06:45 Sportscast November 4, 2014

Bama week has arrived for the 14th ranked LSU Tigers as they host the 4th ranked Crimson Tide. Coach Les Miles is 5-and-5 against Alabama during his time at LSU and during his Monday gathering with reporters, he talked about what this rivalry means…

cut 17 (20) “competing in”

Alabama will arrive in Death Valley on Saturday night with a seven and one record.

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis was given a one-year contract extension, which will see him lead the Tiger defense through the 2015 season. It is reported that Chavis’ $1.3 million salary will remain intact for next season. According to USA Today, LSU has the highest paid staff in the country.

Five Memphis Grizzlies scored in double figures last night as they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 93-81 in Memphis. Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 16 points as they improve to 4-0 on the season. Tyreke Evans led the way for the Pels with 21 points. Anthony Davis, who averaged over 28 points a game in the first two games of the season, was held to just 14 points. The Pelicans shot only 33-percent from the field and were outrebounded by the Grizzlies 52-49. The Pels fall to 1-2 and will host Charlotte tonight.

David Saunders is reportedly out as an assistant coach at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The school released a statement saying that due to personal reasons, Saunders is no longer associated with the football program. Saunders served as outside linebackers coach and assistant recruiting coordinator for the Ragin’ Cajuns. It is reported that former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt will take over Saunder’s duties.

La Tech quarterback Cody Sokol is named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Offensive Player of the Week. Sokol threw for 5 touchdowns and ran for another in Tech’s win over Western Kentucky.

06:30 Newscast November 4, 2014

Polls are open across the state for today’s election. Polls will remain open until 8PM tonight. Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects polling places to be busy today…

cut 4 (07) “people voting”

He says if you can hit the polls sometime in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon you may have a little shorter wait time to cast your ballot.

Voters in the fifth and sixth congressional districts will choose from a large number of candidates to represent them in the US House. Former Congressman and four-term governor Edwin Edwards has the highest name recognition in the sixth district and LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Edwards has the best shot at making the run-off out of the 12-person race…

cut 10 (11) “to the runoff”

Hogan says it’s hard to say which republican will be the run-off against Edwards.

With Election Day underway, political observers believe there will be a runoff in Louisiana’s US Senate race. Analyst Clancy Dubos says, as with anything on the ballot, it’ll all come down to voter turnout…

cut 7 (12) “vote early”

Most polls show Senator Mary Landrieu winning in the primary but losing in the runoff.

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.

AM-Newscall November 4, 2014

Polls are open across the state for today’s election. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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Political observers say you can count on a runoff in the US Senate race after today. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (27) “reporting”

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According to the state department of education, 44-percent of voucher students reached a “basic” achievement level on standardized tests last year. Michelle Southern reports..

Cut 3 (27) “reporting”

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Polls are open across the state for today’s election. Polls opened at 6AM and will remain open until 8PM. Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects polling places to be busy today…

Cut 4  (07)  “people voting”

He says if you can hit the polls sometime in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon you may have a little shorter wait time to cast your ballot. Schedler says one way to help speed things along is to study the ballot, especially those 14 Constitutional Amendments, at geauxvote-dot com…

Cut 5  (11)  “you vote no”

Schedler says, as you head to the polls, don’t forget to bring your official ID. He still predicts voter turnout for today’s election to be in the neighborhood of 53-percent…

Cut 6 (10)  “misjudged it”

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Election Day is underway and political observers believe there will be a runoff in Louisiana’s US Senate race. Analyst Clancy Dubos says, as with anything on the ballot, it’ll all come down to voter turnout…:

CUT 7 (12)  “vote early”

Dubos says the three main candidates, US Senator Mary Landrieu, Congressman Bill Cassidy and Retired Air Force Col Rob Maness, are working hard to get out their vote. Most polls show Landrieu winning in the primary but losing in the runoff, Dubos says a good night for Landrieu would be…

Cut 8 (11)   “tough time”

Dubos says if the race goes to a December 6th runoff, it turns into a completely different election…:

Cut 9 (11)  “who vote today” 

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Voters in the fifth and sixth congressional districts will choose from a large number of candidates to represent them in the US House. Former Congressman and four-term governor Edwin Edwards has the highest name recognition in the sixth district and LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Edwards has the best shot at making the run-off out of the 12-person race…

Cut 10 (11)  “to the runoff”

Hogan says it’s hard to say which republican will be the run-off against Edwards. Dan Claitor, Paul Dietzel, Garret Graves, Craig McCullouch and Lenar Whitney have been the most active and Hogan says they represent different segments of the G-O-P….

cut 11 (11)  “experience”

In the fifth district, ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says republican incumbent Vance McAllister is in a fight to make the runoff. Stockley says some of the polls have Doctor Ralph Abraham, a physician from Mangham, leading the way in today’s primary

cut 12 (08)  “for his money”

Stockley says since Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo is the only democrat in the race, he has the best chance to make the runoff. But who will face him is tough to say. He says Zach Dasher, a  from pharmaceutical salesman from Calhoun has a lot of momentum heading into election day

Cut 13 (06)  “his behalf”

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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. Ann Duplessis, President of the Louisiana Federation for Children says these numbers are encouraging considering these students had previously been in C, D and F schools…:

Cut 14 (11)  “very good”

Duplessis says for many of these voucher students, it’s the first time they’ve ever been in such a learning environment so we should consider the numbers and the growth encouraging. Plus she says the 44-percent figure is just an average..:

Cut 15  (14)  “number”

The Louisiana DOE also says 23 of the 125 participating voucher schools did not perform well enough to accept new voucher students next year. Overall Duplessis says they are thrilled with the numbers because it shows there is a good accountability program in place that is working:

Cut 16  (10)   “and smart”

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Bama week has arrived for the 14th ranked LSU Tigers as they host the 4th ranked Crimson Tide. Coach Les Miles is 5-and-5 against Alabama during his time at LSU and during his Monday gathering with reporters, he talked about what this rivalry means…

Cut 17  (20)   “competing in”

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. Miles says Coooper has great speed and size…

Cut 18 (15) “talented man”

This is the ninth time Miles has matched up with Alabama Coach Nick Saban. The mad hatter says it’s enjoyable to face the style of program led by Saban

Cut 19 (17)   “talented coach”

 

 

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 Newscast 16:30 11-03-14

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

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

 

There was an early performance announcement for the 2015 Bayou Country Superfest. Taylor Swift will start the North American tour in North Louisiana on May 20th, and then Visit Baton Rouge President Paul Arrigo (ah REE go) says…

CUT 13 (04) Q: “probably”

And that will be for the show Friday night May 22nd in Tiger Stadium.

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A single car crash in Assumption Parish has taken the life of a four year-old sitting in the front seat of a car driven by her aunt. Four year-old Cason Willoughby was reportedly only restrained by the lap portion portion of the seat belt as the vehicle left the road, went into a ditch and struck a culvert…

CUT 11 (12) Q: “12 year-old”

That’s Tropper Evan Harrell who says 22 year-old Toniska Willoughby of Napoleonville is facing charges in connection with the little boy’s death.

Some good economic news for Louisiana today, as Site Selection Magazine has put us in second place on the Top Business Climate list, and we’re sixth in a separate survey of business executives…

CUT 7 (06) Q” very impressive

That’s Site Selection Editor in Chief Mark Arend.

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.

LRN Newscast 15:30 11-3-14

Besides the US Senate and Congressional races, Tuesday’s ballot features 14 Constitutional Amendments. 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”

That’s Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott.

Site Selection magazine names Louisiana number two in the nation in it’s Top Business Climate list for 2014, based on a survey of corporate real estate executives and the magazine’s proprietary New Plant Database…

CUT 6 (12) “this year

That’s Site Selection Editor-In-Chief Mark Arend.

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

CUT 10 (08) Q: crime lab”

The little boy – 4 year-old Cason Willoughby was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Some celebrity news out today, the Taylor Swift North American concert tour will be opening at the Century Link Center in Bossier City on May 20th and the Bayou Country Superfest on Friday night May 22nd. Visit Baton Rouge President Paul Arrigo (ah REE go) says the Department of Tourism has done a good job in branding Louisiana as a top travel destination…

CUT 14 (06) Q: “of 2015″

 

LRN Newscast 14:30 11-03-14

For tomorrow’s election, besides the Congressional and senate races, there are 14 constitutional amendments on the ballot, including Amendment 7 dealing with disabled veterans and homestead exemptions…

CUT 5 (12) Q: ‘all in there’

That’s Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott Scott (who says you can get more information at parlouisiana-dot-org.

 

Louisiana may not be the top state for Site Selection Magazine’s Top Business climate for 2014, but Editor-In-Chief Mark Arend says taking second place is not too bad..

CUT 8 (09) Q: ‘going on there”

Georgia took the top spot on the list.
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Test scores for Louisiana school students for the LEAP and iLeap are improving, according to the Department of Education report issued this morning. However, less than half of voucher students score at grade level. Voucher students are those who qualify for some financial assistance who choose to attend private schools.
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.

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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”

====================

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″

13:30 November 3rd, 2014

According to Site Selection magazine, Louisiana is No. 2 in the nation for business climate. Editor Mark Arend says one of the main reasons we ranked so high is because we came in 6th in another business executive survey…:
CUT 7 (06) “very impressive”
He says the coming industrial boom in Louisiana is another reason for the high rank.

State Police say a 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 the mother, 22-year-old Toniska Willoughby of Napoleonville, went off the road into a ditch and struck a culvert…:
CUT 9 (11) “a child seat”
He says the mother suffered moderate injuries in the crash and will be cited once released from the hospital.

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, and 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”
Tickets for the North American leg of Swift’s tour will go on sale to the general public on November 14th.

Don’t forget to vote tomorrow. The polls for the mid-terms in Louisiana, which include huge Senate and Congressional races and 14 Constitutional amendments, will be open 6am-8pm. You can find your polling location online at geauxvote.com.