4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans will attempt to snap a three-game losing streak tonight as they host the Orlando Magic. New Orleans has a 30-31 record, good for tenth place in the Western Conference which would be the final spot in the play-in tournament. C-J McCollum is playing with a bad thumb, but says he needs to rise above the injury….
cut 19 (13) “…our season”
After tonight, the Pels begin a three-game road trip on the West Coast.

The regular season is over for the LSU women’s basketball team and they are ranked fourth in the AP poll heading into the SEC Tournament as the number two seed. Angel Reese was named today as the SEC Player of the Week for the seventh time this season. Reese had 23 points and 26 rebounds in yesterday’s 74-59 win over Mississippi State.

LSU junior centerfielder Dylan Crews was named the SEC Co-Player of the Week after collecting ten hits in four games and driving in seven runs. Crews also scored nine times and had three doubles in the Tigers 16 to four win over Sam Houston State on Sunday. Coach Jay Johnson says Crews is the best player he’s ever coached and makes the game look easy…
cut 16 (14) “….is special”
The top ranked Tigers will be at Texas tomorrow.

Phillip Matulia has been named the Conference USA Hitter of the Week. The senior hit four home runs last week and drove in ten runs. Matulia has five home runs on the season which ranks fifth in the country. Matulia and the Bulldogs will begin a two game series against fourth ranked Ole Miss on Tuesday at Swayze Field.

3:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27

After 17-year-old Nykobia (Nah-co-bee-ah) Keller was killed Saturday night while driving on I-110 Baton Rouge police are asking the public for help. They believe a passenger in her car was being targeted. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says they do not have a description of the vehicle that was shooting at Keller and her passenger nor a motive at this time.

Cut 5 (09) “…our investigation.”

Keller is survived by her four-year-old son.

A recent poll, paid for by the Jeff Landry Campaign, shows the attorney general with a huge lead among Republicans and independents in 2023 gubernatorial race. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Landry polling at 48-percent is not surprising because he has good name recognition…:

Cut 10 (10) “…garner media attention.” 

The primary is October 14th.

The FDA grants emergency use authorization for a combination flu and COVID home test so you can check to see what’s causing your symptoms. LSU Health New Orleans Genetics Specialist Dr. Lucio Miele because vaccines are formulated for variants you should always report your test results to your physician.

Cut 13 (12) “..the COVID virus.” 

The home test can give results in 30 minutes.

Blue Runner Foods, located in Ascension Parish, has named its first female President to lead Louisiana’s only remaining canning company. The maker of canned beans and gumbo for 105 years has been a staple in the southern region. Newly appointed President, Katie Bautsch says she’s excited about her new role.

Cut 6 (07)  “…family’s legacy.” 

The company has been operating in Louisiana since 1918.

2:30 LRN Newscast

The FDA grants emergency use authorization for a combination flu and COVID home test. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A federal judge has sentenced 56-year-old Vaughn Gordon of Lafayette to 90 days of home detention for his role in the riot on the U-S Capitol Building on January sixth, 2021. Court records show Gordon, who shared photos of himself on Facebook in the capitol that day, agreed to pay 500 dollars in restitution to the Department of Treasury as well.

A poll of 500 Republican and Independent likely voters paid for by Jeff Landry shows that 48-percent of those surveyed support the GOP attorney general in the race for governor. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Landry’s poll is standard operating procedure in a political campaign…
cut 11 (10) “….for what it is”
Finishing in second place in Landry’s poll, was Treasurer John Schroder at six-percent.

Blue Runner Foods located in Ascension parish has its first woman president. New Orleans native Katie Bautsch is running Louisiana’s only remaining canning company….
Cut 8 (09) “…and loves.”
Blue Runner Foods makes canned and dry beans, Cajun and Creole cooking bases, soups and more.

LRN PM Newscall February 27

A recent poll – paid for by the Jeff Landry Campaign – shows the candidate for governor has a large lead on all other challengers. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

______________________________________

The FDA grants emergency use authorization for a combination flu and COVID home test. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

After a 17-year-old was killed on I-110 Saturday night, Baton Rouge Police are asking for the public’s help in what they believe was a targeted shooting. BRPD Sgt L’Jean McKneely says it happened just after 10:30 near the Hollywood Street exit. He says the driver, Nykobia (Nah-co-bee-ah) Keller along with a passenger had just left someone’s house.

Cut 3 (11) “…injuries.” 

McKneely says they don’t believe Keller was necessarily the intended target, but they do believe the shooter was specifically shooting at her vehicle and her passenger.

Cut  4 (05)  “…that vehicle.” 

Police do not have a description of the vehicle that was shooting at Keller and her passenger nor a motive at this time.

Cut 5 (09) “…our investigation.”

Keller is survived by her four-year-old son.

_______________________________________________

Blue Runner Foods, located in Ascension Parish, has named its first female President to lead Louisiana’s only remaining canning company. The maker of canned beans and gumbo for 105 years has been a staple in the southern region. Newly appointed President, Katie Bautsch says she’s excited about her new role.

Cut 6 (07)  “…family’s legacy.” 

The creole foods manufacturing company has been operating in Louisiana since 1918. New Orleans native, Richard Thomas, purchased the company in 1992. Bautsch says she wants to take Blue Runner to new heights…

Cut 7 (08)  “…category.” 

Famous for its canned Creole Cream Style Red Beans, Bautsch says the delicious and authentic New Orleans Creole foods will remain.

Cut 8 (09)  “…and loves.” 

Bautsch says the goal is expand their culinary offerings as well as store availability.

_______________________________________________

A recent poll, paid for by the Jeff Landry Campaign, shows the attorney general with a huge lead among Republicans and independents in the race to be the next Governor. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says these type of candidate-paid voter polls are not uncommon, and conservative voters’ responses to such polls are also predictable…:

Cut 9 (08) “…a great deal.”

The poll, done by KA Consulting for the Landry Campaign, shows Landry leads with 48-percent of the republican and independent vote. “Undecided” takes 2nd place with 37-percent and all other announced candidates polled in single digits. Hogan says it’s not surprising that Landry has good name recognition…:

Cut 10 (10) “…garner media attention.” 

Hogan says Landry’s poll is fairly standard operating procedure in a political campaign…:

Cut 11 (10)  “…for what it is.”

Hogan says the poll could help cement Landry’s place as front runner in the Governor’s race, but a lot can happen between now and Election Day.

________________________________

The FDA grants emergency use authorization for a combination flu and COVID home test so you can check to see what’s causing your symptoms. LSU Health New Orleans Genetics Specialist Dr. Lucio Miele says it’s a molecular test that gives you results in 30 minutes and is almost as sensitive as a PCR that is sent to a lab for results.

Cut 12 (09) “…go around.”

It’s not just a two-for-one test, Miele says it’s a three-for-one because it can detect if you have either Flu A or B and even if you have both COVID and the flu. And because COVID is still circulating and both flu and COVID vaccines are formulated for specific variants he says you should always report your test results to your physician.

Cut 13 (12) “..the COVID virus.” 

The combination test, Miele says has only been evaluated among individuals who have symptoms of the flu or COVID.

Cut 14 (08)   “…the right test.”

A prescription is not required for the Lucira COVID-19 and Flu Home test.

1:30 LRN Newscast

A recent poll – paid for by the Jeff Landry Campaign – shows the candidate for governor has a large lead on all other challengers.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In New Orleans, there’s a court hearing on a lawsuit filed by the campaign to recall Mayor LaToya Cantrell as they are seeking from the registrar of voters an accurate number of registered voters in Orleans Parish. Lawyers for No-La-Toya-org say there are names on the voter rolls that should not be there, which would reduce the number of signatures needed to trigger a recall election.

The FDA grants emergency use authorization for a combination flu and COVID home test so you can check to see what’s causing your symptoms. LSU Health New Orleans Genetics Specialist Dr. Lucio Miele says it’s a molecular test that gives you results in 30 minutes…
Cut 12 (09) “…go around.”
Miele says it’s a three-for-one test because it can detect if you have either Flu A or B and even if you have both COVID and the flu.

Blue Runner Foods appoints its first woman president as New Orleans native Katie Bautsch takes over the 105-year-old Creole foods manufacturing company located in Ascension Parish. Bautsch says she wants to take Blue Runner to new heights…
Cut 7 (08) “…category.”
Blue Runner is famous for its canned Creole Cream Style Red Beans. Bautsch takes over for Richard Thomas who ran Blue Runner for more than 30 years.

12:30 LRN Newscast

A recent poll, paid for by the Jeff Landry Campaign, shows the attorney general with a huge lead among Republicans and independents in the race to be the next Governor. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says these type of candidate-paid voter polls are not uncommon, and conservative voters’ responses to such polls are also predictable…:
Cut 9 (08) “…a great deal.”
The poll, done by KA Consulting for the Landry Campaign, shows Landry leads with 48-percent of the republican and independent vote.

Governor Edwards’ proposed $46-billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts in July draws scrutiny from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. LABI head Stephen Waguespack says a fiscal cliff looms in 2025, as sales taxes – passed to solve the last shortfall – expire…and the governor wants to give permanent pay raises to all public school teachers. He says lawmakers need to plan for that…:
CUT 30 (07) “…over time.”
The regular session of the legislature starts April 10th.

Baton Rouge Police continue to search for the gunman who killed a 17-year-old girl who was driving on Interstate 1- 10 on Saturday night. Nykobia Keller died at the scene in what authorities call a targeted attack. Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says they do not believe Keller was necessarily the intended target, but they believe the shooter was specifically shooting at her vehicle and her passenger…
cut 4 (05) “….that vehicle”
McKneely says the passenger was unharmed.

Pineville Police are taking to the skies in an effort to curb crime. Chief Darrell Basco says their newest drone won’t require an operator to be called in when needed and it’s accessible for the patrol division 24/7. And it’s not your average drone, he says it allows them to see things in real-time…:
CUT 13(09) “…consumer drone.”
The drone is valued at $12-thousand.

11:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27

A 17-year-old girl was shot and killed Saturday night, while driving on Interstate 110, and police say it was a targeted attack. Baton Rouge Police spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the victim, Nykobia Keller, and her passenger had just left someone’s house….:

CUT 03(11)      “…gunshot injuries.”

He says Keller may not have been the actual target, but rather her car and the passenger, who has not been named. Keller leaves a 4-year-old behind.

Police in Pineville are proud as punch over their latest arsenal weapon: a new state-of-the-art, multifunctional aerial drone. Pineville Police Chief Darrell Basco says using new technologies like the $12-thousand drone helps them, solve crimes faster…:

CUT 15(03)      “…it occurs.”

He says it’ll be very useful in funding missing persons and children.

 

State lawmakers are looking to make automatic external defibrillators, AEDs, mandatory in all schools and sponsored athletic events. Baton Rouge state Senator Cleo Fields sponsors the bill. There have been a rash of young people dying of sudden heart attacks across the country. Some say this all began with the COVID vaccine, but experts disagree.

The state’s largest business lobby shares some thoughts on Governor Edwards’ $46-billion state budget proposal. More from Teiko Foxx..:

CUT 02(31)      “…Foxx.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Will District 6 Congressman Garret Graves run for Governor of Louisiana? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

 

A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country according to the latest AARP COVID dashboard. The four-week period ending on January 22, also showed a spike in nursing home staff COVID cases. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl(maul) staff cases rose more than 15%.

Cut 6 (10)  “…antionawide.” 

The most recent dashboard which covered the four-week period ending on January 22, also showed a spike in nursing home staff COVID cases.

 

Rapides Parish police launch a new drone program to fight crime. The Pineville Department has added drones to assist in investigations and track criminals. Chief Darrell Basco says before the drone, Basco they would have to send up to four cars to grid and block a search area. Basco says the addition of drones gives law enforcement officers extra accessibility.

Cut 14 (08)  “…piece of equipment.”

The drone is valued at $12,000.

 

LABI reacts to the 2023-24 budget proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The total cost of the budget is around $45.7 billion. A one-cent sales tax was implemented in 2016 to help fund the $2 billion deficit the state was facing. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President and CEO, Stephen Waguespack says…

Cut 12 (11) “…time dollars.”

The regular legislative session begins on April 10.

 

9:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27

Governor Edwards’ proposed $46-billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts in July draws scrutiny from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. LABI head Stephen Waguespack says a fiscal cliff looms in 2025, as sales taxes – passed to solve the last shortfall – expire…and the governor wants to give permanent pay raises to all public school teachers. He says lawmakers need to plan for that…:

CUT 11(07)      “…over time.”

The regular session of the legislature starts April 10th.

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves says he is “feeling pressure” to run for governor, but will not commit one way or the other. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says some see Attorney General Jeff Landry as unbeatable, but a recent chat he had with Senator John Kennedy during DC Mardi Gras indicates that may not be so…:

CUT 09(11)      “…about Garret Graves.”

Qualifying for the fall elections starts in early August.

 

Pineville Police have added a state-of-the-art, multi-functional aerial drone to their force…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Thorington.”

State lawmakers are looking to make automatic external defibrillators, AEDs, mandatory in all schools and sponsored athletic events. Baton Rouge state Senator Cleo Fields sponsors the bill. If passed by legislators, the bill will make AEDs available at all schools and sporting events in the state. It will also ensure that someone trained is on hand if the device must be used.

8:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27

LABI reacts to the 2023-24 budget proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The total cost of the budget is around $45.7 billion. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President and CEO, Stephen Waguespack says it’s imperative to have a fiscal balance…:

CUT 10(07)      “…two years.”

The regular legislative session – a short, “fiscal-only” session – begins on April 10.

Pineville Police are taking to the skies in an effort to curb crime. Chief Darrell Basco says their newest drone won’t require an operator to be called in when needed and it’s accessible for the patrol division 24/7. And it’s not your average drone, he says it allows them to see things in real-time…:

CUT 13(09)      “…consumer drone.”

The drone is valued at $12-thousand.

 

The latest AARP COVID dashboard indicates the early wave of coronavirus cases in nursing homes appears to have peaked. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says, if you have a loved one in a nursing home, ask the facility what their COVID protocols are and do they have enough PPE…:

CUT 05(07)      “…several months.”

Muhl worries about a post-Mardi Gras surge in cases among the elderly, who are most at risk.

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that happened Saturday night in the town of Sparks. Officers say 42-year-old Tyrel Thompson was not wearing a DOT-approved helmet and was riding recklessly, when he went off the road and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A blood tox sample was taken, because they believe he was impaired at the time of the crash.