08:30 LRN Newscasts March 24

Governor John Bel Edwards has scheduled a three PM press conference where he’ll announce budget cuts totaling 70-million dollars for the fiscal year that ends June 30th. The governor and his commissioner of administration Jay Dardenne have described the anticipated cuts to be painful.

International Paper has made a 500-thousand dollar donation to the Red Cross for flood relief. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 3 (31) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

An LSU survey finds Louisiana residents are becoming more skeptical of Common Core. Dr. Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s public policy research lab, says support fell from 39-to-34-percent over the past year. Henderson says this is likely due to political tension surrounding the issue…
cut 7 (08) “…in their minds”
Henderson says when you describe the academic standards and take away the name “Common Core” support grows to 57-percent.

A bill to allow blaze pink to be worn while hunting in addition to hunter’s orange has been approved by a House Committee. Cole Garrett with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they don’t have any issues with adding blaze pink.
cut 4 (09) “high vis”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

07:30 LRN Newscast March 24

A new LSU study finds nearly one in four Louisiana residents believe limited funding and teacher pay are the biggest problems facing public schools. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s public policy research lab, finds the results interesting, because the state legislature has focused its attention on other public education issues…
cut 9 (12) “…currently reflecting”
Henderson says the legislature has been more focused on charter schools, voucher programs and Common Core.

A bill moving through the legislative process would allow hunters to wear “blaze pink” instead of the traditional orange. Supporters say it could help to encourage more women to get involved in the outdoors. Oil City Representative Jim Morris…
cut 6 (06) “….favorable”
The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.

The American Red Cross announces they’ve received a half-million dollar donation from International Paper that will go towards flood relief efforts. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says they’ve had hundreds of volunteers serving meals, delivering supplies and giving emotional support…
cut 14 (10) “…do it”
I-P has nine facilities in Louisiana and employ two-thousand people.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolate says they’ve had another successful year producing the popular Gold Brick Eggs and Heavenly Hash Easter candies. Elmer’s CEO Rob Nelson says in the past, production continued all the way through Good Friday, but fortunately technology has improved….
cut 10 (09) “…good thing”
Nelson says the company produces about 12 million Gold Brick Eggs each year

06:45 LRN Sportscast March 24

Now that Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has a new contract, what about quarterback Drew Brees, who is entering the final year of his deal. According to ESPN, the Saints are working to finalize a four-year contract with Brees, which would keep him in New Orleans through the 2020 season. Brees will be 41 years-old in 2020.

Former LSU standout and Bastrop High star Rueben Randle has a new home in the NFL, but he’s staying in the NFC East. Randle has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after catching eight touchdown passes for the New York Giants last year.

And there’s a couple of new rule changes in the NFL. A player wil be kicked out of the game, if they commit two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the same contest and the touchback after kickoffs has moved to the 25-yard line.

At the state capitol, a bill has been approved by the House Education committee that attemps to end the expanding public-private high school playoff split that’s led to talk of another association.

The 13th ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against second ranked Texas A&M. The Aggies are 19-and-2 and they have the highest team batting average in the SEC. Coach Paul Mainieri is eager to see how his club performs
cut 16 (13) “…our team”
Junior left-hander Jared Poche will get the start on the hill for the Tigers.

In other college baseball action…UL Lafayette hosts Georgia State. Louisiana Tech begins a five-game homestand against Charlotte. Southeastern looks for its 10th straight win as they host A-and-M Corpus Christi and UNO is at Lamar.

The UL Lafayette men’s basketball team’s season is over. The Cajuns fell to UC Irvine 67-66 in the quarterifnals of the CIT.

In the NBA, the Pelicans are Indiana tonight.

06:30 LRN Newscast March 24

The American Red Cross has received a 500-thousand dollar donation from International Paper that will go towards flood relief efforts. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says people who are in position to help, should consider making a donation…
cut 15 (09) “…with them”
I-P has nine facilities in Louisiana, employing two-thousand people.

A survey out of LSU finds 46-percent of Louisiana residents believe there’s too much of an emphasis on testing in public schools…
cut 8 (09) “….like half”
That’s Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. Henderson says 55-percent of respondents favor the idea of using test scores to issue letter grades to public school districts.

Hunters may soon have the option to wear blaze pink, instead of the traditional orange outdoorsmen are required to wear. The proposal received the okay from the House Natural Resources Committee. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White hopes her legislation will encourage more women to hunt…
cut 5 (08) “…paradise”
The bill heads to the House floor.

It’s expected Governor John Bel Edwards will describe today what will be cut from the budget to make up for a 70-million dollar deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30th. It’s expected higher education and health care will receive the brunt of these cuts.

LRN AM Newscall March 24, 2016

An LSU survey finds Louisiana residents have mixed feelings about public schools in the state. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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Elmer’s Chocolate, the Ponchatoula-based candy manufacturer, is enjoying another successful Easter. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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International Paper has made a $500-thousand donation to the Red Cross for flood relief. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A bill to allow blaze pink to be worn while hunting in addition to hunter’s orange has been passed by the Natural Resources Committee. Author of the legislation, Bogalusa Rep. Malinda White, says Wisconsin already passed this law and it’s been successful. Cole Garrett with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they don’t have any issues with adding blaze pink.

cut 4  (09)  “high vis”

White says the pink color can be worn by both men and women. She hopes with the addition of pink more women across Louisiana will get outside and hunt to see what our great state has to offer.

Cut 5  (08)  “paradise”

Oil City Rep. Jim Morris was also in full support of the legislation.

Cut 6 (06)  “favorable” _________________________________________________________

An LSU survey finds Louisiana residents are becoming more skeptical of Common Core. Dr. Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s public policy lab, says support for the academic standards in English and Math fell from 39-percent to 34-percent over the past year. Henderson says this is likely due to political tension surrounding the issue.

CUT 7 (08)  “in their minds”

The survey also asked about standardized tests and Henderson says nearly half of the respondents say there is too much emphasis on testing in public schools.

Cut 8  (09)  “like half “

Forty-six percent of Louisiana residents think there’s too much testing, compared to 64-percent of the nation as a whole. Henderson says he was also surprised to see the public’s concerns about Louisiana public schools differ from the concerns of legislators.

Cut 9 (12)  “currently reflecting”

Henderson says the biggest education topics among lawmakers are charter schools, vouchers, and how to use standardized tests to evaluate teachers, as well as policy concerns from the Jindal administration.

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Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolate says they’ve had another successful year producing the popular Gold Brick Eggs and Heavenly Hash Easter candies. Elmer’s CEO Rob Nelson says the company produces about 12 million Gold Brick Eggs each year. He says in the past, production continued all the way through Good Friday, but fortunately technology allows them to produce more ahead of time now.

Cut 10 (09) “good thing”

Nelson says Elmer’s Easter candies are wildly popular throughout the Gulf South. He says that is probably because an abundance of people here practice Easter and keep family traditions.

cut 11 (06) “to generation”

Nelson says their Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick Eggs are the best sellers. He says Emler’s is getting ready for a big company expansion, but that will not affect their Easter candy.

cut 12 (08) “our hands”_________________________________________________________

International Paper has donated $500-thousand to the Red Cross in response to the recent flooding in Louisiana. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says they are incredibly grateful for the company’s generosity. She says the Red Cross is continuing to work with families in need as they move into recovery.

Cut 13 (10)  “relief items”

Malone says their health services workers are helping people with lost medications, eyeglasses, medical equipment and minor first aid needs. She says the estimated damage is between four and seven million dollars, but it could easily surpass that.

Cut 14 (10)  “do it” 

International Paper has 9 facilities in Louisiana, employing 2-thousand people throughout the state. Malone says other companies, including Entergy, have also stepped up to donate. She asks that people who are in a position to help to consider making a donation.

Cut 15 (09) “with them”

The paper company also donated more than 50-thousand boxed to local food banks and churches to help with distribution of relief items, like comfort kits and cleaning supplies.

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The 13th ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against second ranked Texas A&M. The Aggies are 19-and-2 and they have the highest team batting average in the SEC. Coach Paul Mainieri is eager to see how his club performs

Cut 16  (13)  “our team”

Junior left-hander Jared Poche will get the start on the hill for the Tigers. Poche knows the Aggies have the potential to score a bunch of runs…

Cut 17 (14) “to it”

The Aggies have won 18 straight games at home. Mainieri says Blue Bell Park is a terrific venue for college baseball…

Cut 18 (19) “play hard”

18:30 LRN Newscast March 23, 2016

Residents of Donaldsonville have been advised not to drink the water until further notice, because the Peoples Water System has been treating its drinking water with elevated levels of chlorine dioxide. State health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says says the health risks are minimal for most people, but it could be dangerous for pregnant women and children.

CUT 5 (09)  “I’m pregnant”

The “do not drink” alert will remain in effect until further notice.

Former Angola Warden Burl Cain spoke briefly today on the investigation by several agencies that eventually cleared him of accusations he was a corrupt prison leader. Cain says the investigation ruined his life.

Cut 11 (10) “and so forth”

Legislation that seeks to put an end to the LHSAA’s split playoff format won approval from the House Education Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story….

CUT 2 (3)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana legislators are considering adding blaze pink to the hunters orange requirements. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White hopes this encourages more women to hunt and says other states have passed similar bills. The House Natural Resources Committee passed the bill without objection.

17:30 LRN Legislative Report

A proposal that called for the end of school uniforms in public schools died in the House Education committee. Gonzales Representative Ed Price, served on the Ascension Parish School board, when they institued a school uniform policy…
cut 8 (09) “….than anything”
Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater brought the legislation up for debate as part of a fourth-grade school project.

Hunters may soon have the option to wear blaize pink, instead of the traditional orange that outdoorsmen are required to wear. The proposal received the okay from the House Natural Resources Committee. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White hopes her legislation will encourage more women to hunt…
cut 25 (08) “…paradise”
The bill heads to the House floor.

Legislation seeking to end the public-versus-private school split impacting the LHSAA scored a victory in the House education committee. The panel approved the measure on a 7-5 vote. John Curtis Head Football Coach JT Curtis called on the legislature to help bring the association back together…
cut 14 (08) “…on right page”
Three years ago, member principals of the LHSAA voted to split the playoffs in football and the split will be expanded to other sports next school year.
There were several members of the committee who opposed the bill. Gonzales Representative Ed Price says the LHSAA is a private organization and should handle its own business like any other private entity…
cut 16 (11) “…his team”
Despite Price’s objection, the bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

16:30 LRN Newscast March 23rd

Burl Cain, the former warden at Angola, spoke today about the investigation that eventually disproved the allegations he was a corrupt warden. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Saints Coach Sean Payton says the team has given him a new five year contract extension. ESPN reports Payton’s new deal worth more than $45 million dollars. Payton has guided the Saints to five playoff appearances, but they are coming off back-to-back losing seasons.

A proposed bill to prohibit school boards from requiring uniforms does not get out of the House Education Committee. Houma Rep. Beryl Amadee says she remembers a time where kids would get beat up at school for wearing name brand tennis shoes or expensive clothing…:
CUT 7 (09) “uniforms”
Representative Chris Broadwater came up with the legislation after an exercise with elementary students and he plans to talk more with them about it.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals advises residents of Donaldsonville not to drink the water until further notice, because the system has been treating its drinking water with elevated levels of chlorine dioxide. State Health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says this chemical is an EPA-approved water treatment disinfectant, however…:
CUT 4 (12) “impact health”
The water system serves about 10-thousand customers.

16:45 LRN Sportscast March 23

Saints coach Sean Payton says the franchise wants him to stick around 5 more years, and that he couldn’t see himself anywhere else. The Saints say Payton agreed to the extension. Payton said at the owners meeting this morning that the proposal means a lot…:
cut 9 (10) “….five years”
Payton has led the Saints to five playoff appearances, but they’ve finished 7-9 the last two years.

Legislation seeking to end the public-private school playoff split that’s expanding in the LHSAA was approved by the House education committee today. Metairie Park Country Day boys basketball coach Mike McGuire says the split will double the number of state champions in basketball and that’s a bad thing…
cut 15 (08) “….apart”
The measure heads to the House floor for more consideation.

All 32 NFL teams were there for Louisiana Tech’s pro day. Quarterback Jeff Driskel was one of several Bulldogs who worked out for scouts. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says because of Driskel’s successful one season in Ruston, he’ll likely be a late round draft pick…
cut 18 (11) “…for Tech”
Detillier says Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler could be selected in the first round, while running back Kenneth Dixon could be selected in the second or third rounds.

Yahoo’s Pat Forde says he spoke with LSU athletic director Joe Alleva today and Alleva said Johnny Jones will return as men’s basketball coach next year.

And tonight at the Cajundome, the Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team will host Big West Conference opponent UC Irvine in the quarterfinals of the College Insider-dot-com Tournament.

15:30 Newscast March 23,2016

Proposed legislation to prohibit public school boards from requiring uniforms does NOT get out of the House Education Committee. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater is the authored the bill after working with a group for fourth graders, who came up with the idea to get rid of uniforms. New Orleans Representative Joe Bouie wasn’t in favor of the legislation…
CUT 6 (10) “have it”

Donaldsonville residents have been warned not to drink tap water until further notice because the Peoples Water System have been treating its drinking water with high levels of chlorine dioxide. State health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says they will conduct an on-site inspection of the system and perform water tests.
CUT 3 (09) “take samples”

Chlorine dioxide was found at levels four to five times the EPA standard for the chemical.

 

Legislation that seeks to put an end to the LHSAA’s split playoff format won approval from the House Education Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story….
CUT 2 (3) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Head Coach Sean Payton has agreed to a new contract that will keep him on the Saints sideline for the next five years. The 52-year-old is 87-57 in his nine seasons in New Orleans and led the Black and Gold to one Super Bowl title. But the Saints are coming off back-to-back losing seasons. The contract will reportedly pay him 8.5 million dollars a year.