8:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana U-S District Judge Terry Doughty of Ravyille has blocked nationwide an attempt by the Biden Administration to require health care workers to get vaccinated against COVID. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the mandate is forcing some workers to look for a new job…
cut 6 (06) “…that’s problematic”
Doughty wrote the Biden Administration doesn’t have the authority to bypass Congress in issuing such a mandate.

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper says it’s a bogus rumor that a second casino will be built in the parish if voters approve a proposition that allows for a casino to be constructed in Slidell. Cooper is asking all registered voters to vote on the issue which appears on the December 11th ballot…
cut 13 (09) “….from day one”
Early voting continues through Saturday.

The U-S Supreme Court is considering whether to uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. If the nation’s highest court rules in favor of this new abortion limit, a 15-week abortion ban will also go into effect in Louisiana. Oral arguments were presented to the Supreme Court yesterday. Michelle Erenberg is the President of Lift Louisiana, a women’s advocacy group that defends the right to abortions
Cut 8 (13) “…is critical.”
Ben Clapper is the executive director of Louisiana Right to Life…
cut 9 (12) “…Post Roe Louisiana”
The Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on this issue in June

7:30 LRN Newscast December 2

The U-S Supreme court has signaled they might uphold Mississippi’s law that would ban abortions after 15-weeks of pregnancy. President of Lift Louisiana Michelle Erenberg says they await the court’s decision which is expected in June…
cut 10 (13) “….abortion access”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh said that maybe the abortion issue should be decided by the states.

A multi-state lawsuit led by Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has resulted in a federal judge in Louisiana blocking President Biden’s COVID vaccine mandate for health care workers nationwide. Landry believes the President is stepping outside his sandbox…
cut 5 (09) “….violate the consitution”

Many Louisiana residents are struggling with their insurance providers to settle hurricane property damage claims. Dave Brannen reports it was the focus of a daylong legislative hearing…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee has approved the spending of 23-million dollars in federal money that will be used to modernize broken down water and sewerage systems in small towns and rural parishes. The 23-million dollars will go to 29 projects and a second round of money will be approved in January.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Alignment was the big buzzword during Brian Kelly’s introductory press conference where he was introduced as the new head football coach of the LSU Tigers. Kelly says one of the reasons why he took the LSU job is that athletics director Scott Woodward’s vision for the future of LSU football aligns with what he wants to do as a head coach..
Cut 23 (14) “…fulfill that goal.”
Kelly says he has not made any firm decisions on his staff, but his two coordinators at Notre Dame are not following him to Baton Rouge. Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is staying in South Bend and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is reportedly replacing Kelly as Notre Dame’s head coach.

There’s football in the Superdome tonight as the Saints host the Cowboys. Alvin Kamara, Ryan Ramczyk, and Terron Armstead are questionable for tonight.

New Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie described his vision for Bulldog football during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. Cumbie is described as having an innovative offensive mind after serving as an offensive coordinator at both Texas Tech and TCU. The former Red Raiders Q-B wants La Tech to have an explosive and physical offense…
Cut 19 (26) “..make plays”

In basketball last night, LSU improved to 8-0 with a 66-51 win over Ohio. ULM crushed Centenary 104-67, La Tech topped Texas Southern 87-60, McNeese lost to Seattle 78-62 and Dallas shot 69-percent from the field as Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 139-107.

6:30 LRN Newscast December 2

State lawmakers held a day-long meeting yesterday discussing the slow process of getting insurance companies to pay claims on hurricane-damaged homes. Doug Quinn, executive director of the American Policyholder Association, says one tactic insurance providers are using is known as the churning of adjusters…
cut 15 (10) “….a good claim”
The insurance industry says there are not enough local adjusters after a major storm passes through and so they need to bring in out-of-state adjusters.

St. Tammany Parish councilman Mike Lorino says the proposition on the December 11th ballot for a casino in Slidell would result in just one casino in the parish and any claims it would result in multiple casinos are not true..
cut 12 (12) “…bolgna”
The Supreme Court’s six conservative justices indicated they would uphold Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban which could then limit abortions in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

AM Newscall Dec 2

AM NEWSCALL

Louisiana’s attorney general is cautiously optimistic that the Biden administration will fall flat in all of its vaccine mandate attempts targeting healthcare facilities and businesses employing more than 100 people.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

___________________________________

The Supreme Court’s six conservative justices indicated they would uphold Mississippi’s abortion ban which could then limit abortions in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

___________________________________

A lot of folks apparently have not had a good run with their insurers while trying to settle Hurricane Ida property damage claims.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

______________________________________

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is taking a victory lap after federal Judge Terry Doughty granted his request for a preliminary injunction blocking a Biden administration vaccine mandate targeting healthcare facilities. Landry says he’s optimistic about an appeal of the ruling.

Cut 4 (12) “…the OSHA mandate. “

That mandate involved businesses employing 100 or more workers to ensure their employees are vaccinated against COVID or are tested regularly beginning January 4th. It was stayed by the Fifth Circuit early last month.

In attempting to impose vaccine mandates on both businesses and healthcare facilities, Landry believes Biden is stepping outside his sandbox.

Cut 5 (09) “…violate the constitution.”

Landry says he expects Biden to lose all of his vaccine mandate proposals.

Landry says he’s heard figures that upwards of 30 percent of healthcare workers are choosing to exit their jobs rather than being required to be vaccinated. He says that’s a problem.

Cut 6 (06) “…that’s problematic.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services vaccine mandate rule requires most of those working at healthcare facilities to be vaccinated against COVID.

________________________________________________________

The US Supreme Court heard two hours of oral arguments Wednesday on Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, if upheld it could lead to the high court overturning Roe v. Wade, which then would ban nearly all abortions in Louisiana. Ben Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life is hopeful abortion rights will be overturned.

Cut 7 (12) “…from abortion.”

Michelle Erenberg, (Erin-berg) President of Lift Louisiana, a women’s advocacy group that also defends the right to abortion says, attorneys on behalf of the abortion clinic in Mississippi did an excellent job covering issues of the case.

Cut 8 (13) “…is critical.”

Clapper says if the ban is upheld it opens the door for individual states to make their own laws regarding abortion rights, and in Louisiana, abortions would be banned, but in the meantime…

Cut 9 (12)  “…Post-Roe Louisiana.”

Erenberg says as they await the court’s decision which is expected in June….

Cut 10 (13)  “…abortion access.”

________________________________________________

St. Tammany Parish officials want to dispel misconceptions about an upcoming parish-wide vote on allowing a gambling casino resort complex to be built in Slidell. St. Tammany President Mike Cooper says rumors run rampant that voting “yes” would open the door for multiple gaming establishments, but he says this vote only addresses the proposed Camellia Bay complex and nothing else. Cooper says the state Gaming Control Board confirms this…:

Cut  11 (13)  “…to relocate.”  

The state Gaming Control Board has approved moving a Bossier City casino license to Slidell, but the St. Tammany Parish Council agreed to let voters decide whether the $325-million project could move forward. Parish Council chairman Mike Lorino says information floating about that says the vote would allow more than one casino to operate are just not true…:

Cut 12 (12) “…it’s bologna (baloney)..”

Lorino says there are a limited number of casino contracts in our state, and if another wanted to move to St. Tammany it would take another vote of the people to approve it.

A lawsuit sought to block the public vote on allowing camellia bay to move forward, but last week the state Supreme Court ruled the vote could go on. Early voting is currently underway on that December 11th ballot. Parish President Mike Cooper urges St. Tammany voters to cast their ballots, whether for it or against it…:

Cut 13 (09) “…from day one.”

If approved by voters, Camellia Bay would be built near the I-10 Twin Spans, and feature a gaming floor, events and concert venues, restaurants, a hotel and a multi-acre youth sports facility.

_____________________________________________________

Complaints are flying against insurance companies following Hurricane Ida. Doug Quinn, executive director of the American Policyholder Association, attended a legislative hearing Wednesday.

Cut 14 (09)  “…the claims process.”

He tells us there’s also been the problem of multiple adjusters investigating damage to a single property which further complicates and slows, or derails, the payment of legitimate claims. Several major insurers say they have closed the majority of their claims, but that doesn’t confirm any money was paid out.

Quinn says one of the more significant problems with getting damage claims settled is when multiple adjusters show up to investigate.

Cut 15 (10)  “..a good claim.”

Quinn believes the state, while doing a good job in its oversight of the insurance industry, something is missing from the mix.

Cut  16 (12) “…the insurance carriers.”

_________________________________________________

New LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says he had no plans on leaving Notre Dame, where he’s the winningest coach in school history. But Kelly says when LSU athletic director Scott Woodward described his vision for the future of LSU Football, Kelly says he wanted to be a part of it

Cut 17 (17) “ take on” 

Kelly says he’s impressed with the leadership that’s in place at LSU with William Tate as president and Woodward in charge of athletics…

Cut 18 (18) “..for me”  

_____________________________________________________

New Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie described his vision for Bulldog football during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. Cumbie is described as having an innovative offensive mind after serving as an offensive coordinator at both Texas Tech and TCU. The former Red Raiders Q-B wants La Tech to have an explosive and physical offense…

Cut 19 (26)  “..make plays”  

____________________________________________________

Taysom Hill will get the start at quarterback tonight when the Saints look to snap a four-game losing streak when they host Dallas. Hill hasn’t played since a November 14th loss when he injured his foot. Since then Hill has been managing his partial plantar fascia tear and is excited for another chance to be the starting quarterback…

Cut 20 (22) “.football games” 

5:30 LRN Newscast Dec 1

Brian Kelly was introduced as LSU’s new football coach. Jeff Palermo has the highlights…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

And Louisiana Tech has hired Sonny Cumbie as their next head football coach. Cumbie spent the past season at Tech Texas as their offensive coordinator. He replaces outgoing coach Skip Holtz, La Tech finished 3-9 this season.

According to Louisiana Tech’s Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says while unemployment has improved the state is still down 132,000 jobs, and he estimates that up to 85,000 have left the workforce in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13) “…fundamentally.”

Country music fans are thrilled to hear Garth Brooks will be coming to Tiger Stadium April 30th. It will be his only appearance in Louisiana on his upcoming tour. Visit Baton Rouge head Paul Arrigo says the show is sure to be an economic boon for the Capital Area.

Cut 8 (09) “…those seats filled.”

Tickets go on sale December 10th.

4:30 LRN Newscast Dec 01

Country music legend Garth Brooks is coming to Baton Rouge’s Tiger stadium this spring. More from Michelle Southern…:

CUT 01         (35)    “…reporting.”

A federal judge in Louisiana’s western district temporarily blocks President Biden’s COVID vaccine mandate for all U.S. health care workers. The vaccine order was to have taken effect next week and could result in thousands of nurses, doctors and technicians losing their jobs in February.

 

According to the Louisiana Tech Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says there are two ways to possibly increase the workforce…L:

CUT 03(12)      “…policy response.”

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain is facing up to ten years in a federal lockup after pleading guilty today to one of 16 corruption counts in a kickback scheme related to his privatizing of an inmate work release program. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says Strain’s federal plea may have been an attempt to avoid going first into the state’s prison system…:

CUT 10(13)      “…state court system.”

Strain was convicted last month of multiple counts of sexual assault, for which he faces a probable life sentence.

3:30 LRN Newscast Dec 01

According to the Louisiana Tech Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says the study looked at employment & unemployment, costs of goods & services, income levels and more. Of the real estate market, Scott says there HAS been a robust demand for housing, in part due to low-interest rates, but Scott says the market is now beginning to cool…:

CUT 05         (07)    “…relatively well.”

He says the state is still down over 130-thousand jobs from pre-pandemic levels.

Country superstar Garth Brooks will be coming to LSU’s Tiger Stadium for an April 30th concert; his first time in the Capital City in 24 years. Visit Baton Rouge CEO Paul Arrigo says he expects a spectacular turnout that’ll put a positive spotlight on the city…:

CUT 06         (10)    “…over the world.”

 

LSU formally introduces Brian Kelly as its new head football coach. Kelly has been with Notre Dame for the last 12 years; during which he racked up the university’s highest win rate. Kelly says he’s looking forward to his first experience in Tiger Stadium, but he understands the fans expectations that he win games…:

Cut 14(14)    “…team on the field.”

Kelly’s combined wins in both Divisions 1 and 2 make him the winningest active coach in college football.

The Coast Guard is looking for a man who fell overboard from the American Queen riverboat early this morning on the Mississippi River. A call came in just after 2 a.m. that a crewmember had gone into the water; triggering the search & rescue efforts between mile marker 224 and 230, which are still underway.

The federal Department of Defense says all National Guard members must get the COVID vaccine or obtain an approved waiver or they won’t get paid for federal activities and training. For services within Louisiana, Guardsmen and women are paid with state funds.

LRN PM Newscall December 1

When country music star Garth Brooks plays his fan-favorite hit “Callin’ Baton Rouge” on April 30th, it will have extra meaning. Michelle Southern explains…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Michelle Southern reporting”

______________________________________

Brian Kelly was introduced as LSU’s new football coach. Jeff Palermo has the highlights…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

______________________________________

According to Louisiana Tech’s Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says there are two ways to possibly increase the workforce.

Cut 3 (12) “…policy response.”

Scott says he doesn’t see the pandemic resolving anytime soon.

Scott says in a recession you tend to see a decrease in the production of goods and services and personal incomes are also down but presently that’s not the situation with personal income. Scott says stimulus payments and generous unemployment payments increased the average income and the demand for higher wages.

While unemployment has improved the state is still down 132,000 jobs from pre-pandemic levels. Scott says estimates are that up to 85,000 have left the workforce in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13) “…fundamentally.”

For much of 2020 and this year, there’s been a robust demand for housing, in part to low-interest rates, but Scott says the market is beginning to cool.

Cut 5 (07) “…relatively well.”

He says most of the housing movement is in existing homes, not new housing starts which has pushed prices higher than what they should be.

__________________________________

Garth Brooks, one of the hottest acts in country music, makes his return to Baton Rouge next year for the first time in 24 years. Paul Arrigo, CEO and President of Visit Baton Rouge, says the superstar is set to play Tiger Stadium on April 30th and expects a spectacular turnout that’ll put a spotlight on the city.

 Cut 6 (10) “..over the world.” 

Tickets for “Callin’ Baton Rouge” starring Brooks will go on sale through Ticketmaster on Friday, December 10 at 10 a.m. for an all-inclusive price of 94.95 each with a purchase limit of eight tickets per caller.

Arrigo says the concert by Garth Brooks will be great all around.

Cut 7 (05) “…for the region.”  

Brooks LSU appearance will mark his only concert in the Louisiana/Mississippi area in 2022.

Arrigo is hoping for an all-seats-filled Death Valley for Garth’s “Callin’ Baton Rouge” concert.

Cut 8 (09) “…those seats filled.”

He notes that Brooks’s concert coincides with the first weekend of Jazzfest in New Orleans and hopes that will draw even more fans to Tiger Stadium to hear the country superstar.

______________________________________________________

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain is facing up to ten years in a federal lockup after pleading guilty today to one of 16 corruption counts in a kickback scheme related to his privatizing of an inmate work release program. Loyola University law professor, Dane Ciolino, says Strain’s plea comes as no surprise.

Cut 9 (09) “…these federal charges.”

Strain is facing multiple life sentences after being earlier convicted in state court on multiple sexual assault charges, some of the victims children.

Ciolino says Strain’s federal plea may have been an attempt to avoid going first into the state’s prison system.

Cut 10 (13)  “…state court system.”

Ciolino doubts that will happen.

Ciolino says there wasn’t much to gain by forcing Strain to plea to more than one federal corruption charge.

Cut  11 (07)  “…scheme to defraud.”  

He says he wasn’t at all surprised by the single-count plea.

______________________________________________

LSU introduced Brian Kelly as its new head football coach today. Kelly has spent the last 12 years at Notre Dame and LSU fans have only been able to watch his work from afar as Kelly has coached his whole life in the Midwest. LSU athletics director Scott Woodward expects Tiger Nation will love him because he wins…

Cut 12 (07) “..is win”  

When you combine Kelly’s victories in Division one and two, he has more wins than any active coach in major college football.

Kelly says one of the reasons why he took the LSU job is that he admires athletics director Scott Woodward’s desire to be excellent in everything…..

Cut 13 (14) “…fulfill that goal.”

Kelly says he’s looking forward to his first experience in Tiger Stadium, but he understands the fans are expecting a winner…

Cut 14 (14) “…the field.” 

2:30 LRN Newscast Dec 01

Brian Kelly is formally introduced as LSU’s new football coach. Jeff Palermo has the highlights…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Lawmen in Shreveport are seeking a man who’s been exposing his private parts to passers-by. Cops have obtained security camera video of the man stripping naked in a parking lot on Shreve Park Drive in October. The balding white male was driving a white Chevy extended cab pickup. Crimestoppers will take tips at 318-673-7373.

 

Former St. Tammany Parish sheriff Jack Strain faces up to ten years in prison, after pleading guilty to a federal charge of corruption and kickbacks related to his privatizing the parish inmate work release program. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says he’s not surprised at the guilty plea, as Strain will already be serving time for his November conviction on sexual assault charges. Ciolino says there wasn’t much to gain by forcing Strain to plea to more than one federal corruption charge…:

CUT 11(07)      “…scheme to defraud.”

Strain faces multiple life sentences on the sexual assault convictions.

Country music fans are thrilled to hear Garth Brooks will be coming to Tiger Stadium in late April of next year. It will be his only appearance in Louisiana or Mississippi on the upcoming tour.  Visit Baton Rouge head Paul Arrigo says the show is sure to be an economic boon for the Capital Area…:

CUT 08(09)      “…all those seats filled.”

At about $95 a head, tickets go on sale December 10th.