08:30 LRN Newscast, July 21st

In a push that’s been years in the making, the federal government has officially set the first ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind lease sale, opening sites off the coasts of Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. Greater New Orleans Future Energy Executive Director Lacy McManus:
Cut 8 (11) “the country”
About 300-thousand acres will be auctioned off on August 29th.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says the body of a man who went missing while swimming in the Amite River Wednesday afternoon has been recovered. They said the person reportedly jumped from a railroad trestle into the water and did not come back up Wednesday. The search was suspended that night, but divers located the victim Thursday afternoon.

Though demand for gas isn’t budging, AAA reports gas prices are once again steadily increasing. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.18 which is up about 6 cents from a month ago.

State Representative Tanner Magee is not running for re-election. He says the toxic stew at the capitol is a major reason why he’s getting out. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tickets for the Garth Brooks/Lainey Wilson concert on September 2nd in the Superdome go on sale this morning at 10am. Fans are encouraged to have their Ticketmaster accounts ready in advance with updated credit card information to make the process as smooth as possible.

07:30 LRN Newscast, July 21st

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says progress is being made in reducing the number of policyholders who have to rely on Citizens for homeowners’ insurance.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House Houma Representative Tanner Magee has decided not to run for re-election, ending his legislative career after eight years. He says he’s got kids and calls the political atmosphere at the capitol toxic…:
Cut 14 (09) “process”

Attorney General Jeff Landry issued an opinion stating the Louisiana Pardon Board cannot hear clemency requests of over 50 death row inmates who have filed. He says the rule is that death row inmates must submit the application within a year from a court’s direct appeal decision:
Cut 11 (11) “follow the rules”
Capital Appeals Project Executive Director Cecelia Kappel says that rule can be and has been waived in other cases..:
CUT 13 (13) “direct appeal”
She also says Landry’s involvement is a conflict of interest as the AG’s office is prosecuting several of the inmates applying.

If you like playing Mega Millions when the jackpot is big, tonight’s drawing is worth an estimated $720 million dollars.

06:45 LRN Sportscast, July 21st

Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin did not hold back at SEC Media Days when discussing the problems NIL and the transfer portal have created for college football. He called it a disaster. He says there needs to be more restrictions when it comes to the two transfer portal windows. He says no other sport allows its athletes to opt into free agency every year…:
Cut 17 (20) “issues”

LSU’s starting shortstop for the last three seasons is not coming back. Jordan Thompson announced on Instagram he’s signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers drafted Thompson in the 15th round in the Major League Baseball Draft. South Carolina transfer Michael Braswell is a candidate to replace Thompson at short.

Next year, Texas will join the SEC, and Volunteers Coach Josh Heupel made it known at SEC Media Days Thursday that there’s only one real U-T and one right shade of orange. Tennessee will not play the Longhorns next season, but they will have to make a trip to Oklahoma.

The New Orleans Saints announced Tight end Miller Forristall has been moved to the Physically Unable to Perform list, while center Billy Price has had his contract terminated with a non-football injury designation. Veterans with injury designations were scheduled to report Thursday, marking a potentially positive sign that key players such as Michael Thomas avoided the PUP list to this point. The entire Saints roster is set to begin first camp practice Wednesday morning in Metairie.

Tickets for the Sugar Bowl’s “Country Kickoff” to the college football season concert featuring Garth Brooks on September 2nd in the Superdome go on sale this morning at 10am. Fans are encouraged to log on to Ticketmaster beforehand to make sure their account is ready to go to avoid delays in getting your tickets once they are available. All tickets are $98.95.

 

06:30 LRN Newscast, July 31st CORRECTION

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says companies participating in the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program have written more than 17,000 policies as of May 31st. He says this is reducing the number of Citizens policies, which are extremely expensive compared to private insurance…:
CUT 4 (08) “in need”
He urges all Citizens policy holders to contact their agents to see if they have another option.

State Police is investigating the case of a teacher at LSU who left a profanity laced voicemail to a state senator for voting to override the veto of a ban on transgender care for minors. The University says Marcus Venable is a graduate student who teaches, and he’s now been pulled from his position. Venable said in the voicemail he can’t wait to see Senator Mike Fesi’s name in the obituaries.

The first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind power lease sale has been approved by the federal government to take place in late summer near Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. Greater New Orleans Future Energy Executive Director Lacy McManus says these areas have the potential to power almost 1.3 million homes, and it’s been a long time coming…:
CUT 7 (08) “into place”
She says though it may take a while the great thing about Louisiana is that the workforce is here and ready to go.

Anyone who tried to buy tickets to Garth Brooks’ Tiger Stadium show last year knows they had better hop on Ticketmaster early today when the Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff event goes on sale. ALL tickets for the September 2nd Show in the Superdome are just $98.95 and though the sale officially opens at 10am, eager buyers are encouraged to log on to the site early to make sure their account is ready to go with up-to-date credit card information.

06:30 LRN Newscast, July 21st

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says companies participating in the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program have written more than 17,000 policies as of May 31st. He says this is reducing the number of Citizens policies, which are extremely expensive compared to private insurance…:
CUT 4 (08) “in need”
He urges all Citizens policy holders to contact their agents to see if they have another option.

State Police is investigating the case of a teacher at LSU who left a profanity laced voicemail to a state senator for voting to override the veto of a ban on transgender care for minors. The University says Marcus Venable is a graduate student who teaches, and he’s now been pulled from his position. Venable said in the voicemail he can’t wait to see Senator Mike Fesi’s name in the obituaries.

The first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind power lease sale has been approved by the federal government to take place in late summer near Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. Greater New Orleans Future Energy Executive Director Lacy McManus says these areas have the potential to power almost 1.3 million homes, and it’s been a long time coming…:
CUT 7 (08) “into place”
She says though it may take a while the great thing about Louisiana is that the workforce is here and ready to go.

Anyone who tried to buy tickets to Garth Brooks’ Tiger Stadium show last year knows they had better hop on Ticketmaster early today when the Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff event goes on sale. ALL tickets for the September 3rd Show in the Superdome are just $98.95 and though the sale officially opens at 10am, eager buyers are encouraged to log on to the site early to make sure their account is ready to go with up-to-date credit card information.

LRN AM Newscall July 21

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says progress is being made in reducing the number of policyholders who have to rely on Citizens for their homeowners insurance. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

_______________________________________________

The federal government has issued a notice that up to 300 thousand acres will be auctioned in the first-ever offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico on August 29th. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

_______________________________________________

State Representative Tanner Magee is not running for re-election. He says the toxic stew at the capitol is a major reason why he’s getting out. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

________________________________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces companies that took advantage of the newly funded Insure Louisiana Incentive Program have written over 17 thousand homeowner insurance policies as of May 31st.  Donelon says the program is working to reduce the number of Citizens policyholders, which is much more expensive than private insurance.

Cut 4 (08)  “…in need.”

The top five parishes for new policies are Jefferson, Orleans, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, and St. Charles. Donelon says SafePoint Insurance has been approved to take nearly 20 thousand policies out of Louisiana Citizens during the upcoming round of depopulation.

Cut 5 (11)   “…first year.”

Donelon says getting policyholders out of Citizens is vital to the state’s economic recovery. He urges all Citizens policyholders to contact their agents to be notified if they have an opportunity to leave Citizens…

Cut 6 (11)  “…of Citizens.”

________________________________________________

The federal government announces the first ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind lease sale, opening sites off the coasts of Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. About 300-thousand acres will be auctioned off on August 29th. Director of Future Energy at Greater New Orleans Inc. Lacey McManus says this moment has been eagerly anticipated and officially makes the state a hub for offshore wind activity.

Cut 7 (08) “…into place.”

More than 102 thousand acres offshore from Lake Charles and two areas of about 100 thousand acres each near Galveston are under consideration. McManus says some of the world’s largest wind energy developers have already expressed interest.

Cut 8 (11) “…the country.’”

Several stipulations have been added on potential holders including agreeing to support workforce training programs. McManus says building wind farms may be a way off but Louisiana workers are ready.

Cut 9 (09)  “…do this.”

The areas could turn wind energy into nearly 4 gigawatts of electricity each year. A sale notice can be found in the Federal Register.

____________________________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry has issued a legal opinion that advises the Louisiana Pardon Board not to hear the clemency applications sent in by 56 death row inmates. Landry says the pardon board has 440 applications to examine before they get to the death row inmates who are hoping Governor Edwards reduces their punishment to life in prison

Cut 10 (06) “…are pending.”

Landry says the Pardon Board’s own rules say that a clemency application should be filed within their last appeal was denied. He says there are emergency circumstances like an execution date, but that doesn’t apply in this situation…

Cut 11 (11)  “…follow the rules.”

But executive director of the Capital Appeals Project, Cecelia Kappel, says Landry’s legal opinion has no binding force on the board and there’s also a major conflict of interest….

Cut 12 (12)    “…clemency requests” 

Kappel says the pardon board can also waive its rules, including the rule that requests need to be filed within one year after last denied appeal. She says that rule has been waived before in death penalty cases…

Cut 13 (13) “…direct appeal” 

_______________________________________________________________

The Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House has decided not to run for re-election, ending his legislative career after eight years. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says he has 14-year-old triplets, plus he calls the political atmosphere at the capitol toxic….

Cut 14 (09)  “..process” 

The 42-year-old Magee says Washington D-C partisan attacks have become too much…

Cut 15 (07)  “…really change”

Magee says he’s proud to help secure funds for rural roads and flood control projects in his district. But he says special interest groups have gained too much control…

Cut 16 (11) “..just a game”

______________________________________________________________________

Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin did not hold back at SEC Media Days when discussing the problems NIL and the transfer portal have created for college football. He called it a disaster. He says there needs to be more restrictions when it comes to the two transfer portal windows. He says no other sport allows its athletes to opt into free agency every year…

Cut 17 (20) “…issues”

Kiffin says he has no problems with players getting paid and he’s benefited from the transfer portal as he signed LSU transfer and former St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. But he’s concerned the best players are going to schools that have boosters with the deepest pockets

Cut 18 (09) “…their salary.” 

Kiffin says he knew it would turn into a disaster when NIL and the portal became a major part of college athletics. He says it legalized cheating…

Cut 19 (16) “…pay for play” 

5:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s disappointed but not surprised the Republican led Legislature overturned his veto of a bill that bans doctors from performing medical procedures on children that could alter their biological sex. He believes politics played a role…:
CUT 15 (09) “two thirds vote”
Edwards says the legislation harms a very small population of vulnerable children, their families and health care professionals. But the bill’s author, Pollock Representative Gabe Firment, says his legislation protects kids who might be temporarily confused about their biological sex…
Cut 14 (11) “…not health care”
Firment’s law goes into effect January 1st, but will likely face a legal challenge.

All but one Louisiana death row inmate is seeking clemency from the governor, but Attorney General Jeff Landry says if the Pardon Board hears these cases, they would violate their own rules by allowing the hearings to take place one year after their last appeal was denied. Louisiana District Attorney Association director Loren Lampert…
cut 10 (10) “…an emergency’
The Capital Appeals Project says Landry’s opinion has no binding force.

On his monthly radio show, Governor Edwards was asked about a recent poll that showed 55-percent of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Edwards believes strides have been made during his eight years in office, but wishes more could be done…
cut 8 (11) “…positive change”

4:30 LRN Newscast

Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion that is a setback for death row inmates seeking a clemency hearing with the state Board of Pardons. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Director Loren Lampert says Landry states that clemency requests must be made to the Pardon Board within a year after a judge issues a ruling on their appeal
Cut 9 (09) “…emergency exception”
But an attorney for for several of the clemency applicants says the clemency hearings should take place because of a myriad of problems with the state’s death penalty system.

Governor Edwards was asked on his monthly call-in show about a recent poll that shows 55-percent of the state’s residents believe Louisiana is heading in the wrong direction. Edwards says certainly more can be done in the area of education.
cut 7 (08) “…childhood”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says progress is being made in reducing the number of policyholders who have to rely on Citizens for their homeowners insurance. Donelon says since the state incentivized insurance companies to write homeowners insurance policies, 17-thousand new polices have been written, which allows homeowners to avoid the more expensive Citizens Insurance…
cut 21 (05) “…increase”

Hollywood South is reeling from the writers and actors strike. Louisiana Entertainment Media Director Chris Stelly says the film industry impacts the economy and hopes there will be a resolution soon to get the cameras rolling again…:
Cut 12 (11) “ more importantly”
Many actors believe the labor stoppage will take a while to solve.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s starting shortstop the last three seasons is not coming back. Jordan Thompson announced on Instagram he’s signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers drafted Thompson in the 15th round in the Major League Baseball Draft. Since he was drafted so late there was speculation he may return to LSU. But the Southern California native thought it was best to turn pro. South Carolina transfer Michael Braswell is a candidate to replace Thompson at short.

Former LSU pitchers Blake Money and Riley Cooper have signed with the Orioles. Baltimore selected them in the 12th and 13th rounds respectively.

SEC Network analyst Roman Harper believes Arkansas Quarterback K-J Jefferson is the best quarterback in the SEC. Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman agrees…
cut 18 (19) “…for a reason”
LSU hosts Arkansas September 23rd.

LSU has played Florida in early October for years, but this year the game will take place on November 11th in Baton Rouge. The Gators head into the season without a starting quarterback named. Second year head coach Billy Napier says he’s been impressed with redshirt sophomore Jack Miller…
cut 19 (18) “…..the team”
Graham Mertz is also involved in this quarterback battle. He transferred in from Wisconsin.

Next year, Texas will join the SEC, and Volunteers Coach Josh Heupel made it known today that there’s only one real U-T and one right shade of orange. Tennessee will not play the Longhorns next season, but they will have to make a trip to Oklahoma.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion that may result in dozens of death row inmates not receiving a clemency hearing. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

Lake Charles Police are trying to find the person who severely beat and sexually assaulted a 75-year-old woman who has died from her injuries. Sherry Vincent of Lake Charles was attacked on July 5th and she passed away yesterday morning. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Lake Charles P-D.

All but one Louisiana death row inmate is seeking clemency from the governor, but Attorney General Jeff Landry says if the Pardon Board hears these cases, they would violate their own rules by allowing the hearings to take place one year after their last appeal was denied. Louisiana District Attorney Association director Loren Lampert…
cut 10 (10) “…an emergency’
The Capital Appeals Project says Landry’s opinion has no binding force.

Record breaking heat and drought is affecting crop yields. Farmers across the country will see smaller harvests this year. That’s according to Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain who says the heat causes plants to go into survival mode, slowing photosynthesis…
Cut 3 (13) “….United States.”