LRN AM Newscall January 27 ###sports cuts added###

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is recruiting babies who are not breastfed to be part of the CONNECT research study. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Tax season is upon us and today is the first day you can file your 2019 taxes. Jeff Palermo spoke with a CPA for some tips.

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Americans United for Life names Louisiana the most pro-life state in the nation. Matt Doyle has the story.

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LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is recruiting babies who are not breastfed to be part of the CONNECT research study.  Director of biomedical imaging Owen Carmichael says while breast feeding is the way to provide a baby with the best possible nutrition…

Cut 4 (13) “…are fed formula.”

The study tests a conventional baby formula against an enhanced formula that has a greater number of certain nutrients.

Carmichael says the research that led to the study suggests if a formula is fortified with the nutrient building blocks for the development of myelin, it promotes better brain development.

Cut 5 (08) “…of electrical wires.”

The study doesn’t restrict a baby’s diet solely to the fortified formula.  Carmichael says the study involves taking pictures via MRI of the child’s brain while asleep.

Cut 6 (12) “…years of age.”

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Starting today you can submit your 2019 state and federal taxes, and you’ll have until April 15th to get them done.

New Orleans CPA Jerry Schreiber says his number one tip for filers every season is to efficiently organize your tax information either for yourself or your preparer.

Cut 7 (11) “…returns”

Last year was year one for the major federal tax overhaul that eliminated many itemized deductions in exchange for a higher standard deduction. Schreiber says if you figured out the new process last year, just repeat it…

Cut 8 (10) “…last year.”

Schreiber recommends taking your return to a reputable preparer, but if you chose to go it alone just know the IRS offers a free filing tool called IRS Free File. You can find it on the IRS website.

Cut 9 (09) “…PREPARER”

The tool comes with two packages, one for those making under 69,000 dollars a year, and one for those making over 69,000 dollars a year.

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New job numbers released by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows the Baton Rouge area has set a fourth consecutive nonfarm employment record in December 2019.  Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Ali Bustamante says 1,800 jobs have been added over the month.

Cut 10 (10) “…over the state.”

New Orleans gained 11,300 jobs over the year, and 2,100 jobs from November to December.

The numbers were not so rosy in other parts of that state over with over the year job losses including Shreveport down 2,800 job, Houma down 1,200, and Lake Charles down 800.   Bustamante says much of that is attributed to declines in construction due to completion of big industrial construction projects.

Cut 11 (11) “…services and manufacturing.”

Bustamante says the leisure and hospitality sector is booming with record high employment at nearly 242,000 jobs, manufacturing added 5,000 jobs over the year and the state continues to excel with business and professional services.

Cut 12 (07) “…great employment growth throughout.”

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Americans United for Life ranks Louisiana as the most pro-life state in the nation, largely on the back of a series of bills passed last year in the Legislature.  The rankings also touted an upcoming March 4th Supreme Court admitting privileges case originating from Louisiana that Louisiana Right to Life spokesperson Alexandra Seghers says could have major implications.

Cut 13 (11) “…Louisiana.”

Opponents argue requiring admitting privileges at local hospitals is an undue burden designed to shutter abortion clinics across the country.

Along with seven pieces of legislation passed last year, including the Heartbeat Bill, the publication noted a constitutional amendment set for the November presidential ballot…

Cut 14 (07) “…constitution.”

Seghers says the plan is to continue pursuing further pro-life legislation in the state as 8,000 to 9,000 procedures are still performed every year locally…

Cut 15 (10) “…the top”

The March for Life gathered in both Monroe and Baton Rouge over the weekend, and thousands, including the President, joined the march in D.C Friday.

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Preseason practice is underway for the 11th ranked LSU baseball team and there are plenty of position battles to be sorted out before the season opener on February 14th. The only returning starters in the field are catcher Saul Garza, first baseman Cade Beloso and outfielder Daniel Cabrera. Coach Paul Mainieri expects to have fluidity with his everyday lineup

Cut 16  (25)  …our team” 

LSU returns a lot of its pitching from last year. Mainieri says Cole Henry is the likely Friday night starter, Landon Marceaux, Eric Walker and AJ Labas are batting for the other two weekend spots

Cut 17  (20) ” three weeks” 

One of the newcomers on this team is outfielder Maurice Hampton, who just helped the Tigers win a national championship in football. The Memphis native had 10 tackles as a reserve safety. Mainieri admits Hampton is behind the other hitters

cut 18  (20) ” I think”   

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After winning a school-record 11 games in 2019, the Ragin Cajuns football team begins offseason workouts today as they prepare for 2020. Third-year head coach Billy Napier says the goal is to build on last year’s success

cut 19 (16)  intend to do”  

The Cajuns will have a new defensive coordinator. Ron Roberts has left to be the D-C at Baylor. Safeties coach Patrick Toney is expected to be named the new defensive coordinator and former graduate assistant Austin Armstrong is expected to be named inside linebackers coach. Napier is appreciative of Roberts, but is confident the defense will remain playing at a high level

cut 20 (20) “ stamp on it”