7:30 LRN Newscast

Just a few more days left in office for Governor John Bel Edwards and last night he gave his last speech as governor….
cut 12 (12) “…inhabit it”
Edwards says Louisiana is better off now than it was eight years ago as he pointed to a balanced budget, low unemployment and 94 billion dollars in capital investment by private businesses.

House Speaker and Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson and 60 House Republicans were at the Southern border yesterday calling on the Biden administration to do more to secure the Southern border and reduce the number of illegal crossings
cut 14 (09) “>…or more”

Rick Gallot has started his new job as president of the state’s largest university system. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The city of Thibodaux’s emergency preparedness director, Jacques Thibodaux, is leaving to be the state’s director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland and Security Emergency Preparedness in Jeff Landry’s administration. Thibodaux is a combat veteran who was the commander of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Coach Brian Kelly has fired defensive coordinator Matt House and three other assistants after the Tigers had a historically bad season on defense. House was let go with two years left on his contract, but Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says Kelly was left with no choice to move on from House and he expects he’ll hire House’s replacement soon…
cut 29 (06) “….without having a plan”
Brandon Marcello of 247 sports reports Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker has emerged as a possible replacement. The 41-year-old from Houston was on Ed Orgeron’s staff at LSU and also coached at Louisiana Tech from 2015 to 2019. His defense at Missouri ranked fourth in the SEC in total defense this past season.

The Pelicans won their fourth straight last night knocking off the best team in the Western Conference record wise, Minnesota, 117 to 106. Zion Williamson as he had 27 points, four rebounds and six assists.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball completed non-conference play last night with an easy 96-55 victory over Dallas Christian. Daniel Batcho had a game 22 points as the Bulldogs as a team shot 60-percent from the field. La Tech tips off conference play at Sam Houston on Saturday.

ULM fell to 0-2 in the Sun Belt last night as the Warhawks lost to 68-57. The Warhwaks will host Georgia Southern on Saturday.

Tonight the Ragin Cajuns host 19th ranked James Madison. U-L Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin’s team is looking to bounce back from a loss to Marshall in its Sun Belt opener…
cut 19 (15) “…big games’

And the seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team begins SEC play by hosting Missouri.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards delivered his farewell address last night as he leaves office on Monday after eight eventful years. One of his biggest challenges was the COVID pandemic….
cut 11 (15) “…public health”
Edwards delivered his farewell address in his hometown of Amite.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has named Tyler Wall as his Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources. Wall is an oil and gas industry executive. Jacques Thibodaux, the director of emergency preparedness for the city of Thibodaux has been named GOHSEP director. Susana Schowen who works for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System has been named Louisiana Workforce Commission director.
Former Grambling State President Rick Gallot is on his first week on the job as President of the University of Louisiana System. Gallot says one his top goals is to recruit prospective students to the nine colleges that make up the U-L System…
Cut 4 (09) “…system schools.”
Gallot is a former state lawmaker and served seven plus years at Grambling, where he helped improve the school’s enrollment and finances.

Big battle in Congress over funding for Ukraine versus stronger immigration policies along the Southern border. House Speaker Mike Johnson and about 60 House Republicans visited the border in Texas and the Bossier Parish Republican told reporters its time for Senate Democrats and the President to impose new restrictions on asylum seekers…
cut 15 (10) “….clapping”
Senate Democrats have described the House Republican backed immigration legislation as cruel.

LRN Am Newscall January 4

Rick Gallot has started his new job as president of the state’s largest university system. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Governor-elect Landry is being applauded for his choice to head the Department of Natural Resources. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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House Speaker and Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson says there’s a catastrophe at the Southern Border and the Biden administration needs to enact tougher immigration policies. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Former Grambling State President Rick Gallot is on his first week on the job as President of the University of Louisiana System. Gallot says one his top goals is to recruit prospective students to the nine colleges that make up the U-L System…

Cut 4 (09) “…system schools.”

Gallot was offered the job on October 25th but Governor Elect Jeff Landry expressed concerns with the board’s decision to hire Gallot. Later, Landry decided to move forward with the contract.

The Ruston native believes his experience will benefit him as he advocates for resources on behalf of the 90 thousand students.

Cut 5 (12) “…system schools.”

The U-L System is the largest higher education system in Louisiana with nine universities including Grambling, La Tech, McNeese, Nicholls, Northwestern, Southeastern, UL Lafayette, ULM, and UNO.

During Gallot’s tenure at GSU, the university set enrollment records and saw a 200 percent improvement in its fiscal health score. He says he will continue the momentum of moving the system forward

Cut 6 (12) “…already has.”

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Tyler Gray will serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources. President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association Mike Moncla applauds Gray’s appointment because of his conservation background and experience with the Louisiana Mid-Continent’s Oil and Gas Association.

Cut 7 (06) “…fantastic pick.”

The boon of carbon capture in Louisiana will be among the industries DNR will regulate. Moncla says Gray’s current position on the operations side with Placid Refining Company adds even more knowledge for the oversite of DNR.

Cut 8 (07) “…another plus.” 

Before Gray’s appointment, Moncla says the two even discussed who they thought would be an ideal choice for the position and Moncla encouraged him to apply.

Cut 9 (09)  “…great choice.”

Landry has also appointed Jacques Thibodeaux to serve as Director of the GOHSEP and Susana Schowen as Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

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Governor John Bel Edwards delivered his farewell address last night as he’s set to leave office on Monday after two terms. Edwards says the state is in much better shape than it was eight years ago and the best evidence to support that statement is the state’s finances…

Cut 10 (12) “…two reserve accounts.”

Edwards says improved budgeting practices resulted in teachers receiving more than five thousand dollars in teacher pay raises and historic investments in higher education. The governor says he’s leaving the office with the state’s unemployment rate well below the national average. He says his administration also allocated nearly five-point-five billion dollars to more than 2,00 infrastructure projects.

Edwards says natural disasters from hurricanes to floods to winter storms were huge challenges. He says there was no playbook for handling the COVID pandemic…

Cut 11 (15) “…public health.” 

Edwards delivered his farewell address in his hometown of Amite, where he’ll return as a private citizen. He says it’s been an honor to be Louisiana’s 56th governor…

Cut 12 (12) “…inhabit it” 

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House Speaker and Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is urging President Biden and Senate Democrats to enforce policies along the U-S Mexico border. Johnson and House Republicans visited the Southern Border on Wednesday and he says the situation is bad…

Cut 13 (10) “…our communities.”

Johnson made the remarks at a press conference in Eagle Pass, Texas. He says the lack of a strong border policy has resulted in lethal drugs pouring into the country and hundreds of terrorists have also entered the U-S.

Johnson believes the President should reinstitute a Trump-era policy of keeping migrants in Mexico until their U-S immigration court date…

Cut 14 (09) “…or more.” 

The Biden Administration is seeking 50-billion dollars in security assistance for Ukraine. But Johnson says House Republicans are not willing to spend that kind of money without a stringent border security policy…

Cut 15 (10) “… (clapping)

The White House has proposed more money to hire Border Patrol agents and asylum officers in an effort to reduce the number of illegal crossings. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says Johnson’s trip to the border was an attempt to score political points. He urges the Congressman to negotiate in a bipartisan way.

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The seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team tips off SEC play tonight by hosting Missouri. After losing their season opener, the Lady Tigers have won 13 in a row. Mizzou enters the game with a 9-4 record and they are led by Haley Frank, who averages 16 points and seven rebounds a game. LSU Coach Kim Mulkey…

Cut 16 (16) “…the same” 

LSU beat Missouri 77-57 last season, but two years ago in the PMAC, the game went into overtime and the Lady Tigers won 87-85. Tip off is at 8 PM and fans are encouraged to dress like Mulkey and the person who looks the most like Mulkey will win one of the coach’s game worn jackets. Mulkey is not a fan of the promotion…

Cut 17 (21) “…sequins right.” 

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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team looks to extend their home winning streak to 20 games when they host 19th ranked James Madison at the Cajundome tonight. It’s the first nationally ranked team to visit Lafayette since Nevada in 2006. Coach Bob Marlin is glad the game is on their home court…

Cut 18 (13)  “…assure you” 

Marlin’s team is looking to bounce back after losing its Sun Belt Opener to Marshall by 14 points last Saturday…

Cut 19 (15) “…big games” 

The Cajuns shot just 33-percent from the field in the loss to the Thundering Herd.

5:30 LRN Newscast January 3

LSU football coach Brian Kelly fired defensive coordinator Matt House today along with three other assistant coaches. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says changes had to be made after a historically bad season for LSU on defense…

Cut 3 (11) “…do that.”

He was the linebackers coach with the Kansas City Chiefs when they won the Super Bowl during the 2019 season. Defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey, safeties coach Kerry Cooks, and cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples were also let go today.

After a visit to the U-S Mexico border today, House Speaker and Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is urging President Biden and Senate Democrats to enforce immigration policies. Johnson believes the President should reinstitute a Trump-era policy of keeping migrants in Mexico until their U-S immigration court date….

Cut 14 (10) “…or more” 

Rick Gallot, former President of Grambling State University President started the new year as the leader of the higher education system that contains nine school universities. Gallot says his first order of business is to recruit prospective students.

Cut 4 (09) “…system schools.”

Gallot was offered the job on October 25th but Governor Elect Jeff Landry expressed concerns with the board’s decision to hire Gallot. Later, Landry decided to move forward with the contract.

If you are without coverage, you have less than two weeks to beat the deadline to apply for health insurance through healthcare dot gov. If you’re not familiar with the Medicaid online process, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana healthcare economist Michael Bertaut (BURR-toe) suggests calling an agent to answer any questions and to help select the right plan for you.

Cut 8 (12) “…licensed agent.” 

For more information visit healthcare.gov

4:30 LRN Newscast Jan 3

Governor-Elect Jeff Landry has named the leaders for the Department of Natural Resources, Homeland Security, and Workforce Commission. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

 

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise has officially endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. The House Majority leader says quote “American families and workers deserve a president who will stand up for them and their safety,”

House Speaker and Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is urging President Biden and Senate Democrats to enforce policies along the U-S Mexico border. Johnson and House Republicans visited the Southern Border and he says the situation is bad…

Cut 13 (11) “…our communities.”

Johnson made the remarks today at a press conference in Eagle Pass, Texas.

A major shakeup within the LSU football coaching staff went down today as LSU Coach Brian Kelly fired defensive coordinator Matt House, along with three other assistant coaches. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne expects Kelly to act quickly in hiring their replacements…

Cut 5 (06) “ …having a plan.” 

Defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey, safeties coach Kerry Cooks, and cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples were also let go today.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

A major shakeup within the LSU football coaching staff went down today as head Coach Brian Kelly fired defensive coordinator Matt House, along with three other assistant coaches. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says changes had to be made after a historically bad season for LSU on defense…
Cut 3 (11) “…do that.”
Defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey, safeties coach Kerry Cooks, and cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples were also let go today.

Horne expects Kelly to act quickly in hiring their replacements…
Cut 5 (06) “ …having a plan.”
LSU ranked 105th in the nation in total defense giving up 417 yards a game. LSU also allowed 28 points a contest, third worst in the SEC.

Despite an eight and eight record, the Saints playoff hopes are alive. For New Orleans to win the NFC South, they will have to beat Atlanta and Carolina needs to defeat the Buccaneers. A wild card berth for the Saints can occur if they win on Sunday and the Cardinals beat the Seahawks and the Bears defeat Green Bay. Coach Dennis Allen says their focus needs to be on Atlanta…
Cut 17 (16) “…against Atlanta.”
The Saints have reportedly restructured the contract of cornerback Marshon Lattimore to save a reported eleven million dollars towards the 2024 salary cap. Lattimore hasn’t played since week ten because of an ankle injury.

In basketball…the Pelicans try to win their fourth in a row as they visit Minnesota tonight. Louisiana Tech has its final non-conference game as its Dallas Christian, who is 3-and-10 on the year. Grambling State women’s basketball defated College of Biblical Studies 159 to 18. The 141 points is the biggest margin of victory in Division one women’s basketball history.

3:30 LRN Newscast Jan 3

After a poor season on defense, LSU football coach Brian Kelly has fired his defensive coordinator and three other assistants. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

In Lake Charles Police have issued an arrest warrant for manslaughter for Summer Buxton after the death of her two-year-old child Kenyan Jay Buxton in May. The child’s father 20-year-old Adrian Higgins was arrested in connection with the child’s death and also faces manslaughter charges now. The child was found in a Lake Charles hotel room unresponsive and illicit drugs were also in the room.

Open enrollment for Louisiana Medicaid health insurance ends January 15th. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana healthcare economist Michael Bertaut says individuals with an income between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for tax credits that can lower their monthly premium for a Marketplace health insurance plan.

Cut 7 (10) “…out of their own pocket.” 

To enroll, visit Health-Care-dot-gov.

Governor John Bel Edwards will give his farewell address this evening, and the two-term governor is expected to highlight his achievements in office. The 56th governor will give his address from his hometown of Amite. This will be his final event as governor and governor-elect Jeff Landry will be sworn-in on Monday.

LRN PM Newscall January 3

After a poor season on defense, LSU football coach Brian Kelly has fired his defensive coordinator and three other assistants. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor-Elect Jeff Landry has named the leaders for the Department of Natural Resources, homeland security and workforce commission. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

______________________________________

A major shakeup within the LSU football coaching staff went down today as LSU Coach Brian Kelly fired defensive coordinator Matt House, along with three other assistant coaches. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says  changes had to be made after a historically bad season for LSU on defense…

Cut 3 (11) “…do that.”

Defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey, safeties coach Kerry Cooks, and cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples were also let go today.

House is fired after two seasons as the defensive coordinator at LSU. He came to LSU with a solid resume. In 2018, House was the defensive coordinator at Kentucky and in 2018 they had one of the best defenses in the country. He was the linebackers coach with the Kansas City Chiefs when they won the Super Bowl during the 2019 season. Horne says House might prefer the NFL game over college

Cut 4 (12) “…hot mess”

Horne expects Kelly to act quickly in hiring their replacements…

Cut 5 (06) “ …having a plan.” 

LSU ranked 105th in the nation in total defense giving up 417 yards a game. LSU also allowed 28 points a contest, third worst in the SEC.

________________________________________________________________

About 200-thousand people in Louisiana who were on Medicaid lost their health insurance coverage in 2023 as part of the nationwide Medicaid disenrollment process. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana healthcare economist Michael Bertaut (BURR-toe) says if you are without coverage, you have until January 15th to apply for health insurance through Health-Care-dot-gov…

Cut 6 (08) “…into Medicaid”

Bertaut says individuals with an income between 100 and 400-percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for tax credits that can lower your monthly premium for a Marketplace health insurance plan.

Cut 7 (10) “…out of their own pocket.” 

If you’re not familiar with the Medicaid online process, Bertaut suggests calling an agent to answer any questions and to help select the right plan for you.

Cut 8 (12) “…licensed agent.” 

For more information visit healthcare.gov

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If you received a cost of living raise you could find yourself in a higher tax bracket when you file your 2024 taxes. Shreveport CPA Hardy Foreman says even with a raise your expenses have gone up so you’re not necessarily bringing home more bacon…

Cut 9 (12) “…in 2025.” 

He says the federal tax brackets have not been adjusted for inflation in more than four years.

Foreman says for example a married couple with a joint income of more than $94,300 their tax bracket jumps from 22 percent to 24 percent.

Cut 10 (11) “..everything else.”

So, while you’re preparing your 2023 taxes, Foreman says you need to make some smart moves about your 2024 deductions. For example, if you have a small business keep receipts and write off your home office expenses, mileage, wifi, etc.

Cut 11 (12) “…tax bracket.”

For a listing of the tax brackets for 2024 visit LouisianaRadioNetwork.com

2:30 LRN Newscast

LSU’s defense was ranked among the worst in the country and today Coach Brian Kelly announced the firing of defensive coordinator Matt House and three other assistants on the defensive side of the football. House had a solid resume when he got the job at LSU two years ago, including a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs. But Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says it didn’t work out for House at LSU…
cut 4 (12) “…hot mess”
LSU ranked 105th in the nation in total defense.

Governor John Bel Edwards delivers a farewell address tonight from his hometown of Amite. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards came into office with a large budget deficit to fix, now the state enjoys annual surpluses….
cut 14 (11) “…..wisely”

About 200-thousand people in Louisiana who were on Medicaid lost their health insurance coverage in 2023 as part of the nationwide Medicaid disenrollment process. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana healthcare economist Michael Bertaut (BURR-toe) says if you are without coverage, you have until January 15th to apply for health insurance through Health-Care-dot-gov…
Cut 6 (08) “…into Medicaid”
Bertaut says individuals with an income between 100 and 400-percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for tax credits that can lower your monthly premium.

Paychecks for Americans will be larger thanks to new IRS tax brackets that have been adjusted because of inflation. Shreveport CPA Hardy Foreman says unfortunately higher pay could push some into a higher tax bracket. Foreman says if you’re starting a small business keep your receipts for home office expenses, mileage and Wi-Fi
cut 11 (12) “:….tax bracket”