11:40 LRN Sportscast

The SEC, ACC and Big 12 say they are committed to playing football in the fall, while the Big 10 and Pac-12 will watch from the sidelines. So can you still have a college football playoff in early January with just three of the five power five conferences. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins believes you can….
cut 30 (16) “…to play”
The Big 12 released its revised schedule today. Their season will kick off on September 26th and the Big 12 championship game is set for September 26th.

Penn State cornerback D-J Brown has announced on Twitter that he plans to play at Louisiana Tech as a graduate transfer and he’ll have two years of eligiblity. Brown appeared in seven games last season for the Nittany Lions.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara had a down year last season for his standards and admits he played most of the year with an injured knee. Kamara says he was never the same after injuring the MCL in his knee during week six of last season…
cut 17 (25) “….be on the field”
Kamara says surgery was not required on his knee, but he’s worked hard to rehab it and he also turned to a plant-based diet.

The Pelicans lost again last night, falling to the Kings 112 to 106. New Orleans’ final game of the season is tomorrow. Brandon Ingram, Jrue Holiday and Zion Williamson did not play last night.

9:30 LRN Newscast August 12

Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the state continues to see an increasing number of cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or M-I-S-C, which is an illness associated with the coronavirus. Billioux says the most common symptoms include nausea and diarrhea.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…and heart problems.”
This week the state reported a fourth death linked to M-I-S-C and total of 44 cases.

The U-S-D-A says crawfish producers can now seek federal aid through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. When the program was established in the spring, crawfish farmers were left out. Congressman Ralph Abraham thanks the LSU Ag Center and Louisiana Farm Bureau for fixing the problem…
cut 8 (08) “….CFAP”

The Big Ten and PAC 12 will not play football this fall, but the SEC remains committed to playing. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Athletic’s Jeff Duncan reports Saints officials met with Governor Edwards and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to discuss plans for fans to attend Saints games this year. Duncan says the state will need to move into Phase three in order to have limited seating in the Dome. Currently the state is set to remain phase two through August 28th, the season opener is September 13th.

8:30 LRN Newscast August 12

Crawfish farmers can now apply for federal aid through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Matt Doyle has the details…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Shreveport Police are looking for a 41-year-old man who shot another person at St. Mary Medical Center, which is run by Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. Authorities say Taniel Cole shot another person in the leg this morning and then fled the scene. No word on what sparked the shooting.

The investigation continues into Tuesday morning’s officer-involved shooting involving the Lafayette Police Department. State Police say a burglary suspect was shot during a struggle with a Lafayette officer when the cop tried to arrest the subject. Trooper Thomas Gossen says it’s too early to tell how things escalated to the point of gunfire…
cut 15 (11) “…from the residents”
The officer was not injured, while the suspect is in stable condition with a non-life threatening gun wound.

The PAC 12 and Big Ten have postponed their football seasons but SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the conference is still planning on holding its season in the fall. So do the ACC and Big 12. Can there still be a college football playoff? USA Today sports writer Glenn Guilbeau says yes…
Cut 10 (06) “four”

7:30 LRN Newscast August 12

Louisiana reported 26 more COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday increasing the state’s death toll to 4,195. But the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital dropped by 47 for a total number of 1,335. The state also reported 11-hundred new cases on Tuesday.

Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux also says the state is seeing an increase in cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children associated with COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

After months of lobbying, crawfish producers have been included in the federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which helps food producers impacted by the pandemic. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the pandemic shut the country down during the middle of crawfish season, reducing the demand for mudbugs…
Cut 7 (10) 2020.”
When the program was first announced in April. crawfish farmers were upset they were not included like other seafood industries.

State Police is investigating a police shooting involving a Lafayette officer. Trooper Thomas Gossen says a cop responded to a burglary on Tuesday morning and when the officer attempted to arrest the suspect, a physical altercation took place…
cut 14 (09) “…local hospital”
Gossen investigators found two handguns near the suspect, including one that was taken during the burglary.

6:45 LRN Sportscast August 12

It’s still game on for the SEC when it comes to football in the fall. The Big 10 and PAC-12 have made the difficult decision not to play football in the fall because of the health risks associated with COVID-19. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey released a statement that says he looks forward to learning more about the factors that led to the Big 10 and PAC-12 deciding to punt football from the fall. Sankey added that the SEC will continue to further refine its policies and protocols for a safe return to sports. Glen Guilbeau covers LSU for the USA Today Network and says the SEC’s decision to start its football season in late September is giving them more time…
cut 12 (09) “….definition”
The ACC and Big 12 also remain committed to playing football in the fall.

The Pelicans lost again last night, falling to the Kings 112 to 106. New Orleans’ final game of the season is tomorrow. Leading scorer Brandon Ingram did not play last night as he’s set to become a restricted free agent in the fall, but the All-Star says he wants to stay in New Orleans…
cut 19 (23) “….I”m at”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Kamara says he’s changed his diet as he’s set to enter his fourth season…
cut 18 (19) “….still positive”

6:30 LRN Newscast August 12

The state is reporting 44 cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, a condition linked to COVID-19 among young people. Four individuals have died from the illness. Assistant Health Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says about 40-percent of the children with M-I-S-C have heart inflammation and studies are ongoing on why that’s happening…
cut 6 (11) “….what’s going on”

Good news for crawfishermen who have seen revenue losses as a result of the pandemic. They can now receive aid through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the relief is just straight cash in your pocket for those who qualify and the deadline to apply is September 11th…
cut 9 (07) “….CFAP”

The Big Ten and PAC 12 will not play football this fall, but the SEC remains committed to playing. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Pelicans lost again last night, falling to the Kings 112 to 106. New Orleans’ final game of the season is tomorrow.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

With Lousiana remaining in Phase two until at least August 28th, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association has made the decision to delay the start of the prep football season until October 8th. Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the goal is to play a six to eight game regular season schedule and hold the select and non-select state championships in the Superdome in December. In order for the season to start, the state needs to move into Phase 3 and still continue to see cases decrease over a two week period. Bonine is hopeful the state is turning the corner in its efforts in slowing the COVID spread and we’ll have football in the fall…
cut 9 (05) “….anything done”

The Pelicans will look to get a win this afternoon as they take on Sacramento in the Walt Disney World bubble. The Grizzlies lost to Utah yesterday, so New Orleans now two games back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Saints are giving their coaches, players, and other key personnel the opportunity to stay at the Loews Hotel in downtown New Orleans through the season opener in an effort to prevent a coronavirus outbreak within the team. Coach Sean Payton says unfortunately with this virus, you can easily get it from someone inside your home
Cut 16 (13) “outside contact”

Over in Lafayette, the Ragin Cajuns begin preseason camp with heavy hearts as they mourn the death of the assistant coach D-J Looney, who died on Saturday from a heart attack following a team workout at Cajun Field. Looney was just 31-years-old. Coach Billy Napier says being together as a group during this difficult time is a good thing…
cut 30 (10) “….difficult moments

LRN PM Newscall August 5

The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team is now calling for an extremely active 2020 season. Jeff Palermo has the details

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A million masks are being distributed to schools across the state thanks to a partnership between GOHSEP and the Louisiana Department of Education. Matt Doyle has more.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Senator Bill Cassidy proposes a second round of stimulus checks that would send 1,000 dollars to most Americans, instead of the previous 1,200 to working adults and 500 to their children. Cassidy says parents with young children are in the most pain right now and the next round of stimulus checks should reflect that.

Cut 3 (10)  “…childcare”  

The annual income limit to receive a check would still be 75,000 dollars for an individual and 150,000 for joint filers.

It may be 200 dollars less for some people, but Cassidy says a grand would still go a long way.

Cut 4 (8)_ “is.”

Recent college or high school grads who did not qualify in the last round would qualify under this bill.

Cassidy says the bill is not just about helping those in need, it’s about stimulating the economy, and this is a more efficient way to do it.

Cut 5 (12)  “…need.”

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The Colorado State Hurricane forecast team has revised its forecast and they are now calling for an extremely active season with 24 named storms. C-S-U researcher Jhordanne Jones says they also believe we’ll see a dozen hurricanes, five of them will be major hurricanes

Cut 6 (10) “…active season”

2005 set the record for most named storms in one year with 27 and that includes Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Jones says warm sea surface temperatures and very low wind shear in the tropical Atlantic are primary factors for the extremely active season…

Cut 7 (10) “…The Caribbean”

The 2020 hurricane season has already produced nine named storms and this latest forecast from CSU increases their projected storm total from 20 to 24. Jones says their research also says there’s a 48-percent chance for a major hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast this year

Cut 8 (10) “do that”

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The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and the Louisiana Department of Education have partnered to provide a million masks for schools.

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says that’s enough to provide one reusable mask for every school employee and student.

Cut 9 (09) “…long way.”

Physical classes in seven districts are set to begin later this week.

Brumley says the masks will be washable and durable.

Cut 10 (11) “…office”

The masks will be distributed to public, charter, and non-public schools.

Brumley says there’s no doubt there will be additional, costly expenses like providing additional PPE throughout the semester, but it must be done.

Cut 11 (07) “…education”

Anyone entering a Louisiana school campus during the fall semester will be required to wear a mask.

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A Baton Rouge dad is in jail after his 10-year-old son is shot during an alleged drug transaction and it accused of having his young kids help in the manufacturing the drugs.  Baton Rouge Police Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says when the kid’s mom learned of the gunshot wound, the kids spilled the beans on the operation.

Cut 12 (13) “…of their dad.” 

36-year-old Kevin Evans Jr. and his girlfriend 29-year-old Meagan Toney have been charged with second-degree cruelty to juveniles and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

McKneely says the kids described to police what happened that lead to the shooting.

Cut 13 (13) “…by gun fire.” 

The child was taken to a hospital following the shooting with non-life-threatening injuries to the hand and leg.  Police are still looking for the shooter.

McKneely says having a drug ring become a family activity where kids get hands-on experience in all the processes in making and distributing narcotics is something that he’s never heard of before.

Cut 14 (10) “…heard of that.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast August 5

The SEC says it will allow its member schools to start preseason camp on August 17th and teams will get to practice 25 times over a 40-day period. The father for LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase tells the Advocate that his son is locked in on the 2020 football season and does not plan on opting out.

LSU fans are antsy to find out more about the fate of their upcoming All-SEC game season, and whether or not they’ll be able to watch games in Tiger Stadium. Governor John Bel Edwards says it is too soon to speculate as to what in-stadium attendance for LSU football will look like…
Cut 9 (11) “…you that today.”

Northwestern State announced today it’s limiting seating capacity at Turpin Stadium to 50-percent and fans will be required to wear masks until that fan reaches their seat.

The LHSAA Executive Committee meets today to discuss the upcoming fall sports season. The governor has announced the state will remain in Phase 2 through August 28th and Louisiana needs to be in Phase 3 for volleyball competition and beyond Phase 3 to play football. So that means football will not be able to start on time.

The NCAA announced today a decision must be made by August 21st on whether fall championship events will be held. This will impact F-C-S football teams who report for preseason camp this week. The NCAA is also setting up a phone number and email so that college athletes, parents and others can report failures in following COVID-19 protocols.

In the NBA, Portland beat Houston 110-102 last night to move into 9th place in the Western Conference Standings, behind Memphis. The Grizzlies have announced that forward-center Jaren Jackson Senior is done for the season with a knee injury. The Pels face Sacramento tomorrow.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards says the statewide mask mandate, bar closures and other coronavirus business restrictions that are part of phase two will remain in effect for another three weeks through August 28th. Edwards says the state is seeing a positive impact from the mask mandate, but the White House still sees Louisiana in the red zone for cases.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture says the state has its first positive coronavirus case in a dog. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Assistant health secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says the state is facing hurdles with its contact tracing program. Billioux says labs are not giving them enough data to contact infected patients, a back log in testing is keeping them from contacting patients in a timely manner and 70-percent of the people they contact say they don’t have contacts to provide on who they may have infected. But Billioux still believes the program is providing useful information…
cut 6 (09) “….tracing”

LSU says its planning to have fans inside Tiger Stadium for football games this season, but how many people will be able to attend is unknown. Governor Edwards says it’s too soon to speculate as to what in-stadium attendance for LSU football will look like…
cut 9 (11) “….you that today”