6:30 LRN Newscast January 2nd

Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election was the big political story in 2019. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says with the state no longer dealing with budget deficits, the major story in 2020 will be how much money the state will actually spend. He says the Republican-controlled legislature will look to reduce government spending
Cut 4 (07) “…the budget”
Pinsonat expects auto insurance reform will be a big battle in the 2020 session that begins in March.

Many begin a new year looking to live a healthier lifestyle. Chief of dietary assessment at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Catherine Champagne says it’s not just about exercising more, portion control when it comes to serving size is also vital…
cut 11 (11) “…are nutrient-dense”

After the tragic loss of alumna Carley McCord, Northwestern State University is establishing a scholarship in her memory. Brooke Thorington spoke with McCord’s former sorority sister
Cut 3 (30) “… I’m Brooke Thorington”

Former Ragin Cajuns athletic director David Walker has passed away. He served as A-D from 2005 to 2010.

AM Newscall 1/2/19

What’s in store for state politics in 2020? Jeff Palermo reports more battles between Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and the state legislature…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Tickets to see the two big football games coming up in the Superdome are in high demand. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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After the tragic loss of alumna Carley McCord, the Northwestern State University family is establishing a scholarship in her memory. Brooke Thorington spoke with a McCord family friend

Cut 3 (30)  “… I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election was the big political story in 2019. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says with the state no longer dealing with budget deficits, the major story in 2020 will be how much money the state will actually spend. He says the Republican-controlled legislature will look to reduce government spending

Cut 4 (07) “…the budget”

Edwards clashed with House GOP leadership in his first term, but the governor he had an ally in Senate President John Alario. Pinsonat says Alario is no longer in the legislature, so he expects bigger battles over money in Edwards’ second-term

Cut 5 (10) “   approved” 

Pinsonat expects a big battle in the 2020 session that begins March over auto insurance reform. He expects Republican leadership to bring forward legislation after a similar effort was blocked by the governor last year

Cut 6 (09) “…insurance reform”

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Louisiana football fans have plenty of reasons to want to scoop up tickets to be the in Superdome over the next two weeks. Sunday, the Saints host the Vikings in a wild card playoff game. CEO of ticket reseller Gametime Blake Griffith says it’s LSU’s championship game on January 13th commanding the higher price.

Cut 7 (10) “…having this year.”

Compared to other years of the CFP, this year’s championship game has the second highest price for tickets, with the average price around $2,300.  Griffith says there is lots of volatility to the ticket pricing with the game being held in mid-January.

Cut 8 (10) “…those last values.”

If dropping a stack or two on the Tigers’ championship aspirations seems a bit too rich for you, Griffith says cheering for the Saints this Sunday might be more reasonable on the budget.

Cut 9 (05) “the Vikings game.”

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The New Year means resolutions aimed at improving health.  Professor and Chief of dietary assessment at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Catherine Champagne says when finding the right diet, look for red flags, like anything that would eliminate food groups.

Cut 10 (11) “…bacon a day.”

Champagne says portion control on serving size is vital.

Cut 11 (11) “…are nutrient dense.”

Health goals should not only factor in food intake, but be accompanied by physical activity as well.  Champagne says try walking thirty minutes a day, three days a week to start off, then increase it to five days a week.

Cut 12 (09) “…a day every day.” 

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Northwestern State University has established a scholarship in memory of sports-journalist and alumna Carley McCord, who was tragically killed in a plane crash along with four others last Saturday. McCord family friend Danielle Cobb says Carley always made an impression wherever she went.

Cut 13 (12) “…to do”

In addition to being a journalism major at Northwestern State, McCord also worked in the recruiting office where she gave potential students tours of the campus. Cobb says McCord continued to promote the University even after she graduated in 2011, but while there…

Cut 14 (06) “…campus tours.”

Before becoming an in-game host for The Saints and the Pelicans, McCord competed in the Miss Louisiana pageant and was 1st runner up twice. Cobb hopes future winners of the scholarship will have the same drive as McCord…

Cut 15 (09) “…like her”

To make a donation to the McCord Memorial Scholarship visit northwestern-state-alumni-dot-com forward-slash donations.

http://www.northwesternstatealumni.com/donations/

The first funeral from the crash is today for Gretchen Vincent and her 15-year old son Walker in Lafayette. Services for McCord will be Saturday in Baton Rouge.

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After back-to-back years of heartbreaking losses in the playoffs, the Saints believe they are mentally tough enough to win three postseason games this year to reach the Super Bowl in Miami. Quarterback Drew Brees says putting those disappointing playoff losses behind and getting back to the postseason says a lot about this team…

Cut 16  (19)  …all of us” 

The Vikings beat the Saints in the playoffs two years ago on a last second touchdown pass. Brees says revenge is not on their minds…

Cut 17  (20) “well coached” 

The Vikings are 10-6 this year and their defense is among the league leader in several different categories. Brees says it starts with Minnesota’s fierce pass rush which has resulted in 48 sacks…

cut 18  (19) close attention too”  

 

2:30 PM Newscast

A storm system is churning in the Gulf of Mexico that will ultimately bring rain to the state.  By late tonight and into tomorrow morning, a warm front will begin moving in from the south.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain potential is anywhere from about a half-inch up to perhaps three inches.
Cut 8 (10) “…to Friday morning.”
Once the cold front sweeps through, it is going to usher out the rain and bring in some cold, clear conditions to Louisiana for Friday and through the weekend.
The Mercedes Benz Superdome is hosting the clash between Georgia and Baylor tonight for the Sugar Bowl. Sugar Bowl Chief Executive Officer Jeff Hundley says last night they started things off with two big-time musical acts…

Cut 10 (09) “…Usher.”

If you’re going, it’s highly recommended you Uber into the Quarter, as parking on New Year’s day is going to be a nightmare.

Minimum wage increases go into effect today in 24 states, but Louisiana is not one of them and remains one of a handful who’ve kept the federal minimum of 7.25 an hour. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says Legislative hostility to raising the wage runs counter to public opinion on the issue.

Cut 3 (10)  measure” 

81 percent of respondents in the 2019 Louisiana Survey supported a raise to 8.50 an hour, and 59 percent backed an increase to 15 dollars an hour.

About a quarter of Louisiana SNAP recipients will see a decrease in their benefits as a result of a Social Security cost of living benefit increase. DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says the reason for the decrease is that SSI benefits are viewed as income, and the higher a person’s income, the lower their SNAP benefits. For example…

Cut 13 (10) “…SNAP”

1:30 PM Newscast

24 states raise their minimum wage today, but not Louisiana. Matt Doyle spoke the Louisiana Budget Project about the odds of an increase for 2020…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A Grayson man is dead following a mobile home fire.  Around 9:15 yesterday morning, the Grayson Fire Department was dispatched to the residence on Waterbind Road and upon arrival, discovered the body of who is believed to be the 55-year-old homeowner.

A storm system is churning in the Gulf of Mexico that will ultimately bring rain to the state.  By late tonight and into tomorrow morning, a warm front will begin moving in from the south, bring in that system.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says not only will this bring in wet conditions, but some very warm temps for this time of year.

Cut 6 (08) “…to increase overnight.”

Keim says later on into Thursday and then into Friday, a cold front will then sweep across the state with more rain.

About a quarter of Louisiana SNAP recipients will see a decrease in their benefits as a result of a Social Security cost of living benefit increase.  DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says SSI and veteran’s benefits recipients have received a 1.6 percent COLA increase for 2020.
Cut 12 (09) “…dollars” 

12:30 PM Newscast

Minimum wage increases go into effect today in 24 states, but Louisiana is not one of them.  Most of the rest of the country has embraced increases, including our neighbors in Arkansas. The new more heavily conservative Legislature appears unlikely to support any raises, but Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller is optimistic…

Cut 4 (10) “…issue.”

Louisiana’s current minimum wage is 7.25 an hour, the federal rate.

A storm system is churning in the Gulf of Mexico that will ultimately bring rain to the state in what should be a soggy few days.  By late tonight and into tomorrow morning, a warm front will begin moving in from the south, pushing in the storm system.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says later on into Thursday and then into Friday, a cold front will then sweep across the state.

Cut 7 (06) “…24 to 36 hours.”

 

Georgia takes on Baylor tonight in the Superdome for the Sugar Bowl, with kickoff set for 7:45 PM.

The matchup between number five and number seven has seen ticket prices drop as low as the single digits. Sugar Bowl Chief Executive Officer Jeff Hundley says there’s no way to sugar coat it; attendance will be lower than usual…

Cut 9 (09) “Line up”

He adds the game is also overshadowed by the National Championship game between LSU and Clemson just a week later at the same location.

About a quarter of Louisiana SNAP recipients will see a decrease in their benefits as a result of a Social Security cost of living benefit increase.  DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says the good news is those SNAP recipients are still coming out ahead this year when you balance SSI increases against their SNAP benefit decreases…

Cut 14 (06) “…benefits.”

8:30 LRN Newscast Jan 1

A man who fled after fatally shooting a sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop in East Texas early Tuesday is arrested in Louisiana and charged with capital murder. An official with the Panola County sheriff’s office said Deputy Chris Dickerson died after being shot numerous times. 47-year old Gregory Newson of Shreveport was arrested about an hour later following a high-speed police chase. Newson is awaiting extradition to Texas.

An increase in minimum wage goes into effect today in 24 states but not Louisiana. The Governor renewed his call to raise the minimum to nine dollars an hour during his reelection night speech. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says it would be a start, but still below an adequate living wage for a full-time worker.

Cut 5 (10) “…15”

2020 is going to start off very wet for the Bayou State as a storm system churning off the Gulf of Mexico will bring plenty of moisture to Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain potential is anywhere from about a half-inch up to perhaps three inches.

Cut 8 (10) “…to Friday morning.”

Once the cold front sweeps through, it is going to usher out the rain and bring in some cold, clear conditions to Louisiana for Friday and through the weekend.

If you’re going to the Sugar Bowl tonight, it’s highly recommended you rideshare into the Quarter, as parking on New Year’s Day is going to be scare. Sugar Bowl Chief Executive Officer Jeff Hundley says tonight you’ll want to arrive early to the game and set up shop right outside the Dome…

Cut 11 (09) “…Superdome”

7:30 LRN Newscast Jan 1

The state will see an abundance of rain starting tonight and running through Friday.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

Minimum wage increases go into effect today in 24 states, but not in the Bayou State. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says Legislative hostility to raising the wage runs counter to public opinion on the issue.

Cut 3 (10)  measure” 

About a quarter of Louisiana SNAP recipients will see a decrease in their benefits as a result of a Social Security cost of living benefit increase. DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says the reason for the decrease is that SSI benefits are viewed as income, and the higher a person’s income, the lower their SNAP benefits. For example,…

Cut 13 (10) “…SNAP”

The Sugar Bowl kicks off at 7:45 tonight in The Dome but festivities for the annual New Years Day bowl game kicked off last night. Sugar Bowl Chief Executive Officer Jeff Hundley says they started things off with two big-time musical acts…

Cut 10 (09) “…Usher.”

If you’re going to the game, it’s highly recommended you rideshare into the Quarter, as parking on New Year’s day is going to be next to impossible.

6:45 LRN Sportscast January 1

LSU senior linebacker Michael Divinity will play in the national championship game against Clemson. Divinity has missed the last six games because he reportedly violated team rules. In five games, Divinity has three sacks and Coach Ed Orgeron expects his role in the title game will be to rush the passer
Cut 29 (12) “…we can”
Orgeron also expects running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be full strength by the time the title game comes around and Coach O is hopeful Damien Lewis will be healthy by January 13th. Lewis hurt his ankle on Saturday, but Ed Ingram and Adrian Magee played well at guard in Lewis’ absence.

Tonight at the Superdome it’s the Sugar Bowl as Georgia battles Baylor. Bulldogs running back D’Andre Swift is questionable with a shoulder injury.

The Saints will bring a three-game winning streak into Sunday’s Wild Card playoff game against the Vikings. Offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk says there’s still room for improvement…
cut 30 (18) “…in the playoffs”
The Vikings are 10-and-6 and since 2013, six seeds in the playoffs that have ten wins are six-and-two. So we’ll see what happens at noon on Sunday in the Superdome.

In college basketball tomorrow, Louisiana and ULM seek their first wins in the Sun Belt this year. The Warhawks host Troy, while the Cajuns face South Alabama.

Southeastern Louisiana hosts one of the top teams in the Southland Stephen F Austin tomorrow afternoon. Incarnate Word is at Nicholls, while Northwestern State is at Corpus Christi and McNeese hosts Sam Houston.

6:30 LRN Newscast Jan 1

24 states raise their minimum wage today, but not Louisiana. Matt Doyle spoke the Louisiana Budget Project about the odds of an increase for 2020…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A storm system is churning in the Gulf of Mexico that will ultimately bring rain to Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says along with the wet conditions, some very warm temps for this time of year.

Cut 6 (08) “…to increase overnight.”

About a quarter of Louisiana SNAP recipients will see a decrease in their benefits as a result of a Social Security cost of living benefit increase. DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says SSI and veteran’s benefits recipients have received a 1.6 percent COLA increase for 2020.

Cut 12 (09) “…dollars” 

Georgia takes on Baylor tonight in the Superdome for the Sugar Bowl. The matchup between number five and number seven has seen ticket prices drop as low as the single digits. Sugar Bowl Chief Executive Officer Jeff Hundley says there’s no way to sugar coat it; attendance will be lower than usual…

Cut 9 (09) “Line up”

He adds the game is also overshadowed by the National Championship game between LSU and Clemson just a week later at the same location.