3:30 PM Newscast Feb 4

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health to the full Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Morehouse Parish Schools will reopen Wednesday after their closing doors for two days this week. Officials made the decision to close schools out of an abundance of caution when a mass parish-wide bomb threat was received. After a thorough investigation, Morehouse Parish Schools said local law enforcement and emergency response teams found no credible threat to students, staff or facilities.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance says only three New Orleans restaurants out of 24 tested were found to be serving imported shrimp instead, despite advertising Gulf or authentic shrimp. S-S-A board member Cheri Blanchard says this year Louisiana strengthened its seafood labeling laws and the legislation appears to be working….

Cut 7 (09) “…my state represented better.”

Similar testing was conducted at Texas, Mississippi and Florida restaurants and it was found most of the restaurants were not serving Gulf of Mexico shrimp, despite advertising on their menu that said otherwise.

Happy 90th birthday this year to CLECO Founded in 1935 as Louisiana Ice & Electric Company, the company transitioned to Central Louisiana Electric Company a decade later. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says CLECO is the only electric utility provider that has met Louisiana’s reliability standards for 26 years

Cut 12 (06) “…99-percent of the time.”

CLECO serves 24 of Louisiana’s 64 Parishes.

2:30 PM Newscast Feb 4

The Louisiana Legislature passed legislation this year that imposes significant penalties for restaurants that fail to inform customers when serve foreign imports vs. local wild-caught Gulf Shrimp.  Recent testing by the Southern Shrimp Alliance showed Louisiana fared well in complying with the new law. 3 out of 24 restaurants tested in New Orleans and 4 out of 24 in Baton Rouge were out of compliance. Blanchard urges patrons to support those restaurants that are serving quality products.

Cut 9 (08)  “…both on the same page.”

This year, Cleco celebrates 90 years of powering Louisiana’s homes, businesses, and communities focusing solely on electricity providing power to nearly 300 thousand customers across 24 parishes. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill…

Cut 10 (10) “…and Tony Chachere’s.”

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote in the Senate Finance Committee to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to the full Senate. Cassidy said his big question prior to his vote was whether he could collaborate to help public health agencies regain the trust of the American people.

Cut 6 (16) “…not cause autism.”

Cassidy said Kennedy assured him that they will be in regular contact, including seeking his input on hiring decisions.

For the fourth time in five years, the Kansas City Chiefs are in the Super Bowl but this is the first time that former LSU and Catholic High Baton Rouge star Clyde Edwards-Helaire is not with them He was released by K-C in December. Chiefs’ Quarterback Patrick Mahomes says Edwards-Helaire still feels like a part of the team…

Cut 14 (12) “…close with him.”

Edwards-Helaire finished the season with the Saints, appearing in the final two games of the year.

Updated version of the LRN PM Newscall February 4

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health to the full Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Happy Birthday Cleco, the utility company is celebrating 90 years of powering Louisiana’s homes, businesses, and communities.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote in the Senate Finance Committee to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary to the full Senate. The vote was 14 to 13, along party lines. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy likely cast his vote to save his political future.

Cut 3 (15) “…his own party.” 

Cassidy is up for re-election next year and is already facing one serious challenger from his own party, State Treasurer and former Congressman John Fleming.

Stockley says there’s no doubt that Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, wrestled with this decision. He says the Senator said in a statement he had intense conversations with the White House…

Cut 4 (13) “…efforts to vaccinate.”

Shortly after casting what was effectively the tie-breaking vote to advance Kennedy’s nomination, Cassidy took to the Senate floor to explain his vote. Cassidy said not only did he have intense conversations with the White House, he also met with Kennedy multiple times over the weekend and this morning.

Cut 5 (12) “…should speak to.”

Cassidy said the big question he asked himself prior to his vote to approve Kennedy was whether he can collaborate to help public health agencies regain the trust of the American people.

Cut 6 (16) “…not cause autism.”

Cassidy said Kennedy assured him that they will be in regular contact, including seeking his input on hiring decisions.

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The Southern Shrimp Alliance says only three restaurants in New Orleans out of 24 tested were found to be serving imported shrimp instead, despite advertising Gulf or authentic shrimp. S-S-A board member Cheri Blanchard says this year Louisiana strengthened its seafood labeling laws and the legislation appears to be working….

Cut 7 (09) “…my state represented better.”

Similar testing was conducted at Texas, Mississippi and Florida restaurants and it was found most of the restaurants were not serving Gulf of Mexico shrimp, despite advertising on their menu that said otherwise.

Blanchard praised Louisiana’s progress but urged stronger enforcement to protect the domestic shrimp industry.

Cut 8 (06) “…with their health.”

The Louisiana Legislature passed legislation this year that impose significant penalties for restaurants that fail to inform customers when they are eating foreign imports vs. local wild-caught Gulf Shrimp.  Blanchard urges patrons to support those restaurants that are serving quality products.

Cut 9 (12)  “…both on the same page.”

______________________________________________________________

This year Cleco celebrates 90 years of powering Louisiana’s homes, businesses, and communities. Founded in 1935 as Louisiana Ice & Electric Company, Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says it transitioned to Central Louisiana Electric Company a decade later and now provides power to nearly 300 thousand customers across 24 parishes.

Cut 10 (10) “…and Tony Chachere’s.”

Cleco employs over 1,200 people, supports workforce development through education initiatives, and strengthens economic growth through partnerships.  Cahill says Cleco’s focus is beyond being an energy leader.

Cut 11 (06) “…corperate citizen.”

Cahill emphasized Cleco is the only electric utility provider that has met Louisiana’s reliability standards for 26 years

Cut 12 (06) “…99-percent of the time.”

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The Kansas City Chiefs are in the Super Bowl for the fourth time in five years, but this is the first time that former LSU star and Baton Rouge product Clyde Edwards-Helaire is not with them during this championship run. Edwards-Helaire was released by K-C in December. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes says Clyde is missed

Cut 13 (10)  “…family as well.”

Edwards-Helaire did not play in a game for the Chiefs in 2024 after starting the season on the non-football illness list. Edwards-Helaire has battled PTSD since his involvement in a 2018 self-defense shooting in which an 18-year-old was shot dead after trying to rob him and another LSU football player during the sale of a PlayStation.

The Chiefs drafted Edwards-Helaire in the first round of the 2020 draft and the former Catholic High star’s best season was his rookie year when K-C won its Super Bowl this decade. Mahomes says Edwards-Helaire still feels like a part of the team…

Cut 14 (12) “…close with him.”

Edwards-Helaire finished the season with the Saints, appearing in the final two games of the year.

Edwards-Helaire played in 48 games for the Chiefs, starting in 32 of them, rushing for 1,845 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had 765 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote in the Senate Finance Committee to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary to the full Senate. The vote was 14 to 13, along party lines. In explaining his vote on the Senate floor afterwards, Cassidy said not only did he have intense conversations with the White House, he also met with Kennedy multiple times over the weekend and this morning.

Cut 5 (12) “…should speak to.”

ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy likely cast his vote to save his political future.

Cut 3 (15) “…his own party.” 

Cleco celebrates its 90th birthday today. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is still on the minds of his former Chiefs teammates as they prepare for the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes says it hurt seeing the former LSU star running back go.

Cut 13 (07)  “…family as well.”

Edwards-Helaire was released by the Chiefs in December and was subsequently signed to the Saints practice squad.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health to the full Senate.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former Amite High star Devonta Smith will play in his second Super Bowl on Sunday when Smith’s Eagles take on the two-time defending champion Chiefs. Amite head football coach Zephaniah Powell says he’s extremely proud of Smith…

Cut 14 (05) “….for him”

LSU scored a victory today in its effort to keep embattled law professor Ken Levy out of the classroom. The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that LSU should not be forced into putting Levy in the classroom despite a lower court’s ruling. The appeals court says LSU can wait until a full hearing. Levy was removed from the classroom after he used inappropriate language while criticizing Governor Landry for publicly rebuking a fellow law professor.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance says testing was done on 24 restaurants in New Orleans that advertised they were serving shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico and only three of them were serving imported shrimp. S-S-A board member Cheri Blanchard praised Louisiana’s progress but urged stronger enforcement to protect the domestic shrimp industry.

Cut 8 (06) “…with their health.”

The Louisiana Legislature passed legislation this year that impose significant penalties for restaurants that fail to inform customers when they are eating foreign imports vs. local wild-caught Gulf Shrimp.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy voted this morning to confirm Robert F Kennedy Junior as the next U-S Health Secretary. Cassidy, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, was the tie breaking vote to advance Kennedy’s confirmation to the full Senate. During the confirmation hearings, Cassidy expressed concern about Kennedy’s views that vaccines lead to autism. He says the Senator said in a statement he had intense conversations with the White House…

Cut 4 (13) “…efforts to vaccinate.”

The Southern Shrimp Alliance says only three restaurants in New Orleans out of 24 tested were found to be serving farm-raised shrimp imports instead of what they were advertising which was Gulf or authentic shrimp. S-S-A board member Cheri Blanchard says this year Louisiana has strengthened its seafood labeling laws and the legislation appears to be working….

Cut 7 (09) “…my state represented better.”

Similar testing was conducted at Texas, Mississippi and Florida restaurants and it was found most of the restaurants were not serving Gulf of Mexico shrimp, despite advertising on their menu that said otherwise.

The Louisiana Now Pavilion is open next to the Super Bowl Media Center at the convention center. This is where the Louisiana Economic Development Department will tell the story about how the Pelican State is a great place to do business. L-E-D Secretary Susan Bourgeois says Louisiana Now will have interactive exhibits…

Cut 6 (13) “….of Louisiana”

The Pavilion will host business executives, athletes, dignitaries and artists from around the world.

The LHSAA and the Saints are working towards sanctioning girls flag football as a high school sport. Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Eric Held says the interest is there…

Cut 10 (10) “…flag football team.”

Held says the association’s executive committee is expected to vote in April to sanction girls flag football as a high school sport. A pilot league has already been set up in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Eagles Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore flew out to New Orleans with the rest of the team over the weekend for Sunday’s Super Bowl. He might not need his return flight. That’s because the 36-year-old is widely considered to be the frontrunner to be the new head coach of the Saints. Moore says despite the Super Bowl being on the Saints’ home field this year, he’s not thinking about the Saints this week.

Cut 16 (10) “…of the way.”

Moore says his meetings with the Saints an incredible experience with General Manager Mickey Loomis and the leadership group.

Multiple media outlets are reporting former Louisiana Tech quarterback and assistant coach Tim Rattay will join LSU’s staff as an offensive analyst. Rattay was the quarterback coach at Oklahoma State the last five seasons.

Former Neville star John Diarse is the new head football coach at Wossman. Diarse was the offensive coordinator at Slidell last season and takes over a program that went six and six last year.

Girls flag football could soon be a sanctioned high school sport in Louisiana. Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Eric Held says the LHSAA executive committee is expected to finalize approval at its April meeting…

Cut 11 (06) “…the road”

Held says they heard from over 100 high schools who said they are interested in girls flag football.

In the town of Amite, most people are rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. Homegrown hero Devonta Smith is the Eagles leading receiver and his high school coach, Zephaniah Powell says Smith keeps making plays despite his six-foot, 170-pound frame…

Cut 13 (09) “….pros right now”

Smith won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama and lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl in his rookie season.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote in the Senate Finance Committee to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary to the full Senate. The vote was 14 to 13, along party lines. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, likely cast his vote to save his political future.

Cut 3 (15) “…his own party.”

A new study from Bankrate finds 45-percent of Americans say they have applied for a loan in the past 12 months and 48-percent of those have faced a denial. Bankrate analyst Sarah Foster says lower-income households, Gen Z, millennials, and parents with young children are most affected.

Cut 8 (07) “…credit score and history.”

The LHSAA and the Saints are moving towards making girls flag football a sanctioned high school sport. Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Eric Held says before a high school girls flag football season can take place, a pilot league needs to be established…

Cut 12 (12) “…and also Nike”

Held expects the LHSAA Executive Committee will vote in April to sanction girls high school flag football.

Amite’s Devonta Smith is back in the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles for the second time in three years. Smith’s high school coach at Amite, Zephania Powell…

Cut 15 (13) “….for Philadelphia”

The Chiefs are 1.5-point favorites to win their third consecutive Super Bowl.

9:30 LRN Newscast

The Super Bowl is bringing people from around the world to New Orleans and the state is using this opportunity to show Louisiana’s rise as a global business leader….

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy voted to confirm Robert F Kennedy Junior as  President Trump’s pick as Secretary of Health and Human Services. The vote was 14 to 13 to confirm in Senate Finance, moving the confirmation process to the Senate floor. Cassidy says he had intense conversations with Kennedy over the weekend and he thanks Vice President J-D Vance’s honest counsel. Cassidy has expressed concern with Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance.

A new report from Bankrate finds that nearly half of loan applicants have been rejected over the past 12 months. Bankrate analyst Sarah Foster says with interest rates likely to remain elevated for another year, concentrate on keep your credit score in tip-top shape…

Cut 9 (09) “….debit to income ratio as well”

Americans with lower credit scores were more likely to be denied a loan.

Former Amite High star Devonta Smith will play in his second Super Bowl on Sunday when Smith’s Eagles take on the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Longtime Amite head football coach Zephaniah Powell says Smith has earned everything he’s received, including the Heisman Trophy he won in 2020…

Cut 14 (05) “….for him”

8:30 LRN Newscast

The state is using the Super Bowl as an opportunity to pitch Louisiana as a great place to do business. The Louisiana Now Pavilion opens today, next to the Super Bowl Media Center in New Orleans. State Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says Louisiana Now showcases the state’s economic strengths, culture and business potential…

Cut 4 (13) “..incredibly impactful.”

Girls flag football could soon be a sanctioned high school sport in Louisiana. Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Eric Held says the LHSAA executive committee is expected to finalize approval at its April meeting…

Cut 11 (06) “…the road”

Held says they heard from over 100 high schools who said they are interested in girls flag football.

There is a large group in Tangipahoa Parish that will be cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In an exclusive interview on ABC’s Good Morning America, former LSU safety Greg Brooks Junior says he just wants to be normal. Brooks remains wheelchair bound and struggling to write and speak after surgery to remove a tumor from his brain. His family has filed a lawsuit against LSU and Our Lady of the Lake Hospital alleging the doctor was not qualified to perform the surgery. Our Lady of the Lake says its neurosurgical team is among the most experienced in Louisiana.