For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Polls are open today until 8pm in Louisiana but what’s available to vote on depends on your parish. Orleans Parish has the most items on the ballot because of municipal races, including the bid by Mayor LaToya Cantrell for a second term. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says because of an expected 35 percent voter turnout in Orleans Parish, voters statewide should be aware that New Orleans could have the largest impact on the fate of the constitutional amendments.
Cut 4 (13) “…folks would want.”
The longtime Louisiana Christmas tradition of the Lighting of Bonfires is officially back on the calendar after being extinguished last year due to the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufresne says the Christmas Eve pastime of lighting the way for Papa Noel has been a community event for decades…
Cut 9 (10) “…St James Parish.”
The bonfire season runs from November 21st to December 27th and the parish will begin issuing permits on November 20th
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The National Average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by a penny to $3.41 leading to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says while there has been a slight decrease, he doesn’t expect to see prices change drastically one way or the other as we approach winter.
Cut 7 (11) “….into the winter.”
While OPEC has begun to slowly increase production, commuters won’t see a change in prices soon.
And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election. Cantrell is expected to win re-election on Saturday as she does not face any well-funded challengers. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says one of the major storylines in this election is the expected low turnout…
Cut 14 (09) “..lines.”
There are also races for open legislative seats in New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. Alford says the most interesting race is between Republican businessman Jeremy Stine and Democrat Dustin Granger in Lake Charles.
LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
Author Archives: Brooke Thorington
9:30 LRN Newscast Nov 13
For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Bonfires on the Levee are officially greenlit for this Christmas Eve in St. James Parish after COVID snuffed them out last year. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
And Voters are heading to the polls today in Louisiana, but for most, there’s not a lot to cast their votes on. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments.
Cut 3 (09) “….what we have.”
The polls are now open and close tonight at 8 and those who don’t know where their polling location is can visit geauxvote.com to find out
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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election. The Mayor is expected to win re-election on Saturday as she does not face any well-funded challengers.
There are races for open legislative seats in New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the most interesting race is in Lake Charles as Republican businessman Jeremy Stine is battling with a high-profile Democrat…
Cut 13 (14) “…year ago.”
And a suspect has been arrested in the second of two fatal shootings that took place on Grambling State’s campus during homecoming week. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the suspect has been identified as Ahmad Green
Cut 15 (08) “…been arrested.”
Green was arrested in Shreveport and booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on a four-million dollar bond. Officers are still looking for the suspect in the first shooting that occurred on October 13th.
For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
8:30 LRN Newscast Nov 13
For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Voters across Louisiana are finally getting their chance to vote Saturday after weeks of delay caused by Hurricane Ida. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
And the National Average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by a penny to $3.41. The decrease in demand has led to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says with holidays around the corner he’s hoping the slight decrease is an indication that prices might be stabilizing for the winter at least…
Cut 6 (11) “…going up.”
Redman says that OPEC has agreed to slowly increase production but we most likely won’t see an impact in prices at the pump for some time.
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The Louisiana Tradition of Bonfire Lighting is finally back for the first time since the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufrense says canceling it last year was the most difficult thing he’s had to do as parish president and he’s overjoyed the event can finally be held again this year, weather permitting.
Cut 10 (11) “…normalcy.”
Permits will be issued by the parish on November 20th and will be lit on Christmas Eve at 7 pm.
And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election. Cantrell also opposes Constitutional Amendment one on the ballot which creates a single commission to collect sales and use taxes. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says business groups support amendment one
Cut 12 (07) “…almost immediately”
Turnout for the election is expected to be relatively low.
For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
5:30 LRN Newscast Nov 12
A Los Angeles Judge grants a petition to terminate the 13-year conservatorship for pop star and Kentwood native Britney Spears. It’s a victory for the Free Britney movement after Spears father and others have come under fire for an alleged abusive arrangement over her estimated $60 million estate. An attorney for Spears says a safety net for her personal and financial care will be put in place.
A suspect has been arrested in the second of two fatal shootings that took place on Grambling State’s campus during homecoming week. Trooper Michael Reichardt says suspect Ahmad Green has been booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on a four-million-dollar bond. Reichardt says they are still looking for Jatavious Carroll of Delhi the suspect in the first shooting, that occurred on October 13th…
Cut 16 (10) “..get your information
Voters head to the polls Saturday in Louisiana. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments. Ardoin says because of an expected 35 percent voter turnout in Orleans Parish, voters statewide should be aware that New Orleans could have the largest impact on the fate of the constitutional amendments.
Cut 4 (13) “…folks would want.”
The longtime Louisiana Christmas tradition of the Lighting of Bonfires is officially back on the calendar after being extinguished last year due to the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufresne says the Christmas Eve pastime of lighting the way for Papa Noel has been a community event for decades.
10:30 LRN Newscast Nov 12
The National Average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by a penny to $3.41. The decrease in demand has led to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says with holidays around the corner he’s hoping the slight decrease is a sign that prices might be stabilizing for the winter at least…
Crude oil prices remain above $80 a barrel.
Sticker shock is not only an issue putting fuel in your car but also shopping for a vehicle and most anything these days. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says there are factors involved, also because of inflation and supply chain problems, that are certain to keep food prices higher for a while.
Cut 6 (09) “…this forward, unfortunately.”
He says meat, poultry, eggs and fish are up 19 percent from a year ago.
Governor Edwards returns to DC next week to lobby for additional relief funding for southwest Louisiana for recovery from Laura and Delta. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire says while he appreciates what the governor has helped with so far, they along with other parts of southwest Louisiana need an additional 600-million dollars in disaster relief funding.
Cut 15 (10) “…of our residents.”
It was August 2020 when Laura made landfall.
Virtual learning is under the microscope after becoming mainstream during the pandemic. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana Policy Director Steven Procopio says when they examined high school level charter schools and their virtual learning especially among Black and economically disadvantaged students, charter schools outperformed state schools.
Cut 8 (10) “..during the pandemic.”
They are hoping to help set a best practices for virtual learning going forward.
9:30 LRN Newscast Nov 12
A Constitutional Amendment on Saturday’s ballot – to alter state income taxes – draws support and opposition from interest groups. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
State Police are investigating a home invasion in Grant Parish that resulted in the shooting of the suspect, 39-year old Chad Scott of Pollock Wednesday night. Police say the suspect entered the home of an off-duty wildlife agent, an altercation ensued, and the homeowner fired shots. Scott was transferred to a local hospital and the case remains under investigation.
Governor Edwards returns to DC next week in hopes of garnering more relief funds for southwest Louisiana. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire says while things have improved in the area months after the storms, that’s not the case for everyone and every location.
Abshire says the 600-million-dollars in long-term disaster relief doesn’t go far enough
Steven Procopio, Policy director at the Public Affairs Research Council says they are making recommendations for virtual education that should increase transparency, more accurate data on student performance, improved outcomes, and a funding structure to cover the cost of virtual education after the pandemic forced many educators and students to use the platform.
AM LRN Newscall Nov 12
The new normal of inflationary prices doesn’t seem destined to fade away anytime soon. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana’s study of virtual learning hopes to help create best practices for remote education in the future. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A Constitutional Amendment on Saturday’s ballot – to alter state income taxes – draws support and opposition from interest groups. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Sticker shock is not only an issue while shopping for a vehicle these days, but Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says inflation and the messed up supply chain train is also hitting hard at the grocery store these days.
And, Strain says that’s compared to year-ago prices. He says, for now, the price hikes seen almost everywhere, are the new normal, but suggests prices are expected to reverse course in the long term as the pandemic eases further and supply chain problems are addressed.
Strain says that inflation has really taken a hit on power alternatives and transportation. For example:
As for used car prices, Strain says they are up a whopping 58 percent.
Strain says there are factors involved, also because of inflation and supply chain problems, that are certain to keep food prices higher for a while.
Cut 6 (09) “…this forward, unfortunately.”
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Virtual learning was used as a means to educate students due to COVID, now there’s a call to improve the medium. Even before the pandemic, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana says they were studying how charter schools used virtual learning. PAR Policy Director Steven Procopio says they want to help create best practices for virtual learning.
In the study entitled Louisiana Virtual: Facing the Reality of Online Schooling, Procopio says when they examined high school level charter schools and their virtual learning especially among Black and economically disadvantaged students, it was interesting because the charter schools outperformed state schools.
Cut 8 (10) “..during the pandemic.”
Procopio says PAR is making recommendations for virtual education that should increase transparency, more accurate data on student performance, improved outcomes, and a funding structure to cover the cost of virtual education.
Procopio says they are in favor of educational options but when adding others like virtual learning, BESE needs to make sure standards for quality, accountability, and transparency are set.
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Four amendments to the state Constitution will be decided Saturday. Amendment One would establish a centralized state sales & use tax collection authority, instead of the many local systems we have now. Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, urges a yes vote here as a vote for tax reform. She says our current system doesn’t have a mechanism for collecting Internet sales taxes and millions are being left un-collected…:
Cut 10 (11) “…our sales tax over time.”
McVea says Amendment One levels the playing field for small businesses against Big Box and online retailers. Amendment Two on the ballot Saturday is a somewhat complicated tax swap; lowering state income tax rates & setting a cap on the highest brackets. It would also take away the deduction for federal incomes taxes paid. Again McVea says this would benefit small businesses and most individual taxpayers…:
Cut 11 (09) “…with the 21st Century.”
However, the Louisiana Budget Project disagrees on Amendment Two, and urges voters to say “no.” Spokesman Jan Moller says A-2 is being pitched as revenue-neutral, but in reality, it will create bigger state budget deficits…:
Cut 12 (15) “…corporate income taxes.”
Moller says passing A-2 will mean less money to fund state universities, health initiatives for the less fortunate, and more worthwhile endeavors…:
Cut 13 (08) “…of our tax structure.”
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Governor John Bel Edwards will head back to Washington next week in hopes of gaining support for more disaster relief funds for southwest Louisiana. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire, appreciates what the governor has achieved thus far, but says the 600-million-dollars in long-term disaster relief doesn’t go far enough.
The area was hit by four major weather events in a year’s time, including Hurricane Laura that came ashore in August 2020.
Abshire on why Calcasieu and other parts of southwest Louisiana need an additional 600-million dollars in disaster relief funding.
Cut 15 (10) “…of our residents.”
Abshire says while things have improved in the area months after the storms, that’s not the case for everyone and every location.
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The Saints could be without running back Alvin Kamara for Sunday’s game at Tennessee. Karma has not practiced the last two days because of a knee injury. 31-year-old Mark Ingram says he’s ready for a full workload…
Ingram had nine carries for 43 yards last Sunday. He’s 20 yards away from breaking the Saints career rushing yards record, which is currently held by Deuce McCallister. Ingram says it would be a blessing to be the Black and Gold’s all-time leading rusher…
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ULM looks to snap a two-game losing streak on Saturday when they host Arkansas State for the Warhawks final home game of the season. After not scoring a touchdown in the second half in a loss to Texas State last Saturday, ULM Coach Terry Bowden wants to see more big plays from his offense…
Arkansas State has just one win on the year, but Bowden says the Red Wolves are not to be taken lightly…
12:30 LRN Newscast Nov 11
The Governor officially dedicated the Never Forget Garden at Veterans Memorial Park adjacent to the State Capitol this morning. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland says the dedication also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The ceremony was moved to the Capitol Park Museum due to the inclement weather.
Another way to honor a vet this year is to cast your ballot Saturday. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says you can also display your appreciation for our military with their Honor Vets Vote Program by visiting sos.la.gov/honorvets.
Polls open Saturday morning at 8 and close at 8 pm.
The state’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and LSU are developing a survey to try and learn the true economic impact to Louisiana’s commercial seafood industry from the last two years of hurricanes. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
10:30 LRN Newscast Nov 11
53-year-old Jason Miller of Covington is accused of raping a teen and impersonating a police officer. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks says the victim was walking in the Gardere area Sunday afternoon when Miller allegedly approached her, flashed a badge, and began questioning her.
Cut 13 (08) “…raped her.”
Hicks says good detective work led to Miller’s arrest two days later.
For Veterans Day this year the Governor and First will dedicate the Never Forget Garden at Veterans Memorial Park adjacent to the State Capitol. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland
says the garden dedication also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Strickland also encourages you to reach out and express your gratitude to military vets today.
Military spending in Louisiana is significantly up from four years ago. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
Oak Grove Mayor Adam Holland is hopeful the town will be awarded a 10-million-dollar grant to improve the town’s water system. Holland says he’s aware the of the dire need for repairs and ongoing discoloration. Since he took office in 2014 there have been several repairs but he’s hoping for more upgrades and says the water system’s pH and bacteria levels meet current health standards.
9:30 LRN Newscast Nov 11
53-year-old Jason Miller of Covington is in the East Baton Rouge Prison, charged with the rape of a teen and impersonating a police officer Sunday. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks says they arrested Miller in just days due to good detective work. A description of the suspect’s vehicle and surveillance footage helped them find the plates on the car and thus his identity.
Cut 14 (11) “…confessed to them.”
A man is dead and three other men, along with a 14-year-old are hospitalized after an ambush-style shooting Tuesday night in front of a grocery store in St. Charles Parish. Sheriff Greg Champagne says it happened in Killona and they’ve been working with authorities in St. James and St. Johns parishes who have encountered similar types of criminal activity.
A study shows military spending has a more than nine-point-six-billion-dollar annual impact on the state. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it outlines the impact of various military-related operations including Fort Polk, Barksdale Air Force Base, and the Belle Chasse Naval Air Station where thousands are employed at each.
Cut 11 (09) “…and really statewide.”
It’s Veterans Day and the Governor and First Lady will dedicate the Never Forget Garden at Veterans Memorial Park adjacent to the State Capitol today. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland says even if you aren’t able to attend a Veterans ceremony today, you can simply express your gratitude for those who defend our country.