6:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will challenge Republican Senator Bill Cassidy in the November 3rd election. Before he got into politics, Perkins served in the Army and is a former student body president at West Point and Harvard. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy can not underestimate Perkins.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…to campaign”
Perkins will file his official paperwork at the Secretary of State’s Office at 11 AM.

Tropical Depression eight has formed in the central Gulf and it could dump rain on south Louisiana on its way to Texas. National Weather Service forecaster Donald Williams…
Cut 12 (13) “…state”
The National Hurricane Center’s forecast says the depression will develop into a Tropical Storm tomorrow.

In a statewide poll commissioned by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, 76-percent of the state’s residents support the governor’s mask mandate and 61-percent say the public health emergency in Louisiana should not be canceled. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Remington Research Group surveyed 36-hundred Louisiana residents…
cut 17 (09) “…board”
Schexnayder opposes an effort by a group of Republican lawmakers to revoke the governor’s coronavirus emergency order.

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold another COVID-19 briefing today at 2:30. The state reproted an addition 60 deaths yesterday. The highest one day total since May 1st.

Updated LRN AM Newscall ###corrects name on cut 11 and updates weather story###

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will officially qualify for the US Senate race today, challenging incumbent Bill Cassidy.  Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Seven candidates for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat qualified on Wednesday. Kevin Barnhart recaps some of those that got on the ballot.

Cut 2 (44) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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A poll of 3,600 Louisianans shows bipartisan support for the statewide mask mandate and the public health emergency declaration. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will challenge Republican Senator Bill Cassidy in the November 3rd election. Before he got into politics, Perkins served in the Army and is a former student body president at West Point and Harvard. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy can not underestimate Perkins.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…to campaign”

Perkins says Washington’s poor handling of the coronavirus outbreak persuaded him to jump into the Senate race. Pinsonat says Perkins is a qualified candidate, but running as a Democrat for a statewide office is a challenge in the Bayou State.

Cut 5 (12)  “…uphill climb.”

Perkins announced his candidacy on the first day of qualifying and he’s expected to file his paper with the Secretary of State’s office today. It was unknown if Democrats would have a serious challenger. Pinsonat says Perkins entry into the race is good for voters.

Cut 6 (08) “…of issues.”

Qualifying ends on Friday.

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Seven candidates for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat qualified on Wednesday, looking to fill the position currently held by Ralph Abraham who is not pursuing an additional term.  Among them is Abraham’s Chief of Staff Luke Letlow, who says his campaign will not only run on the record and accomplishments of the current administration…

Cut 7 (09) “…sector as well.”

Republican Ouachita Police Juror Scotty Robinson announced his bid for the position last November and says the traits he has picked up in local government and constituent accessibility are what set him apart from his opponents.

Cut 8 (09) “…call me anytime.”

Clinical social worker, addiction counselor, and small business owner Candy Christophe lives in Alexandria and is running as a Democrat and says she’s in the race because now is the time for her to be the change that she wants to see.

Cut 9 (10) “…want to see.”

Chief Operating Officer of Grambling State University Martin Lemelle of Ruston enters the race as a Democrat with a focus on education and helping local small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

Cut 10 (09) “…through technology.”

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, a Republican, says he sees a bunch of career politicians in DC and touts his balance of holding elected office and being a business owner as the reason voters should cast a ballot for him.

Cut 11 (09) “…and create jobs.”

Additionally, Allen Guillory of Opelousas and Matt Hasty of Pineville, both Republican, qualified on Wednesday.  The primary election is scheduled for November 3rd.

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Tropical Depression eight has formed in the central Gulf and it could dump a good bit of rain on the southern portion of the state on its way to Texas. National Weather Service forecaster Donald Williams…

Cut 12 (13) “…state” 

Parts of Louisiana could see some impacts as soon as this afternoon.

Williams says the system is not expected to develop into a hurricane, and at most may become a weak tropical storm…

Cut 13 (11) “…coast” 

Williams says there’s a chance the depression produces some localized flooding in Louisiana but they are not projecting any wide-scale flooding events.

Cut 14 (07) “…moisture.”

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A Remington Research Group poll commissioned by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder shows wide and bipartisan support for the Governor’s mask mandate and public health emergency declaration.

76 percent of those surveyed last weekend support a government mask mandate. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 15 (08) “…result.” 

57 percent of respondents agreed with the way the state government has handled the pandemic so far, only 26 percent disapproved.

61 percent of Louisianans oppose canceling the public health emergency declaration while only 22 percent agree. Cross says that’s a blow to legislative efforts to accomplish that.

Cut 16 (11) “…seriousness.” 

The 3,600 person poll is comprehensive and tightly follows demographic and political affiliation according to census data. Cross says that gives it a margin of error of only two percent…

Cut 17  (09) “…board” 

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Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett says they are planning to proceed with the upcoming football season as scheduled. Burnett says they expect a full slate of games will be played on Labor Day weekend. Burnett says university presidents and athletic directors continue to meet and the health and safety of the student-athletes is their top priority…

Cut 18  (15) “…looking at that”   

Burnett says how the pandemic is impacting cities where their schools are located is an important factor on whether the season can start on time. He says the conference will not have a policy on whether fans can attend football games

cut 19 (17) “…their state”  

The SWAC’s decision to move its football to the spring has created wholes in the schedule for some of their teams. Burnett says those schools are looking to replace those games…

cut 20 (22) “  lies”  

530 PM LRN News

Democrats are lining up to take on Senator Bill Cassidy in November with a number of newly announced candidates saying they’ll file paperwork this week. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins was the highlight, but Baton Rouge progressive activist Antoine Peirce, the first candidate to announce for the race, is also going to be on the ballot after filling in the paperwork today.

Cut 10 (12) “…cannabis.”

The National Hurricane Center is giving a tropical wave in the central Gulf of Mexico a high chance to develop into a tropical cyclone over the next two days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this disturbance will have a more immediate impact on the state.

Cut 4 (11)_ “of Louisiana”

There’s also Tropical Storm Gonzalo in the Atlantic, which is expected to reach the Caribbean on Saturday.

Louisiana has added nearly 1,000 COVID hospitalizations since moving into Phase Two June 5th. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says that’s concerning healthcare providers who are already dealing with an influx of patients who weren’t being treated during the stay at home order.

Cut 11 (11) “hospital”

We now have 1581 COVID hospitalizations, nearly triple our low point of 542 June 13th.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell files paperwork seeking a fourth term in the office representing northwest Louisiana. Campbell is one of the state’s longest-serving elected officials, first elected to the State Senate in 1975. Campbell says he wants to continue his work serving the working people of the state.

Cut 14 (11) “…them.”

4:30 PM Newscast

The state reports 60 new COVID-19 fatalities today, the highest daily addition since May 1. Total statewide death toll: 3,558. The state also added another 2,800 cases and is on course to surpass 100,000 total cases tomorrow. 62,456 are presumed recovered.

Statewide COVID hospitalizations are nearly triple what they were at our low point on June 13th. Matt Doyle reports healthcare providers are worried about hospital capacity again

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

 

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has announced he will run against Republican Senator Bill Cassidy in the November 3rd election. Perkins will officially qualify tomorrow. John Paul Bourgeois from Gretna was the first person to sign up to challenge Cassidy. Bourgeois is an epidemiologist and public health librarian. The Gretna resident says he’s running against Cassidy because he tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act…

Cut 9 (12) “…not acceptable.”

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell files paperwork seeking a fourth term in the office representing northwest Louisiana. The Louisiana Political Hall of Famer says if given another term he will continue to fight for more rural broadband access and against predatory utility practices.

Cut 15 (11) “…mind” 

 

4:45 LRN Sportscasts July 22nd

The Pelicans face the Brooklyn Nets in a scrimmage game tonight inside the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. Zion Williamson will not play as he remains away from the team attending an urgent family matter. But we finally got an update today on the rookie forward. The Pels says there is no current timetable for his return to campus, but he fully intends to rejoin the team. Team officials say Williamson is getting tested daily for COVID-19 while he’s away. Per NBA protocol, his quarantine period will be determined upon his return.

The NFL Players Association has reportedly accepted the league’s offer to scrap preseason games this year, so that players can have more time to get themselves prepared before they play in a game. Also, roster sizes for training camp are expected to be limited to 80 players, instead of 90. And the NFL said today that if fans are allowed inside stadiums this year, they’ll be required to wear masks.

Central Arkansas has been picked to win the Southland Conference in a poll of the league’s head football coaches and sports information directors. The Bears have a league-high 13 preseason all-conference players. They shared the conference crown with Nicholls last year. The Colonels are picked to finish third behind Sam Houston State. Southeastern Louisiana is picked to finish fourth, McNeese fifth, and Northwestern State in 10th place. Commissioner Tom Burnett said today they plan to proceed with the upcoming football season as scheduled.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is also planning on a football season in the fall. Orgeron said on a Baton Rouge radio show that running back John Emery is the likely candidate to return kicks, replacing Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

LSU defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin, safety Jacoby Stevens, and cornerback Derek Stingley are on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The award goes to the Defensive Player of the Year award.

330 PM LRN News

Over 2,800 new COVID positive tests are being reported today along with a startling 54 person increase in COVID hospitalizations. The state is nearly back to where it was in late April when it comes to hospital bed usage, and several regions of Louisiana are now actively working to move ICU patients into less slammed areas. Some have called the recent concern over ballooning cases hysteria caused by higher overall testing but Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says that’s false, and the state now has an over ten percent positive rate for COVID tests.

Cut 13 (09) “…tested” 

We now have 1581 COVID hospitalizations, nearly triple our low point of 542 June 13th.

The National Hurricane Center is giving a tropical wave in the central Gulf of Mexico a high chance to develop into a tropical cyclone over the next two days. State Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 3 (12)  “….of the tracking”  

The Democrats managed to find a big-name candidate to take on Senator Bill Cassidy after months of hand-wringing over a lack of candidates with fundraising appeal. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has announced he will run Perkins says he decided to run because America and Louisiana are at a crossroads

Cut 6 (10) “…head on”

Cassidy says he’s done a lot during his five years in the U-S Senate and plans to run on that record…

Cut 8 (07) “…more to do”

Perkins gives Cassidy a major challenger from the Democratic Party, but Cassidy holds a huge fundraising advantage. John Paul Bourgeois of Gretna and Baton Rouge progressive activist Antoine Peirce also sighed up to run against the Senior Senator.

LRN PM Newscall July 22nd

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announces he’s running for U-S Senate, giving Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy a major challenger for the November 3rd election. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Statewide COVID hospitalizations are nearly triple what they were at our low point on June 13th. Matt Doyle reports healthcare providers are worried about hospital capacity again

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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The National Hurricane Center is giving a tropical wave in the central Gulf of Mexico a high chance to develop into a tropical cyclone over the next two days. State Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 3 (12)  “….of the tracking”  

But in the meantime, Keim says this disturbance will have a more immediate impact on the state.

Cut 4 (11)_ “of Louisiana”

Keim says if this system continues to develop, we could see some high winds and storm surge along the coastline.

Cut 5 (11)  “for us”

There’s also Tropical Storm Gonzalo in the Atlantic, which is expected to reach the Caribbean on Saturday.

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Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has announced he will run against Republican Senator Bill Cassidy in the November 3rd election. Perkins says he decided to run because America and Louisiana are at a crossroads

Cut 6 (10) “…head on”

Perkins gives Cassidy a major challenger from the Democratic Party, but Cassidy holds a huge fundraising advantage.

Perkins says he’s tired of the political games in Washington D-C and he wants to help create a government that serves everyone…

Cut 7 (04) “by them”

Cassidy says he’s done a lot during his five years in the U-S Senate and plans to run on that record…

Cut 8 (07) “…more to do”

Perkins will officially qualify tomorrow. John Paul Bourgeois from Gretna was the first person to sign up to challenge Cassidy. Bourgeois is an epidemiologist and public health librarian. The Gretna resident says he’s running against Cassidy because he tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act…

Cut 9 (12) “…not acceptable.”

Baton Rouge Democrat Antoine Pierce also signed up to run for US Senate on the first day of qualifying, Pierce says reducing poverty in Louisiana is his goal…

Cut 10 (12) “…cannabis.”

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Louisiana has added nearly 1,000 COVID hospitalizations since moving into Phase Two June 5th.

Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says that’s concerning healthcare providers who are already dealing with an influx of patients who weren’t being treated during the stay at home order.

Cut 11 (11) “hospital”

We now have 1581 COVID hospitalizations, nearly triple our low point of 542 June 13th.

In response, Governor Edwards issued a statewide mask mandate and closed bars last Monday. Billioux says they’re hoping to see results from that as early as next week.

Cut 12 (09) “…systems” 

Some have argued that the recent wave is exaggerated due to increased testing numbers, but Billioux we’re seeing a steady rise in hospitalizations, and the state now has an over ten percent positive rate for COVID tests.

Cut 13 (09) “…tested” 

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Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell files paperwork seeking a fourth term in the office representing northwest Louisiana.

Campbell is one of the state’s longest-serving elected officials, first elected to the State Senate in 1975. Campbell says he wants to continue his work serving the working people of the state.

Cut 14 (11) “…them.”

Campbell has made several attempts to run for federal and statewide offices but has not been successful, his most recent effort a loss to now-Senator John Kennedy in 2016.

The Louisiana Political Hall of Famer says if given another term he will continue to fight for more rural broadband access and against predatory utility practices.

Cut 15 (11) “…mind” 

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230 PM LRN News

Louisiana reports 54 new COVID hospitalizations putting us at 1581 total, the highest mark since May 1st. The nearly 2,800 new positive tests put us less than 700 cases away from breaking 100,000 total since the pandemic began, a number that almost certainly will be reached tomorrow.

Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says these numbers are alarming but starting next week they hope they will level off due to the Governor’s face mask and bar ban mandate. 

Cut 12 (09) “…systems” 

The National Hurricane Center is giving a tropical wave in the central Gulf of Mexico a high chance to develop into a tropical cyclone over the next two days.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s likely to head for Houston, but if this system continues to develop, we could see some high winds and storm surge along the coastline.

Cut 5 (11)  “for us”

Democrats are lining up to take on Senator Bill Cassidy in November with a number of newly announced candidates saying they’ll file paperwork this week. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins was the highlight, but Paul Bourgeois from Gretna was the first person to sign up to challenge Cassidy. Bourgeois is an epidemiologist and public health librarian. The Gretna resident says he’s running against Cassidy because he tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act…

Cut 9 (12) “…not acceptable.”

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell files paperwork seeking a fourth term in the office representing northwest Louisiana. Campbell is one of the state’s longest-serving elected officials, first elected to the State Senate in 1975. Campbell says he wants to continue his work serving the working people of the state.

Cut 14 (11) “…them.”

Campbell has made several attempts to run for federal and statewide offices but has not been successful, his most recent effort a loss to now-Senator John Kennedy in 2016.

1:30 LRN Newscast July 22

Louisiana reported another 28-hundred coronavirus cases today bringing the total number to 99,354. Hospitalizations also increased by another 54 to 1,581.

Statewide COVID hospitalizations are nearly triple what they were at our low point June 13th, and that has healthcare providers worried about capacity again. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has announced his candidacy for U-S Senate, giving Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy a major challenger from the Democratic Party. Perkins says he’s tired of the political games in Washington DC and he wants to help create a government that serves everyone…
Cut 7 (04) “by them”
Antoine Pierce of Baton Rouge is another Democrat who signed up today to challenge Cassidy. Pierce says reducing poverty is one of his main goals…
cut 10 (12) “….cannabis”
Cassidy touts his work in reducing prescription drug prices and health care premiums.

Qualifying is also underway for the 5th District Congressional race, which is an open seat because Republican Ralph Abraham is not seeking reelection. So far five candidates are signed up

1230 PM LRN News

Louisiana has added over 900 COVID hospitalizations since moving into Phase Two June 5th. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says that’s concerning healthcare providers who are already dealing with an influx of patients who weren’t being treated during the stay at home order.

Cut 11 (11) “hospital”

We now have 1527 COVID hospitalizations, nearly triple our low point of 542 June 13th.

Coalition for Responsible Home Education Director Rachel Coleman says many parents are considering homeschooling for the fall with school life being uncertain. Coleman says if you’re considering homeschooling know you must have a caregiver who can be a full-time educator that can provide a curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools of the same grade.

Cut 13 (12) “…school” 

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announces he’s running for U-S Senate, giving Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy a major challenger for the November 3rd election. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”