09:30 LRN Newscast, September 7th

We’ll hear from five of the seven major candidates in the October 14th Governor’s race tonight in a televised debate. Republican Jeff Landry refuses to participate because he says the organizer is biased. UNO Political Science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says that’s unfortunate:
Cut 7 (10) “front-runner”
The debate will be on TV tonight at 7.

The statewide burn ban was updated Wednesday and private burning is still prohibited but outdoor cooking may resume. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says wildfires are still active even though we have seen some rain…:
Cut 14 (08) “those scenes”
Those planning to tailgate at LSU Saturday are encouraged to seek alternate methods to outdoor cooking.

The state Department of Transportation announces lane closures on I-20 in Shreveport-Bossier City for the next two and a half years for pavement replacement…:
Cut 1 (30) “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

LSU Women’s Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey has reportedly agreed to a 10-year, $32 million dollar contract extension that will make her the highest paid coach in women’s basketball. The deal is pending final approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors which meets Friday.

08:30 LRN Newscast, September 7th

Five of the seven major candidates will participate in the first televised debate for the 2023 governor’s race tonight. Republican front-runner Jeff Landry refuses to participate citing organizer bias but UNO Political Science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak believes voters will still want to watch…:
Cut 9 (11) “direction”
The election is October 14th.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says they are once again taking applications from insurance companies who are interested in receiving grant dollars if they write more homeowners insurance policies. He says the goal is to reduce the number of homes that have coverage through, Citizens, the expensive state-run insurer of last resort..:
Cut 12 (09) “Citizens insurance”

Despite the recent rain, the statewide burn ban remains in effect. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington”

Baton Rouge Police say the person who allegedly stole a bike from a priest Monday has been apprehended. Father Michael Alello of St. Thomas More Catholic Church said his garage door was open when a man strolled up and grabbed his bike off the wall and rode away. Surveillance video shows the suspect waving at neighbors before he went into the garage to take the bike.

07:30 LRN Newscast, September 7th

The first televised Gubernatorial Debate in the October 14th elections will take place tonight. Brooke Thorington offers a preview…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Baton Rouge Police Department says an argument over a basketball game at a local park led to a shooting that left a teenager injured. They say a fight unfolded outside of the gym when the accused gunman went to his vehicle to retrieve a weapon then began shooting the victim’s car has they tried to leave. Three people were inside the vehicle and a 17-year-old male was injured when a bullet grazed his head and leg.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Wednesday the statewide burn ban remains in effect, but outdoor cooking can resume with safety measures in place. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says though we’ve seen some rain, it wasn’t enough to reduce the risk of fire due to the prolonged drought:
Cut 13 (11) “…fire service (x2).”
The burn ban will be reconsidered on a weekly basis.

The state Department of Transportation announces a 117-million-dollar construction project will begin on I-20 in Bossier and Caddo Parishes on September 18th. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says workers will spend the next two and a half years on the project…:
Cut 4 (08) “the top”
The project is scheduled to be completed by 2025.

06:45 LRN Sportscast September 7th

NFL regular season games begin tonight with Kansas City hosting Detroit. The Saints will play host to the Titans Sunday at noon, and New Orleans Quarterback Derek Carr expects the Black and Gold to have a great season…:
CUT 16 (16) “this week”

Saints’ rookie quarterback Jake Haener has been suspended six games following an announcement from the league Wednesday he violated the performance enhancing drug policy. The 4th round pick out of Fresno State will be eligible to return to the Saints’ active roster on October 16th. Haener wasn’t likely to see much playing time this season slotted behind Carr, Jameis Winston and possibly Taysom Hill on the depth chart.

Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow says he’s on track to play in Sunday’s opener at Cleveland after a calf injury sidelined him for most of the preseason.

LSU Women’s Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey has reportedly agreed to a 10-year, $32 million dollar contract extension that will make her the highest paid coach in women’s basketball. The deal is pending final approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors which meets Friday. Mulkey has yet to see a win for her Tigers over South Carolina. They’ll take a third shot on January 25th as the SEC released next season’s schedule Wednesday afternoon.

LSU Coach Brian Kelly is “giddy” about the return of defensive tackle Maason Smith on Saturday night when the Tigers host Grambling. Smith was suspended for the season opener for getting paid for autographs before NIL took effect. Kelly says Smith hasn’t played in over a year:
CUT 19 (19) “impact the game”

06:30 LRN Newscast, September 7th

The first televised debate in the 2023 Governor’s race is tonight, and five of the seven major candidates will participate. Republican Jeff Landry refuses to take part saying the organizer, the Urban League, is biased towards Democrats. But UNO Political Science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says the other candidates will still go after Landry…:
Cut 8 (11) “Republicans”
Election Day is October 14th.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Wednesday the statewide burn ban remains in effect due to continuing dry conditions, but added Louisiana residents can resume outdoor cooking. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says, if you do grill, have safety measures in place..:
Cut 15 (09) “cooking there”

The program offering grants to insurance companies who write new policies in Louisiana is accepting applications over a 30-day period now for a second time. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says nearly $42 million of the available $45 million was awarded to eight insurers following the first round of applications…:
Cut 10 (04) “since April”
If you’ve got coverage through Citizens, the state-run insurer of last resort, Donelon urges you to continue to research other options.

Less than a week after a student was shot and killed at the Brusly/Port Allen game last Friday, the Iberville Parish School Board says metal detectors will now be at the entrances of stadiums, and a clear bag policy is in place. Groups will also no longer be allowed to gather under the stadium or parking lot.

09:30 LRN Newscast, September 5th

The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a teen has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at the Brusly-Port Allen game on Friday night. 18-year-old Jarrettin Jackson II is charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Sergeant Landon Groger says it’s sad a teenager would bring a gun to a game:
Cut 12 (06) “faith-based groups”
Counselors are on hand at the schools today.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the wildfire in Beauregard Parish was the result of arson and they are looking for the suspect. He says The Tiger Island blaze is the largest wildfire in Louisiana history:
CUT 5 (11) “stop this”
They are offering a $2000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction.

Narcan, the nasal spray that can help reverse an opioid overdose, will be available over the counter on Wednesday…:
Cut 3 (28) …I’m Brooke Thorington”

Research from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows more pregnant women exceeded the recommended gestational weight gain during the pandemic. Director of Reproductive Endocrinology Dr. Leanne Redman says they also found high rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes..:
Cut 7 (11) “of pregnancy”

08:30 LRN Newscast, September 5th

West Baton Rouge Parish is reeling over a fatal shooting at a high school football game. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Authorities say Jackson has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

A Mississippi motorcyclist is dead after a weekend crash in Washington Parish. State Police say 41-year-old Anthony Simmons of Osyka, Mississippi ran his bike off the road, hit a culvert and struck a tree near Mount Hermon Sunday. He did at the scene.

State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain is asking for the public’s help in finding the person who intentionally started the wildfire in Beauregard Parish. He says the fire has been active for two weeks and has caused large scale damage…:
Cut 4 (12) “a felony”
They are offering a $2000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction.

Narcan, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, will be available without a prescription on Wednesday. Dr. Benjamin Springgate with the LSU School of Medicine says Narcan is an important tool to counter the opioid overdose epidemic, but the cost could be a factor…:
Cut 13 (12) “pocket”
Some health insurers will cover the cost, or a portion of it, when it’s prescribed.

07:30 LRN Newscast, September 5th

The opening weekend of the high school football season was marred by a fatal shooting at the Brusly-Port Allen game on Friday night, and an arrest has been made. Sergeant Landon Groger with the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says during halftime, 18-year-old Jarrettin Jackson II allegedly shot 16-year-old Ja’Kobe Queen at a concession stand..:
Cut 10 (09) “this time”
Jackson is charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

Research from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows more pregnant women exceeded the recommended gestational weight gain during the pandemic. Director of Reproductive Endocrinology Dr. Leanne Redman
Cut 8 (10) “out for”
She says this may present further indirect impacts of the virus into the future for women and babies.

State officials are looking for the person responsible for starting the Tiger Island fire in Beauregard Parish. Teiko Foxx has more..:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

LSU has announced a new route for their Tiger Trails service called Night Express to help students travel between campus and the Tigerland area. This service will begin September 14th where a shuttle will operate Thursday to Saturday from 7pm to 3am. Additionally, LSU said security officers will be present at each stop.

06:45 LRN Sportscast, September 5th

The LSU football team gets back to work today trying to correct the problems that resulted in Sunday’s embarrassing 45-24 loss to Florida State. Coach Brian Kelly says one poor performance will not define their season…:
Cut 18 (18) “second half”
LSU hosts Grambling in Tiger Stadium this Saturday night at 6:30.

An arrest has been made in the fatal shooting that took place at the Brusly-Port Allen high school football game on Friday night. The West Baton Rouge Parish Sherriff’s Office says 18-year-old Jarrettin Jackson the Second is charged with second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. Shot and killed in the incident was 16-year-old Ja’Kobe Queen only a few feet away from a concession stand.

Game week has arrived for the Saints as they will host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. New Orleans only has two home games in the first six weeks of the season, so getting a win on Sunday is important. Coach Dennis Allen…:
Cut 16 (14) “… always good”
The Titans went 7-and-10 last season. They started 7-3 but finished the season on a seven-game losing streak. The game on Sunday kicks off at noon.

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore and offensive lineman Landon Young were back on the practice field Monday. Lattimore tweaked his knee during joint practices with the Chargers, leaving the August 18th practice early. Coach Dennis Allen called it “precautionary” at the time.

06:30 LRN Newscast, September 5th

The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a teen has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at the Brusly-Port Allen game on Friday night. 18-year-old Jarrettin Jackson II is charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Sergeant Landon Groger says it was a senseless act of violence at one of the biggest events of the year in West Baton Rouge Parish…:
Cut 11 (11) “as a whole”
The school system says it will have increased security at future games and trauma and grief counselors are at the schools today.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish was caused by arson, and they are seeking the public’s help:
CUT 6 (10) “for this”
He says this is the largest wildfire in Louisiana history and is now 55 percent contained.

The drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, Narcan, will be available over the counter starting tomorrow. Dr. Benjamin Springgate is with the LSU School of Medicine…:
Cut 15 (08) “on that”
The suggested retail is $45 a carton which contains two doses of nasal spray.

The LSU football team gets back to work today trying to correct the problems that resulted in Sunday’s embarrassing 45-24 loss to Florida State. The Tigers were overmatched by the Seminoles as F-S-U scored 31 unanswered points in the second. The Tigers face Grambling in Death Valley this Saturday night.