Monthly Archives: September 2023

09.19.23
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LRN AM Newscall September 20

The governor’s office says Louisiana’s unemployment rate is at it’s lowest percentage in recorded history. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The “Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown” singer Jim Croce died in a plane crash 50 years ago today after a performance at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Teiko Foxx has more memories from that day.

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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It’s a big night in Rushton as LA Tech opens Championship Plaza and five Hall of Famers will be there in person as their statues are unveiled. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The state’s unemployment rate has hit a record at three-point-three percent. Louisiana Workforce Chief Economist Emily DiPalma says the national unemployment rate is three-point-eight percent…

Cut 4 (11) “…six other states.”

Federal data also shows the number of unemployed individuals is just under 69-thousand, which is also a record low. DiPalma says the state’s efforts to create jobs and improve workforce training is working.

She says older residents deciding to retire in their mid-60s is also helping to lower the rate

Cut 5 (07) “…to retire.”

DiPalma says a tight labor market helps push wages up, but that is slowing down….

Cut 6 (11) “…a little bit.”

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It was 50 years ago today, that legendary singer Jim Croce and five other people were killed in a plane crash after performing at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Dan McDonald, who was a student reporter for Northwestern’s student newspaper, says there were details about the concert that stands out in his memory…

Cut 7 (12) “…go home.”

Croce was set to spend the night in Natchitoches but called the pilot to leave early for a performance at Austin College the next day. Croce mailed a letter to his wife before his death which later revealed he was missing his family and ready to go home. McDonald remembers Croce looking exhausted that evening.

Cut 8 (11) “…of there.” 

Not long after takeoff, Croce’s plane crashed into a pecan tree at the end of the runway. It is believed that the haze severely reduced visibility that night. McDonald recalls seeing the carnage of the plane.

Cut 9 (13)  “…my mind.”

An event was held at the university on Monday to commemorate Croce’s death.

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A recent study by the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana indicates auto insurance rates in Bayou State rank as the most expensive in the nation. PAR President Steven Procopio says there was a slight decline in premiums during the pandemic.

Cut 10 (12) “…in the country.”

The newly approved premiums by the Department of Insurance will result in rate increases of as much as 20 percent or more. The increases will go into effect when drivers enroll in new policies are their current policy renews.  Procopio says the increase depends on several factors.

Cut 11 (11) “…substanial.”

If you see your auto insurance rates increase or even if they don’t, Procopio recommends comparing rates with other insurers and shopping around.

Cut 12 (08) “…to do that.” 

Louisiana is followed by New York, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Florida as the most expensive auto rates in the country.

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Terry Bradshaw, Karl Malone, Kim Mulkey, Willie Roaf, and Teresa Weatherspoon all in one place is quite a marquee and tonight their statues, along with Fred Dean’s will be unveiled at Louisiana Tech. Senior Associate Athletic Director Colton Primm…

Cut 13 (10) “…background is.”

After the statues are unveiled and the living recipients take part in a Q&A session, the public will be allowed to walk through Championship Plaza. Primm says it was difficult to limit the plaza to six individuals…

Cut 14 (11) “…the pros.”

The Plaza is named in honor of former LA Tech student-athlete and football coach A.L. Williams and his wife Sarah. In addition to the six alum being honored tonight, Primm says they will also recognize their six national championship teams, three with football and three with women’s basketball.

Cut 15 (09) “…open arms.”

The free event is open to the public and begins at 6 o’clock.

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Arkansas is coming off a home loss to BYU as they get ready to play 12th ranked LSU in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. Razorbacks Coach Sam Pittman is not happy with the 14 penalties his team committed against the Cougars

Cut 16 (16) “…get corrected”

Pittman is also looking for better play from his offensive line. BYU sacked Hogs Quarterback KJ Jefferson four times and outside of 55-yard touchdown run by AJ Green, Arkansas struggled to run the ball…

Cut 17 (15) “…bull us”

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The Saints are one of seven teams in the NFC with a 2-0 record after beating Tennessee and Carolina. It’s the first 2-0 start for New Orleans since 2013 and Coach Dennis Allen says it’s a good start, but it’s also a long season…

Cut 18 (18) “…need to”

The offense has only scored 36 points through two games, but the defense has only allowed 32 points, third fewest in the NFL.  Can they hold teams to 20 points or less every week, Allen says the talent is there to do it…

Cut 19 (23) “…in all areas”

Fifth year defensive end Carl Granderson is off to a strong start as he has 2.5 sacks in two games and he forced a fumble in Monday night’s win over Carolina. Allen says Granderson is picking up where he left off last year…

Cut 20 (20) “..of the season 

09.19.23
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5:30 LRN Newscast Sept 19

A Gray Media and Mason-Dixon poll shows 40 percent of respondents plan to vote for Republican Jeff Landry for Governor.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is trying to help Mardi Gras krewes in Shreveport and Mayor Tom Arceneaux find a solution after Arceneaux asked one krewe to change their parade date and he wants all parades to end by 7 p.m. Nungesser says he’s worried about international travelers who could be impacted.

Louisiana Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-author of a bill that would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to eleven dollars an hour. Democrats in the Senate have filed a bill that would raise the federal minimum wage to 17 dollars an hour by 2028. Cassidy that’s not achievable.

Cut  14 (09) “the good”

The federal minimum wage has not been increased since 2007.

Saints running back Tony Jones Junior scored his first two touchdowns of his NFL career last night as New Orleans defeated Carolina 20-17. Jones was elevated from the practice squad prior to the game…
cut 5 (15) “…blessed man”
The Saints are at Green Bay this Sunday.

09.19.23
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are 2-0 after last night’s 20-17 win over the Carolina Panthers, but they know they can play better. New Orleans failed to score a touchdown in the first half and quarterback Derek Carr was also intercepted in the first half….
cut 4 (12) “…in practice”
The Saints defense is not making many mistakes. It took until the fourth quarter of last night’s game before they allowed their first touchdown of the season. New Orleans is back on the road again this Sunday when they travel up to Green Bay to take on Jordan Love and the 1-and-1 Packers.

In the high school football polls, John Curtis, St. Thomas More, University High, Calvary Baptist and Ouachita Christian all remain ranked number one in their respective classes. Jena debuts at number six in Class 3A as the Giants are off to a 3-and-0.

Not only was the offense clicking against Mississippi State, but LSU’s defense played really well in Starkville on Saturday, holding the Bulldogs to 201 yards of total offense. Coach Brian Kelly credits junior linebacker Greg Penn for being a calming presence…
cut 20 (19) “….with him”
This Saturday the Tigers take on Arkansas who lost at home to BYU last Saturday. Hogs Quarterback K-J Jefferson had a couple of costly turnovers. Kelly on Jefferson’s abilities…
cut 18 (18) “…against us’
Kick off is at 6 PM.

09.19.23
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4:30 LRN Newscast

New poll numbers are out on the governor’s race and 40 percent of respondents say they plan to vote for Republican Jeff Landry in the gubernatorial primary election. The survey was paid for by Gray Media and Mason-Dixon polling.  The poll shows Democrat Shawn Wilson in second place with 24 percent but ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says ….

Cut 7 (10) “…Democrat is.” 

Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy is backing new legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to eleven dollars an hour. Cassidy blames inflation and President Biden…

Cut 13 (06) “…keep up.”

Cassidy also supported legislation in 2021 to raise the minimum wage to ten dollars an hour, but the Democratic-controlled Senate didn’t think it was high enough.

The New Orleans Saints are now 2-0 after a win of 20-17 over the Carolina Panthers last night. Quarterback Derek Carr is glad the Saints defense kept Carolina out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter…

Cut 3 (13) “…football game.”

Running back Tony Jones Junior scored two touchdowns on two short rushing TDs.

After a possible fentanyl exposure in the evidence room of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Monday morning, three employees were transported to a nearby hospital and listed in stable condition. Public Information Officer Mark Pierce says the supervisor was unable to talk and was found by two deputies.

Cut 9 (11) “…the hospital (x2).” 

The two deputies are recovering at home. The department’s evidence supervisor remains hospitalized but will recover.

09.19.23
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3:30 LRN Newscast

The Saints put the Carolina Panthers to bed after a 20-17 win last night. Two touchdowns in the second half pushed the Saints to 2-0 for the season. Quarterback Derek Carr threw a first-half interception and ended the night throwing for 228 yards. He knows he can be better than that…

Cut 4 (12) “…in practice.”

According to a new survey conducted by Gray Media and Mason-Dixon polling, 40 percent of respondents plan to vote for Republican Jeff Landry in the October 14th gubernatorial election. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says is not a surprise Landry continues to have a big lead over his opponents.

Cut 6 (09) “…the primary.”

The poll shows the lone major Democrat in the race, Shawn Wilson holding second place with 24 percent.

Three employees of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office were hospitalized Monday after a possible fentanyl exposure in the evidence room. The department’s evidence supervisor remains hospitalized. Public Information Officer Mark Pierce says they brought in a Hazmat Team Monday night after the office was closed.

Cut 11 (09) “…anywhere.”

Pierce says the evidence supervisor remains in the hospital as a precaution and is expected to recover.

Louisiana Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-author of a bill that would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to eleven dollars an hour. Cassidy says it’s time to have a responsible conversation about increasing the minimum wage for American workers…

Cut 12 (08) “…market has increased” 

Cassidy also supported legislation in 2021 to raise the minimum wage to ten dollars an hour, but the Democratic-controlled Senate didn’t think it was high enough.

09.19.23
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LRN PM Newscall

A statewide survey conducted by Gray Media and Mason-Dixon polling shows 40 percent of respondents plan on voting for Republican Jeff Landry in the October 14th primary. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is one of a handful of Republican Senators pushing for a federal minimum wage increase. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The Saints are 2-0 after beating Carolina 20-17 last night in Charlotte. New Orleans offense struggled in the first half, but scored two touchdowns in the second half. Quarterback Derek Carr is glad the Saints defense kept Carolina out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter…

Cut 3 (13) “…football game.”

Carr threw a first half interception and ended the night throwing for 228 yards. He knows he can be better than that…

Cut 4 (12) “…in practice.”

Tony Jones Junior scored two touchdowns on two short rushing TDs. It was Jones’ first two NFL touchdowns….

Cut 5 (15) “ ..blessed man”  

Jones got more playing time than he thought because of a hamstring injury to Jamaal Williams.

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New poll numbers are out on the governor’s race. According to a survey conducted by Gray Media and Mason-Dixon polling, 40-percent of potential voters plan on voting for Republican Jeff Landry in the October 14th primary. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says is not a surprise Landry continues to have a big lead over his opponents.

Cut 6 (09) “…the primary.”

The poll shows the lone major Democrat in the race, Shawn Wilson holding second place with 24 percent. Stockley says Wilson should be much higher in name recognition, especially among Democrats.

Cut 7 (10) “…Democrat is.” 

Republican Stephen Waguespack finished in third with nine percent and every other candidate had four percent or lower.  Stockley says none of the other candidates are in a position to move Wilson out of a potential run-off.

Cut 8 (12) “…not working.”

The primary election will be held on October 14th.

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After a possible fentanyl exposure in the evidence room of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Monday morning, the department’s evidence supervisor remains hospitalized. Public Information Officer Mark Pierce says the supervisor, who was unable to talk, was found by two deputies.

Cut 9 (11) “…the hospital (x2).” 

The two deputies are recovering at home.

Pierce says it was a frightening experience for everyone involved…

Cut 10 (13) “…after that.”

State Police are leading the investigation into the incident. Pierce says they brought in a Hazmat Team Monday night after the office was closed.

Cut 11 (09) “…anywhere.”

Pierce says the evidence supervisor remains in the hospital as a precaution and is expected to recover.

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Louisiana Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-author of a bill that would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to eleven dollars an hour. Cassidy says its time to have a responsible conversation about to increase the minimum wage for American workers…

Cut 12 (08) “…market has increased” 

Cassidy also supported legislation in 2021 to raise the minimum wage to ten-dollars an hour, but the Democratic-controlled Senate didn’t think it was high enough. Cassidy says it’s time to try again as lower income Americans  are hurt by inflation, which he blames on President Biden…

Cut 13 (06) “…keep up.”

Congress has not raised the federal minimum wage since 2007. Democrats in the Senate have filed a bill that would raise the federal minimum wage to 17-dollars an hour by 2028. Cassidy that’s not achievable

Cut  14 (09) “the good”

The federal minimum wage has not been increased since 2007.

09.19.23
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2:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is one of a handful of Republican Senators pushing for a federal minimum wage increase.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Authorities believe an attack by an animal resulted in the death of a 17-month-old. Claiborne Sheriff Sam Dowies says the toddler and a four-year wandered away from their home yesterday morning. The four-year-old was found a half-mile away with minor scratches, while Da Angelo Manning was found dead in an area where timber had recently been harvested.

A statewide survey paid for by Louisiana TV stations and conducted by Mason-Dixon polling finds 40-percent of the respondents plan to vote for Jeff Landry in the October 14th gubernatorial primary. Democrat Shawn Wilson received 24-percent of the vote and everyone else polled in the single digits. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says we are headed for a Landry-Wilson run-off..
cut 8 (12) “…not working”

Saints running back Tony Jones Junior scored his first two touchdowns of his NFL career last night as New Orleans defeated Carolina 20-17. Jones was elevated from the practice squad prior to the game…
cut 5 (15) “…blessed man”
The Saints are at Green Bay this Sunday.

09.19.23
by

1:30 LRN Newscast Sept 19

A Gray Media and Mason-Dixon poll shows 40 percent of respondents plan to vote for Republican Jeff Landry for Governor.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

A high-speed chase this morning across West and East Baton Rouge Parishes ends with 37-year-old Kendrick Smith in custody. WBRSO says they received a call from a woman who said she was being held against her will.  A chase across the Mississippi River Bridge ended with Smith’s car crashing on Plaza Americana Drive, he faces multiple charges including second-degree kidnapping.

After possible fentanyl exposure in the evidence room of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Monday morning, the department’s evidence supervisor remains hospitalized as a precaution. Public Information Officer Mark Pierce says it was a frightening experience…

Cut 10 (13) “…after that.”

State Police are investigating the incident.

The Saints are 2-0 after beating Carolina 20-17 last night in Charlotte. New Orleans’s offense struggled in the first half but scored two touchdowns in the second half. Quarterback Derek Carr is glad the Saints defense kept Carolina out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter…

Cut 3 (13) “…football game.”

New Orleans is at Green Bay on Sunday.

 

09.19.23
by

12:30 LRN Newscast

In a new governor’s poll of 625 respondents conducted by Gray Media and Mason-Dixon polling, 40 percent of potential voters say they will vote for Republican Jeff Landry. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Democrat Shawn Wilson received 24 percent but his name recognition among voters is relatively low.

Cut 7 (10) “…Democrat is.” 

The primary election will be held on October 14th.

After a possible fentanyl exposure in the evidence room of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Monday morning, one deputy remains hospitalized. Public Information Officer Mark Pierce says an evidence supervisor was found unable to talk by two deputies.

Cut 9 (12) “…in the hospital.” 

The two deputies are recovering at home and State Police are investigating the incident.

41-year-old Melvin Emde of Oklahoma is in custody accused of faking his own drowning in Louisiana to avoid child rape charges in North Carolina. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

09.19.23
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are 2-0 after beating Carolina 20-17 last night in Charlotte. New Orleans offense struggled in the first half, but scored two touchdowns in the second half. Quarterback Derek Carr is glad the Saints defense kept Carolina out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter…
cut 3 (13) “…football game”
Carr threw a first half interception but ended the night throwing for 228 yards. Tony Jones Junior scored two touchdowns on two short rushing TDs. Jones got a dozen carries, because Jamaal Williams went down with a hamstring injury. New Orleans is at Green Bay this Sunday.

In the high school football polls, John Curtis, St. Thomas More, University High, Calvary Baptist and Ouachita Christian all remain ranked number one on the season.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Malik Nabers shared SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for their performances in the 41-14 win over Mississippi State. Daniels threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more scores. Nabers caught 13 passes for 239 yards and two TDs. Coach Brian Kelly on why Nabers is one of the SEC’s best wide outs…
Cut 19 (18) “…opportunity”

Ragin Cajuns linebacker Cameron Whitfield has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week. The redshirt sophomore from Houston had 2.5 sacks in his first career start in the win over UAB. The Cajuns as a team have 15 sacks, one behind Wake Forest for the national lead.