6:30 LRN Newscast February 24

Amazon has selected Louisiana to invest 12-billion dollars for a data center campus. The campus is being built in northwest Louisiana in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Governor Landry says it’s believed to be the biggest single investment by a company in the history of northwest Louisiana – as well as one of the most important.

Cut 4 (10) “…and digital infrastructure.”

Landry says these three data centers will create thousands of jobs.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson is proposing stiffer penalties for students convicted of making threats towards a school. Prison time could be anywhere from two to 15 years…

Cut 17 (14) “…consequences”

Johnson’s legislation will be heard in the upcoming legislative session.

A state lawmaker has come up with a plan to get the federal government to help pay for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge — and that is to name it after President Trump.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

LSU sophomore Kailin Chio is one of the top gymnasts in the country. She scored two 10s in last week’s meet against Oklahoma, even though she didn’t think her vault, which received a perfect score was that great…

Cut 10 (13) “…the other ones”

2nd ranked LSU hosts 3rd ranked Alabama on Friday.

LRN AM Newscall February 24

An announcement so big in Shreveport that Governor Landry was the one to make it. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A state lawmaker has come up with a plan to get the federal government to help pay for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge — and that is to name it after President Trump. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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As the Louisiana Lottery celebrates one milestone, it celebrates a second milestone. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Amazon has selected Louisiana to invest 12-billion dollars for a data center campus. The campus is being built in northwest Louisiana in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Governor Landry says it’s believed to be the biggest single investment by a company in the history of northwest Louisiana – as well as one of the most important.

Cut 4 (10) “…and digital infrastructure.”

Landry says these three data centers will create thousands of jobs.

Cut 5 (12) “…in northwest Louisiana.” (applause fades)

Among them are 540 on-site jobs that pay salaries that are 50-percent higher than the state average.

One of the most controversial aspects of data centers is all the electricity that’s required to power them and the effects that it may have on residents’ utility bills. Landry said Amazon is taking care of all of that.

Cut 6 (08) “…for these projects.”

Construction is expected to begin immediately.

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If another Mississippi River Bridge is built in the Baton Rouge area, one state lawmaker believes it should be named after President Trump. Monroe Republican Representative Michael Echols says if his legislation is approved, the proposed bridge that would be built south of the current Mississippi River Bridge would be named the “President Donald J. Trump Expressway.”

Cut 7 (10) “…get that done.”

Cost is a big hurdle when it comes to building a bridge that would connect LA-Highway One in Iberville Parish to LA Highway 30. Echols says if Louisiana commits to naming the bridge after the President, there’s a better chance it will happen.

Cut 8 (12) “…this thing built.”

Echols says U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson loves the concept and sent it to the White House. A new bridge could cost as much as three-billion dollars. Echols says most of the funding will need to come from the federal government; so if naming the bridge after President Trump gets it done, why not do it?

Cut 9 (12)  “…done for Louisiana.”

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Sophomore Kailin Chio is becoming the next great female athlete at LSU. The All-American from Nevada became the first gymnast this year to score two perfect 10s at the same meet, as she accomplished the feat last Friday against top-ranked Oklahoma. Chio had a perfect score on beam and vault, but she believes she’s had better vaults this season.

Cut 10 (13) “…the other ones.”

Chio has scored four perfect 10s through seven meets so far this season, moving her total to five in her career. Chio was the SEC Freshman of the Year last year; and she’s having a sensational sophomore season, as she’s won 22 event titles, which is one shy of the 23 she had last year. Head coach Jay Clark says Chio is performing at a high level.

Cut 11 (12) “…her to be.”

LSU failed to beat Oklahoma last Friday; but it was the Tigers highest road score of the season, and they are still ranked second in the country. LSU is a national title contender again this year, but Clark says they can’t rely on Chio to keep scoring 10s.

Cut 12 (11) “…scores up there.”

Second-ranked LSU will host third-ranked Alabama Friday night and will also compete Sunday at the Raising Cane’s River Center against three other teams — Alabama, Arizona and North Carolina.

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As the Louisiana Lottery celebrates one milestone this year, it’s now celebrating a second milestone. In its 35th year, the Louisiana Lottery has eclipsed five-billion dollars in revenue transfers to Louisiana’s Minimum Foundation Program, which dedicates the money to K-through-12 education. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says the lottery has been very popular through the years.

Cut 13 (08)  “…from ticket sales.”

As part of its deal with the state, the Louisiana Lottery is required by law to transfer about 35-percent of its revenue to the state’s Minimum Foundation Program. Maher says they came very close to the milestone in the last fiscal year.

Cut 14 (11) “…Minimum Foundation Program.”

Speaking of “billion,” Maher says those Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots that hit the “B” mark may have had something to do with crossing the five-billion-dollar transfer threshold to the Minimum Foundation Program.

Cut 15 (10) “…really big jackpots.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

Amazon has selected Louisiana to invest 12-billion dollars for a data center campus. The campus is being built in northwest Louisiana in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Governor Landry says it’s believed to be the biggest single investment by a company in the history of northwest Louisiana – as well as one of the most important.

Cut 4 (10) “…and digital infrastructure.”

Landry says these three data centers will create thousands of jobs.

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in multiple arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lt. Blake Tabor says those arrested range in ages 25 to 59.

Cut 13 (10) “…this case.”

Tabor says The coordinated operation led to the recovery about 70 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly one pound of Heroin and Fentanyl.

 

One state lawmaker wants to put a stop to threats being made against schools. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

One more cold night as we’ll see low temperatures tomorrow morning get below freezing for a large portion of the state. But we’ll see warmer temperatures the rest of the week. It will remain windy too and mostly dry, which means an elevated risk of wild and brushfires.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The top-ranked LSU baseball team improved its record to 8-0 with three wins in Jacksonville this past weekend. Coach Jay Johnson likes the approach his players are taking to every game…

Cut 18 (16)  “…do that.”

LSU hosts McNeese on Tuesday.

The LSU women’s basketball team moved up to No. 6 in this week’s AP Top 25. LSU climbed up one spot after picking up wins over 19th-ranked Ole Miss and Missouri last week. The Lady Tigers will host Tennessee on Thursday for Senior Night.

Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray is set to make his season debut tomorrow against the Golden State Warriors. Murray has spent the past year recovering from an Achilles tear that he suffered on Jan. 31 of last year.

Louisiana Tech sophomore first baseman Trey Hawsey was named Conference USA Hitter of the Week after batting .636 at the Grind City Classic in Memphis this weekend. Hawsey had two doubles and one homer with 5 RBIs. The Bulldogs won all three of their games in Memphis and will host Northwestern State on Tuesday.

UL-Lafayette completed a three-game sweep of Maryland with a 15-inning win over the Terrapins. The Cajuns will host Kansas State on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

The McNeese men’s basketball team will host Texas Rio Grande Valley tonight at 6:30 p.m. The Cowboys sit second in the Southland and two games behind Stephen F. Austin.

UNO looks to win its third straight game tonight as the Privateers are at Stephen F. Austin. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m.

Nicholls looks to get back in the win streak tonight as the Colonels are in Texas to face Lamar at 6 p.m.

4:30 LRN Newscast

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in six arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lieutenant Blake Tabor says the coordinated operation also resulted in the recovery of significant quantities of other dangerous narcotics.

Cut 12 (06) “…if you will.”

The six people arrested range in ages 25 to 59 and live in Houma, Gray and Schriever.

A state lawmaker has filed a bill aimed at putting a stop to school threats. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill would increase the penalties for terrorizing and menacing schools – and parents would be held financially responsible. Johnson says there would be certain instances where parents could face even more severe consequences.

Cut 9 (10)  “…them criminally liable.”

The windy conditions over the last couple days have kept firefighters very busy. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says when you add a lack of significant rainfall, that’s made it impossible to safely burn anything.

Cut 6 (10) “…on the ground.”

Yesterday, that led to several massive fires, including one in St. Tammany Parish that burned along Interstate 12. That fire jumped the freeway, forcing it to shut down in both directions.

The National Weather Service had issued a Red Flag Warning until six p-m. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Efferson says even if there’s no Red Flag Warning in effect, it’s still not a good idea to be burning anything under any circumstances.

Cut 4 (10) “…very simple things.”

LRN PM Newscall February 23

Dry and windy conditions have increased the fire danger for Louisiana. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has more..

Cut 1 (35) “…statewide.”

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One state lawmaker wants to put a stop to threats being made against schools. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The National Weather Service has issued another Red Flag Warning for all of southeast Louisiana today. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Efferson says the warning is in effect until six this evening.

Cut 3 (06) “…and spread quickly.”

Efferson says as such – and as witnessed yesterday in St. Tammany and Livingston parishes – today is not the day to be burning anything under any circumstances.

Cut 4 (10) “…very simple things.”

Efferson says you really shouldn’t use a charcoal grill today either; but if you do, make sure you take every precaution necessary.

Cut 5 (06) “…yard for sure.”

Wildfires are also a problem in northwest Louisiana. Caddo Parish under a strict burn ban due to severe drought and high wildfire risks.

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The Red Flag Warning comes a day after high winds and dry conditions whipped up several fires throughout the state. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the conditions yesterday made it impossible to be burning anything.

Cut 6 (10) “…on the ground.”

Yesterday, there were several hundred acres that were burning along I-12 in St. Tammany Parish, and Strain says the fire jumped the Interstate, forcing it to be shut down in both directions.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the Interstate.”

Strain says the St. Tammany fire was by no means the only fire burning yesterday.

Cut 8 (09) “…and Gum Swamp.”

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A state lawmaker has filed a bill aimed at putting a stop to school threats. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill would increase the penalties for terrorizing and menacing schools – and parents would be held financially responsible. Johnson says there would be certain instances where parents could face even more severe consequences.

Cut 9 (10)  “…them criminally liable.”

Johnson says under his bill, all students will know about the state law and the consequences surrounding it – all in a way that they can understand.

Cut 10 (15) “…have severe consequences.”

Johnson says school threats are being posted online in increasing numbers in recent years, including a string of them in Rapides Parish last year, and he wants to put a stop to it.

Cut 11 (14) “…your parents responsible.”

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A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in six arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lt. Blake Tabor says the coordinated operation also resulted in the recovery of significant quantities of other dangerous narcotics…

Cut 12 (06) “…if you will.”

The six people arrested range in ages 25 to 59 and live in Houma, Gray and Schriever. Tabor says if you choose to deal narcotics in Terrebonne, the sheriff’s office will identify you, and build a case that leads to your arrest and conviction…

Cut 13 (10) “…this case.”

Tabor says information provided by concerned citizens helped spark the investigation…

Cut 14 (07) “…what happened.”

3:30 PM LRN Newscast

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in six arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lt. Blake Tabor says information provided by concerned citizens helped spark the investigation…

Cut 14 (07) “…what happened.”

The six people that were arrested were from 25 to 59 years old. Tabor says the investigation is ongoing and they are exhausting every lead.

After serving about 6 weeks in his position, Former Louisiana Surgeon General, Dr. Ralph Abraham, has stepped down from his position as Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control. The agency says Dr. Abraham’s decision to resign was due to unforeseen family obligations. Abraham began his duties at the beginning of the year after being sworn in by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in mid-December.

Dry and windy conditions have increased the fire danger for Louisiana. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has more..

Cut 1 (35) “…statewide.”

Damaging wildfires burned around the state yesterday including hundreds of acres in St. Tammany Parish along I-12. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Mike Strain, says the fire jumped the Interstate, forcing it to be shut down in both directions.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the Interstate.”

2:30 PM LRN Newscast

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for all of southeast Louisiana until 6:00 P.M. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Efferson says due to high winds and dry conditions, it’s not the day for outdoor fires including outdoor grilling, but if you must grill, take precautions.

Cut 5 (06) “…yard for sure.”

The Red Flag Warning comes a day after high winds and dry conditions caused several fires throughout the state including a fire that spread to both sides of I-12 in St. Tammany Parish and caused the closure of the interstate for hours. Wildfires are also a problem in northwest Louisiana. Caddo Parish is under a strict burn ban due to severe drought and high wildfire risks. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain

Cut 8 (09) “…and Gum Swamp.”

One state lawmaker wants to put a stop to threats being made against schools. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Another Data Center is coming to Louisiana as Amazon increases its presence in the state. Amazon announced a $12 Billion Dollar investment for data center campuses in Bossier and Caddo Parishes that will support cloud computing technologies. The project is expected to create 540 new direct jobs and 1,700 indirect job opportunities. Along with the 12-billion-dollar investment, Amazon is launching a series of community and infrastructure initiatives in Northwest Louisiana. The tech giant invested 4.7 billion dollars in the state between 2010 and 2024.

1:30 PM LRN Newscast

The National Weather Service has issued another Red Flag Warning for all of southeast Louisiana today. High winds and dry conditions whipped up fires throughout the state yesterday burning several hundred acres in St. Tammany Parish in frightening scene that caused the closure of I-12 to for several hours as the fire jumped the interstate an spread to both sides. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 6 (10) “…on the ground.”

National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Efferson says today is not the day to be burning anything.

Cut 4 (10) “…very simple things.”

There were also large fires in Livingston and Webster Parishes. Caddo Parish is under a strict burn ban due to severe drought and high wildfire risks there.

A state lawmaker has filed a bill aimed at putting a stop to school threats. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill would increase the penalties for terrorizing and menacing schools – and parents would be held financially responsible. He says under his bill, all students will know about the state law and the consequences surrounding it – all in a way that they can understand.

Cut 10 (15) “…have severe consequences.”

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in multiple arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lt. Blake Tabor says those arrested range in ages 25 to 59.

Cut 13 (10) “…this case.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Dry and windy conditions have increased the fire danger for Louisiana. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has more..

Cut 1 (35) “…statewide.”

Yesterday, there were several hundred acres that were burning along I-12 in St. Tammany Parish. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 7 (08) “…of the Interstate”

 

With students posting threats against schools on social media in increasing numbers year after year, one state lawmaker has filed a bill aimed at putting a stop to it. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill would increase the penalty for terrorizing a school to 15-thousand dollars or up to 15 years in prison, and parents would be held financially responsible. Johnson says there would be certain instances where parents could face even more severe consequences.

Cut 9 (10)  “…them criminally liable.”

Johnson says under his bill, all students will know about the state law and the consequences surrounding it – all in a way that they can understand.

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in six arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office, approximately 70 pounds. Lt. Blake Tabor says the coordinated operation also resulted in the recovery of significant quantities of other dangerous narcotics…

Cut 12 (06) “…if you will”

The six people arrested range in ages 25 to 59 and live in Houma, Gray and Schriever.