5:30 LRN Newscast July 28

Louisiana students who received reduced-price lunches and breakfast will be able to get those meals at no cost now thanks to Marrero Representative Kyle Green’s legislation. Green says because you can’t learn on an empty stomach there’s a great need to also provide meals to these 7,000 additional students.

Cut 9 (12)  “…the classroom.”

The additional free meals will cost the state about $859,000.

Former LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night during an induction ceremony in Natchitoches. Mainieri coached at LSU for 15 seasons and won four SEC regular season titles and six SEC Tournament championships. He led the Tigers to a national title in 2009…

Cut 12 (09) “…talent” 

If you thought this past week was hot, weather officials say next week’s temperatures will be stunningly awful. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

 

State police have arrested 16 suspects and are looking for severl more in connection to a statewide car theft ring. One of the 16 in custody is from Louisiana, the rest are from Texas. An investigation into discrepancies of transactions began in January of 2022. Suspects are accused of using fake documents to undervalue cars to avoid taxes and some of the cars were reported stolen.

1:30 LRN Newscast July 28

If you thought this past week was hot, weather officials say next week’s temperatures will be stunningly awful. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

33-year-old Gabriel Bates of Opelousas is sentenced to 26 months in prison on counterfeiting charges. Bates was already under surveillance by the Secret Service when Opelousas Police responded to a call from a local donut shop, they identified Bates using a fake $20 last August.

Louisiana students who received reduced-price lunches and breakfast will be able to get those meals at no cost now thanks to Marrero Representative Kyle Green’s legislation. Green says because you can’t learn on an empty stomach there’s a great need to also provide meals to these 7,000 additional students.

Cut 9 (12)  “…the classroom.”

The additional free meals will cost the state about $859,000.

Former LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame tomorrow night during an induction ceremony in Natchitoches. Mainieri coached at LSU for 15 seasons and won four SEC regular season titles and six SEC Tournament championships. He led the Tigers to a national title in 2009…

Cut 12 (09) “…talent” 

Public Broadcasting will live stream Saturday night’s induction ceremonies.

 

 

 

11:30 LRN Newscast July 28

11:30 KFNV

The MegaMillions Multistate Lottery Jackpot is approaching $1 billion dollars, that’s a billion with a “B.” The $910 million prize is one of the largest in U.S. lottery history. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says tonight’s jackpot has a cash value of $464.2 million.

Cut 3 (06) “…US history.” 

To be eligible for tonight’s drawing you must purchase your ticket by 9 PM.

News that the proposed new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge will require a toll hasn’t set well with many including Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver. The Republican says funding for the bridge can be prioritized to avoid the use of tolls…

Cut 10 (13) “…with people.”
Tarver says they’ll ask the Senate and House Transportation Committee not to approve the plan.

The National Retail Federation expects consumers will spend $94 billion on back-to-college shopping this year. That’s an increase of 20 billion from last year. Katherine Cullen with the N-R-F says big-ticket items are responsible for the huge increase in spending…

Cut 8 (11) “…nights of studying”

Twelve Louisiana sports legends will be inducted on Saturday into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches. Two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning and former LSU Coach Paul Mainieri headline the class. Hall of Fame Foundation President Ronnie Rantz says Mainieri has a connection to one of the other inductees…

Cut 13 (14) “…1976.” 

 

 

AM LRN Newscall July 28

A law requiring operating rooms to provide smoke evacuation for surgical smoke in Louisiana goes into effect on August 1st. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The National Retail Federation is predicting record spending on back-to-school items. Michelle Southern has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class of 2023 will be inducted this weekend in Natchitoches. Hall of Fame Foundation President Ronnie Rantz spoke about some of the headliners of the class. Kace Kieschnick has more

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

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A new law that goes into effect on August first is one to increase safety in operating rooms so surgical smoke is properly removed from the rooms. It’s the smoke from burning flesh that presents the hazard. Executive director of the Louisiana State Nurses Association Ahnyel (On-yell) Burkes says the law requires that policies and procedures are in place…

Cut 4 (08)  “…healthcare workers.”

Louisiana is the 12th state to enact surgical smoke legislation. Burkes says whenever skin, for example, is burned during a surgical procedure…

Cut 5 (10)   “…is harmful.”

Burkes says a common procedure that generates surgical smoke is a c-section which is often performed after a mother has given birth.

Cut 6 (05)  “…being used.”

Burkes says the passage of the bill has also raised awareness about the dangers of surgical smoke.

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The National Retail Federation expects consumers will spend record amounts for both back-to-school and back-to-college shopping this year. N-R-F Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen says this increase  in expected spending is primarily driven by more demand for electronics…

Cut 7 (12) “…survey’s history”

The N-R-F says back-to-school spending is expected to reach an all-time high of 41.5 billion dollars, up nearly 37 million dollars from last year. Back-to-college spending is expected to hit 94 billion dollars, about 20 billion dollars more than last year’s record. Cullen says big-ticket items are leading to a huge increase in spending…

Cut 8 (11) “…nights of studying”

Cullen says even though consumers plan to spend more on school and college-related items this year, they are still looking to find the best value and deals…

Cut 9 (12)  “…department stores”

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News that the proposed new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge will require a toll hasn’t set well with many including Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver. The Republican says funding for the bridge can be prioritized to avoid the use of tolls…

Cut 10 (13) “…with people.”

Tarver worries the high cost for large trucks to travel one way over the bridge will force them, along with others, to use the alternative route of the I-210-loop…

Cut 11 (10)  “…and $18 dollars.”

Tarver says DOTD isn’t taking advantage of all the federal funding that’s available for transportation projects and the proposed bridge, which he agrees is needed, isn’t to scope. He says the project is too elaborate and so is the price tag.

Cut 12 (10)   “…years now.” 

He says the alternatives would be for a legislative transportation committee to vote against the project and/or wait until there’s a new governor and see if more funds can be diverted for the project.

______________________________________________________

Twelve Louisiana sports legends will be inducted on Saturday into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame  in Natchitoches. Two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning former LSU Coach Paul Mainieri headline the class. Hall of Fame Foundation President Ronnie Rantz says Mainieri has a connection to one of the other inductees

Cut 13 (14) “…1976.” 

In football, entering alongside Manning are Tulane running back Matt Forte and LSU great Wendell Davis.  Rantz says Davis was Ja’Marr Chase before Ja’Marr Chase. He put up historic numbers for a wideout in the 80’s and was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 1987

Cut 14 (10)  “…of the Bears.” 

WNBA legend Alana Beard, who Rantz says is probably the second-best women’s basketball player to come out of the state behind just Simone Augustus, will be entering while dynamic LSU track and field star Walter Davis and pitcher Paul Byrd round out the Tigers. Rantz says powerlifter Walter Imahara is on the Mount Rushmore of Louisiana powerlifters and has an incredible story…

Cut 15 (13)  “…late 50s.”

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Saints wide receiver Chris Olave had a great rookie season and the hope is that he can improve on the 72 receptions and 1,042 yards receiving he had last year. Olave says he got stronger in the offseason and he’s ready to contribute to what he thinks will be an explosive offense…

Cut 16 (17) “…ready to explode.”

If Michael Thomas can stay healthy and perform at a high level, Olave could find himself receiving a lot of single coverage. Both are from Ohio State and have built a strong relationship. Olave says he looks up to Thomas…

Cut 17 (17) “…a lot.”

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Preseason camp has started for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs’ first game is August 26th against FIU. Boise State transfer Hank Bachmeier is expected to get the start at quarterback and Coach Sonny Cumbie likes how Bachmeier is picking up the offense…

Cut 18 (16) “…learning mode.” 

During the middle of the season, Tech will play a string of games not on Saturday. It starts Friday, September 29th at UTEP, the following week it’s Thursday at home against Western Kentucky and then back-to-back Tuesday games against Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State. Cumbie is looking forward to the unique schedule…

Cut 19 (19) “…national TV.” 

ESPN U is televising the game against Western Kentucky, the others will be on CBS Sports Network.

_______________________________

Cut 20 (21)  “…outstanding player.”  

5:30 LRN Newscast July 27

A law to allow women to recoup half of their out-of-pocket pregnancy-related medical expenses from the father goes into effect on August 1st. Abita Springs Republican Representative Larry Frieman says his legislation gives mothers a way to recover those expenses, but you hope fathers would do so on their own…

Cut 9 (06) “…have today.”
Frieman says he filed the bill after a family practice lawyer told him there’s no way for women to legally recover half of those expenses.

Covington Representative Paul Hollis says he’s running for the District One seat on BESE. Hollis says much of the focus at the state capitol has been on meeting the needs of teachers, he wants to shift the focus to students…
cut 8 (09) “….can provide”

Hollis is term-limited in the legislature.

The oldest fishing tournament in the United States gets underway today at Grand Isle. 23 months ago, the state’s only inhabited barrier island, took a pounding from Hurricane Ida. But Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet says Grand Isle is once again ready to host thousands of fishermen and their families…

Cut 3 (09) “…live bait.”
Tarpon Rodeo starts today and lasts through Saturday.

In Cincinnati, former LSU star and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has to be carted off the field after injuring his right calf during practice. Video shows him scrambling out of the pocket when all the sudden he can no longer put pressure on his right leg and falls to the ground. No word on the severity of the injury.

LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne tells Elle Magazine, she will complete her education online and not remain on campus out of an abundance of caution for her safety. Dunne is the top-ranked female in all of college sports in terms of NIL endorsements.  Dunne says it’s harder and harder to blend in on campus and she is routinely hounded by fans.

 

3:30 LRN Newscast July 27

A law to allow women to recoup half of their out-of-pocket pregnancy-related medical expenses from the father goes into effect on August 1st. Abita Springs Republican Representative Larry Frieman authored the bill and says on the heels of Roe v Wade being overturned, he felt motivated to file the legislation.

Cut 10 (10)  “…originated.”

Paternity must be proven, and the mother would have to file in court to recoup half of the expenses from the father.

Covington Republican Representative Paul Hollis is running for a seat on the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Hollis believes the quality of education students receive is a strong predictor if they will remain in-state and there must be plenty of jobs available when they graduate.

Cut 7 (12)  “…political career.” 

Hollis is term-limited in the legislature.

The Grand Isle International Tarpon Rodeo gets underway today. Jeff Palermo has more on the biggest event of the year for the state’s only inhabited barrier island…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne tells Elle Magazine, she will complete her education online and not remain on campus out of an abundance of caution for her safety. Dunne is the top-ranked female in all of college sports in terms of NIL endorsements.  Dunne says it’s harder and harder to blend in on campus and she is routinely hounded by fans.

 

11:30 LRN Newscast July 27

11:30 KFNV

The Louisiana Pardon Board has decided not to act on the 56 clemency applications from death row inmates. The Board says they can’t because the applications were not made within one year of their last appeal. The Louisiana Capital Appeals Project says they have in the past and the governor can ask the board to hear them. But Louisiana District Attorneys Association Director Loren Lampert believes that won’t happen….

Cut 16 (11) “…that is no.”

SunGas Renewables is looking at investing one-point-eight billion dollars to build a low-carbon methanol facility in Pineville. Mayor Rich Dupree says a Danish shipping company has signed a letter of intent to purchase fuel from the facility…

Cut 5 (12)   “…marine fuels.”
SunGas expects to make a final investment decision in August 2024.

The state received one point seven million dollars in tax revenue for sports betting in June Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns credits LSU’s World Championship Series run for the bump. Twenty-five percent of the tax revenue from sports betting goes towards early childhood education, ten percent to local government and the rest Johns says goes to other projects and gambling addiction programs…

Cut 9 (10)  “…advocated for”

Alexandria Representative and chairman of the House Education Committee, Lance Harris, has announced he’s seeking a seat on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Harris says he would like to pass policies that improve workforce development and literacy rates….

Cut 11 (12)  “…programs.”
Incumbent Ashley Ellis, who’s not seeking re-election, has endorsed Harris.

10:30 LRN Newscast July 27

The Louisiana Pardon Board has returned the clemency applications filed by death row inmates hoping Governor John Bel Edwards would commute their sentence to life without parole. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A former St. Thomas More Catholic High School assistant coach is charged with two federal sex crimes involving a minor. Angel Cardona was arrested Monday for an alleged incident that happened in Lafayette this summer. The 35-year-old is being held without bond in the Iberia Parish Jail. The FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security are handling the case.

Alexandria Republican Representative Lance Harris announces his candidacy for a seat on the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Harris is term-limited as a state lawmaker and has served the last two years as chair of House Education.

Cut 10 (11) “…educational issues.”
BESE member Ashley Ellis, who’s not seeking re-election, has endorsed Harris to be her successor.

Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says Louisiana ranks top ten nationally for the amount of money wagered in legalized sports betting based on population size. Johns says they saw a bump in June thanks to LSU’s run to a College World Series championship…

Cut 7 (09) “…last year.”

The state received one point seven million dollars in tax revenue for sports betting for the month.

4:30 LRN Newscast July 26

The Louisiana Pardon Board has decided to return the clemency applications from 56 death row inmates hoping Governor Edwards would reduce their sentence to life in prison. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Director Loren Lampert says if the Pardon Board took up these petitions, they would violate their own rules.

Cut 13 (10) “…must be changed”

The rules say the Pardon Board can consider clemency petitions from death row inmates if the application was made within one year of their final appeal or if an execution date is approaching.

But the director of the Louisiana Capital Appeals Project, Cecelia Kappel says what the Louisiana Pardon Board has done is unprecedented. She says the board has a history of waiving its rules so death penalty clemency applications can be heard.

Cut 14 (09)  “…procedural grounds” 

Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Authority, Renee Amar strongly opposes the state department of transportation’s proposal to use tolls to fund a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The Joint Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet in the coming weeks to review and approve the two-point-one-billion-dollar project. Amar says this committee can stop the toll from being implemented…

Cut 8 (12)  “…vote it down” 

The State Department reportedly receives 400,000 passport applications a week and says the delays are a result of the pandemic and renewed interest in international travel. US Senator Bill Cassidy says several families and individuals have been forced to forgo their travel because their passports did not arrive in time and the results are costly.

Cut 5 (07)  “…go on.”

He says if you need assistance with your passport to call his office in Baton Rouge.

 

3:30 LRN Newscast July 26

3:30 (15) 6:30 (18) 9:30 (21)

The DOTD announces tolls will be needed to fund a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles and the Louisiana Motor Transport Association opposes the use of tolls. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A 22-year-old Shreveport man was arrested Monday for allegedly stealing a horse, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Livestock Brand Commission. Travious D. Johnson is accused of taking a palomino horse from a pasture without the owners’ permission. The horse was advertised for sale on social media and subsequently sold.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke before the U-S Senate Budget Committee today on the financial impacts of climate change on infrastructure. He says the 14 billion dollars spent on improved levees in New Orleans after Katrina is an example of how significant government investment can prevent damage. He says the levees held up well to Hurricane Ida in 2021 and more flood control projects like this are needed…

Cut 10 (11)  “…over time.”

If it looks like your international travel plans could be disrupted due to passport renewal delays, US Senator Bill Cassidy is urging Louisianians to contact his office. He says he’s received numerous calls from residents who’ve missed vacations despite applying in advance and paying extra fees to expedite the process.

Cut 3 (06) “…situation.” 

If you’re having passport issues you can call Cassidy office in Baton Rouge.