AM Newscall 10.01.19

Bayou Steel announces its closure, resulting in the layoff of 376. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The Attorney General announces an additional prescription drug drop box where people can discard their old meds in an effort to keep them off the street. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Ouachita Parish Deputies are searching for a missing 25,000 dollar duck hunting dog after authorities say the animal’s trainer faked it’s death. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Hundreds have learned they will be without a job in St. John Parish.  376 employees at Bayou Steel were blindsided to hear of the closure, and Parish President Natalie Robottom says they were not the only ones caught off guard by the announcement.

Cut 4 (12) “…this was coming.”

Robottom says the official date of closure is set for November 30th and the community is being proactive in finding job placement.

Cut 5 (06) “…be laid off.”

Robottom says the company has been a major employer in the area for many years.

Cut 6 (09) “…the work there.”

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The office of the Attorney General announces the Broussard Police Department is the home of the newest prescription drug drop box.  Special projects coordinator at the AG’s office Monica Taylor says the boxes are having a huge impact on the number of drugs being taken out of circulation.

Cut 7 (07) “…put in place.” 

The drop boxes are paid for with a Blue Cross Blue Shield grant in an effort to combat the state’s opioid epidemic.  Taylor says the box has been in place for several months and is already seeing a huge impact.

Cut 8 (10) “…from the box.”

Taylor describes the boxes similar to a mailbox where items drop in, but they don’t come out.

Cut 9 (10)  “…can destroy it.”

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A recent study shows that Louisiana ranks 9th in the U-S with one of the most underfunded transportation infrastructures.  That equates to more problems for drivers on the road like potholes, but most alarmingly, structurally unsound bridges. Louisiana Good Road Transportation Association President Ken Perret…

Cut 10 (10) “…timber pilings.”

Perret says major bridges in the state have an average lifespan of 50 years. Smaller bridges also have an impact on rural traffic when weight-bearing loads like buses have to be rerouted during construction.

Perret says right now only eight states have worse road conditions than Louisiana. The state’s 20-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax is the state’s primary means of funding road project and it’s one of the lowest in the country. Perret fears the $14 billion backlog of needed road projects will remain underfunded until there’s a disaster.

Cut 11 (12) “…loss of lives.” 

The Louisiana Good Roads Transportation Association study shows poor roads cost the average driver in the state $624 a year in vehicle and operating costs.  Perret says lawmakers continue to ignore the issue and it’s going to take voters reaching out to their legislators to bring about change.

Cut 12 (08) “…grassroots level”

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A dog trainer is under arrest after allegedly faking the death of his client’s 25,000-dollar duck hunting Labrador.

44-year-old Lester Langley of Monroe had been tasked with training a local family’s pet during the hunting offseason when authorities say out of the blue he called the family with some bad news…

Cut 13 (10) “the dog”

That’s Ouachita Parish Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw who says after the initial call Langley refused to respond to future calls or house visits.

After refusing to communicate with the family, they called authorities who showed up with a warrant. Mashaw says Langley could not comply when deputies demanded he turn over the body, and…

Cut 14 (12) “…a dog” 

Mashaw says Langley has refused to say what actually happened to the canine, but authorities suspect he sold the pup on one of his out of state trips. The hope to find out where the dog went.

Cut 15 (10) “…locate it”

For more information on the missing black lab visit www.OPSO.com

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Two teams good at throwing the football will meet Saturday in Tiger Stadium, when 5th ranked LSU hosts Utah State. The Tigers are averaging 432 yards per game through the air, while the Aggies are averaging 326 a contest. Utah State is led by six-foot-four junior Jordan Love, who Coach Ed Orgeron says will play on Sundays soon

Cut 16  (18) “…all areas

Orgeron says Utah State also plays an up tempo offense as they like to get off a bunch of snaps in a short period…

cut 17  (16) “…job of it” 

LSU’s defense has struggled defending pass, allowing 224 yards a game through the air. Orgeron says they’ve spent time on tackling, improving the players technique…

Cut 18 (18)      right plays” 

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The Pelicans begin training camp today as the Zion Williamson is ready to take off in New Orleans. The first overall pick says he’s excited and also feels at home in the Big Easy, thanks to love he’s only received from the state and the veteran leadership on the team…

cut 19 (21)   “help a lot”   

Williamson is already considered one of the best players in the NBA and he’s yet to play a game yet. Zion says he can’t focus on the outside noise…

cut 20 (15) “make a run 

530PM LRN News

So far early voting turnout for the primary is nearly double that of the 2015 election, and state officials say it could indicate higher than average interest in this year’s election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the early results are incredibly promising as people packed polling stations Saturday.

Cut 6 (09) “…thousand”

If turnout does hit the mid-40s Ardoin says they’ll still have plenty enough stickers, having printed 3.2 million.

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling mightily. Baton Rouge peaked in the fiscal year ending June 2017 at $308.8 million and has slumped the last two years. Revenue has fallen to nearly one-fourth to  $235.6 million for June 2019. Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says bans are partly to blame.

Cut 13 (06) “…an impact.”

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new interactive data visualization tool to their website. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

365 workers are out of a job in LaPlace after the unexpected closure of Bayou Steel in St. John the Baptist Parish. Local officials say they have not been given a reason for the closure yet, but the Governor’s office is indicating it may be tariff related as the company imports scrap recycled metals. The state says they’re working quickly to get the workers back into a job.

4:30 PM Newscast

So far early voting turnout for the primary is nearly double that of the 2015 election, and state officials say it could indicate higher than average interest in this year’s election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the 2015 election only saw turnout in the upper 30s, but if these numbers hold we could be in for noticeably better numbers.

Cut 8 (07) “prognostication”

If turnout does hit the mid-40s Ardoin says they’ll still have enough stickers, as they printed over 3 million.

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys.The Teddy Bridgewater led offense has not lived up to the usual sky-high offensive expectations of Saints fans. Safety Von Bell says they’re comfortable carrying the team while the offense works out some of the kinks.

Cut 5 (08) “…position.”

 

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website.  Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says it is a new resource for everyone in Louisiana to better understand the burden of cancer.

Cut 9 (08) “…specific parish.”

Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.  She adds having the tool may lead to targeting areas for awareness of specific cancers.

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering in one of the biggest gaming regions of the state.

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says unfortunately today’s milestone is also a reminder of a prolonged slump casino revenues for the area that need intervention.

Cut 12 (14) “…employed”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The saints are now 2-and-0 without quarterback Drew Brees as the Black and Gold defeated Dallas 12-10 last night, handing the Cowboys their first loss of the season. It was a dominant performance by the defense, and defensive end Cam Jordan says they are not using Brees’ absence as an excuse…
cut 3 (11) “…take pride in”
The Saints will now get ready to host the Bucaneers.

The fifth ranked LSU football team is gearing up to host Utah State this Saturday. The Aggies are led by quarterback Jordan Love who has thrown for over 6,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career. Coach Ed Orgeron is hopeful a couple of defensive starters will return for Saturday’s game. He says pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson is questionable, while defensive end Rashard Lawrence and linebacker Michael Divinity will try to practice this wee. Defensive end Glen Logan is out.

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Ragin Cajuns linebacker Jacques Boudreaux has been named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week. The senior from New Orleans is the first Cajun to earn the defensive honor since 2014. Boudreaux had a career-high 12 tackles in U-L Lafayette’s 37-34 win over Georgia Southern. The Cajuns next game is Wednesday October 9th at home against Appalachian State.

In the Southland, Southeastern Louisiana is one of two teams in the league that is 2-0 in conference play. The Lions handed Northwestern State another loss last Saturday in Natchitoches as S-L-U thumped the Demons 44-27. Chason Virgil threw for 344 yards in the game. Southeastern is at McNeese this Saturday. The Cowboys are coming off a 28-17 loss to Sam Houston State.

Also this Saturday, Nicholls hosts Central Arkansas.

Also Good news about the LSU-Florida game on October 12th, the SEC has announced the conference home opener will kick off at 7 PM on October 12th.

3:30 PM Newscast

over 56,000 voters showed up to cast their ballots Saturday for the first day of early voting. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Former Louisiana Sen. Heulette “Clo” Fontenot Jr. was killed in a car wreck Sunday morning after driving into the path of an oncoming car on a Livingston Parish highway, authorities said. The Louisiana State Police said Fontenot, 58, of Denham Springs, failed to yield for an oncoming Lexus while making a left turn around 11:30 a.m. on LA 63.

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering in one of the biggest gaming regions of the state.

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says all 20 casinos across the state has seen a decline in the last five years, and the commission is looking at potentially switching the location of some licenses.

Cut 14 (10) “…anywhere”

Jones says the gaming industry peaked after Katrina has since been on the decline.

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards.Star linebacker Demario Davis says last night’s defense performance it’s an incredible achievement, in 2019.

Cut 4 (10) “…huge”

PM Newscall 09.30.19

Over 56,000 voters showed up to cast their ballots Saturday for the first day of early voting. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new interactive data visualization tool to their website. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards.

The Black and Gold will need to reform around a defensive identity with Drew Brees out and the offense struggling. Defensive end Cam Jordan says with or Brees or no, they’re on a mission.

Cut 3 (11) “…in”

The D has been particularly effective in the first halves of games, only allowing ten points in the last two contests.

Star linebacker Demario Davis says last night’s defense performance it’s an incredible achievement, in 2019.

Cut 4 (10) “…huge”

Star Dallas running back Zeke Elliot was held to just 35 yards rushing on 18 carries last night, making it three weeks in a row the team has held star running backs to under four yards a carry.

The Teddy Bridgewater led offense has not lived up to the usual sky-high offensive expectations of Saints fans. Safety Von Bell says they’re comfortable carrying the team while the offense works out some of the kinks.

Cut 5 (08) “…position.”

The D will need to stay locked in as the new look Bucs head to New Orleans Sunday on the heels of their 55-40 win over the Rams.

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So far early voting turnout for the primary is nearly double that of the 2015 election, and state officials say it could indicate higher than average interest in this year’s election.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the early results are incredibly promising as people packed polling stations Saturday.

Cut 6 (09) “…thousand”

He says when you add absentee ballots, the total number of votes skyrockets to nearly 77,000 total first-day votes.

Ardoin suspects the timing of the LSU/Florida game on October 12th is partially responsible for the surge in early turnout. He says it’s been on the front of several campaign’s minds.

Cut 7 (09) “early” 

That being said, Ardoin says the early voting totals for today are expected to outpace last year’s day two as well.

Ardoin says the 2015 election only saw turnout in the upper 30s, but if these numbers hold we could be in for noticeably better numbers.

Cut 8 (07) “prognostication”

If turnout does hit the mid-40s Ardoin says they’ll still have plenty enough stickers. He says they printed 3.2 million, more than the total number of registered voters.

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The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website.  Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says it is a new resource for everyone in Louisiana to better understand the burden of cancer.

Cut 9 (08) “…specific parish.”

Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.  She adds having the tool may lead to targeting areas for awareness of specific cancers.

Cut 10 (11) “…promote screening.”

Maniscalco says the tool has been in development for about a year and will see continued advancements.

Cut 11 (10) “…add additional features.” 

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25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering in one of the biggest gaming regions of the state.

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says unfortunately today’s milestone is also a reminder of a prolonged slump casino revenues for the area that need intervention.

Cut 12 (14) “…employed”

The Belle was the first to open in the now troubled market.

Baton Rouge peaked in the fiscal year ending June 2017 at $308.8 million and has slumped the last two years. Revenue has fallen to nearly one-fourth to  $235.6 million for June 2019. Jones says new smoking bans had a major impact.

Cut 13 (06) “…an impact.”

In New Orleans market, Jones says casinos saw a 20 percent drop in business after the smoking ban was implemented.

Jones says all 20 casinos across the state has seen a decline in the last five years, and the commission is looking at potentially switching the location of some licenses.

Cut 14 (10) “…anywhere”

 Jones says the gaming indusrty peaked after Katrina has since been on the decline.

230PM LRN News

So far early voting turnout for the primary is more than double that of the 2015 election, and state officials say it could indicate higher than average interest in this year’s election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the early results are incredibly promising as people packed polling stations Saturday.

Cut 6, 9 seconds, thousand

He says when you add absentee ballots, the total number of votes skyrockets to nearly 77,000 total first-day votes.

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards. The Black and Gold will need to reform around a defensive identity with Drew Brees out and the offense struggling. Defensive end Cam Jordan says with or Brees or no, they’re on a mission.

Cut 3 (11) “…in”

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website. Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says the tool has been in development for about a year and will see continued advancements.

Cut 11 (10) “…add additional features.” 

Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.  

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering. Baton Rouge peaked in the fiscal year ending June 2017 at $308.8 million and has slumped the last two years. Revenue has fallen to nearly one-fourth to $235.6 million for June 2019. Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says new smoking bans have had a big hit.

Cut 13 (06) “…an impact.”

130PM LRN News

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering in one of the biggest gaming regions of the state. Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says unfortunately today’s milestone is also a reminder of a prolonged slump casino revenues.

Cut 12 (14) “…employed”

The Belle was the first to open in the now troubled market. The Belle has seen a nearly 50 percent decline in revenue year to year.

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website. Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.  She adds having the tool may lead to targeting areas for awareness.

Cut 10 (11) “…promote screening.”

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards. The Teddy Bridgewater led offense has not lived up to the usual sky-high offensive expectations of Saints fans. Safety Von Bell says they’re comfortable carrying the team while the offense works out some of the kinks.

Cut 5 (08) “…position.”

The D will need to stay locked in as the new look Bucs head to New Orleans Sunday on the heels of their 55-40 win over the Rams.

October is typically a quiet time for hurricane activity for Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says historical data reflects favorably for the month as the average is having two named storms to make landfall nationally.

Cut 7 (07) “…hurricanes really drop.” 

Keim says the last two months of hurricane season are typically more active for the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico.

1230PM LRN News

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards. Star linebacker Demario Davis says it’s an incredible achievement, in 2019.

Cut 4, 10 seconds, huge

Star Dallas running back Zeke  Elliot was held to just 35 yards rushing on 18 carries last night, making it three weeks in a row the team has held star running backs to under four yards a carry.

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website.  Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says it is a new resource for everyone in Louisiana to better understand the burden of cancer.

Cut 9 (08) “…specific parish.”

Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.

With the arrival of October comes the start of the final two months of hurricane season. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

11:40 LRN Sportscast

It was an impressive defensive performance from the Saints defense last night as the Black and Gold gave up just one touchdown in a 12-10 win over Dallas. It was a long night for Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliot as he was held to 35 yards on 18 carries. The defense also forced three turnovers.

The Saints offense did not find the end zone, but they owned the time of possession, possessing the ball for 36-minutes. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw for 193 yards and one interception. He was also sacked five times.

The Saints 12 points came on four field goals from Wil Lutz. Thomas Morestad had another good night punting the football, with two punts inside the Dallas 20 and an average of 44 yards a punt.

The Saints are now 3-and-1, one game ahead of Tampa Bay and Carolina. The Bucs stunned the Rams and the Panthers defeated the Texans. The Saints will host the Buccaneers this Sunday for a noon kickoff in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

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LSU didn’t play this past weekend, but fell in the AP Top 25 and coaches poll. The Tigers are ranked 5th in the AP poll, sixth in the coaches poll. After Clemson survived by just one point against North Carolina, Alabama moved into the top spot in both polls. Ohio State, who was impressive in September has moved past the Tigers in the polls. LSU hosts Utah State this Saturday.

Louisiana Tech gets this Saturday off after beating winless Rice in overtime 23-20. J’Mar Smith’s rushing touchdown was the winning score. Smith also threw for 210 yards and a score.

ULM’s Caleb Evans threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns as ULM defeated South Alabama 30-17 in the Sun Belt opener for both teams.

The Ragin Cajuns knocked off Georgia Southern 37-24, Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas each scored two touchdowns. U-L Lafayette has won four in a row and they’ll play again on October 9th against Appalachian State in a rematch of last year’s Sun Belt Championship game won by the Mountaineers.