2:30 LRN Newscast July 3

Beginning August 1, a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards will allow Louisiana residents with private insurance and Medicaid who want to quit smoking to enroll in a six-month smoking treatment program. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Foxx.”

Avoyelles Parish deputies report they retrieved a body from the Red River near Marksville Saturday. They got a call about a possible drowning victim at around 2 pm and had located the remains by 5. As yet they have not released the age, gender or name of the victim.

State Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Prairieville woman after her car was submerged in the Amite River. Troop A spokesman Trooper Chris Reed says it happened Saturday night around 10:30 and they still do not know why 37-year-old Sarah Marshall drove off the roadway. Impairment has not been ruled out. Reed says please remain alert and unimpaired while driving…:

CUT 05(05)      “…and death.
The crash remains under investigation.

The first cases of malaria in the U.S. have been detected in Florida and Texas; the first of domestic origination in a decade. Dr. Ben Springgate is with LSU Health in New Orleans. He says mosquito bites are the culprit…:

Cut 09  (12)      “…hospitalization.”

Take steps to avoid being bitten, because…who needs that? Right?

1:30 LRN Newscast July 3

Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a shooting that critically injured an 18-year-old south of Cross Lake Monday night. Authorities say he was shot during an argument between two groups at PBS Pinchback Park. The victim was taken to Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport for treatment. Deputies say eyewitnesses told them that gunfire erupted shortly after a verbal altercation. The incident remains under investigation.

After her car was submerged in the Amite River Saturday night 37-year-old Sara Marshall of Prairieville died as a result. Trooper Christian Reed says despite being restrained; she was unable to exit the vehicle. He says it’s vital that all occupants be properly restrained so you are less likely to have a head injury that will keep you from being unable to respond when your vehicle goes underwater.

Cut 4 (12)  “…emergency situation.” 

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Beginning August first health insurers in Louisiana are now required to offer six months of smoking cessation to help them kick the habit. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel

Cut 7 (07)  “…people’s health.” 

Insured individuals will not have to pay co-pays or any out-of-pocket expenses due to the new law going into effect.

The first US-based cases of malaria have been identified. According to the CDC, they are the first to originate in the country in the last two decades. Chief of Community and Population Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Benjamin Springgate says previous cases were from individuals who traveled outside the country and returned with the disease. But the most recent cases in Texas and Florida originated in the US.

Cut 10 (12)  “…the disease.”

The CDC deems the overall threat of malaria in the US to be “extremely low,

12:30 LRN Newscast

People in Louisiana who want to stop smoking can now take advantage of a six-month smoking cessation treatment provided by health insurers under a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. During testimony on the bill, Cancer Advocacy Group Executive Director Chad Landry said the availability of treatment will help a large population of smokers in Louisiana

Cut 6 (11)  “…there is.” 

The new law applies to both private carriers and Medicaid. 

State Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of 37-year-old Sara Marshall of Prairieville after her car was submerged in the Amite River. Trooper Christian Reed says they were contacted around ten-thirty Saturday night about the incident in Livingston Parish.

Cut 3 (10) “…Amite River.”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation and toxicology samples were collected.

The Supreme Court’s ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority on student loan debt forgiveness receives criticism. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast July 3

The accolades keep rolling in for LSU pitcher Paul Skenes who was named D1 Baseball’s National Player of the year. Skenes put together a historic season for the Tigers with a 1.69 ERA and an SEC record 209 strikeouts this season. He along with teammates Dylan Crews and Tommy White were named first team All-Americans after leading LSU to its 7th national championship. In addition to his on the field achievements, Skenes has helped to make an impact off the field. The Air Force Transfer pledged funds for each of his 209 strikeouts to benefit non-profit Folds of Honor. Skenes along with LSU fans helped to raise over $50,000 for the organization. Skenes says it was a great way to give back to his military community…

Cut 19

Skenes spent two years at Air Force and had two teammates that died in service. Their families and many others will benefit from the numerous donations.

LSU Director of baseball operations Josh Simpson will be following pitching coach Wes Johnson to Georgia. Johnson announced earlier this year he’d be taking the head coaching job at Georgia after one season with the Tigers. Simpson, a former scout with the Texas Rangers, will be joining Johnson’s staff as recruiting coordinator. LSU Coach Jay Johnson announced he’ll be replacing his former pitching coach with Texas A&M Assistant head coach Nate Yeskie. Yeskie spent two seasons with Johnson in Arizona and has reached the College World Series with three different teams. He earned a national title with Oregon St in 2018 and was named d1 Baseball’s Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017. 

Two former LSU players are set to face off in the NBA’s Salt Lake City Summer League games this week. Rookie free agent KJ Williams will join a talented OKC roster while guard Javonte Smart, who spent the last season on the Pels G-League affiliate Birmingham Squadron, will suit up for the 76ers. Games will be played Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday before the Summer League Competition in Las Vegas tips off Friday. Other LSU players set to be featured in the offseason tournament are last year’s 17th overall pick Tari Eason and LSU vet Darius Days who will both be playing for the Rockets.

 

11:30 LRN Newscast July 3

A poll conducted for Reboot Louisiana on the governor’s race shows Democrat Shawn Wilson slightly ahead of Republican front-runner Jeff Landry, and it also shows former LABI head Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place. Political analyst Roy Fletcher feels it’s no coincidence Waguespack shows well in a poll done by his supporters…:

Cut 11 (05)  “…for a reason.”

Reboot LA’s poll shows Waguespack 14 percentage points in just three months, to take an unofficial 3rd place.

After close to 50 years in law enforcement, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces he will not seek re-election. Prator says a recent diagnosis of a treatable cardiac condition played a role in his decision:

Cut 13 (10) “…this decision.”  
Taxes on e-cigarettes and vape products in Louisiana tripled on July first. Department of Revenue Secretary Kevin Richard says retailers who purchase the products tax-free directly from authorized manufacturers are required to pay the state excise tax…

Cut 5 (15)   “…other offense.”

The first US-based cases of malaria have been identified in Florida and Texas. The CDC says it’s been two decades since cases originated in the US. Chief of Community and Population Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Benjamin Springgate says malaria is a parasite spread by mosquitos.

Cut 9 (12) “…hospitalization.”

The threat in the US remains extremely low.

 

 

10:30 LRN Newscast

The US Supreme Court’s rejection of President Biden’s student loan plan to erase portions of their loans is receiving criticism. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says it sends the wrong message to students who’ve worked hard to get their college degrees.

Cut 7 (07) “…provide help.”

Carter says the federal government regularly forgives the debt of businesses, industries, and even small countries and students deserve the same. 

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says he will not run for re-election due to a recent diagnosis of a treatable heart condition. Prator says he will continue to serve as sheriff for the next 12 months.

Cut 14 (12)  “…in Caddo Parish.”

At the end of his current term, he will have served 24 years.

A new poll in the Governor’s race shows GOP candidate Stephen Waguespack moving into 3rd place, but is it an accurate representation of voter preference? Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 3 (32)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

 State Police have identified the woman who was killed after her car crashed into the Amite River in Livingston Parish on Saturday night. They say for unknown reasons, 37-year-old Sara Marshall of Prairieville ran off the road and into the river. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

 

 

09:30 LRN Newscast, July 3rd

A new poll on the 2023 Governor’s race shows Democrat Shawn Wilson slightly ahead of Republican front-runner Jeff Landry, but also shows former LABI head Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place. The poll was conducted for Reboot La, a PAC supporting Waguespack. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says this poll is accurate…:
CUT 12 (07) “but that’s malarkey”
Fletcher places more faith in independent pollsters.

Taxes on e-cigarettes and vape products in Louisiana have tripled as of July 1. Secretary of Department of Revenue Kevin Richard says retailers must use electronic age verification platforms…:
Cut 4 (13) “of age”
The law also says beginning on October 1st, manufacturers will have to register their products with ATC.

The US Supreme Court ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority to forgive federally backed student loans is receiving criticism. This ruling comes on the heels of affirmative action being overturned for college admission which New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says is another example of politics in the nation’s highest court:
Cut 9 (07) “of policy”
Carter says the federal government regularly forgives the debt of businesses, industries, and even small countries and students deserve the same.

LSU Star Pitcher Paul Skenes has raised nearly $50,000 for Folds of Honor, a non-profit that provides educational scholarships to the family members of military and first responders who have fallen or been disabled. Skenes’ effort got a big boost when Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves kicked in $20,000.

08:30 LRN Newscast, July 3rd

The chance that lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session went up Friday as Governor John Bel Edwards nixed anti-LGBTQ legislation. The Governor promised he would veto any measures similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” that seeks to ban talk about gender and sexual identity in K-12 classrooms. The governor called such proposals an attack on some of the state’s most vulnerable children.

Under a new law that went into effect July 1st, the taxes on nicotine vape products and e-cigarettes nearly tripled. Teiko Foxx reports..:
CUT 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

The US Supreme court is being criticized for it’s decision to strike down President Biden’s student loan cancellation plan. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says it sends the wrong message to students who’ve worked hard to get their college degrees…:
Cut 7 (07) “provide help”
The court’s decision means payments would start back up again in October.

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says he will instead retire at the end of this year and not seek re-election. He says he wanted to announce his decision because there are only six weeks left to qualify for the office…:
Cut 15 (10) “successful campaign”
He stressed he is not resigning. Prator became sheriff in Caddo 23 years ago, and has been in law enforcement for 50 years.

 

07:30 LRN Newscast, July 3rd

A new poll on the 2023 Governor’s race shows Democrat Shawn Wilson slightly ahead of Republican front-runner Jeff Landry, but also shows former LABI head Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place. The poll was conducted for Reboot La, a PAC supporting Waguespack for Governor. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says he’s recently seen two independent polls that contradict Reboot La’s findings:
Cut 10 (12) “into double digits”
The gubernatorial primary election is October 14th, and the general election is November 18th.

After close to 50 years in law enforcement, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces he will not seek re-election. Prator says a recent diagnosis of a treatable cardiac condition played a role in his decision:
Cut 13 (10) “this decision”

State Police have identified the woman who was killed after her car crashed into the Amite River in Livingston Parish on Saturday night. They say for unknown reasons, 37-year-old Sara Marshall of Prairieville ran off the road and into the river. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Supreme Court’s ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority on student loan debt forgiveness receives criticism. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

 

06:45 LRN Sportscast, July 3rd

LSU coach Jay Johnson has been named 2023 NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association. It’s the second 2023 Coach of the Year Designation as he was also honored last week by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

Meanwhile Johnson remains busy working on the 2024 season as he indicated at the celebration last week. Johnson announced he’s set to hire Nate Yeskie from Texas A&M as the Tigers next pitching coach. This fills the space left open by Wes Johnson who already announced his departure to become the head coach of the Georgia Bulldog Program.

And another accolade rolled in for star pitcher Paul Skenes who has been named the 2023 D1 Baseball Player of the Year after a historic season, helping to lead LSU to the national championship.

Skenes along with teammates Dylan Crews and Tommy White were named 2023 First-Team All-Americans by Baseball America magazine.

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed veteran center Cody Zeller to a 1-year, $3.1 million dollar deal, according to a report Sunday from ESPN. The other notable move by the Pels during this NBA Free agency period is the 4-year extension for defensive star Herb Jones.

Two former LSU players are on the rosters of teams beginning their NBA 2023 Summer League season in Salt Lake City starting today. Rookie free agent KJ Williams, who earned All-SEC honors this past season for the Tigers, will be playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Javonte Smart, who played for LSU from 2018-21, will be with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Knicks guard Josh Hart, who previously played for the Pelicans, has committed to the final roster spot on Team USA to play in this summer’s World Cup.

Another note on LSU star pitcher Paul Skenes. He raised tens of thousands of dollars for Folds of Honor, a non-profit that provides educational scholarships to family members of military and first responders who have fallen or been disabled.