6:30 LRN Newscast December 10

Republican Kyle Ardoin remains Louisiana’s Secretary of State as he defeated Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup in Saturday’s election for the statewide post. Ardoin has held the job since May when he took over for Tom Schedler, who stepped down because of a sexual harassment scandal. Ardoin received 59-percent of the vote…
cut 14 (09) “…history”
In Shreveport, 33-year-old political newcomer Adrian Perkins defeated incumbent Ollie Tyler in the city’s mayoral race. Perkins is an attorney and war veteran. His promise of a better Shreveport led to a landslide victory over the 73-year-old Tyler…
cut 16 (11) “….call home”
Perkins will be sworn in before the end of the year.

For the first time in franchise history, the Saints are back-to-back division champions. New Orleans clinched the NFC South crown on Sunday with a come from behind 28-14 win over Tampa Bay. New Orleans trailed 14-3 in the third quarter, but scored 25 unanswered points to avenge an earlier loss to the Buccaneers. Coach Sean Payton…
cut 4 (13) “…an important win”
And with the Rams losing to the Bears last night, New Orleans once again owns the top spot in the N-F-C Standings with three games left.

LRN AM Newscall December 9

An LSU grad from Walker may have a useful app you’ll want to download to your smart device.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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A group of LSU faculty and students have teamed up to create a rehab program for stroke patients using an adapted guitar. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Connor Ferrill.”  

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Saturday’s special election drew 17-percent of registered voters. Don Molino has a recap on what happened…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m  Don Molino.”

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For the first time in franchise history, the Saints are back-to-back division champions. New Orleans clinched the NFC South crown on Sunday with a come from behind 28-14 win over Tampa Bay. New Orleans trailed 14-3 in the third quarter, but scored 25 unanswered points to avenge an earlier loss to the Buccaneers. Coach Sean Payton…

Cut 4 (13) “…important win″

New Orleans rushed for just three yards in the first half and Quarterback Drew Brees was intercepted in the second quarter and fumbled in the third quarter. But Payton likes how his team bounced back

Cut 5 (12) “…little bit.”

Brees finished with 201 yards passing. He threw one touchdown pass and ran for another. The defense held the Bucs to 279 yards, but the game turned when Taysom Hill blocked a punt in the third quarter. Payton says the versatile Hill showed again why he’s important to this team…

Cut 6 (11) “…do it well.”

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A useful app you may want to download to your smart device is available now, and the developer behind the app is an LSU grad from Walker, Louisiana.  The app is called Find a Spot and it links you with a friend to find the best possible geographical meetup place in the middle of your two locations.  App developer Derrick Denicola says the idea came to him while sitting in traffic.

Cut 7 (07) “…that I value a lot.”

Maybe if you aren’t taking a car to your next destination.  Denicola says Find a Spot has you covered there too.

Cut 8 (11) “…be really neat.″

Denicola says it took about seven years to produce the app after first coming up with the idea. He says the app has received about 45-hundred downloads. The 2007 LSU grad says it’s simple to use, even his parents can figure it out, which was his goal…

Cut 9 (10)  “…password in” 

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A group of LSU faculty and students have teamed up to create a rehab program for stroke patients using an adapted guitar. Assistant Professor of the School of Kinesiology Nikita Kuznetsov (KOOZ-nets-ahv) helped to create the project after a musician and friend suffered from a stroke. Kuznetsov said the guitar could be an avenue for recovery because of the focused movements involved in strumming…

Cut 10 (11)   “…song production”

The adaptive guitar is capable of creating many types of chords through a mechanical device placed on the neck of the guitar. Kuznetsov, not an engineer himself, said he proposed the guitar device to mechanical engineering seniors at LSU as a possible project in an engineering design course…

Cut 11 (07) “…at LSU”

Kuznetsov said he hopes the program will not only improve motor function but that it will improve quality of life by providing a strong community for patients…

Cut 12 (12)   “…movement rehabilitation”

Contact Nikita@lsu.edu for a chance to participate in the study.

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Louisiana voters decide to keep Republican Kyle Ardoin as Secretary of State. Ardoin defeated Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup in Saturday’s special election and had this to say to his supporters

Cut 13 (11) “…upon me.”

Ardoin received 59-percent of the vote in a low voter turnout election. The 51-year-old Ville Platte native has served as interim Secretary of State since Tom Schedler resigned in May amid a sexual harassment scandal.

Cut 14 (09) “…in history.”

Shreveport has a new mayor. 33-year-old West Pointe graduate, Adrian Perkins, easily defeated Mayor Ollie Tyler, who was seeking a second term. Perkins received 64-percent of the vote and says Shreveport’s future starts now…

Cut 15 (13) “…seeking one.”

Perkins is a war vetera and attorney with no previous political experience. His promise of a better Shreveport led to a landslide victory over the incumenbent…

Cut 16 (11)  call home”

10:30 am LRN Newscast

It’s election day throughout Louisiana with only one statewide race.

Although ballots in different areas have some local races and regional ballot initiatives, all ballots offer voters a choice for the Secretary of State.

Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup is challenging the GOP’s Kyle Ardoin for the post.

Pollster John Couvillion says the candidates’ names was not very well known across the state, so voters’ party affiliation could be a factor.

Cut 4 (06) “..along party lines.”

It’s been a long road for 82 year old Blues guitar legend Buddy Guy. But now there will be an actual road named in his honor.

The seven time Grammy award winning artist returns to his hometown of Lettsworth in Point Coupee parish today to have a section of highway 418 re-named the “Buddy Guy Way.”

Guy says he never believed his love of blues music would take him very far.

Cut 8 (13) “…is it really true”

 

Louisiana’s Democratic Party responds to some of the claims Congressman Ralph Abraham made against Governor John Bel Edwards. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

“Everyone loves a comeback,” is a commonly heard phrase. But a half century ago, the situation looked bleak for the official state bird of Louisiana, which was in danger of going extinct.

Among the reasons cited was the widespread use of DDT to control pests.

The pesticide that was linked to weakening bird egg shells that greatly reduced bird population including the brown pelican.

But in 1968, efforts to reintroduce the brown pelican into the wild has brought the water fowl back from the brink.

Fifty years later, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries considers the comeback of the brown pelican population to be a success.

LDWF has a link on its website to a video telling the story of the state bird’s return.

9:30 LRN Newscast

A statewide run off for the Secretary of State has Republican Kyle Ardoin running to keep his current position while Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup challenging him for the job.

Pollster John Couvillion says while Ardoin does not have much money for running a statewide campaign, Collins-Greenup had even fewer dollars to reach the voters with her messages.

Cut 5 (08) “…be on TV.”

Voters have until 8 pm tonight to cast their ballots.

On Friday, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans marked the 77th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by Japanese pilots.

Today is anniversary of the U.S. Congress officially voting to  enter World War II… seventy-seven years ago on December 8th 1941.

The war effort had an impact on Louisiana including the construction of Camp Polk near Leesville  that had just begun when the declaration of war ramped up training of thousands who came from across the USA to train at the military post in southwest Louisiana.

He’s a U.-S. Representative who is also now a candidate for governor. That’s Republican Ralph Abraham who says Governor John Bel Edwards has been relentless in his effort to raise taxes.

But Eric Holl, spokesperson for the 2019 Democratic Coordinator Campaign team, says Abraham’s proposal for over a billion dollars in across the board cuts would have devastated the state.

Cut 12 (08) “…critical services.”

The Friday night lights were shining down on Louisiana high school football championship titles.

Last night in the 3A title game, Sterlington failed to keep their eight-point halftime lead which resulted in 59 to 47 victory for Eunice.

University High handed down defeat to St. Thomas Moore with a final score of 55 to 46.

And you would’ve had to go all the way back to 2004 for the last time Amite won its first state championship title… that is until last night as the Amite Warriors achieved a 47 to 20 victory over Welsh.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Election polls across the state are open today and voters are lining up to cast their ballots in the special election run off for Secretary of State.

Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup is challenging Republican Kyle Ardoin for the only statewide post on the ballot.

Pollster John Couvillion believes the race will end up favoring of the GOP’s candidate.

Cut 3 (02) “race for Kyle.”

But it’s up to the voters and election polls are scheduled to remain open until 8 pm tonight.

Fans of the “Dukes of Hazzard” action series will recognize an orange Dodge charger car strung with holiday lights seen on the John Schneider Studios facebook page.

The actor who “car jumped” his way to TV stardom as “Bo Duke” is opening his media production facility in Holden, Louisiana to ticket holders to view “The Lights of Hazzard County” illuminated Christmas displays.

With a purchased ticket, visitors can see elements of the “Dukes of Hazzard” TV show and Christmas decor, music, and snacks from 6 pm to 10 pm Thursdays through Sundays in December.

More details are available on the John Schneider Studios facebook page.

 

Today is Buddy Guy Day. The Blues legend will be honored having a section of a highway in his hometown re-named after him. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

St. Tammany Parish is receiving a $25 million BUILD grant to widen I-12. The widening is needed due to unsafe conditions and traffic congestion along a 3.8 mile stretch.

St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister says…

Cut 9 (07) “…on road safety.”

Those improvements to Interstate 12 come in the shadow of four traffic fatalities over this year’s Memorial Day weekend.

St. Tammany parish also intends to put up 7.2 million dollars toward the project.

7:30 am LRN Sportscast

The Saints are hoping to wrap up the NFC South title tomorrow when they visit the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. The Bucs have won their last two and they lead the NFL in passing offense.

Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown four touchdown passes and zero interceptions in the last two games. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins says they know what to expect from the Bucs…

cut 18 (18) “…have success”

Kick-off is noon and there’s a good chance for rain at kick-off.

The Pelicans had an eight point lead in the fourthe quarter, but lost to the Grizzlies 107-103 last night.

New Orleans was just 7-of-29 from three point territory and they had 18

turnovers that led to 26 points for Memphis. The Pels fall to 13-14 for the season.

There were plenty of points scored during day two of the 2018 AllState Sugar Bowl prep classic. Last night in the 3A title game, Sterlington could not hold on to an eight-point halftime lead and lost to Eunice 59-47.

It’s the Bobcats first state championship since 1982. Simeon Ardoin rushed for three scores.

Michael Hollins rushed for 240 yards and four touchdowns as U-High defeated St. Thomas More 55-46 as the Cubs won their first back-to-back titles in school history.

Amite won its first state title since 2004 as the Warriors beat Welsh 47-20. Amani Gilmore threw five touchowns and ran for another.

Tonight the 5A title game features West Monroe versus defending champion Zachary. Kick off will be after 7 PM.

LSU linebacker Devin White told a Baton Rouge radio station it was a no brainer for him to play in the Fiesta Bowl. And the future first round pick says he’s not made decision on whether he’ll turn pro and enter the 2019 NFL draft..

7:30 LRN Sportscast December 8

The Saints are hoping to wrap up the NFC South title tomorrow when they visit the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. The Bucs have won their last two and they lead the NFL in passing offense. Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown four touchdown passes and zero interceptions in the last two games. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins says they know what to expect from the Bucs…
cut 18 (18) “…have success”
Kick-off is noon and there’s a good chance for rain at kick-off.

The Pelicans had an eight point lead in the fourthe quarter, but lost to the Grizzlies 107-103 last night. New Orleans was just 7-of-29 from three point territory and they had 18 turnovers that led to 26 points for Memphis. The Pels fall to 13-14 on the season.

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There were plenty of points scored during day two of the 2018 AllState Sugar Bowl prep classic. Last night in the 3A title game, Sterlington could not hold on to an eight-point halftime lead and lost to Eunice 59-47. It’s the Bobcats first state championship since 1982. Simeon Ardoin rushed for three scores.

Michael Hollins rushed for 240 yards and four touchdowns as U-High defeated St. Thomas More 55-46 as the Cubs won their first back-to-back titles in school history.

Amite won its first state title since 2004 as the Warriors beat Welsh 47-20. Amani Gilmore threw five touchowns and ran for another.

Tonight the 5A title game features West Monroe versus defending champion Zachary. Kick off will be after 7 PM.

LSU linebacker Devin White told a Baton Rouge radio station it was a no brainer for him to play in the Fiesta Bowl. And the future first round pick says he’s not made decision on whether he’ll turn pro and enter the 2019 NFL draft.

5:30 PM Newscast 12/07/18

Saturday is Buddy Guy Day, as the Blues legend will have a portion of a highway in his hometown named after him. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

 

Voters head to the polls Saturday to cast their ballots in the special election run off for Secretary of State.  Polls open at 7am as Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup takes on Republican Kyle Ardoin.  Pollster John Couvillion says a problem Ardoin faces is a lack of name recognition, stemming from a lack of campaign funding, but Couvillion says it likely won’t take away from him too much.

Cut 4 (06) “…along party lines.″

 

St. Tammany Parish has been awarded a $25 million BUILD grant to widen I-12.  The widening is needed due to unsafe conditions and bottlenecks along a 3.8 mile stretch and comes after four fatalities over Memorial Day weekend this year. St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister calls the quick turnaround on locking in the money to move forward with construction a huge success in many ways.

Cut 10 (12)   “…be a priority.”

 

US Representative and now candidate for governor, Republican Ralph Abraham, says Governor John Bel Edwards has been relentless in his effort to raise taxes. But Eric Holl, spokesperson for the 2019 Democratic Coordinator Campaign team, says Abraham’s proposal for over a billion dollars in across the board cuts would have devastated the state…

Cut 12 (08)   “…critical services.”

4:30 Newscast 12/07/18

Louisiana’s Democratic Party responds to some of the claims Congressman Ralph Abraham made against Governor John Bel Edwards. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

 

Voters head to the polls Saturday to cast their ballots in the special election run off for Secretary of State.  Polls open at 7am as Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup takes on Republican Kyle Ardoin.  Pollster John Couvillion says while Ardoin does not have much money for running a statewide election, Collins-Greenup has even less.

Cut 5 (08) “…be on TV.”

 

Polls will be open until 8pm

The state has declared Saturday “Buddy Guy Day,” and the Blues Legend will attend a ceremony for himself in his hometown of Lettsworth, Louisiana. Guy is a seven-time Grammy award winner, who influenced the likes of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. In an interview with a Baton Rouge radio station, Guy says he’s thrilled about being honored in his native Pointe Coupee Parish town while he’s still around

Cut 6 (06) “…I’m overjoyed”

 

St. Tammany Parish has been awarded a $25 million BUILD grant to widen I-12.  The widening is needed due to unsafe conditions and bottlenecks along a 3.8 mile stretch and comes after four fatalities over Memorial Day weekend this year. St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister says officials worked extremely hard to secure the grant.

Cut 9 (07) “…on road safety.”

3:30 Newscast 12/07/18

Voters head to the polls Saturday to cast their ballots in the special election run off for Secretary of State.  Polls open at 7am as Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup takes on Republican Kyle Ardoin.  Pollster John Couvillion predicts the race will land in the favor of the GOP.

Cut 3 (02) “race for Kyle.”

Polls will be open until 8pm

The state has declared Saturday “Buddy Guy Day,” and the Blues Legend will attend a ceremony for himself in his hometown of Lettsworth, Louisiana. Guy performed with bands in Baton Rouge in the early 1950s while he worked as a janitor at LSU. He learned the to play the guitar by using a two-string bow he made and never thought he would really make it

Cut 8 (13) “…is it really true”

 

St. Tammany Parish has been awarded a $25 million BUILD grant to widen I-12.  St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister says she announced the application for the grant in mid-July and committed $7.2 million in funding from parish government.  The Louisiana Congression delegation offered their written support in a letter to the US DOT Secretary Elaine Choa. A timeline for when construction will begin is still to be determined.

Cut 11 (08) “…within our reach.”

 

US Representative and now candidate for governor, Republican Ralph Abraham, says Governor John Bel Edwards has been relentless in his effort to raise taxes. In an interview with L-R-N, Abraham said Edwards wants to increase state spending to expand government programs and Louisiana continues to rank last in many meaningful rankings. But Eric Holl, spokesperson for the 2019 Democratic Coordinator Campaign team, says Abraham shouldn’t be talking about fiscal responsibility…

Cut 13 (10) “…with Louisiana.”