11:40 LRN Sportscast September 17

Saints Coach Sean Payton would not say this morning during a conference call with reporters if wide receiver Michael Thomas will be available for Monday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Payton told the media he will not discuss injuries. It’s been reported Thomas could miss several weeks with a high ankle sprain.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame has released its 2021 induction class. Former Saints receiver Marques Colston and former LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey headline the list. A couple of other former Tigers are also going into the Hall, former basketball star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and track and field coach Pat Henry. Former Southern Jaguars baseball star Rickie Weeks will also be enshrined during a ceremony in Natchitoches on June 26th. The 2020 class that features former LSU Coach Nick Saban will have their ceremony in December.

The NCAA has announced that men’s and women’s college basketball season will start on November 25th.

After starting 30 consecutive games at Harvard, Liam Shanahan is set to start at center for the Fighting Tigers of LSU when the national champs kick off the season a week from Saturday. The Massachusetts native says this is the first time he’s played center…
cut 19 (24) “….down here”
Shananan was named to the All-Ivy League last season.

The 19th ranked Ragin Cajuns will not have nine players available to do them for Saturday’s game at Georgia State, because of COVID-19 issues. Coach Billy Napier did not name which players will be out.

Tonight’s NFL game is an AFC North matchup between Joe Burrow and the Bengals and Jarvis Landry and the Cleveland Browns.

9:30 LRN Newscast September 17

Hurricane Laura was the strongest storm to hit Louisiana in over 100 years when it made landfall in Cameron Parish. Three weeks later the Parish is struggling to recover…
cut 3 (31) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There’s a strong possibility we could have another tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico by the end of the week. The National Hurricane Center is giving an area of low pressure a 90-percent chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours. The low is expected to meander over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico for the next day or so.

A federal judge in New Orleans has ruled that Louisiana must use the same coronavirus pandemic rules for the November and December elections that were used during the summer elections. Governor John Bel Edwards says what the judge is asking is not an undue burden…
cut 10 (09) “….do so”
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin received legislative approval for an election plan that rolled back many of the reasons on why a voter can receive an absentee ballot.

McNeese State is planning to resume the fall semester tomorrow even though Hurricane Laura produced 200-million dollars in damages to the campus. The classes will be held online and school president Daryl Burkel says if students do not have internet access…
cut 5 (11) “….also have hotspots”

8:30 LRN Newscast September 17

A federal judge calls for Louisiana to go back to using the summer election plan for the upcoming fall elections. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state reported 508 more coronavirus cases yesterday increasing the total number to nearly 159-thousand. The number of COVID-19 deaths increased by 18 to 5,126. The number of COVID patients hospitalized rose slightly.

New Orleans Police say they have arrested a 15-year-old for a September 10th shooting that killed three people and wounded two others.

Cameron Police Jury Vice President Scott Trahan estimates over half of the homes in the storm-ravaged parish were completely destroyed by Hurricane Laura. Trahan says it could be up to three months before most of the parish gets power back, but even when the power returns, many homes will not turn the lights back on.
Cut 14 (07) “…left.”
The parish has an estimated population of just under 7,000.

Tiger Stadium will have about 25-thousand fans at LSU’s season opener on September 26th against Mississippi State. The school says they’ll announce seating arrangements next week. Athletics Director Scott Woodward and Interim LSU President Thomas Galligan says the 25-percent capacity includes student tickets…
cut 13 (09) “…sounds right”
LSU has said that students who get tested for the coronavirus will have priority for football tickets.

7:30 LRN Newscast Sept 17

US District Judge Shelly Dick has ruled against the Secretary of State’s election plan that rolled back much of the summer’s mail-in balloting opportunities. Dick said the limited absentee access approved by the Legislature imposes a burden on a person’s right to vote during a pandemic. Governor John Bel Edwards agrees.
Cut 8 (07) “…do that.”
Under Ardoin’s plan, the only COVID-related reason for requesting an absentee ballot is that if you test positive for the virus during early voting or before Election Day. Ardoin is reviewing the decision.

LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward says they will provide seating arrangements for the September 26th season opener next week. Tailgaiting will not be allowed and Woodward addressed that during a news conference…
cut 11 (10) “…the woods yet”

Education leaders present an update to a Senate Committee on the return to learning in Calcasieu Parish following Hurricane Laura. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

And we need to keep an eye on the Gulf of Mexico once again. There’s an area of low pressure in the southern Gulf has a 90-percent chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours. If this disturbance becomes a named storm, it will be named Wilfred and then we move on to the Greek Alphabet, which also happened in 2005.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU moves back to a four-three defense this season under defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Linebacker Jabril Cox on what you can expect
Cut 17 (15) “…to offenses”
Meanwhile, LSU is making plans to host about 25-thousand fans in Tiger Stadium on September 26th for the season opener against Mississippi State. Athletics Director Scott Woodward admits that spread mitigation efforts will have an impact on fans’ game-day experience, but they will make it as positive as possible.
Cut 12 (12) “…normal as possible.”
The school says 72-percent of LSU’s 71-thousand season ticket holders have opted out.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says nine players will not be available for Saturday’s game at Georgia State because of COVID-19. None of the nine players have been identified. Napier did say that starting cornerback A-J Washington will not be available.

ULM has announced that capacity for Saturday’s home opener against Texas State will be at 25-percent. Also, no tailgating will be allowed and no pregame Warhawk Walk through Pecan Grove.

Louisiana Tech has announced that its game against BYU on October 2nd will be televised by ESPN Two.

An agreement has been reached that allows high school football teams to play their games in Jefferson Parish. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is not allowing contact sports in the city because of COVID-19.

A vigil was held last night for Denham Springs football player Remy Hidalgo who collapsed at practice on Tuesday from an apparent stroke. Remy has been transported to the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A federal judge has ruled the state should give more people the option of using absentee mail ballots for the November third presidential election. The ruling goes against the election plan endorsed by Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and the state legislature. Governor Edwards applauds the decision. He says Ardoin’s election plan made no considerations for those with co-morbid conditions, and…
cut 9 (09) “….positive”
U-S District Judge Shelly Dick says the state should revert back to the rules it had in place for the summer elections, which allowed a voter to seek an absentee ballot if they were at risk of severe illness. Ardoin says his office is reviewing the judge’s ruling.

The National Hurricane Center is giving a low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico a 90-percent chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours. The low is expected to meander in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico for the next day or so.

Calcasieu Parish School Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus tells the Senate Education Committee that 74 of their 76 school campuses and office complexes sustained damage from Hurricane Laura. 15 of the buildings had substantial damage when roofs came off. The estimated total damage is about 300-million dollars. Bruchhaus says they hope to resume online learning on September 28th, but internet connectivity is limited…
cut 6 (12) “….schools with internet”
The district plans to open schools as they become ready, with 5-to-7 opening next week.

Meanwhile, at the Sacred Heart Graveyard in Cameron Parish, 150 caskets floated away from their tombs. Cameron Police Jury Vice President Scott Trahan says after having similar incidents in recent storms it’s time the parish starts filling caskets with concrete…
Cut 15 (11) “…go anywhere”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward is pleased with how the football program is handling the coronavirus. A day earlier, Coach Ed Orgeron said most of the team has had COVID-19, but Woodward says the players are receiving world-class medical attention that includes a strong contact tracing system
Cut 6 (09) “…doing it”
Woodward says the vast majority of the cases have occurred socially and not in the weight room or at practice. Woodward also says Orgeron was too forthright and transparent when he said most of the team has had COVID-19.

No media availability with Saints Coach Sean Payton and players today as the team has an extra day to prepare for Monday night’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. There’s a good chance wide receiver Michael Thomas will not play because of a high ankle sprain and one report says he could miss several weeks.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says starting defensive lineman Neil Farrell has returned to the team after announcing in August he would not play because of the coronavirus. Farrell’s grandmother was hospitalized with COVID-19, but tweeted last week that his grandmother is getting better every day and he missed football. Orgeron says it remains to be seen if Farrell will play in the season opener
Cut 16 (09) “…what happens”

The 19th ranked Cajuns made a statement last week beating Iowa State on ESPN. This Saturday’s game at Georgia State will be on ESPN 2 and Coach Billy Napier says playing another 11 AM game on national TV is great for the program…
cut 20 (14) “…out there”

LRN PM Newscall September 16

LSU’s Athletics Director Scott Woodward has no concerns over the football program’s coronavirus protocols after Coach Ed Orgeron said most of the players had the virus. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

____________________________

A national survey shows year over year restaurant sales are down 35 percent and the industry is expected to lose 240 billion dollars in revenue. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

The Cajun Navy is assisting in the response to Hurricane Sally, which made landfall this morning as a slow-moving Category 2 storm near the Florida-Alabama line. Baldwin County in Alabama is reporting major to catastrophic flooding. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says their focus is floodwater rescues.

Cut 3 (06)  “…surge coming up.”  

The group of Louisiana-based volunteers often respond to natural disasters.  Terrell says it appears many of the residents were blindsided by the intensity of the storm and did not evacuate.

Cut 4 (09)“ …could survive it.” 

Terrell estimates they’ve got about 25 to 30 boats ready to respond, but the closure of bridges in the area is complicating the entry process for others wanting to help.

Cut 5 (08)  “…to have, unfortunately.”

_________________

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward is pleased with how the football program is handling the coronavirus. A day earlier, Coach Ed Orgeron said most of the team has had COVID-19, but Woodward says the players are receiving world-class medical attention that includes a strong contact tracing system

Cut 6 (09) “…doing it”

Woodward says the vast majority of the cases have occurred socially and not in the weight room or at practice.

Cut 7 (11) “socially.”

Woodward also says Orgeron was too forthright and transparent when he said most of the team has had COVID-19. During a Zoom press conference of his own, the L-S-U A-D was asked why not give an exact number on how many players tested positive. Woodward says he will not discuss a player’s medical history and there are no issues with the protocols in place

Cut 8 (08) “…doing things.”

________________________

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the move to Phase Three is a big help, but they still anticipate 25 to 50 percent of all state restaurants will close permanently due to COVID.

Harris says a national survey shows 58 percent of US adults know a local restaurant that’s closed its doors for good due to the pandemic. He says revenue losses are significant.

Cut 9 (10) “…revenue”

The state’s move to Phase Three allowed restaurants to increase indoor dining capacity to 75 percent, but Harris notes it now bans those businesses from serving alcohol after 10 PM.

Harris says alongside the large amounts of lost revenue…

Cut 10 (10) “…safe”

Harris says staffing is still an issue for most restaurants, although recent reductions in unemployment benefits could force more people back to work.

Cut 11 (07) “…revenue.”

_______________________

Three horses in south Louisiana have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.  Ag Commissioner says when a horse is infected with the mosquito-transmitted illness, it’s typically bad news for the horse.

Cut 12 (09) “…West Nile Virus.”

Common signs in horses can include fever, loss of appetite, weakness, loss of coordination, and circling.  The disease can also infect humans.

Strain says it is important for horses to be vaccinated against the virus.

Cut 13 (11) “…every six months.”

Humans do not get vaccinated for EEE, but instead are encouraged to avoid mosquitos with bug spray and long sleeves.

Strain recommends taking additional protective measures, including draining standing water.

Cut 14 (10) “…mosquito-infested areas.” 

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward has no concerns over the coronavirus protocols that are in place for the football program. Woodward addressed the issue a day after Coach Ed Orgeron said a majority of his players have tested positive for the virus. Woodward says the school will not provide an exact number on how many players have had the virus, but he’s comfortable with the protocols in place…
cut 8 (08) “…doing things”
Woodward says the vast majority of the cases have occurred socially and not in the weight room or at practice.

The NFL Network is reporting that Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas could miss several weeks with a high ankle sprain. The report from Tom Pelissero says Thomas is tough and will try to play as soon as he can. New Orleans visits the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night and then the following week they have a Sunday night home game against the Packers.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron knows who his starting linebackers will be when they line-up against Mississippi State on September 26th in the season. Damone Clark, Jabril Cox, and Micah Baskerville. Coach O says Baskerville looks comfortable in Bo Pelini’s defense…
cut 17 (14) ‘…helped Micah”

ULM has announced that capacity for Saturday’s home opener against Texas State will be at 25-percent. Also, no tailgating will be allowed and no pregame Warhawk Walk through Pecan Grove.

The Big 10 has announced they will play football in the fall, starting with the weekend of October 24th. Each school will reportedly play an eight-game schedule in eight weeks so the Big 10 title game can be played on December 19th.

9:30 LRN Newscast September 16

The Louisiana Economic Outlook report shows the state will lose 105-thousand jobs in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 impacts on the economy. LSU Economist Loren Scott says it will take until 2022, before the state recovers 90-percent of the jobs that are lost. Scott says the recovery will be slow, because oil prices will only rise to 49 dollars a barrel by 2022…
cut 8 (10) “….2023”

Bar owners are suffering as most of them are not allowed to re-open based on Louisiana’s coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Lane Clark owns the Junkyard Bar in Monroe and says it’s not fair…
cut 6 (04) “….drinking”
Clark tried to open his bar yesterday and A-T-C officials arrived 25 minutes later and revoked his license.

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System launches a program designed to help those who are unemployed due to the pandemic. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the Reboot Your Career program aims to train no less than 5000 individuals by June 30th.
Cut 13 (07) “…of their families.”
Training will be for in-demand jobs such as industrial technology, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and information technology. For more information go to the L-C-T-C-S website.

Kenner Police is looking for 31-year-old Elder Paz-Perez. Commander of Criminal Investigations Michael Cunningham says Paz-Perez is one of three people accused of raping a 10-year-old girl after she locked herself in the bathroom in an effort to protect herself…
cut 12 (09) “…track him down”
Raul and Wilmer Paz-Perez have already been arrested for their roles in the alleged assault.