10:30 LRN Newscast Sept 3

State Police in Troop B ask the public’s help solving a hit & run early Friday morning in Marrero, in Jefferson Parish, that left two people dead. Trooper First Class Kate Stegall says it happened on the elevated Westbank Expressway at about 3:30 Friday morning…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…occupants on the scooter.”

Stegall says the suspect was driving a white early 2000’s model Ford F-150 extended cab pickup, with a silver toolbox in the bed.

A September 6th trial date has been set for the woman accused of throwing her children off the Cross Lake Bridge in Caddo Parish last year. Ureaka Black was arrested in Texas last September hours after the body of her 10-month-old son was found in the water. She faces multiple charges including second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Her five-year-old son survived the event.

After a two-year break due to COVID, the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival returns to Opelousas today. Festival executive director Lena Charles says Zydeco gained popularity with poor farm workers as a way to boost their spirits after a long day in the fields. She says it has the same effect today.

Cut 6 (10) “…away from that.” 

The festival kicks off at noon.

The mystery of who will be LSU’s starting quarterback remains unsolved. But Tiger Rag Magazine Assistant Editor William Weathers believes it will most likely be Jayden Daniels because he’s had 29 starts at the Division 1 level in the Pac-12.

Cut 12 (09) “…make more sense.”  

 

Kickoff Sunday night is 6:30 in the Superdome against the Florida State Seminoles.

AM LRN Newscall Sept 5th LABOR DAY

State officials say the state’s one point three billion dollar investment in coastal protection projects is paying off in results. Marsanne Golsby reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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On this Labor Day holiday, we look at Louisiana’s labor market. How is the jobs outlook More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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As you enjoy Labor Day without a hurricane looming, it might be good to get a refresher on all the efforts underway to protect Louisiana’s coast. Chip Kline, executive director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says Louisiana’s one point three billion dollar investment in coastal restoration projects is paying off.

Cut 3 (11) “…hit our state.”

Kline says projects are underway across the state and one of the most significant involves dredging the Mississippi River near its mouth to fill in sinking marshlands.

Cut 4 (12)  “…oil spill”

The projects are creating nearly eight thousand jobs. Money for the projects comes from a combination of state and federal funds along with funds from the BP oil spill, but that’s only good for ten more years. Kline says lobbying efforts for federal funds began in the 1990s under former Governor Mike Foster and remain critically important.

Cut 5 (09) “…federal government,”

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It’s Labor Day; the federal holiday recognizing those that work hard for a living with a day of rest. With that in mind, what is the “labor picture” in Louisiana? We asked LSU economist emeritus Dr. Loren Scott, who says the state is still suffering worker shortages due to the pandemic…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…the Covid shutdown.”

Scott says there are shortages of available employees in almost all sectors of business and industry. He says the pandemic’s effects were badly aggravated by three hurricanes and a severe winter storm – all in 2020 and 2021…:

Cut 7 (10) “…the lake Charles area.”

State officials have recently touted low unemployment figures as signs of a healthy labor market, but Scott says those numbers do not give a clear picture…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…looking for work.”

Scott says Louisiana has a huge number of available jobs, and employers anxious to hire.

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Plenty of folks are firing up the grill for Labor Day and Cattle Producers of Louisiana CEO Dave Foster knows a thing or two about what’s ideal to grill. He says however beef will leave your wallet somewhat lighter this Labor Day than it did last year.

Cut 9 (08)  “…going on.”

If you’re considering serving hamburgers Foster says there are plenty of options, like ground chuck or even a leaner beef like 90/10.

If you’re wanting to impress your guests Foster says to make sure your selection is USDA choice. While you might see a less expensive steak option, he warns that your guests might decline a future invite.

Cut 10 (11) “…great Labor Day.”

And if you are able to find markdowns on beef for the holiday it might be a good time to stock the freezer because Foster says it looks like prices aren’t going down anytime soon.

Cut  11 (10)  “…higher prices.” 

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Fifth District Congresswoman Julia Letlow is urging Louisiana to formally request USDA assistance for farmers impacted by excessive rainfall last month. LSU Ag Center soybean specialist Doctor David Moseley says in northeast Louisiana anything planted in April has some damage

Cut 12 (14) “…have damage.” 

Moseley says they are not seeing any damage with soybeans planted in May because the crop was still growing when the record rainfall occurred…

Cut 13 (12) “..any damage”

Letlow says she’s heard from countless growers about significant losses to their soybean, cotton and corn crops. Moseley says in Avoyelles Parish one consultant about 20 to 30-percent of the soybean crops had damage…

Cut 14 (11)  “…down there.”

9:30 LRN Newscast Sept 3

Bossier Police Sergeant Harold BJ Sanford remains behind bars. He was arrested last weekend by Federal agents in connection to an investigation of the police union and alleged embezzlement of drug purchases. A Federal Judge refused to award Sanford and his associate Mitch Morehead bond deeming them a danger to the community.

A south Louisiana man faces a life sentence after he was convicted of raping a teenager while the victim’s mother was tied up in a separate room. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

After a two-year break due to COVID, the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival returns to Opelousas today. Festival executive director Lena Charles says they had virtual events during the COVID break, but there’s nothing like being able to share the best of Southwest Louisiana in person…:

Cut 8 (12) “…you know that.”

Tiger Rag Magazine Assistant Editor William Weathers believes Jayden Daniels will be the starting QB Sunday for the Tigers. Coach Brian Kelly has declined to name his starter, so Florida State won’t know which previous game footage to study, Daniels at Arizona State or Garrett Nussmeier’s four games at LSU. But Weathers says Kelly has informed a select few.

Cut 13 (08) “…gotten out yet.” 

8:30 LRN Newscast Sept 3

A Lafourche Parish jury of 12 took only 90-minutes to return a unanimous guilty verdict against 55-year-old Morgan Ratley of Cutoff, for raping a teen girl while her mother was tied up in July of 2019. David Melancon with the Lafourche DA’s office, says evidence on the victim’s cell phone helped convict Ratley…:

CUT 05  (11)        “…able to collect.”

State Police in Jefferson Parish is seeking a hit & run driver that killed two people early Friday morning on the Westbank Expressway in Marrero. Trooper Kate Stegall says the victims were on a motorscooter, when a Ford F-150 extended cab pickup came up behind, and just plowed them over…:

CUT 10  (07)        “…failed to stop.”

A September 6th trial date has been set for the woman accused of throwing her children off the Cross Lake Bridge in Caddo Parish last year. Ureaka Black was arrested in Texas last September hours after the body of her 10-month-old son was found in the water. She faces multiple charges including second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival is back! Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (32) I’m Marsanne Golsby.”  

5:30 LRN Newscast Sept 2

A south Louisiana man faces a life sentence after he was convicted of raping a teenager while the victim’s mother was tied up in a separate room. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A September 6th trial date has been set for the woman accused of throwing her children off the Cross Lake Bridge in Caddo Parish last year. Ureaka Black was arrested in Texas last September hours after the body of her 10-month-old son was found in the water. She faces multiple charges including second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

There’s a couple of big festivals on the calendar this weekend, the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City and in Opelousas tomorrow it’s the Original Southwest Louisiana Music Festival. Festival director Lena Charles says the festival began in soybean field in 1982 and they’ve made it an all-day event …
cut 7 (13) “…of the story
The festival starts at noon at the Yambilee Festival Building.

The mystery of who will be LSU’s starting quarterback remains unsolved. But Tiger Rag Magazine Assistant Editor Williams Weathers believes it will most likely be Jayden Daniels because he’s had 29 starts at the Division 1 level in the Pac-12…:

CUT 12(09)      “…make more sense.”

Kickoff is 6:30 Sunday night in the Superdome.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly says he has told the team who will start at quarterback on Sunday against Florida State, but they’ve been told not to spread the word. So it remains a mystery to the public on who will take the first snap, but most of the media contingent that covers LSU believes it will be Jayden Daniels. But Assistant Tiger Rag Editor William Weathers says he expects Garrett Nussmeier will get his chance this season…
cut 14 (08) “…his chance”
Kick-off on Sunday is at 6:30.

The College Football Board of Managers has approved a 12-team playoff starting in 2026. Sports Illustrated’ s Ross Dellenger reports conference commissioners could vote to start as early as 2024, but the current TV agreement for the playoff doesn’t end until after the 2025 season. The format would be the six highest ranked conference champs automatically qualify and there would be six at-large teams.

New Iberia native Michael Desormeaux will lead the Ragin Cajuns into Saturday’s season opener against Southeastern Louisiana. It’s Desormeaux first season as head coach of the Cajuns. He says they’ve had a good preseason camp and now it’s showtime…
cut 19 (14) “…wanna see”
Kick-off is at 6 PM.

Several coaches will be making their head coaching debuts with their new teams on Saturday. Gary Goff has brought a new look McNeese team to Big Sky country as the Cowboys visit fourth ranked Montana State. The Pokes are coming off their first back-to-back losing seasons in 33 years.

Former NFL head coach Hue Jackson is trying to bring Grambling back to the top in SWAC. The Tigers kick-off their season at Arkansas State. Southern also has a new coach. Erick Dooley and the Jaguars host NAIA school Florida Memorial tomorrow night.

4:30 LRN Newscast Sept 2

A Lafourche Parish jury of 12 took only 90-minutes to return a unanimous guilty verdict against 55-year-old Morgan Ratley of Cutoff, for raping a teen girl while her mother was tied up July of 2019. David Melancon with the Lafourche DA’s office, says evidence on the victim’s cell phone helped convict Ratley…:

CUT 05  (11)        “…able to collect.”

State Police in Jefferson Parish are seeking a hit & run driver that killed two people early this morning on the Westbank Expressway in Marrero. Trooper Kate Stegall says the victims were on a motorscooter, when a Ford F-150 extended cab pickup came up behind, and just plowed them over…:

CUT 10  (07)        “…failed to stop.”

Stegall says both the operator of the scooter and the passenger died at the scene.

A September 6th trial date has been set for the woman accused of throwing her children off the Cross Lake Bridge in Caddo Parish last year. Ureaka Black was arrested in Texas last September hours after the body of her 10-month-old son was found in the water. She faces multiple charges including second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival is back! Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (32) I’m Marsanne Golsby.”  

3:30 LRN Newscast Sept 2

State Police in Troop B need the public’s help solving a hit & run early this morning in Marrero, in Jefferson Parish, that left two people dead. Trooper First Class Kate Stegall says it happened on the elevated Westbank Expressway at about 3:30 am…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…occupants on the scooter.”

A Cut-Off man faces life in prison after a jury convicted him of raping a teenager while the mother was restrained. Lafourche Parish district attorney’s office spokesperson David Melancon says the victim testified during the trial and delivered powerful testimony, describing the sexual abuse and fear she lives with at the hands of 55-year-old Morgan Ratley…

Cut 4  (09) “…strength”
Ratley will be sentenced next month.

Tiger Rag Magazine Assistant Editor William Weathers believes Jayden Daniels will be the starting QB Sunday for the Tigers. Coach Brian Kelly has declined to name his starter, so Florida State won’t know which previous game footage to study, Daniels at Arizona State or Garrett Nussmeier’s four games at LSU. But Weathers says Kelly has informed a select few.

Cut 13 (08) “…gotten out yet.” 

After a two-year break due to COVID, the Original Southwest Zydeco Louisiana Music Festival returns to Opelousas Saturday. Festival executive director Lena Charles says Zydeco gained popularity with poor farm workers as a way to boost their spirits after a long day in the fields. She says it has the same effect today.

Cut 6 (10) “…away from that.” 

2:30 LRN Newscast Sept 02

A south Louisiana man faces a life sentence after he was convicted of raping a teenager while the victim’s mother was tied up in a separate room. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

State Police call off a Silver Alert for an elderly Monroe woman, after she was found safe and sound. 74-year-old Margie Browhow-Sherman went missing Monday night. She has medical issues which can impair her judgement. Again, she’s been found and is OK.

 

State Police in Troop B ask the public’s help solving a hit & run early this morning in Marrero, in Jefferson Parish, that left two people dead. Trooper First Class Kate Stegall says it happened on the elevated Westbank Expressway at about 3:30 am. She says a 2004 F-150 extended cab pickup drove up on the back of two people on a motor scooter, then just plowed them over. The victims are yet unidentified. The pickup driver is still out there and Stegall says that’s where the public can help…:

CUT 11(07)      “…grill and headlights”

If you can help call LSP at 504-471-2775.

So who will be starting quarterback when LSU opens its season Sunday in the Superdome against Florida State? Tiger Rag Magazine’s William Weathers says bet on Jayden Daniels, due to his 29 starts versus Garrett Nussemier’s 4. He says the latter is still expected to get plenty of play this season…:

CUT 14(05)      “…his chance.”

Kickoff is Sunday at 6:30.

LRN PM Newscall September 2

A south Louisiana man faces a life sentence after he was convicted of raping a teenager while the victim’s mother was tied up in a separate room. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival is back! The internationally popular event is Saturday in Opelousas. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (32) I’m Marsanne Golsby.”  

______________________________________

A twelve person jury needed only an hour and a half to return a unanimous guilty verdict against 55-year-old Morgan Ratley of Cut-off for raping a teenager while the mother was restrained. Lafourche Parish District Attorney spokesperson David Melancon says the horrific incident happened in July of 2019…

Cut 3 (08) “…by our office” 

Melancon says Ratley was a live-in boyfriend of the mother and began sexually assaulting the teenage victim without the mother’s knowledge. He says the victim testified during the trial and delivered powerful testimony, describing the sexual abuse and fear she lives with at the hands of Ratley…

Cut 4  (09) “…strength”

The trial lasted three days and the victim has been described by prosecutors as an incredibly strong young lady. Melancon says evidence on the victim’s phone helped lead to a conviction…

Cut 5  (11) “…able to collect”

Ratley’s sentencing has been scheduled for October 19th. He faces a mandatory life sentence.

________________________________________________

After a two-year break due to COVID, the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival returns to Opelousas Saturday. Festival executive director Lena Charles says Zydeco gained popularity with poor farm workers as a way to boost their spirits after a long day in the fields. She says it has the same effect today.

Cut 6 (10) “…away from that.” 

It starts at noon at the Yambilee Festival Building and goes until midnight. There are seven bands, including Grammy winner Chubby Carrier, and a tribute to the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier.

Charles says the festival began in a soybean field in 1982. It was started by a group called The Treasures of Opelousas.  They were afraid that Creole music was dying. The festival has drawn large crowds for many years. Charles says it’s taken commitment to keep it going.

Cut 7 (14) “…tellers of the story.” 

Charles said they had virtual events during the COVID break, but there’s nothing like being able to share the best of Southwest Louisiana in person.

Cut 8 (12) “…you know that.”

______________________________________________

State Police in Troop B ask the public’s help solving a hit & run early this morning in Marrero, in Jefferson Parish, that left two people dead. Trooper First Class Kate Stegall says it happened on the elevated Westbank Expressway at about 3:30 am…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…occupants on the scooter.”

Stegall says the suspect was driving a white early 2000’s model Ford F-150 extended cab pickup, with a silver toolbox in the bed. She says the pickup just plowed into the rear of the scooter…:

Cut 10 (07) “… failed to stop.” 

Stegall says both the operator of the scooter and the passenger were tossed into the roadway and died at the scene. They have not yet been identified. The pickup driver drove off dragging part of the scooter with it. That person is still out there, and Stegall says that’s where the public can help…:

Cut 11 (07)  “…grill and headlights.”

Tips can be called in to LSP at 504-471-2775.

___________________________________________________

The mystery of who will be LSU’s starting quarterback remains unsolved. But Tiger Rag Magazine Assistant Editor William Weathers believes it will most likely be Jayden Daniels because he’s had 29 starts at the Division 1 level in the Pac-12.

Cut 12 (09) “…make more sense.”  

Head coach Brian Kelly has declined to publicly name his starting QB as a tactical move, so Florida State won’t know which previous game footage to study, Daniels at Arizona State or Garrett Nussmeier’s four games at LSU. But Weathers says Kelly has informed a select few.

Cut 13 (08) “…gotten out yet.” 

With Daniels, the most likely favorite to start Weathers says don’t count Nussmeier out. While he might not throw the first pass of the game he says Nussemier is expected to play a significant role this season.

Cut 14 (07)  “…his chance.” 

Kickoff Sunday night is 6:30 in the Superdome.