11:40 LRN Sportscast November 4

Alabama will arrive in Death Valley on Saturday night with a seven and one record. They once again have one of the top defenses in the Southeastern Conference and on offense they feature Amari Cooper, who leads the SEC in receiving yards. Coach Les Miles says Cooper has great speed and size…
Cut 18 (15) “talented man”
This is the ninth time Miles has matched up with Alabama Coach Nick Saban. His record is 3-and-5.

The Saints will begin their second-half of the season on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, who are struggling with a 4-and-4 record. New Orleans is also 4-and-4, but the Black and Gold have won their last two games and lead the NFC South. Kick-off this Sunday is at noon. In other action this weekend….Atlanta is at Tampa Bay and Carolina visits Philadelphia in a Monday night matchup.

Louisiana Tech’s defense is ranked near the top in the country in several categories. They are third in the country in interceptions with 16 and they are number one in points off turnovers and number one in third quarter scoring margin, a plus 91.

UL Lafayette outside linebacker David Saunders has resigned. The university has cited “personal reasons.” Matt Wallerstedt who joined the staff as a consultant, will take over Saunders position.

In the latest high school football polls….Rummel, Neville, UHIGH, Many and Mangham are all ranked number one. In Two-A, Many is number one and Catholic High of New Iberia has moved to number two, followed by Riverside, Calvary Baptist and Kinder.

In the NBA….the Pelicans shot just 33-percent from the field in a 93-81 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. New Orleans will try to snap its two-game losing streak tonight against the Charlotte Hornets, who are also off to a 1-and-2 start.

LRN Newscast 17:30

The US Senate and tightly contested Congressional races in the fifth and sixth district hightlight tomorrow’s ballot. But there’s also 14 constitutional amendments. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Scott says amendment two would allow hospitals to use state tax dollars to match with Medicaid money, to help compensate care given to the uninsured…
cut 4 (13) “….budget priorities”
For information on the constitutional amendments go to par-louisiana-dot-org.

According to the state department of education, 44-percent of voucher students reached a “basic” achievement level on standardized tests last year. That’s up from 42-percent the year before. Also 23 of the 125 participating voucher schools did not perform well enough to accept new voucher students next year.

Site Selection magazine ranks the Bayou State second for business climate. Editor in Chief Mark Arend says they came up with their rankings by talking to company executives and Louisiana ranked high on that survey, plus there’s other information that shows the state is a great place to do business…
cut 8 (09) “….going on there”

Taylor Swift apparenlty likes Louisiana too..She’ll kick-off her world tour in Bossier City next yea and then headline the Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge. Michelle southern…
cut 2 (30) “…reporting’

LRN sportscast 16:45 November 3rd

The 14th ranked LSU Tigers are back on the practice field today after taking the weekend off. The Bayou Bengals are getting ready for fourth ranked Alabama. LSU had some momentum going into the bye week, because of their thrilling win over Ole Miss. Coach Les Miles says the week off shouldn’t hurt his team…
cut 29 (17) ‘…as well’
Alabama also did not play this Saturday as well.

Louisiana Tech quarterback Cody Sokol threw for 335 yards and five touchdowns in the Bulldogs 59–10 win over Western Kentucky. Today he was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. Sokol is the fifth Q-B in La Tech history to throw five TDS in a single game.

The Ragin Cajuns defense had its best performance of the season on Saturday in a 19-9 win over South Alabama. The Jaguars were held to 150 total yards in the second half and zero points. UL Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth says it was an impressive peformance….
cut 30 (11) “…big hits”
The Cajuns are at New Mexico State this Saturday.

In other college football action this Saturday…ULM is at Appalachian State. It’s the first meeting between the two schools. Southeastern Louisiana hosts Houston Baptist and McNeese State takes on Stephen F Austin. The Cowboys and Lions are tied for first place in the league, along with Sam Houston State.

NBA…the Pelicans are memphis tonight. New Orleans needs to see some more scoring from Eric Gordon. He only has eight points and six turnovers in two games.

PM LRN Newscall November 3rd

In addition to the US Senate and Congressional races, Tuesday’s ballot features 14 Constitutional Amendments. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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Promoters announce the opening of Taylor Swift’s brand new “1989″ tour will kick off in Bossier City next year, then headline Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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In addition to the US Senate and Congressional races, Tuesday’s ballot features 14 Constitutional Amendments. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Amendment 1 protects the financial system that has been set up for nursing homes and care facilities, that are matched by Medicaid, to reimburse them for the care they give…

CUT 3 (09)  “this new amendment”

Scott says Amendment 2 would give hospitals in the state tax money, that they would be able to match with Medicaid dollars, to help compensate for the care they give to the uninsured…

CUT 4 (13)  “budget priorities”

Another amendment on the ballot deals with disabled veterans. Scott says Amendment 7 gives an extra homestead exemption for disabled veterans… (You can get more information on the amendments at parlouisiana-dot-org)

CUT 5 (12)  “all in there”

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Site Selection magazine names Louisiana number two in the nation in it’s Top Business Climate list for 2014. Editor-In-Chief Mark Arend says the list is compiled based on a survey of corporate real estate executives and the magazine’s proprietary New Plant Database…

CUT 6 (12)  “this year”

Georgia ranked number one in this year’s list. Arend says a big reason for Louisiana ranking second is that it finished sixth in a separate survey of business executives…

CUT 7 (06) “very impressive”

Lousiana economic development officials say the state is set to enter an industrial boom and Arend says their ranking reflects that…

CUT 8 (09) “going on there”

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State Police report a single vehicle crash in Assumption Parish has claimed the life of a 4-year-old boy. Trooper Evan Harrell says the wreck happened last night when a vehicle, driven by 22-year-old Toniska Willoughby of Napoleonville, went off the road into a ditch and struck a culvert…

CUT 9 (5)  “a child seat”

4-year-old Cason Willoughby was pronounced dead at the scene. His aunt was the driver and she suffered moderate injuries. Harrell says Toniska will be found at-fault in the crash…

CUT 10 (08)  “crime lab”

Harrell says their investigation revealed that Cason was sitting in the front seat using only the lap portion of the seat belt for restraint. He says this is another tragic reminder to follow safety procedures when children are in a motor vehicle…

CUT 11 (12)  “12-years-old

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Louisiana got some big celebrity news today as promoters announce the opening of Taylor Swift’s brand new “1989″ tour will kick off in Bossier City next year, then headline Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge. The Century Link Center show will be May 20th, then Swift plays the May 22nd Friday night show in Tiger Stadium. Visit Baton Rouge President Paul Arrigo…:

CUT 12 (11) “years ago”

The seven-time Grammy Award winning artist will also be making stops in Europe, Australia and Asia in 2015. Arrigo says it’s huge that she’s making her first two stops in Louisiana…:

CUT  13 (04) “probably”

Tickets for the North American leg of Swift’s tour will go on sale to the general public on November 14th. Arrigo says Louisiana gets huge acts like this because the Lt. Governor’s Office and the different CVB’s throughout the state have done a good job labeling The Bayou State as a travel destination…:

cut 14 (06) “2015″

LRN Sportscast 11:40 November 3rd

The Saints next opponent, the San Francisco 49ers suffered a heart wrenching loss on Sunday. 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick fumbled at the goal line with two seconds left, which allowed St. Louis to hold on for a 13-10 victory over San Fran. The 49ers will enter the Mercedes Benz Superdome with a 4-and-4 record.

In other NFL action…former LSU standout Jeremy Hill rushed for a career-high 154 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals 33-23 victory over Jacksonville.

Tyran Mathieu had an interception in the Cardinals 28-17 win over Dallas. Arizona has the best record in the NFC at seven and one. And another former LSU standout, Jarvis Landry, caught a touchdown pass in the Dolphinms 37-nothing beat down of the San Diego Chargers.

Tonight its Eli Manning and the New York Giants hosting the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts lead the A-F-C South with a 5-and-3 record.

It was a complete performance for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs as they defeated Western Kentucky 59-10 on Saturday to improve to 5-and-0 in Conference USA. Tech Coach Skip Holtz saw his defense hold the Hilltoppers to less than 300 yards of total offense and they forced five turnovers…
cut 16 (20) “….all of the above”
Bulldogs Quarterback Cody Sokol was named the Conference USA offensive player of the Week. Sokol threw for five touchdown passes.

Grambling State Quarterback Johnathan Williams continues to play at a high level. Williams threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns in a win on Saturday He also rushed for 71 yards and a score. Grambling is 6-0 in the SWAC and they visit Mississippi Valley State on Thursday.

LRN AM Newscall November 3rd

A University of New Orleans Survey Research Center poll shows that a majority of respondents feel the state is moving in the wrong direction. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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The state education department decides students will take the Common Core tests next spring on paper, instead of on a computer. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (28) “reporting”

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For many motorists their afternoon commute could be the dark as the end of daylight savings time means the sun will go down just after five o’ clock. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (27) “reporting”

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A University of New Orleans Survey Research Center poll of nearly 600 registered Louisiana voters shows that a majority of respondents feel the state is moving in the wrong direction. 52-percent disapproved when asked about the current direction of the state. UNO political science professor Ed Chervenak says people are unhappy regardless of race, gender, or party affiliation…

Cut 4  (07)  “of the state”

Respondents were given the opportunity to provide a “free response” as to what they thought was the biggest problem facing the state. Chervenak says the number one response was education…

Cut 5  (07)  “with Common Core”

Chervenak says this poll also shows Louisiana residents are not happy with Governor Bobby Jindal’s job performance. He says 53-percent of voters disapprove of what the governor is doing…

Cut 6 (05)  “national campaign”

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The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is asking motorists to be more alert now that Daylight Savings Time is over and it will get dark much earlier. Spokesperson Elaine Rougeau says the chance of an accident increases as darkness falls earlier…

CUT 7 (07)  “travel environment”

Rougeau says there are no hard statistics that show there’s an increase in accidents in the days following a time change, but highway safety officials do see more accidents at night

Cut 8 (06)   “falls earlier”

Rougeau says fatigue from drivers is another concern with the time change…

Cut 9 (08)  “to adjust” 

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Third through eighth grade students in public schools will take Common Core exams next spring on paper, instead of on a computer as originally planned.  State Education Superintendent John White says this decision was made so that teachers can concentrate on making sure students are prepared for the more rigorous tests…

Cut 10 (06)  “issues later”

About 300-thousand students will take the Common  Core tests in March and there’s a second session in May. It replaces the LEAP and I-Leap exams. White says even though they will use a paper exam in 2015, the substance of test will not change

cut 11 (12)  “think independently”

There have been concerns some schools are not equipped to handle computerized testing. White says most schools have made the necessary technology upgrades, but after talking with teachers, he thought it was best to go with a paper-and-pencil exam for the first year

cut 12 (09)  “student achievement”

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The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech are still undefeated in conference play in their respective leagues after winning homecoming match-ups on Saturday. U-L Lafayette beat South Alabama 19-to-9 to improve to 4-0 in the Sun Belt. The Cajuns were led offensively by Elijah McGuire who had 90 yards receiving and 116 yards rushing and a touchdown. Coach Mark Hudspeth had high praise for McGuire after the game…

Cut 13 (13)  “football games”

The Cajuns did not allow any points in the 2nd half and they held the Jaguars to 66 yards rushing. South Alabama was also just 4-of-15 on third downs. Hudspeth says it was an impressive performance by the defense

Cut 14 (11)  “big hits”

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Louisiana Tech is now 5-0 in Conference USA after a 59-10 win over Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers came into the game as one of the highest scoring teams in the country. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says the gameplan coming into the game was to beat em in a shootout…

Cut 15  (11)  “high scoring game”

It turns out the Bulldogs didn’t have to score many points as they gave up just one first quarter touchdown to Western Kentucky. Holtz saw his defense hold the Hilltoppers to less than 300 yards of total offense and they forced five turnovers…

Cut 16  (20)   “all of the above”

 

10:30 LRN Newscast

State Superintendent of Education John White announces students will take Common Core tests next spring with pencil and paper, instead of on a computer. There have been concerns some schools are not equipped to handle computerized testing. White says after talking with teachers, he thought it was best to go with a paper exam for the first year…
cut 12 (09) “…student achievement”
About 300-thousand students will take the Common Core tests in March and there’s a second session in May.

Grambling State is facing a three-million dollar deficit this year. Interim President Cynthia Warrick says a decrease in the fall enrollment has led to the shortfall. Warrick says to address the situation, they will increase faculty teaching loads, provide early retirement packages for some faculty members and maybe even close Grambling Lab schools.

A new Glascock group survey reveals some good news for Republican candidate Graves in the sixth district congressional race. Jeff Palermo has the story…
cut 1 (28) “…reporting”

No LSU football today….but homecoming festivities are taking place on three Louisiana campuses. Louisiana Tech can become bowl eligible with a win over Western Kentucky this afternoon at Joe Aillet Stadium. The Ragin Cajuns will look to stay undefeated in the Sun Belt when they face South Alabama. And in Thibodaux, Nicholls State goes after its first win of the season against Incarnate Word.

LRN Newscast 09:30 November 1

State Police announce the driver who struck and killed two girls in Breaux Bridge Thursday will be charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. A 15-year-old and 14-year-old were killed, while a 13-year-old is in stable condition. Lt. J.B. Slaton says a blood sample was taken from the driver,32-year-old Jeremy Abraham…
cut 7 (10) “Abraham’s system”
Abraham is still in a Lafayette hospital being treated for injuries.

Several children were injured in a Halloween related accident in Livingston Parish last night. State Police say about 20 children were riding on a utility trailer pulled by an A-T-V as they were taking a “hayride.” Authorities say the A-T-V did not have proper lightning and it was struck from behind by another vehicle. Eleven children were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries and an adult male passenger was also hurt.

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says incinerator ash associated with the recent Dallas Ebola victim will be not be disposed in Louisiana. On October 13th, Caldwell’s office obtained a restraining order to keep the Ebola Waste out of Louisiana. He says now there’s been an out-of-court agreement which will keep the Ebola ash from going into a Louisiana landfill.

Third through eighth grade students in public schools will take Common Core exams next spring on paper, instead of on a computer as originally planned. State Education Superintendent John White says this decision was made so that teachers can concentrate on making sure students are prepared for the more rigorous tests…
cut 10 (06) “…issues later”
About 300-thousand students will take the Common Core tests in March and there’s a second session in May. It replaces the LEAP and I-Leap exams.

08:30 LRN Newscast November 1

State Police say several children were injured in Livingston Parish last night in an ATV “Hayride” Crash. State Police say an A-T-V pulling a utility trailer loaded with kids did not have proper lighting and another vehicle struck it from behind. An adult male passenger in the A-T-V suffered moderate injuries, while 11 of the 20 children on the trailer were sent to local hospitals with minor injuries.

Students, teachers and staff at Sam Houston High School in Lake Charles are mourning the death of a 16-year-old student who fell off the top of an S-U-V. Commander James McGee, with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office, says Kaleb Franks and another teen were sitting on the roof and their feet were inside an open sunroof. McGee says a 15-year-old driver made a sudden motion with the steering wheel and Franks fell and died from head injuries….
cut 13 (09) “…the investigation”

The man who struck and killed two students walking to school Thursday in Breaux Bridge faces 2 counts of vehicular homicide. State Police Lt. J-B Slaton says 32 year-old Jeremy Abraham was traveling at twice the posted speed limit down a city street when he hit the teenage girls…
CUT 8 (05) Q: “the investigation”
Abraham is still in a Lafayette hospital. His mother told a Lafayette TV station that Abraham, who served 13 years in the army, suffered from P-T-S-D.

A new poll in the sixth congressional district shows former governor Edwin Edwards receiving 34-percent of the vote for Tuesday’s primary. Pineville-based pollster Darrel Glascock says two republicans, Garret Graves and Paul Dietzel are battling for that second run-off spot. Glascock says he’s also seeing evidence that Edwards might win in a run-off…
cut 4 (09) “…over 47″

07:30 LRN Sportscast November 1

It’s homecoming in Ruston and Lafayette today. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have the chance to become bowl eligible with a win over Western Kentucky at two o’ clock at Joe Aillet Stadium. The Bulldogs are also seeking to go 5-and-0 in Conference USA play.

The Ragin Cajuns will host South Alabama for homecoming. Last year the Jaguars beat U-L Lafayette 30-8. Coach Mark Hudspeth remembers that game well and knows South Alabama is not your typical homecoming opponent…
cut 30 (07) “….ready to play’
Kick-off at Cajun Field is at 4 PM.

ULM has an 11 A-M kick-off in College Station today where they’ll face Texas A-and-M. The Aggies started 5-and-0, but they’ve lost their last three games and may start freshman Kyle Allen at quarterback.

McNeese State goes after its tenth straight win over Northwestern State when the two teams meet at Turpin Stadium at Six P-M. The Cowboys have won their last two games, while the Demons gave up 58 points in a loss to Central Arkansas last week.

Nicholls State has a good opportunity at its first win of the season when they host Incarnate Word, who has just one win. Both of these teams have struggled to put points on the board, but Nicholls should play inspired in front of a homecoming crowd.

In the SWAC…Grambling State returns from the bye week to visit Texas Southern. The Tigers are looking to improve to 6-0 in the league. Quarterback Jonathan Williams has been terrific for Grambling. He had three passing and two rushing touchdowns two weeks ago against Arkansas Pine Bluff.

Also today, Southern hosts Alabama State.

At the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans will take on the Dallas Mavericks at six P-M.