LRN AM NEWSCALL JULY 28, 2017

There is a lot of talk this week about a new study which found brain damage in 99 percent of participating former NFL players. Jeff Palermo reports some are skeptical of the findings…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A report from an independent consulting firm finds the University of Louisiana at Lafayette had a $379 million economic impact for FY-15. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Authorities say a suspected drunk driver has claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl and injured another teen in Red River Parish. Emelie Gunn on the Wednesday evening crash.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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There is a lot of talk this week about a new study which found brain damage in 99 percent of participating former NFL players. The report says CTE occurs after repeated blows to the head, and it causes things like memory loss, depression, and dementia. But Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine director Dr. Greg Stewart believes the report is a stretch:

Cut 4  (09) “way too simplistic”

The Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine is one of only four medical facilities in the nation chosen to take care of the physical and mental health of former pro-players. Stewart says one of the things they’ve seen is that once a player leaves the league and isn’t playing anymore, they stop taking care of themselves physically and mentally…:

Cut 5  (10)  “all of this”

CTE can not be diagnosed when you’re alive, so the research uses donated brains, and the study notes that relatives of the subjects probably already suspected something was wrong. The most common cause of death among those with mild stages of CTE was suicide. Stewart hopes people don’t think that everyone who plays football is going to kill themselves:

Cut 6 (10) “in this picture”

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UL-Lafayette had a statewide economic impact of $379 million in FY-15, according to a study by the New York-based consulting firm Appleseed. University president Dr. Joseph Savoie says the college offers about a 7 to 1 return on investment for the state.

Cut 7 (10)  “throughout the state”

Savoie hopes this will help higher education leaders make the case for increased state funding during difficult budget times. He says the university contributes to the economy in a variety of ways, from employing nearly two thousand people to buying local.

Cut 8 (12) “285 jobs”

Savoie notes UL-Lafayette’s support of the francophone and creole culture in Louisiana. The report also found community service work performed by students and faculty totaled more than 332,000 hours, which is valued at more than $7 million. But he says it’s all about giving back.

Cut 9 (11)  “for the students”

University, student, and visitor spending supported more than 5,500 jobs and had an overall economic output of $492 million in Lafayette Parish.

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A 17-year-old is dead and a 19-year-old was injured after a suspected drunk driver struck the girls as they were walking on LA 784 in Red River Parish. State Police Trooper Matt Harris says they responded to the crash Wednesday just before 6 p.m. and determined 47-year-old Kenneth Morse of Coushatta was impaired.

Cut 10 (07) “first offense”

Harris says Morse was not injured in the crash and was booked into the Red River Parish Jail. He says anytime you drink and drive, you put others and yourself at risk because your reaction time slows and your motor skills are affected.

Cut 11 (11) “young girl”

Harris says 19-year-old Lacy Ross sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital, but 17-year-old Rachel Barnette of Coushatta was pronounced dead at the scene. He says in 2016, 52-percent of fatal crashes in the northwest Louisiana area involved drunk drivers.

Cut 12 (07) “to travel”

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It will be a fun-filled weekend across the Bayou State, as events are taking place in both north and south Louisiana. In Grand Isle, the Tarpon Rodeo is underway. Event president Barry Kern says it’s the oldest fishing tournament in the country in its 89thyear. He says this year they’re letting the good times roll with a Mardi Gras theme, complete with a parade on Saturday night.

Cut 13 (10) “on the island”

Kern says there will be a drawing every night for attendees to win a ride on the Mardi Gras World float in the Krewe of Orpheus parade. He says even if you don’t want to participate in the rodeo itself, there’s still lots of things to enjoy in Grand Isle this weekend.

Cut 14 (09) “to see”

In north Louisiana, the 54th annual Farmerville Watermelon Festival kicks off. Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Eva Edinger says between a golf tournament this morning followed by a treasure hunt that will run through Saturday, there’s lots of fun activities for families to enjoy.

Cut 15 (09) “eating contest”

Edinger says tomorrow night, she’ll pass on her crown to the next queen of the festival. She says the festivities will be ongoing all weekend long. She says the watermelon seed spitting contest in particular will be a sight to see.

Cut 16 (10)  “watermelon auction”

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During the first day of Saints training camp, rookie Ryan Ramcyk took first team reps at left tackle. It appears the rookie from Wisconsin is getting the first chance to start at that position for the injured Terron Armstead, who is recovering from a torn labrum. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees looks forward to Ramcyk developing over camp…

Cut 17 (20) “can have”

Brees is heading into the final year of his contract, but the 38-year-old says it’s a non-issue for him…

Cut 18 (18) “team win” 

Coach Sean Payton said Brees finished in the top two in Wednesday’s conditioning test. Brees says he takes pride in staying in great physical shape…

Cut 19 (16) “keep my edge”

17:30 LRN Newscast July 27th

U.S. Senator John Kennedy says a new federal health care law should require abled bodied adults without children to work in order to receive Medicaid. That’s one of several amendments Kennedy filed as the debate continues over an effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. He says he doesn’t want to take Medicaid away from those who need it. He just wants fewer people to need it…:
Cut 30 (07) “a job”

The State Department of Education announces more than 6500 high school students earned college credit qualifying scores on AP exams in 2017, which is up 10 percent from last year. Superintendent of Education John White:
Cut 13 (09) “five years”
East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome is not pleased with community activist Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed who said at the metro council meeting that the deadly ambush on law enforcement officers last July was justice for the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. Reed went on to say Baton Rouge police officers are racist….
cut 11 (09) “….to kill”
Broome called the comments hateful and offensive and she removed Reed as a street counselor for the Brave crime fighting program. Mayor Pro-tem Scott Wilson says yesterday’s meeting was a chance for members of the community to vent and express their frustrations, but it got out of hand…
cut 12 (08) “…that disrespectful”
Those are the names of the three officers killed last year by a gunman.

16:45 LRN Sportscast July 27

The Saints had their first training camp practice of 2017 today. The team is gearing up for the upcoming season at the team’s training facility in Metairie. Coach Sean Payton says some of the toughest position battles will take place along the defensive line….
cut 30 (20) “…battles shape up”
Rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore is trying to beat out P-J Williams for the starting cornerback job opposite of Delvin Breaux. If Lattimore wins that battle, expect to see Williams start at nickel back.

The Saints added a veteran offensive lineman to the roster today by signing Orlando Franklin. The 29-year-old played left guard for the Chargers the past two seasons and started all 16 games last year.

New ULM athletic director Nick Floyd met with the media today for the first time since he was hired. He takes over an athletic program that has the lowest budget out of the 128 FBS schools and the three major sports, football, men’s basketball and baseball all had losing records last academic year. But Floyd says it’s his goal to win at a high level….
cut 5 (09) “…best experience possible”
Floyd says his number one priority is to run an athletic program with the highest degree of integrity that also looks out for the well-being of the student athlete.

Louisiana Tech has set dates for football fan days. The first will happen on Friday August 18th at Freedom Fields in Bossier City and the second fan fest is the next day at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston.

Saints and Pelicans Owners Tom and Gayle Benson are getting into the beer business as they’ve announced the purchase of Dixie Brewing Company.

16:30 LRN Newscast July 27th

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome calls controversial comments made at the Metro Council meeting regarding last year’s violent summer in the Capitol City hateful and offensive. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 2 (29) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

Saints and Pelicans Owners Tom and Gayle Benson are getting into the beer business as they’ve announced the pruchase of Dixie Brewing Company. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the brewery that once made Dixie Beer, but the plan is to get the New Orleans brewery up and running again.

Over 65-hundred students who took Advanced Placement Tests this year scored well enough to earn college course credit. State Superintendent of Education John White says that’s a 10-percent increase from last year and a 137-percent increase from 2012. White says credits the work of high school teachers…
cut 15 (09) “…hold”
White says students who earn college credit in high school save about seven million dollars in college costs.

The Cajun music community is saddened over the death of D.L. Menard who has passed away at the age of 85. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Mike Shepherd, says Menard was known as the Cajun Hank Williams.
Cut 6 (11) “of him”
His hit “The Back Door” has sold over half a million copies.

15:30 LRN Newscast July 27

Cajun musicians mourn the loss of local legend D. L. Menard, who passed away today at the age of 85. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Two Capitol Special Agents and three officers from Alexandria, Virginia Police received the Medal of Valor for their bravery during the shooting spree that occurred while House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and others were at a park on June 14th. The Medal of Valor is the highest national award a public safety officer can receive.

Controversial remarks were made at Wednesday’s East Baton Rouge Metro Council. During discussion about the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling, community activist Arthur Silky Slim Reed said justice was served when a gunman killed three law enforcement officers during an ambush last year. And Reed blames the officer who fatally shot Sterling..
cut 10 (06) “….officers”
East Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome says Reed’s comments were hateful and offensive and he’s contract with the Brave crime fighting program has been cancelled.

Nick Floyd met the media for the first time today, since he was named athletics director of ULM. Floyd takes over an athletic program that is known as the lowest funded in the country out of the 128 FBS schools…
cut 4 (12) “….manner possible”
Floyd has 33 years in collegiate athletics management.

14:30 Newscast July 27

Members of the Baton Rouge Metro Council are outraged a community activist said the gunman who killed three police officers served justice for Alton Sterling. Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed made the comments to Mayor Pro-temp Scott Wilson at last night’s meeting. Wilson says it was supposed to be a chance for community members to vent, but things got out of hand.

Cut 12 (08) “that’s disrespectful”

The mayor has removed Reed as a street counselor for the BRAVE program.

For the fifth year in a row, advanced placement test scores have increased dramatically. That’s according to state education superintendent John White, who says black students have made great strides in AP credits. He says there’s a 17 percent increase in African American students earning college credits.

Cut 15 (09) “educators hold”

The Cajun music community suffered a tragic loss today, as D.L. Menard passed away at the age of 85. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Mike Shepherd says Menard was always supportive of young artists and became a role model for many.

Cut 8 (10) “Cajun music”

Menard’s hit song “The Back Door” sold more than half a million copies.

During a press conference today, new ULM athletic director Nick Floyd laid out his vision for Warhawk athletics. Floyd says running a program with the highest degree of integrity is his number one priority.

Cut 3 (12) “be accountable”

LRN PM Newscall July 27

Cajun musicians mourn the loss of local legend D. L. Menard, who passed away today at the age of 85. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome calls comments made at yesterday’s Metro Council meeting hateful, offensive, and unacceptable. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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New ULM athletics director Nick Floyd laid out his vision for Warhawk athletics today during his introductory press conference. Floyd says his number one priority is to run an athletic program with the highest degree of integrity….

Cut 3 (12) “be accountable”

Floyd says takes over an athletic program that is known as the lowest funded in the country out of the 128 FBS schools. He says fiscal responsibility is just the nature of the business…

Cut 4  (12) “manner possible”

Floyd has 33 years in collegiate athletics management. Since 2004, he’s served as the executive associate director of athletics at East Carolina. Last school year ULM’s football, men’s basketball and baseball program all finished with losing records. Floyd says he wants to win at a high level…

Cut 5  (09)  “best experience possible”

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The Cajun music community says goodbye to a legend, as D.L. Menard passed away at the age of 85. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Mike Shepherd, says Menard was known as the Cajun Hank Williams. Menard even met the country music icon in 1951.

Cut 6 (11) “of him”

Born Doris Leon Menard, the zydeco music idol started playing music in the 40s. He picked up the guitar when he was 15 and began his professional career at 17. Shepherd says Menard’s 2010 album nominated for a Grammy for best Zydeco/Cajun album. He says Menard is best known for his hit song “The Back Door.”

Cut 7 (10)  “in 1952″

Shepherd says Menard is survived by his children. He says his son Larry plays in a Hall of Fame Band called Atchafalaya. He says Menard was always supportive of young artists and became a role model for many.

Cut 8 (10) “Cajun music”

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East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome condemns remarks made at a Metro Council meeting, where a community activist suggested the police ambush was justice for Alton Sterling. Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed told Mayor Pro-temp Scott Wilson justice has been served for Sterling.

Cut 9 (06)  “Gavin Long came”

Broome says these remarks in no way reflect the views of her administration or the people of Baton Rouge. Reed asserts no call was made to emergency services the night Sterling was fatally shot outside at Baton Rouge convenience store. He went on to say that Officer Blane Salamoni started the uproar when he shot Sterling.

Cut 10 (06) “officers killed”

Broome called Reed’s comments hateful, offensive, and unacceptable. She says the memories of the fallen officers should be honored and preserved. Reed says the justice system in Baton Rouge is being run by a bunch of criminals. He says he’s not anti-police, he’s anti-injustice.

Cut 11 (09) “to kill”

Wilson says several people had to be escorted out of last night’s heated meeting, and Reed was one of them. He says this was supposed to be a chance for members of the community to vent and express their frustrations, but things got out of hand.

Cut 12 (08) “that’s disrespectful”

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The state Department of Education announced today that for the 5th straight year, advanced placement student results have increased dramatically in Louisiana. In 2017, there was a 10-percent jump from last year in high school students earning college credits. State Superintendent of Education John White says there is continuing pattern of significant academic progress.

Cut 13 (09) “five years”

White says African American students have also made great strides this year when it comes to Advanced Placement credits. He says the number of African Americans students earning college credits have increased 17-percent, earning a 3, 4, or 5 score.

Cut 14 (08) “accomplishment” 

White says the East Baton Rouge Parish School District has made the most noticeable gains when it comes to African American students receiving college credits. He says overall, these numbers show the dedication advanced placement teachers put in to teaching their students.

Cut 15 (09) “educators hold”

13:30 Newscast, July 27th, 2017

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome calls comments made at last night’s Metro Council meeting hateful, offensive, and unacceptable….:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The State Department of Education announces more than 6500 high school students earned college credit qualifying scores on AP exams in 2017, which is up 10 percent from last year. Superintendent of Education John White:
Cut 13 (09) “five years”

A vote from the Public Service Commission means Entergy Louisiana customers will have upgraded meters by 2021. Spokesperson Greg Guilbeau says customers should not see a noticeable interruption in service..:
Cut 3 (09) “the new meter”
Benefits of the new meters include customers getting more detailed information about energy consumption.

New ULM athletics director Nick Floyd laid out his vision for Warhawk athletics today during his introductory press conference. He takes over a program that is known as the lowest funded in the country out of the 128 FBS schools. He says fiscal responsibility is just the nature of the business…:
Cut 4 (12) “manner possible”

 

12:30 Newscast, July 27th, 2017

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome condemns remarks made at a Metro Council meeting, where a community activist suggested the police ambush was justice for Alton Sterling. Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed told Mayor Pro-temp Scott Wilson justice has been served for Sterling:
Cut 9 (06) “Gavin Long came”
Broome says these remarks in no way reflect the views of her administration or the people of Baton Rouge.

The Cajun music community says goodbye to a legend, as D.L. Menard passed away at the age of 85. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Mike Shepherd, says Menard is best known for his hit song “The Back Door…:
Cut 7 (10) “in 1952″
Born Doris Leon Menard, the zydeco music idol started playing music in the 40s.

The State Department of Education announces more than 6500 high school students earned college credit qualifying scores on AP exams in 2017, which is up 10 percent from last year. They say that’s a whopping 137 percent increase since 2012 that high school students are going to college ahead of the game. The department has been pushing schools to expand access to early college courses over the past five years.

ULM athletics director Nick Floyd said today during his introductory press conference says he wants to win at a high level. Last year Warhawks football, men’s basketball and baseball program all finished with losing records…:
Cut 5 (09) “best experience possible”
Floyd has 33 years in collegiate athletics management.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast July 27th

The Saints have their first training camp practice today. Coach Sean Payton says there’s a lot of work ahead for this team, because they play in a tough division and the beginning of the schedule is difficult. He looks forward to progress they’ll make during training camp….
cut 14 (09) “…especially early”
The Saints have finished seven and nine during the last three years. He says during this camp he wants to establish a certain amount of toughness and leave camp with some confidence.

LSU players report for camp on Sunday and Coach Ed Orgeron says the Tigers will practice very much like NFL players. He says each week of practice will conclude with a so-called preseason game in Tiger Stadium. Coach O’ also plans to have his guys practice outside as much as possible, so his players can use the heat to their advantage once the season starts.

Nick Floyd met the media for the first time today, since he was named athletics director of ULM. Floyd takes over an athletic program that is known as the lowest funded in the country out of the 128 FBS schools. He says fiscal responsibility is just the nature of the business…
cut 4 (12) “….manner possible”
Floyd has 33 years in collegiate athletics management. Since 2004, he’s served as the executive associate director of athletics at East Carolina.

Grambling says its new artificial turf at Eddie Robinson Stadium should be complete by August 25th. The old field has been excavated, a new retaining wall has been installed and there’s also a new drainage system.

Current UL Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux will be inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame. Robichaux coached at McNeese from 1987 to 1994 and compiled the most wins in school history.