8:30 AM LRN Newscast

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for all of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi from 9 AM to 6 PM today due to critical fire conditions caused by low humidity and gusty winds.  That after several fires across the state caused problems over the weekend, including an active fire in St. Tammany Parish that shut down I-12 between Abita Springs and Lacombe in St. Tammany Parish for three hours.

President Trump has approved Governor Landry’s request for a Major Disaster declaration for nine parishes in north Louisiana from last month’s massive winter storm. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says the declaration does not cover individuals at this point. But he says those who did sustain damage to their properties should report it to damage-dot-la-dot-gov.

Cut 6 (07) “…the federal government.”

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A bill in the legislature could add an extra layer of protection in imports of certain seafood. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Ten Commandments posters will start going up in Louisiana classrooms now based on a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled a lower court’s decision ruling them unconstitutional was premature.  Loyala Law professor Dan Ciolino says there are still lots of questions.

Cut 14 (08) “…dangerous of that.”

 

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

President Trump approves Governor Landry’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for nine parishes impacted by last month’s winter storm. Here’s Andre Champagne.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

One person was killed and two were injured in an “industrial accident” at a Belle Rose plant on Sunday.  Assumption Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Paul LeBlanc says a crew was doing a routine pressure test on a brine well at the GIE plant off Grand Bayou Road when a loose hose struck three people, killing one. The other two were air lifted to the hospital.

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Louisiana classrooms are given the green light by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to put up Ten Commandments posters. This, after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a three-judge panel’s earlier decision that found the state law requiring those classroom displays to be unconstitutional. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the full Fifth Circuit did not overturn the ruling; it instead said it was too soon for it to rule on whether it is or not.

Cut 13 (09)  “…in the abstract.”

American Airlines adds an additional non-stop round-trip flight between Monroe Regional Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Monroe Regional Airport Director Charles Butcher says locals were getting squeezed out of the seats on the three existing daily round trips to and from DFW.

Cut 11 (06) “…are flying in.”

 

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Wildfires causing problems in in northwest and southeast Louisiana over the weekend.  A stretch of Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish was closed for three hours due to active wildfires. Officials announced the closure around 5:30 last night between Abita Springs and Lacombe, reopening around 9.  Meantime, in Livingston Parish, a fire burning near Gum Swamp Road is now under control after scorching more than 200 acres there over the weekend. And a wildfire in the Mora community burned an estimated 30 to 40 acres in southwest Natchitoches Parish yesterday. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.

President Trump has approved Governor Landry’s request for a Major Disaster declaration for nine parishes in north Louisiana from last month’s massive winter storm. Mike Steele with GOHSEP…

Cut 4 (10) “…at this point.”

Steele says the costs incurred by governments have been wide-ranging, with much more still to come.

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Louisiana classrooms are given the green light to start putting up the Ten Commandments posters. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

American Airlines adds an additional non-stop round-trip flight between Monroe Regional Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Monroe Regional Airport Director Charles Butcher on what this will mean.

Cut 10 (11) “…into the area.”

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

It’s one of the Supreme Court’s most significant decisions in decades – and strikes down most of President Trump’s tariffs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that challenges against Louisiana’s 10 Commandments law are premature allowing it to go into effect immediately.  The Court vacated preliminary injunctions against the law, ruling against the ACLU. This ruling allows Louisiana public schools to immediately start posting displays of the Ten Commandments.

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has made cleaning up litter one of his big priorities. Nungesser says the state recently hired a litter expert to assess the state’s litter problem.

Cut 6 (10) “…mission to do.”

Nungesser says part of that mission is instilling the values of properly disposing of litter at a young age, so the state has launched new programs in schools aimed at doing just that.

Winter, spring, summer and fall – this month, Louisiana has experienced it all. We’re in for another couple days for record-breaking warmth throughout the state. But LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will be coming in Sunday  morning, and that will bring a rude awakening.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the south.”

 

10:30 AM LRN Newscast

Louisiana classrooms are given the green light by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to put up Ten Commandments posters.  That after the court on Friday vacated a three-judge panel’s earlier decision that found the law requiring the classroom displays unconstitutional. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says this latest decision doesn’t overturn the ruling; but said it was too soon for it to rule on whether it is or not.

Cut 13 (09)  “…in the abstract.”

Ciolino also spoke to us about the US Supreme Court’s decision that strikes down most of President Trump’s tariffs. The court ruled yesterday that Trump did not have the broad authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to unilaterally impose tariffs. Ciolino says this decision is final and will cost the Trump administration billions of dollars in refunds.

Cut 4 (09) “…and how much.”

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser remains focused on cleaning up litter in Louisiana. Nungesser says part of that mission is instilling the values of properly disposing of litter at a young age, so the state has launched new programs in schools aimed at doing so.

Cut 7 (07) “…video you watch.”

A good start for LSU baseball in Jacksonville as they came from behind to beat Indiana 14 to 7.  That after getting 18 hits and walking 14 times late in the game.

Cut 18 (21) “…out of a game”

LSU plays again today at noon against Notre Dame.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser continues his crusade against litter. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The top ranked LSU baseball team is in Jacksonville this weekend and is set to take on Notre Dame at noon.  That after scoring nine runs in the eighth inning yesterday, beating Indiana 14 to 7.  The Tigers trailed by a run in the eighth inning, but Zach Yorke belted a three-run home run to give the Tigers the lead and then LSU had 18 hits and walked 14 times to get the win.

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In a 6-to-3 decision, the Supreme Court has struck down most of President Trump’s tariffs. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says this is one of the most significant opinions by the Supreme Court in decades.

Cut 3 (10) “…reach its opinion.”

Ciolino says this decision is final and will cost the Trump administration billions of dollars in refunds.

It’s been a crazy weather month with feels like temperatures that have made it feel like a visit to each season.  Now we’re for a little record-breaking warmth throughout the state. And then LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will be coming in Sunday morning, with the coldest weather coming on Tuesday.

Cut 11 (11) “…the southern reaches.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

It’s one of the Supreme Court’s most significant decisions in decades – and strikes down most of President Trump’s tariffs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that challenges against Louisiana’s 10 Commandments law are premature allowing it to go into effect immediately.  The Court vacated preliminary injunctions against the law, ruling against the ACLU. This ruling allows Louisiana public schools to immediately start posting displays of the Ten Commandments.

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has made cleaning up litter one of his big priorities. Nungesser says the state recently hired a litter expert to assess the state’s litter problem.

Cut 6 (10) “…mission to do.”

Nungesser says part of that mission is instilling the values of properly disposing of litter at a young age, so the state has launched new programs in schools aimed at doing just that.

Winter, spring, summer and fall – this month, Louisiana has experienced it all. We’re in for another couple days for record-breaking warmth throughout the state. But LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will be coming in Sunday  morning, and that will bring a rude awakening.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the south.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

If you’ve ever thought Louisiana has really bad drivers, one group says you may be right.  Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

No that Mardi Gras is over, it’s officially seafood season in Louisiana. Samantha Carroll is the executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, and says .

Cut 12 (08) “…from enjoying seafood.”

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With no Supreme Court ruling yet on the constitutionality of two majority Black districts still pending, Louisiana’s current congressional map remains in effect heading into elections. And in District 6, incumbent Democrat Cleo Fields has drawn four Republican challengers, all of whom are also Black. Among them is Larry Davis of Livingston, who says if elected, he will represent all the people of the Sixth District.

Cut 5 (11) “…that’s unacceptable”

Peter Williams of Lettsworth is making his fourth run for Congress.  But in the past, he ran as a Democrat and he says conservatives dismissed him because of that.   Williams says, that won’t happen this time.

Cut 7 (10) “…I’m old school.”

The other two contenders on the Republican ballot in the sixth district are Monique Appeaning of St. George and Chris Johnson of Greenwell Springs.

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

Like every other state across the country, Louisiana has a sex offender registry. Now, a state lawmaker wants to create a registry for those who abuse animals. Chalmette Republican Representative Mike Bayham says the purpose of his bill is to allow those who sell animals to make informed decisions.

Cut 8 (12) “…to be abused.”

Those who fail to register would face a fine of up to one-thousand dollars and up to one year in prison.

If it seems there’s bad driving everywhere you turn in Louisiana, there may be something to that. The group Consumer Affairs ranks Louisiana as one of the worst states in the nation for fatal crashes. That’s based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration .  Consumer Affairs Spokeswoman Dayna Edens:

Cut 14 (08) “…dangerous of that.”

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With the end of king cake season comes the start of seafood season. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Former Lafayette Mayor President, Josh Guillory, has been arrested and charged with four counts of Malfeasance in Office.   The charges stem from a report by Louisiana’s legislative Auditor released last August alleged the Guillory’s administration’s decision to secretly remove spoil banks in St. martin Parish, broke local and federal laws. Guillory was booked into the St. Martin Parish Jail, bond set at 30-thousand dollars.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

With a Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of two majority Black districts still pending, the state’s current congressional map remains as is in this year’s election. That means District 6, which is currently represented by Democrat Cleo Fields, remains majority Black, and Fields has drawn four Republican challengers, all of whom are also Black. Among them is Larry Davis of Livingston, who says the Democratic Party does not own the Black community.

Cut 4 (06) “…why we’re running.”

Another challenger seeking the seat is Peter Williams of Lettsworth. This is his fourth run for Congress, and he says he’s taking a different approach this time around.

Cut 6 (07) “…platform was conservative.”

The other two contenders on the Republican ballot in the sixth district are Monique Appeaning of St. George and Chris Johnson of Greenwell Springs.

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One Louisiana lawmaker wants to create a registry for those who abuse animals.  Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

King cake season is over; now, seafood season is here. Samantha Carroll, the executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, says Lent is always a big time for the state’s seafood industry.

Cut 11 (10) “…and enjoying seafood.”