6:45 LRN Sportscast July 24

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says they are discussing their options for a fall sports season based on the guidelines that have been established by the state legislature and BESE. Bonine also says it’s important to get school started and then figure out the athletics part…
cut 30 (12) “….format”
Bonine has said the state needs to move beyond Phase 3 of its reopening for high school football games to be played.

A shortened Major League Baseball season is underway as there were two games last night that saw Yankees and Dodgers both win last night. There’s a full slate of games today. There are nine former LSU Tigers on Major League Baseball rosters.

In college football news, the Pac-12 is reportedly planning a ten-game conference-only football schedule that would start on September 19th.

Nicholls has shared the Southland conference title the last two seasons and they are picked to finish third this year. Senior linebacker Evan Veron says he wants to complete his collegiate career with an outright Southland title
Cut 18 (14) “…all ours”
Northwestern State has been picked to finish in tenth place after winning just three games last season. But the Demons have one of the best linebackers in the Southland in Ja’Quay Pough. Pough has told his teammates to have fun this year…
cut 17 (21) “….fall into place”
Northwestern’s first game is versus U-I-W on September 3rd.

6:30 LRN Newscast July 24

Louisiana has surpassed 100-thousand coronavirus cases, becoming the 12th state to do so and the smallest state to reach the grim milestone. Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 10 (09) “…reality check’
Edwards has signed the executive order that extends the statewide mask mandate, keeps bars closed and also keeps the state in Phase 2 of reopening through August 7th.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says Republicans are discussing a fifth coronavirus relief package that would provide additional help for people out of work and also provide more money for public schools so they can safely reopen. But Kennedy says students should not be forced back into the classroom…
cut 14 (11) “….be forced to”

Healthcare capacity in the Acadiana region is running low as the coronavirus spreads through the community. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the central Gulf of Mexico, eyeing a landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas, but it will bring rain to south Louisiana.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans had an easy time cutting down the Brooklyn Nets last night in their first scrimmage since entering the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. Brandon Ingram had 12 points in 11 minutes in a 99-68 win. There’s still no timetable on when Zion Williamson will return as he attends to a family matter. The Pels say Williamson has been getting tested daily for COVID-19 and does plan on rejoining the team. New Orleans next scrimmage game is Saturday night versus Denver.

The Sun Belt announced today that the start of the fall sports season has been postponed until September 3rd. The league says the delay will give schools more time to implement protocols for a safe return to competition.

The shortened Major League Baseball Season begins tonight with the Nationals hosting the Yankees and the Dodgers taking on the Giants. Washington star Juan Soto has tested positive for COVID-19, so he’s out.
The Ivy League, Patriot League, the MEAC and SWAC have made the decision to postpone the start of their football seasons. But Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett says they plan to play in the fall…
cut 20 (10) “…lies’
Nicholls needs a new season-opening opponent as they were set to play Mississippi Valley State. Louisiana Tech will face Houston Baptist in its home opener. They will take the place of Prarie View A-and-M.

In an open letter to parents and student-athletes, LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says there are no plans to cancel fall sports and they are committed to a safe start for fall sports…
cut 10 (12) “…format”
Bonine has said the state needs to move beyond Phase 3 of its reopening in order for high school football games to be played.

LRN PM Newscall July 23

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins officially qualified for the U-S Senate race today, providing Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy with a serious challenger. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________

The status of high school sports in the fall is on the mind of many. Jeff Palermo reports the LHSAA does not have a plan yet, but they’ve reached one conclusion…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins officially qualifies to challenge Senator Bill Cassidy.  Perkins, a Democrat says his decision to run rose from the concerns he has about how Congress is handling the coronavirus pandemic and this moment calls for strong, decisive leadership in DC.

Cut 3 (11)  “…to happen again.”  

Perkins says DC is moving too slow in helping families and cites legislation sent from the House to the Senate over two months ago that would have provided much-needed relief to working families.

Cut 4 (11)_ “that they have.”

Perkins was asked where he stands on abortion.

Cut 5 (12)  “…within that snapshot.”
______________________

A tropical depression in the gulf that’s headed for Texas is expected to dump a lot of rain on south Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the soon-to-be Tropical Storm Hannah will make for a wet next few days.

Cut 6 (06) “…days”

Keim says as the system moves south of us, it will increase wind speeds in south Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08) “right now”

Keim says the potential tropical storm could produce about an inch of rain for central Louisiana through Monday, two to four inches along the I-10 corridor and four inches along the coast…

Cut 8 (09) “…umbrella’s handy”

The National Hurricane Center projects the depression will strengthen into a tropical storm tomorrow morning and make landfall on Saturday between Houston and Brownsville, Texas.

___________________________________________

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine has sent a letter to parents and student-athletes letting them know they have no intention of canceling fall sports, unless the pandemic dictates it’s not safe to play. Bonine says they are committed to conducting fall sports

Cut 9 (12) “…not acceptable.”

Bonine says they are discussing their options based on the guidelines that have been established by the state legislature and BESE. He also says it’s important to get school started and then figure out the athletics part

Cut 10 (12) “…format.”

Bonine has said the state needs to move beyond Phase 3 of its reopening for high school football games to be played. He encourages the public to follow the safety guidelines that have been established to prevent the spread of the virus

Cut 11 (08) “fall sports”

___________________________

Ochsner plans to double its COVID testing capacity over the next six weeks in an effort to reduce test result wait times to 24 hours.

Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says they’re currently running 2,500 to 3,000 tests a day, but it’s taking two to four days to get results back to patients.

Cut 12 (10) “…a day” 

The state health department reports one-point-one million tests have been completed since the pandemic started.

Hart says the new testing equipment will be coming in a variety of packages.

Cut 13 (10) “…minutes” 

Hart says the surge in demand for COVID tests that is creating the backlog is partially due to the increase in a-symptomatic patient testing, but…

Cut 14 (12) “…virus.”

A-symptomatic testing is being conducted at Ochsner community sites, while only symptomatic patients are being tested in Ochsner ERs and urgent cares.

1:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins officially qualifies to challenge Senator Bill Cassidy. Perkins, a Democrat says his decision to run rose from the concerns he has about how Congress is handling the coronavirus pandemic and this moment calls for strong, decisive leadership in DC.
Cut 3 (11) “…to happen again.”
The primary is November third.

Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says they are purchasing new equipment in order to get coronavirus test results back faster to patients…
cut 13 (10) “….15 minutes”
Many people are waiting several days to get their test results back. Today, the state health department reported 24-hundred new cases, bringing the state’s total to 101-thousand.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression heading towards Texas has the potential to produce heavy rains in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the potential tropical storm could produce about an inch of rain for central Louisiana through Monday, two to four inches along the I-10 corridor and four inches along the coast…
Cut 8 (09) “…umbrella’s handy”
The forecast calls for the depression to strengthen into a tropical storm tomorrow morning and make landfall on Saturday between Houston and Brownsville, Texas.

In an open letter to parents and student-athletes, LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says there are no plans to cancel fall sports and they are committed to a safe start for fall sports…
cut 10 (12) “…format”
Bonine has said the state needs to move beyond Phase 3 of its reopening in order for high school football games to be played.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans had an easy time cutting down the Brooklyn Nets last night in their first scrimmage since entering the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. Brandon Ingram had 12 points in 11 minutes in a 99-68 win. Zion Williamson did not play as he remains away from the team attending an urgent family matter. The Pels say Williamson has been getting tested daily for COVID-19 and does plan on rejoining the team, but there’s no timetable for his return.

Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive director Eddie Bonine has sent a letter to parents and student-athletes letting them know they have no intention of canceling fall sports, unless the pandemic dictates it’s not safe to play. Bonine says they are committed to conducting fall sports…
cut 9 (12) “…safe manner”
Bonine also says in the letter that the LHSAA will adhere to all standards set forth recently by the state legislature and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett says they are planning to proceed with the upcoming football season as scheduled. Burnett says they expect a full slate of games will be played on Labor Day weekend. Burnett says university presidents and athletic directors continue to meet and the health and safety of the student-athletes is their top priority…
Cut 18 (15) “…looking at that”

Earlier this week, the SWAC decided to move its football season to the spring. That left Louisiana Tech without an opponent for its home opener as they were set to play Prairie View A-and-M. The Bulldogs have announced they will play Southland member Houston Baptist instead.

The Sun Belt announced today that the start of the fall sports season has been postponed until September 3rd. The league says the delay will give schools more time to implement protocols for a safe return to competition.

11:30 LRN Newscast July 23

In a statewide poll commissioned by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, 76-percent of the state’s residents support the governor’s mask mandate and 61-percent say the public health emergency in Louisiana should not be canceled. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Remington Research Group surveyed 36-hundred Louisiana residents…
cut 17 (09) “…board”

Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is at the Secretary of State’s office qualifying to run against U-S Senator Bill Cassidy in the November third primary. It was unknown if Cassidy would face a serious challenger. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Perkins’ entry is good for voters…
cut 30 (08) “….of issues”

A tropical depression in the gulf that’s headed for Texas is expected to dump a lot of rain on south Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the soon-to-be Tropical Storm Hannah will make for a wet next few days.
Cut 6 (06) “…days”
The National Hurricane Center projects the depression will strengthen into a tropical storm in the next 24 hours and make landfall Saturday between Houston and Brownsville, Texas.

Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive director Eddie Bonine has sent a letter to parents and student-athletes letting them know they have no intention of canceling fall sports unless the pandemic dictates it’s not safe to play. Bonine says they are committed to conducting fall sports…
cut 9 (12) “…safe manner”

9:30 LRN Newscasts

A statewide poll commissioned by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has found that 76-percent of the respondents support the governor’s mask mandate and 61-percent oppose canceling the state’s public health emergency declaration. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s blow to a Republican-led effort to revoke the governor’s coronavirus order….
cut 16 (11) “…seriousness”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy will face a serious challenger in his re-election bid as Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will officially enter the race today when he files his paperwork at the Secretary of State’s Office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Perkins enters the race as an underdog…
cut 5 (12) “…uphill climb”
The election is November third.

Seven candidates for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat qualified on Wednesday. Kevin Barnhart has more from the Secretary of State’s Office…
Cut 2 (44) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards will give a COVID-19 briefing today at 2:30. The state is expected to surpass 100-thousand total coronavirus cases today.

8:30 LRN Newscast July 23

A tropical depression moving south of Louisiana is expected to bring the Bayou State a lot of rain over the next few days. The system is expected to make landfall in Texas on Saturday, but two to four inches and possibly six inches of rain is expected to fall across south Louisiana through Monday…
cut 14 (07) “….moisture”
National Weather Service Forecaster Donald Williams says the system could be a tropical storm when it makes landfall in Texas on Saturday.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is scheduled to qualify at the Secretary of State’s office today to run against U-S Senator Bill Cassidy in the November third election. We were not sure if a major Democratic challenger would run. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Perkins’ entry into the race is good for voters…
cut 6 (08) “….of issues”

Seven candidates for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat qualified on Wednesday, looking to fill the position currently held by Ralph Abraham who is not seeking reelection. Among them is Abraham’s former Chief of Staff Luke Letlow, who says his campaign will not just run on the record and accomplishments of Abraham…
Cut 7 (09) “…sector as well.”
Scotty Robinson, Matt Hasty, Lance Harris and Allen Guillory are the other Republicans who have qualified. Two Democrats have qualified, including the Chief Operating Officer at Grambling State, Martin Lemelle Junior…
cut 10 (09) “….through technology”
Small business owner Candy Christophe of Alexandria has also qualified for the race. Qualifying ends at 4:30 tomorrow.

7:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will officially qualify for the US Senate race today, challenging Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Tropical Depression eight is moving through the central Gulf of Mexico heading towards Texas. Donald Williams with the National Weather Service says the system is not expected to develop into a hurricane and at most may become a weak tropical storm…
cut 13 (06) “….organized”
The system is expected to bring rain to south Louisiana.

Seven candidates have filed their paperwork at the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge seeking to replace Ralph Abraham as Louisiana’s fifth district congressman. Republican Lance Harris is looking to jump from the state legislature to the U-S House of Representatives. Harris is a businessman from Alexandria..
cut 11 (09) “….create jobs”
Harris is one of five Republicans to qualify. The others are Allen Guillory, Matt Hasty, Luke Letlow and Scotty Robinson. Two Democrats have qualified. Clinical social worker Candy Christophe is also from Alexandria and she’s entered the race to create change…
cut 9 (10) “….want to see”
The other Democrat in the race is Martin Lemelle of Ruston. Qualifying ends tomorrow at 4:30.