11:40 LRN Sportscast

There’s good news for LSU’s defensive line as potential starter Neil Farrell has decided to play this season after originally deciding not to play because of COVID-19 concerns. The senior led the D-Line in tackles last season with 46. He also had seven tackles for a loss and three sacks.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, LSU’s offense broke all kinds of records on its way to a perfect 15-0 record last season. Wide receiver Terrace Marshall doesn’t see why they can’t be just as productive even though Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are not with the Purple and Gold in 2020…
cut 20 (19) “ last year”

The battle between Tom Brady and Drew Brees did not live up to its hype in Sunday’s season-opening win for the Saints. Brady was intercepted twice, while Brees threw for 160 yards, his lowest total ever in a full game played at the Superdome. New Orleans could not get its running game going either, averaging just 2.4 yards a rush. Latavius Murray led the team with 15 carries on 48 yards. Murray knows they can play better on offense…
cut 18 (14) “….this point”
The Saints next game is Monday night against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Louisiana Tech has added BYU to its football schedule. The Bulldogs will play the Cougars on Friday, October second in Provo.

Tulane Head Football Coach Will Fritz has signed a contract extension that keeps him on the Green Wave sidelines through 2026. The 60-year-old Fritz has led the Greenies to back-to-back bowl victories.

1130 AM LRN

Entergy Louisiana expects to have power available to the majority of customers in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes by September 23rd, with the remaining customers online by September 30th. Laura came ashore August 24th and Entergy Louisiana spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says she left an incredible amount of damage in her wake…

Cut 6, 8 seconds, though

48,500 customers remain without power in Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes.

Hurricane Laura caused an estimated 525-million dollars in damage to Louisiana farmers and 1.1 billion dollars to the state timber industry. AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says in comparison, agricultural losses from Hurricanes Rita and Katrina totaled one-point-five billion dollars. But Guidry says crops were not as affected this year as in 2005…

Cut 4 (12)“ yield loss” 

Monroe-based Fortune 500 Company CenturyLink will now be known as Lumen Technologies, a change that Lumen Consumer Markets President Maxine Moreau says reflect’s their company’s new direction and goal of helping businesses through the fourth industrial revolution. If you’re a CenturyLink customer your existing services won’t be impacted…

Cut 6 (05) “…customers.” AM

CenturyLink was founded in 1930 as a telephone company based out of Oak Ridge.

Hurricane Sally looks set to dump up to 30 inches of rain on parts of Alabama as the system continues to tack more and more to the east and away from Louisiana. The Bayou State is now not expecting much of an impact other than some light storm surge, but Plaqumines Parish President Kirk Lepine says the initial forecasts had folks heading away from the coasts…

Cut 10 (09) “bank to evacuate.”

10:30 LRN Newscast September 15

The LSU AgCenter estimates Hurricane Laura caused 525-million dollars in damage to Louisiana farmers and one-point-one billion dollars to the Louisiana timber industry. AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says wind damage was the big factor…
cut 3 (11) “…timber damage”
In comparison, agricultural losses from hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005 totaled one-point-five billion dollars.

Monroe-based CenturyLink is changing its name to Lumen Technologies as the telecommunications provider says it’s reinventing itself so it can help its customers through the fourth Industrial Revolution. Consumer President Maxine Moreau says their new vision will not result in a re-location of headquarters…
cut 5 (08) “…CenturyLink”
Lumen as its now called employs 18-hundred workers.

Hurricane Sally is crawling towards a landfall near Dauphin Island, Alabama tomorrow morning with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour. National Weather Service New Orleans Meteorologist Robert Ricks says Sally is moving northwest at just two miles per hour…
cut 13 (10) “…north-northeast”
Sally is no longer a threat to Louisiana, but Governor John Bel Edwards says state offices in a dozen parishes are closed today…
cut 7 (11) “…Washington”
We are now up to 20 named storms for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The record is 27 set in 2005. The next named storm this year will be Wilfred and then we move to the Greek Alphabet.

9:30 LRN Newscast September 15

Slow-moving Hurricane Sally is eyeing a landfall tomorrow along the Mississippi-Alabama coast as Louisiana is out of the cone of uncertainty. Matt Doyle has more on how the state is ready to help out its neighbors…
cut 2 (25) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A Storm surge warning is in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Florida as Sally is barely moving this morning. Plaquemines Parish President Kirk Lepine says he’s watching Sally closely until the storm moves away from the Gulf Coast…
cut 11 (08) “…guard down yet”
Monroe-based Centurylink is changing its name to Lumen Technologies as its preparing for the fourth industrial revolution. The company says they want to create a platform so that its users can link their smart devices, home security, internet, and more through a high-speed infrastructure. But Lumen Consumer Markets President Maxine Moreau says the Centurylink name is not completely going away…
cut 6 (05) “…customers”
Centurylink was founded in 1930 and employs over 40-thousand worldwide, 18-hundred in Louisiana.

The damage to the timber industry from Hurricane Laura is an estimated one-point-one billion dollars. That’s according to Louisiana Forestry Association executive director Buck Vandersteen…
Cut 30 (12) “…one time”
Vandersteen says Laura impacted 770-thousand acres of forest in 22 parishes.

8:30 LRN Newscast September 15

Hurricane warnings have been dropped in Louisiana as Hurricane Sally is eyeing a landfall tomorrow along the Mississippi-Alabama border. The Category One hurricane is barely moving and the center of the storm is 65 miles east of the mouth of the Mississippi River. National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Ricks says coastal parishes on the east side of the Mississippi River could still see some effects from Sally…
cut 15 (08) “…a little bit longer”
Historic flooding is possible in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida because of Sally’s slow movement. Governor John Bel Edwards says he spoke to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves…
cut 9 (10) “…those available”
Sally is expected to drop eight to 16 inches of rain from the Florida panhandle to southeastern Mississippi, two feet of rain is possible in isolated areas.

Monroe-based Fortune 500 Company CenturyLink has a new name, Lumen Technologies. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The state reported 497 new coronavirus cases yesterday bringing the state’s total to nearly 158-thousand. COVID-19 deaths rose by 17 to 5,082. The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital fell by 16 to 664 and the number of COVID patients using a ventilator fell by two, to 105.

7:30 LRN newscast

Hurricane warnings have been dropped from Louisiana’s coastline as Hurricane Sally is crawling towards a landfall near the Mississippi-Alabama coastline early tomorrow morning. National Weather Service New Orleans Meteorologist Robert Ricks says Sally is moving northwest at just two miles per hour…
cut 13 (10) “…north-northeast”
Southeast Louisiana is no longer in the cone of uncertainty, but Governor John Bel Edwards says state offices in a dozen parishes are closed today…
cut 7 (11) “…Washington”
We are now up to 20 named storms for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The record is 27 set in 2005. The next named storm this year will be Wilfred and then we move to the Greek Alphabet.

A portion of Louisiana’s coastline remains under a storm surge warning as Sally moves closer to the Central Gulf Coast. A storm surge of six to nine feet is expected from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Dauphin Island. Plaquemines Parish President Kirk Lepine says he’s concerned about flooded highways…
cut 12 (12) “….have Highway 39”

In other news, one of Louisiana’s two Fortune 500 Companies, CenturyLink based in Monroe, is changing its name to Lumen Technologies. Mass Markets President Maxine Moreau says they’re taking on a new vision that’s aimed at creating technology that helps companies through the 4th industrial revolution.
Cut 4 (10)“ …reality”
Moreau says their headquarters will remain in Monroe. Lumen employs 40-thousand worldwide, 18-hundred of them are in Louisiana.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Hurricane Sally is barely moving this morning at only two miles per hour as the center of the storm is 60 miles east-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Its maximum sustained winds are at 85 miles per hour. Sally is expected to head north this afternoon and make landfall near the Mississippi-Alabama border.

Kevin Barnhart reports Sally is in no rush to make landfall…
cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Sally is currently a Category One storm and we’ll make landfall late tonight or early tomorrow morning as a tropical storm.

It looks like Louisiana’s coastal parishes in southeast Louisiana have dodged a bullet from Hurricane Sally as the storm will stay to the east of the Bayou State. Plaquemines Parish President Kirk Lepine says residents did not take the threat from Sally lightly…
cut 10 (09) “…to evacuate”
The state has been concerned about Hurricane Laura evacuees who are sheltering in hotels in New Orleans. Governor Edwards says they had no plans to move those evacuees…
cut 8 (10) “…Sally”

6:45 LRN Sportscast September 15

The NFL Network reports Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas has a high ankle sprain, but Thomas hopes to play on Monday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Thomas was seen limping off the field in the fourth quarter after his ankle got rolled up on. Coach Sean Payton was asked if Thomas could have returned if needed
Cut 17 (14) “…the injuries”
Tampa Bay did a good job on Thomas as he was held to three catches on 17 yards.

Tulane Head Football Coach Will Fritz has signed a contract extension that keeps him on the Green Wave sidelines through 2026. The 60-year-old Fritz has led the Greenies to back-to-back bowl victories.

Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland is leaving after seven years for a job at Vanderbilt.

And La Tech has added BYU to its football schedule. The Bulldogs will play the Cougars on October second in Provo.

Defensive lineman Neil Farrell is reportedly returning to LSU after announcing in early August that he’s opting out of the 2020 season because of coronavirus concerns. At the time, Farrell said the virus hit his family hard and his grandmother was in the hospital. Last Thursday, Farrell tweeted that his grandmother is getting better every day and that he misses football. If Farrell returns, he’ll have a chance to start on the D-Line.

With Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase now gone from last year’s national championship team, Terrace Marshall becomes the LSU Tigers top receiver. The junior from Bossier City says his mindset hasn’t changed even with Chase’s recent decision to opt out of the 2020 season…
cut 19 (15) “…I’m prepared”

AM Newscall 09/15/2020

Monroe-based Fortune 500 Company CenturyLink renames itself Lumen Technologies. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

Governor Edwards says should Hurricane Sally continue to track east and Louisiana is spared the worst we’re ready to assist our neighbors in Mississippi and Alabama. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

Sally continues to approach land, but it is in no rush for landfall. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

_______________________________

One of Louisiana’s two Fortune 500 Companies, CenturyLink, is rebranding itself as Lumen Technologies.

Lumen Consumer Markets President Maxine Moreau says they’re taking on a new vision that’s aimed at creating technology that helps companies through the 4th industrial revolution.

Cut 4 (10)“ …reality” 

The other Fortune 500 Company based out of Louisiana is Entergy.

Moreau says the change in name and direction will not result in a change of location for their headquarters.

Cut 5 (08)  “…CenturyLink.”

CenturyLink was founded in 1930 as a telephone company based out of Oak Ridge.

Moreau says CenturyLink customers don’t need to worry about the change impacting the quality of their current services.

Cut 6 (05) “…customers.”

Lumen will focus on the development of high-speed fiber infrastructure alongside work in data management and security.

____________________

Sally isn’t expected to bullseye Louisiana but it could bring some tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain to the southeastern parts of the state.

Because southeast Louisiana still remains in the hurricane’s cone of uncertainty Governor Edwards announces state offices in 12 parishes will be closing today…

Cut 7 (11) “…Washington”

12,000 Hurricane Laura refugees are being housed by the state in New Orleans hotels and while the city is expecting heavy rains…

Cut 8 (09) “…Sally.”

12,700 Laura refugees are being housed in non-congregate settings across Louisiana by the state.

Edwards says he talked with Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves yesterday and told him should Sally continue tracking to the east and Louisiana is spared the worst, we’re ready to help.

Cut 9 (10) “…available”

____________________________

Plaquemines Parish residents may have dodged a bullet in avoiding the worst impacts of Hurricane Sally.  Parish President Kirk Lepine says residents did not take the initial threat lightly.

Cut 10 (09) “bank to evacuate.”

Lepine says the parish is now expecting the best, but they are continuing to brace for a storm that has shown an indecisive track in its slow approach to land.

Cut 11 (08) “…guard down yet.”

Lepine says the biggest concern with storms like Sally is the headache that can come from water inundating the transportation infrastructure.

Cut 12 (12) “…have HWY 39.”

___________________

It appears southeast Louisiana has dodged an unfavorable outcome with Hurricane Sally.  National Weather Service New Orleans Meteorologist Robert Ricks says the slow-moving storm has been crawling throughout the night.

Cut 13 (10) “…and northeast.”

As of the 1AM NHC advisory, a hurricane warning remains in effect from Grand Isle, Louisiana to Navarre, Florida.

Overnight, there has been a flare-up of new thunderstorms around Sally’s center.  Ricks says the slow motion of the storm can add complexities to models of its path.

Cut 14 (09) “…in the works.”

Ricks says southeast Louisiana residents need to still be cautious about the effects of Louisiana.

Cut 15 (08) “…a little bit longer.”

___________________________________________

The Saints didn’t have a stellar day on offense in their season opening win over Tampa Bay, but Coach Sean Payton is pleased with how his defense played against the Buccaneers new look offense. Payton says there was some mystery on what they would try to do with Tom Brady leading their offense…

Cut 16 (25) “…noticeable” 

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain in the vicotry. Thomas was seen limping off the field in the fourth quarter after his ankle got rolled up on. Payton was asked if Thomas could have returned if needed

Cut 17  (14) “…the injuries” 

As a team the Saints were held to 2.4 rushing yards. Latavius Murray led the team with 15 carries on 48 yards. Murray knows they can play better on offense

Cut 18  (14) “…this point”     

__________________________________________________________________

With Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase now gone from last year’s national championship team, Terrace Marshall becomes the LSU Tigers top receiver. The junior from Bossier City says his mindset hasn’t change even with Chase’s recent decision to opt out of the 2020 season…

cut 19 (15) “…I’m prepared”  

LSU’s offense broke all kinds of records on its way to a perfect 15-0 season. Marshall doesn’t see why they can’t be just as productive…

cut 20 (19) “ last year”  

1:30 AM Newscast

It appears southeast Louisiana has dodged an unfavorable outcome with Hurricane Sally.  National Weather Service New Orleans Meteorologist Robert Ricks says the slow-moving storm has been crawling throughout the night.

Cut 13 (10) “…and northeast.”

As of the 1AM NHC advisory, a hurricane warning remains in effect from Grand Isle, Louisiana to Navarre, Florida. Overnight, there has been a flare-up of new thunderstorms around Sally’s center.

Sally isn’t expected to bullseye Louisiana but it could bring some tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain to the southeastern parts of the state. Governor Edwards announced state offices in 12 parishes will be closing today…

Cut 7 (11) “…Washington”

Plaquemines Parish residents may have dodged a bullet in avoiding the worst impacts of Hurricane Sally.  Parish President Kirk Lepine says while parish residents are relieved by the latest forecast, they are continuing to brace for a storm that has shown an indecisive track in its slow approach to land.

Cut 11 (08) “…guard down yet.”

One of Louisiana’s two Fortune 500 Companies, CenturyLink, is rebranding itself as Lumen Technologies. Lumen Consumer Markets President Maxine Moreau says the change in name and direction will not result in a change of location for their headquarters.

Cut 5 (08)  “…CenturyLink.”

The other Fortune 500 Company based out of Louisiana is Entergy.