9:30 LRN Newscast March 19th

It’s been a long wait, but LSU women’s basketball is back in the spotlight. David Grubb has more.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”
The LSU men’s basketball team’s season ended last night with a 59-54 loss to Iowa State in the first round of the men’s basketball tournament.
And It was 50 years ago when then 65-year old Tony Chachere published his now legendry Cajun Country Cookbook that included his Original Creole Seasoning. Director of Marketing and Tony’s Chachere’s granddaughter, Celeste Chachere says they’re celebrating the golden anniversary with a commemorative can of their Original Seasoning.
Cut 6 (07) “…from the 70s”
The commemorative can is rolling out in stores now.

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Production costs for farmers in the Bayou State could go up as much as 40-percent this year, depending on the crop. LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto says as consumers are paying higher prices for groceries only 12-cents from every dollar on retail food sales comes back to the individual farmer and the increase at the grocery store is paying for transportation, advertising, and marketing.
Cut 5 (08) “…store shelves.”
Deliberto is hopeful higher commodity prices and sound marketing strategies will help offset the price increases of fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides.
And Washington-based Greenberry Industrial is ready to set up shop in Jefferson Davis Parish. The company is taking over the former Gulf Islands Shipyards facility near Jennings. Fabrication Manager Aaron Reeves says the site offers everything that Greenberry was looking for.
Cut 12 (11) “…bare floor up.”
Reeves encourages those looking for work to visit the company’s site in Sulphur in person.

8:30 LRN Newscast March 19th

Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s has spiced up meals for 50 years now. Brooke Thorington has more on how they’re celebrating the milestone.
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
And production costs for farmers in the Bayou State could go up as much as 40-percent this year, depending on the crop. LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto, says the market volatility is due to a number of issues, like supply chain disruptions and the availability of herbicides…
Cut 3 (09) “…fuel markets.”
He says both of those markets follow the price of crude oil and natural gas.

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The LSU women’s basketball team will host Jackson State at 4 PM today (Saturday) as they begin to play in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Second leading scorer Alexis Morris remains questionable with a knee injury she suffered on February 24th. Coach Kim Mulkey says Morris has been able to practice.
Cut 9 (12) “…she’ll play.”
The LSU men’s basketball team’s season ended last night with a 59-54 loss to Iowa State in the first round of the men’s basketball tournament.
And the Washington-based Greenberry Industrial is ready to set up shop in Jefferson Davis Parish. Fabrication Manager Aaron Reeves says over the next four to six months, the company expects to create 100 new direct jobs with an average salary of $62-thousand, with 144 indirect positions as well.
Cut 13 (07) “…people reaching out.”

LRN 6:30 Newscast March 19th

The LSU men’s basketball team’s season ended last night with a 59-54 loss to Iowa State in the first round of the men’s basketball tournament. The loss ended a wild week for the Tigers with the firing of head coach Will Wade last Saturday for alleged recruiting violations. Interim head coach Kevin Nickelberry is proud of how the team battled adversity…
Cut11 (11) “..win tonight”
The Tigers men’s basketball program now heads into an uncertain future.
Production costs for farmers in Louisiana could go up as much as 40-percent this year. While the Russian invasion of Ukraine is impacting consumers at the gas pump, LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto says farmers are also facing sticker shock and the expenditure of fertilizer makes up a large portion of their expenses
Cut 4 (10) “…will us.”

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50 years ago 65-year old Tony Chachere published his now-famous book Cajun Country Cookbook including his Original Creole Seasoning. Director of Marketing and Tony’s Chachere’s granddaughter, Celeste Chachere says new products are in the works and they continue to pay homage to her grandfather’s love of Cajun cooking.
Cut 8 (11) “…blend or two.”
A commemorative Can celebrating the anniversary is rolling out in stores.
Washington-based Greenberry Industrial is ready to set up shop in Jefferson Davis Parish. They are to have the new facility up and running by mid-to-late April, with hiring to ramp up throughout the year. Fabrication Manager Aaron Reeves encourages those looking for work to visit the company’s site in Sulphur in person.
Cut 14 (12) “…for those jobs.”

1:30 LRN Newscast March 18

Washington-based Greenberry Industrial is ready to set up shop in Jefferson Davis Parish. The company is taking over the former Gulf Islands Shipyards facility near Jennings. Fabrication Manager Aaron Reeves says the site offers everything that Greenberry was looking for.

Cut 12 (11) “…bare floor up.” 

Production costs for farmers in the Bayou State could go up as much as 40-percent this year. LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto, says market volatility is due to a number of issues, like supply chain disruptions and the availability of things like fertilizer, which makes up a large portion of farming expenses. He says trade sanctions with Russia are impacting costs.

Cut 4 (10) “…will us.”

It was 50 years ago when then 65-year old Tony Chachere published his now legendry Cajun Country Cookbook that included his Original Creole Seasoning. Director of Marketing and Tony’s Chachere’s granddaughter, Celeste Chachere says they’re celebrating the golden anniversary with a commemorative can of their Original Seasoning.

 Cut 6  (07) “…from the 70s” 

The commemorative can is rolling out in stores now.

LSU will play Iowa State in the NCAA tournament tonight in Milwaukee and tipoff is at 6:20.

Weather-wise it’s a perfect weekend for the Wearing of the Green St Patrick’s Day Parade in Baton Rouge and the Festival Acadiens in Lafayette. COVID postponed both events in the past and fortunately, the weather couldn’t be more ideal now that storms passed through early this morning. Highs 70s will be and lows in the 40s.

11:30 LRN Newscast March 18

A Grant Parish lawmaker seeks a ban on gender reassignment surgery for minors. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The NCAA says less than 2% of brackets remained perfect on the second day of the men’s basketball tournament, where LSU will make its third appearance in the last four years later this evening. The Tigers will face Iowa State at 6:20 pm.

Production costs for farmers in the Bayou State could go up as much as 40-percent this year, depending on the crop. LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto, says the market volatility is due to a number of issues, like supply chain disruptions and the availability of herbicides…

Cut 3 (09) “…fuel markets.”

He says both of those markets follow the price of crude oil and natural gas.

Ville Platte Senator Heather Cloud wants to see a plan of action to address the psychological, physical, and educational needs of juveniles in detention and has asked for one from three separate secretaries. She hopes that with more legislators behind her and the cooperation of Office of Juvenile Justice, there will be one soon.

Cut 8 (10)  “…path moving forward.”

 

10:30 LRN Newscast March 18

Grant Parish Representative Gabe Firment proposes legislation to prevent minors from receiving transgender medical procedures. The Republican says sexual reassignment is a major undertaking and juveniles should not make such a decision and even science & medical experts are in the process of changing their position on gender reassignment procedures.

Cut 5 (15) “…children under 18.”

As COVID cases remain in a lull, Louisiana State Prisons are bringing the Angola Prison Rodeo April 23rd and 24th. Department of Corrections Spokesperson Ken Pastorick…

Cut 12 (12) “…experienced before”

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at AngolaRodeo.com

State Senator Heather Cloud is demanding changes at the Office of Juvenile Justice. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

The LSU men’s basketball team plays tonight in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, it’s their third appearance in the last four years. The Tigers take on Iowa State in Milwaukee at 6:20 and the game will air on TBS and LSU Sports Radio.

5:30 LRN Newscast March 17

Governor Edwards wants to allocate 500-million dollar for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee says he supports a new bridge but he’d like to see a plan to secure the remaining funding needed, so the project is secure…

Cut 4 (12) “…the sidelines”
The Office of Juvenile Justice reported seven escapes compared to just one for the Department of Corrections in 2021, and there have been multiple so far this year. State Senator Heather Cloud says she’s seeking answers from OJJ on how to remedy the problem and others when it comes to juvenile offenders.

Cut 7 (12) “..flaws and gaps.”

Grant Parish Representative Gabe Firment is proposing legislation to prevent minors from receiving transgender medical procedures. He says sexual reassignment is a major undertaking and a decision juveniles should not make. He says his bill is about protecting them

RIGHT Cut 4 (15)  “…serious side effects.”

The bill prohibits a whole group of medical procedures for anyone under 18, IF the service is part of a gender transition.

New Orleans Representative Kyle Green says he’s not moving forward with his bill to rename the Crescent City Connection in New Orleans after late former Governor Edwin Edwards. According to the Advocate Newspaper, the bridge is named the Crescent City Connection as a result of a publicly-voted contest and the person who proposed the name objected to naming it after Edwards.

3:30 LRN Newscast March 17

As the Fed raises interest rates a quarter-point, what effect will that have on Louisiana homebuyers? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

Former Caddo Parish Commissioner Lynn Cawthorne is sentenced to almost four years in prison along with his sister Belena Turner in a scheme to defraud the USDA of funds for a Summer Feeding Service Program. Cawthorne also pled guilty to false tax claims in a separate indictment.

Renee Amar, Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association says her members are very opposed to the possibility of the I-10 bridge in Lake Charles being funded by tolls. She believes the administration needs to put the Calcasieu Bridge on the front burner and rethink how they will spend federal infrastructure funds.

Cut 8 (09) “…goods to us.” 

The most recent estimate for the project is $600 to $800 million.

LSU wants to set itself apart by becoming a leader in cybersecurity. Provost Matt Lee says the university is ready for the challenge and believes business and industry leaders will flock to graduates of this unique combination of cyber security and defense studies.

Cut 11 (09)  “…academic endeavors.”  

This is uncharted territory for LSU, as there isn’t another program like this in the country.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 17

Governor Edwards’s proposal to allocate 500-million dollars towards building a new Mississippi River Bridge is facing some pushback. Senate President Page Cortez says that’s a lot of money to set aside when environmental impact studies have not been done or a corridor for a new bridge has yet to be selected

Cut 3 (08) “…it gets spent.”

DOTD is accepting bids for construction of a new Jimmie Davis Bridge, in Shreveport-Bossier. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says while the new, four-lane bridge will be the connection between Bossier and Caddo parishes, he believes the old bridge could be repurposed into a park linking existing bike and pedestrian trails.

Cut 9 (10)  “…local community.”

Construction is set to begin in early 2023.

A Baton Rouge infant was found safe in a church parking lot Wednesday after most likely spending the night outdoors alone. Baton Rouge Fire Department Spokesperson Curt Monte says the mother visited a firehouse in the area Tuesday night and from there was taken to the hospital. They narrowed a search area from the firehouse to the child’s home.

Cut 15 (11)  “…original area.”

A report from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs recommends the closure of the Alexandria VA hospital. Senator Bill Cassidy says the report is – at this time – just a report. And while it has fairly low occupancy, Cassidy finds the sudden desire to close it (quote) “infuriating”…:

Cut 5 (08) “…he or she lives.”

 

9:30 LRN Newscast March 17

A baby who went missing in North Baton Rouge has been found alive and with no signs of obvious trauma. Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Curt Monte says they believe the eight-month-old spent the entire evening outside alone in a church parking lot and fortunately, weather conditions overnight were mild, otherwise, the outcome could have been much different.

Cut 14 (07)  “…child so.”

The child was spotted via helicopter in the parking lot.

A report from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs recommends the closure of the Alexandria VA hospital. Senator Bill Cassidy who is also a physician, says closing the hospital would be a mistake, but he also cannot help but look at the issue through a doctor’s eyes…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…quality health care.”

The construction of a new Jimmie Davis Bridge, in Shreveport-Bossier, has taken a big step forward. Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson says they are preparing to accept bids on the project.

Cut 7 (12) “…$150 million bridge.”

A contractor should be chosen by late summer, with construction set to begin in early 2023.

The first week of the legislative session concludes today. During his Ask the Governor show, Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s hopeful positive bills, not divisive ones reach his desk..

Cut 12 (12) “…look forward”
The session ends on June sixth.