10:30 LRN Newscast

Forecasters continue to watch an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the northern Gulf of Mexico. LRN meteorologist John Weatherbee has an update on the system…
Cut 2 (26) “….Danielle.”

There will not an override veto session as a majority of state senators voted to cancel the session, which was scheduled to begin on Saturday. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland pushed for a veto session. He says many of the 27 bills that the governor vetoed received super majority support by the Legislature…
cut 12 (12) “…try it again’

Construction of a $110 million lumber production facility in Bossier Parish is now underway. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the Canadian-based Teal Jones Group chose the Plain Dealing site in December. He says their investment ripples through the economy because you have to harvest timber…
Cut 10 (10) “…like this.”
The project is expected to create 125 new direct jobs with an annual average salary of $47-thousand dollars plus benefits.

Legislation approved in the last regular legislative session urges the Public Service Commission to set a clear rate for the sale of electricity for Electric vehicle charging. Charge Ahead Partnership director Jay Smith says the legislation opens the door for grocery stores and gas stations to get involved. Smith says that’s important because the 73-million dollars in federal money for electric vehicle infrastructure is not enough…
cut 9 (09) “….on the road”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Lafayette-based Waitr has begun the transition from just a food-delivery service to a company that will deliver many other products, including alcohol, clothing, sporting goods, and auto parts. Waitr is also changing its name to ASAP, but company spokesperson Dean Turcol says customers who count on Waitr for food deliveries will not have to do anything different…
cut 6 (08) “….transition”

Louisiana has emerged as a nationwide leader in encouraging private investment in electric vehicle charging stations as a result of legislation approved in the regular session. That’s according to a group called Charge Ahead Partnership. Executive Director Jay Smith says the measure allows grocery stores and even gas stations to invest in a electric vehicle charging network…
Cut 7 (09) “….the driver.”

The University of Louisiana at Monroe will soon begin research and testing of legal medical cannabis and hemp grown in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Senator John Kennedy’s re-election campaign announces the Republican from Madisonville has raised more than 29-million dollars, including five-point-six million dollars in the second quarter of 2022. His three Democratic challengers have only raised a combined two-point-two million dollars.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Waitr has been in the food delivery service since 2013 when it started operations in Lake Charles and now the Louisiana-based company will begin to deliver other products as well…
cut 5 (09) “….like that”
Waitr spokesperson Dean Turcol says they are also changing the company’s name to ASAP with the vision to deliver anything to consumers, same day, from any type of business.

State lawmakers have approved ULM to research hemp and marijuana. Currently, LSU and Southern University Ag Centers grow medical marijuana and West Monroe Representative Mike Echols says getting ULM involved in the cannabis industry should be good for patients who use medical marijuana…
cut 14 (07) “….places in the state”
KNOE TV in Monroe reports the research could mean additional jobs at ULM, plus over a million dollars in revenue.

Forecasters continue to watch an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the northern Gulf of Mexico. LRN meteorologist John Weatherbee has an update on the system…
Cut 2 (26) “….Danielle.”

The Teal Jones Group has broken ground on a 110-million dollar sawmill in Bossier Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the project in Plain Dealing is expected to create 125 new jobs and once the facility is completed in 2023, the mill we cut timber efficiently….
cut 12 (10) “…our economy”

7:30 LRN Newscast July 12

A Louisiana-based company known for its food delivery service is expanding their business model and they hope that transition happens “as soon as possible.” Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleans Police say a 13-month-old boy died after he was bitten by a dog last night in the Gentilly Woods. NOPD has released very few details, so it’s unknown if the dog belonged to the boy’s family and we do not know the breed of the dog. No arrests have been announced.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy will begin testing and researching hemp and cannabis for quality, purity and further health applications. West Monroe State Representative Mike Echols says he worked to amend current medical marijuana law to allow ULM to get involved…
cut 13 (12) “…in that space”

Hundreds of new jobs could be coming to northwest Louisiana as the Teal Jones Group has broken ground on the construction of a 110-million dollar sawmill in Bossier Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says construction on the 235-acre facility in Plain Dealing is expected to be completed next year and the facility will produce a wide range of dimensional and specialty lumber products…
cut 11 (09) “….or whatever”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU football received another commitment last night. This one from a 2024 prospect. Jo-Jo Stone from Georgia is rated as the 107th best player in the 2024 recruiting class according to 24-7 sports. Stone is listed as an athlete.

Today, Liberty Running back Kaleb Jackson announces his commitment at 10-30 AM. The four star prospect from Baton Rouge is considering LSU, Texas A-and-M, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. He’s ranked as the sixth best running back in the Class of 2023 according to 24-7 sports.

The Pelicans Summer League team defeated the Atlanta Hawks 101-73 last night as las year’s first round pick, Trey Murphy, scored 30 points. But this year’s second round pick, E-J Liddell went down with a knee injury and will undergo an MRI. The team has already announced that first round pick Dyson Daniels will miss the rest of the Summer League with an ankle injury.

Lamar University has decided to return to the Southland Conference a year earlier than scheduled as the school in Beaumont says it will compete as a member of the Southland after spending last season in the WAC. This gives the Southland eight football-playing schools and ten overall as the league has bounced back after losing five teams including the Cardinals last year.

Former Grambling State volleyball coach Chelsey Lucas told 24-7 sports an effort from previous athletes she coached and current members of the Grambling volleyball team got together to get her fired. Lucas was terminated last week after she allegedly released all of the players on the team, a claim she denies in that 24-7 sports report.

In baseball, former LSU Tiger Josh Smith hit his first major league home run last night to help the Rangers outscore the As 10 to 8. It was an inside the park home run as hit in the sixth inning got past Oakland’s center fielder. Also former LSU Tiger Aaron Nola gave up five runs in seven innings as the Cardinals defeated the Phillies six to one.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Lafayette-based Waitr announces its transitioning to a new name… A-SAP. Spokesperson Dean Turcol says it’s reflective of their new business model – same day delivery of any type of goods, not just food, and you ‘ll receive it “as soon as possible.”
Cut 4 (09) “…products.”
Turcol says those products will include alcohol, clothing, sporting goods and auto parts.

Legislation signed by the governor urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to create a compeitive market for electric vehicle stations…
cut 8 (09) “…E-V charging business”
Jay Smith, executive director of Charge Ahead Partnership, says instead of just relying on power companies to build E-V stations around the state, grocery stores and fuel stations can also enter the market.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe will soon begin research and testing of legal medical cannabis and hemp grown in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Lawyers for a now Shreveport abortion clinic have filed a request for a Baton Rouge judge to block the state’s abortion ban. A New Orleans judge punted the matter to a Baton Rouge court. Judge Don Johnson will hear the case and he has scheduled a hearing for Monday.

LRN AM Newscall July 12

A Louisiana-based company known for its food delivery service is expanding their business model and they are hoping that transition happens “as soon as possible.” Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________

Forecasters continue to watch an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the northern Gulf of Mexico. LRN meteorologist John Weatherbee has an update on the system…

Cut 2 (26) “….Danielle.” 

________________________________________________

UL-Monroe will soon begin research and testing of legal medical cannabis and hemp grown in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

________________________________________________

Louisiana-based Waitr is transitioning to their new name ASAP. Spokesperson Dean Turcol says it’s reflective of their new business model – same day delivery of any type of goods, not just food, and you ‘ll receive it “as soon as possible.”

Cut 4 (09)  “…products.”

Waitr customers will begin to see subtle changes with the addition of the ASAP tagline. Turcol says their customers are used to the best-in-class food delivery service and now they’re expanding delivery to include a broader range of services.

Cut 5 (09) “…like that.”

The company signed partnerships with two software logistics delivery providers last week, Elite Extra and Burq that will expand delivery services. But in the meantime, Turcol says this is just the beginning of their reimagination of the company…

Cut 6 (08)  “…transition.”

Waitr was founded in 2013 and is currently based in Lafayette.

________________________________________________

Louisiana has emerged as a nationwide leader in encouraging private investment in electric vehicle charging stations as a result of legislation approved in the regular session. That’s according to a group called Charge Ahead Partnership. Executive Director Jay Smith says the measure allows grocery stores and even gas stations to invest in a electric vehicle charging network…

Cut 7 (09) “….the driver.”

West Baton Rouge Senator Rick Ward wrote the law and it urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to create a competitive market for electric vehicle charging, so it’s not just utility companies involved in the development of E-V charging stations…

Cut 8 (09)  “…E-V charging business.”

Smith says Louisiana is the only state to pass this type of law to allow private investment in an E-V charging network. He says the Bayou State will receive 73-million dollars in federal money for electric vehicle infrastructure, but it’s not enough…

Cut 9 (09)  “…on the road”

_________________________________________________

Construction of $110 million lumber production facility in Bossier Parish is now underway. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the Canadian Teal Jones Group chose the Plain Dealing site in December. He says it’s investment that ripples through the economy because you have to harvest timber…

Cut 10 (10) “…like this.”

The project is expected to create 125 new director jobs with an annual average salary of $47 thousand plus benefits. Pierson says these new high-technology lumber mills can actually look at the log…

Cut  11 (09)  “…or whatever.” 

And Pierson says when timber can be cut more efficiently that should eventually translate to a price decrease for lumber. He says it’s a win-win for Louisiana.

Cut 12 (10) “…our economy.” 

Pierson says they are hopeful the plant will be up and running withing the next 20 months.

___________________________________________________

The U.L.-Monroe College of Pharmacy will begin testing and researching hemp and cannabis for quality, purity and further health applications. West Monroe state Representative Mike Echols says he worked to amend current medical marijuana law to allow ULM to get involved…:

Cut 13 (12) “…research in that space.”

Medical marijuana grown by facilities affiliated with the LSU and Southern University Ag Centers must continually be tested for consistency, potency and safety. He says increased demand for medical cannabis means more product grown…and adding ULM as an additional tester makes sense. Echols says this should not lead to any more growing operations though…:

Cut 14 (07)  “…places in the state.”

KNOE TV in Monroe reports the research could mean additional jobs at ULM, plus over a million dollars in revenue. Echols says that sum would be just from testing existing product…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…unlimited potential.”

ULM is currently seeking funding, through state and federal grants, to buy what they need to get it going.

5:30 LRN Newscast July 11

To help reduce travel costs for women seeking abortion services in the southeast a California OB/GYN is proposing a floating clinic in the Gulf of Mexico. So far Dr. Meg Autry says she’s received positive feedback and fundraising efforts have increased significantly since her idea was announced.

Cut 5  (06) “…amazing.”

For more information or to donate visit P-R-R-O-W-E-S-S-dot.org

The deadline for lawmakers to vote on having – or NOT having – a special veto override session is midnight tonight. As of now it seems unlikely to happen. Houma Representative and House Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee says having a veto session that fails risks incurring the wrath of constituents…like they did last year, when that very thing happened…:

Cut 8 (09) “…you look at it.”

State Police is investigating two separate car crashes that killed five people on Sunday on the Northshore. A head-on crash killed two people in Lacombe yesterday morning and three people died in a single-vehicle crash in Franklinton. L-S-P Sergeant Dustin Dwight says speed and impairment were factors in both wrecks…

Cut 9 (09) “..we investigate.”

We are starting to see gas prices below four-dollars a gallon again. Gas-buddy-com’s Patrick De Haan says the statewide average has fallen 33-cents in the last month to $4.19 a gallon that is the fourth lowest statewide average in the country…

Cut 12 (11) “…$3.92.”  

De Haan says after setting record high prices in mid-June, we are now seeing one of the steepest declines in gas prices ever

4:45 LRN Sportscast July 11

The LSU football program added to its 2023 recruiting class over the weekend. On Friday night, five-star wide receiver Jalen Brown from Gulliver Prep in Miami announced his verbal pledge to the Tigers. 24-7 sports ranks Brown as the fourth best wide receiver in the country.

And on Saturday, LSU added its 14th commitment for the class of 2023 with a verbal pledge from three-star linebacker Whit Weeks from Watkinsville, Georgia. He’s the younger brother of LSU linebacker West Weeks, who transferred to LSU after appearing in 11 games for Virginia last season.

And LSU could gain another commitment tomorrow from Liberty Magnet running back Kaleb Jackson of Baton Rouge.

The man convicted of killing LSU basketball star Wayde Sims back in 2018 was found dead in his East Baton Rouge Parish jail cell Sunday. An initial toxicology report shows 21-year-old Dyteon Simpson may have overdosed on fentanyl. He was just sentenced to life in prison last week.

Lamar University has decided to return to the Southland Conference a year earlier than scheduled as the school in Beaumont says it will compete as a member of the Southland after spending last season in the WAC. This gives the Southland eight football-playing schools and ten overall as the league has bounced back after losing five teams including the Cardinals last year.

The World Horseshoe Pitching Tournament is underway in Monroe as there are over 600 athletes competing in nine different divisions. President of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Gary Roberts says the Babe Ruth of horseshoe pitching is in northeast Louisiana…
cut 30 (13) “….number 26″
That tournament runs through July 23rd.

4:30 LRN Newscast July 11

State Police is investigating two separate car crashes that killed five people Sunday on the Northshore of Lake Ponchartrain. LSP Sergeant Dustin Dwight says two died in a head-on crash in Lacombe on U.S. 190, when a woman attempted to pass traffic unsuccessfully…:

CUT 11(09)      “…were unrestrained.”

In the other crash, three people perished when their vehicle failed to stop at an intersection near Franklinton and slammed into a tree. Dwight says speeding and alcohol were factors in both crashes.

We’re seeing gas prices come down. Today’s statewide average is $4.19-a-gallon; down 33-cents from a month ago. GasBuddy.com’s Patrick DeHaan says it’s because crude oil prices are retreating amid fears of a recession…:

CUT 14(11)      “…as well.”

 

To provide access to abortion services in the southeast a California physician proposes the idea of a floating clinic in the Gulf of Mexico to skirt state bans. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleans cops are investigating two deaths. A man was found shot multiple times in the French Quarter; on Iberville Street, just a block off busy Bourbon Street…and a man was found dead in the back seat of a car that was pulled out of a local canal, after it crashed Sunday.