16:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU basketball is 5-and-0 and the only team in the SEC that’s undefeated in league play and tonight the Tigers host Florida, who is 4-and-1 in league play. The Gators are coming off a 22-point win over Auburn, who was ranked fourth in the country. Coach Will Wade says Florida features four players who score in double figures…
cut 18 (26) “….they move”
Florida has won four of its last five matchups against LSU. Tip-off tonight is at 6 PM. Also at six o’ clock tonight, Kentucky hosts Georgia.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson spoke with reporters today as he’s expected to make his NBA debut tomorrow night when New Orleans hosts San Antonio. Williamson was expected to return six to eight weeks after undergoing his surgery in October. But he has missed half of the season as the trainers used the time to get Zion’s entire body ready for the NBA grind.
Cut 14 (15) “…through it.”
Williamson joins a team that has won 10 of its last 14 and is 3.5 games back of Memphis who has the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

Ragin Cajuns defensive coordinator Ron Roberts is on the move. The former head coach at Southeastern Louisiana will be the new defensive coordinator at Baylor. Roberts has helped the Cajuns win back-to-back Sun Belt Western Division titles.

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore will not play in Sunday’s Pro Bowl because of an undisclosed injury.

LRN PM Newscall January 21

33 dogs are found in horrid conditions in and around the Ascension Parish home of 50-year-old Thomas West, who is now facing animal cruelty charges. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

_____________________

The Senate impeachment trial is underway and northwest Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is named to the President’s defense team. Here’s Johnson on what to expect over the next few days…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

___________________________

Ascension Parish deputies arrest a homeowner, 50-year-old Thomas West, after locating 33 dogs in horrid conditions and one of them already dead.  The dogs were taken to Cara’s House animal shelter for treatment.  Shelter president Reagan Daniel describes the property as trashed, overgrown, and no food or water bowls in sight.

Cut 3 (09)  “…you name it.” 

Daniel says the dogs have puncture wounds, heartworms and other parasites, and were covered in fleas.  The shelter is now soliciting for food donations as they get the animals the proper nutrition.

Cut 4 (13) “…currently surviving on.”

Daniel says the dogs are not yet available for fostering or adoption due to the legal investigation, but they still need help freeing up space at their facility.

Cut 5 (06) “…the new intakes.”

_______________________

Northwest Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is named to President Trump’s impeachment defense team in the ongoing Senate removal trial.

The Senate will vote on trial rules today, and it looks like this could be a very brief trial in the Upper Chamber, but Johnson says the prosecution will have all the time it needs to make a case.

Cut 6 (11) “…do it.”

Afterward, the President’s team will be allowed to respond.

Johnson vocally defended the administration in the House in his position on the House Intelligence Committee during impeachment hearings. He looks set to reprise that role, but…

Cut 7 (12) “…procedings.”

The Congressman expects the President will be swiftly acquitted of the two impeachment charges. He says the accusations are based on information assembled by Congressman Adam Schiff.

Cut 8 (08) “…paint.”

The trial is now ongoing.

_________________________________

The US Environmental Protection Agency announces a regulatory program aimed at reducing emissions from heavy-duty engines and vehicles, the first update to standards in nearly 20 years, with the 2027 model year.  Regional administrator Ken McQueen says this is an opportunity to modernize the heavy-duty program.

Cut 9 (09) “…across the country.”

The action comes following petitions from over twenty organizations to revise nitrogen oxide standards.  McQueen says it is estimated that heavy-duty trucks will be responsible for one-third of the nox emissions from the transportation sectors in 2025.

Cut 10 (13) “…matter standards.” 

McQueen says the goal is to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking in the late spring, with a final rule in 2021.

Cut 11 (11) “…the proposed rule.”
______________________

Zion Williamson is set to make his long-awaited NBA debut tomorrow night when the Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs. Williamson has been sidelined since the preseason after undergoing knee surgery. The 19-year-old phenom is ready to help the Pels get into the playoffs

Cut 12 (08) “…the fun.”

New Orleans has won 10 of its last 14 to move 3.5 games back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Tip-off for tomorrow night’s game has been moved to 8:30 to accommodate ESPN’s national TV broadcast and the Smoothie King Center should be packed. NBA fans have been eager to see Williamson play…

Cut 13 (10) “…bring it”

Williamson was expected to return six to eight weeks after undergoing his surgery in October. But he has missed half of the season as the trainers used the time to get Zion’s entire body ready for the NBA grind.

Cut 14 (15) “…through it.”

1:30 LRN Newscast January 21

The Senate is debating the rules for President Trump’s impeachment trial and Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is on the President’s defense team.…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Morning Consult tracks the approval rating of governors and John Bel Edwards has the highest rating among Democrats at 54-percent. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Edwards connects well with Louisiana residents…
cut 14 (09) “…relate to people”

The US Environmental Protection Agency announces a regulatory program aimed at reducing emissions from heavy-duty engines and vehicles, the first update to standards in nearly 20 years, with the 2027 model year. Regional administrator Ken McQueen says this is an opportunity to modernize the heavy-duty program.
Cut 9 (09) “…across the country.”
The action comes following petitions from over twenty organizations to revise nitrogen oxide standards.

Cara’s House, which is an animal shelter in Ascension Parish, is caring for over 30 dogs that lived in horrid conditions on a property where the homeowner has been arrested on animal cruelty charges. Shelter President Reagan Daniel says the dogs are not yet available for fostering or adoption due to the criminal investigation, but they still need help freeing up space at their facility.
Cut 5 (06) “…the new intakes.
Ascension deputies arrested 50-year-old Thomas West and charged him with 33 counts of animal abuse.

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 21

LSU puts its perfect 5-and-0 SEC record on the line tonight at 6 PM when they host Florida, who is 4-and-1 in league play. The Tigers are averaging nearly 80 points per game. But LSU is only shooting 32-percent from three-point territory. Coach Will Wade says getting good looks at the basket from the perimeter is the key…
cut 17 (23) “….don’t”
The Gators have some height down low. Two of there starters are six-foot-ten, freshman Omar Payne and senior Kerry Blackshear, who is averaging 15 points and nine rebounds a game.

Football Scoop is reporting Youngstown State coach Bo Pelini is a candidate for the vacant defensive coordinator position at LSU. But FootballScoop says there are family considerations that may keep Pelini in Ohio. They note that his youngest daughter is a junior in high school and he’d prefer for her to finish high school, before moving on to another job.

Ragin Cajuns defensive coordinator Ron Roberts is on the move. The former head coach at Southeastern Louisiana will be the new defensive coordinator at Baylor. Roberts has helped the Cajuns win back-to-back Sun Belt Western Division titles. This past season, the Cajuns allowed just 20 points a game. The Daily Advertiser reports safeties coach Patrick Toney is expected to be promoted to defensive coordinator.

Zion Williamson is expected to make his NBA debut tomorrow night when New Orleans hosts the San Antonio Spurs. The Pelicans beat the Grizzlies 126 to 116 yesterday as Jrue Holiday had 36 points and hit a career-high seven 3s. New Orleans has won 11 of its last 16 since snapping a 13-game losing streak. Tip off tomorrow against the Spurs is at 8:30.

10:30 LRN Newscast January 21

With a 54% approval rating, Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democrat Governor according to a Morning Consult poll. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
voicer 3 (30) “…..Kevin Barnhart”

It’s a cold morning as we saw temperatures dip below freezing as far south as the I-10-12 corridor. It will be a chilly afternoon with high temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the low 50s along the coast.

President Trump’s impeachment trial begins today in the US Senate. This afternoon, Senators will vote on rules that will govern the trial. Once testimony begins each Senator will serve as a juror. Senator Bill Cassidy…
Cut 7 (11) “…you will”
Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has been appointed to President Trump’s impeachment team.

After conducting further research, LSU Geology Professor Brooks Ellwood believes the Indian Mounds on the LSU Baton Rouge campus could be 11,300 years old. Previous research estimated the mounds were about six-thousand years old…
cut 6 (08) “…things”
Ellwood has submitted a paper regarding the age of the structures for scientific review

9:30 LRN Newscast January 21

At one o’clock today the U-S Senate will gather to begin the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. The US constitution requires the Senators to serve as impartial jurors, but many Republican Senators, including Bill Cassidy, have openly voiced their thoughts on impeachment throughout the process. Cassidy says he’ll be impartial, but it looks to be a flimsy case so far…
cut 9 (08) “…terrible”

A Morning Consult poll finds Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democrat Governor in the country with a 54% approval rating. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says the solid approval numbers will help Edwards in the upcoming legislative session.
Cut 13 (11) “…voted for me.”
The legislative session starts March 9th.

Frontier Airlines announces it will no longer fly out of Lafayette Regional Airport. The low-cost carrier announced a temporary suspension of service in October a year after offering direct flights to Orlando and Denver. 40-thousand passengers used Frontier to fly in and out of Lafayette in 2019.

The American Heart Association’s Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science has found more than one in four high school students regularly using e-cigarettes. The number of middle school students using e-cigarettes increased nearly 50-percent last year. Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Tobacco Specalist Josh Pitre says parents need to maintain an open dialogue with their children as young as age five on the consequences of all nicotine…
cut 11 (12) “….of that nature”

8:30 LRN newscast

President Trump’s impeachment trial begins today in the US Senate. This afternoon Senators will vote on rules that will govern the trial. Once testimony begins each Senator will serve as a juror. Senator Bill Cassidy…
Cut 7 (11) “…you will”
Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has been appointed to President Trump’s impeachment team.

An American Heart Association study finds that one in four high school students use e-cigarettes and the number of middle school students using e-cigarettes increased nearly 50-percent last year. Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Tobacco Specialist Josh Pitre says they surveyed over 3-thousand teens and found parents who are more educated do a better job of explaining the harmful risks of e-cigarettes…
cut 12 (10) “…are harmful’

The Indian Mounds at LSU may be much, much older than previously thought. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Due to a water outage, classes are canceled at Grambling State University today. A water line broke and repairs are ongoing.

Former LSU defensive coordinator and current Youngstown State head coach Bo Pelini has surfaced as a possible replacement for Dave Aranda, who just took the head coaching job at Baylor. Pelini was LSU’s D-C for three seasons and helped the Tigers win a national title in 2007.

7:30 LRN Newscast January 21

Morning Consult tracks the approval rating of governors and it has found Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democratic governor in the country. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Edwards connects well with Louisiana residents…
cut 14 (09) “…relate to people”
Morning Consult has Edwards approval rating at 54-percent.

An LSU Geology Professor believes the Indian Mounds on LSU’s Baton Rouge campus may be 11,300 years old, making it the oldest man-made structures on Earth. Brooks Ellwood says a scan of the mounds, followed by a test of the material indicates the mounds are even older than the Pyramids of Giza (Gee-Zuh)in Egypt.
Cut 4 (11) “…state.”

The Wellcana group, which produces medical marijuana, tells the Advocate they are looking to build a 100-thousand square-foot indoor marijuana greenhouse and storage facility between Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The building would employ 100 to 200 workers and it will also be used as a collection center for hemp grown by Louisiana farmers.

A study from the American Heart Association shows that there are various reasons why teens might or might not believe vaping is dangerous…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

6:45 LRN Sportscast January 21

Jrue Holiday returned yesterday after missing the last seven games with a left tricep strain and hit a career-high seven 3s and scored 36 points in a 126 to 116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. New Orleans hit a franchise-record 21 3s on the day. They are now 3.5 games back of Memphis for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs and Zion Williamson is expected to return Wednesday when the Pels host San Antonio.

LSU brings a perfect 5-and-0 SEC record into tonight’s matchup against the Florida Gators. Both teams are ranked just outside of the A-P Top 25 and Coach Will Wade is expecting a tight contest…
cut 16 (20) “…to win”
Tip off is at 6 PM.

LSU cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract extension. The New Iberia native has been on LSU’s coaching staff since 2012 and reportedly turned down an offer to be an assistant at Texas A-and-M.

Former LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini’s name has surfaced as a possible replacement for Dave Aranda, who just took the head coaching job at Baylor. Pelini was LSU’s D-C for three seasons under former head coach Les Miles and helped the Tigers win a national title in 2007.

Backup LSU placekicker Connor Culp has entered the NCAA transfer portal. And former Houston quarterback D’Eriq King has announced he’s transferring to Miami. There was speculation King may want to play at LSU next season.

Back to college basketball,….Grambling fell to 3-and-3 in the SWAC after losing to Texas Southern 68-61. Southern improved to 3-and-3 in the league after a 74-70 win over Mississippi Valley State.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The US Senate reconvenes today and the first vote they’ll take is on the rules for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to propose just two days for each side to give opening statements and a vote on whether witnesses will be called will take place later. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy isn’t sure how long this process will take, he hopes for a speedy resolution…
cut 8 (12) “…Schiff”
Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has been named to President Trump’s impeachment team.

Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon has demoted his chief deputy Bruce Prejean after he admitted to having an affair with a district judge. Prejean’s pay has also been cut by 500-dollars a month. There’s a concern Prejean’s intimate relationship with Judge Jessie LeBlanc had an effect on criminal cases that went before LeBlanc and were investigated by Prejean.

With a 54% approval rating, Governor John Bel Edwards is the most popular Democrat Governor according to a Morning Consult poll. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
voicer 3 (30) “…..Kevin Barnhart”

New research has found that boys, blacks and teens living in urban areas are least likely to think the contents inside e-cigarette products are harmful. Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified tobacco Specialist Josh Pitre…
cut 10 (09) “…teen residents”