3:30 LRN Newscast April 8

Heavy cloud coverage obstructed the view of the eclipse for most of the Bayou State today. Northwest Louisiana had the best opportunity for a glimpse 90% totality this afternoon. Due to the inclement weather Louisiana’s make up date for the eclipse is August 23, 2044.

Legendary Peabody boys’ basketball coach Charles Smith joins basketball greatest names as he’s an inductee into the Naismith basketball Hall of Fame. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

 

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map. Plaintiff says the map violates the Equal Protection Act. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the state will have to argue there was a compelling interest to satisfy the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He believes it will be difficult for the state to contend because…

Cut 11 (09) “…only factor.”

 

April 30th is the deadline for those still in travel trailers as part of the Ida Sheltering program. Jacques Thibodeaux, who became director of GOSHEP in January says the deadline for those living in about 540 units, has been extended numerous times by FEMA and the state, but with a state fiscal cliff looming…

Cut 12 (12) “…the state.” 

He says caseworkers have been working with those in need of continued sheltering.

LRN PM Newscall April 8

Legendary Peabody boys basketball coach Charles Smith joins basketball greatest names as he’s an inductee into  the Naismith basketball Hall of Fame. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Three federal judges in Shreveport are hearing a suit filed by Republicans against the most recent congressional map passed by the legislature. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Legendary boys’ basketball Coach Charles Smith of Peabody High School in Alexandria will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is one of a handful of high school coaches to join the ranks. Smith says it is an honor to join the elite group.

Cut 3 (12) “…professional coaches.”  

Smith won 9 state championships with the Warhorses and has coached Peabody since 1979. The Basketball Hall of Famer is Louisiana’s all-time winningest head coach with 1, 208 wins.

Cut 4 (13) “…for me.” 

During his tenure with the Warhorses, Smith has helped facilitate over 70 players in securing scholarships to pursue collegiate basketball opportunities. He says one of the greatest fulfillment in his coaching career…

Cut 5 (12)  “…of work.”

Smith is one of 13 inductees of the 2024 class. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on August 17 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge as a result of a shooting that occurred in Farmerville on February 15th that injured two people. A Union Parish Grand Jury has rejected the charge. LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says they felt good about Holly’s chances of avoiding serious charges…

Cut 6  (05) “…don’t know” 

The 19-year-old still faces one felony gun charge. His attorney, Michael Small, says Holly intends to plead not guilty to the charge. Kelly does not expect the criminal case against Holly to drag on…

Cut 7 (12) “…reinstatement”  

Holly said in a social media post on February 17th that he was 100-percent innocent and had been falsely identified, accused and arrested. He was suspended from the team when he was arrested. But Kelly says they will look at reinstating him once his case is resolved.

Cut 8 (04) “…welcome him back.” 

Holly appeared in three games as a freshman last season, but is expected to see significant playing time this sophomore season. He’s the all-time leading rusher in Louisiana High School football history at 10,523 yards.

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A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map which added a second majority-black district. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs claim the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and the map is racial gerrymandering.

Cut 9 (10) “…only factor.” 

In recent affirmative action decisions, Ciolino says the United States Supreme Court has been critical of states treating race differently. He says if race was the predominant factor for drawing the maps…

Cut 10 (07) “…protection clause. “

Ciolino says the state will argue there was a compelling state interest to satisfy the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in passing the current map. He believes it will be difficult for the state to contend because…

Cut 11 (09) “…only factor.”

A May deadline has been set for a decision so candidates will know the districts they’ll be running for in the November 5th election.

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April 30th is the deadline for those still in travel trailers as part of the Ida Sheltering program. Jacques Thibodeaux, who became director of GOSHEP in January says the deadline for those living in about 540 units, has been extended numerous times by FEMA and the state, but with a state fiscal cliff looming…

Cut 12 (12) “…the state.” 

Thibodeaux says those still in the program have been notified of the deadline and are working with their caseworkers on future housing options. He says GOSHEP is also awaiting a State Attorney General’s opinion on donating travel trailers.

Among the reasons those still in the program have been unable to rebuild, Thibodeaux says is the ongoing insurance crisis that has forced many to lose or drop coverage.

Cut 13 (10) “…piece of it.”

Thibodeaux says among the options are for the affected parishes to apply for federal assistance and continue the sheltering program which he says none have yet or impacted individuals can apply for a rapid house voucher which would move them into an apartment.

Cut  14 (09) “…in that.” 

The deadline for the Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta sheltering programs, Thibodeaux says is set to expire in August.

2:30 LRN Newscast

The Great American Eclipse is almost over in Louisiana for many it was a non-event because of cloud cover. But for some areas in the state, there was enough of a break in the clouds to see the moon cover most of the sun. If you missed it, the next one in North America is not until 2044.

Three federal judges in Shreveport are hearing a suit filed by Republicans against the most recent congressional map passed by the legislature. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s a chance suspended LSU running back Trey Holly could return to the team soon. The attempted murder charge he was facing has been dropped after a grand jury in Union Parish rejected the charge. Holly still faces a felony gun charge, but Kelly is optimistic the case could resolved soon…
cut 8 (04)”…him back”
Holly was adamant on social media he was not involved in a shooting that injured two people in Farmerville on February 15th.

The Hurricane Ida sheltering program will come to an end on April 30th. This federally funded program that the state operated provided sheltering for more than 15-thousand people after the 2021 Category Four storm. There are still people living in about 600 travel trailers and GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodeaux says high insurance rates are keeping many from not being able to find permanent housing…
cut 13 (10) “…piece of it”

1:30 LRN Newscast April 8

The eclipse is underway and the heavy cloud coverage in Louisiana is hampering the view. It’s expected to reach as close to totality around 1:45 here. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says you can also expect the eclipse to impact our weather….

Cut 24 (10)  “…on the earth.”

Ophthalmologists remind you to never look directly at the eclipse without proper eclipse glasses.

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map. In recent affirmative action decisions Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says SCOTUS has been critical of states treating race differently and if race was the predominant factor for drawing the maps…

Cut 10 (07) “…protection clause. “

A May deadline has been set for a decision.

 

LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge after a shooting in Farmville February 15th that injured two people. The 19-year-old still faces one felony gun charge. Coach Brian Kelly does not expect the criminal case against Holly to drag on…

Cut 7 (12) “…reinstatement”  

 

Legendary boys’ basketball Coach Charles Smith of Peabody High School in Alexandria will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is one of a handful of high school coaches to join the ranks. Smith says it is an honor to join the elite group.

Cut 3 (12) “…professional coaches.”  

The ceremony will be in August in Massachusetts.

 

12:30 LRN Newscast

The solar eclipse has begun and it will reach near totality at around 1:45. Much of the state will not get a good view of it because of the clouds, but it will still get dark. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Doctor Natalie Hinkle says crickets have been known to emerge because they think it’s nighttime and livestock can show signs of anxiety….
cut 20 (07) “….of thing”
The eclipse is set to end around 3 PM.

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map which added a second majority-black district. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs claim the map is racial gerrymandering.
Cut 9 (10) “…only factor.”
The hearing is set to end on Wednesday.

The state has announced the Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program will end on April 30th so those still living in the 500 or so travel trailers will have to find a new home. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodeaux says it’s a challenge to find these individuals still in travel trailers a place to live…
cut 14 (09) “….interested in that”
The sheltering program at its peak involved nearly 54-hundred units and more than 15-thousand people.

Legendary high school basketball coach Charles Smith has been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. That’s the highest honor someone in basketball can receive. Smith has won nine state championships as the head coach at Peabody High School in Alexandria and he’s won more than 12-hundred games…
cut 4 (12) “…for me”
Smith will be enshrined in August.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU has dropped out of the D-1 baseball poll, while the Ragin Cajuns are in it. The Tigers have fallen out of the Top 25 after losing their fourth consecutive SEC series. They dropped two out of three to Vanderbilt. But U-L Lafayette has now won 15 in a row after sweeping ULM and they are ranked 19th in the poll.

Legendary boys’ basketball Coach Charles Smith of Peabody High School in Alexandria will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is one of a handful of high school coaches to join the ranks. Smith says it is an honor to join the elite group.
Cut 3 (12) “…professional coaches.”
Smith won 9 state championships with the Warhorses and has coached Peabody since 1979. The Hall of Famer is Louisiana’s all-time winningest head coach with 1, 208 wins.

The spring game is this Saturday at Tiger Stadium. LSU Coach Brian Kelly says they’ve worked hard at improving the running game. Kelly has also been impressed with the development of receiver Kyren Lacy and likes what he is seeing from defensive back Major Burns, who is playing at nickel back
Cut 18 (18) “…really really good”
And there’s a chance suspended LSU running back Trey Holly could return to the team soon. The attempted murder charge he was facing has been dropped after a grand jury in Union Parish rejected the charge. Holly still faces a felony gun charge, but Kelly is optimistic the case could resolved soon…
cut 8 (04)”…him back”
Holly was adamant on social media he was not involved in a shooting that injured two people in Farmerville on February 15th.

11:30 LRN Newscast April 8

Millions are excited to see the Great American Eclipse today, and in Louisiana, the moon will begin to eclipse the sun around 12:30, with the best totality view around 1:45. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the northwest corner of the state is under a flash flood watch from Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning as multiple rounds of heavy rainfall is expected. Keim says there’s the potential for five inches of rain or more

Cut 12 (09) “…systems.” 

LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge as a result of a shooting that occurred in Farmerville on February 15th that injured two people. A Union Parish Grand Jury has rejected the charge. LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says they felt good about Holly’s chances of avoiding serious charges…

Cut 6  (05) “…don’t know” 

The 19-year-old still faces one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Michael Small, says Holly intends to plead not guilty to the charge.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars for his congressional bid since announcing he would run for the newly created 6th congressional district seat in January. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Fields is off to a good start with finances…

Cut 4 (11) “…of money.”

Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves in November.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 8

Cloudy conditions will make it difficult to see the solar eclipse in Louisiana today. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says it’s worth stepping outside to see how the moon blocking the sun affects the Earth. And it’s not just animals that react to a total solar eclipse, Hinkel says the weather is also impacted.

Cut 9 (10)  “…on the earth.”

Ophthalmologists remind you to never look directly at the eclipse, even a partial view of one without proper eclipse glasses.

And forecasters say the probability of viewing the eclipse isn’t ideal in Louisiana thanks to cloud cover. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions are very unstable right now, with a front to our north and west. Hopefully when the eclipse gets as close to totality, around 1:45, there will be a little break in the clouds.

Cut 11 (04) “…be surprised.”

A month into the regular session, legislation seeking to improve the state’s insurance market and giving parents more options to educate their children is moving through the process with few hiccups. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Jeff Landry and GOP lawmakers ran on these issues in the fall…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Education Savings Accounts”

The full House is scheduled to vote on the E-S-A bill today.

A campaign finance report shows Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ has raised more than 600 thousand dollars in his candidacy for the newly created 6th congressional district seat. Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves in November. Graves reported $3.8 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…

Cut 5 (11) “…Cleo Fields.” 

A federal court hearing is scheduled for today and tomorrow to hear arguments on the legality of the new Congressional map.

9:30 AM Newscast April 8

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars since he announced in January he would run the newly created 6th congressional district seat, which now stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says  out of the 601-thousand dollars raised, 564-thousand came from individuals…

Cut 6 (13) “…opposes him.”

 

A month into the regular session and legislators are seeking to improve the state’s insurance market. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says when it comes to insurance reform, Republican lawmakers are seeking to make changes to reduce the number of lawsuits. Opponents say it will just pad the profits of insurance companies. He says tort reform and ESAs are on the front burner of this session

Cut 15 (11)  “…their voters”

 

Today’s the big day for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse that will be visible in North America. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says even animals react to a total solar eclipse. She says crickets have been known to emerge because they think it’s nighttime and livestock often show signs of anxiety.

Cut 8 (07) “…of thing.” 

 

The northwest corner of the state is under a flash flood watch from Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning as multiple rounds of heavy rainfall is expected. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s the potential for five inches of rain or more

Cut 12 (09) “…systems.” 

8:30 AM Newscast April 8

The full House is scheduled to vote on the Education Savings Accounts bill today. It would provide thousands of dollars to families regardless of their income with the ability to tap into state dollars to send their children to private school. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there’s opposition to doing this…

 Cut 14 (10)  “…public education.”

 The LSU women’s basketball team has taken heat for not being on the court for the national anthem, but the football team has not been present for the anthem in decades. AD Scott Woodward says they’ll review their processes. Governor Landry is calling for college teams to be present for the anthem. Tigers football coach Brian Kelly says they will do whatever the administration wants…

Cut 16 (18)  “…national anthem” 

 

It’s eclipse day, and in Louisiana, the moon will begin to eclipse the sun around 12:30, be at its maximum close to 1:45, and end at three.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

 

The probability of viewing the eclipse isn’t ideal in Louisiana thanks to cloud cover. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says when the eclipse gets close to totality, around 1:45, hopefully there will be a little break in the clouds.

Cut 11 (04) “…be surprised.”