11:40 LRN Sportscast April 12

Fresh off of LSU’s first SEC road sweep in nearly five years, head coach Jay Johnson had plenty of good things to say about his Tigers, starting with a pitching staff that seems to be coming together…

Cut 16 (20) “…a great job.”

LSU travels to Fayetteville to face Arkansas this weekend in a critical three-game series.

Former LSU men’s basketball guard Brandon Murray has found his landing spot. He will join former Tigers assistant coach Kevin Nickelberry in the nation’s capital at Georgetown next season. Murray averaged 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists last season.

The NBA Play-in tournament starts tonight with Brooklyn hosting Cleveland in the East, and the Clippers visiting the Timberwolves out West. The Pelicans host San Antonio tomorrow night.

A pair of LSU women’s basketball players were taken in Monday’s WNBA Draft. Guard Khayla Pointer was taken with the thirteenth pick by the Las Vegas Aces. Pointer’s aunt, and former coach at LSU, Nikki Fargas is the team’s president. Her teammate with the Tigers, Faustine Aifuwa, was also taken by the Aces in the third round. Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard was the first overall selection, chosen by the Atlanta Dream.

The woman many call the greatest player in LSU women’s basketball history will be honored as such…Monday afternoon the university announced that Seimone Augustus will become the first female athlete to have a statue placed outside of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. While at LSU, Augustus led the Tigers to three consecutive Final Four appearances and was a two-time National Player of the Year. She finished her career second all-time on the school’s scoring list with more than 2700 points and won 121 games. In 2010, Augustus became the first female athlete in school history to have her jersey retired. Augustus went on to win four WNBA championships and three Olympic gold medals before retiring from basketball last year.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 12

Two bills to allow non-felons to conceal carry a gun without a permit in Louisiana are in legislative committees today. Last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation because it omitted training. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ legislation requires an online hour course on gun safety, but Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s legislation removes training and the entire permit process.

Cut 9 (10)  “…those rights.”

McCormick’s bill is currently being heard in House Criminal Justice and Morris’s is scheduled in Senate Judiciary C.

A one-vehicle accident in East Baton Rouge Parish involving 11 children results in the driver, Leticia Brothers, who is also the mother of all the children, facing cruelty to juvenile charges. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says when officers arrived on the scene Sunday night, they noticed an SUV had flipped several times.

Cut 13 (09) “…by AirMed.”

No major injuries were reported.

A new University of New Orleans research poll shows fewer than 40-percent of persons approve of the job Governor Edwards is doing, a similar poll conducted in 2020 showed a 56-percent approval rating. UNO political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says it’s not uncommon for a governor to see approval numbers wane as the years wear on, however…:

Cut 12 (13) “…magnitude of the drop.”

Cleco will invest nearly one billion dollars to reduce carbon emissions at their plant in in Lena. CEO Bill Fontenot says they have already secured $9-million in federal monies to help pay for the project and consumers won’t see rate changes.

Cut 5 (12) “…sequestering carbon.”

9:30 LRN Newscast April 12

A nearly one billion dollar investment in clean fuel is being made in central Louisiana. David Grubb has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Much of the state is under a slight risk for severe weather today and the threat becomes more severe tomorrow, especially for the northern half of the state, which is under an enhanced threat for severe weather tomorrow afternoon. We Already seeing scattered showers in south Louisiana this morning.

An SUV with eleven children inside flipped over several times in East Baton Rouge Parish, but none of the children were seriously injured. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says it’s a miracle no one was killed…
cut 14 (11) “….back of the vehicle”
The driver of the vehicle and mother of the children, 34-year-old Leticia Brothers of Baton Rouge, faces eleven charges of cruelty to a juvenile, driving with a suspended license and no insurance.

We are less than a week away from the federal tax deadline, which is April 18th. Catherine Rowe who is a member of the Louisiana Society for CPAs says most filers dealing with only W-2s don’t need much tax advice, but with payments and credits that you may have received over the past year, you might need the help of CPA…
cut 21 (12) “….loss of a refund”

8:30 LRN Newscast April 12

A University of New Orleans telephone poll of 325 registered voters puts Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating at 38-percent, down from 56-percent in a similar poll conducted in 2020. Pollster Ed Chervenak says 31-percent of whites approve of Edwards, compared to 55-percent of blacks and age appears to influence perceptions of the governor’s performance…
cut 11 (08) “…18 to 44”

Last year, Governor Edwards vetoed a bill that would allow non-felons to conceal carry a firearm without a permit. That legislation is back this year and Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s constitutional carry bill will be heard today in the House Criminal Justice Committee…
cut 7 (11) “..amemdnent rights

Cleco announces the company will invest 900-million dollars to reduce carbon emissions at the largest of its nine electric generation units in Louisiana. CEO Bill Fontenot says the work done at the Brame Energy Center in Lena will remove and compress 95-percent or more of the C-O-two emitted and store it in geological formations under the site. Fontenot says nearby private industries can also take advantage…
Cut 4 (12) “…economic development.”
Cleco has named the project Diamond Vault and estimates it will create up to 40 direct jobs and an average of 11-hundred construction jobs in cenla over a three-year period.

A Baton Rouge mom faces 11 counts of cruelty to a juvenile after the S-U-V she was driving flipped over several times. 34-year-old Leticia Brothers had all eleven of her children in the vehicle, but none of them were seriously injured. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says the kids were not buckled up…
cut 15 (05) “…can happen”
The Advocate reports that in 2015 the state removed Brother’s nine children from her home after they were found with little food and no beds.

7:30 LRN newscast

A new University of New Orleans research poll shows falling approval numbers for Governor John Bel Edwards. UNO political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says fewer than 40-percent of persons surveyed said they approve of the job Governor Edwards is doing…:
Cut 10 (12) “…the death of Ronald Greene.”
A similar poll in 2020 had Edwards’ approval rating at 56-percent.

One of the governor’s goals is for Louisiana to be a net-zero emission state by 2050. Cleco is helping the state reach that goal by announcing a 900-million dollar emissions reductions project at a power-generating facility in Rapides Parish. Cleco CEO Bill Fontenot says they are also committed to reducing emissions
cut 6 (12) “….by 2050”

Bills to allow non-felons to conceal carry a handgun in Louisiana without a permit are scheduled to be heard in committees today…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

An East Baton Rouge Grand Jury has found 23-year-old Dyteon Simpson of Baker guilty of killing former LSU basketball player Wayde Sims. Simpson faces a mandatory life sentence for fatally shooting Sims who prosecutors say was intervening in a fight just off of Southern’s campus in September 2018.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball has moved up in all of the polls as a result of its sweep of Mississippi State this past weekend. The USA Today Coaches Poll has the Tigers ranked 12th, while D-1 Baseball and Perfect Game each have LSU ranked 15th. LSU is one of the top hitting and pitching teams in the SEC and Coach Jay Johnson says the defense is coming along as well…
cut 17 (12) “…really, really well”
Weather permitting, LSU is set to host Lamar tonight.

The Ragin Cajuns are riding a season-high four-game winning streak and they host McNeese at Tigue Moore Field. U-L Lafayette has won nine of its last 12, while the Cowboys are 16-and-16.

Louisiana Tech closes out a six-game homestand by hosting Northwestern State. The Bulldogs are coming off a sweep over the Rice Owls, while the Demons have lost four straight.

Also tonight, ULM is at Jackson State, while Southeastern Louisiana visits 11th ranked Southern Miss.

An East Baton Rouge Grand Jury has found 23-year-old Dyteon Simpson guilty of killing former LSU basketball star Wayde Sims. Simpson faces a life sentence for fatally shooting Sims who prosecutors say was intervening in a fight just off of Southern’s campus in September 2018.

Seimone Augustus is the first female LSU athlete to get a statue. Augustus who help guide the LSU women’s basketball team to four Final Fours will join Bob Petit and Shaquille O’ Neal as former LSU basketball players who have a statue outside of the PMAC. The school also announces they will unveil the Pete Maravich statue later this year.

Former LSU star Khayla Pointer was taken in the first round of the WNBA draft last night by the Las Vegas Aces. Former LSU coach Nikki Fargas is the president of the Aces and Las Vegas also selected former LSU star Faustine Aifuwa in the third round.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A new UNO survey shows Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval numbers have taken a nosedive. More from Kevin Gallagher….:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Gas prices keep falling. According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is down to $3.88, which is eight cents cheaper than a week ago and 27-cents lower than a month ago, when the state hit a record high of $4.15 a gallon.

The House Criminal Justice Committee is scheduled to debate a bill this morning that would remove the need to have a permit in order to conceal carry a firearm. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed this bill this year because he believes strongly in the current law that requires training in order to get a concealed carry permit. But Oil City Representative Danny McCormick disagrees…
cut 8 (11) “…..be a problem”

A one-vehicle accident in East Baton Rouge Parish involving 11 children results in the driver, Leticia Brothers, who is also the mother of all the children, facing cruelty to juvenile charges. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says when officers arrived on the scene Sunday night they noticed an SUV had flipped several times.
Cut 13 (09) “…by AirMed.”
The children’s ages range from 4 to 16 years old, but they are expected to be okay.

LRN AM Newscall April 12

A nearly one billion dollar investment in clean fuel is being made in central Louisiana. David Grubb has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

____________________________________

Bills to allow you to conceal carry a handgun in Louisiana without a permit are scheduled to be heard in committees today, despite being vetoed last year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________

A new UNO survey shows Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval numbers have taken a nosedive. More from Kevin Gallagher….:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

____________________________________

Monday, Cleco announced the company will invest nearly one billion dollars to reduce carbon emissions at the largest of its nine electric generation units here in Louisiana. CEO Bill Fontenot says the work done at the Brame Energy Center in Lena will be an economic catalyst, creating 30 to 40 direct jobs and an average of 1100 construction-related positions over a three-year period.

Cut 4 (12)  “…economic development.”

Fontenot says Cleco has already secured $9-million in federal monies to help pay for the project and says there are multiple streams of revenue that will be tapped to keep it moving forward, meaning consumers won’t see rate changes.

Cut 5 (13) “…sequestering carbon.”

Governor John Bel Edwards touted the announcement as another milestone as Louisiana looks to develop and attract more clean energy options. Fontenot says Cleco’s commitment to reducing emissions isn’t new, and this project could actually accelerate its own timelines.

Cut 6 (12)  “…by 2050.”

_______________________________________

Two bills to allow you to conceal carry a gun without a permit in Louisiana will be heard in legislative committees today. Last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation citing public safety concerns because the bill did not call for gun training. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says he’s not giving up on constitutional carry in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (11) “…amendment rights.”

McCormick’s bill, House Bill 37, says anyone who is 18 or older and not prohibited from possessing a firearm under any federal or state law, can carry a concealed firearm. McCormick says having to take a gun course and then pay the state a fee for a permit is unfair.

Cut 8 (11)  “…be a problem.”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ legislation, Senate Bill 143, requires an online hour course on gun safety, McCormick’s legislation removes the requirement that a person must possess a permit issued by the state.  McCormick says he trusts citizens of the state and their right to bear arms.

Cut 9 (10)  “…those rights.”

McCormick’s bill will be heard in House Criminal Justice and Morris’ bill in Senate Judiciary C Tuesday.

_______________________________________

A new University of New Orleans research poll shows falling approval numbers for Governor John Bel Edwards. UNO political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says fewer than 40-percent of persons surveyed said they approve of the job Governor Edwards is doing…:

Cut 10 (12) “…the death of Ronald Greene.”

The governor’s approval is split along racial lines; with 55-percent of blacks ranking him favorably, compared to 31-percent of whites. Chervenak says there is also a divide on Edwards based on age…:

Cut  11 (13)  “…towards the governor.”  

A similar poll conducted in 2020 showed Edwards with 56-percent approval. Chervenak says it’s not uncommon for a governor to see approval numbers wane as the years wear on, however…:

Cut 12 (13) “…magnitude of the drop.”

Chervenak says the governor’s job approval was higher among women than men; with 42-percent of women rating him favorably, to only 34-percent of men surveyed. Nearly a third of all surveyed answered “don’t know” to the approval question.

_______________________________________

A one-vehicle accident in Central involving 11 children results in the driver, Laticia Brothers, who is also the mother of all the children, facing cruelty charges. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says when officers arrived on the scene after 10 PM Sunday night along Sullivan Road, they noticed an SUV had flipped several times.

Cut 13 (09) “…by AirMed.”

The remaining children were taken to a local hospital treated and released. The children range in ages from 4 to 16.

Corcoran says because no one was wearing a seatbelt, 34-year-old Brothers of Baton Rouge faces 11 charges of cruelty to a juvenile, 11 counts of child not restrained, driving under suspension, and without insurance.  He says it’s a miracle no one was killed.

Cut 14 (11)  “…back of the vehicle.”

Brothers was issued a summons for her arrest because she went to the hospital after the accident. Corcoran says everyone has been released from the hospital and the injuries were minor considering the severity of the crash. He says when children are in your car it’s your responsibility to keep them as safe as possible.

Cut 15 (05)  “…can happen.”

The Advocate reports that in 2015 the state removed Brother’s nine children from her home after they were found with little food and no beds.

___________________________________________

Fresh off of LSU’s first SEC road sweep in nearly five years, head coach Jay Johnson had plenty of good things to say about his Tigers, starting with a pitching staff that seems to be coming together…

Cut 16 (20)  “…a great job.”

One of LSU’s biggest hurdles this season has been its defense. But the Tigers have been better with the glove as of late, something Johnson has taken notice of as well.

Cut 17 (12) “ …really, really well.” 

Johnson had lots of praise for outfielder Josh Pearson, who was named conference Co-Freshman of the Week after batting nearly .500 with two home runs and a double over four wins. He says the breakthrough week wasn’t a big surprise.

Cut 18 (17) “ …I came here.” 

The Tigers face Lamar on Tuesday night before traveling to Fayetteville for a three-game set with first-place Arkansas beginning on Thursday.

__________________________________________________________

5:30 LRN Newscast April 11

Two bills to allow you to conceal carry a gun without a permit in Louisiana will be heard in legislative committees Tuesday. Last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation citing public safety concerns because the bill did not call for gun training. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says he’s not giving up on constitutional carry in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (11) “…amendment rights.”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ legislation, requires an online hour course on gun safety, McCormick’s legislation removes the requirement that a person must possess a permit issued by the state.  McCormick says he trusts citizens of the state and their right to bear arms.

Cut 9 (10)  “…those rights.”

McCormick’s bill will be heard in House Criminal Justice and Morris’ bill in Senate Judiciary C Tuesday.

A new University of New Orleans research poll shows falling approval numbers for Governor John Bel Edwards. UNO political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says fewer than 40-percent of persons surveyed said they approve of the job Governor Edwards is doing…:

Cut 10 (12) “…the death of Ronald Greene.”

A similar poll conducted in 2020 showed Edwards with a 56-percent approval.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Rapides Parish Monday for Cleco’s announcement that they’re investing 900-million dollars to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Reducing the carbon footprint is part of Edwards’ Clean Air Initiative by 2050. Edwards says Cleco will not ask ratepayers to help fund this project.

Cut 15 (07) “…important.” 

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast April 11

LSU football is halfway through its spring practices, and the question remains…who will get the start under center when the Tigers host Florida State on September 4? Jayden Daniels and Myles Brennan are battling for the top spot. Daniels says he expects to be Q-B-1 this fall, but if he isn’t he’ll do whatever he can to help LSU win games.

Cut 19 (19) “…national championship.”

The baseball Tigers have moved up in the rankings after completing a weekend sweep of defending NCAA champion Mississippi State. The USA Today Coaches Poll has LSU at 12, with both DI Baseball and Perfect Game slotting the Tigers at 15th.

For his efforts over the weekend, LSU outfielder Josh Pearson was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday. Pearson was five-for-11 in the series, with a pair of home runs, six RBI, and two runs scored.

Also earning honors is UL Cajuns pitcher Cooper Rawls. The righty was named to Collegiate Baseball’s National Players of the Week list after going 2-0 in two appearances last week. Rawls posted a zero-point-nine-three earned run average and struck out 14 over nine and two-thirds innings.

UL took three in a row from Arkansas State, with La Tech doing the same against Rice, and UNO swept McNeese this weekend. Tulane won two of three over South Florida, as did Southeastern against Incarnate Word.

In the big leagues former LSU great and current Houston Astros infielder Alex Bregman earned his second career American League Player of the Week Award after batting .429, with two home runs, six RBI, four runs scored, and an .857 slugging percentage.

LSU guard Khayla Pointer should be among those who have their names called at tonight’s WNBA draft. Pointer would be the first LSU player taken since 2018.

And the New Orleans Pelicans are listed as five-point favorites over the San Antonio Spurs ahead of their matchup in the NBA Play-in tournament on Wednesday at the Smoothie King Center. The Pels have to win two games to advance to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.