2:30 LRN Newscast October 5

Tropical Storm Delta is getting better organized and strengthening in the northwestern Caribbean Sea and is expected to become a hurricane on Tuesday. National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says the storm appears to be on track for a Friday morning landfall.
Cut 9 (04) “…that may change.”
The cone of uncertainty stretches from the Louisiana-Texas state line to the Florida panhandle.

President Donald Trump will be released from the hospital Monday afternoon and allowed to continue recovering from COVID-19 at the White House. Congressman Mike Johnson says the President is a high-energy and healthy individual who should be able to shake off the disease…
Cut 6 (09)“…illness”
The state reported 230 new coronavirus cases and nine new deaths. Also, hospitalizations increased by 29 to 547.

Bayou Classic officials announced today the annual football game will be played in Shreveport next Spring, not New Orleans. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

LSU announces alcohol will be for sale at Saturday night’s home game against Missouri. Also, the school says ticketholders will no longer need to complete a CDC wellness check before entering Tiger Stadium. Governor Edwards says this will also be the case at other athletic venues like Cajun Field and Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston.

1:30 LRN Newscast October 5

The Bayou Classic football game between Southern and Grambling traditionally held Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans is getting a new home for 2021 as it moves to Shreveport. The 47th annual game will take place on April 17. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says it’s a big win for the city.
Cut 12 (11) “…state of Louisiana.”

Tropical Storm Delta continues to strengthen in the west-central Caribbean and this system is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday morning as a hurricane and possibly developing into a Category Two storm before a potential landfall along Louisiana’s coast Friday morning. National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says October hurricanes are not a rare event…
cut 11 (07) “…October too”

Flags are half-staff today in remembrance of former two-term governor Mike Foster, who passed away yesterday at the age of 90 at his Franklin home. His former Chief of Staff, Stephen Perry, says Foster helped create the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, expand TOPS and directed one-point-seven billion dollars to higher education…
cut 4 (12) “….educating people”
During Foster’s final year in office in 2004, his approval rating was at 62-percent.

President Donald Trump remains hospitalized as he continues to recover from COVID-19. The infection of the President and 11 prominent Republicans is reportedly linked to a ceremony celebrating the Supreme court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barret. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson disagrees with that assumption.
Cut 8 (08) “White House.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 5

Despite missing several starters because of injuries, COVID-19 concerns in the middle of the night and falling behind 14-0 early, the Saints still came away with a victory in Detroit beating the Lions 35-29 yesterday. Quarterback Drew Brees threw an early interception but played well the rest of the way to snap a two-game losing streak
cut 16 (24) “..close it out”
Brees threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns. The Saints also ran the ball well. Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray combined for 202 yards from scrimmage and three scores.

LSU played much better on Saturday night and it resulted in a 41-7 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores. Quarterback Myles Brennan looked more decisive and comfortable and he ended up throwing for 337 yards and four TD passes. Brennan credits a lot of drill work leading up to the game
cut 19 (14) “.saw improvement’
LSU will look to improve to 2-1 this Saturday when the Tigers host Missouri. The Tigers are 0-2 after losing by double digits to both Alabama and Tennessee.

The Sun Belt announced today its moving its conference football championship game two weeks, from December fifth to December 19th. The Cajuns host Coastal Carolina this Saturday. Both teams are undefeated.

And the Bayou Classic will be played in Shreveport on April 17th as Southern and Grambling officials have just made that announcement.

9:30 LRN Newscast October 5

Flags are at half-staff today as the state mourns the death of former two-term Governor Mike Foster. He’s known for helping to create the TOPS program and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. The small businessman was elected governor in 1995 and Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Foster ran a fantastic campaign to beat out 15 other candidates…
cut 12 (12) “…public’s imagination”
Foster died from age-related illnesses.

The second week of the special session begins today. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Republicans in the House and Senate have different opinions on how executive orders during public health emergencies should be handled. Alford says any bill that’s approved could be vetoed…
cut 15 (05) “…executive authority”

A Pennington Biomedical Research Center researcher says a recent study shows uncontrolled blood sugar levels for type 2 diabetics can lead to long-term cognitive issues. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Eyes will be on the tropics this week as Tropical Storm Delta has formed south of Jamaica. The storm is expected to become a hurricane when it enters the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and it could make landfall as a Category Two storm on Friday.

Today is the deadline if you want to register to vote in person for the November third presidential election. The online deadline is October 13th.

8:30 LRN Newscast October 5

Former two-term Governor Mike Foster passed away Sunday at the age of 90 at his home in Franklin. Foster started in politics when he was elected as a state senator for St. Mary Parish in 1987 at the age of 57. Eight years later he was elected governor and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says education was Foster’s main focus…
cut 10 (09) “….community colleges”
According to his former press secretary, Marsanne Golsby, during Foster’s eight years in office, the average teacher received $11,500 in raises, a 43-percent increase.

Today begins the second week of the special session and several bills are advancing that seek curb the governor’s power during a public health emergency. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it remains to be seen which one the Legislature eventually gets behind…
cut 14 (04) “…making”

A new report shows the average pay for Louisiana teachers is four-thousand dollars less than the Southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says the pay in Louisiana varies significantly from parish to parish…
cut 5 (07) “….doing”
Carter says given the economic climate, it will take federal dollars in order to raise teacher salaries.

A Pennington Biomedical Research Center researcher says type 2 diabetics can improve brain function with consistent control of blood sugar levels versus only losing weight and increasing exercise. Director of Biomedical Imaging, Owen Carmichael says type two diabetes doubles your risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
Cut 7 (11) “…blood sugar”

7:30 LRN Newscast October 5

Former Louisiana Governor Mike Foster has passed away at the age of 90. Foster served two terms from 1996 to 2004 and he’s credited with creating Louisiana’s Community and Technical College System. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says when Foster’s second term ended, he was popular among Republicans and Democrats…
cut 11 (08) “….and universities”
Foster was a small businessman before he was elected as a state senator in 1987.

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Owen Carmichael says a recent study has shown that enhancing blood sugar control boosts brain health for people with Type Two Diabetes. Carmichael says every little improvement in blood sugar control was associated with a little better cognition…
cut 9 (06) “…under control”

Louisiana teachers earn about 4,000 dollars a year less than their southern regional counterparts according to a new report. Matt Doyle has the story
Cut 1 (28) “ I’m Matt Doyle”

Tropical Storm Delta has formed over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and it’s expected to strengthen into a hurricane when it enters the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday morning. Delta could be a Category Two hurricane and a landfall is expected Friday anywhere from the Louisiana-Texas line to the Florida panhandle.

6:45 LRN Sportscast October 5

There were a lot of reasons why the Saints should have lost yesterday, but they didn’t let the many obstacles in front of them get in their way. New Orleans went into the contest missing six starters, had a player test positive for COVID-19 Saturday night, only to find out Sunday morning it was a false positive and then Detroit took an early 14-0 lead. But the Saints scored 35 unanswered points and went on to win 35-29. Coach Sean Payton says he’s proud of how the players got ready despite the challenges…
cut 18 (18) “…did that”
Fullback Michael Burton was the player who tested positive but was cleared to play Sunday morning at 3 AM.

After giving up 623 passing yards in the season opener, LSU’s defense played much better this past weekend in a 41-7 win over Vanderbilt. The Tigers held Commodores quarterback Ken Seals to 113 passing yards and picked off two passes. Safety Jacoby Stevens had eleven tackles…
cut 20 (19) “….good game”
LSU moved up three spots in the latest A-P Top 25 ranking to number 17. The Ragin Cajuns did not play this past weekend, but because of several upsets on Saturday, U-L Lafayette is back in the Top 25 at 23. The Cajuns have a big game this Saturday when they host Coastal Carolina. LSU will host winless Mizzou.

6:30 LRN Newscast October 5

Louisiana has lost one of its favorite governors as Mike Foster has passed away at the age of 90. Kevin Barnhart has more on Foster’s legacy…
Cut 3 (42) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Foster was in hospice care at his home in Franklin when he died yesterday of several age-related illnesses. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

A new report shows Louisiana teachers make an average of 4,000 dollars a year less than their peers in other southern states. Last year the gap was just 2,300 dollars but Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says nearby states approved significant pay hikes. Now state teachers are stuck with pandemic workloads at low pay.
Cut 4 (09) “people.”
This comes despite a 1,200 dollar pay raise last year.

The House and Senate are at odds over how to handle the Governor’s public emergency health authority and COVID business restrictions. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the first week of the special session showed how each chamber feels about the Governor’s handling of the pandemic…
Cut 13 (09) “…aggressive.”

AM LRN Newscall october 5 ###Updated with sound on Mike Foster’s death###

Louisiana teachers earn about 4,000 dollars a year less than their southern regional counterparts according to a new report. Matt Doyle has the story

Cut 1 (28) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

A Pennington Biomedical Research Center researcher says a recent study shows uncontrolled blood sugar levels for type 2 diabetics can lead to long-term cognitive issues. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

___________________________________________

Louisiana has lost one of its favorite governors as Mike Foster has passed away at the age of 90. Kevin Barnhart has more on Foster’s legacy…

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_______________________________

A new report shows Louisiana teachers make an average of 4,000 dollars a year less than their peers in other southern states. Last year the gap was just 2,300 dollars but Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says nearby states approved significant pay hikes. Now state teachers are stuck with pandemic workloads at low pay.

Cut 4 (09) “people.”

This comes despite a 1,200 dollar raise passed last year. Carter says while Louisiana was busy catching up other nearby states were busying pushing further ahead.

Carter says there’s real reason to be concerned that the pay gap will result in Louisiana teachers leaving. He says we already see it within the state where pay varies significantly from parish to parish.

Cut 5 (07) “…doing”

Carter says given the current economic climate it will be difficult to close that gap unless the feds come through with another pandemic bailout package for states…

Cut 6 (12) “dollars”

_____________________

A Pennington Biomedical Research Center researcher says type 2 diabetics can improve brain function with consistent control of blood sugar levels versus only losing weight and increasing exercise. Director of Biomedical Imaging, Owen Carmichael says type two diabetes doubles your risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer’s.

Cut 7 (11) “…blood sugar”

Carmichael says many people think once you are diagnosed with diabetes it’s just a matter of taking medication, but in reality, it’s a lifestyle change, and controlling your blood sugar is not as easy as it sounds.

Cut 8 (08) “…get as well”

Carmichael says this news is imperative to reducing the long-term cognitive issues and losing weight and exercising after cognitive issues have begun might not restore verbal learning skills and overall memory.

Cut 9 (06) “…under control”

The study examines 11-hundred participants and cognitive tests were conducted between 8 and 13 years after they started the study.

_______________________________________

Former two-term Governor Mike Foster passed away Sunday at the age of 90 at his home in Franklin. Foster started in politics when he was elected as a state senator for St. Mary Parish in 1987 at the age of 57. Eight years later he was elected governor and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says education was Foster’s main focus…

Cut 10 (09) “…community colleges”

Foster also rose teacher pay. According to his former press secretary, Marsanne Golsby, during Foster’s eight years in office, the average teacher received 11,500 in raises, a 43-percent increase.

Pinsonat says Foster was one of the state’s more popular governors. He says when his second term concluded in 2004 that popularity spread across Republicans and Democrats

Cut 11 (08) “…and universities.”

Foster was one of 16 individuals who ran for governor in 1995. The ballot also included former Governor Buddy Roemer, future U-S Senator Mary Landrieu and at that time Congressman Cleo Fields. But Pinsonat says Foster ran a fantastic campaign

Cut 12 (12) “…public’s imagintion.

Foster died from age-related illnesses. Funeral details have not been announced.
______________________________________

The House and Senate appear to be at odds over how to handle the Governor’s public health authority and business restrictions just one week into the special session.

LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the first week showed how each chamber is feeling about the Governor’s handling of the pandemic…

Cut 13 (09) “…approach.”

The Senate passed legislation that would require the Governor to notify Legislative leaders seven days ahead of time of any public health emergency extensions, and explain why it was necessary. The House has passed everything from a complete repeal of his declaration to bills allowing lawmakers to pick and choose what restrictions should be upheld.

The Senate passed one signature bill addressing public health authority last week, but Alford says the House approved nine different items tackling questions of gubernatorial emergency powers…

Cut 14 (04) “…making.”

Alford says there’s a mix of resolutions and bills that would strip the Governor of his public health powers in play, but the resolutions are only temporary, and any bills are likely to be rejected…

Cut 15 (05) “…authority.” 

________________________________________

Despite missing several starters because of injuries, COVID-19 concerns in the middle of the night and falling behind 14-0 early, the Saints still came away with a victory in Detroit beating the Lions 35-29. Quarterback Drew Brees threw an early interception but played well the rest of the way to snap a two-game losing streak

cut 16 (24) “..close it out”

Brees threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Emmanual Sanders had six catches for 93 yards.

There was a concern the game would be postponed because fullback Michael Burton tested positive for COVID-19, but it turned out to be a false positive. However, several players were up into early Sunday morning waiting on another round test results. Sanders says they would not use that false-positive test as an excuse…

cut 17 (17) “.we did”‘

Coach Sean Payton says no one was going to feel sorry for them

cut 18 (18) “..did that” 

New Orleans next game is a week from tonight against the Los Angeles Chargers, who lost to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are still in first place in the NFC South with a 3-1 record. The Saints are 2-and-2.

___________________________________________________

LSU played much better on Saturday night and it resulted in a 41-7 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores. Quarterback Myles Brennan looked more decisive and comfortable and he ended up throwing 337 yards and four TD passes. Brennan credits a lot of drill work leading up to the game

cut 19 (14) “.saw improvement’

The defense also had a much better showing. The Commodores were held to 266 yards of offense and intercepted Ken Seals twice and sacked him three times. Safety Jacoby Stevens had eleven tackles

cut 20 (19) “..good game”

4:45 LRN Sportscast October 2nd

The Saints will look to snap their first two-game losing streak since 2017 when they visit the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Quarterback Drew Brees is receiving his fair share of criticism. But running back Alvin Kamara still has full confidence in Drew….
cut 19 (25) “….shut up”
The Saints have ruled out six players for Sunday’s game against the Lions, including wide receiver Michael Thomas, tight end Jared Cook, guard Andrus Peat, and cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins. The Saints recently signed veteran Ken Crawley to the practice squad. He might have to start on Sunday.

Two, 2-0 teams square off tonight in Provo, Utah as Louisiana Tech visits 22nd ranked BYU. Both teams are getting good quarterback play, Zach Wilson for the Cougars and Luke Anthony for the Bulldogs. Anthony is coming off a six-touchdown performance against Houston Baptist. But Coach Skip Holtz says Anthony has more room to grow…
cut 17 (19) “….get better”
Kick-off is at 8:00.

Tomorrow, 20th ranked LSU visits Vanderbilt. The Tigers defense looking for a bounce-back performance after giving up an SEC record 623 passing yards. The Commodores struggled to throw the ball in a loss to Texas A-and-M last week.

ULM looks for its first win as it takes on Sun Belt foe Georgia Southern.