6:45 LRN Sportscast January 11

The Saints didn’t have much trouble beating Chicago yesterday as the defense kept the Bears out of the end zone until the final play of the game in a 21-9 NFL wildcard victory. The defense held Chicago to 239 total yards and just one third-down conversion. On offense, quarterback Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns while running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 99 yards and a score after missing last Sunday’s game due to a COVID positive test. Kamara says he felt fresh after not playing last week or practicing leading up to the game…
cut 17 (17) “….didn’t miss a beat”
New Orleans advances to the NFC Division round where they’ll meet Tampa Bay for a third time this season. The Saints will need to beat the Bucs for a third time this season to advance to the NFC title game.

The LSU men’s basketball team didn’t have much time to prepare for Ole Miss but still handled the Rebels 75-61 on Saturday night. The game was set up the day before after the Tigers originally scheduled game against Missouri was called off because of COVID issues involving the Mizzou basketball program. The Tigers are 3-and-1 in the SEC heading into Wednesday’s home game against Arkansas.

Elsewhere, Louisiana Tech split a pair of games against Western Kentucky. After four games in the Sun Belt, ULM and the Ragin Cajuns are 2-and-2. Nicholls has a two-game winning streak after beating Southeastern Louisiana 87-67 on Saturday. McNeese is off to an 0-2 start in league play after losing at home on Saturday to Northwestern State 78-75.

After a disappointing homestand, the Pelicans are at Dallas tonight looking to snap a three-game losing streak. It’s the start of a seven-game road trip for New Orleans. Tip off is at 7:30.

LRN 6:30 Newscast

Much of north Louisiana is covered in snow this morning and numerous roads are closed. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says if you do have to drive, reduce your speed, increase your following distance behind other vehicles, and anticipate stops…
cut 14 (12) “…too quickly”
Hardy says you can get more information on road closures by utilizing the state’s 5-1-1 system at 5-1-1-dot-la-dot-org.

As two new mutations of the coronavirus have been reported, questions arise if the current vaccines being rolled out in the US will provide adequate protection. Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele says they will.
Cut 4 (10) “…vaccine.”

U-S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats will introduce Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump if Vice President Mike Pence doesn’t invoke the powers of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves has called for President Trump to effectively resign.

Democrats now control the House and Senate and Political Analyst Clancy Dubos on the long-range goals for the party while they are in the majority…
cut 12 (11) “…change”

The Saints defeated the Chicago Bears 21-9 in the NFL wild-card round of the playoffs. New Orleans will host Tom Brady and Tampa Bay this Sunday for a trip to the NFC Championship game.

4:45 LRN Sportscast January 8

The Saints continued their preparations today for Sunday’s playoff game against the Chicago Bears. Running back Alvin Kamara is expected to be activated from the COVID-19-reserve list and Quarterback Drew Brees says their ability to run the football has been a key to their success…
cut 17 (15) “….good formula”
Kick-off is at 3:40. The game will be televised on CBS and it will also air on Nickelodeon in a special-kid-friendly broadcast. Coach Sean Payton …
cut 29 (19) “…if we won”

The LSU basketball team will now play Ole Miss tomorrow night, instead of Missouri, because Mizzou is dealing with COVID issues.

Tonight on the hardwood, the Pelicans complete a four-game homestand by hosting the Hornets.

ULM looks to improve to 3-0 in Sun Belt play as they host U-T Arlington, while the Cajuns are at home to face Little Rock. The Trojans are the other team in the Sun Belt to start league play at 2-0.

After splitting a pair of games last week versus Marshall, Louisiana Tech will take on Conference USA preseason favorite Western Kentucky tonight and tomorrow on their home floor. Coach Eric Konkol on the matchup between two teams that have an identical record of 8-and-3
Cut 19 (23) “…the past.”
Tip off in Bowling Green, Kentucky is at 7 PM.

LRN PM Newscall January 8

The Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus and Baton Rouge Representative is calling on a boycott of Rouses. Brooke Thorington has more. 351

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

_______________________________________

Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves gives strong comments on how Donald Trump should spend his final few days as President. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (28) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is being inundated with calls and wait times are very long as the 300 dollar federally boosted unemployment benefits resumed this week.

Secretary Ava Dejoie says LWC received 140,000 calls in all of December but took 70,000 calls in the first week of January while dealing with a new wave of COVID.

Cut 3 (10)  “…COVID.”

The state has, so far, had to borrow 133 million dollars from the feds in zero-interest loans to make state unemployment payments to eligible recipients.

Dejoie recommends using the online HiIRE messaging and account system at louisianaworks.net to get info instead of calling.

Cut 4 (10) “…way.” 

Despite the absolute crush of calls Dejoie says LWC still managed to pay 139,000 unemployed Louisianans nearly 41 million in federal benefits this week.

To deal with the demand Dejoie says LWC will begin working expanded hours to clear the backlog of applications piling up due to new enhanced ID requirements.

Cut 5  (08) “…next week.” 

Those new ID requirements came into effect after Louisiana and other states were slammed with thousands of fraudulent claims from overseas scammers.

_______________________

Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus and Baton Rouge Representative Ted James calls for a boycott of Rouses after a photograph of co-owner Donald Rouse Sr. attending the pro-Trump Rally in DC Wednesday circulated. Rouse issued a statement saying he attended to support Trump but condemns the violence. James questions why Rouse only condemns violence at the Capitol.

Cut 6 (12) “…in Virginia.”

James, who says he was a regular patron at Rouses will still no longer shop at the grocer because of the owner’s perceived support to overthrow the election process.

Cut 7 (10) ..problematic.”

Rouse Sr’s statement also noted that the country needs to come together and heal. James agrees and that the violence we saw unfold Wednesday is a turning point.

Cut 8 (12) “…all of us.”

_____________________________

A storm system moving through the south is expected to drop snow on the northern half of Louisiana this weekend. National Weather Service Meteorologist Davyon Hill says it will be a cold weekend and rain will begin to fall Sunday afternoon…

Cut 9 (12) “…morning.”

Hill admits forecasting frozen precipitation in the south is never easy but it looks as if areas north of Alexandria will see snow overnight on Sunday.

Cut 10 (10) “…two inches.”

Over an inch of snow could fall north of Natchitoches and Jena to the Arkansas state line. Hill says the last major show event for the region was January 16, 2018, so we are due

Cut 11 (11) “…is possible”

Hill says keep an eye on the forecast this weekend because it could change.

_________________________

With less than two weeks to go in the Trump presidency and the country still reeling from Wednesday’s chaotic day at the US capitol, Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves tells WWL Radio in New Orleans that President Donald Trump should effectively resign

Cut 12 (12) “…to Pence.” 

Graves says invoking the 25th Amendment to forcibly remove the president or impeaching him would only ramp up the decisiveness. The U-S Representative from Baton Rouge says Mr. Trump has a powerful voice and needs to take a step back as the country recovers from a dark day in its history…

Cut 13 (08)“…that is better.”

President Trump said on Friday he will not attend Joe Biden’s inauguration on December 20th. Graves says President Trump attending would only be a negative…

Cut 14 (13) “…healing our nation.” 

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 8

The Saints are 10-point favorites to beat the Bears in their playoff matchup. New Orleans needed overtime to defeat Chicago in the regular season and defensive end Cam Jordan says if another close game takes place Sunday they have confidence they can get the W…
Cut 18 (10) “…built.”
Saints running back Alvin Kamara sent out a tweet last night that said “See y’all Sunday” likely indicating he will be able to play against Chicago. The Pro Bowler is currently on the NFL’s reserve-COVID-19 list but is eligible to come off that list on Sunday.

Ragin Cajuns running back Trey Ragas has entered the 2021 NFL draft. The New Orleans native rushed for 758 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season.

New Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian is reportedly trying to hire Defensive backs coach Corey Raymond away from LSU.

Contract details have been released for LSU’s new coaching hires. Offensive coordinator Jake Peetz is set to make one-point-two million dollars this year and one-point-three million dollars next year, while passing game coordinator DJ Mangas has agreed to a two-year deal that pays him 400-thousand dollars a year.

In college basketball tonight, the Ragin Cajuns host Little Rock. ULM hosts U-T Arlington. Louisiana Tech is at Conference USA preseason favorite Western Kentucky. The Sun Belt and CUSA have league schedules that feature back-to-back games against the same opponent. Bulldogs coach Eric Konkol says the unusual scheduling makes conference play that much more interesting…
cut 20 (23) “…fascinating race”

10:30 LRN Newscast January 8

Starting today food stamp recipients in Louisiana will see roughly a 15-percent increase in benefits through June as a result of the coronavirus relief bill Congress passed and the President signed last month. DCFS Secretary of the Division of Family Support Shavana Howard says for a household of three…
cut 4 (11) “…a month”
Howard says the 300-dollars in extra federal unemployment benefits will not go towards a person’s income when determining SNAP eligibility.

On the steps of the Lousiana State Capitol yesterday, the chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt, held a press conference…
cut 8 (11) “….democracy”
The Louisiana GOP released a statement that said the party condemns violent protests and it is not part of the democratic process.

It will be a cold weekend and snow is in the forecast Sunday night into Monday morning for the northern half of the state….
cut 12 (12) “…Alexandria”
That’s Matt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, who says south Louisiana expect some cold rain.

Before the snow arrives, the Saints will face the Bears in the Superdome on Sunday afternoon. Running back Alvin Kamara is expected to be activated from the COVID-19-reserve list and Quarterback Drew Brees says their ability to run the football has been a key to their success…
cut 17 (15) “….good formula”
Kick-off for the NFL playoff game is at 3:40.

9:30 LRN Newscast January 8

State Democratic Party leaders condemned Louisiana Republican Party elected officials, calling them culpable in Wednesday’s mob assault on the US Capitol…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says the protestors who stormed the Capitol should be charged with treason. And the co-owner of Rouses Markets, Donald Rouse Senior,” is facing social media backlash because he was at the rally for President Trump before the attack occurred. Rouse says he was there to support the president and condemns the violence that erupted.

The National Weather Service says there’s a potential for snow across much of north Louisiana Sunday night into Monday morning…
cut 11 (06) “….north Louisiana”
That’s Matt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, who says one to two inches could fall in Natchitoches, Winnfield, and Monroe. Shreveport, Many, Minden, and Jena could see less than an inch.

Good news for college students. As a result of a coronavirus aid package approved by Congress and signed by the President last month, college students who are enrolled at least half-time are eligible for food stamps. DCFS Secretary for the Division of Family Support Shavana Howard says students who participate in a work-study or if a college student is not receiving income from their family are also eligible….
cut 6 (10) “…took advantage”

8:30 LRN Newscast January 8

The Louisiana Democratic Party has called on Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation to cease in any and all activities that have already and could continue to contribute to more acts of insurrection, violence, and harm. Party chairperson Katie Bernhardt says the push to overturn the election has led to violence against our democracy. Bernhardt says Louisiana democrats didn’t attack the legitimacy of President Trump’s win in Louisana…
cut 9 (07) “….party”
All members of the Louisiana Republican Congressional delegation have released statements condemning the mob that assaulted the Capitol.

There’s a push by several House Democrats for Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th amendment to remove President Trump from office. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this seems unlikely and it would only happen if the Republican Party sought to distance itself from the President…
cut 15 (10) “…aberration”

Starting today, food stamp recipients will see an increase in their benefits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints are 10-point favorites to beat the Bears in their playoff matchup. New Orleans needed overtime to defeat Chicago in the regular season and defensive end Cam Jordan says if another close game takes place Sunday they have confidence they can get the W…
Cut 18 (10) “…built.”

7:30 LRN Newscast January 8

Louisiana Democratic Party leaders gathered on the steps of the State Capitol Thursday afternoon to cast blame for Capitol Hill riot on the Republican Party. State Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt issued a demand to the Louisiana Republican Congressional delegation, most of whom voted against certifying Biden’s electoral win…
Cut 7 (12) “…standing”
The Louisiana Republican Party says it condemns violent protests by any group and violence is not part of our democratic process.

Members of the U-S House are pushing Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to forcibly remove President Donald Trump from the Oval Office. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan calls it an unlikely outcome.
Cut 13 (10) “…to it.”
Pence has reportedly told officials he opposes invoking the 25th Amendment.

The northern half of the state could be hit with a winter storm late this weekend and into the new work week. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The number of COVID patients in the hospital statewide has surpassed two-thousand for the first time since the pandemic started. The state reported 45-hundred new cases yesterday and 47 additional deaths bringing the death toll to 73-hundred. L-D-H also says 74-thousand individuals have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot.

6:45 LRN Sportscast January 8

It’s win or go home as the NFL playoffs begin this weekend. The Saints will host the Chicago Bears as New Orleans looks to avoid its third straight postseason home defeat. Quarterback Drew Brees on the possibility that this will be his last game…
cut 16 (09) “…much the same’
Saints running back Alvin Kamara tweeted out last night, “See y’all Sunday” an indication that he’ll play in Sunday’s playoff game after testing positive for COVID-19 last Friday. He’s eligible to be activated on Sunday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Kamara has been participating in practice this week remotely thanks to TVU networks technology. Kamara has been able to view practice as the Saints were installing the game plan for the Bears.

Tonight at the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans host the Hornets at 6:30.

Contract details have been released for LSU’s new coaching hires. Offensive coordinator Jake Peetz is set to make one-point-two million dollars this year and one-point-three million dollars next year, while passing game coordinator DJ Mangas has agreed to a two-year deal that pays him 400-thousand dollars a year.

In college basketball tonight, the Ragin Cajuns host Little Rock. ULM hosts U-T Arlington. Louisiana Tech is at Conference USA preseason favorite Western Kentucky. The Sun Belt and CUSA have league schedules that feature back-to-back games against the same opponent. Bulldogs coach Eric Konkol says the unusual scheduling makes conference play that much more interesting…
cut 20 (23) “…fascinating race”