7:30 LRN Newscast

State lawmakers return to the Captiol today and this afternoon the state House is expected to discuss a bill that will bring Uber and Lyft to the areas of the state where it’s currently unavailable. Lyft Public Policy Manager Carter Stern says rideshare services provide a good part time job for many and it helps keep intoxicated drivers off the roads…
cut 14 (09) “…definitely a benefit”
Similiar legislation was rejected by the Senate last year.

The LSU Ag Center says we are getting closer to the peak swarming season for formosan termites. AgCenter entomologist Karen Sun says when the termites come out of their colonies at dusk, they search for wood and moisture, so make sure there’s no pipe leakage around your home…
cut 11 (08) “…new colony”
The bugs will swarm for roughly the next two to three months, starting in early May.

The World Health Organization issues its recommendation on how much screen time is appropriate for little kids, and it’s not much….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Louisiana Tech and all Lincoln Parish schools are open today for the first time since last week’s deadly tornado hit Ruston. Hundreds of volunteers stormed the city this past weekend to help with recovery efforts. If you would like to volunteer, call (318) 255-3300. Louisiana could see another round of severe weather late Wednesday into Thursday morning.

6:45 LRN Sportscast April 29

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is like every other NFL executive in that they like their draft class. New Orleans made five picks and highlighting the class is second round selection Erik McCoy, a center out of Texas A-and-M. Loomis says McCoy is the type of interior O-Lineman they were looking for…
cut 18 (15) “….checked all of the boxes”
The Saints have a kicker in Will Lutz, but former LSU Tiger Cole Tracy will reportedly have a try out with New Orleans during their mini-camp. Tracy says he will also have a try out with the Packers.

Former LSU running back Nick Brossette has signed as a free agent with the Patriots. Former Northwestern State wide receiver Jazz Ferguson signs with Seattle. Nicholls State’s second all-time leading receiver Damion Jeanpierre signs with Carolina.

Saul Garza and Daniel Cabrera hit solo home runs and freshman pitcher Landon Marceaux shook off a shaky start as the 14th ranked LSU Tigers defeated Alabama 5-4 to win the rubber match of the weekend series in Tuscaloosa. LSU is now 13-8 in the SEC, two games back of Arkansas for first place in the west division.

It was a rough weekend for Louisiana Tech in Houston. Rice swept the Bulldogs and completed the sweep with a walk off victory in 10 innings yesterday. Tech falls to 12-9 in Conference USA play.

Southern defeated Grambling 15 to 3 in seven innings to salvage a game in their three-game set. Despite losing to A-and-M Corpus Christi five to three yesterday, Southeastern Louisiana remain tied for first place with Sam Houston for first place.

The Cajuns were swept by Texas State in a non-conference series and ULM has moved out of last lace in the Sun Belt West Division by taking two of three from Arkansas State.

Longtime ULM sports information director Bob Anderson has passed away. He held the position from 1961 to 1994.

6:30 LRN Newscast April 29

The World Health Organization has for the first time issued guidance on how much screen time is acceptable and it’s not very much. LSU Health New Orleans pediatrician Dr. Kyle Fulton says the recommendations indicate kids ages 2-5 should have their screen time limited to less than one hour per day.
Cut 4 (08) “…quality or educational.”
Children ages 6 and older are recommended to have less than two hours per day, not including homework time at a computer.

The full House is scheduled to hear a bill today creating a statewide framework for ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Louisiana is one of only a few states without statewide regulations, meaning some areas do not have access to the services. Lyft Public Policy Manager Carter Stern says passage would be beneficial to drivers who drive in various areas of the state.
Cut 13 (08) “…anywhere in the state.”
A similiar bill died in the Senate last year.

LSU AgCenter entomologist Karen Sun has some good tips to keep your house termite free this season…
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A West Baton Rouge Parish man is facing a second-degree murder charge after authorities say they found his mother buried in a shallow grave near their Port Allen area home. 44-year-old Louis Moore Junior was booked yesterday afternoon after 76-year-old Joann Moore’s body was recovered the night before. Neighbors say the two had a close relationship.

LRN AM Newscall April 29th

The World Health Organization issues its recommendation on how much screen time is appropriate for kids, and it’s not much.  Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

______________________________

 An LSU entomologist has some good tips for keep your house termite free this season…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________________

A bill that would establish a statewide framework for rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft is scheduled to for floor debate today in the House.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

The World Health Organization has for the first time issued guidance on how much screen time is acceptable and it’s not very much. LSU Health New Orleans pediatrician Dr. Kyle Fulton says the recommendations indicate kids ages 2-5 should have their screen time limited to less than one hour per day.

Cut 4 (08) “…quality or educational.”

Children ages 6 and older are recommended to have less than two hours per day, not including homework time at a computer.

Fulton says research shows children who spend too much time in front of a screen tend to spend less time playing, and the less time they are playing, the more likely they are to have health problems later on in life.

Cut 5 (09) “…3 hours a day.”

The guide is similar to the advice given by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Fulton says he recommends parents spend time reading books with children instead of letting them spend time in front of a screen.

Cut 6 (12) “…they are older.”

The report adds that children younger than 18 months old should not have any screen time at all other than video chats.

_______________________

The Shreveport-based Community Foundation of North Louisiana has started a fund to raise money for relief efforts in Ruston, which is recovering from a deadly tornado. Spokesperson Emily Smith says they are identifying needs and will distribute funds to organizations that can address them.

Cut 7 (07) “…donations.”

Smith says their board is familiar with charitable organizations in Lincoln Parish and she says if you’re not sure where to send monetary support, their umbrella fund will direct your money to the most pressing needs.

Cut 8 (12) “…accordingly.”

To donate, drop by C-F-N-L-A.O-R-G slash Ruston and hit the donate now button. Smith says there are also local spots you give checks to.

Cut 9 (08) “…bank.″

___________________________

It’s termite season in Louisiana and for most folks that means turning off your lights before dusk, but LSU AgCenter Entomologist Karen Sun has a few tips to keep the bugs from damaging your home, but you can’t treat your house for termites yourself…

Cut 10 (08) “…services.”

The swarms begin at dusk and Sun says generally dissipate by 10:30 PM, at which point you should be able to turn back on outside lights.

Another tip for keeping your house termite free is cleaning up any moisture and pipe leakage, so that if a termite does breach your gates, they can’t start a family under your roof.

Cut 11 (08) “…new colony.”

The bugs will be swarming for roughly the next two to three months, notably starting in early May.

A lot of folks know about clearing dead wood from the perimeter of your home, but Sun says many resident’s don’t realize that gardening mulch can pose just as much of a threat to your foundation.

Cut 12 (07) “…home”

_______________________

The full House is scheduled to hear a bill today creating a statewide framework for ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Louisiana is one of only a few states without statewide regulations, meaning some areas do not have access to the services. Lyft Public Policy Manager Carter Stern says passage would be beneficial to drivers who drive in various areas of the state.

Cut 13 (08) “…anywhere in the state.”

Stern says the access to rideshare services not only offer the ability for drivers to put some extra money in their pocket, but also helps people get to and from work, and is helping in keeping intoxicated drivers off the roads.

Cut 14 (09) “…definitely a benefit.”

Stern says Lyft is only available in six cities in Louisiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, Monroe, Shreveport, and Lafayette.

Cut 15 (10) “…will have access.”

A similar bill was killed in the Senate last year over objections from the taxi cab industry.

____________________________________

Despite only having one pick in the first three rounds, Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says the team selected three players rated in the top 70 on their board. New Orleans made two trades during the seven round draft to move up. In round two, they made a deal with Miami to take Texas A&M Center Erik McCoy and in the fourth round they executed a deal with the Jets to take Florida safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. General Manager Mickey Loomis says they were calculated moves

Cut 16  (14) “…lot of times” 

Heading into the draft, tight end was considered a postion of need and in the seventh round, New Orleans selected Notre Dame tight end Allze Mack. In 2015, he was rated as the number one rated tight end in the nation coming out of Las Vegas, but only caught four touchdown passes during his collegiate career in South Bend. Loomis says they like Mack’s potential

 cut 17 (12)   “succeed here” 

Out of the five member draft class, McCoy has the best chance to start in his rookie season, because of the retirement of starting center Max Unger. Loomis says McCoy is the type of interior O-lineman they were looking for….

 

11:30 AM LRN Newscast April 27th

In Ruston, Mayor Ronny Walker says they are bouncing back after an EF-3 tornado ripped through the town in the early morning hours Thursday. Walker says the volunteerism has been unbelievable, especially from Louisiana Tech students. He relayed this story from a woman who lost several trees on her property.
Cut 3 (12) “…started crying”

The National Weather Service has survey teams looking at the impacted areas from the Wednesday night into Thursday morning tornado outbreak. Ruston was the hardest hit area and National Weather Service forecaster CS Ross says their experts say the damage falls in line with an EF-3 tornado.
Cut 9 (11) “…community as well“.

Speculation about the future of LSU President F. King Alexander, was put to rest with a comment from Governor Edwards on Friday. “I support the entire team that’s in place,” Gov Edwards told reporters during a visit to the LSU Board of Supervisors.  LSU board Chairman James M. Williams also echoed Edwards’s feelings about Alexander. They believe LSU is making strides, with the hiring of Scott Woodward as AD and one of LSU’s largest ever graduating classes with an estimated 7,109 students on May 10.

At the capitol, the House will consider whether or not delivery services should be allowed to bring low alcohol content booze with their food to your front door. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says his legislation specifies that the alcohol must be brought with food, and must be in the original manufacturer’s seal container, so that means no mixed drinks…
Cut 6 (12) “…gunna fly”

10:30AM LRN Newscast April 27th

A federal appeals court has ruled that a Baton Rouge police officer injured during protests over the 2016 killing of Alton Sterling can sue a Black Lives Matter organizer. The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the officer, identified as Joe Doe, can sue on the grounds the organization was negligent by leading people to block a highway.

In 2017 a federal judge threw out the lawsuit against DeRay McKesson of Black Lives Matter, noting that the organization was too loosely organized to sue.

The National Weather Service has survey teams looking at the impacted areas from the Wednesday night into Thursday morning tornado outbreak. Ruston was the hardest hit area and NWS forecaster CS Ross says their experts say the damage falls in line with an EF-3 tornado.

Cut 9 (11) “…community as well.

The LSU Board of Supervisors approves new Athletic Director Scott Woodward’s six year, eight million dollar contract. Board member Valencia Jones thanked Woodward for his decision to join the Purple and Gold, and says the AD is a high caliber talent.

Cut 14 (11) “together ”

The board also approved the amendments made to basketball coach Will Wade’s contract, which takes away his bonus pay for winning an SEC title and reaching the NCAA Tournament

The House will consider whether or not delivery services should be allowed to bring low alcohol content drinks with their food to your front door. Bill sponsor Thomas Carmody says food delivery services do not require their workers to have all of the same certifications that a waiter has, but that could change this legislation…

Cut 8 (09) “…waiter”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast April 27

A bill to legalize the delivery of low content alcohol passes committee and is headed to the House. Matt Doyle talked to the bill sponsor.
cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

The federal government is set to pay Louisiana approximately $95 million of its royalties from offshore oil revenue in the Gulf of Mexico earned in fiscal year 2018.

This week the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the latest Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act award will go toward flood protections and coastal restorations projects.

Louisiana’s award is about $12 million more than it received last year.

In sports The Saints have a history of trading up in the NFL draft and they did that again last night to take Texas A-and-M center Erik McCoy. The former Aggie was a three-year starter in College Station and the Saints made a trade with the Dolphins to move up 14 spots to take him. Draft analysts say McCoy is a good value pick and someone who could start in his rookie season. The Saints needed a center with the retirement of Max Unger.

Former LSU Tiger Greedy Williams saw seven cornerbacks selected, before the Cleveland Browns used the 47th pick overall to take the former Calvary Baptist star

And today is day three of Jazz Fest in New Orleans. It’s opening weekend and the 50th anniversary of the Festival, and the weather is expected to cooperate today with highs in the lower 80s and lows in the lowers 60s tonight. The Festival has been plagued with woes with this year’s from the cancellation of the Rolling Stones, and replacement act Fleetwood Mac’s sudden cancellation. Wide Spread Panic is scheduled to replace the former headliners on May 2nd. One of tonight’s headliners at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans is American Idol judge Katy Perry.

8:30 LRN Newscast April 27

In Ruston, Mayor Ronny Walker says they are bouncing back after an EF-3 tornado ripped through the town in the early morning hours Thursday. Walker says the volunteerism has been unbelievable, especially from Louisiana Tech students. He relayed this story from a woman who lost several trees on her property.
Cut 3 (12) “…started crying”
The National Weather Service has survey teams looking at the impacted areas from the Wednesday night into Thursday morning tornado outbreak. Ruston was the hardest hit area and National Weather Service forecaster CS Ross says their experts say the damage falls in line with an EF-3 tornado.
Cut 9 (11) “…community as well“.

 

Speculation about the future of LSU President F. King Alexander, was put to rest with a comment from Governor Edwards on Friday. “I support the entire team that’s in place,” Gov Edwards told reporters during a visit to the LSU Board of Supervisors.  LSU board Chairman James M. Williams also echoed Edwards’s feelings about Alexander. They believe LSU is making strides, with the hiring of Scott Woodward as AD and one of LSU’s largest ever graduating classes with an estimated 7,109 students on May 10.

At the capitol the House will consider whether or not delivery services should be allowed to bring low alcohol content booze with their food to your front door. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says his legislation specifies that the alcohol must be brought with food, and must be in the original manufacturer’s seal container, so that means no mixed drinks…
Cut 6 (12) “…gunna fly”

7:30 LRN Sportscast

The Saints have a history of trading up in the NFL draft and they did that again last night to take Texas A-and-M center Erik McCoy. The former Aggie was a three-year starter in College Station and the Saints made a trade with the Dolphins to move up 14 spots to take him. Draft analysts say McCoy is a good value pick and someone who could start in his rookie season. The Saints needed a center with the retirement of Max Unger.

Former LSU Tiger Greedy Williams saw seven cornerbacks selected before the Cleveland Browns used the 47th pick overall to take the former Calvary Baptist star. Willaims will join former Tigers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Junior in Cleveland.

Buffalo selected former Pineville standout and Oklahoma offensive tackle Cody Ford in the second round. And Louisiana Tech star Jaylon Ferguson went in the third round to the Baltimore Ravens.

———————————————————————————

Disappointing loss for the LSU baseball team last night as Zach Hess allowed five runs in a six to one loss to Alabama. LSU had eight hits, but only two for extra base hits. Game two of the series is today at 2 PM. Eric Walker starts on the hill for the Tigers.

Louisiana Tech also had a rough game at the plate as the Rice Owls defeated the Bulldogs three to one. Tanner Huddleston hit a solo home run in the ninth inning as Tech could only muster one run, despite nine hits. Game two of that series is at 2 PM.

Thanks to a six-run third inning, ULM defeated Arkansas State 11-4. Brendan Jordan had three hits and drove in four runs.

Grambling blanked Southern 12 to 0. Southeastern Louisiana blanked Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi , Nicholls over San Jose State 3 to 2, Stephen F Austin doubled up Northwestern State four to two and Abilene Christian defeated McNeese nine to three.

530PM LRN News

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says they are bouncing back after an EF-3 tornado ripped through their town Thursday morning. Walker says the volunteerism has been unbelievable, especially from Louisiana Tech students. He relayed this story from a woman who lost several trees on her property.
Cut 3 (12) “…started crying”
The National Weather Service has survey teams looking at the impacted areas from the Wednesday night into Thursday morning tornado outbreak. Ruston was the hardest hit area and NWS forecaster CS Ross says their experts say the damage falls in line with an EF-3 tornado.
Cut 9 (11) “…community as well“.
The storm started over Texas, moving northeast into Louisiana. Ross says this week’s severe weather could go down as a significant event in history for the National Weather Service’s Shreveport office coverage area.
__________________________________
The House will consider whether or not delivery services should be allowed to bring low alcohol content booze with their food to your front door. Currently food delivery services do not require their workers to have all of the same certifications that a waiter has, but Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says under his proposal…
Cut 7 (10) “…for it.”
The bill is the result of recommendations of the E-Commerce Committee’s fall recommendation about how to allow alcohol delivery, and deal with the potential liability issues.
The LSU Board of Supervisors approves new Athletic Director Scott Woodward’s six year, eight million dollar contract.LSU Vice President for Legal Affairs Thomas Skinner says the contract includes hundreds of thousands of dollars in bonuses, and includes a base pay that increases every year.
Cut 12 (12) “…five.”