LRN AM Newscall February 10

LSU-Alexandria sets another enrollment record. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The debate over whether guns should be permitted on college campuses will be up for debate again in the upcoming legislative session. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Santa Clara is done, and Inglewood is now on the clock. Andrew Greenstein reports New Orleans is continuing its push to land the 2031 Super Bowl.

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LSU Alexandria sets another enrollment record, with spring enrollment up 12-percent year-over-year, marking the 12th straight semester of record growth. Abbey Bain with LSU-A says one of the biggest reasons for the continued growth is smaller class sizes.

Cut 4 (08) “…and support them.”

Bain says another reason students choose LSU-A is cost.

Cut 5 (09) “…been possible before.”

Bain says LSU-A is also broadening its appeal beyond its traditional base.

Cut 6 (09) “…in the state.”

Bain says while much of the growth is in continuing education, there was also a 12-percent increase in on-campus enrollment, indicating that more incoming freshmen want to be a part of the campus’ vibrant experience.

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For years, Oil City Representative Danny McCormick sponsored a bill that would allow non-felon adults to carry a gun without a permit. “Constitutional carry,” as many conservatives call it, became legal in Louisiana in 2024. For the upcoming session, McCormick has filed a bill that would allow teachers, students and the public to constitutional carry on college campuses.

Cut 7 (08) “…included in that.”

McCormick says a group of college students encouraged him to file this legislation.

Cut 8 (09) “…bill this year.”

Similar legislation has failed to receive legislative approval in previous years. University officials have expressed concerns about allowing students to possess guns on campus. But McCormick says a student should have the ability defend themselves in an active shooter situation.

Cut 9 (06)  “…a college campus.”

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Attorney General Liz Murrill believes she would win a lawsuit against New York and California in her fight to extradite doctors who have been indicted for mailing abortion pills to individuals in Louisiana. The dispensing of abortion pills is illegal in Louisiana when prescribed outside of a hospital setting. Murrill says according to the Full Faith and Credit Clause in the U.S. Constitution, states must honor each other’s laws.

Cut 10 (12) “…in our state.”

Murrill has yet to file the lawsuits against these two states, as the state is trying to extradite the doctors accused of mailing abortion pills into Louisiana. California Governor Gavin Newsom says his state will never help Louisiana criminalize healthcare. Murrill says Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul are playing politics.

Cut 11 (12) “…their gun laws.”

California and New York have ignored Louisiana’s extradition requests, because shield laws in their state protect abortion providers from out of state civil or criminal charges. But Murrill says this has nothing to do with reproductive rights, because in both cases, the women were forced to take abortion pills by either their mother or their boyfriend.

Cut 12 (11) “…what they’re doing.”

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The Santa Clara Super Bowl is in the books, and Inglewood is now on the clock. After that, the 2028 Super Bowl will be held in Atlanta, and the NFL has yet to award Super Bowls beyond that point. New Orleans is continuing to make a strong bid to host the 2031 Super Bowl – and Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says New Orleans has proven eleven previous times to be the perfect Super Bowl host.

Cut 13 (06)  “…ambience, planning, experience.”

Cicero says what especially works for New Orleans is visitors do not need to rent a car to get around.

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Cicero says everyone who has covered a Super Bowl in New Orleans has given the city rave reviews.

Cut 15 (06) “…around the country.”

2031 is the earliest that New Orleans could host the Super Bowl due to conflicts with Mardi Gras in 2029 and a convention in 2030.

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It’s officially game week for the LSU baseball team. The Tigers will open their season against Milwaukee on Friday at 2 p.m. Fifth-year senior infielder Seth Dardar is one of the new transfers LSU added in the offseason. Dardar, who’s a Mandeville native, says he was only in the portal for an hour before committing to the Tigers.

Cut 16 (13) “…to come home.” 

LSU sophomore catcher Cade Arrambide enters his second year with the program after putting together an impressive freshman season. Last year, Arrambide hit .242 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 36 games. Arrambide says his main focus in the offseason was improving his plate discipline.

Cut 17 (17 )  “…hard on that.”

One of LSU’s key returners is senior pitcher Zac Cowan (COW-in), who struck out 60 hitters in 52 innings of work last season. Cowan only threw a fastball and changeup last season, but says he’s added to his arsenal.

Cut 18 (11)  “…working on too.”

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Ford Pemberton enters his first season as the ULM head baseball coach. The Warhawks finished last in the Sun Belt last season and are predicted to finish last this season, but Pemberton says he believes the future is bright in Monroe.

Cut 19 (11) “…trust our clubhouse.”

Pemberton says freshman infielder Sutton Lewis from Monroe is one of the players who has stood out leading up to the regular season.

Cut 20 (11) “…have that problem.”