9:30 LRN Newscast December 1

Most of Louisiana experienced freezing temperatures this morning. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The search continues in Kenner for two armed robbery suspects involved in the murder of a gas station clerk early Monday morning on Williams Boulevard. The 30-year-old victim leaves behind a pregnant wife and a one-year-old child. Shreveport police are also investigating a shooting that left a pregnant woman dead and another man injured.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is investigating about 32-thousand new unemployment claims for potential fraud. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says the suspicious claims are being rigorously reviewed and unfortunately this is happening all over the country…
cut 11 (11) “…situationj”
Dejoie says the review of all of these claims, could result in a delay of benefits for some recipients.

After a nearly three-year process, Entergy Louisiana says it has acquired Washington Parish Energy Center, near Bogalusa. Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says it’s a modern and low-carbon facility and it will add to the company’s clean energy portfolio…
cut 6 (08) “…our customers”
Scardigli says the 261-million dollar acquisition will result in an extra dollar increase in monthly bills over the next year for customers.

8:30 LRN Newscast December 1

It’s Giving Tuesday and Foodbanks are in need of aid as we move into the holidays. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 1 (28) “….I’m Matt Doyle

Public visitation is today at St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Baton Rouge for former LSU football player and successful restauranteur Ruffin Rodrigue. The Thibodaux native was an offensive guard for the Tigers in the 1980s and his Ruffino’s restaurants in Baton Rouge and Lafayette are popular eateries in south Louisiana. Rodrigue was just 53.

Most of the state is experiencing its first hard freeze of the winter this morning. After a warm November, State Climatologist Barry Keim says this first freeze is running a little behind schedule.
Cut 13 (11) “…Baton Rouge.”
Temperatures will warm up into the 50s today and we’ll see a gradual warm-up until another shot of cold air arrives at the end of the workweek.

Entergy Louisiana says it has completed its purchase of the Washington Parish Energy Center near Bogalusa. The utility company says the natural gas-powered plant will add a reliable source of clean-energy power. Entergy Spokesperson Brandon Scardigili says customers will see a slight increase in their bill to finance the 261-million dollar acquisition…
cut 5 (10) “…the country”

7:30 LRN Newscast December 1

If you’ve recently applied for unemployment in Louisiana, there could be a delay in payment. That’s because the Louisiana Workforce Commission is reviewing about 32-thousand claims that could be fraudulent. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says the timing could not be worse.
Cut 10 (12) “…unfortunate.”
L-W-C says it has already stopped over 160-thousand claims since the pandemic led to a big jump in unemployment.

Entergy Louisiana has completed its purchase of the Washington Parish Energy Center near Bogalusa. Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says the 361-megawatt natural gas-powered facility will deliver a cost-effective and low-carbon source of power to the company’s grid.
Cut 4 (09) “…those goals.”

It’s giving Tuesday and there are a lot of non-profits asking for help today, including food banks. Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves the needy across south Louisiana, says they love donations, but they can also use volunteers. He says they make sure their volunteers are protected from COVID…
cut 9 (12) “…volunteers”
Second Harvest’s website has more information on volunteer opportunities and how to donate.

State Climatologist Barry Keim has this advice before you leave the house today…
cut 15 (06) “…days”
Temperatures are below freezing for a large portion of the state this morning. Expect rain during the middle week, chilly temperatures at the end of the workweek, but the weekend looks nice.

6:45 LRN Sportscast December 1

After giving up 112 yards of offense to Denver on Sunday, the Saints now rank number one in the NFL in total defense. According to the NFL, it’s the first time, the Saints have ranked number one in total defense since week 8 of the 2020 season. Coach Sean Payton on the improvement of the defense since the start of this year
cut 17 (16) “…red zone.”
New Orleans is nine and two and they’ve clinched a fourth straight winning season as they get ready to visit Atlanta this Sunday for a noon kick-off.

NBA training camps open today as Zion Williamson is set to begin his second season in the league. New Orleans hopes we’ll see a healthy Williamson this year. The former number one pick only played in 24 games last season,b ut still averaged 22 points a game and shot 58-percent from the field. The Pels first pre-season game is December 14th at Miami.

LSU’s best receiver Terrace Marshall has decided to opt-out for the rest of the season as he’ll get ready for the NFL draft. Coach Ed Orgeron expects freshman tight end Arik Gilbert to become a bigger part of the passing game
cut 19 (22) “…good receivers.”
Orgeron says he’ll decide later this week on how he’ll use his two freshmen quarterbacks against top-ranked Alabama. Also, Nick Saban is expected to be on the sidelines on Saturday night after missing Alabama’s win over Auburn because of a positive COVID-19 test.

In college basketball, LSU crushed Southeastern Louisiana 96-43 last night as freshman Cam Thomas led the Tigers with 21 points.

6:30 LRN newscast

It’s December first and cold weather has arrived in the Bayou State….
cut 14 (10) “…direction”
That’s State Climatologist Barry Keim who says he’s seeing temperatures in the upper 20s this morning in north and central Louisiana, while south Louisiana is right around the freezing mark. Highs will only be in the 50s today.

Food banks across the country are being inundated with requests for aid and are seeking your help on this Giving Tuesday. Second Harvest Food Bank spokesperson Jay Vise says families are struggling with federal benefits dried up and unemployment running out.
Cut 7 (09) “…across Louisiana.”
Vise says they do a major distribution every week at a location in Metairie and thousands of families line up for food.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is reviewing unemployment claims they believe to be fraudulent. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The number of COVID patients in hospitals has surpassed 12-hundred. The highest it’s been since mid-August.