LRN AM Newscall March 1 ###updated with sports cuts###

There’s a discussion about moving the Atlantic hurricane season up by two weeks. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Edwards’ proposed 400 dollar K-12 teacher pay raise has some teacher advocates crying foul. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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The Johnson and Johnson effort to end the pandemic received emergency use authorization Saturday. Brooke Thorington on what makes this vaccine different from the others.

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

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The Workforce Commission reports the state unemployment system was bombarded with fraudulent applications last year, but most were rejected.

The Workforce Commission has turned over 28,000 suspected cases of attempted unemployment insurance fraud to law enforcement. Secretary Ava Dejoie says those attempts did not succeed.

Cut 4 (04)“…went off.”

The Commission also suspects they have an additional 60,000 could be fraud attempts. Assistant Secretary of Unemployment Insurance Robert Wooley says these applications have incomplete information, and…

Cut 5 (10)“…fraud.”

Dejoie says 2020 was an incredibly busy year for the department in general. They disbursed 8 billion dollars in federal and state UI benefits.

Cut 6 (07) “…2019″

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The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1st, but a committee at the National Hurricane Center is looking at changing the start date to May 15th. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the two-week jumpstart might be justified.

Cut 7 (11)  “…six seasons.”

Keim says but the bigger question is are we detecting storms sooner or is climate responsible for the earlier start.

Cut 8 (06) “…of it.”

The answer to the question according to Keim is that possibly both is happening, climate change and better surveillance.

Keim says hurricane season is tied to sea surface temperatures and when they become warm enough, they can feed energy into creating a tropical storm or hurricane. He says June 1st is not necessarily some magical date.

Cut 9 (07) “…cycle.”

Keim says by moving the hurricane season up two weeks it may help to foster earlier preparation and forecasting for the Atlantic season.

The record-breaking 2020 season began May 16th when tropical storm Arthur formed east of Florida.

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Many teachers are scoffing at the Governor’s proposed 400 dollar teacher pay raise, calling it far too little.  Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Director Dr. Keith Courville says the Governor needs to add an extra zero to that figure if he wants to rival the pay teachers can find in neighboring states.

Cut 10 (09) “…faculty.”

The 400 dollar pay raise for teachers and 200 dollar pay raise for support staff will cost the state an additional 40 million dollars a year. The proposal will be debated in the upcoming April legislative session.

Courville says teachers made great sacrifices for the state during the pandemic and this proposal is just a slap in the face.

Cut 11 (09) “…this year.”

Courville says the Governor is not on track to meet his campaign trail promise of getting Louisiana teacher pay up to the southern regional average.

Cut 12 (09) “…wrong. ”

A+PEL is not associated with either of the state’s two major teachers unions, the LAE or LFT, and Courville described the 9,800 member group as the state’s independent, non-partisan teachers association.

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The Johnson and Johnson one dose COVID-19 vaccine has received emergency use authorization and doses should arrive in the state this week.  Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says data shows the J & J vaccine doesn’t have any of the severe allergic reactions shown with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines..

Cut 13 (11) “…injection site.”

Morici says don’t get caught up with the stats that J&J’s has an overall efficacy rate of 66-percent versus in the 90-percent and greater of the other vaccines.

Cut 14 (11) “…deaths.” 

When given the opportunity to be vaccinated, Morici says take whichever vaccine is first offered.

Besides being one-dose, Morici says the J & J vaccine also doesn’t require extensive cold storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines making it ideal for transport in rural areas.

Cut 15 (09)“…is great.”

On Thursday, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said that once approved the state anticipated receiving up to 38,000 doses of the J & J vaccine this week in addition to the weekly allocation of more than 97,000 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball recorded two blowout victories over the weekend beating Rice 101-57 and 79-58. Kalob Ledoux had a season-high 25 on Friday and followed that up with a 17-point performance on Saturday. Coach Eric Konkol says he’s proud of Ledoux

Cut 16 (16) “…to the basket.”

Before Saturday’s game, Tech celebrated the collegiate careers of the six senior Bulldog basketball players who have led the team to a 19-6 record this season. Konkol calls them a special group…

Cut 17 (16) “….one another”

There is the potential for another game to be added, if not La Tech will play in the Conference USA Tournament next week in Frisco, Texas.

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The LSU men’s basketball team had a five point lead at Arkansas on Saturday, but played poorly in the second half and fell behind by 20 before losing to the 20th ranked Razorbacks 83-75. Coach Will Wade says it was a tale of two halves

Cut  18 (20) “…advantage of that.”

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After a couple of tough losses on the road in Milwaukee and San Antonio, the Pelicans return home tonight to host the Utah Jazz, who have the best record in the NBA. On Saturday, the Pels fell to the Spurs 117 to 114 to drop their record to 14-19. After the game, New Orleans All-Star Zion Williamson said the team is close to winning a bunch of games…

Cut 19 (19) “…be there.” 

Williamson says his teammates are determined to keep fighting, which is why he believes this team is close to turning the season around…

Cut 20  (16) “…figure it out” 

10:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27

Louisiana State Police are seeking to identify victims in St. Tammany Parish after the arrest of 28-year old Joseph William Haidler of Mandeville was extradited back from the Virgin Islands last July. LSP says Haidler used the social media app Snapchat to lure young girls for sexually explicit content. They are asking victims to come forward, visit LSP’s facebook page for photos of the suspect.

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donations due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. Governor John Bel Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment to see if you are able to move it up to this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now” 

You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

The Governor’s 36-billion-dollar spending plan for the next fiscal year is about 186 million dollars bigger than last year and the bulk of that spending increase comes on the education side. The budget plan will be debated by the Legislature in April. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne hopes these proposals won’t be rolled back…

Cut 8 (12) “…investments.” (reduce)

A Central Louisiana lawmaker wants the Department of Education to use part of a billion-dollar federal grant to help construct broadband internet infrastructure in the state. Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

9:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27

With the State Department of Education to receive one-billion in CARES funding, one lawmaker is urging them to use part of the funds to help close the digital divide.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Governor Edwards says the state is in critical need of blood donations after last week’s winter storms caused disruptions.

Cut 5  (11)  “…serious.” 

Each state agency is legally obligated to reveal how many sexual harassment complaints it has each year and if those complaints result in disciplinary action, however, Attorney General Jeff Landry chose not to disclose in a report due February 15th that one of his top deputies Pat Magee received a salary cut and had to undergo mandatory training after a sexual harassment complaint, claiming Magee was reprimanded for inappropriate behavior.

Many parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy, Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says if possible, children should be breastfed for the first six months of life and then begin introducing them to nutritious pureed food gradually, one new food group at a time.

Cut 13 (10)“…vegetables.”

She suggests introducing vegetables and fruits via a smoothie made with low-fat yogurt.

8:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27

38-year old Martinus Mitchum a Tulane University police officer was killed last night while providing security at a high school basketball playoff game in New Orleans. The man suspected of shooting Mitchem has been identified as 35-year-old John Shallerhorn who was booked with a count of first-degree murder of a police officer.

The Edwards administration has proposed a 36-billion-dollar budget plan for next fiscal year, a 186 million dollar increase over the current year.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donations due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says donating blood is quick and easy. You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

Cut 3 (07)  “…twice” 

Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access. He says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

Deshotel says the Federal Government has designated $349-million for broadband infrastructure in the state but says it’s going to take another 400 to 500-million to close to the digital divide.

 

7:30 LRN Sportscast February 27

The 11th ranked LSU Tigers got another dominating performance from Jaden Hill and the Bayou Bengals hit four home runs in a six to two win over Youngstown State. Hill pitched six shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out four. Cade Beloso and Cade Doughty both homered and drove in two runs.

Louisiana Tech opened its new J-C Love Park with a nine to two win over Southern. Parker Bates drove in five runs for the Bulldogs.

The Ragin Cajuns beat Rice seven to three. Freshman Hayden Durke struck out nine over five innings for his first win.

U-N-O scored seven runs in the sixth inning and beat U-L-M seven to six. Arizona outscored Southeastern Louisiana 13-11 and Tarleton blanked Northwestern State three to nothing, McNeese shutout Prairie View five to nothing and Nicholls knocked off Youngstown State seven to six.

LSU will play both Nicholls and Youngstown State today.

The LSU men’s basketball team will take on a red-hot Arkansas team on the road today. The Tigers easily won the previous matchup 92-76 against the Razorbacks but coach Will Wade says they’re a different team now.
Cut 15 (17) “…huge challenge”
Arkansas has won eight straight SEC games and tipoff is at 1 PM.

Last night, Louisiana Tech hit 17 three-pointers and defeated Rice 101-57. That’s three in a row for the Bulldogs. The Cajuns also won their third straight last night as they defeated Little Rock 66-61. ULM fell to Texas State 58-49.

There are college football games in the state today…Nicholls hosts Lamar at 3 PM. McNeese faces U-I-W at noon and Southeastern Louisiana is at Sam Houston for a top 25 matchup in the F-C–S.

530 PM LRN News

The Governor’s 36 billion dollar spending plan for the next fiscal year was unveiled today. It’s about 186 million dollars bigger than last year and the bulk of that spending increase comes on the education side. Higher ed will see an 80 million dollar increase and there’s 40 million dollars for a 400 dollar teacher pay raise and 200 dollar support staff pay raise. The plan will be debated by the Legislature in the legislative session that begins in April. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne hopes these proposals won’t be rolled back…

Cut 8 (12) “…investments.” (reduce)

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donation in Louisiana right now due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. Governor Edwards says this appeal comes directly from the state’s hospitals…

Cut 5  (11)  “…serious.” 

A Central Louisiana lawmaker wants the Department of Education to use part of a billion dollar federal grant to help construct broadband internet infrastructure in the state. Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

One of the biggest challenges for new parents is getting their young children to eat healthy. Pediatrician and Mom, Doctor Candice Jones, says be persistent in your efforts to get kids to eat healthy foods…

cut 14 (11) “…take it”

Jones says introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.

430 PM LRN News

The Governor’s proposed 400 dollar teacher pay raise and 200 dollar support staff pay raise will cost the state an estimated 40 million dollars extra per year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they would like to do more but extra funds were limited this year.

Cut 7 (09) “…average.”

The pay raise is included in the Governor’s budget proposal and it will be debated in the April legislative session.

Last week’s winter storms delayed and disrupted blood supply to Louisiana hospitals and now healthcare officials are imploring Louisianans to take a trip to a local blood bank to help out. Governor Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment see if you’re able to move it up to today or this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now” 

As parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy the American Academy of Pediatrics has some tips on how to first introduce your kids to more nutritious meals. Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says since small children eat small amounts parents need to make every bite count.

Cut 12 (08) “ …protein.” 

Jones also reminds you to avoid processed and prepackaged food for children and try to introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.

Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access, which will help students with virtual education.

Cut 9 (11) “…partner”

16:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team faces a tough challenge tomorrow as the Tigers visit 20th ranked Arkansas. The Razorbacks have won eight straight SEC games, including a 15-point win over the Crimson Tide on Wednesday night. LSU Coach Will Wade…
cut 16 (09) “…great job”
Moses Moody is leading them in scoring, averaging 17 points per game.

In college hoops action tonight, the Ragin Cajuns are at Little Rock, while ULM visits Texas State. The Bobcats are in first place in the Sun Belt West with a 10-and-3 record.

After not playing last week, Louisiana Tech hosts Rice tonight at 6:30. The Bulldogs are 10-4 in league play, while the Owls are 6-amd-8.

Tomorrow in the Southland, Southeastern is at Northwestern, Nicholls visits U-N-O and McNeese plays its first home game since January 20th when they host Houston Baptist.

Tonight the Louisiana Tech baseball team will play its first game at the new J-C Love Field. Their previous stadium was destroyed by a tornado in 2019. No fans will be allowed for this weekend’s series against Southern, because the facility is not ready for spectators yet. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs…
cut 20 (11) “…get those things.
Burroughs says Bulldogs fans will love the new J-C Love Field.

LSU baseball fans already like what they see from freshman right fielder Dylan Crews, who is 8-for-14 at the plate with two home runs and three runs driven in. Crews says even though there are stadium capacity restrictions at Alex Box, he’s still getting used to big crowds…
cut 17 (12) “…crazy”
LSU hosts Youngstown State tonight.

330 PM LRN News

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has laid out the governor’s 36 billion dollar budget plan to legislators today. Thanks to an increase in federal funding for Medicaid, the proposal is a 186 -million dollar increase over the current year. Dardenne says public colleges would see 80 million dollars more to help pay for faculty pay raises.

Cut 6 (11) “…institutions.”

Much of the budget increase is being afforded by more generous federal support for the state’s Medicaid program, which is allowing state funds to be moved into other areas. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is pushing to get parents to have their kids eat healthier. Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says if possible, children should be breastfed for the first six months of life and then begin introducing them to nutritious pureed food gradually, one new food group at a time.

Cut 13 (10)“…vegetables.”

With the State Department of Education to receive one-billion in CARES funding, one lawmaker is urging them to use part of the funds to help close the digital divide.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

LRN PM Newscall Feb 26

The Edwards administration has proposed a 36 billion dollar budget plan for next fiscal year, a 186 million dollar increase over the current year. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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With the State Department of Education to receive one-billion in CARES funding, one lawmaker is urging them to use part of the funds to help close the digital divide.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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State officials say there is a critical need for blood donations due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says donating blood is quick and easy. You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

Cut 3 (07)  “…twice” 

Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment to move it up to this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now” 

Edwards says this appeal comes directly from the state’s hospitals…

Cut 5  (11)  “…serious.” 

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Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has laid out the governor’s 36 billion dollar budget plan to legislators today. Thanks to an increase in federal funding for Medicaid, the proposal is a 186 -million dollar increase over the current year. Dardenne says public colleges would see 80 million dollars more to help pay for faculty pay raises.

Cut 6 (11) “…institutions.”

Much of the budget increase is being afforded by more generous federal support for the state’s Medicaid program, which is allowing state funds to be moved into other areas. The budget did not include increased funding for early childhood education.

The Governor’s call for a 400 dollar pay raise for K-12 teachers and a 200 dollar increase for support staff would cost the state an additional 40 million dollars a year.

Cut 7 (09) “…average.”

The budget also calls for increased investment in the Department of Corrections.

The plan will be debated by the Legislature in the legislative session that begins in April. Dardenne hopes these proposals won’t be rolled back…

Cut 8 (12) “…investments.”

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Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access, which will help students with virtual education.

Cut 9 (11) “…partner”

Deshotel says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

Deshotel says the federal government has given the state $300-million in vouchers for students to buy broadband access, however…

Cut 11 (14) “…no infrastructure.

Deshotel says the Federal Government has designated $349-million for broadband infrastructure in the state but says it’s going to take another 400 to 500-million to close to the digital divide.

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As parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy the American Academy of Pediatrics has some tips on how to first introduce your kids to more nutritious meals. Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says since small children eat small amounts parents need to make every bite count.

Cut 12 (08) “ …protein.” 

Jones says if possible, children should be breastfed for the first six months of life and then begin introducing them to nutritious pureed food gradually, one new food group at a time.

Cut 13 (10)“…vegetables.”

Jones says it’s also very important to introduce dairy, eggs, fish, and nuts to prevent food allergies as early as possible.

Another tip is to try to offset the sugary drinks that kids favor with low-fat milk or water and remember that children will model your behavior.

Cut 14 (11) “…take it.” 

Jones also reminds you to avoid processed and prepackaged food for children and try to introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.

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 The LSU men’s basketball team will take on the Arkansas Razorbacks on the road on Saturday. LSU easily won the previous matchup 92-76 against the Razorbacks but coach Will Wade says they’re a different team now.

Cut 15 (17) “…huge challenge” 

 Wade says a big reason for Arkansas’ improved level of play is due to the confidence they have as a team.

Cut 16 (09) “…great job”