11:30 LRN Newscast March 28

A statewide poll looking ahead to the next governor’s race shows it’s wide open. Pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics asked 600 likely voters last week who they would vote for in 2023 among eight different potential candidates and Republican Senator John Kennedy received the most support at 22-percent

Cut 3 (10) “…all three”

 

After shooting at a marked Monroe police car early Sunday morning, four men are behind bars and while no one was hurt, Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says less than one percent of residents are causing 100-percent of the problems in the community. Ellis vowed to make sure those responsible will go away for a long time and that the 4th JDC does its job.

Cut 7 (12) “…to continue.” 

We are expecting to learn today that state lawmakers will hold another veto session as they will attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature last month. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it will take 70 votes in the House and 20 votes in the Senate to override the veto and there are 68 Republicans in the House

Cut 13 (12) “..Congressional map “

The veto session would begin Wednesday, and the regular session would be temporarily halted.

The state reports a decline in applications from people looking to be a state worker. According to the Advocate newspaper, the percentage of applicants for state jobs has dropped 52 percent over the last two years. Louisiana’s Director of State Civil Service says the pandemic has changed people’s views of work.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 28

After firing shots at a marked Monroe Police vehicle, four men are now behind bars. Police Chief Vic Zordan says while no one was injured early Sunday morning shooting, it does have their full attention and the four men are no strangers to law enforcement.

 Cut 6  (11) “…that’s a fact.” 

The driver Xavian Bilton faces attempted first-degree murder charges and along with the remaining passengers they all face illegal possession of a firearm and controlled substance charges.

Official word is expected today on whether state lawmakers will hold a veto override session in attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Governor Edwards is ready to defend his veto of the map that features one majority Black district….

cut 14 (08) “…and see”
The veto session would begin Wednesday.

Louisiana is losing population in MOST of its parishes. U.S. Census Bureau data shows our state lost over 27-thousand residents between July 2020 and July 2021.  Dr. Allison Plyer is chief demographer with The Data Center in New Orleans. She says the pandemic accounts for some of the diminishing numbers…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…55,000.”

The worst losses were in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes.

In an effort to recruit teachers Delhi Representative Francis Thompson files The Geaux Teach Fund to provide scholarships annually for students to pursue careers in education and would be administered through the Department of Education…

Cut 12 (09) “…number of teachers.”

The legislation is heading to the House floor.

9:30 LRN Newscast March 28

In Monroe, four men have been arrested after shooting at a marked police patrol vehicle early Sunday morning. The driver of the vehicle that fired on the patrol unit, has been identified as 19-year old Xavian Bilton, he was taken into custody after a high-speed chase, along with three passengers.

Our state is losing population. Kevin Gallagher reports on new census data showing 27-thousand fewer residents than just one year before…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

We are expecting to learn this officially morning that state lawmakers will hold another veto session to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature last month. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says if the veto override attempts fails, it’s doubtful Republicans will send a map to the governor that has an additional Black voting district…

Cut 15 (10)  “..the courts”

In two weeks, the film 57 Seconds starring Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and the Hunger Game’s Josh Hutcherson will begin filming in Lafayette. President of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority Mandi Mitchell says it’s based on E. C. Tubb’s science fiction work Fallen Angel.

Cut 7 (08) “…and morality.”

The production is expected to spend $8.5 million in the city and create 500 jobs.

 

8:30 LRN Newscast

With a growing shortage of teachers, the Louisiana Legislature looks for ways to generate a new wave of educators. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.”

And we are also seeing a decline in applications from people looking to be state worker. According to the Advocate newspaper, the percentage of applicants for state jobs has dropped 52 percent over the last two years. Louisiana’s Director of State Civil Service says the pandemic has changed people’s views of work.

New census data finds the state lost 27-thousand people from April 2020 to July 2021. Chief Demographer for the Data Center in New Orleans Allison Player, says there’s a lack of people moving into the state and the population is dropping because of a variety of reasons…
cut 6 (09) “….decreases in birth rates”
A few parishes actually grew. St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston, Ascension, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, and Lafayette parishes saw slight population growth.

A film called 57 seconds starring Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and the Hunger Game’s Josh Hutcherson will begin filming in Lafayette in two weeks. The production will shoot in multiple locations including the Cajundome. Lafayette Economic Development Authority President Mandi Mitchell on making sure locals get an opportunity to work on the set…
Cut 8 (12) “…productions.”

7:30 LRN Newscast March 28

We are expecting to learn this morning state lawmakers will hold another veto session as they will attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it will take 70 votes in the House and there are 68 Republicans in the House
Cut 13 (12) “..Congressional map “
The veto session would begin Wednesday and the regular session would be temporarily halted.

The latest Census numbers show significant population loss for southwest Louisiana with Calcasieu and Cameron Parish seeing at least a five-percent population decline from 2020 to 2021. Doctor Allison Plyer, chief demographer of the Data Center in New Orleans, says the area is looking at a slow recovery after Hurricane Laura destroyed hundreds of homes…

cut5 (07) “….safe place to live”

State lawmakers are looking at ways to address the teacher shortage as Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says they need about 25-hundred teachers. Brumley supports a bill called the Geaux Teach Fund that would provide scholarship dollars to college students who are studying to become a teacher…
cut 11 (10) “…..career in education”
The legislation is heading to the House floor after it was approved by House Education.

A movie called 57 seconds starring Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and the Hunger Game’s Josh Hutcherson will begin filming in Lafayette in two weeks. President of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority Mandi Mitchell says they are looking for workers…
cut 9 (12) “….lafayette-dot-org”

6:45 LRN Sportscast March 28

It was a big weekend for the LSU baseball Tigers as they took two of three from ninth-ranked Florida. The Bayou Bengals lost Friday night seven to two but came back to win Saturday 16 to 4 and 11 to two yesterday. Brayden Jobert hit two home runs and drove in five runs on Sunday.

Louisiana Tech is tied for first place in Conference USA after completing a sweep of FIU with a 13 to two win. Cole McConnell homered and drove in five runs.

The Ragin Cajuns and ULM took two of three from their opponents over the weekend. The Warhawks lost to Georgia State eight to five on Sunday, while the Cajuns doubled up South Alabama six to three as Carson Roccaforte has homered four times in four games.

Southern defeated Grambling 11 to 5 yesterday to take the series. Both teams are 3-and-3 in the SWAC. Nicholls swept Southeastern Louisiana and the Colonels lead the Southland with a 3-0 record.

LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan says he physically feels really good after missing all of 2021 season with a non-throwing arm injury. Brennan is back for his sixth season at LSU and he’s battling Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels for starting quarterback. Brennan says battling for playing time is nothing new for him…
cut 17 (19) “….competition as well”

Ragin Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says his quarterbacks didn’t play well in a scrimmage on Saturday as they look to replace longtime starter Levi Lewis.

In basketball news, The Pelicans rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 116 to 108 last night to move into ninth place in the Western Conference Standings. The Final Four in New Orleans is set. On Saturday it will be Kansas versus Villanova and North Carolina against Duke.

6:30 LRN Newscast March 28

Official word will come down this morning on whether state lawmakers will hold a veto override session that will attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Governor Edwards is ready to defend his veto of the Congressional map that features one majority Black district…..

cut 14 (08) “…and see”
The veto session would begin Wednesday and to override a veto it will take 20 votes in the Senate and 70 in the 105 member House.

Legislation has been filed to address the teacher shortage in the state. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says there are about 25-hundred unfilled positions in the classroom…
cut 10 (10) “…are being impacted”
There’s a bill in the Legislature that would create a scholarship fund to help prospective teachers pay their way through college.

Production gets underway next month in Lafayette for a sci-fi thriller starring an Oscar Award Winning Actor. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LRN Am Newscall March 28

Our state is losing population. Kevin Gallagher reports on new census data showing 27-thousand fewer residents than just one year before…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

____________________________________

Production gets underway next month in Lafayette for a sci-fi thriller starring an Oscar Award Winning Actor. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________

With a growing shortage of teachers, the legislature looks for ways to generate a new wave of educators. David Grubb has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

____________________________________

Louisiana is losing population in MOST of its parishes. U.S. Census Bureau data shows our state lost over 27-thousand residents between July 2020 and July 2021.  Dr. Allison Plyer is chief demographer with The Data Center in New Orleans. She says the pandemic accounts for some of the diminishing numbers…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…55,000.”

The worst losses were in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes, which both lost over 5% of their people in the one-year period. Plyer says it’s easy to see the negative impacts of two major hurricanes hitting that area in 2020. She says the fact that these parishes have no levee protection is a problem…:

Cut 5 (07) “…safe place to live.”

A few parishes actually did grow a bit.  St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston, Ascension, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana and Lafayette parishes saw population growth of from 1-percent to 2 & ½-percent. Plyer says – for the most part – there is a general lack of people moving INTO the state, while population declines for various reasons…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…decreases in birth rates.”

_______________________________________

In two weeks, the film 57 Seconds starring Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and the Hunger Game’s Josh Hutcherson will begin filming in Lafayette. President of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority Mandi Mitchell says it’s based on E. C. Tubb’s science fiction work Fallen Angel.

Cut 7 (08) “…and morality.”

The production will shoot in multiple locations in Lafayette including the Cajun Dome and is expected to spend $8.5 million in the city and create 500 jobs. Mitchell says $2.7 million will go towards payroll.

Cut 8 (12)  “…productions.”

Mitchell says filming is scheduled to take place for five weeks with 20 weeks of postproductions and there’s plenty of opportunity for those who are looking for work in the industry.

Cut 9 (12)  “…lafayette.org.”

The film is also expected to generate 2,700 room nights at area hotels. Filming begins on April 11th.

____________________________________________

Louisiana lawmakers are looking for solutions to the state’s growing teacher shortage. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says currently there are approximately 2500 unfilled positions in the classroom.

Cut 10 (10) “…are being impacted.”

Brumley says the Department of Education has seen some success in reaching out to high schoolers to encourage them to become teachers and would like to bolster those efforts with the creation of the Geaux Teach Fund.

Cut  11 (10)  “…career in education.”  

The Geaux Teach Fund bill is sponsored by Delhi Representative Francis Thompson and would provide scholarships annually for students to pursue careers in education and would be administered through the Department of Education…

Cut 12 (09) “…number of teachers.”

The legislation is heading to the House floor. The goal is to create the Geaux Teach Fund through legislation and then allocate dollars to it.

____________________________________________

We are expecting to learn this morning that state lawmakers will hold another veto session as they will attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature last month. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it will take 70 votes in the House and 20 votes in the Senate to override the veto and there are 68 Republicans in the House

Cut 13 (12) “..Congressional map “

The veto session would begin Wednesday and the regular session would be temporarily halted.

The Republican-led Legislature attempted to override the governor’s vetoes in the last regular session and failed. Alford says John Bel Edwards is ready to defend his veto of the Congressional map that features one majority Black district…..

Cut 14 (07)  “..want and see”

Edwards believes the Congressional district map should feature two majority Black districts because the African American voting population has grown since the last Census. Republicans still believe there should be one and Alford says if the veto override attempts fails, it’s doubtful Republicans will send a map to the governor that has an additional Black voting district…

Cut 15 (10)  “..the courts”

______________________________________________

Spring practice is just underway for the LSU football Tigers who held their second practice on Saturday. Quarterback Myles Brennan says the attitude is completely different than when LSU ended the season against Kansas State in the Texas Bowl…

Cut 16 (20)  “..has been awesome.”

Brennan is in competition with Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels for starting quarterback. Myles says battling for playing time is nothing new for him….

Cut 17 (19) “ competition as well.” 

Accountability and attention to detail are the two big buzzwords during spring camp. Sophomore wide receiver Jack Bech…

Cut 18 (19) “ …get our degree.” 

7:30 LRN Sportscast March 26

Can March Madness get any madder? The Elite Eight of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is set, with plenty of unexpected members. St. Peter’s becomes the first 15-seed EVER to advance to a Regional Final after beating Purdue 67-64. Eighth-seeded North Carolina beat UCLA, 73-66. Miami advances to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history by knocking off Iowa State, and Kansas topped Providence, 66-61.

Today, two teams will be able to make their travel plans for New Orleans. Houston faces Villanova in the South Regional Final, and out West Duke and Arkansas will battle it out for a spot in the Final Four.

In the women’s tournament, top seeds South Carolina and Stanford moved one step closer to the Final Four as did Texas and Creighton. The Blue Jays making their first regional final. And today, Notre Dame faces NC State, Indiana takes on UConn, Tennessee battles Louisville, and South Dakota squares off with Michigan.

LSU took another loss on the diamond, going down to Florida 7-2 on Friday night; the fourth setback in the last five games for the Tigers. LSU, now 1-3 in the SEC, was shut out for seven innings before getting single runs in both the eighth and ninth. Blake Money was knocked around in his return to the mound, allowing six earned runs in five innings. Hunter Barco went seven innings with eight strikeouts to puck up the win for the Gators. LSU also collected its 38th error of the season.

Nicholls topped Southeastern 6-4 in the first game of their Southland Conference series. Grambling fell to Southern, 3-2. UNO got past Northwestern State, 7-6. McNeese dropped a close one, 4-6 to Houston Baptist, and UL-Lafayette beat South Alabama, 5-4 in 11 innings.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a matinee performance today. The Pels host the San Antonio Spurs at 4 pm in the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans has won three of its last four games, including a 124-91 win over San Antonio a week ago. The Pels are two games up on the Spurs in the Western Conference standings with nine games left to play in the regular season.

The New Orleans Saints have signed safety Daniel Sorenson to a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed. He spent the last seven season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

 

9:30 LRN Newscast March 26

One lawmaker wants parents who are found guilty of murdering their own child to be eligible for the death penalty. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

An estimated 2500 jobs were gained in Louisiana from January to February. While certain industries, like hospitality and professional services, did better than others, there were across-the-board rises. Fiore says the gains in employment aren’t limited by region.

Cut 10 (08) “…adding jobs.”

Louisiana is closing in on reaching a 100-million dollar settlement on a class-action lawsuit that dates back to 1983 when 12-hundred home and business owners in Tangipahoa Parish sued the state over flooding caused by the construction of I-12. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…

Cut 3 (13) “…this to rest”

The state already has 21-million dollars set aside to pay for the settlement and Dardenne says they need the Legislature to allocate 45-million dollars this year and another 35-million dollars next year to satisfy the settlement.

It looks like state lawmakers will hold a session to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ rejection of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature last month. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford…

Cut 13 (12) “…regular session.”

It would take 70 votes in the House and 20 in the Senate to override the governor. Alford says there are 68 Republicans in the House and a couple of them have not committed to voting for the override.