230PM LRN News

NFL owners are discussing proposals to expand the use of instant replay and challenges, inspired by the infamous “Nola No Call” in the NFC Championship game. The historically change-averse NFL leadership has expressed hesitation about any officiating overhauls in the past, mainly citing concerns about adding additional time to the already lengthy broadcasts. Saints president Dennis Lauscha.
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new rules regarding instant replay might not be approved until May.
Today is Diabetes Alert Day, a day where Americans are encouraged to find out if they are at-risk for pre-diabetes. Outpatient Medical Center diabetes prevention projector coordinator Cynthia Parker.
Cut 10 (09)“…type 2 diabetes.”
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The Office of Juvenile Justice cut the ribbon on a new, modern rehabilitation facility in Bunkie today after months of delays. Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says the “Missouri Model” facilities reduce recedivism, and they plan to use this model moving forward for all new facilities, and plan to help pay for future construction using the savings you can generate from housing youths in the smaller rehabilitation centers.
Cut 14 (09) “…do that.”
The first 12 incarcerated youths will be housed in the facility which is set to expand over the next few months to 72 beds.
The Bonnet Carre Spillway is closing after opening many of it’s bays a month ago to relive pressure on the Mississippi River levee system that was in danger of over topping thanks to the substantial amount of water crashing down from upriver spring rains and snow melt. At it’s peak this year, 206 of the 350 bays were opened. The river level in New Orleans is currently at 16.5 feet, and is expected to lower over the next few weeks.

1:30 LRN Newscast March 26

The Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives is demanding that medical marijuana be available for patients by May 15th. L-A-T-A executive director Jesse McCormick says it was nearly four years ago when the legislature opened the door for the dispensing of medicinal cannabis and May 15th is a workable deadline…
cut 5 (10) “…get there”
Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain hopes they can hit the deadline, but it will depend on how quick testing goes.

It took longer than expected, but the ribbon was cut today on a new 72-bed juvenile detention center in Bunkie. Deputy Secretary for the office of Juvenile Justice, Doctor James Bueche says this facility should lead to better outcomes for troubled teens…
cut 13 (10) “…the kids”
Bueche says they plan to use this model moving forward for all new facilities.

The governor’s office says based on the numbers released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the state’s personal income growth increased by 4.5 percent for the fourth quarter of 2018 and 3-point-eight percent for the year. John Bel Edwards says that means Louisiana personal incomes hit a record high of 215-billion dollars in 2018.

Today is Diabetes Alert Day which is meant to bring awareness to testing for prediabetes. Kevin Barnhart has more…
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12:30 PM Newscast

The Office of Juvenile Justice cut the ribbon on a new, modern rehabilitation facility in Avoyelles Parish today after months of delays. Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says it’s based on the “Missouri Model”.

Cut 12 (09) “…facilities.”
The first 12 incarcerated youths will be housed in the facility which is set to expand over the next few months to 72 beds.

NFL owners are taking up proposals today, inspired by the infamous “No Call” that would potentially expand the use of replay and challenges.  Saints coach Sean Payton, who sits on the competition committee, has led the charge for replay expansion, says the NFL cannot fear change, and warned leadership about the dangers another blown call in a significant game could pose to the league’s image and integrity.

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Today is Diabetes Alert Day, a day where Americans are encouraged to find out if they are at risk for pre-diabetes. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes and 90% don’t know they have it. Outpatient Medical Center diabetes prevention project coordinator Cynthia Parker says someone can get tested quickly online.

Cut 9 (12) “…risk for prediabetes.”

Here’s a look at your commodities.

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 26

The rumored deal between tight end Jared Cook and the Saints is finally official as the Black and Gold announce they’ve signed the ten-year NFL veteran. Cook is coming off his most productive season as a professional as he caught 68 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns with the Raiders. At the NFL owners meetings in Arizona, Payton says Cook is a good fit for their offense…
cut 30 (19) “…tape of him”
And Saints leadership is making a push to change the rules so the “no call” in the NFC Championship game can never happen again. There are proposals on the table to expand the use of instant replay, but it will take 24 of the 32 NFL owners to agree to a change. Any significant rule may have to wait for the next owners meetings in May.

The 12th ranked LSU baseball team scored just eight runs in its three game series with Georgia last weekend. Coach Paul Mainieri gives credit to the Bulldogs pitching staff, but admits the Tigers need more production from their right handed hitters…
cut 17 (25) “right handed side”
Mainieri is hoping catcher Saul Garza can get it going at the plate and he’ll get the start tonight as the Tigers host McNeese.

Also today, ULM is at Louisiana Tech. The Warhawks have lost seven in a row, while Tech has won the last 10 games in the series between the two schools. Nicholls faces Southern Miss at the Shrine on Airline. The Golden Eagles have won seven in a row. Also, Southeastern is at South Alabama.

11:30 AM Newscast

After repeated delays, the Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives has demanded to state regulators for medical marijuana to be available by May 15th. The group made their request at a stakeholders meeting that involved the licensed pharmacists, the contracted growers and state ag commissioner Mike Strain. G-B Sciences is working with LSU on growing medicinal pot and they say a first batch could be available in May and L-A-T-A executive director Jesse McCormick says that’s good to hear…

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NFL owners are taking up proposals today, inspired by the infamous “No Call” that would potentially expand the use of replay and challenges. Seven potential changes are being discussed and could be voted on today, or could be delayed until May. Saints owner Gayle Benson says she knows the fans back home are looking for changes from the meeting.

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House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is proposing a budget that covers the 1,000 dollar teacher and 500 dollar support staff pay raise sought by Governor Edwards. Matt Doyle has more…

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The identities of the two bodies discovered following a welfare check in Tangipahoa Parish have been released. Sheriff Daniel Edwards says 41-year-old Mica Sood Fitzhugh and 44-year-old Robert Wolf were discovered yesterday morning in a Ponchatoula residence. Preliminary investigation indicates the incident to be domestic in nature. The investigation is on-going.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 26

After repeated delays, the Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives has demanded that medical marijuana be available by May 15th. It was almost four years ago when the state legislature approved the framework for dispensing and L-A-T-A executive director Jesse McCormick says it’s time for the product to hit the shelves…
cut 3 (09) “….can’t execute”
The L-A-T-A group made their request at a stakeholders meeting involving state ag commissioner Mike Strain, who says testing will be a critical part of the process.

Many women in coastal southeast Louisiana are still experiencing high levels of trauma nearly a decade after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. That’s according to an LSU Health New Orleans study.Lead author Dr. Ed Peters says unfortunately less than half reported receiving mental health treatment…
Cut 6 (10) “…to seek treatment.”
Nearly two-thousand women participated in the study.

Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich has asked the two GOP candidates for governor, Eddie Rispone and Ralph Abraham, not to attack each other.
cut 9 (11) “…the state”
Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says in 2015 the republican candidates attacked former Senator David Vitter so much, he was wounded when he faced Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in the runoff.

The legislative session is less than two weeks away and the governor and legislators are expected to make a strong effort towards giving teachers a pay raise. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry backs the across-the-board raise and says merit based hikes would be difficult to implement…
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Henry has introduced a proposed budget for next fiscal year that contains a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana pharmacists are demanding that medical marijuana be available to eligible patients by May 15th. Brooke Thorington has more…
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The Louisiana Board of Pardons has denied former Ball Mayor Roy Hebron’s effort for a pardon, which means he will not serve as the mayor of the Rapides Parish town. Hebron was elected as mayor in November, but the state’s constitution says he can’t serve because of his 2011 conviction for FEMA fraud. A new election will need to take place.

Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry has filed a proposed budget for next fiscal year that has the money to give teachers a one-thousand dollar pay raise. Henry says the goal is also to give additional funding for early childhood education…
cut 11 (09) “…childhood development”

And Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich has asked the two GOP candidates for governor, Eddie Rispone and Ralph Abraham not to attack each other during the campaign. Gurvich says instead any attacks should be on Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a wise strategy…
cut 8 (12) “…accept that”
The gubernatorial primary is in October.

8:30 LRN Newscast

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is proposing a budget that covers the 1,000 dollar teacher and 500 dollar support staff pay raise sought by Governor Edwards. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor Edwards will be in Bunkie this morning along Juvenile Justice Officials attending the long awaited ribbon cutting ceremony for the Acadiana Center for Youth. The new state of the art juvenile dormitory will specialize in treating violent teenagers. The 72-bed facility in Bunkie is radically different from others in the state because it’s based on a therapeutic approach which focuses on more rehabilitation versus punishment.

 

Women in coastal southeast Louisiana are still experiencing trauma almost a decade after the oil spill, that’s according to A LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health study. Lead author Dr. Ed Peters says many of the women studied are also not seeking the proper care for their mental health.

Cut 6 (10) “…to seek treatment.”

Nearly two-thousand women were among the study

With the arrival of spring and summer approaching, the likelihood of crossing paths with young birds that appear to be in distress rises. While the temptation for some to scoop them up in an effort to assist the animal is there, many times what appears to be trouble is actually quite natural for fledglings. LDWF bird biologist Melissa Collins…

Cut 13 (08) “…orphaned birds undisturbed.”

Collins adds if someone still feels that a bird is in trouble, they should contact LDWF before attempting to handle the animal.

7:30 AM LRN Newscast March 26

Louisiana Republican Party chairman Louis Gurvich says he’s making it clear that there will be no negative campaigning between Republicans in this year’s governor’s race. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says four years ago the race was thrown by Republicans after they let their primary candidates shred front-runner David Vitter like pulled pork.

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A LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health study finds women in southeast Louisiana exposed to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill continue to experience symptoms of trauma. Lead author Dr. Ed Peters says five classes of symptoms were observed in the women who reported being linked indirectly to the oil spill.

Cut 5 (06) “…populations as well.”

 

Close to two-thousand women who live in seven coastal parishes affected by the spill were among the study.

A May 15th deadline to dispense medical marijuana has been issued by the Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives. Doug Boudreaux with the Association made the ultimatum to department of agriculture officials, citing frustrations with delays since medicinal cannabis approval nearly four years ago. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain said he hopes to meet the May 15th deadline but he would not commit, citing he wants to make sure the product is safe.

 

Wildlife and Fisheries says this is the time of year in which people may come into contact with birds that appear to need help.  What should you do if that happens?

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6:45 LRN Sportscast March 26

Saints Owner Gayle Benson believes changes are coming to instant replay in the NFL, but it will likely not occur during this round of owner meetings that are underway in Arizona. Benson is lobbying for changes after a non-pass interference call prevented a trip to the Super Bowl for the Black and Gold. Benson says the leagues knows how they feel and it will take some time to go through the process and get the 24 owner votes needed to change the rules. There’s another set of NFL Owner meetings in May.

Benson was also asked about the Pelicans and said there is no way she would sell the team. There’s been reports the Pelicans could be on the move to Seattle or another city, but Benson says she values the Pels as much as the Saints.

The Pelicans host the Atlanta Hawks tonight. New Orleans has lost six straight.

The LSU basketball gets a practice in today and tomorrow they are off to D-C where they’ll play Michigan State on Friday night in the Sweet 16.

LSU baseball has fallen a few spots in the national rankings as a result of losing two of three to Georgia, who is ranked in the top 10 in the major polls. LSU won by one run on Friday night and the Tigers lost by two runs in the next two games. Coach Paul Mainieri says it was a great series between two evenly matched teams…
cut 16 (16) “…winning the series”
The Tigers host McNeese tonight.

In other action, ULM is at Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are beginning an eight-game homestand. The Warhawks have lost seven in a row, while Tech has won the last 10 games in the series between the two schools.

Nicholls faces Southern Miss at the Shrine on Airline. The Golden Eagles have won seven in a row. Parker White starts on the hill for the Colonels.

Also, Southeastern is at South Alabama.