12:30 LRN Newscast Jan 19

An early morning house fire in Slidell claims four lives, two were children. Fire Chief Chris Kauffmann says it’s been a difficult and emotional morning for everyone involved.

Cut 5 (13) “…accidental fire.”

The victims have been identified as 33-year old Phoenix Lousteau, her husband 40-year-old Stephen Lousteau, and their daughters, Mackenzie age 10, and Payton age five.

Americans can request four free at-home COVID-19 tests through the website COVIDtests-dot-gov. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says you should not test for the sake of testing…
cut 15 (08) “….is critical”

Louisiana is preparing for a big change in temperatures as a major cold front will begin moving through the state this afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologist Michael Berry says residents can expect freezing conditions beginning tonight.

 Cut 6 (22) “…lower 30s.” 

Berry does believe that the I-20/I-49 corridor should miss out on winter precipitation, but Central Louisiana and areas to the south and southwest of Alexandria could be impacted.

11:30 LRN Newscast Jan 19

Four people including two children were killed in an overnight house fire in Slidell’s Eden Isles subdivision. Slidell Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann says they found an inoperable smoke detector and reinforced the message that smoke detectors are critical in warning people to get out in time.

Cut 4 (11) “…save lives.”

Kauffmann says they believe the blaze was accidental and it remains under investigation.

The Biden Administration’s Website to order free at-home COVID tests is officially open at COVIDtests.gov. There’s been a huge demand for home tests with Omicron and they are extremely difficult to locate. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Dr. Lucio Miele says better access to home tests is vital.

Cut 13 (08) “…limited worldwide.”

The website is COVIDtests.gov

Get ready for another blast of cold, wintery weather across Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Wednesday starts fairly mild, with sunshine and temperatures reaching into the 60’s and lower 70’s, but then…:

Cut 10 (12) “…at least a possibility.”

The cold front will linger and possibly bring dicey weather for south Louisiana Thursday night, Friday morning.

We’ve all heard of or might have even experienced a situation in which a homeowners association enforces its rules with one resident and not another leaving the homeowner with few options. Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis is filing legislation setting limits on an HOA’s authority.

Cut 7 (11) “…very important.”

 

10:30 LRN Newscast Jan 19

Firefighters say four people were killed in an overnight house fire in Slidell’s Eden Isles subdivision. The fire was first reported around 1:30 in the morning and extinguished around 6 AM.  Slidell Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann.

Cut 24 were children :08

Three victims were found on the second floor of the home and the fourth on the first floor. One was pronounced dead on the scene and the other three at a local hospital.  An investigation is underway.

Get ready for another blast of cold, wintery weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says today starts off mild, with sunshine and temperatures reaching into the 60’s and lower 70’s, but then…:
Cut 10 (12) “…at least a possibility.”
And the National Weather Service says a wintry mix is possible Thursday night to Friday morning for south Louisiana.

Tuesday was the first-day state lawmakers could file bills for a three-month-long legislative session that begins in March. One of the first bills filed was by Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis that would set limits on homeowners’ associations’ authority. Hollis says his bill would restrict an HOA from the overreach of taking away your right to protect your property and family.

Cut 9 (11)  “…particular family.”

Governor Edwards is asking all Louisianans to help beautify the state with the creation of his Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, whose office will oversee the Task Force, says litter is also an economic development issue…

Cut 6 (14) “…our economy.”

9:30 LRN Newscast Jan 19

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on all Louisianans to help beautify the state. Tuesday the Governor announced the creation of his Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification but says it will take all of us to make a difference…
Cut 4 (05) “…to play.”
The 26 member Task Force will give recommendations to the governor by July first on how to have a cleaner state.

Yesterday was the first-day state lawmakers could file bills for a three-month-long legislative session that will begin in March. One of the first bills filed was by Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis that would set limits on homeowners associations’ authority. Hollis says he doesn’t think any HOA regulations should get in the way of property owners protecting what they own…
cut 8 (11) “…are constitutional rights”

Today will be pleasant, but a strong cold front is on its way, which will drop our temperatures significantly. Much of the state is under a slight risk for severe weather today and then Thursday night into Friday morning, State Climatologist Barry Keim says a wintry mix is possible for the Bayou State…
cut 12 (10) “…through Alexandria”

Americans can now have four at-home COVID tests shipped to their household for free by providing their name and shipping address at COVIDtests-dot-gov. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says you should only use a home test if you have symptoms and advises if you test negative to retest again in a few days because the rapid test has a high false-negative rate.
Cut 14 (07) “…on these tests.”
The website is COVID-tests-dot-gov.

8:30 LRN Newscast January 19

Another blast of cold winter weather is coming our way. Is there snow, sleet or freezing rain in our future? Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Officials say four people were killed in an overnight house fire in Slidell. Very few details are known at this time.

St. Martinvile Police have made an arrest after a burnt human body and a dog were discovered by officers in the debris of a burned building. The suspect has been identified as Randal Romero and he’s been booked into the St. Martin Parish Jail.

Americans are able to order four free at-home COVID tests by providing their name and shipping address at COVIDtests-dot-gov. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says better access to home tests is vital…
cut 13 (08) “…limited worldwide”
Miele says you should only use a home test if you have symptoms and advises if you test negative to retest again in a few days because the rapid test has a high false-negative rate.

We’ve all heard of or even experienced a situation in which a homeowners association enforces its rules with one resident and not another leaving the homeowner with few options. Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed legislation for the upcoming session that would limit an HOA’s authority….
Cut 7 (11) “…very important.”
Hollis found himself in a situation with his HOA that prevented him from erecting a fence to protect his children from a neighbor’s webcam.

7:30 LRN Newscast

St. Tammany Firefighters say four people were killed in an overnight house fire in Slidell’s Eden Isles subdivision. The fire was first reported around 1:30 in the morning and extinguished around 6 AM. An investigation into a cause is underway.

One of the first bills filed for the 2022 regular session is one pertaining to homeowners’ associations. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It will be warm today, but a big change is coming as a strong cold front will begin to move through the state tonight, dropping our temperatures significantly…
cut 11 (10) “…pretty chilly day”
Keim says there’s a chance for freezing rain Thursday into Friday morning for south Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced a task force on statewide litter abatement and beautification. Edwards says the 26-member task force will make recommendations to the governor by July of this year, but he says Louisiana residents also have the power to reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in waterways, storm drains, and streets…
cut 5 (13) “…call home”

6:45 LRN Sportscast January 19

The LSU football program continues to replenish its roster through the transfer portal. Missouri defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo and East Tennessee State offensive lineman Tre’Mond Shorts have committed to LSU. Wingo had 27 tackles and a sack as a freshman at Missouri and Shorts is a two-time FCS All-American. Also, LSU linebacker Micah Baskerville and junior safety Jay Ward announced they are returning to LSU.

In high school football coaching news…Stanley Smith has resigned as head football coach at Ferriday. Smith led the Trojans to a state championship in 2019 and won 47 games at his alma mater. He was hired in 2017.

Hank Tierney is returning to Archbishop Shaw. Tierney led Ponchatoula to the Class 5A championship game last season. Tierney led Shaw to a championship in 1987 and they are moving down to Class 4A next season.

LSU is ranked eighth in the D-1-baseball-dot-com poll.

The 13th ranked LSU men’s basketball team looks to get back to its winning ways as they visit Alabama tonight. The Tigers are coming off a 65-58 home loss to Arkansas. LSU’s leading scorer Tari Eason has been quiet in the last few games. Coach Will Wade says it’s time for that to change…
cut 17 (22) “…down there”
Alabama has also been struggling. They’ve lost three in a row. Tip off is at 6:00.

Last night in the SEC, Arkansas slammed South Carolina 75-59, Missouri blew out Ole Miss 78-53 and Tennessee topped Vanderbilt 68-60. LSU is at Tennessee this Saturday.

6:30 LRN Newscast January 19

Get ready for another blast of cold, wintery weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says today starts off mild, with sunshine and temperatures reaching into the 60’s and lower 70’s, but then…:
Cut 10 (12) “…at least a possibility.”
And the National Weather Service says a wintry mix is possible Thursday night to Friday morning for south Louisiana.

Americans can request four free at-home COVID-19 tests through the website COVIDtests-dot-gov. The White House says the tests will typically ship within seven to 12 days through the U-S Postal Service. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says you should not test for the sake of testing…
cut 15 (08) “….is critical”

Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana has reached a sobering milestone as the state health department reports one-million COVID cases since the pandemic started. Over 15-thousand Louisianians have died from the illness.

On another front, the governor wants to give litter the boot…
cut 1 (30) “….I’m David Grubb”

And today at 2:00 the governor takes your questions with his monthly Ask the Governor call-in show. You can hear it at louisianaradionetwork.com

LRN AM Newscall January 19

John Bel Edwards wants to give litter the boot. David Grubb has more on how he plans to clean up Louisiana…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.”

___________________________________

Among some of the bills, legislators have filed for the 2022 regular session is one pertaining to homeowners’ associations. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

___________________________________

Another blast of cold winter weather is coming our way. Is there snow, sleet or freezing rain in our future? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

____________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on all Louisianans to help beautify the state. Tuesday the Governor announced the creation of his Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification but says it will take all of us to make a difference…

Cut 4 (05) “…to play.” 

Governor Edwards believes that preserving the state’s natural beauty and resources is vital to a thriving Louisiana…

Cut 5 (14) “…call home.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, whose office will oversee the Task Force, sees litter as not just a quality of life issue, but an economic development one as well…

Cut 6 (14) “…our economy.”

_______________________________________

We’ve all heard of or might have even experienced a situation in which a homeowners association enforces its rules with one resident and not another leaving the homeowner with few options. Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis is filing legislation setting limits on an HOA’s authority.

Cut 7 (11) “…very important.”

St. Tammany Parish, which is in Hollis’ district, has one of the highest per-capita rates of residents living within an HOA-managed community in the state. Hollis found himself in a situation with his HOA when he wanted to erect a privacy fence to protect his children from a neighbor’s webcam.

Hollis says he’s heard numerous stories from residents in his district that felt their legitimate concerns were ignored by an HOA and yet other less serious infractions were enforced. Hollis acknowledges the bill can’t remedy every situation with an HOA…

Cut 8 (11) “…constitutional rights.”

And while Hollis acknowledges not all HOAs covenants are bad some associations practice selective enforcement. Hollis says his bill would restrict an HOA from the overreach of taking away your right to protect your property and family.

Cut 9 (11)  “…particular family.”

Hollis says it’s also likely that he will file a companion bill that affords property owners the ability to opt out of existing HOAs.

___________________________________________________

Get ready for another blast of cold, wintery weather across Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Wednesday starts fairly mild, with sunshine and temperatures reaching into the 60’s and lower 70’s, but then…:

Cut 10 (12) “…at least a possibility.”

Keim says a cold front moves through later this evening and overnight, bringing a chance of possible winter precipitation to the I-20 corridor in the late-night hours…:

Cut  11 (10)  “…pretty chilly day.”  

Keim says the approaching cold front is expected to stall offshore in the Gulf, setting up the chance of some potentially hazardous winter precipitation for Thursday night and into Friday morning…:

Cut 12 (10) “…up through Alexandria.”

____________________________________________

The Biden Administration’s Website to order free at-home COVID tests is officially open at COVIDtests.gov. There’s been a huge demand for home tests with Omicron and they are extremely difficult to locate. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Dr. Lucio Miele says better access to home tests is vital.

Cut 13 (08) “…limited worldwide.”

A PCR test is more accurate at detecting COVID, results take days because they are sent off to a lab.

Miele says you should only use a home test if you have symptoms and advises if you test negative to retest again in a few days because the rapid test has a high false-negative rate.

Cut 14 (07)  “…on these tests.”

The free tests sent via COVIDtests.gov are initially limited to four tests per household but you can also be reimbursed by your health insurance provider now, up to eight at-home tests per month, per insured individual.

Miele says because there is a shortage across the globe for tests you should reserve home tests for when you need an answer and not test for the sake of testing.

Cut 15 (08)  “…is critical.”

To order the tests online you need to enter your name, address and email to receive tracking information. Tests will ship in seven to 12 days.

_________________________________________________

The 11th-ranked LSU Tigers will face Alabama on Wednesday night, trying to bounce back from a tough loss to Arkansas. While defense has been the team’s calling card so far this season, Will Wade is looking for his stagnant offense to execute a lot better against the Tide.

Cut  16 (20) “…over again.”

One player that has to get back on track is Tari Eason. The Tigers’ leading scorer this season hasn’t made his presence felt as of late. Wade says it’s time for that to change.

Cut 17 (22) “ …down there.” 

Wade says that the Tigers will have to utilize their depth to avoid the fatigue that has plagued them during late-game situations.

Cut 18 (14) “ …need to.” 

5:30 LRN Newscast Jan 17

The family of a Slidell woman, believed to have been decapitated in New Orleans, demands the suspect in the crime be denied bail. Julia Dardar’s dismembered body was found in a freezer at the home of local artist Benjamin Beale. He’s has been charged in her death. Julia’s estranged husband Micah Dardar this morning…:

CUT 09(06)      “…demented and demonic.”

Beal’s bond HAS been set, at $1.4-million. He is still in jail.

The National Weather Service says there’s the possibility of a wintry mix later this week. A strong cold front arrives overnight; bringing the potential for strong storms late Wednesday in north Louisiana. Meteorologist Kevin Owens says behind the front is very cold air and once the temperature gets close to the freezing mark, freezing rain is possible…:

CUT 12(11)      “…more information.”

Owens says tomorrow will start off as a mild day and then some of the coldest weather of the winter will arrive.

 

Physicians advise, if you are experiencing COVID symptoms, to assume you have the virus and stay home. It might not be COVID but Dr. Lucio Miele, Chair of the Department of Genetics at LSU Health New Orleans says the PCR test is more accurate, but it takes several days to receive results. He says having both speed and sensitivity is a difficult combination in a test…:

CUT 04(08)      “…not possible.”

You can get a FREE package of four at-home COVID tests by going online to “covidtests.gov”

The state Health Department reports just over 29-thousand new case of coronavirus; the majority of them are the Omicron variant. Almost 2200 are in hospitals right now. Of those, about 73-percent have not been fully vaccinated.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double murder in Metairie. JPSO spokesman Glen Boyd says the male victims were shot to death. They were found by a friend Monday night. An investigation is underway.