11:30 LRN Newscast

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has come under fire after the state voter registration portal was shut down for “scheduled maintenance” for hours on National Voter Registration Day Tuesday. New State Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt says this is a case of voter suppression…
cut 13 (11) “…suppression”
The site was down from 8 PM to 11:30 PM. Republican Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin calls it an unfortunate error and reminds voters they have until October 13 to register to vote.

The Louisiana Unclaimed Property Program is once again temporarily short of money. It also happened two years ago. State Treasurer John Schroder says the Legislature draws 10-to-15 million dollars a year out of the program to supplement the budget, but that’s becoming less feasible…
Cut 10 (11) “…Money Out.”
Schroder says the shortfall will mean a delay in claiming Unclaimed Property.

FEMA RVs are headed to southwest Louisiana for residents whose homes are uninhabitable due to Hurricane Laura. FEMA hopes to place trailers on the homeowner’s property, but they may also create R-V parks. FEMA will contact residents whose homes have been identified as uninhabitable. Individual Assistance Supervisor Liz Redferan says if a Laura survivor initially declines the offer, they can reconsider
Cut 5 (12) “calling us back ”

After a frantic pace of named storms, it’s very quiet in the tropics. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the quiet period is due to the nature of tropical systems…
Cut 6 (12) “…energy”
The National Hurricane Center is currently not monitoring any systems in the Gulf or Atlantic.

10:30 LRN Newscast September 24

FEMA has announced that Calcasieu Parish residents who are not able to live in their home because of Hurricane Laura damage qualify for housing assistance, which includes the placing of a FEMA RV or manufactured home on a survivor’s property. FEMA Division Supervisor Jerry Stolar says many of these homes were used four years ago…
cut 4 (10) “…that occurred there”
Stolar says FEMA is reaching out to residents who are eligible for this program.

Thousands of Louisiana residents will start to lose their state unemployment benefits because they run out after six months. Many people filed for unemployment in March and April because of the coronavirus shutdown. But Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says they can get unemployment through the feds…
cut 5 (10) “….benefit”

Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt calls it gross negligence on the part of Republican Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin for allowing routine maintenance on the Secretary of State’s website on Tuesday night, which prohibited people from registering to vote on National Voter Registration Day. Katie Bernhardt says you still have until October 13th to register…
cut 15 (09) “…to vote”
Ardoin says the website error is unfortunate and he takes full responsibility.

Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder says the Unclaimed Property Program is temporarily short of money, so residents who seek to claim money that belongs to them from that fund, will see a delay in getting their cash. Schroder says the shortfall is the result of budget sweeps and he says there’s a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would create the Unclaimed Property Permanent Trust Fund…
cut 12 (12) “….only”

9:30 LRN Newscast September 24

Louisiana residents looking to register to vote in the presidential election were not able to do so on Tuesday night, which was National Voter Registration Day. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the portal was down for regular maintenance and calls it an unfortunate error. But Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt says it was grossly negligent…
cut 14 (08) “…pandemic”
You have until October 13th to register to vote for the November election.

Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder says the state’s unclaimed property fund is temporarily running low on cash. Schroder says individuals who find money in the fund that belongs to them, may have to wait until late October before they get their cash…
cut 11 (05) “…to wait”
Schroder says the temporary shortfall is the result of 37-million dollars being used from the fund to help pay for state government.

FEMA is transporting manufactured housing units to southwest Louisiana for residents who are not able to live in their homes because of Hurricane Laura damage. FEMA Division Supervisor Jerry Stolar says there are 92-hundred individuals in Louisiana who qualify for this type of assistance…
cut 3 (08) “….homeowner’s site”
Stolar says are also looking at creating an RV or manufactured home park.

Wednesday is the deadline for U-S citizens to fill out the 2020 census. You can do so at 2020-census-dot-gov. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says federal funding for schools, hospitals and roads are based on the Census count.
Cut 8 (12) “…federal funding”
Nungesser says the census survey only takes a few minutes to complete.

8:30 LRN Newscast September 24

It was six months ago when thousands of workers were forced to file for unemployment because of coronavirus pandemic business closures. Matt Doyle reports those workers who are still out of work can no longer collect unemployment from the state…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

FEMA RVs are headed to southwest Louisiana for residents whose homes are uninhabitable due to Hurricane Laura. FEMA representative Jerry Stolar says the first goal is to place trailers on the homeowner’s property, but they are also looking at creating R-V parks.

The Louisiana Unclaimed Property Program is once again temporarily short of money. It also happened two years ago. State Treasurer John Schroder says the Legislature draws 10-to-15 million dollars a year out of the program to supplement the budget, but that’s becoming less feasible…
Cut 10 (11) “…Money Out.”
Schroder says the shortfall will mean that individuals will see a delay in getting money out of the fund, once they make a claim.

Next Wednesday is the deadline for all Louisiana households to compelte the 2020 Census. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says federal funding and representation is at stake…
cut 9 (09) “….can’t afford”
To complete the census go to my-2020-census-dot-gov.

7:30 LRN newscast September 24

Democrats are crying foul after the state voter registration website was down on Tuesday night which was National Voter Registration Day. Matt Doyle spoke with the new Chair of the state party…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Entergy reports that it has cost one-point-four billion dollars to fix power lines and restore electricity in areas affected by Hurricane Laura. It’s unknown how much of the repair costs would be covered by the federal government or Entergy ratepayers. The restoration process is nearly complete as the utility company reports just 28-hundred outages.

Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder says the Unclaimed Property Program is temporarily short of money, so residents who seek to claim money that belongs to them from that fund, will see a delay in getting their cash. Schroder says the shortfall is the result of budget sweeps and he says there’s a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would create the Unclaimed Property Permanent Trust Fund…
cut 12 (12) “….only”

The deadline for residents to complete the 2020 Census is Wednesday and about 10-percent of Louisianians have failed to respond. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who is concerned because federal funding is at stake…
cut 7 (12) “….accurate count”
To respond to the Census go to my2020census.gov.

6:45 LRN Sportscast September 24

Sophomore running back Chris Curry and junior linebacker Damone Clark will wear the coveted number 18 jersey for LSU this season. Number 18 is synonymous with success…both on and off the field, as well as a selfless attitude. Curry, who is expected to get the start on Saturday, says he was shocked when he learned he would wear number 18
Cut 18 (18) “…for the team”
LSU has also been picked to finish second in the SEC West according to a preseason media poll. The media picked Alabama to win the West, while Florida is the preseason favorite in the East.

The 19th ranked Ragin Cajuns will be without five starters for Saturday’s home opener against Georgia Southern, because of COVID-19. That group includes running back Elijah Mitchell, who rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns last week.

The Saints are getting ready to play the 2-and-0 Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is off to a great start. He’s thrown six touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Plus he’s been sacked just one time. Coach Sean Payton says Rodgers is protected by an experienced offensive line…
cut 17 (18) “….might be”
Payton says he will also be more diligent when it comes to wearing a mask. He was fined 100-thousand dollars for keeping his gaither around his neck in Monday night’s loss to Las Vegas. The coach says he may wear a different type of mask Sunday night.

An investigation into whether LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade illegally paid recruits or others around them has been turned over to an independent panel that handles complex cases. An ultimate resolution could take six to 12 months.

6:30 LRN Newscast September 24

Tens of thousands of Louisianans will stop receiving state unemployment payments this week, and start drawing down federally extended benefits. That’s because the state only pays out unemployment for six months and these individuals first filed for unemployment in March. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie…
Cut 4 (06)“ …individuals”
But Dejoie says many of these individuals can still receive unemployment benefits from the federal government for another 13 weeks.

Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder says the state’s unclaimed property fund is temporarily running low on cash. Schroder says individuals who find money in the fund that belongs to them, may have to wait until late October before they get their money…
cut 11 (05) “…to wait”
Schroder says the temporary shortfall is the result of 37-million dollars being used from the fund to help pay for state government.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has come under fire after the state voter registration portal was shut down for “scheduled maintenance” for hours on National Voter Registration Day Tuesday. New State Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt says this is a case of voter suppression…
cut 13 (11) “…suppression”
The site was down from 8 PM to 11:30 PM. Republican Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin calls it an unfortunate error and he takes full responsibility. Ardoin reminds voters they have until October 13 to register to vote or change their party affiliation for the November 3rd presidential election.

AM LRN Newscall 09-24-2020

It’s been about half a year since the first wave of pandemic business closures forced hundreds of thousands of Louisianans onto unemployment. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

The 2020 Census count deadline is less than a week away and Lt Governor Billy Nungesser stresses the importance of being counted. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (29) “…Brooke Thorington” 

___________________________________________

Democrats are crying foul after the state voter registration portal was shut down for part of National Voter Registration Day. Matt Doyle spoke with the new Chair of the state party…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________

Tens of thousands of Louisianans will stop receiving state unemployment payments this week, and start drawing down federally extended benefits.

Half a year ago the first wave of coronavirus was sweeping the state. Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says they expect twenty to thirty thousand additional people a week will no longer be eligible for their six months of state payments.

Cut 4 (06)“ …individuals” 

But that doesn’t mean all of those people falling off the rolls will stop receiving checks. Dejoie says a federal program may tide you over till near the end of the year.

Cut 5 (10)  “benefit”

PEUC recipients will continue to receive whatever they would be owed by the state if they were not past their 26-week limit.

Dejoie says if your eligibility is running out and you are able to work a job they’ve got quite a few available.

Cut 6 (11) “…fairs”

__________________________

The 2020 Census count is just under a week from its deadline of September 30th and about ten percent of Louisianans have still failed to respond. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is concerned because federal funding is based on the Census count. Nungesser says the last Census failed to get an accurate count so responding now is imperative.

Cut 7 (12) “…accurate count.”

Nungesser says federal funding for schools, hospitals and roads is based on the Census count and with a state hit hard by COVID and hurricanes every person needs to be counted.

Cut 8 (12) “…federal funding”

The Census also determines representation in Congress and is used to draw up state legislative boundaries.

Cut 9 (09) “…can’t afford”

To respond to the Census go to my2020census.gov and if a Census worker comes to your door please assist them. Census workers may also come to your door if you’ve already responded for a count on neighboring households.

_______________________________________

The state Unclaimed Property Program has once again run out of money, the second time that’s happened in the last three years.

State Treasurer John Schroder says the Legislature generally draws about 10-15 million dollars a year out of the program to supplement the budget, but that’s growing less feasible…

Cut 10 (11) “…Money Out.”

Unclaimed property can be everything from payroll checks to old bank accounts, royalties, deposits, interest payments, and more that’s owed to residents and businesses.

Schroder says while this is frustrating it should only delay your claim by a few weeks.

Cut 11 (05) “…to wait.”

The program is about a million and a half dollars shy right now.

There’s a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would block the Legislature from using unclaimed property dollars by turning the program into a trust fund. Schroder would like you to vote for it in November.

Cut 12 (11) “…only”

Since 1973 the trust fund has dispersed over 600 million dollars.

____________________________________________________

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has come under fire after the state voter registration portal was shut down for “scheduled maintenance” for hours on National Voter Registration Day Tuesday.

New State Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt says that was a huge red flag for voter suppression…

Cut 13 (11) “…suppression”

The site was down from 8 PM to 11:30 PM.

Ardoin called the shutdown an “unfortunate error” and that Tuesday’s maintenance was scheduled long ago. Bernhardt says if that’s the case that kind of oversight was grossly negligent, however…

Cut 14 (08) “pandemic.”

National Voter Registration Day began in 2012 and this year was heavily pushed by both Democrats, Republicans, and independent organizations. In 2018 800,000 new voters were registered on that day.

Bernhardt called the failure and embarrassment, and when asked what should be done in response she says…

Cut 15 (09) “…to vote”

Voter registration is still ongoing and anyone who would like to register, or change their registration has until October 5th to do so by mail or October 13th to do so online for the upcoming November 3rd Presidential Election.

___________________________

After two games, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has completed 65-percent of his passes, which is below his career average of 68-percent. Brees completed at least 70-percent of his passes over his last four seasons. But Coach Sean Payton says the higher percentage of incomplete passes can not be entirely pinned on number nine

Cut 16 (20) “…spacing” 

This Sunday, the Saints host Green Bay and the Packers are 2-0 and Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is off to a great start. Rodgers has thrown six touchdowns passes and zero interceptions. Plus he’s been sacked just one time. Payton says Rodgers is protected by an experienced offensive line

Cut 17 (18) “…might be” 

______________________________________________

Sophomore running back Chris Curry and junior linebacker Damone Clark will wear the coveted number 18 jersey for LSU this season. Number 18 is synonymous with success…both on and off the field, as well as a selfless attitude. Curry, who is expected to get the start on Saturday, says he was shocked when he learned he would wear number 18

Cut 18  (18) “…for the team” 

Clark was a star linebacker at nearby Southern Lab and he has the opportunity to become the next star linebacker at LSU. He says to do it while wearing number is 18 a dream come true…

Cut 19  (22) “…honored”    

 

cut 20 (17) “..at.home”

5:30 LRN Newscast Sept 23

During a visit to LSU’s campus, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Doctor Deborah Birx says the changes made to Louisiana’s COVID-19 mitigation measures saved lives. Birx says two and a half months ago, 80-percent of the parishes had over a ten-percent positivity rate on coronavirus tests taken, but there’s been a decline in new cases since the mask mandate

Cut 12 (05) “…masks work”

On July 11th, Governor Edwards called for a statewide mask mandate.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says the Constitution does not prohibit the Senate from confirming a Supreme Court Justice nominee, even though we are 41 days away from the presidential election. Kennedy sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee and says he’s not looking for a judge to be a politician in robes…
Cut 8 (08) “…ought to be”

Trump has said he’ll nominate a new Supreme Court Justice on Saturday.

It was just Monday when Crimestoppers was offering a 5,000 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest in the “ambush” of a Pineville Police Officer, but that offer is no longer valid as it appears the officer actually shot himself, and then made up the story about an ambush to cover it up. Deputy Chief of Pineville P-D Darrell Basco says an investigation showed Officer John Goulart Jr. was lying.

Cut 4 (09)“ office” 

Only 25-hundred Entergy customers in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes remain without power just under a month after Laura devastated southwest Louisiana. Spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says restoring power to the hard-hit area has been a monumental task.

Cut 9 (10) “…time”

4:45 LRN Sportscast September 23

With the college football season set to start for SEC schools on Saturday, the league released its preseason media poll today. Media members picked LSU to finish in second place in the SEC West behind Alabama. Auburn is picked to finish in third, followed by Texas A-and-M, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Arkansas. Florida is the preseason favorite in the East, receiving 53 first-place votes, while Georgia has been picked to finish in second and the Bulldogs received 43 first-place votes.

After getting fined 100-thousand dollars by the NFL for failing to properly wear a mask in Monday night’s loss to Las Vegas, Saints Coach Sean Payton says he may do something else than wear a gaither…
cut 30 (13) “…with it”
Payton and the Saints returned to practice today as they get ready for Sunday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Despite not having a full roster because of COVID-19 and being down 17 points to Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech still rallied to defeat the Golden Eagles last Saturday. Coach Skip Holtz says he’s still amazed they won…
cut 19 (29) “…as a coach”
Louisiana Tech is home this Saturday to host Houston Baptist. Huskies Quarterback Bailey Zappe has thrown for 1,047 yards and seven touchdowns in two games, both were losses to North Texas and Texas Tech. Kick-off at Joe Aillet Stadium is at 6 PM.