4:45 LRN Sportscast January 19

LSU is still searching for a new defensive coordinator after Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen remains in New Orleans with a new contract. Nielsen has also been named assistant head coach after the Tigers tried to hire Nielsen to replace Bo Pelini as it’s defensive coordinator. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Payton got Nielsen to stay by promoting him and giving him a new three-year contract…
Cut 20 (11) “.they have done”
LSU was also reportedly close to hiring Marcus Freeman as defensive coordinator, but he took the D-C job at Notre Dame. Detillier says it’s likely LSU Coach Ed Orgeron has another option.

The Saints are reportedly losing secondary coach Aaron Glenn. He’s reportedly heading to Detroit to become the Lions defensive coordinator for new head coach Dan Campbell, who just left New Orleans as tight ends coach and assistant head coach.

LSU men’s basketball will welcome the 18th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide to the PMAC Tonight. The Crimson Tide are in first place in the SEC at 6-0 and they’ve won seven in a row. Coach Will Wade says Bama is playing as well as anyone in the country…
Cut 19 (19) “…for us.”
A win for the Tigers and they will claim a share of first place in the Southeastern Conference. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

The Pelicans, who ended a five-game losing streak on Sunday with a win over Sacramento, will visit Utah tonight. The Jazz have won five in a row.

The LSU baseball team’s schedule came out today and it’s a 56-game regular season that the Tigers typically play, including ten three-game SEC series. The season begins February 19th with LSU hosting Air Force, they’ll travel to Lafayette for a game against the Cajuns on February 24th.

06:45 LRN Sportscast January 19

With Drew Brees expected to retire, who will be the Saints starting quarterback in 2021? Coach Sean Payton has previously said that he believes the next starting quarterback for the Saints is already on the roster. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says we’ll find out if that’s the case…
cut 18 (22) “…winning quarterback”

LSU’s next defensive coordinator is apparently on the Saints coaching staff. The school is reportedly trying to finalize a deal with New Orleans defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen, but there are reports the Saints say Nielsen’s contract does not allow him to take a job in the college ranks.

__________________________________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball will welcome the 18th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide to the PMAC Tonight. The Crimson Tide are in first place in the SEC at 6-0 and they’ve won seven in a row overall. Coach Will Wade says Bama is playing as well as anyone in the country…
cut 19 (19) “…for us”
Alabama has won its six games in the SEC by an average margin of victory of 16 po9nts. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

Southern hit the century mark yesterday as the Jaguars clobbered Mississippi Valley State 102-61 to improve to 3-0 in league play. And Grambling lost to Prairie View A-and-M 59-50.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Quarterback Drew Brees 20-year Pro Football Hall of Fame career most likely ended last night with Tampa Bay’s 30-20 win over the Saints in the NFL playoffs. In the past few years, the 42-year-old QB has contemplated retirement but Brees but kept coming back, trying to win that second Super Bowl. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the skills are no longer there to get the job done in the playoffs…
Cut 7 (12) “…known it.”
Brees threw three interceptions last night. There was also a critical fumble by tight end Jared Cook. Tampa Bay scored 21 points off of four Saints turnovers. Coach Sean Payton…
cut 15 (14) “…well to win”

LSU could be close to naming a new Defensive Coordinator as Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen will reportedly be named the new D-C in Baton Rouge this week. Nielsen played at U-S-C for Coach Ed Orgeron in the late 1990s and early 2000s and he was Coach O’s defensive line coach at Ole Miss when Orgeron was the head coach in Oxford.

Tennessee is looking for a new head coach. The Volunteers have fired Jeremy Pruitt after three seasons and a 16-19 record.

In recruiting news…Many running back Terrence Williams has committed to the Ragin Cajuns. The three-year starter at Many has rushed for over 35-hundred yards the past two seasons.

Calvary Baptist quarterback Landry Lyddy has been named the Class 1A offensive player of the year and Oak Grove’s Bud Holloway has been named the defensive player of the year in One-A. Both players led their respective schools to state championships, Lyddy set a Prep Classic record for most passing yards in a championship game and he’ll be back next year for his senior season.

LRN PM Newscall January 18

No official announcement yet from Quarterback Drew Brees, but many believe he’s played his last game in the NFL. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_______________________________________

A second person from Louisiana has been arrested for their alleged participation in the January 6th storming of the US Capitol. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (31) ….I’m Brooke Thorington”  

_____________________________

There’s been a development in Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District race as outgoing Congressman Cedric Richmond has endorsed New Orleans Senator Troy Carter as the person who should take over his seat. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s a significant endorsement for Carter.

Cut 3 (09)  “..influence.”

Richmond has resigned from Congress to be a senior advisor for President-elect Joe Biden.

The other major candidate to replace Richmond is New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson, who is also a former chairperson for the Louisiana Democratic Party. DuBos says Peterson has picked up the endorsement of political activist Stacey Abrams of Georgia.

DuBos says it looks like this will be a two-person race between Carter and Peterson.

Cut 4 (11) “….who’s not.” 

The other announced candidate is Gary Chambers, a social justice activist from Baton Rouge. Qualifying for the race begins Wednesday and ends Friday. The election is in March 20th.

DuBos expects this will be a low-turnout election.

Cut 5  (08) “…March 20th” 

___________________________________________________

Quarterback Drew Brees 20-year Pro Football Hall of Fame career most likely ended last night with Tampa Bay’s 30-20 win over the Saints in the NFL playoffs. Brees has been contemplating retirement after the last couple of seasons and once again plans to think it over

Cut 6 (09) “..make a decision”

Heading into last night’s playoff game, Brees threw 36 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in 17 postseason games, but last night he threw just one TD pass and he was intercepted three times. Brees has kept coming back, trying to win that second Super Bowl, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the skills are no longer there to get the job done in the playoffs…

Cut 7 (12) “…known it.”

This was a difficult season for the 42-year-old Brees, who missed four games with multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung. But he has no regrets…

Cut 8 (12) “…absolutely”

_____________________

Louisiana received 308 million dollars for rental assistance as part of a new round of COVID relief passed in late December.

Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says it’s a good start, but not enough…

Cut 9 (10) “..since then”

The assistance will be dispersed to eligible landlords who apply for it and have tenants who have not been able to pay rent due to the pandemic.

The state has had trouble during the pandemic dispersing rental assistance in a timely manner. Ciardullo says that can’t happen this time.

Cut 10 (07) “…gunna work”

Last week the state reported that they are reviewing the program’s rules and awaiting final federal guidelines.

The incoming Biden Administration says the expiring CDC eviction moratorium will be extended through the end of September. Ciardullo says it’s vital they follow through with that, or…

Cut 11 (11) “… landlords”

_____________________________

174 Louisiana National Guard soldiers and airmen have been sent to Washington D.C. to help bolster security for President-elect Joe Biden’s Wednesday inauguration.

Sargent Denis Ricou says they are there at the request of the National Guard Bureau to augment the D.C. National Guard’s forces…

Cut 12 (10) “…state” 

Ricou says the Guard flew out of Alexandria airport Saturday and they are scheduled to return Thursday, assuming nothing happens between now and then.

Cut 13 (06)“.support”

Ricou says the Guard is proud to send Louisianans to help manage such an important event, and it should be a rewarding experience for those who are there.

Cut 14 (07) “area.” 

25,000 Guard from across the country are being flown in ahead of the event to help manage security amidst fears of unrest on and before inauguration day.

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 18

Quarterback Drew Brees 20-year Pro Football Hall of Fame career most likely ended last night with Tampa Bay’s 30-20 win over the Saints in the NFL playoffs. Brees has been contemplating retirement after the last couple of seasons and once again plans to think it over
Cut 6 (09) “..make a decision”
If this was a Brees’ final game, it ends with him throwing three interceptions
Cut 14 (13) “…those turnovers.”
Heading into last night’s playoff game, Brees threw 36 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in 17 postseason games, but last night he threw just one TD pass and he was intercepted three times. Meanwhile, Tampa advances to play Green Bay in the NFC Championship game.

Now that the Saints season is over, the Black and Gold are expected to lose assistant head coach and tight ends coach Dan Campbell as he’s set to be named the new head coach in Detroit. Also the team’s director of pro scouting, Terry Fontenot, will reportedly be named the new general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. If LSU is interested in hiring Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen, as the team’s new defensive coordinator, an announcement could be made later this week.

The LSU men’s basketball team has a big game tomorrow night as the Tigers will host Alabama. The Crimson Tide is 6-0 in the SEC, while the Tigers are 5-and-1 after rallying to beat South Carolina 85-80 on Saturday.

The Pelicans held off Sacramento last night 128-123 to snap a five-game losing streak. Zion Williamson had 31 points as he was 13 of 15 from the field and Brandon Ingram added 22 points. New Orleans is at Utah tomorrow night as the Pels will look to improve their 5-and-7 record.

6:45 LRN Sportscast January 18

The Saints season is over and a Hall of Fame career could be over too. In the third matchup of the season, Tampa Bay got the better of New Orleans beating the Black and Gold 30-20 in what could be quarterback Drew Brees’ final game. It was a difficult year for Brees and another tough home playoff loss, but he’s happy for the journey
Cut 13 (12) “….given to me”
Brees threw three interceptions as the Saints as a team had four turnovers, which led to 21 Tampa Bay points.
Brees says he’s not ready to announce a decision on his future and Coach Sean Payton says it’s too early to get into what Brees has meant to the organization.
cut 16 (11) “…right now”

________________________________________________________

The Pelicans snapped their five-game losing streak last night as New Orleans dribbled past the Sacramento Kings 128 to 123. Zion Williamson had 31 points as he was 13 of 15 from the field. Brandon Ingram added 22 points for the Pels who are 5-and-7 on the season and visit Utah on Tuesday night.

The LSU men’s basketball team has a big game tomorrow night as the Tigers will host Alabama. The Crimson Tide is 6-0 in the SEC, while the Tigers are 5-and-1 after rallying to beat South Carolina 85-80. The Gamecocks missed 12 of their last 13 field goal attempts. Freshman Cam Thomas led the way with 25 points.

Louisiana Tech hit a season-high 14 three-pointers as the Bulldogs completed a two-game sweep of UTSA 82-66 on Saturday. Senior Amorie Archibald hit five triples and finished with a season-high 22 points. Tech is now 4-and-2 in Conference USA.

LRN AM Newscall January 18

Matt Doyle spoke with Republican House Minority Whip Steve Scalise about President-elect Joe Biden’s proposed 1.9 trillion dollar economic stimulus and COVID relief plan…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Pointe Coupee Parish native Lieutenant General Russel Honore will oversee the investigation of  Capitol security after the January 6th riot where protesters stormed the building. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health reports the first confirmed case of the more infectious U.K. variant of coronavirus in the state. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

__________________________

The incoming Biden Administration has proposed its first priority for the Democratic-controlled Congress, a 1.9 trillion dollar COVID relief and economic stimulus plan.

A 350 billion dollar chunk of that would assist local and state governments who have seen their budgets battered by COVID. Republican Congressman, and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise…

Cut 4 (10) “…COVID”

The proposal also includes upping federally boost unemployment payments from 300 dollars to 400 dollars a week and extending them, along with the eviction moratorium, through the end of September.

The plan also includes big expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and a 1,400 dollar stimulus check. Scalise calls the big-spending so soon after December’s COVID bill unnecessary.

Cut 5 (12) “…approach.”

Also included is a call for an increase in the minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour, and an end to the tipped minimum wage. Scalise says that would end up sending a lot of jobs to China.

Cut 6 (09) “…workforce

Democrats hold a slim majority in both the House and Senate and could pass the proposal along party lines.

________________________

Lieutenant General Russel Honore has been appointed to oversee the investigation of Capitol Security after protestors stormed the building on January 6th. LSU Communications Professor Bob Mann says the Pointe Coupee Parish native, is by far the best choice.

Cut 7 (10)  “…sees them.”

Honore is best known for the leadership he provided as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, following the historic hurricane in 2005. He retired from the Army in 2008. Mann says his retirement will assist with the investigation.

Cut 8 (10) “…in this.”

Mann says the investigation requires the combined efforts of several law enforcement agencies and Honore’s experience in chaos and respect from both political parties makes him ideal for the job.

Cut 9 (10) “…as Honore.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi named Honore to the position on Friday calling for an immediate review of the Capitol’s security infrastructure, and interagency processes and procedures. 

________________________________

Louisiana has discovered its first case of the new, more infectious U.K. variant of the coronavirus.

The new variant is about 50 percent more infectious than the dominant strain in the state right now, but LSU Health New Orleans Assistant Dean of Translational Science Lucio Miele says viruses have evolutionary pressure to grow more infectious…

Cut 10 (07) “…month”

The CDC warns the UK variant will likely become the dominant strain of coronavirus in the U.S. by March.

Miele says this is one of several new branches of the virus that have been discovered in recent months. They all share one thing in common…

Cut 11 (07) “..spreading.”

The Louisiana Department of Health reports they are trying to isolate those who’s been in contact with the new mutation, but it is likely that strain is already circulating through the state.

Miele says the good news is that so far it looks like our vaccines protect against the new strain, and if the virus mutates further they’ll be ready to respond…

Cut 12 (09) “…infectious.”

______________________________________________

The Saints season is over and a Hall of Fame career could be over too. In the third matchup of the season, Tampa Bay got the better of New Orleans beating the Black and Gold 30-20 in what could be quarterback Drew Brees’ final game. It was a difficult year for Brees and another tough home playoff loss, but he’s happy for the journey

Cut 13 (12) “….given to me”

Brees was asked in the postgame if this was his last game, but the 42-year-old was not ready to announce a decision on Sunday night. If this was a Brees’ final game, it ends with him throwing three interceptions

Cut 14 (13) “…those turnovers.” 

The Saints had four turnovers on the night and it led to 21 Tampa Bay points. Coach Sean Payton says it’s hard to win postseason games when you do that

Cut 15 (14)“…to win.”

Payton and Brees arrived in New Orleans together in 2006 as the city was just beginning its long recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The two guided New Orleans to the NFC Championship game that season and won a Super Bowl three seasons later. Payton was asked about what Brees has meant to the organization, but the coach says he can give that answer in the future

Cut 16 (11) “…right time”

10:30 LRN Newscast January 16

A Lafayette man faces charges for participating in the January 6th storming of the US Capitol building. 50-year-old Vaughn Gordon faces the rough equivalent of trespassing misdemeanors for being in the Capitol that day. Federal prosecutors charged him after he described his participation to a reporter with the Advocate and talking about it on a social media video. Legal analyst Tim Meche…
Cut 5 (12) “…event”
Over 80 people involved in the riot at the Capitol have been arrested.

More protests are expected this weekend, including at the State Capitol where there will be an increased police presence. Governor John Bel Edwards is urging demonstrators to remain peaceful…
Cut 9 (10) “…law”

Lieutenant General Russel Honore has been appointed to oversee the investigation of Capitol Security after protestors stormed the building on January 6th. LSU Communications Professor Bob Mann says the Pointe Coupee Parish native, is by far the best choice.
Cut 7 (11) “…sees them.”
Honore is best known for the leadership he provided as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, following the historic hurricane in 2005. He retired from the Army in 2008.

Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson will not play in tomorrow’s playoff game against Tampa Bay because of a hamstring injury. Running back Latavius Murray and the versatile Taysom Hill are questionable. But it looks like Trey Hendrickson will return as he was a full participant in practice yesterday after missing last week’s game with a neck injury. Kick-off tomorrow is at 5:40.

9:30 LRN Newscast January 16

State and federal law enforcement agencies say they are prepared for this weekend’s planned demonstrations. Matt Doyle reports that includes heightened security at the State Capitol
cut 2 (30) ….I’m Matt Doyle”

The state health department is set to receive 58-thousand COVID-19 vaccine doses next week. But the Ochsner Health System says it will delay vaccine appointments for thousands of patients because it received zero new doses in its regular shipment this week.

A Lafayette man has been charged for allegedly participating in last week’s storming of the U-S Capitol. 50-year-old Vaughn Gordon faces two charges, including knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says Gordon got himself in trouble for posting pictures on social media and there’s also a video on Facebook of him discussing being inside the Capitol during the riot…
Cut 4 (08) “…happening”
Gordon told the Advocate he didn’t vandalize anything and remained peaceful.

The Saints and Buccaneers will meet this season for a third time on Sunday in the NFC Divisional Round playoff game. New Orleans won the first two meetings. Saints Offensive tackle Terron Armstead says they’ll stick with what they’ve done all season…
Cut 14 (09) “.a way to win.”
Kickoff tomorrow is at 5:40 in the Dome.

8:30 LRN Newscast January 16

50-year-old Vaughn Gordon of Lafayette is facing misdemeanor charges related to his participation in the attack on Capitol Hill last week. Gordon told the Advocate that he was able to wander the Capitol for nearly two hours, but says he didn’t vandalize anything and remained peaceful, but legal analyst Tim Meche says because a cop lost their life that day everyone even remotely involved will face charges…
Cut 3 (12) “..accountable”
Governor Edwards blasted those who took part in last week’s mob riot…
Cut 10 (10) “…The United States.”
Law enforcement is on alert ahead of this weekend’s expected protests at the Louisiana State Capitol. Edwards says if you go, stay peaceful and wear a mask.

Louisiana Tech’s Forever Loyal Campaign has exceeded its goal and raised more than $171 million for the University. LA Tech President Dr. Les Guice says the campaign which began November 2018 originally set out to raise $125 million.
Cut 6 (10) “..raise funds”

The Saints and Buccaneers will meet for a third time on Sunday in the NFC Divisional Round playoff game. In the two regular-season meetings, the Saints allowed just 13 points a game and they’ve intercepted Bucs Quarterback Tom Brady five times. Brady has a lot of respect for the New Orleans defense
Cut 12 (11) “…long time”
Kick-off tomorrow is at 5:40.