LRN AM Newscall April 28

Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, The Steve Miller, and Kane Brown are some of this year’s headliners at the 38th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival that kicks off today April 28th through May 7th. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Almost 40 years after a skull fragment was found in the Lake Pontchartrain area, testing shows it’s 3,500 years old. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A Senate bill aimed at keeping adult reading materials in public libraries away from impressionable young eyes passes its first legislative hurdle. More from Brooke Thorington…:

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival returns to the New Orleans Fairgrounds this weekend – April 28th through May 7th  - with a jam-packed two-weekend full of culture, crafts, and music. Festival Producer, Quint Davis says this is the second post-COVID event and people are excited.

Cut 4 (09)  “…that one.”

The Festival is one of the city’s biggest festivals celebrating its rich culture and heritage. It will also showcase diverse works of art and contemporary crafts. There will be 16 musical stages featuring over 580 bands covering everything from jazz blues and gospel to Cajun, zydeco, hip-hop, funk, and more from national and international acts.

Cut 5 (09)   “…for everybody.”

In 2019 and 2022, organizers reported more than 475,000 people attended the two-weekend event. There will also be a big transition to a cashless-only festival this year. All vendors will not accept cash payments but any type of money cards will be accepted. There will also be Cash Exchange booths where attendees can use cash to get a prepaid card for no fee and the cards can be used anywhere outside the festival.

Cut 6 (07)  “…whose playing.”

This year’s headliners include Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, The Steve Miller Band, HER, Dead & Company, Wu-Tang Clan, and Kane Brown, and many more. Visit nojazzfest.com for the full lineup.

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A skull fragment discovered almost 40 years ago near Lake Pontchartrain is found to be 35-hundred years old.  In 2009 because of its degraded condition DNA testing could only tell them it was female. In January, Cold Case Investigator Chris Knoblauch with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, says Carbon-14 testing was performed.

Cut 7 (09) “… it was.”

Knoblauch says it’s hard to fathom who this woman, was in back in 1634 to 1504 B.C. and how a fragment of her skull ended up in what’s now St Tammany Parish. She’s estimated to be between 25 to 35 years, and testing even revealed her diet.

Cut 8 (11) “…as well.”

Geographically, Knoblauch says back then the area was much different from what it is now. He says the Mississippi River is believed to be elsewhere and geographic landmarks that we know now didn’t necessarily exist then.

Cut 9 (10)  “…kind of right in.”

The LSU FACES lab has current possession of the fragment.

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At the Capitol, the Senate Education Committee advances a bill to keep adult reading material in public libraries out of the hands of children. Turkey Creek Republican Senator Heather Cloud says this is a matter of importance to a great many parents and grandparents across Louisiana…:

Cut 10 (11) “…sexually explicit material.” 

Cloud’s bill would set up a tiered library card system, wherein parents could select a lending level appropriate for their kid. Amendments added to the measure seek to clear up the definition of what constitutes “sexually explicit,” and establish a 60-day warning period for libraries to address complaints. Cloud says libraries would not have to go over every book, looking for objectionable content…:

Cut 11 (06)  “…by a patron.”

Cloud’s bill would set up a two-step process for reviewing library books that have received complaints. Under the bill, libraries in violation could face loss of funding.. Cloud says drafting the bill was a delicate process…:

Cut 12 (12)    “…for this content.” 

After an hour of discussion and before the opposition could speak, Senator Bodi White called the question for an immediate vote. With no opposition from members, it moves to the Senate floor.

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Legislation providing $8.5 million in funding for bulletproof vests for peace officers across Louisiana was passed by a full House with a 98-0 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says it’s about safety and protection.

Cut 13 (13) “…covers them. 

House Bill 442, authored by Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds, would establish funds to provide critical resources to those who protect and serve our communities. Edmonds says the idea came from the killing of three Baton Rouge officers in 2016.

Cut 14 (13)  “…of vest.”

Edmonds says the cost per vest is around $2,500 and guidelines would be monitored by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement.

Cut 15 (08)  “…be proper.”

The law requires the state treasurer to deposit into the fund at the beginning of each year starting July 1.

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LSU begins a three-game series tonight against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers are 12 and 5 in the SEC and in first place, while is in third place with a 9-and-9 record. Coach Jay Johnson points out that Bama has won six of its last seven

Cut  16 (20)  “… a lot of fun.” 

Alabama enters the game with a 9-9 SEC record, 30-12 overall. The Tigers are 12-5 and in first place in the SEC West and they are 32-8 overall. LSU leads the SEC in hitting and they’ve scored a league-high 397 runs. Johnson on their approach on offense…

Cut 17 (20) “…hurting you.” 

Two of LSU’s best hitters, Tommy White and Tre Morgan, didn’t play in Tuesday’s loss to Nicholls because of nagging injuries. Johnson says the trainer has been getting them ready for this weekend….

Cut 18 (17) “..going to play.”