AM Newscall 07.25.19

Louisiana FastStart, the state’s workforce training program, has been named the best state workforce training program in the nation for the 10th year in a row…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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LSU President F. King Alexander has heard the feedback concerning the conditions of some buildings on campus while opening a new $28 million dollar football operations center.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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 Saints training camp begins today with fans and players desperate for a second crack at a Lombardi after two straight years of playoff tragedy…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana’s workforce training program FastStart has been named the best workforce training program in the nation by Business Facilities for the tenth year in a row.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson credits the program’s innovative new training modules that can put workers face to face with real-life situations they’ll encounter on the job.

Cut 4 (10) “…situations.” 

Pierson says the program has been so successful that Virginia officials have been visiting to get a closer look at what we’re doing so they can replicate that success in their own state.

Cut 5  (10) “… with.” 

Business Facilities also ranked Louisiana 8th best state for overall growth potential and number two for Foreign Direct Investments.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.3 percent is the lowest it’s been in over ten years. Pierson says that’s good news for workers, who can use FastStart to move up to that next level job.

Cut 6 (09) “…today.”

Louisiana-Job-Connection-Dot-Com allows you to post your resume right to the website.

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LSU President F. King Alexander was present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new $28 million dollar football operations facility. The state of the art structure has been met with backlash due to other buildings on campus being in less than desirable conditions. Alexander says deferred maintenance has been an issue with other buildings on campus.

Cut 7 (08) “…we are tackling.”

Alexander says there has been a shift in the most recent fiscal year when it comes to donations to the school in favor of academics over athletics.

Cut 8 (10) “…went to athletics.”

Alexander says the Fierce for the Future campaign aiming to raise $1.5 billion for the school is helping shift the number of donations towards academics.

Cut 9 (11) “…been doing both.”

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The Saints enter training camp today ahead of a campaign that many fans consider do-or-die after two straight years of playoff heartbreak.

One of the biggest stories heading into camp is the ongoing contract negotiations between the team and star wideout Mike Thomas. ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett says it may take some time for the two sides to work out an extension, but…

Cut 10 (12) “around him.”

Thomas holds the record for most receptions through a player’s first three years with 321, along with Saints franchise records for most receptions in a game, most receptions in a season, most receiving yards in a game, and most receiving yards in a season.

Last year the defensive line was a real strength, but the team lost end Alex Okafor in free agency, and tackle Sheldon Rankins to injury, and Triplett says that puts all eyes on second-year pro, Marcus Davenport…

Cut 11 (11) “…quickly.”

The 22-year-old notched 4.5 sacks last year but saw his production drop off after a midseason toe and tried to play through the pain to limited success. He later noted the same injury is often season-ending.

The offseason sidelines will be lacking one of the most beloved of the Black and Gold this year after the departure of running back Mark Ingram. Tripplett says fans are dying to see his replacement Latavius Murray in action.

Cut 12 (11) “…number 1.”

The six year vet ran for 578 yards on 4.1 yards per carry last year in Minnesota. He’s got 3,698 yards to his career with 34 TDs.

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A political action committee backing Representative Ralph Abraham unleashes ads attacking fellow gubernatorial Republican candidate Eddie Rispone.  In the ad released on social media, it references that Rispone, a wealthy businessman, is trying to buy the election.  ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says it is part of the game when campaigning for GOP votes.

Cut 13 (08) “…attack each other.”

Rispone has poured about $10 million of his own money into his campaign war chest.

Intraparty attacks is something Louisiana Republicans have attempted to avoid in fallout of an unsuccessful 2015 run for the Governor’s mansion.  Stockley says the current race doesn’t have near the vitriol there was four years ago.

Cut 14 (11) “…need to occur.”

Stockley says he is not surprised that the attacks have begun.

Cut 15 (10) “…to do it.”