4:45 LRN Sportscast

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has asked the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to cancel high school sports this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic. But the President of BESE, Sandy Holloway, says such a decision has to be made on a local level. According to the White House guidelines for reopening, Louisiana needs to be in Phase 3 for contact sports like football to be played. But with cases surging and hospitalizations and deaths rising, Louisiana remains stuck in Phase 2.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Peter Parrish is no longer listed on the roster on LSU’s website. That leaves Myles Brennan as the only Tiger quarterback with college playing experience. Parrish was suspended from the football team in mid-March for an unspecified violation of team rules. Parrish is from Alabama and we do know that a lawsuit has been filed against LSU by a football player from Bama because he believes is rights were violated.

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The Pelicans leave for Orlando tomorrow, where they hope to spend the next few weeks in the NBA’s bubble. New Orleans is set to play eight regular season games as it attempts to catch Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Today, the Wizards Bradley Beal said he’s not playing in Orlando. Washington is one of the eight teams on the Pels regular season schedule.

Jeff Tannehill is the new head coach at Neville High School replacing Mickey McCarty, who has been hired as the school’s principal. Tannehill is a Neville alum and he’s been assistant for McCarty on two different occasions. He’s also led St. Frederick to a state championship game appearance a few years back.

In basketball coaching news…Randy Carlisle is leaving Summerfield to be the new head coach at Anacoco. Carlisle coached both the boys and girls basketball teams at Summerfield and won five Class C Championships between the two programs. Amber Obaze-Ford has left Ouachita High School to be the new head coach at Summerfield. Chrissy Givens will be the new head coach at Ouachita.

4:30 LRN Newscast July 7

Both Democratic and Republican Presidential Primaries are basically decided but there’s still been a robust turnout for Saturday’s election. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Add Shreveport to the list of local governments requiring masks for everyone inside a business. Mayor Adrian Perkins’ order goes into effect tomorrow at 5 PM. The number of people hospitalized statewide by COVID-19 surpassed one-thousand today and deaths increased by 23 to 3,211.

LSU Health New Orleans researchers have discovered a new class of pipeline drugs that can relieve pain and reduce fever with the danger of addition or damage to the live or kidneys. Dr. Nicolas Bazan says they believe these new chemical entities reduced pain in two models and reduced fever in another model. He says the Food and Drug Administration will begin their investigation soon…
cut 11 (07) “…new drug”

Another major festival in Louisiana has been postponed until 2021. The 2020 World Championship Gumbo Cookoff in New Orleans will not take place in October, but they may still have a virtual food event. Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce CEO Janet Faulk-Gonzales says that’s because everyone loves a good gumbo…
cut 14 (11) “…the world”

12:30 LRN Newscast July 7

The number of people hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 has surpassed one-thousand as the state health department reports another 61 hospitalized today because of the coronavirus. The number of total cases rose by 19-hundred and deaths increased by 23 to 3,211.

State Farm has announced its lowering its auto insurance rates by an average of 10-percent. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in the lower rates…
cut 11 (07) “….at home orders”

Is it wise to ask for a pay raise during a pandemic? UNO Finance Professor Mark Rosa says you might have a good argument if you’re workload has increased because of furloughs and layoffs at your place of employment…
cut 7 (07) “…money my way”

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Both Democratic and Republican Presidential Primaries are basically decided but Louisiana voters are still highly engaged in the upcoming July 11th election. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Here are commodity prices…

10:30 LrN Newscast July 7

State Farm has announced its lowering auto insurance rates for Louisiana policyholders by an average of 10-percent. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this decrease, combined with three other rate decreases in the last couple of years has resulted in a 23% total rate decrease. Donelon anticipates other insurers will follow State Farm’s lead….
Cut 12 (07) “…driven by competition.”
The effective date of State Farm’s current reduction is August 24.

Because of the parameters put on the special session, lawmakers were not able to pass police reform legislation as the George Floyd protests were taking place across the country. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says these difficult conversations will take place in a possible special session in the fall or a regular session next year…
cut 6 (10) “….police”

Baton Rouge attorney Nancy Sue Gregoire says she’s seen an increase in divorces since the pandemic started….
cut 7 (08) “…get along”
Gregoire says changes in employment is making it harder to settle a divorce proceeding.

A bill that passed in the special session that’s awaiting the governor’s signature is a bill that would allow electric co-ops to create their own high speed internet networks in rural areas that lack broadband access. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says many of her lower-income constituents could benefit greatly from broadband in ways they might not expect…
cut 15 (10) “….money”
Mizell says the governor is expected to sign the legislation. The senator made the comments on Talk Louisiana hosted by Jim Engster.

6:45 LRN Sportscast July 6

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, has made a request to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that schools should ban sports this fall. In a letter sent to BESE, Fields says the spread of the coronavirus makes the decision too critical for the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to make. BESE has scheduled a meeting a week from today, but the board’s president, Sandy Holloway told geaux-preps-dot-com that extracurricular activities is a decision made on the local level.

Louisiana Tech has suspended voluntary football workouts after a second football player tested positive for COVID-19. The school is said to be being overly cautious.

It’s official in Monroe, Jeff Tannehill is the new head football coach and athletic director of the Neville Tigers, replacing Mickey McCarty who has been hired as the school’s principal. Tannehill is a 1989 graduate of Neville and had two stints as an assistant coach under McCarty. McCarty led Neville to four state championships.

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The Pelicans have added depth as they prepare to leave for the NBA’s bubble in Orlando tomorrow. Forward Sindarius Thornwell has inked a deal with New Orleans and he’ll serve as a substitute player. The 25-year-old last played in the NBA G League, averaging nine points, five rebounds and five assists for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Meanwhile, the Pelicans Brandon Ingram says he’s not very confident the NBA will be able to pull off the bubble experiment and finish the season, but never thought about not joining his teammates in Orlando.

And big news out of the NFL today as the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have reportedly agreed to a ten-year contract extension that will pay the superstar signal caller over 400-million dollars. Mahomes and the Super Bowl champion Chiefs will be in the Dome on December 20th to the face the Saints.

Plans are still on for LSU and Louisiana Tech to play each other in men’s basketball on November 24th at the CenturyLink Center. Officials announced today that tickets will go on sale for the game at 10 AM on Thursday.

4:45 LrN Sportscast july 6

An economist says an LSU football season without fans will cost the school and local economies millions of dollars. Financial statements indicate the LSU football team produced a profit of 57-million dollars for fiscal year 2019. Doctor Loren Scott says not having fans in the stands or no football at all, would severely impact the other sports at LSU…
Cut 14 (11) “…decision”
A rise in coronavirus cases is raising doubts the college football season will starrt on time. Major decisions are expected later this month from the leaders of the SEC and LSU regarding whether football will start Labor Day weekend and if there will be fans.

Plans are still on for LSU and Louisiana Tech to play each other in men’s basketball on November 24th at the CenturyLink Center. Officials announced today that tickets will go on sale for the game at 10 AM on Thursday.

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The Pelicans have added depth as they prepare to leave for the NBA’s bubble in Orlando on Wednesday. Forward Sindarius Thornwell has inked a deal with New Orleans and he’ll serve as a substitute player. The 25-year-old last played in the NBA G League, averaging nine points, five rebounds and five assists for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

One of the state’s most successful high school football coaches is leaving the sidelines. Neville’s Mickey McCarty has accepted the job as the school’s principal and former St. Frederick head coach Jeff Tannehill will replace McCarty as the Tigers new head football coach. McCarty spent 18 years as Neville’s head coach, winning 197 games and four state championships. Tannehill, who is a Neville grad, led St. Fred’s to a state title game in 2013.

And big news out of the NFL today as the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have reportedly agreed to a ten-year contract extension that will pay the superstar signal caller over 400-million dollars. Mahomes and the Super Bowl champion Chiefs will be in the Dome on December 20th to the face the Saints.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

One of the state’s most successful high school football coaches is leaving the sidelines. Reports out of Monroe say Neville Head Coach Mickey McCarty has accepted the job as the school’s principal and former St. Frederick head coach Jeff Tannehill will reportedly replace McCarty as the Tigers new head football coach. McCarty spent 18 years as Neville’s head coach, winning 197 games and four state championships. Tannehill, who is a Neville grad, led St. Fred’s to a state title game in 2013.

The fourth of July weekend was a busy time for LSU on the recruiting front as the Tigers received two verbal commitments from four-star prospects. Zachary wide receiver Chris Hilton announced his verbal pledge on Friday and that was followed up by defensive end Keanu Koht from Vero Beach, Florida.

Louisiana’s top prospect for 2021, defensive tackle Maason Smith, listed his top eight finalists and LSU is among that group along with Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Miami and Oregon.
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The Pelicans will have three exhibition games prior to the resumption of their season in Orlando. They’ll play the Nets on July 22nd, the Nuggets on the 25th and the Bucks on the 27th. Milwaukee has shut down its practice facility after new coronavirus test results. Teams will begin leaving tomorrow for the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. The Pels will stay at the Yacht Club Resort. Today is Zion Williamson’s birthday, he’s no longer a teenager as the rookie sensation turns 20 years old today.

Two former LSU Tigers have tested positive for COVID-19 as summer camp is underway for Major League Baseball. The two who tested positive are Yankees All-Star infielder D-J LeMahieu and Phillilles pitcher Aaron Nola. LeMahieu is said to be asymptomatic, while Nola’s case might be linked to a coronavirus outbreak last month at Philadelphia’s spring training facility in Clearwater, Florida. Meanwhile, the Astros and Nationals are several major league teams who have had to cancel workouts because of testing delays. M-L-B releases its schedule tonight. A 60-game regular season is scheduled to start July 23rd.

6:45 Sports

The fourth of July weekend was a busy time for LSU recruiting as the Tigers received two verbal commitments from four-star prospects. Zachary wide receiver Chris Hilton announced his verbal pledge on Friday and that was followed up by defensive end Keanu Koht from Vero Beach, Florida. Hilton is rated as the state’s fourth best prospect. Last season, Hilton hauled in 43 receptions for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Also on the recruiting front, the nation’s top rated quarterback Caleb Williams committed to Oklahoma over LSU and Maryland. Louisiana’s top prospect, defensive tackle Maason Smith listed his top eight finalists and LSU is among that group along with Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Miami and Oregon.

In the NFL, the players association has reportedly let the league know that they think there should not be a preason. The league has suggested two preseason games instead of four.
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The Pelicans will have three exhibition games prior to the resumption of their season in Orlando. They’ll play the Nets on July 22nd, the Nuggets on the 25th and the Bucks on the 27th. Milwaukee has shut down its practice facility after new coronavirus test results. Teams will begin leaving tomorrow for the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. The Pels will stay at the Yacht Club Resort.

Two former LSU Tigers have tested positive for COVID-19 as summer camp is underway for Major League Baseball. The two who tested positive are Yankees All-Star infielder D-J LeMahieu and Phillilles pitcher Aaron Nola. LeMahieu is said to be asymptomatic, while Nola’s case might be linked to a coronavirus outbreak last month at Philadelphia’s spring training facility in Clearwater, Florida.

On the PGA Tour, the beefed up Bryson DeChambeau won the Rocket Mortgage Classice by three strokes for his first victory this season.

And Kevin Harvick won at the Brickyard, defeating Matt Kenseth as NASCAR ran in Indianapolis.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The NFL is reportedly cutting its preseason schedule to two games, week one and week four. Each team would play one home game and one on the road. ESPN reports training camps are set to begin around July 28th, but the first preseason games will not be played until August 20th to the 24th. The reason for the restructing of the preseason is so that players can get in better football shape since offseason conditioning programs were canceled.

Four-star prospect Naquan Brown from Vriginia Beach, Virginia is the latest player to commit to LSU as he joins the Tigers 2021 recruiting class. Brown is a six-foot-three, 205 pound outside linebacker-slash-defensive end. Tennessee, Michigan, Penn State and TCU are some of the other teams who offered Brown.

Louisiana Tech football coach Skip Holtz is grieving over the loss of his mother. Beth Holtz, the wife of hall of fame coach Skip Holtz, has died at the age of 83 after a long battle with throat cancer.
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Pelicans guard Jrue (Drew) Holiday will travel to Orlando to finish out the season with his teammates inside the bubble. Holiday’s wife, Lauren Holiday, is pregnant with the couple’s second child and if you recall, Lauren had a brain tumor removed during her first pregnancy. But Jrue says everyone is healthy, so he’s ready to battle for a playoff spot. Holiday also thinks its worth re-starting the season, despite all of the challenges. He says the time inside the bubble will be a chance for the team to bond even more.

And ESPN reports it will cost over 150-million dollars for the league to complete the season and hold the playoffs at the Walt Disney Resort. The league projects a one-billion dollar revenue loss because of the coronavirus.

LSU pitcher Ben McDonald, second baseman Todd Walker and shortstop Alex Bregman have been named to the ESPN Greatest All-time College Baseball Team. LSU leads the nation with three players on the team. All three players were two-time All-Americans.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans are 30 days away from returning to the court in Orlando and head coach Alvin Gentry hopes he’s on the sidelines coaching his team. Gentry is a 65-year-old cancer survivor, so according to the C-D-C he’s at the beginning of the high-risk category for severe illness from COVID-19. Gentry says the players battled for him during the season and he wants to return the favor…
cut 20 (28) “…this situation”
A league-appointed doctor will have to clear Gentry in order for him to be on the sidelines.

Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin says three Pelican players tested positive last week for coronavirus. They are in isolation and getting tested daily. But Griffin does not expect any players on the New Orleans roster not to go to Orlando. The 22 NBA teams that will be in the bubble will travel to Florida next week.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports there are some NFL teams thinking about traveling for road contests on the day of the game and then flying back. Former LSU Tiger and Chiefs All-Pro Safety said on Twitter heck no to that idea.

LSU linebacker Marcel Brooks has told the Athletic his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal is because of family. Brooks was expected to play a big role on the Tigers defense in 2020, but it appears he’ll look to continue his college career at a school closer to his Dallas home.

And in a decision that should surpise no one, the minor league baseball season has been canceled because of COVID-19 pandemic.