LRN AM Newscall

Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings have been found on Louisiana’s Chandeleur Islands for the third consecutive year. Sean Richardson has the story on the Chandeleur Island restoration project.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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What does Governor Landry’s tax reform proposal mean for you? Colleen Crain helps to break it down.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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It was a game that lived up to every syllable of its billing – LSU came away with a hard-fought win over Ole Miss, and they needed overtime to do it. Andrew Greenstein was at Tiger Stadium for all the excitement.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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For the third year in a row, loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings have been found on Louisiana’s Chandeleur Islands. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Project Manager Todd Baker says a total of 60 hatchlings emerged from two nests in 2024.

Cut 4 (08) “…turtles out there.”

Baker says this discovery is part of a 300-million-dollar restoration project for the islands, which is expected to be completed by 2026.

Cut 5 (09) “…do it correctly.”

Since 2022, Baker says the islands have seen 136 turtle crawls, making it one of the highest-density nesting beaches in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 6 (10) “…in good numbers.”

The Chandeleur Islands also support various rare species and important coastal habitats.

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A big milestone for the massive I-20 construction project in Bossier Parish. Today, three of the four ramps currently closed at the Old Minden Road interchange reopen. The lone holdout, the westbound on-ramp, is expected to reopen in a week following final drainage work. DOTD Spokeswoman Erin Buchanan says the project is moving along on schedule.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the final project.”

And with that new phase, traffic will be flowing on newly-built roadways, which are replacing roadways that had outlived their usefulness.

Cut 8 (10) “…since the 60s.”

During construction, tractor-trailers have thus far been prohibited from going through the construction zone, and that prohibition will remain in place as the project enters the final phase.

Cut 9 (12)  “…areas along there.”

Buchanan says the project is still on track to be completed late next year.

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We’re just weeks away from a special session, in which lawmakers will consider Governor Landry’s sweeping tax reform proposal. What does his proposal mean for the average Louisiana taxpayer? Tax attorney Sanders Colbert (COLE-bert) says the wealthiest taxpayers will still pay the lion’s share of the state’s income taxes.

Cut 10 (13) “…that are collected.”

Part of Landry’s plan to make up for the reduction in income tax collection is to start collecting sales taxes on services not currently being taxed. Landry’s plan also involves simplifying the state sales tax code, which Colbert says is among the most complicated in the country.

Cut 11 (16) …and the state.”

Landry’s plan would also reform the inventory tax, which along with the franchise tax that he’s also looking to eliminate, has been discouraging businesses from coming to Louisiana, according to Colbert. 

Cut 12 (15) “…these property taxes.”

The special session is slated to take place next month. And some of the items, if passed, would go to voters for final approval.

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It was a game that lived up to every syllable of its billing. LSU came back to beat Ole Miss, 29-26, in overtime. After trailing the entire game, LSU tied it with 27 seconds left in the 4th quarter on a 23-yard  Garrett Nussmeier touchdown pass to Aaron Anderson on a fourth down play. And then Nussmeier threw a touchdown to Kryen Lacy for the game-winning score. But Coach Brian Kelly says it was the defense that gave them a chance to win…

Cut 13 (15)  “… complimentary football.”

LSU’s defense sacked Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart a career-high six times. The Rebels were also 3-of-6 in Red Zone opportunities.

Nussmeier said after the game this was the worst game of his career. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions. But Kelly says the offense never blinked..

Cut 14 (15) “…for him.”

Lacy said there was no quit in the team, even as they were settling for field goals through much of the game.

Cut 15 (08) “…to score more.”

Immediately after Lacy caught the 25-yard game winning TD pass, fans stormed the field.

Cut 16 (10)   “…Geaux Tigers!”

The fans storming the field will likely cost LSU a fine of 250-thousand dollars, which under SEC bylaws would go to Ole Miss.

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On Saturday, the Ragin Cajuns improved to 5-and-1 overall and 2-and-0 in the Sun Belt with a 34-24 victory over Appalachian State. U-L Lafayette scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Mountaineers. Coach Michael Desormeaux’s team has won in its last three games by ten points or less.

Cut 17 (17) “…proud of em.”

ULM moved to 5-and-1 on the season with a homecoming win over Southern Miss 38-21. The Warhawks’ 38 points are a season-high. Coach Bryant Vincent…

Cut 18 (17)  “…this team.”

ULM is off this Saturday and then a trip to South Alabama on October 26th.

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The Saints rallied from a 17-0 deficit to take a 27-24 lead at halftime, only to fall apart in the second half and lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 51-27. . Coach Dennis Allen had this to say afterwards…

Cut 19 (15) “….all areas.”  

The Saints suffered a couple of injuries. Tyrann Mathieu went down with a wrist injury and Chris Olave left with a concussion. It’s the fourth straight loss for New Orleans who gave up 594 total yards, second most in franchise history. Allen says it was a disappointing day for the defense…

Cut 20 (15) “…explosive plays.” 

The Saints have a short week as they will host Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos on Thursday.