decision by the Supreme Court that LGBTQ people deserve equal treatment in the workplace is being celebrated by some while being a disappointing development to others. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

LSU has announced that Drew Dollar of West Monroe will not enroll in the fall. Dollar has been a source of controversy, because of a video of him on social media screaming a racial slur. LSU Black Male Leadership Initiative applauds the university’s decision.

Louisiana will receive a 135-million dollar federal grant that will elevate an eight-mile stretch of Highway One in Lafourche Parish that regularly floods. The state highway connects the rest of the nation with a critical national oil and gas hub, Port Fourchon. Congressman Garret Graves on when construction could begin…
cut 13 (11) “…quarter of 2021”

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a measure that would have created an incentive program for businesses to add employees. Edwards says it could lead to a substantial cost to the state, but the bill’s author Covington Representative Mark Wright disagrees on the cost of the legislation…
cut 4 (11) “..to it”
The legislation received overwhelming support in the legislature and it could be brought up again in a potential veto session.

11:40 LRN Sportscast June 16

LSU’s all-time leading rusher, Kevin Faulk, is once again on the College Football Hall of Fame Ballot. The 1999 graduate of LSU currently serves as the Tigers running backs coach. Faulk rushed for 4,557 yards and 46 touchdowns during his LSU career.

Louisiana Tech coaching legend Maxie Lambright is also on the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot. Lambright led the Bulldogs to three NCAA division two national titles, seven conference titles and he was the Southland Conference’s coach of the decade for the 1970s.

LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron said on a Baton Rouge radio station this morning that LSU pitcher Nick Storz is participating in the football team’s voluntary workout program. At six-foot-six, 282 pounds Strorz is getting a look at tight end.

Former LSU pitcher Cole Henry who was selected in the second round by the Washington Nationals says he will sign with the World Series champs.

Last week Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he was 100-percent sure there would be a baseball season in 2020. But last night on ESPN, Manfred said he’s longer confident there will be a baseball season. Owners and players have failed to come to an agreement on a return to play proposal and talks broke down over the weekend. On social media, the players say they are disgusted with Major League Baseball leadership.

The WNBA will have a season and the professional women’s basketball league plans to begin a 22-game regular season in late July without fans in Florida. The WNBA will have its regular playoff format, which will end in October.

Ouachita Christian star Hunter Herring was a ULM baseball commitment, now he’s given a verbal pledge to the U-L Lafayette football program. He’s a six-foot-four, 205-pound quarterback for the Eagles and is coming off a season in which he threw for nearly 18-hundred yards and 27 touchdowns for O-C-S, who won the Division Four state championship last season.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a bill that would have provided companies impacted by COVID-19 a rebate for hiring or rehiring employees. Covington Representative Mark Wright says businesses would be eligible for the program if they hired at least five people and added 40-thousand dollars in total payroll…
cut 3 (07) “…sticking it out”
But in the governor’s veto letter, Edwards said that the program would create such a large pool of eligible businesses, the potential cost to the state could be substantial.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center they’ve found a chemical compound that could be an effective drug for treating obesity and related diseases. Pennington Executive Director Doctor John Kirwan says BAM15 infiltrated fat cells in lab mice and produced weight loss without any additional physical exertion
Cut 5 (07) “…leaner.”
Human trials will be needed before the federal government believes its safe to take.

Republicans are trying again to pass a tort reform bill that seeks to lower auto insurance rates by making changes to the state’s legal system. The House approved two bills yesterday. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the legislation is similar to other states who pay much lower premiums.
Cut 16 (09) rates”
Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed similar legislation last week because he says there’s no guarantee that these legal changes will lead to lower rates. During Monday’s House Debate, Amite Representative Robby Carter tore into the bill over how it would impact the funding of court systems and it would hurt a person’s ability to receive adequate compensation if involved in a car wreck
Cut 17 (08) “…beginning”
The bill heads to the Senate.

9:30 LRN Newscast June 16

A tort reform bill aimed at lowering auto insurance rates has cleared the Louisiana House. Matt Doyle reports lawmakers are still trying to pass the legislation, even though the governor vetoed a similar bill because it does not mandate a rate decrease.…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards has signed into law a bill that creates a 300-million dollar small business grant program. The money is part of the one-point-eight billion dollars the state has received from the federal government in coronavirus relief assistance.

Governor Edwards supports the U-S Supreme Court’s ruling that extends workplace protections to gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals. But Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says he’s concerned it could result in an increase in lawsuits between workers and their employers…
cut 8 (11) “…lititgation rich field”
Edwards says the supreme court’s ruling proves he was on the right side of history when he issued a non-discrimination executive order in 2016.

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center say their studies show that a chemical compound known as BAM 15 prevented weight gain, fat buildup and reduces blood sugar in mice. Pennington Executive Director Dr. John Kirwan says if human trials are successful, BAM 15 could be taken as a supplement to treat obesity…
cut 6 (09) “…diet”

8:30 LRN Newscast June 16

The Louisiana House has approved tort reform legislation that aims to lower auto insurance rates. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed similar legislation saying it does not mandate lower rates for drivers. But Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says this new bill requires insurance companies to meet with the Insurance Commissioner to see how much money this legislation has saved them…
Cut 14 (04) “…accordingly.”
The bill passed with a veto-proof margin, 73 yeas to 25 nays.

The U-S Department of Transportation is providing a 135-million dollar grant to elevate an eight-mile stretch of LA 1 in Lafourche Parish. Congressman Garret Graves says L-A one is impassable too often because of flooding and that cuts off access to Port Fourchon…
cut 12 (12) “…extended period”

The US Supreme Court has delivered a landmark ruling that says a civil rights law from the 1960s also prohibits discrimination in the workplace against gays, lesbians and transgender people. But Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says it may also result in unknown ramifications.
Cut 7 (11) “…releasing an employee.”
Governor Edwards says the Supreme Court ruling confirms that prejudice and discrimination on any basis are not Louisiana values.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says a chemical compound called BAM15 has shown in lab studies with mice that it could be a potential treatment for obesity. Pennington Executive Director Dr. John Kirwan says the results have been impressive.
Cut 4 (07) “potential.”
Kirwan says mice given BAM 15 burned more calories than their untreated counterparts. Human trials are the next step in their research.

7:30 LRN Newscast June 16

Louisiana reported five new coronavirus deaths yesterday bringing the state’s death toll to 2,906. The five fatalities are the lowest one-day total for the state since March. But we are starting to see an uptick in hospitalizations as 12 more people were hospitalized with COVID-19.

A new fat-burning substance is discovered in the labs at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Republicans are trying again to pass a tort reform bill that seeks to lower auto insurance rates by making changes to the state’s legal system. The House approved two bills yesterday. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the legislation is similar to other states who pay much lower premiums.
Cut 16 (09) rates”
Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed similar legislation last week because he says there’s no guarantee that these legal changes will lead to lower rates.

The governor is applauding a ruling from the U-S Supreme Court that provides workplace protections for gay and transgender individuals. Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk says LGBT employees can now go to work and know they can’t be fired because of sexual orientation or gender identity…
cut 9 (05) “….their head”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

C-N-N has hired Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins as a contributor. Jenkins will continue to play football, but he’ll make himself available to the cable news network to speak on racial and social justice issues on various studio programs.

In the NFL, several players on the Cowboys and Texans have tested positive for COVID-19. The agent for star Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliot says his client was one of the players who tested positive.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is encouraging a team to sign Collin Kaepernick. Meanwhile, Kaepernick’s former team, the 49ers have given head coach Kyle Shanahan a new six-year contract after leading San Francisco to the Super Bowl last season.

Former LSU pitcher Cole Henry who was selected in the second round by the Washington Nationals says he will sign with the World Series champs. Henry’s LSU career lasted just one year and a month.

Last week Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he was 100-percent sure there would be a baseball season in 2020. But last night on ESPN, Manfred said he’s longer confident there will be a baseball season. Owners and players have failed to come to an agreement on a return to play proposal and talks broke down over the weekend. On social media, the players say they are disgusted with Major League Baseball leadership.

The WNBA will have a season and the professional women’s basketball league plans to begin a 22-game regular season in late July without fans in Florida. The WNBA will have its regular playoff format and it will end in October.

Ouachita Christian star Hunter Herring was a ULM baseball commitment, now he’s given a verbal pledge to the U-L Lafayette football program. He’s a six-foot-four, 205-pound quarterback for the Eagles and is coming off a season in which he threw for nearly 18-hundred yards and 27 touchdowns for O-C-S, who won the Division Four state championship last season.

6:30 LRN Newscast June 16

The Louisiana House has approved two bills that Republicans say will lead to lower auto insurance rates because it would limit what a person can receive in compensation from an auto accident. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry remains skeptical…
cut 15 (10) “….zero”
The measure heads to the Senate for more consideration. Governor Edwards has already vetoed a similar bill.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center they’ve found a chemical compound that can be an effective drug for treating obesity and related diseases. Pennington Executive Director Doctor John Kirwan says BAM15 infiltrated fat cells in lab mice and produced weight loss without any additional physical exertion
Cut 5 (07) “…leaner.”
Human trials will be needed before the federal government believes its safe to take.

Louisiana Highway 1 in Lafourche Parish receives $135 million in federal grant money to construct an 8.3-mile elevated highway from Leeville Bridge to Golden Meadow, making it the largest transportation grant in America. Congressman Garret Graves says the road is vital to get to Port Fourchon.
Cut 11 (13) “…the United States.”
The governor’s office says in order to alleviate the impacts of frequent flooding, the roadway will be elevated 22 feet above sea level and connect to the existing L-A one bridge.

AM Newscall 06/16/2020

A new fat-burning substance is discovered in the labs at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________

Monday’s decision by the Supreme Court that LGBTQ people deserve equal treatment in the workplace is being celebrated by some while being a disappointing development to others. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

Revisions to a regular session tort reform bill that was vetoed by the Governor appear to have won the effort a veto-proof majority in the House…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________________

Pennington Biomedical Research Center researchers say a chemical compound called BAM15 shows great promise as a metabolism increasing fat burner.

Pennington Executive Director Dr. John Kirwan says they found the compound in a chemical library and administered it to lab mice. He says the results were impressive.

Cut 4 (07) “potential.”

BAM15 is not a substance that occurs naturally in the human body.

Kirwan says BAM15 infiltrated fat cells in those lab mice and showed weight loss in the test group without any additional physical exertion compared to the control group.

Cut 5 (07) “…leaner.”

BAM15 was also shown to reduce blood sugar and insulin levels in lab mice.

Test results showed BAM15 actively increased passive fat burn in test mice for hours after it was taken. Kirwan says it is also easy to administer as a supplement.

Cut 6 (09) “…diet.”

The substance will have to move to human trial next and would likely not be available for several years should it prove safe and effective.

______________________________________________________

The US Supreme Court’s decision on Monday of extending the protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to apply to gay and transgender workers is being considered a historic ruling.  Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says it may result in unknown ramifications.

Cut 7 (11) “…releasing an employee.”

Mills says this could result in an uptick of lawsuits between workers and their employers.

Cut 8 (11) “…litigation-rich field.”

Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk says this decision means that LGBTQ individuals can now go to work with the peace of mind knowing that they have every right to be there.

Cut 9 (08) “…over their head.”

The decision came on a 6-3 vote, with two votes coming from conservative judges, including President Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch.  Handwerk says this is another step in the right direction for equality for those in the LGBTQ community.

Cut 10 (09) “…a good day.”

________________________________________

Louisiana Highway 1 in Lafourche Parish receives $135 million in federal grant money to construct an 8.3 mile elevated highway from Leeville Bridge to Golden Meadow, making it the largest transportation grant in America.  Congressman Garret Graves says the road is vital to get to Port Fourchon.

Cut 11 (13) “…the United States.”

The money comes as part of the FAST Act which requires that projects which support national energy security priority consideration for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program.

Sections of the highway are so low that the road can go under water with a high tide or a strong wind, but experiences the most trouble with storm surge from tropical systems.  Graves says shutdowns of the roadway have widespread impacts.

Cut 12 (12) “…of extended period.”

Graves says the plans have been in the works since the mid-90’s and the total construction time would likely span 18 to 24 months.

Cut 13 (11) “…quarter of 2021.” 

______________________________

The House passes legislation making revisions to the tort reform effort that was vetoed by the Governor, winning a veto-proof majority for the bill in the process.

Bill sponsor Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says the legislation requires insurance companies to meet with the Insurance Commissioner to see how much money this legislation has saved them…

Cut 14 (04) “…accordingly.”

The bill makes a few adjustments relative to legislation that was vetoed by Governor Edwards, namely decreasing the jury trial threshold further to 5,000 dollars from the previous bill’s 10,000 dollars. The current threshold is 50,000 dollars.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says just because companies are required to meet with the Commissioner, doesn’t mean he can, or will force them to lower rates.

Cut 15 (10) “…zero.”

Landry noted even the ten percent promised reduction in rates would still give us some of the top five highest rates in the nation, which needs to be addressed through other legislation.

Erath Representative Blake Miguez they’ve worked hard to make sure this bill ensures Louisiana’s legal system more closely reflects our neighbors who pay much lower premiums.

Cut 16 (09)  rates” 

But Amite Representative Robby Carter tore into the bill over how it would impact our ability to fund court systems and ensure injured victims receive just compensation.

Cut 17  (08) “…beginning” 

The bill heads to the Senate.

___________________________