1:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

New Orleans is reinstating their indoor mask mandate beginning Wednesday due the rapid increase in COVID cases causing disruptions in schools and overwhelming hospitals. New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno.

Cut 9 further notice :11

Baton Rouge area businessman Gary Chambers is running for US Senate.  In 2021, Chambers ran for the District 2 U.S. House seat left vacant by Cedric Richmond and finished third. Chambers says he wants to better represent Louisiana’s working people and he supports the Biden Administration’s proposals, one in particular.

Cut 7 (09) “…infrastructure in this state.” 

Luke Mixon is also running as a democrat against incumbent Republican John Kennedy.

A study shows Louisiana ranks among the worst states for pay for individual caregivers. Sean Marchese (mar-KEZZ) a registered nurse and writer/researcher says the average pay is $11 or less an hour and there’s a very high turnover in the “industry” because it is both physically and emotionally demanding.

Cut 4 (13) “…are also working.”

LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has signed a name, image, and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. There were rumors Boutte may enter the transfer portal, but McKernan believes this N-I-L deal helped convince him to stay at LSU.

Cut 13 (10) “…for him “

12:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

New Orleans is reinstating their indoor mask mandate beginning tomorrow due to an increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations. The mandate is effective at 6 am Wednesday for all indoor spaces including schools.

Baton Rouge businessman and blogger, Gary Chambers says he’ll run for U.S. Senate, the second Democrat to challenge John Kennedy. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A recent study says, Louisiana ranks among the worst states for meeting the need for individual caregivers. Sean Marchese (mar-KEZZ) a registered nurse and oncology writer/researcher says the first identifiable problem is average pay of less than $11 an hour in Louisiana, the lowest in the nation and a great number don’t get paid at all.

Cut 3 (13) “…the past year.”

LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has signed a name, image, and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. The Baton Rouge lawyer says they’ve been looking to reach an N-I-L deal with a Tiger football player…

Cut 12 (12) “…enter that space.”  

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Georgia showed it’s hard to beat the same team twice during a college football season as the Bulldogs avenged their loss to Alabama in the SEC championship game to beat the Crimson Tide 33-18 in last night’s college football playoff championship game. It completes a dominant season for Georgia as they won 13 games by 15 points or more. It’s also their first natty since 1980.

There is no movement on expanding the college football playoff. The College Football Playoff Management Committee concluded meetings without coming to a resolution on a format that would make the leaders of the major conferences happy. Whether to have automatic qualifiers is a big sticking point.

Former LSU great Kevin Faulk is heading into the College Football Hall of Fame as he’s among the 18 players and three coaches selected to be enshrined in December. Faulk is LSU’s all-time leading rusher and still leads the SEC in career all-purpose yards. He was a three-time All-SEC selection from 1996 to 98.

The Saints have many questions to answer as they head into the offseason. Figuring out the quarterback position is a big one. New Orleans is also hoping to get a healthy Michael Thomas next season. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says another major decision facing the Saints is whether to re-sign Marcus Williams and if they don’t, it’s a position they’ll have to address in the draft or in free agency….
cut 18 (12) “…for the Saints”
Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland will reportedly interview with the Bears as Chicago is looking for a G-M to replace the fired Ryan Pace, who used to be in the Saints front office.

Meanwhile, Saints quarterback Taysom Hill will need on surgery on his left foot which he injured in the regular-season finale. Coach Sean Payton says it’s possible two procedures will be required. Payton did not give a recovery timetable but expects he’ll be ready for the start of the 2022 season.

11:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

The candidate pool for US Senate is growing in Louisiana, a second democrat, Baton Rouge businessman Gary Chambers has thrown his hat in the ring against the state’s junior Senator John Kennedy. Chambers a self-described advocate says he’s running to help make life better for the Bayou State.

Cut 6 take our state forward :11

Kennedy’s other Democratic challenger is Luke Mixon. The political newcomer appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and criticized Kennedy for not voting for the infrastructure bill that Mixon says will bring Louisiana better roads, clean drinking water, and expanded broadband…

Cut 14 (10)  “…solving problems”
Kennedy says only 23-percent of the infrastructure bill actually goes to infrastructure.

A Louisiana-based company called TeleLeaf is helping patients who need access to medical marijuana. Customer Service Manager Brianna Hardy says some are hesitant to try medical cannabis after pharmaceutical options proved disappointing and caused side effects that created additional health problems.

Cut 6 (11) “…other conditions.”

For more information go to tele-leaf-dot-com.

When COVID shut down Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the creation of house floats. And how some folks compete with neighbors to have the best Christmas decorations, Mardi Gras season is even more extravagant. You can call on a professional like Ian Darrow at Stronghold Studios in New Orleans.

Cut 7 (08) “…house floats.”

For more information visit Stronghold Studio’s website.

10:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

The state panel that determines exactly how much money state government has meets today in Baton Rouge.  It’s expected the Revenue Estimating Conference will officially recognize a budget surplus from the fiscal year that ended at last June. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the state has misspent excess cash in the past…:

CUT 11(08)      “…smart decisions.”

The R.E.C. is also expected to project revenues for the current fiscal year and the next.

The mid-term elections are taking shape, with two Democrats now announced to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator John Kennedy. One is Luke Mixon, who actually made his intentions known back in October. Today, Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers says he too will seek to unseat Kennedy. Chambers ran for the House in 2020, and got a good percentage of the vote, but failed to make the primary.

 

Bossier Parish deputies arrest a local man for alleged possession of child pornography and images of bestiality. An investigation of 35-year-old Michael Lofton’s computer and cell phone turned up numerous images; leading to his arrest. His bond is set at $450-thousand.

An all-time great running back at LSU is headed to the College Football Hall of Fame. Jeff Palermo reports Kevin Faulk will be enshrined in December…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Palermo.”

09:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

Candidates are beginning to line up for the fall mid-term elections. Baton Rouge area blogger and activist Gary Chambers, a Democrat, says he will run to unseat John Kennedy in the U.S. Senate. Chambers ran for the U.S. House District 1 seat in 2020, and made a good showing, though he didn’t make the runoff.

When COVID canceled Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the new tradition of house floats, and one designer says they’re busier than last year. Brooke Thorington throws out the details.

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

 

U.S. Senate candidate Luke Mixon is criticizing  Senator John Kennedy for voting to overturn the 2020 presidential results. Mixon is one of two announced Democratic challengers to Kennedy’s 2022 re-election bid. The other is Gary Chambers, as mentioned earlier. At the Baton Rouge Press Club, Mixon says Kennedy betrayed his oath to the Constitution when he objected to Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona…:

CUT 13(07)      “…of democracy.”

There’s now a new way to receive a prescription for medical marijuana in Louisiana. It’s a telemedicine platform by the name of TeleLeaf. Creator and CEO Gary Hess, a US Marine vet who suffered from PTSD, unfortunately, says there’s still a stigma surrounding cannabis use…:

CUT 04(07)      “…convenient.”

You must first register on the website; “teleleaf.com.”

8:30 LRN Newscast January 11

Baton Rouge community activist Gary Chambers is entering the U-S Senate race to challenge Republican Incumbent John Kennedy. Chamber ran for Cedric Richmond’s former Congressional seat last year.

There are two announced Democrats opposing Kennedy in the November primary. The other is Luke Mixon, a Bunkie native, who graduated from the U-S Naval Academy and is a decorated fighter pilot. The political newcomer appeared at the Baton Rouge press club and says he wants to represent the best interest of all Louisiana citizens…
cut 15 (07) “…screened over”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today at the State Capitol and it’s expected the panel will officially recognize a budget surplus from the last fiscal year. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says they’ll have an extra 400-million dollars to spend on certain one-time projects…
Cut 10 (06) “…like that.”

Belle Chasse native and retired marine corp infantry officer Gary Hess has created a telemedicine platform by the name of TeleLeaf. Hess suffers from PTSD and has found medical marijuana has improved his condition. Hess says teleleaf-dot-com can help patients find a doctor to prescribe medical marijuana…
cut 5 (10) “….are seeing”
He says to register go to tele-leaf-dot-com.

The House float tradition continues for this Mardi Gras. It was born last year as a way to celebrate the carnival season without parades. Ian Darrow with Stronghold Studios says the average cost is three to six thousand dollars and he says they’ve decorated homes in traditional Mardi Gras style and some customers choose decor to reflect their heritage, profession or even…
cut 9 (08) “…I would say”

7:30 LRN newscast January 11

Senator John Kennedy has picked up another challenger in his bid for re-election. Baton Rouge community activist Gary Chambers announced today he’s challenging Kennedy. He is a Democrat, who says he supports the Build Better Act, a voting rights bill and he’s an advocate for Medicare for All.

Kennedy’s other Democratic challenger is Luke Mixon. The political newcomer appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and criticized Kennedy for not voting for the infrastructure bill that Mixon says will bring Louisiana better roads, clean drinking water and expanded broadband…:
cut 14 (10) “…solving problems”
Kennedy says only 23-percent of the infrastructure bill actually goes to infrastructure.

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets at the state capitol today. It’s expected that economists will tell the panel the revenues coming into the state’s coffers are better than projected. But House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue warns the good budget times might not last much longer…:
cut 12 (05) “….few years”

Louisiana military vet Gary Hess has created a telemedicine platform called TeleLeaf to help those who suffer from PTSD get connected with medical marijuana. TeleLeaf Customer Service Manager Brianna Hardy says many patients are hesitant to try medical marijuana after previous pharmaceutical options proved disappointing and caused side effects that created additional health problems.
Cut 6 (11) “…other conditions.”
For more information go to tele-leaf-dot-com.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought us house floats last year as a way to celebrate Mardi Gras, when there were no parades. Parades are back, but residents are still decorating their homes like a float. Stronghold Studios normally assists with movie sets, but Ian Darrow says when COVID closed down film production, they added house floats to their repertoire and a new line of work…
cut 8 (11) “….other people”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Georgia avenged its loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship game by rolling the Crimson Tide 33-18 in last night’s college football championship game. It’s the first national title for the Bulldogs since 1980.

Prior to the game, the College Football Playoff management committee met, but could not come to an agreement on expanding the current four-team playoff format. The panel reportedly can’t agree on whether there should be automatic playoff qualifiers, revenue streams, and if bowl games should be part of the playoff format.

Former LSU great Kevin Faulk is heading into the College Football Hall of Fame as he’s among the 18 players and three coaches selected to be enshrined in December. Faulk is the school’s leading rusher and still leads the SEC in career all-purpose yards. He was a three-time All-SEC selection from 1996 to 98. Faulk will speak about the accomplishment at 12:15 on the LSU campus.

NFL analyst Mike Detillier says figuring out the quarterback position is the number one priority for the Saints this offseason. Detillier does not believe the Saints starting quarterback in 2022 is currently on the roster and expects New Orleans to trade for a veteran Q-B
Cut 16 (20) “…number of teams.”
Detillier says San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo is another possibility.

Meanwhile, Saints quarterback Taysom Hill will need on surgery on his left foot which he injured in the regular-season finale. Coach Sean Payton says it’s possible two procedures will be required. Payton did not give a recovery timetable but expects he’ll be ready for the start of the 2022 season. Hill is under contract for next season.

6:30 LRN newscast January 11

U-S Senate candidate Luke Mixon is criticizing Senator John Kennedy for voting to overturn the 2020 presidential results. Mixon is a Democratic challenger to Kennedy’s 2022 re-election bid. He appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and says Kennedy betrayed his oath to the Constitution when he objected to Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona…
Cut 13 (07) “…of democracy”
Kennedy told WWL-TV in New Orleans in May he never thought the Presidential election was stolen but believed there were irregularities.

When COVID shut down Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the creation of house floats. And how some folks compete with neighbors to have the best Christmas decorations, Mardi Gras season is even more extravagant. You can call on a professional like Ian Darrow at Stronghold Studios in New Orleans.
Cut 7 (08) “…house floats.”

After a Louisiana Marine vet tried medical cannabis for his PTSD, he says it was a game-changer and now he wants to help others. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”