4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has made the decision to move its fall sports, including football, to the spring. The SWAC is planning to have a seven-game football schedule but Grambling President Rick Gallot says the virus will dictate if football can be played at all this academic year…
Cut 7 (09) “vaccine”
The seven-game football schedule that would include six conference games and one non-conference contest. Instead of holding the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving weekend, the game will be played in the spring time. Southern University athletics director Roman Banks says once a date is set, they’ll talk with Bayou Classic and New Orleans officials…
cut 9 (07) “…site”

Since the SWAC has postponed its football season to the spring that leaves Louisiana Tech looking for another opponent. The Bulldogs were scheduled to play Prairie View A-and-M for their home opener on September 19th. Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland says they are talking with other programs about filling that open slot on their home schedule.

The Outland Trophy Watch List was unveiled today and it features several interior linemen. LSU defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin is on that list and so is Louisiana Tech center Kody Russey, along with Ragin Cajuns sophomore offensive guard O’Cyrus Torrence.

Tomorrow, the Southland Conference will hold a virtual media day for football. Broadcaster Carely McCord, who died in a plane crash in December, has been named the recipient of the Southland Conference’s prestigious Louis Bonnette Media Award.

The Pelicans hold their first scrimmage game tomorrow night against Brooklyn. Still no word on when rookie sensation Zion Williamson will return to the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. Williamson left last week to attend to a family emergency and there’s been no new information.

LRN PM Newscall July 21

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has decided to postpone its fall sports season to the spring. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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It’s been ten months since the Hard Rock Hotel collapse and the bodies of two workers might finally be recovered from the rubble within a matter of days.   Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (25) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Qualifying for the November ballot begins at 8 AM tomorrow and as of now, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy does not face a major Democratic challenger. Outgoing State Democratic Party Director Stephen Handwerk says there’s time for a prominent Democrat to get in the race.

Cut 3 (11)  “…race”  

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins’ name has come up as a possible challenger.

Handwerk says the party will consider endorsements once qualifying ends Friday afternoon and they know who is running.

Cut 4 (03)_ “yet”

Antoine Pierce, a Baton Rouge progressive activist, and New Orleans teacher Peter Wenstrup are the two announced Democrats so far.

Handwerk says there’s a lot of energy in the party right now. He noted more Democrats voted in the recent Presidential Primary than Republicans.

Cut 5 (08)  “…MIA”

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The Southwestern Athletic Conference has made the decision to move its fall sports, including football, to the spring. Grambling President Rick Gallot says the decision protects the health of their student-athletes

Cut 6 (10) “…deadly virus”

The SWAC is planning to have a seven-game football schedule that would include six conference games and one non-conference contest. Preseason camp would begin in January. But Gallot says the virus will dictate if football can be played

Cut 7 (09) “vaccine”

Southern University Athletics Director Roman Banks says by the time 2021 gets here, he hopes scientists are closer to a vaccine and there are fewer COVID-19 cases

Cut 8 (12) “…responsible”

Banks says the league is still deciding what the schedule will look like, but they know they’ll play Grambling and once a date is set, they’ll talk with Bayou Classic and New Orleans officials

Cut 9 (07) “…site.”

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New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says one of the bodies that has been trapped in the Hard Rock Hotel collapse site is likely to be recovered by the end of the week and the other by the middle of next week. McConnell says the rubble is very delicate and potentially dangerous to recovery workers.

Cut 10 (13) “…that could change.”

It’s been ten months since the construction site partially collapsed, killing three. McConnell says the length of the recovery has tested the patience of recovery workers.

Cut 11 (10) “…for a living.”

Rescue workers had thought that it was going to be possible to recover the two bodies last week, but more hurdles got in the way that could have an impact on the current timeline too… weather.

Cut 12 (09) “…with bad weather.” 

Starting tomorrow, the area will be deemed a no-fly zone to keep drones away.

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The National Hurricane Center has upgraded the chance of development for a tropical wave currently over western Cuba and making its way into the Gulf.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a medium chance the disturbance will develop into a tropical depression over the next five days.

Cut 13 (06) “…Mexico.” 

The system is set to enter the southeastern Gulf of Mexico later today, move into the central Gulf tomorrow, and the northwestern Gulf Thursday and Friday.

Keim says sea surface temperatures in the Gulf are prime for development.

Cut 14 (09) “…problem.”

That being said Keim does not expect the system to get to hurricane strength. At most he anticipates a depression or tropical storm…

Cut 15 (06) “     …wrong” 

2:30 LRN Newscast July 21

The National Hurricane Center is giving a disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms near Cuba a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression over the next five days as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim says sea surface temperatures are prime for development…
cut 14 (09) “….problem”
That being said Keim does not expect the system to develop into a hurricane.

New Orleans Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell is optimistic they will recover the remains of two New Orleans construction workers who died when the Hard Rock Hotel construction site collapsed last October. McConnell says they hope to get to one of the bodies by the end of the week and other by July 29th….
cut 11 (10) “…for a living”

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has made the decision to postpone fall sports, including football, to the spring. Southern University Athletics Director Roman Banks says by the time 2021 gets here, he’s hopeful scientists are closer to a vaccine and there are fewer COVID-19 cases…
cut 8 (12) “…responsible’
The postponement will mean the Bayou Classic will be played in the Spring, instead of Thanksgiving weekend.

Qualifying begins tomorrow for Louisiana’s U-S Senate race. Republican Bill Cassidy is seeking his second-term and at this moment, the doctor from Baton Rouge does not face a serious Democratic challenger. Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk says there will be Democratic candidates on the ballot…
cut 4 (03) “….yet”
Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is a rumored candidate.

1:30 LRN Newscast July 21

The state reported 36 more COVID-19 deaths today to bring the state’s death toll to just under 35-hundred. The 36 deaths recorded over the last 24 hours is the highest since May 22nd, when the state reported 39 deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference at 2:30. The state’s Phase 2 coronavirus order expires on Sunday.

It’s been ten months since the Hard Rock Hotel collapse and the bodies of two workers might finally be recovered from the rubble within a matter of days. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (25) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The National Hurricane Center now gives a tropical wave over western Cuba a 40-percent of developing into at least tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico this week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a hurricane hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system tomorrow to get a better idea of what this disturbance is doing…
cut 15 (06) “…wrong”
Gradual development of this system is possible as it moves west-northwest during the next few days.

Tomorrow begins the three-day qualifying period for the federal election in November. A well-funded opponent from the Democratic party has yet to emerge to challenge Republican Senator Bill Cassidy. Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk believes they’ll have a formidable candidate…
cut 5 (08) “….M-I-A”
Handwerk was a guest this morning on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has made the decision to move its fall sports, including football, to the spring. Grambling President Rick Gallot says the decision protect’s the health of their student-athletes…
cut 6 (10) “…deadly virus”
The SWAC is planning to have a seven-game football schedule that would include six conference games and one non-conference game in the spring. Southern University Athletics Director Roman Banks says by the time 2021 gets here, he hopes we are close to a vaccine and there are fewer COVID-19 cases…
cut 8 (12) “…responsible way”
Banks and Gallot are also hopeful the Bayou Classic can be played in the spring.

Since the SWAC has decided to postpone its football season to the spring that leaves Louisiana Tech looking for another opponent. The Bulldogs were scheduled to play Prairie View A-and-M for their home opener on September 19th. Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland says they are talking with other programs about filling that open slot on their home schedule.

LSU linebackers Damone Clark and Jabril Cox are among the 51 players on the Butkus Award Watch List. Both Clark and Cox are expected to play significant roles in new four-three defense under defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Former LSU Tiger Devin White won the Butkus Award a couple of years ago.

The Phillies have named former LSU Tiger Aaron Nola their opening day starter for the third straight season. The 27-year-old struck out a career-high 229 batters last season. Philadelphia opens its season against Miami on Friday.

9:30 LRN Newscast July 21

A new study finds more than one in three Louisiana residents lack access to an adequate food source and the coronavirus pandemic has made the problem of food insecurity worse. Center for Planning Excellence is behind the analysis and CEO Camille Manning-Broome says food insecurity has increased dramatically in New Orleans and Baton Rouge…
cut 8 (08) a humanitarian crisis”
The report says the number of Louisiana residents living in food insecure communities has increased by over 500-thousand since the pandemic began.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association predicts that 25-percent of the state’s restaurants will close as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Economist Loren Scott says much of that is linked to problems making rent…
cut 6 (08) “…right now”

People who choose to mask up in New Orleans could receive a raffle ticket for a 10,000 dollar drawing. The project is led by several Mardi Gras Krewes. Krewe of Red Beans founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was inspired by his time as a teacher, where he learned about the power of positive reinforcement.
Cut 10 (12) “prize.”
De Wulf says they started handing out raffle tickets yesterday and a drawing will be held on August 4th.

Friday Ellis will be sworn in as the new mayor of Monroe this afternoon. Ellis defeated longterm mayor Jamie Mayo in the July election 10 days ago.

Governor Edwards will hold a COVID-19 press briefing at 2:30. An announcement is expected on Phase 2, which is set to expire on Sunday.

8:30 LRN Newscast July 21

A study from the Center for Planning Excellence finds one in three residents live in food-insecure communities. Center for Planning Excellence CEO Camille Manning-Broome says the number of Louisiana residents living in food insecure communities has increased by over 500-thousand since the pandemic began.
Cut 7 (13) “…of this pandemic.”
Manning-Broome says their report also finds that nearly half of newly food insecure communities are small towns and unincorporated rural areas.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association predicts a 25-30 percent drop in restaurant revenue for 2020. President Stan Harris says they projected 11 billion dollars in revenues for the year before the pandemic, generating over a billion dollars in state and local taxes. That’s no longer the case…
Cut 4 (06)_ “…operation.”

The investigation continues today in yesterday’s early morning fatal officer-involved shooting in Baton Rouge of a domestic violence suspect at an apartment complex in Tigerland. Chief Murphy Paul says the suspect had a weapon…
cut 14 (09) “….fired striking him”
The four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave and the suspect has been identified as 51-year-old Vincent Harris, who was wanted for an alleged machete attack on his girlfriend.

If you wear a mask in New Orleans, you could win 10-thousand dollars. Several Mardi Gras Krewes are handing out raffle tickets to people they see wearing a mask and one of the raffle tickets could be worth 10-thousand dollars. Krewe of Red Beans founder Devin De Wulf says they will focus on parts of the city that have been hit hard by the virus…
cut 11 (05) “…of the love”
The drawing will be held on August 4th.

7:30 LRN Newscast July 21

A new study from the Center for Planning excellence finds that more than one in three Louisiana residents live in food-insecure communities due to COVID-19 and the number of Louisiana residents living in food insecure communities has increased by over 500-thousand since the pandemic began. Center for Planning Excellence CEO Camille Manning-Broome says more federal assistance is needed…
cut 9 (10) “….our food banks”
Expanded Federal unemployment benefits are set to expire July 31st if Congress doesn’t act.

Baton Rouge Police has released dramatic body camera video of yesterday’s fatal shooting of a domestic violence suspect in Tigerland…
cut 13 (11) “…bang”
The four officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave, while the suspect who was fatally shot has been identified as 51-year-old Vincent Harris, who was wanted for an alleged machete attack on his girlfriend.

Revenues are down for Louisiana restaurants. which could translate into hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue for state and local governments. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Southern and Grambling State will not play football in the fall. The SWAC has moved the football season to the spring, with preseason camp beginning in January. The plan is to play six conference games and each school would also have an option to play a non-conference contest. There’s also hope Grambling and Southern can hold the Bayou Classic in the spring.

6:45 LRN Sportscast July 21

Southern and Grambling State will not play football this fall. The Southwestern Athletic Conference had made the decision to move the football season to the spring, with pre-season training beginning in January. The plan is to play six conference games and each school would also have an option to play a nonconference game. There’s also the hope Grambling and Southern can play each other in the Bayou Classic in the spring.

The NFL and its players’ association appear to be getting closer to reaching an agreement on health and safety protocols so that players can report for training camp. The NFL is reportedly willing to eliminate all preseason games, giving players more time to ramp up for the regular season. The league also said they would test players daily for the first two weeks of training camp. If the positivity rate is below five-percent, then testing would go to every other day. Veterans are expected to report for training camp next week.

The Monroe News-Star reports that Louisiana Tech has had ten positive COVID-19 cases involving football, basketball, and volleyball players. Tech officials say three of the ten student-athletes have recovered, while the other seven are in self-quarantine.

Louisiana Football Coaches Association president Dwain Jenkins, who is the coach of the Lutcher Bulldogs, says 90 of their 156 members voted to start the season as close to on time as possible or in October. The LFCA sent a survey to coaches and there was an option to swap fall and spring sports, but Jenkins says that’s the last option for many coaches. California is delaying its high school football season to December or January.

The Pelicans’ first scrimmage is tomorrow night versus Brooklyn. It will be streamed on the team’s website. So will Saturday’s scrimmage against Denver. The final tune-up before the re-start is a week from tonight against Milwaukee. Fox Sports New Orleans will televise that game.

6:30 LRN Newscast

More than a third of Louisiana residents lack access to an adequate food source because of the number of unemployed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

About 280-thousand unemployed Louisiana residents are receiving expanded unemployment benefits from the federal government. The 600-dollar weekly supplements are set to expire on July 31st if Congress does not act. Governor Edwards holds a press conference today at 2:30. His Phase two order expires Sunday.

Baton Rouge Police have released some of the body cam video of yesterday’s morning’s fatal shooting of a domestic violence suspect at an apartment in Tigerland…
cut 30 (03) “…got a gun”
The video cuts off there. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says he spoke to the family of the man who died before releasing the video…
cut 15 (11) “…of public safety”
Police also released a screenshot from one of the body cameras where it appears the suspect is pointing a gun out of the door of the apartment.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association estimates that 25-percent of their restaurants will close this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Economist Doctor Loren Scott says the industry is vulnerable because demand is dictated by the public’s level of comfort in going out to eat…
cut 5 (09) “…..to it”