LRN AM Newscall February 24

There are two days left of parades and partying, but a somber mood has come over Carnival 2020 after a second person was struck and killed by a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…

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The fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Adoption Program is underway to place extra horses with owners so they can avoid possible slaughter. Brooke Thorington has more.

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An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency has broken down how the 2020 Presidential election could be compromised by ransomware. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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Mardi Gras safety will be a big topic in New Orleans over the months ahead, after a second person in three days was struck and killed by a float. 58-year-old Joseph Sampson died Saturday after a passing tandem float hit him at the Endymion parade. Afterward, the city banned the use of tandem floats, but Endymion Vice President Charles Bruno does not believe a tandem float is to blame

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Last Wednesday a 58-year-old woman was run over by a parade float and died. Endymion President Dan Kelly is calling on city leaders to come up with a plan to prevent future tragedies…

Cut 5 (09)  “…Mardi Gras parades”

Some say banning tandem floats is not the answer to preventing further deaths during the raucous street parades. Others say the city should put up more barricades keeping partygoers off the street. But Bruno says more barricades can create a different problem…

Cut 6 (10) “…larger crowd”

And on Sunday two krewe members on different floats in the Thoth parade fell off and had to be rushed to the hospital. Officials say both riders are in stable condition.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana is coordinating its fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Horse Adoption Program. In the past extra horses needed to be used in parades were sent to auction, where they could be in danger of heading to slaughter.  Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says the program has proven to be successful.

Cut 7 (06) “…for adoption.”

In the past potential adopters would choose from available horses after Carnival season, but with the program’s increased popularity, Dorson says they are seeing a new progression.

Cut 8 (11) “…few weeks.”

For 2020, twenty horses are up for adoption and more than half have already been adopted and several families have been approved by the Humane Society of Louisiana’s adoption team. Dorson is confident they will have another banner year.

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You can visit their facebook page Mardi Gras Horses for adoption information and photos of available horses.

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An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency has broken down how the 2020 Presidential election could be hacked in a report distributed to the National Association of Secretaries of State. While Louisiana appears to be secure, Ingalls Information Security CEO Jason Ingalls says in a recent intrusion response, the agency discovered vulnerabilities to ransomware.

Cut 10 (10) “…pay your ransom.”

Ingalls says local level election systems are a likely target.

Cut 11 (09) “…advanced malware attacks.”

State agencies such as the OMV were recently impacted by a ransomware attack. But Ingalls says the state’s election systems are a testament to good security.

Cut 12 (13) “… been in place.”

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Governor Edwards announces the creation of a “Climate Initiatives Task Force” that will work on ways to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to slow sea level rise.

The governor would not name any specific carbon emission targets at this point. But Edwards’ Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe says it’s still early in the process.

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Edwards showcased his billion dollars a year coastal restoration plan last week, but officials admit it requires a slowing of sea-level rise to work longterm. Sutcliffe says it’ll have to be a global effort, but…

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Discussing the impact of carbon emissions on the global climate can be controversial in an oil-rich state. Sutcliffe says the objective is not to attack a particular group.

Cut 15 (09) “…gonna do.”

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After a disappointing two to nothing loss on Friday, the 11th ranked LSU baseball team bounced back to win Saturday and Sunday to take the series from Eastern Kentucky. The Tigers had great starting pitching over the weekend. AJ Labas allowed two runs over seven innings in yesterday’s ten to two win

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LSU was shutout on Friday and put together a couple of good innings in the win on Saturday. But yesterday the Tigers busted the game open with a seven-run third inning. First baseman Cade Beloso had three hits and drove in three runs on the afternoon…

Cut 17  (24) “for sure 

Coach Paul Mainieri hopes Sunday’s performance at the plate will build the confidence of his hitters…

cut 18  (20) “of that”