12:30 LRN Newscast June 21

The Louisiana Department of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the Louisiana chapter are recommending COVID vaccines for children ages 6 months and older. President of the state chapter Dr. Rachel Chatters says parents should speak with their pediatricians about their child’s health and not assume rumors against vaccines are true.

Cut 5  (10) “…unfounded claims.”

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed bills to create so-called Education Savings Accounts. The bills would allow students who have special educational needs or are behind on reading skills to receive 54-hundred dollars in annual state aid to attend a private school or another education option. Daniel Erspamer (ER-spay-mer), with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy calls the vetoes a disappointment…:

Cut 10 (13) “…be serving them.”
It’s the first day of summer and temperatures will feel like it as temps will get into the mid to upper 90s with heat indices well above 100-degrees… State Climatologist Barry Keim

cut 24 (13) “….even dangerous”

As temperatures continue to soar, people aren’t the only ones who need to be concerned about staying out of the heat. Pets are particularly vulnerable and Jeff Dorson of the Louisiana Human Society has some tips on how to keep our furry friends safe.

Cut 6  (11) “…that’s their name.” 

Whether it’s by leaving a pet unattended in a parked car on a hot day, failing to keep their pets hydrated, or missing the signs of a pet in distress, Dorson says it only takes a few moments for a tragedy to occur.

11:40 LRN Sportscast June 21

LSU executive deputy athletic director and COO Stephanie Rempe is reportedly set to become the new athletic director at Nevada. Rempe plays a critical role in LSU’s athletic department and is considered to be one of the nation’s most respected deputy ADs. She came to LSU with Scott Woodward when he was hired as LSU’s athletic director in 2019 and has steadily risen through the ranks over a nearly 25-year career in athletics administration.

LSU baseball has added some strength to its middle infield with the announcement that Baylor shortstop Jack Pineda will be joining the Tigers. Pineda batted .300 with seven home runs as a junior for the Bears this past season, committing eight errors in 54 games, and earning All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition.

At the College World Series, all four SEC schools are still alive as Auburn beat Stanford 6-2 to avoid elimination. Ole Miss continued its roll with a 13-5 beating of Arkansas. A pair of elimination games today as Texas A-and-M faces Notre Dame this afternoon and Auburn takes on Arkansas in the nightcap.

The 2025 New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee is already hard at work. They have released a Request for Qualifications, or RFQ, for local graphic designers and firms to help create its logo and visual brand identity as it moves down the road to Super Bowl 59. While the RFQ does not require a design, Jay Cicero of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says there’s a distinct flavor that the committee and the NFL will be looking for during the submission process once the field of applicants is narrowed.

Cut 15 (12) “…we can be proud of.”

For the second year in a row, LSU basketball will participate in the Holiday Hoopsgiving event in Atlanta, Georgia. The Tigers will take on Wake Forest on Dec. 10 in State Farm Arena.

The New Orleans Pelicans released their NBA Summer League schedule, which takes place from July 7-17 in Las Vegas. The Pels open against the Trail Blazers on July 9, followed by the Hawks, Wizards, and Lakers with a final opponent to be determined.

11:30 LRN Newscast June 21

The Health Department and the Academy of Pediatrics are recommending that children ages six month up to five year also be vaccinated against COVID. In Louisiana, there are 281-thousand children ages six months to five years and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the Moderna vaccine is a two-dose series and the Pfizer vaccine consists of three doses.

Cut 4  (07) “…the other.”

Call your pediatrician for an appointment of visit LDH’s website for a provider near you.

Though the temperatures may have indicated otherwise, today is the first official day of summer. State climatologist Barry Keim says get used to the sweltering temperatures because they aren’t going anywhere.
Cut 4 (10) “…this past week.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed bills to create so-called Education Savings Accounts. Daniel Erspamer (pronounced: ER-spay-mer), with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy says because Louisiana is among the worst states in the U.S. for education, and literacy among kids is a particular problem, the Governor’s veto is a sad development, but he doesn’t see this as merely partisan politics…:

Cut 12 (15) “…kids…need…help.” 

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.51. These record high gas prices have altered summer vacation plans for some. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the Staycation promotion that worked so well during the pandemic…

cut 8 (07) “….with that”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Vaccine providers in Louisiana are prepping to schedule appointments for children ages six months and older who are now eligible for the COVID vaccines after the FDA gave emergency use authorization last week. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says he can’t understate the importance of having children vaccinated against COVID.
Cut 3 (12) “…age of five.”
Kanter says 175 providers in the state have ordered COVID vaccine doses for children.

Due to gas prices impacting summer travel, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve made a few marketing tweaks for tourism and so far, they appear to be working. He says they’ve scraped their One Tank Get Around Louisiana campaign and changed it to a half-tank of gas.
Cut 7 (07) “…tank of gas.”
And they’ve also been running promotions a bit closer to home in neighboring states.

You may be double-checking your calendar, but today is the first official day of summer. David Grubb has more on the rising temperatures that await…
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

LSU deputy athletic director Stephanie Rempe is reportedly set to become the new athletic director at Nevada. Rempe plays a critical role in LSU’s athletic department. According to her bio she oversees every facet of the daily operations. She came to LSU when Scott Woodward was hired as LSU’s athletic director in 2019.

9:30 LRN Newscast June 21

Governor Edwards vetoes bills creating Education Savings Accounts that are aimed to help kids behind in reading and other learning challenges…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The governor has also vetoed a bill that the author says would have made it harder for a person convicted of killing a police officer to earn good behavior. The legislation is in response to the 2016 death of Sterlington Police Sergeant David Elahi who was struck by a vehicle working a traffic accident. The governor says the bill would unfairly treat a person of crime of negligence, the same as a person convicted of an intentional crime.

Gas prices have alter summer vacations for some. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are still pushing for visitors from surrounding states to visit Louisiana, but COVID requirements have been lifted for international travelers into the US, there’s a chance they can see a growth in international tourism…
cut 9 (12) “…..soon as possible”
Nungesser says despite the record high gas prices, state parks are on track for another record-breaking year.

Another scorcher today and triple digit readings are possible by the end of the week. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 5 (12) “….be smart about it”

8:30 LRN Newscast June 21

Starting today, Louisiana residents can schedule an appointment for their child under the age of five to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The Louisiana Department of Health says 175 providers have ordered 25-thousand vaccine doses, but what will the demand be. The state ranks fourth to last for total vaccination rate at 54-percent.

As folks are watching their wallet and their gas tank this summer, state department of tourism is adjusting its promotional campaigns. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It’s the first day of summer and temperatures will feel like it as temps will get into the mid to upper 90s with heat indices well above 100-degrees…
cut 6 (13) “….even dangerous”
Rain chances below 20-percent for north Louisiana, but above 30-percent for south Louisiana today.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation is looking for a graphic designer who can produce the logo that will be used for the 2025 Super Bowl Host Committee. Executive director Jay Cicero says the chosen designer will work hand in hand with the Host Committee to create a logo that is uniquely New Orleans…
cut 14 (11) “….a lengthy process”
Go to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation website for more information.

7:30 LRN Newscast June 21

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed bills known as Education Savings Accounts, where certain students could receive state funding in order to attend a private school. But Edwards is concerned the legislation really doesn’t work, they do not provide an educational savings for parents. But Daniel Erspamer with the Pelican Institute disagrees…
cut 11 (14) “…all over the country

Due to gas prices impacting summer travel, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve made a few marketing tweaks for tourism and so far, they appear to be working. He says they’ve scraped their One Tank Get Around Louisiana campaign and changed it to a half-tank of gas.
Cut 7 (07) “…tank of gas.”
And they’ve also been running promotions a bit closer to home in neighboring states.

Though the temperatures may have indicated otherwise, today is the first official day of summer. State climatologist Barry Keim says get used to the sweltering temperatures because they aren’t going anywhere.
Cut 4 (10) “…this past week.”
Keim says this month could be an all-timer when it comes to daily and monthly temperature readings.

The 2025 New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee has released a Request for Qualifications, or RFQ, for local graphic designers and firms to help create the logo and visual brand identity for Super Bowl 59. Here’s Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero…
Cut 13 (12) “…for this RFQ.”
For more information visit g-n-o-sports-dot-com.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU deputy athletic director Stephanie Rempe is reportedly set to become the new athletic director at Nevada. Rempe plays a critical role in LSU’s athletic department. According to her bio she oversees every facet of the daily operations. She came to LSU when Scott Woodward was hired as LSU’s athletic director in 2019.

LSU baseball has added Baylor’s starting shortstop and leadoff hitter Jack Pineda from the transfer portal. Pineda hit .300 with seven home runs for the Bears as a junior this past season. He committed eight errors in 54 games and was selected All Big-12 honorable mention.

At the College World Series…Auburn avoided elimination with a six to two win over Stanford, while Ole Miss advanced in the winner’s bracket with a 13-5 thumping of Arkansas. Today Texas A-and-M takes on Notre Dame at 1 PM and Auburn faces Arkansas in elimination games.

Though the Super Bowl won’t be back in New Orleans for another two-plus years, the 2025 New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee is already hard at work. Now, the committee has released a Request for Qualifications, or RFQ, for local graphic designers and firms to help create the logo and visual brand identity as it moves down the road to Super Bowl 59. Here’s Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero…
Cut 13 (12) “…for this RFQ.”
All firms wishing to submit must do so before July 1st as the RFQ is just the first step of a multi-stage process which will end with one group or individual chosen to help brand the organization preparing for a record-tying 11th Super Bowl to be played in The Big Easy.

LSU men’s basketball will play in the Holiday Hoops giving event in Atlanta again next season. The Tigers will play Wake Forest on December 10th after playing Georgia Tech last season.

The Pelicans have released their summer league schedule. The Pels first game in Las Vegas is on July 9th against the Trail Blazers. The NBA draft is Thursday, New Orleans has the eighth overall pick.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed bills to create so-called Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). The bills would allow students who have special educational needs or are behind on reading skills to receive 54-hundred dollars in annual state aid to attend a private school or another education option. Daniel Erspamer (ER-spay-mer), with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy calls the vetoes a disappointment…:
Cut 10 (13) “…be serving them.”
In his statement on the vetoes, Edwards says the bills do not establish any accounts for parental savings. And the governor says the bills take state funding away from public schools, despite the authors’ good intentions.

The governor also vetoed a bill that would create the crime of discrimination based on vaccination status. The bill attempted to prevent any effort to keep the unvaccinated out of govenrment offices or schools.

Highs today will be in mid to upper 90s on this first official day of summer…
cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb”

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.51. These record high gas prices have altered summer vacation plans for some. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the Staycation promotion t hat worked so well during the pandemic…
cut 8 (07) “….with that”

LRN AM Newscall June 21

You may be double-checking your calendar, but today is the first official day of summer. David Grubb has more on the rising temperatures that await…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

____________________________________

While folks are watching their wallet and their gas tank this summer, state tourism is adjusting its promotional campaigns also. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________

Governor Edwards vetoes bills creating Education Savings Accounts to help kids behind in reading and with other learning challenges. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

________________________________________________

Though the temperatures may have indicated otherwise, today is the first official day of summer. State climatologist Barry Keim says get used to the sweltering temperatures because they aren’t going anywhere.

Cut 4 (10)  “…this past week.”

Keim says this month could be an all-timer when it comes to daily and monthly thermometer readings, and encourages people to stay safe by limiting their time outdoors, staying hydrated, and making sure that homes are properly insulated.

Cut 5 (12) “…be smart about it.”

Temps should top 100 several times over the next few days as the heat wave continues to roll on. Keim says high-pressure systems across the Eastern US have made it harder to sustain any cloud cover or generate the afternoon showers that help bring temperatures down, leading to Louisiana becoming one giant oven…

Cut 6 (13)  “…even dangerous.”

_____________________________________________

Due to gas prices impacting summer travel, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve made a few marketing tweaks for tourism and so far, they appear to be working. He says they’ve scraped their One Tank Get Around Louisiana campaign and changed it to a half-tank of gas.

Cut 7 (07) “…tank of gas.”

And they’ve also been running promotions a bit closer to home in neighboring states. Nungesser says the campaigns include state parks and other great things to do and see in Louisiana. He says the Staycation promotion that worked so well during the pandemic is also in play this summer.

Cut 8 (07)  “…with that.”

But Nungesser says they are also putting long-term promotions into play, especially since COVID test requirements have been lifted for international travelers visiting the US.

Cut 9 (12)  “…as soon as possible.”

Nungesser says despite gas prices there’s still pent-up demand to travel and state parks are on track for another record-breaking year.

____________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed bills to create so-called Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). The bills were intended to assist students who have special educational needs or are behind on reading skills. Daniel Erspamer (pronounced: ER-spay-mer), with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy calls the vetoes a disappointment…:

Cut 10 (13) “…be serving them.”

In his statement on the vetoes, Edwards says the bills labels are a “misnomer” and the bills don’t establish any accounts for parental savings at all. Edwards says they would potentially sap public school funding away to give to private school students, despite the authors’ good intentions. Erspamer says ESA’s are successful and beneficial to students who are a bit behind their peers…:

Cut  11 (14)  “…all over the country.” 

Louisiana is among the worst states in the U.S. for education, and literacy among kids is a particular problem. Erspamer says the Governor’s veto is a sad development, but he doesn’t see this as merely partisan politics…:

Cut 12 (15) “…kids…need…help.” 

Erspamer says the bills will be back in future legislative sessions and they’ll eventually become law, because ESA’s do help.

____________________________________________

Though the Super Bowl won’t be back in New Orleans for another two-plus years, the 2025 New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee is already hard at work. Now, the committee has released a Request for Qualifications, or RFQ, for local graphic designers and firms to help create the logo and visual brand identity as it moves down the road to Super Bowl 59. Here’s Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero…

Cut 13 (12) “…for this RFQ.”

All firms wishing to submit must do so before July 1st as the RFQ is just the first step of a multi-stage process which will end with one group or individual chosen to help brand the organization preparing for a record-tying 11th Super Bowl to be played in The Big Easy. With the amount of interest a job like this is sure to draw, Cicero says there’s no time to waste.

Cut 14 (11)  “…a lengthy process.”

While the RFQ does not require a design, Cicero says there’s a distinct flavor that the committee and the NFL will be looking for during the submission process once the field of applicants is narrowed.

Cut 15 (12)  “…we can be proud of.”

For more information visit g-n-o-sports-dot-com.

________________________________________