6:45 LRN Sportscast March 11

The Saints have released 33-year-old receiver Emmanuel Sanders. A move that will save the team four million dollars towards the salary cap. Linebacker Kwon Alexander has also reportedly been let go, which saves the Saints more than 13-million dollars against the cap. New Orleans still has a ways to go to get under the salary cap, which has been set at 182-million dollars, a decline from last season because there were limited fans in the stands in 2020.

First, it was Les Miles now it’s Jeff Long who is gone from Kansas University. The Jayhawks A-D is stepping down two days after he fired Miles after a report was released that alleges Miles acted inappropriately with female students at LSU.

Will Hellmers pitched five shutout innings as 15th ranked LSU blanked UNO 5 to 0. Tre Morgan stayed hot as he picked up three more hits and drove in two runs. No runs for the Ragin Cajuns last night as second-ranked Mississippi State shutout U-L Lafayette four to nothing.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team will begin Conference USA Tournament play today and will take on Florida Atlantic tonight at 8:30 PM in Frisco, Texas. Tech coach Eric Konkol says he may add some new wrinkles for the game.
Cut 17 (15) “…conference tournament.”
F-A-U beat UTEP 76-70 last night. The Owls and the Bulldogs did not play this season.

UNO advanced in the Southland Tournament as the Privateers eliminated Southeastern Louisiana 80-63. Derek St. Hilaire led the way with four three-pointers and finished with 20 points. UNO will face Northwestern State at 5 PM. The Demons are 9-7 in Southland Play.

The Pelicans return from the All-Star Break tonight as New Orleans hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves. Capacity will increase to 37-hundred fans at the Smoothie King Center.

6:30 LRN Newscast March 11

The 1.9 trillion dollar COVID-19 relief approved by Congress contains a significant, one-year expansion of the child tax credit. Parents are now eligible to receive up to 3,600 dollars per child. Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Director Susan East Nelson…
cut 7 (07) “….difference”
The current child tax credit is up to two thousand dollars per child, but about a third of families do not qualify.

During a legislative hearing, state lawmakers expressed their frustration to LSU officials that the Husch Blackwell report didn’t produce more significant consequences for those named in the report who mishandled cases of sexual assault. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell…
cut 15 (12) “….protect”

The state health department says of those who’ve received one dose of the COVID vaccine so far, only 25-percent are Black. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 1 (32) “….Brooke Thorington”

4;45 LRN Sportscast March 10

On the day the NFL set the salary cap for the 2021 season at 182-million dollars the Saints reportedly released receiver Emmanuel Sanders and linebacker Kwon Alexander. Sanders caught 61 passes this past season, while Alexander came to New Orleans via a mid-season trade and injured his Achilles. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the release of Alexander will save the Saints over 13 million dollars against the salary cap. Sanders’s release will save four million dollars against the cap.

The Kansas City Star reports that Kansas will pay Les Miles nearly two million dollars not to coach anymore. Kansas Athletics Director Jeff Long said he asked Miles if there was anything that could embarrass the program and the mad hatter told him no. And breaking this afternoon, Long has been ousted as the school’s athletic director. He made the decision to hire his longtime friend in prior to the 2019 season. Long has been at K-U since 2018.

After beating Texas Southern 10-4 last night, 21st ranked LSU is at U-N-O tonight. Cade Doughty returned to the lineup last night after missing the Oral Roberts series with a shoulder injury and hit a home run and drove in three runs. Doughty also started at third base and Jordan Thompson was moved to shortstop.

Also tonight, the Ragin Cajuns are at third-ranked Mississippi State.

The SEC men’s basketball Tournament gets underway tonight in Nashville. The Tigers will play Friday night, looking to win a couple of games to improve their NCAA Tournament seeding. Associate Editor for Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook Blake Lowell says the Tigers can’t afford to lose on Friday…
cut 28 (11) “…the ten maybe”
LSU will face either Ole Miss or South Carolina on Friday night.

In the Southland Tournament, Southeastern Louisiana takes on UNO tonight.

LRN PM Newscall March 10

The Saints have begun the process of releasing players in an effort to get under the salary cap. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_______________________________________

President Biden’s 1.9 trillion dollar COVID relief and economic stimulus plan gained final passage in the US House today. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

________________________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces the return of Farmers Insurance to the state of Louisiana, offering automobile, property, and renter’s insurance. Farmers sold policies in the state before from 1999 to 2014 but left after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Donelon says having more insurance options helps policyholders.

Cut 3 (04)  “…prices.”  

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Farmers is the 9th largest property and casualty insurance carrier by premium volume in the U-S. Donelon says adding the Bayou State and others is part of Farmers’ growth.

Cut 4 (10) “…brand.” 

Donelon says Farmers’ return to Louisiana in all 64 parishes is a huge win for consumer choice and cost.

Cut 5  (05)  “…Louisiana.” 

________________________

Louisiana has reached another milestone in getting residents vaccinated against the coronavirus. Governor John Bel Edwards says the number of people who have completed the vaccine series exceeds the number of people who tested positive for COVID-19…

Cut 6 (06) “…milestones.”

Nearly 450-thousand residents have completed the vaccine series. The state has expanded eligibility to include people 16 and over and with a health condition that can contribute to a person becoming seriously ill from COVID. State health officer Joe Kanter says conversations with vaccine providers resulted in the state opening the shot to more people

Cut 7 (07) “…to expand”

A threshold for herd immunity for the coronavirus is unknown, but estimates put it at 70 to 90 percent. Kanter says national data is showing that vaccine confidence is growing…

Cut 8 (09) “…own research.”

______________________

It was just over six months ago when Hurricane Laura caused widespread devastation in Louisiana. Laura affected 22 parishes and recovery efforts continue. FEMA spokesperson Tiana Suber says at one time more than 800 FEMA workers were in Louisiana providing assistance.

Cut 9 (09) “…in hotels”

Suber says currently only 400 survivors remain in hotels and approximately 1,200 households have been licensed into temporary housing.

Similar to after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA is working on temporary trailer placement for homeowners as they rebuild, but it can be a lengthy process.

Cut 10 (11) “…families.” 

Suber says for residents who are un or underinsured or have more damage than their inspection indicated she encourages you to register with and contact FEMA for assistance.

Cut 11 (11) “…you need.

________________________

The US House gave President Biden’s 1.9 trillion dollar COVID relief and economic stimulus plan final passage today on a party-line vote. 

The Louisiana Congressional Delegation is expected to vote against the plan. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the package is full of unnecessary spending.

Cut 12 (08) “ …lines.” 

The bill covers everything from a significantly increased and revamped child tax credit, 1,400 dollar stimulus checks to over 80 percent of Americans, increased health insurance subsidies, and a number of other items.

The Biden Administration says the stimulus portion is vital to ensuring the nation sees a robust economic recovery from the pandemic. Graves says there’s evidence that we don’t need it.

Cut 13 (09)“…bill”

Graves additionally noted that as much as a trillion dollars from previous COVID relief bills remains unspent and spending in this plan stretches out to 2023.

Republicans have been most vocal about the 350 billion dollars in state aid. Graves says it’s a bailout for mismanaged state budgets.

Cut 14 (06) “…past” 

The package cleared the Senate on a 50-49 vote via tiebreaker from Vice President Harris. The plan now awaits the President’s signature. 

1:30 LRN Newscast March 10

The U-S House has given approval to a one-point-nine trillion dollar COVID relief package. The bill revamps the child tax credit, provides 1,400 dollar stimulus checks to over 80 percent of Americans, increased health insurance subsidies, and a number of other items.

The Biden Administration says the stimulus portion is vital to ensuring the nation sees a robust economic recovery from the pandemic. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says there’s evidence that we don’t need it.
Cut 13 (09)“…bill”

Housing remains a big issue in southwest Louisiana after Hurricanes Laura and Delta destroyed thousands of homes. FEMA spokesperson Tiana Suber says they are working on temporary trailer placement for homeowners as they rebuild, but it can be a lengthy process.
Cut 10 (11) “…families.”

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility has been expanded in Louisiana to include everyone 16 and older and with a health condition that makes them more at risk. Brooke Thorington reports pharmacies are prepared.
cut 1 (32) “…Brooke Thorington”

And state health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says national data is showing that vaccine confidence is growing…
cut 8 (09) “…own research”

9:30 LRN Newscast March 10

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility has been expanded in Louisiana to include everyone 16 and older and who has a health condition that makes them more at risk of seriously getting sick or dying from the virus. This includes overweight individuals and smokers and those with asthma, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Pharmacists received a heads up the state would increase eligibility for the COVID vaccine. Brooke Thorington reports pharmacies are prepared.
Cut 1 (32) “…Brooke Thorington”

Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the first COVID death in Louisiana and since then over nine-thousand people have died from complications of the virus. But advancements have been made in treating the disease…
cut 11 (12) “…steroid”
That’s Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Chief of Hospital Medicine, Doctor Mike Sewell.

Today the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children meet to discuss the Husch Blackwell report that details the mishandling of sexual misconduct and assault cases at LSU. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the report was eye-opening…
cut 9 (10) “….take place”
LSU has said they plan to implement the 18 recommendations made by Husch Blackwell.

8:30 LRN Newscast March 10

In the 12 months since Louisiana saw its first COVID case, treatment has come a long way. Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Chief of Hospital Medicine Dr. Mike Sewell says the current case fatality rate is far lower than it was at the beginning of the pandemic when it was as high as four percent in New Orleans…
Cut 10 (05) “…thousand.”
Sewell says they’ve learned extensive ventilator use and hydroxychloroquine are ineffective ways to treat COVID, while injecting monoclonal antibodies into high-risk patients when they are suffering from mild symptoms has worked.

Pharmacies are scheduling more and more COVID vaccine appointments. Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association President Randall Johnson…
cut 6 (08) “….days”
Individuals as young 16 years old with certain health conditions are now eligible to get vaccinated. Go to covid-vaccine-dot-la-dot-gov to locate a provider.

The State Senate Select Committee on Women and Children meets today to discuss the handling of sexual assault cases on college campuses. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Human remains found near Franklin in early January have been identified as belonging to 39-year-old Casey Marie Collins of the Lafayette area. St. Mary Parish authorities say the investigation is now considered a homicide. Anyone with information should contact the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

7:30 LRN Newscast March 10

Governor John Bel Edwards has made his first public comments about the Husch Blackwell Report that investigated how LSU mishandled sexual assault cases…
cut 15 (12) “….where else”
Edwards says it’s important parents know that their children will be safe on a college campus and if something happens it’s investigated properly.

The Senate Select Committee on Women and Children plan to discuss this topic at their meeting today at the State Capitol. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is the chair of the Louisiana Legislative Womens’ Caucus…
cut 8 (12) “…naught”
The committee will hear from sexual assault survivors during their meeting that starts at 10 AM.

Anyone 16 or older who is overweight or who has a health condition the CDC considers likely to put a person at a high risk of serious COVID complications, including asthma, hypertension or Type 1 diabetes is now eligible for the COVID vaccine. Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association president Randall Johnson says they plan to be busy putting shots in arms, but pharmacists have fine-tuned their operations…
cut 5 (11) “….of waste”

Sunday marks the first COVID-19 death in Louisiana. During that time doctors have come up with better ways to treat COVID patients. Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Chief of Hospital Medicine Doctor Mike Sewell says injecting monoclonal antibodies into patients who are considered high risk from dying from the virus has helped save lives…
cut 12 (06) “…progressing”

6:45 LRN Sportscast march 10

The Saints have placed the franchise tag on safety Marcus Williams who is coming off his best season since he arrived in New Orleans in 2017. Williams intercepted three passes and he had 59 tackles in 14 games. The projected franchise tag means Williams will get paid about ten-million dollars in 2021, unless he and the Saints reach a long-term deal.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron said he’s deeply saddened by the Husch Blackwell report and told a Baton Rouge radio station that his staff is committed to fully implementing the protocols described by the university. Husch Blackwell investigated ten different LSU football players accused of sexual misconduct, nine of them played under Orgeron.

In college baseball, LSU topped Texas Southern ten to four last night as Tre Morgan and Cade Doughty combined to drive in seven runs. Louisiana Tech scored seven runs in the seventh inning to beat ULM ten to three for the Bulldogs sixth straight win at Warhawk Field.

The LSU Basketball team seems to be a lock to make the NCAA tournament but the Tigers are still playing for seeding in the Big Dance as they prepare for the SEC tournament. Associate Editor for Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook Blake Lovell says LSU is well-positioned to have success in the conference tournament.
Cut 16 (19) “…matchup standpoint.”
LSU’s first game in the SEC Tournament is Friday night against either Ole Miss or South Carolina.

Southeastern Louisiana eliminated McNeese in the Southland Tournament last night as the Lions held off the Cowboys 71-68. S-L-U faces U-N-O in Katy, Texas today at 5 PM.

Louisiana Tech’s Eric Konkol has been named Conference USA Coach of the Year, while Kenneth Lofton was named the league’s freshman of the year.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Individuals over the age of 16 with one of two dozen designated health conditions, smokers, or persons with a body mass index greater than 25-percent are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association President Randall Johnson says they are ready to put shots in arms…
cut 4 (09) “…this vaccine”
The state health department says nearly ten-percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated.

Governor Edwards said he was mortified by the findings in the Husch Blackwell report that examined multiple sexual assault cases that LSU failed to properly handle. Edwards says he’s committed to making sure college campuses enforce guidelines and Title Nine offices are properly staffed…
cut 14 (11) “….report”

Fatal outcomes for those suffering from severe COVID cases are down. Matt Doyle spoke with Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Chief of Hospital Medicine Dr. Mike Sewell about improvements in care…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”