10:30 LRN Newscast March 19

The two Republican candidates for governor appeared together for the first time in Baton Rouge on Monday and they gave their thoughts on spending within the state’s Medicaid program, which has been expanded under current Governor John Bel Edwards to cover 500-thousand more adults. Congressman Ralph Abraham says if elected he would not undo Medicaid expansion, but it needs to be reformed.
Cut 13 (11) “…economics.”
Businessman Eddie Rispone says after recent reports of improper spending in the Medicaid program, he would place a hold on new applicants until the Department of Health could rectify its problem with ineligible recipients on the rolls.
Cut 14 (11) “…properly.”
Rispone says any freeze would be temporary.

Federal taxes are due in about a month. Kevin Barnhart spoke with Metairie CPA Tyler Johnson on how to reduce the risk of a bumpy experience.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Tomorrow, the LSU Board of Supervisors will vote on giving head football coach Ed Orgeron a contract extension and a 14-percent pay raise. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the contract extension will help the football program build on last year’s success…
cut 8 (09) “…good thing”

9:30 LRN Newscast March 19

When the legislative session begins in April, teacher pay raises will be a major issue. The two Republican candidates for governor, Eddie Rispone and Ralph Abraham, gave their thoughts on the topic during a Republican Governor Association’s event in Baton Rouge. Abraham says he’d pay for a teacher pay raise through tax reform…
cut 15 (10) “….invest in”
But Rispone, who has been heavily involved in education issues, says not every educator has earned the income bump and he’d rather let local school systems determine who should see a bigger pay check…
cut 16 (08) “….demand”
Governor Edwards is asking lawmakers to approve a one-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers and a 500-dollar pay hike for school support workers when lawmakers convene for the legislative session on April 8th.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott says Governor John Bel Edwards decision to reform the Industrial Tax Exemption, which is a large property tax break for manufacturers, has companies looking at doing business in his state, instead of Louisiana…
cut 5 (11) “…..struggle”
Abbott made his comments at a Republican Governor’s Association event in Baton Rouge. Edwards says Louisiana’s I-TEP remains one of the most generous in the country, even though local officials have more input on who gets the tax break.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected tomorrow to approve a two-year contract extension and a 14-percent increase in pay for Coach Ed Orgeron. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Orgeron’s annual salary will climb to four-million dollars…
cut 9 (08) “…won it”
Orgeron’s buyout at the start of the deal would also be 10-million dollars.

8:30 AM LRN March 19

The two Republicans running to unseat Governor Edwards have different thoughts on how they’d approach healthcare and education if elected. Matt Doyle was there for their joint public appearance….

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The executive director of the Louisiana GOP Andrew Bautsch was arrested over the weekend for allegedly shoving a New Orleans Police Officer hours after his wedding. Bautsch is facing multiple charges which include a battery, trespass and resisting an officer. State GOP Chairman Louis Gurvitch told the New Orleans Advocate, that Bautsch denies the charges. Bautsch could not be reached for comment, he’s on his honeymoon.

The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote tomorrow on a contract extension and raise for head football coach Ed Orgeron. The proposed deal would extend Orgeron for another two years, through the 2023 season and he’ll get a 14-percent increase in pay, boosting his salary to four-million dollars a year. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the contract seems justified…

Cut 7 (11) “…head coach”

There’s less than a month left before federal taxes are due. Metairie CPA Tyler Johnson says the last few weeks have been mighty busy and getting busier as April 15th draws closer. Johnson says procrastinating in scheduling a time to sit down with someone to do your taxes could be a big mistake.

Cut 10 (12) “…toward April 15th”

State taxes are due May 15th

7:30 LRN March 19

The two Republican candidates for governor appeared together for the first time in Baton Rouge on Monday and they gave their thoughts on spending in the state’s Medicaid program, which has been expanded under current Governor John Bel Edwards to cover 500-thousand more adults. Congressman Ralph Abraham says if elected he would not undo Medicaid expansion, but it needs to be reformed.

Cut 13 (11) “…economics.”

Businessman Eddie Rispone says after recent reports of improper spending in the Medicaid program, he would place a hold on new applicants until the Department of Health could rectify its problem with ineligible recipients on the rolls.

Cut 14 (11) “…properly.”

Rispone says any freeze would be temporary.

Taxes are due in less than a month.  Kevin Barnhart talks with Metairie CPA Tyler Johnson about how to reduce the risk of a bumpy experience.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

A legislative audit has revealed an LSU employee was given more than $400-thousand in salary and benefits to a worker who has admitted to not performing their job for several years. Auditor Daryl Purpera announced Monday that the school of Veterinary Medicine also never addressed the employee’s lack of work.

The Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine acknowledge the error and is ensuring safeguards to avoid future mistakes. The audit did not name the worker, who was still employed as of late January.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote tomorrow on a contract extension and raise for head football coach Ed Orgeron. The proposed deal would extend Orgeron for another two years, through the 2023 season and he’ll get a 14-percent increase in pay, boosting his salary to four-million dollars a year. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the contract seems justified…
Cut 7 (11) “…head coach”
Orgeron is 25-9 since taking over as the interim coach during the 2016 season.

Former Saints center Max Unger says he decided to retire from football, because he didn’t think he could put his 32-year-old body through another season. Unger says injury issues to his lower body was making it difficult for him to get even in his stance.

The Pelicans ended a six-game losing streak last night with a 129 to 125 overtime win over Dallas. New Orleans point guard Elfrid Payton joined a short list of NBA greats with his fifth straight triple-double. Payton had 19 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. The only other players to have five straight triple-doubles, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook.

LSU basketball finishes the regular season ranked 12th in the A-P poll, which is there highest finish since 2000. The 26-and-6 Tigers face Yale on Thursday in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs only have one NCAA Tournament win and that happened in 2016, when they upset Baylor in the first round.

Southern is the only Louisiana school in the women’s basketball tournament. The 16th seeded Lady Jaguars will battle top seeded Mississippi State on Friday in Starkville.

After sweeping Kentucky, LSU baseball is up to 7th in the latest Collegiate Baseball Poll. The Tigers host Nicholls tomorrow night.

6:30 March 19

Texas Governor Greg Abbott slammed Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards for his handling of the state’s economy, going as far to say that Edwards has made his job easier when it comes to attracting jobs to the Longhorn state. Abbott says Texas’ economy is growing, because of a business friendly environment, and wished the same for Louisiana, but…

Cut 4 (08) “…incentive.”

 

However a spokesperson for Governor Edwards’s re-election campaign said the governor has landed 100 major economic developments during his term.

There’s less than a month left before federal taxes are due. Metairie CPA Tyler Johnson says for those that need to file a six-month extension, it’s important to remember that the extension is only for filing a return, not for paying money if you owe on your taxes.

Cut 12 (07) “…the shortfall was.”

 

Louisiana State taxes are due May 15th.

 

 

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is set to get more job security and a bump in pay. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Im Jeff Palermo”

 

The executive director of the Louisiana GOP Andrew Bautsch was arrested over the weekend for allegedly shoving a New Orleans Police Officer hours after his wedding. Bautsch has not commented on the incident, he’s on his honeymoon.

 

 

Updated LRN AM Newscall March 19

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is set to get more job security and a bump in pay. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Im Jeff Palermo”

____________________________

Taxes are due in less than a month.  Kevin Barnhart talks with Metairie CPA Tyler Johnson about how to reduce the risk of a bumpy experience.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

___________________________________

The two Republicans running to unseat Governor Edwards have different thoughts in how they’d approach healthcare and education if elected. Matt Doyle was there for their joint public apperance….

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

Texas Governor Greg Abbott slammed Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards for his handling of the state’s economy, going as far to say that Edwards has made his job easier when it comes to attracting jobs to the Longhorn state. Abbott says Texas’ economy is growing, because of a business friendly environment, and wished the same for Louisiana, but…

Cut 4 (08) “…incentive.”

The comments were made yesterday in Baton Rouge at the Republican Governor’s Association business round table that included GOP candidates for Governor, Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham.

Abbott targeted the Edwards’ decision to reform a tax break known as the Industrial Tax Exemption, as an example of policies that have companies fleeing west out of the Bayou State…

Cut 5 (11) “…struggle.”

Edwards Campaign spokesperson Eric Holl hit back, noting the Republican Governor Association’s past support for former Governor Bobby Jindal…

Cut 6 (11) “…us back”

___________________________________________________

The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote tomorrow on a contract extension and raise for head football coach Ed Orgeron. The proposed deal would extend Orgeron for another two years, through the 2023 season and he’ll get a 14-percent increase in pay, boosting his salary to four-million dollars a year. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the contract seems justified…

Cut 7 (11) “…head coach”

Some college football analysts outside of Louisiana said Orgeron was on the hot seat heading into the 2018 season, but that changed after the Tigers outperformed expectations. Moran says the contract extension will help the LSU football program build on last year’s success…

Cut 8 (09) “good thing.”

Orgeron’s buyout would increase to 10-million dollars with the amount set to decrease by 250-thousand dollars each month through March 2021 and then remain at four-million dollars for the rest of the contract. Athletic Director Joe Alleva has already signed the deal, it just needs the Board’s approval which Moran says should happen….

Cut 9 (08) “…won it″

__________________________

There’s less than a month left before federal taxes are due. Metairie CPA Tyler Johnson says the last few weeks have been mighty busy and getting busier as April 15th draws closer. Johnson says procrastinating in scheduling a time to sit down with someone to do your taxes could be a big mistake.

Cut 10 (12) “…toward April 15th”

Johnson says one of the biggest things is making sure to keep an eye on the mail to make sure you get your tax docs together, whether its W-2s, 1099s, or health insurance.

Cut 11 (06) “things you’re missing.”

Johnson says for those that need to file a six-month extension, it’s important to remember that the extension is only for filing a return, not for paying money if you owe on your taxes.

Cut 12 (07) “…the shortfall was.”

______________________________

Congressman Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone, the two Republicans running against Governor Edwards in this year’s governor’s race, showed some differences in policy approach following a a business round table discussion hosted by the Republican Governor’s Association. Abraham says if elected he would not undo the Medicaid expansion, but it would be reformed.

Cut 13 (11) “…economics.”

Abraham says his experience as a rural doctor would help guide his decisions on Medicaid reform.

Rispone had a different plan though. He also agreed that the expansion should not be rolled back, but says considering recent reports of improper spending in the Medicaid program, he would put a hold on new applicants until the Department of Health could rectify it’s problem with ineligible recipients on the rolls.

Cut 14 (11) “…properly.”

Rispone says he would aim to have any freeze only be temporary, until a review of the program could be completed.

Both candidates agreed there needed to be some form of teacher pay raise, but they differed on how it should be put in place. When asked about a proposed 5,000 dollar Texas teacher pay raise, Abraham says a Bayou State version is long overdue, and that he’d pay for it with tax reform.

Cut 15 (10) “…invest in”

But Rispone, who was heavily involved in education issues at the Capitol before his candidacy, disagreed with giving all teachers a raise. He says not every educator has earned the income bump, and he’d rather let local school systems determine who should see a bigger paycheck.

Cut 16  (08) “demand” 

___________________

5:30 PM Newscast

LSU opens their NCAA Tournament run Thursday against Yale, and the American Gaming Association says 47 million American adults will place a bet on this year’s contest either by filling out a bracket or putting down money on a specific game. CEO Bill Miller says 8.5 billion in bets will be placed by the end of the tournament.

Cut 6 (08) “…championship game.”

The Bayou Bengals are eight-point favorites to beat the Bulldogs.

The state Legislative Auditor’s office releases a report that shows LSU paid a faculty member over 400-thousand dollars in salary and benefits for nearly three years, even though that person admitting to not performing work for the university during that time. State auditor Barrett Hunter says the School of Veterinary Medicine did not take sufficient action to address the employee’s lack of performance…

Cut 12 (10) “…anything like that.”

The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge from a Louisiana man who was convicted in 2016 by a non-unanimous jury verdict for the murder of a New Orleans woman. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The executive director of the Louisiana GOP tied the knot on Friday, then just a few hours later, was arrested for shoving a New Orleans Police Officer.  According to the police report, Andrew Bautsch was asked to leave a business on St. Charles Avenue around 1:30 AM Saturday.  He was being escorted to an elevator when the shove was alleged to occur. Bautsch was booked with battery on an officer, resisting police and criminal trespassing.

4:45 LRN Sportscast March 18

The LSU men’s basketball team is getting ready to play Yale in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers were bounced out of the SEC Tournament rather quickly, playing in just one game. Interim head coach Tony Benford says they want to go much farther in the Big Dance…
cut 30 (27) “….some shots”
Both teams like to play up tempo, so a lot of points are expected.

Former Saints Center Max Unger said today he decided to retire, because he didn’t think he could make it through another season, because of lower body injuries.

The 10th ranked LSU baseball team started SEC play by sweeping Kentucky in a three-game series. The Tigers completed the sweep with a 7-2 win. Senior third baseman Chris Reid had a two-run single and he says starting fast in conference play is a confidence booster…
Cut 16 (15) “phenomenal job”

Elsewhere, the Ragin Cajuns took two of three from Little Rock, winning four to two yesterday. Both ULM and La Tech were swept. McNeese took two of three from Lamar, winning yesterday six to four. Northwestern State and Nicholls are both three and three in the Southland. The Demons beat UNO eight to one, while the Colonels edged Central Arkansas two to one.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is receving a two-year contract extension that will keep him at LSU through 2023 and he’s also getting a 14-percent boost in pay. The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to sign off on the new deal on Wednesday.

4:30 PM Newscast

The state Legislative Auditor’s office releases a report that shows LSU paid a faculty member over 400-thousand dollars in salary and benefits for nearly three years, even though that person admitting to not performing work for the university during that time. State auditor Barrett Hunter says there is a chance that the employee could face legal ramifications for the payment.

Cut 14 (12) “…in recouping it.”

LSU has responded saying the School of Veterinary Medicine has inserted safeguards to ensure nothing like this will occur again.
LSU opens their NCAA Tournament run Thursday against Yale, and the American Gaming Association says 47 million American adults will place a bet on this year’s contest either by filling out a bracket or putting down money on a specific game. CEO Bill Miller says 147 million brackets will be filled out.

Cut 7 (08) “…and more.”

A state lawmaker who championed having the right to vote restored to felons now wants those same individuals serve jury duty with a bill pre-filed for the upcoming legislative session.  About 36,000 former felons were granted the right to vote as of March 1. But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says much like voting rights, jury pool eligibility isn’t restored as soon as the cell door opens and someone is released into society.

Cut 5 (10)  “…of our society.”
James’ bill will be heard in the legislative session that begins next month.

The US Supreme Court will consider overturning a Louisiana man’s 2016 non-unanimous jury conviction in a murder case. Last year the Bayou State voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring unanimous convictions in all felony cases, but the law is not retroactive. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino.

Cut 9 (10) “…the state”