11:40 LRN Sportscast March 7

After their 80-77 overtime victory over Alabama Saturday, the LSU Tigers will take the fifth seed in the upcoming SEC men’s basketball tournament. LSU will face the winner between Missouri and Mississippi on Thursday at 2pm.  The Tigers finished fifth in the SEC at 9-9 in conference play, with five of those losses by five points or less. Coach Will Wade says it was good to close the regular season with a win in the clutch.

Cut 17 (17) “…21 times.”

LSU Baseball had a rough weekend, dropping two of three in Houston at the Shriners Classic. The Tigers bats, which had been talking loudly before the trip to Texas, scored just 11 runs in the series. After topping Oklahoma 5-4 in the opener, they were drubbed by the Longhorns 1-6 and committed five errors in a 6-9 loss to Baylor. LSU will host McNeese tomorrow night to cleanse the palette before a weekend series against Bethune-Cookman.

The Nicholls men’s basketball team won its second straight Southland Conference regular-season championship on Saturday with 92-85 win over U-N-0. Senior Ty Gordon scored a career-high 36 points and Colonels Coach Austin Claunch says Gordon gets his vote for Southland Player of the Year…

Cut 18 (10) “…special talent.”

The UL Ragin Cajuns will play for their first Sun Belt tournament title in seven years when they face Georgia State in the championship final this evening at 6 pm. The eighth-seeded Cajuns are the highest seed to advance to the title game in SBC history. They are 6-2 all-time in championship games, last taking the crown in 2015. UL is 0-2 against GSU this year, including a 58-65 loss to end the regular season.

The Pelicans saw their four-game win streak come to an end in Denver last night with a 130-138 overtime loss to the Nuggets. Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 38 points and nine assists. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic went off for 30 points in the fourth quarter and OT on his way to a 46 point, 12 rebound, 11 assist triple-double. The Pels visit Memphis on Wednesday night.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 7

The 2022 legislative session begins a week from today and nearly 12-hundred bills have been filed. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are a wide variety of topics for legislators to debate…
cut 3 (11) “…college campuses”

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley has a bill that would allow for more access to medical marijuana by increasing the number of licensed pharmacies that distribute cannabis from 10 to 20 in Louisiana. Bagley says a main reason for legalizing medical cannabis was to reduce opioid addiction.
Cut 13 (10) “…need it.”
Currently, only 9 pharmacies are licensed, and the 10th license is not in use. Bagley wants that to be addressed also.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields was successful in his legislation last year mandating kindergarten, this year Fields has a bill that would require public school systems to offer full-day pre-kindergarten, even in charter schools. Fields says he’s waiting on a cost estimate…
cut 8 (11) “…jails and prisons”
Having enough qualified pre-K teachers could be another stumbling block.

Marrero Senator Patrick Connick authored the legislation last year that gave student-athletes the ability to profit off of their name, image and likeness. Connick has another N-I-L bill this year that would give athletic boosters broader freedoms when it comes to paying student-athletes and it would also allow university employees to arrange N-I-L deals…
cut 5 (11) “….to benefit both”

9:30 LRN Newscast March 7

72-year-old David Gullat of Ruston is no longer listed as a Lincoln Parish School Board member following his arrest on Friday on drug and obscenity charges. Ruston Police says they apprehended Gullatt after receiving a complaint about a nude man performing a lewd act in the parking lot of a shopping center. Gullat is also a former dean of the college of education at La Tech.

A Baton Rouge lawmaker has filed a bill that would require public elementary schools to offer pre-k education…
cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Name, image, and likeness is changing college athletics and Marrero Senator Patrick Connick has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would make Louisiana more competitive with other SEC states…
Cut 4 (09) “…NIL thing.”
Marrero’s measure would end the ban on boosters using an NIL deal to entice an athlete to attend a specific school, also college and university employees can arrange NIL deals.

Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Louisiana Department of Health Manager Robert Henson is spreading the word about warning signs…
cut 10 (12) “….of the signs”
Henson says now that sports wagering and mobile sports betting are easily available in Louisiana, L-D-H is concerned about a rise in problem gamblers.

8:30 LRN Newscast March 7

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to send gas prices towards record highs. According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $3.87 after rising a nickel from yesterday. The record is 4.01 set in 2008.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is proposing legislation to make legalized medical cannabis more accessible.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s talk LSU is behind other SEC schools when it comes to benefiting from the new era of Name, Image, and Likeness in college athletics. College athletes were allowed to be paid for their endorsements starting last July and Marrero Senator Patrick Connick has filed legislation to help out LSU and other Louisiana schools…
cut 6 (11) “…to correct that”

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and with sports betting now available at many casinos or on your phone, the Louisiana Department of Health is concerned about a rise in problem gamblers…
cut 11 (12) “,,,national average”
That’s Robert Henson with L-D-H who says there is a Louisiana Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-770-STOP.

7:30 LRN Newscast March 7

Pre-K education is currently a state-funded option for local school districts. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says his Senate Bill 47 would make pre-K classes a requirement. He says it’s a logical step in moving education forward…:
Cut 7 (10) “…a centerpiece.”
Money and qualified pre-K teachers are the major obstacles to this legislation.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley has filed legislation that would double the number of licensed medical marijuana pharmacies in Louisiana from ten to 20. Bagley says he has a relative who can walk after using medical marijuana for back pain that left her immobile.
Cut 15 (10) “…doing a mile.”

A new bill seeks to keep Louisiana college athletics competitive in the world of Name Image and Likeness. David Grubb has more.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team is one win away from an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament as U-L Lafayette has advanced to tonight’s Sun Belt Tournament title game where they’ll play Georgia State. It’s an emotional time for the team as Coach Bob Marlin’s mother passed away on Saturday.

6:45 LRN Sportscast March 7

Myles Brennan will have serious competition to be LSU’s starting quarterback next season. Former Arizona State Q-B Jayden Daniels is transferring to the Tigers after starting for three seasons with the Sun Devils. During his time at A-S-U, he threw for six-thousand yards, 32 touchdowns, and also rushed for 12-hundred yards and 16 T-Ds. Coach Brian Kelly says Daniels is a playmaker with a strong arm.

If you stayed up late last night to watch LSU baseball and the Pelicans you came away disappointed. The Tigers committed five errors in a 9-6 loss to Baylor. LSU will host McNeese tomorrow night. The Cowboys dropped two out of three to Louisiana Tech, but won yesterday five to two.

The Pelicans’ four-game winning streak came to an end last night with a 138-130 overtime loss to Denver.

The Ragin Cajuns play for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament tonight as U-L Lafayette faces Georgia State in the Sun Belt title game.

The LSU men’s basketball team is the fifth seed in this week’s SEC Tournament and will play Thursday afternoon against the winner of Wednesday night’s game between Missouri and Ole Miss. Coach Will Wade’s team beat Alabama in overtime on Saturday to finish with a 21-10 record, 9-9 in the SEC….
Cut 16 (16) “…particularly defense”

Nicholls won its second straight Southland Conference regular-season championship on Saturday with a 92-85 win over U-N-O. Colonels Coach Austin Claunch…
cut 19 (15) “…you are”
The Colonels are the number one seed in the Southland Tournament and will play on Friday in Katy, Texas, needing two wins to get an invite to the NCAA Tournament.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline rose by another nickel today to $3.87. That’s 50-cents more than this time last week. Diesel is up to 4.41 a gallon. The record for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is 4.01, set in 2008.

A Baton Rouge lawmaker’s proposed bill would mandate pre-kindergarten classes for all public schools. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

When lawmakers convene for the 2022 regular session next week, medical marijuana will be heavily discussed. Desoto Parish Republican Larry Bagley has a bill that would double the number of licensed pharmacies from 10 to 20. Bagley lives in Stonewall and he says residents in his hometown have to drive at least 90-minutes to the nearest medical marijuana pharmacy…
cut 14 (12) “….transportation”

Governor Edwards has proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month and March is also known as March madness the biggest month of the year for college basketball, giving fans plenty of games to bet on. Robert Henson with the Louisiana Department of Health has these tips for bettors to keep them out of danger…
cut 12 (11) “….walk away”

LRN AM Newscall March 7

A new bill seeks to keep Louisiana college athletics competitive in the world of Name Image and Likeness. David Grubb has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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A Baton Rouge lawmaker’s proposed bill would mandate pre-kindergarten classes for all public schools statewide. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is proposing legislation to make legalize cannabis more accessible for those who need it. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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From the moment collegiate athletes were allowed to capitalize off of their names, images, and likenesses, or NIL, there have been questions raised about how it could impact a program’s ability to remain competitive. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick would like Louisiana to have a plan in place to do just that, which is why he’s filed Senate Bill 250.

Cut 4 (09)  “…NIL thing.”

Connick’s bill would allow universities and their employees to compensate players for their NIL rights, as well as facilitate deals for them. It would also give athletic boosters broader freedoms when it comes to paying prospective recruits

Cut 5 (11) “…to benefit both.”

When Louisiana passed its NIL legislation last season, it did so not knowing what the NCAA would or would not allow. The NCAA stepped back and now that he’s seen how other states have utilized NIL, Connick says this bill would put Louisiana back in the forefront of the still-evolving landscape.

Cut 6 (12)  “…to correct that.”

_______________________________________

A Baton Rouge lawmaker’s bill would mandate all public schools offer children learning BEFORE kindergarten. Pre-K teaching has been around Louisiana for several years but has been a state-funded option for local districts. Senator Cleo Fields (D) says his Senate Bill 47 would make pre-K classes a requirement. He says it’s a logical step in moving Louisiana education forward…:

Cut 7 (10) “…a centerpiece.”

A state law mandating schools to offer kindergarten was passed only last June. Until then, it too was an option. Fields’ bill would require local school districts to provide full-day pre-kindergarten; even in charter schools. How much would his proposed law cost taxpayers? Senator Fields says that information will be available soon…:

Cut 8 (11)  “…jails and prisons.”

Fields’ bill would also assure that all pre-K students are counted for the purpose of the state’s Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) for funding public schools. The bill raises some questions about assuring there are enough educators to staff pre-K classes statewide. Fields says he’s also working on a solution there…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…a national problem.”

The regular legislative session begins a week from today.

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With greater accessibility to gaming through online services, there could be a rise in gambling addiction issues. With that in mind, the Louisiana Department of Health is looking to be proactive. Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and DOH is spreading the word about warning signs says program Manager Robert Henson.

Cut 10 (12) “…of the signs.”

A 2016 study reported that as many as 280-thousand adults in the state were dealing with some form of problem gambling, and that number has likely grown along with the number of outlets available for wagering. Hanson says Louisianans are particularly susceptible.

Cut  11 (12)  “…national average.”  

NCAA tournament time is on the horizon and March Madness is entering full swing, meaning tens of millions of dollars in bets will be made over the next few weeks. Henson has some tips for bettors to help keep them out of danger.

Cut 12 (11) “…walk away.”

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Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley wants to allow for more access to medical marijuana by increasing the number of licensed pharmacies that distribute cannabis from 10 to 20 in Louisiana.  Bagley, who serves as Chair of House Health and Welfare says the whole purpose for legalizing medical cannabis is to reduce opioid addiction.

Cut 13 (10) “…need it.”

Currently, only 9 pharmacies are licensed, and the 10th license is not in use. Bagley wants that to be addressed also.

Bagley says for example where he lives in Stonewall, if he or one of his constituents needs medical cannabis, they would have to make a 90-minute trip legally access it.

Cut 14 (12)  “…transportation.”

The Republican lawmaker is a big believer in medical cannabis, in addition to helping with legislation to allow all even more physicians to recommend its use Bagely also has a relative who’s been able to walk now by using marijuana after back pain left her immobile.

Cut 15 (10)  “…doing a mile.”

Bagley says he’s also presenting complementary legislation to add more legalized growers of marijuana in the state.

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The LSU men’s basketball team is the fifth seed in this week’s SEC Tournament and will play Thursday afternoon against the winner of Wednesday night’s game between Missouri and Ole Miss. Coach Will Wade’s team beat Alabama in overtime on Saturday to finish with 21-10 record, 9-9 in the SEC….

Cut 16 (16)  “…particularly defense”

Five of LSU’s nine SEC losses have been by five points or less. Wade says it was good to win a close game in the regular season finale…

Cut 17 (17) “ …21 times” 

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The Nicholls men’s basketball team won its second straight Southland Conference regular season championship on Saturday with 92-85 win over U-N-0. Senior Ty Gordon scored a career-high 36 points and Colonels Coach Austin Claunch says Gordon gets his vote for Southland Player of the Year…

Cut 18 (10) “ ..special talent.” 

The Colonels are the number one seed in this week’s Southland Tournament and will play on Friday in Katy, Texas, needing two wins to get an invite to the NCAA Tournament. Claunch says it’s tremendous to win back-to-back titles…

Cut 19 (15)_“..you are” 

10:30 LRN Newscast March 5

The rising price for gasoline will mean higher prices at the grocery store. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

 

A two -year was tragically killed Friday afternoon in Webster Parish after she entered the road. Authorities say Gracie Dean of Shongaloo was running on private property and entered into the roadway before 1 pm Friday. A 2014 Chevrolet struck the toddler as a family member tried to stop her before entering into traffic. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard files a bill for the next session to remove both Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays. Willard says he has other bills that focus on innovation, workforce development, and business recruitment, but this was something he could not ignore.

Cut 11 (11) “…economic development.”

A Marrero lawmaker files a bill to do away with plastic shopping bags. Senator Patrick Connick wants to impose fines of $100 to $500 for using them. He says we should use reusable bags instead. Connick says other states have done this successfully and it’s time for Louisiana to follow suit…:

CUT 14(08)      “…this litter.”

Connick’s bill is one of hundreds lawmakers will consider when the legislature convenes its regular session, starting March 14th.

 

9:30 LRN Newscast Mar 5

Shreveport Police have charged 18-year-old Shamichael Pearson with second-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of 17-year-old Huntington High Student Devin Meyers. Sgt. Angie Willhite says investigators talked with witnesses and obtained surveillance footage quickly after the Thursday shooting. As for a motive, Willhite says investigators say the two had an ongoing dispute.

Cut 7 (11) “…fleeing.” 

Meyers was known as a star athlete at Huntington and a starter for the boys’ basketball team who one last night to enter semifinal play.

Triple-A reports another large jump in gas prices as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline shot up a dime to $3.73. State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says not only is the price at the pump skyrocketing so is the cost of fertilizer because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Cut 4 (09) “…challenging times”

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard was shocked to find out the state still had two officially recognized holidays honoring the Confederacy on the books. So he has introduced a bill for the next session to remove both Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays.

Cut 9 (11) “…to remove those.”

If Marrero Senator Patrick Connick has his way, single-use plastic bags at retailers will no longer be allowed in Louisiana in an effort to reduce the ever-growing trash problem. Connick says he’s tired of seeing plastic bags on the side of roads and he’s introduced legislation.

Cut 12 (10) “…if possible”  

Senate Bill 155 would impose a $100 penalty for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for the third and any subsequent violations