AM LRN Newscall Sept 21

Entergy Louisiana is providing bill relief for residential customers through a one-million-dollar bill payment assistance initiative. Teiko Foxx has more.

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Louisiana Tech has set a record for its largest first-time freshmen class in school history. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Loved ones of those killed by inmates on death row gathered to voice their opposition to the upcoming clemency hearing. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Entergy Louisiana is offering one million dollars in bill payment assistance to residential customers to help with high utility costs caused by the historic heat. Vice President of Customer Service Michelle Bourg says qualified approved customers will receive a credit toward their utility bill.

Cut 4 (08) “…high demand.”

Residential customers have to meet certain income eligibility for the one-time $200 dollars credit that will be applied to their bill.  Bourg says funds are available on a first come first served basis.

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Applications will be reviewed, approved, and denied by United Way agencies. Bourg says notice of acceptance will be sent by email.

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Customers can apply through the United Way website starting Friday at noon.

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Louisiana Tech says it has welcomed its largest class of first-time freshmen in school history, 22-hundred strong, which is a 28-percent increase from the previous year. Vice President of Student Achievement, Doctor Dickie Crawford, says students are attracted to Tech because they can get a quality education without having to go to a big school…

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Crawford says it took a team effort to attract this freshmen class to Louisiana Tech and it’s not just students from the Boot…

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Crawford says Tech’s investment in modern facilities, research opportunities, and student services has contributed to its rising enrollment…

Cut 9 (08)  “…so critical.”

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Family members of victims and District Attorneys across the state voiced their opposition to the upcoming death row inmate clemency hearings.  Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association Loren Lampert says the governor and pardon board aren’t following the rules…

Cut 10 (12) “… inappropriate.”

Several DAs and Attorney General Jeff Landry have filed lawsuits to block Governor Edwards and the Pardon Board for not following the proper and necessary steps and conducting what Landry says were proceedings outside of the public eye. Edwards says the lawsuit has no merit.

Cut 11 (09) “…is either.”

Evelyn Salone was also shot when her husband Troy was killed by death row inmate Donald Leger (Lay-zhay) almost 22 years ago in St. Mary Parish. Salone says Edwards is circumventing the rules and hurting everyone who lost loved ones at the hands of the death row inmates.

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The first round of clemency hearings is scheduled for October.

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The Louisiana Department of Health is recommending individuals who are six months of age and older, to get the newest COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna and Pfizer ahead of the winter respiratory virus season. LDH State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says this booster offers protection for everyone especially those who are more vulnerable.

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Nearly three million Louisianans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The updated vaccine that targets the XBB 1.5 variant will be available in the coming days. Kanter says the new FDA and CDC guidance has simplified the regimen for winter vaccines.

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Kanter says many insured Louisianans will receive the vaccine at no cost. But for those who do not have adequate insurance…

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To find a location that offers free vaccines near you, visit vaccines.gov.

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12th ranked LSU prepared for last week’s test against Mississippi State and passed with flying colors, a 41-14 victory over Mississippi State. Center Charles Turner says the Tigers learned a good week of practice can lead to good results on Saturday, so they are having physical practices again this week…

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LSU can improve to 2-0 in the SEC West. Alabama and Texas A&M look shaky and there’s no guarantee Ole Miss can beat the Crimson Tide this Saturday. Turner says it appears the SEC West is up for grabs and they want to win the division again…

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Arkansas was upset last Saturday at home against BYU. The Razorbacks committed 14 penalties and their offensive line has struggled. But they’ve been a stingy defense, allowing just 56 rushing yards a game, fourth lowest in the SEC. LSU running back Logan Diggs…

Cut 18 (21) “…the challenge”

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A banged up Louisiana Tech football team will visit Nebraska on Saturday afternoon. Starting Quarterback Hank Bachmeier injured his shoulder in last week’s loss to North Texas and did not return and Coach Sonny Cumbie says the team’s leading rusher on the season, Keith Willis, is out with a high ankle sprain. Also Charvis Thornton is questionable…

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Cumbie says they know Nebraska wants to play a physical style of football…

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