8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Abita Brewing Company, a Louisiana success story, celebrates 40 years in business. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

McNeese introduces its new Athletics Director today.   Bridget Martin takes over a program that’s seeing great success of late.  Martin has worked at McNeese since 1990, moved to administration in 2001 and promoted to Deputy AD in 2023.  She’s McNeese’s first female AD

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Governor Landry has established the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the goal is to make access to quality healthcare available to everyone in Louisiana and one of the key priorities of the new office is to expand the healthcare workforce in rural areas.

Cut 8 (10) “…throughout the year.”

It’s all part of the state’s rural health transformation program, which is supported by more than 208-million dollars in federal funding.

A bill that would make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions will soon be heard by the full House. The author of House Bill 750, Vincent Cox of Gretna, says the goal is to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one.  Cox says should his bill become law, it would make violations a civil matter and not a criminal matter, and damages would be nominal.

Cut 6 (09) “…500-dollar violation.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability within the Department of Health. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (XX) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

A bill that would make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions will soon be heard by the full House. The author of House Bill 750, Vincent Cox of Gretna, says the goal is to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one. Cox says he’s been in close contact with industry leaders to fine-tune the bill.

Cut 4 (09) “…soften their concerns.”

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She’s one of only four female Athletic Directors in history.  And today McNeese will officially introduce Bridget Martin as its new athletics director.  Martin served as the department’s Senior Woman Administrator and NCAA Compliance Director and in 2023,  was promoted to Deputy AD. She’s McNeese’s first female AD.

Cut 14 (15) “…to males.”

Abita Brewing Company, located 30 miles north of New Orleans, is celebrating its 40th birthday this year. Abita President Troy Ashley says they are a great Louisiana growth story…

Cut 10 (12) “…the time”

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

The full state House will soon hear a bill that aims to make it easier for people in Louisiana to cancel their unwanted subscriptions. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A two vehicle crash in Acadia Parish claimed the life of a teenager on an ATV over the weekend.  State police say it happened Saturday  as 17 year old Hayden Castille of Branch was headed north on LA Hwy 95 when an Audi Q7 head the ATV from behind throwing Castille from the ATV.  He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the goal is to make access to quality healthcare available to everyone, regardless of where in the state he or she lives.

Cut 7 (11) “…a rural area.”

McNeese will introduce Bridget Martin as its new athletics director today after serving as the interim A-D following the departure of Heath Schroyer to LSU. Martin is a native of Lake Arthur and she’s worked at McNeese since 1990 when she was hired as a women’s basketball coach….

Cut 13 (09)  “…as it is today.”

Martin has worked at McNeese since 1990, moved to administration in 2001 and promoted to Deputy AD in 2023.  She’s McNeese’s first female AD and only the fourth in women’s history.

LRN Legislative Report 4/13/16

Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the goal is to make access to quality healthcare available to everyone, regardless of where in the state he or she lives.

Cut 7 (11) “…a rural area.”

Greenstein says one of the key priorities of the new office is to expand the healthcare workforce in rural areas and says this this new office goes beyond just the healthcare aspect.  It also addresses things to improve the overall health of people living in rural areas.

Cut 9 (08)  “…in our communities.”

It’s all part of the state’s rural health transformation program, which is supported by more than 208-million dollars in federal funding.

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A bill that would make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions will soon be heard by the full House. The author of House Bill 750, Vincent Cox of Gretna, says the goal is to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one. Cox says he’s been in close contact with industry leaders to fine-tune the bill.

Cut 4 (09) “…soften their concerns.”

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

Cox says should his bill become law, it would make violations a civil matter and not a criminal matter, and damages would be nominal.

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

This is the time of year when birds pass through the Gulf Coast region for their annual migration up north…which is why  the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

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The LSU baseball program will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

The Tigers lost to Ole Miss last night in in Oxford.  At the plate, LSU was two-for-11 with runners in scoring position. In other action, La Tech trounced Middle Tennessee eight to one.
And Johnny Jones is officially back at LSU. The DeRidder native, who was once a head coach for the Tigers, will be an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team for a second time.

 

10:30 AM LRN Newscast

Good news for Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan.  Federal funding for 2027 is going up 2.4 percent, instead of the nine-hundredths or one percent that was proposed.  Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority on getting the increase.

Cut 7 (09) “…the following year.”

Local governments could  soon be able to hold votes to see if residents want fluoride removed from the water. The Louisiana Senate approved the legislation yesterday, 26-7.  Some Democrats voted for the legislation, like Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux, who is fine with giving Louisiana voters an opportunity to decide for themselves.

Cut 10 (10) “… of the people.”

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It’s migration time in the Gulf Coast region for birds heading up north, Which means the Lights Out Louisiana initiative is in full swing.  The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the initiative, says whether you’re in a high-rise building or a single-story home, you should turn off all lights that are visible from the outside.

Cut 5 (08) “…deaths as well.”

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season.  It will go from sharing five percent softball, gymnastics and Olympic sports to having it’s own five percent share. In the interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio Ausberry said they want to make sure Coach Jay Johnson has what he needs to win.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the country.”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to do your part in keeping birds safe during their journey up north. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season. Ausberry made the announcement during an interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio.

Cut 12 (11) “…with my coaches.”

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Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan can rest easier, knowing that federal funding is getting a significant bump for 2027. Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent, and that was not going to be nearly enough.

Cut 6 (09) “…an affordability crisis..”

A bill that would allow local governments to hold a vote on whether residents want fluoride removed from their drinking water has been approved by the Senate. Local governments began adding fluoride to public water systems in the mid-1900s. Health experts say it’s safe. But Houma Republican Mike Fesi, who authored the bill, says research says otherwise.

Cut 11 (11) “…night to sleep?”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

This is the time of year when birds pass through the Gulf Coast region for their annual migration up north…which is why  the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

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The LSU baseball program will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

The Tigers lost to Ole Miss last night in in Oxford.  At the plate, LSU was two-for-11 with runners in scoring position. In other action, La Tech trounced Middle Tennessee eight to one.
And Johnny Jones is officially back at LSU. The DeRidder native, who was once a head coach for the Tigers, will be an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team for a second time.

 

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Teacher pay raises won’t be the only thing voters will be deciding in next month’s constitutional amendment election. There are four other amendments on the ballot, including one on whether the mandatory retirement age for judges should be raised from 70 to 75 –.President and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, . Steven Procopio says this is the third time that this has been put to voters.

Cut 8 (08) “…fresh or younger?”

Big weekend in Ponchatoula as the annual Strawberry Festival gets underway this morning at eleven and runs through Sunday evening at six.  There’s a parade set for tomorrow morning at 9:30 and Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says this year’s strawberry crop is fantastic!

Cut 6 (12) “…them fast enough.”

One important change from last year – tonight and tomorrow night, the festival will close at eight o’clock, instead of ten.

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Ole Miss fifth-year senior transfer linebacker T.J. Dottery spoke about his decision to follow his coach to LSU. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

If you’ve been craving crawfish, now’s the time to get some as crawfish prices are down.   Crawfish App co-founder Lainey King says  now that Easter’s over,

Cut 15 (11) “…your favorite spot.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

There are several constitutional amendments to be decided in next months election.  Teacher pay is one.  But voters will also be deciding whether to authorize the creation of the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish.   Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, says the only reason that this is going to voters statewide is because that’s what the rules say.

Cut 9 (07)  “…of the state.”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is happening this weekend.  It kicks off this morning at 11 and runs through Sunday evening at Memorial Park on North Sixth Street. Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says there’s costs nothing to get in, and Lanier says there are strawberries everywhere.

Cut 5 (09) “…anything like that.”

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The House Labor Committee passes legislation that would prohibit a private or public employer from firing or taking retaliatory action against an employee for misgendering. Chairman Raymond Crews of Bossier City is the author of the legislation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is that proper?”

Crews is referring to Luke Ash, who was let go of his job last July after he refused to use someone’s preferred pronouns.

Peyton Rose Michelle, with Louisiana Trans Advocates, believes the legislation is unfair, because state law does not protect trans people from discrimination, yet this bill would protect someone who intentionally tries to disrespect a transgender individual.

Cut 12 (10) “…and be disrespectful.”

The measure is heading to the House floor after a six-to-four vote along party lines in House Labor.