11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints Coach Sean Payton says there are some must positions that need to be solidify in order to make another run at the Super Bowl next year. Payton didn’t mention any specifically, but he was asked about finding another receiver to play opposite of Pro Bowler Michael Thomas…
cut 17 (25) “…right player”
The Saints might also need to find another offense guard. Starting guard Andrus Peat is one of 25 players on the current roster that is set to become a free agent. Bree can also become a free agent in March. Payton believes Drew wants to keep playing.

After a couple of days off, LSU begins game week practices today for Monday night’s national championship matchup with Clemson. Tigers Center Lloyd Cushenberry says the time off gave them a chance to reflect a little bit on what they’ve done so far…
cut 19 (16) come the 13th

Tonight is the SEC home opener for the LSU basketball team. The Tigers will welcome 12-and-1 Arkansas to the PMAC for an 8 PM tip off. The Razorbacks are led by first-year coach Eric Musselman, who is a former assistant coach at LSU under former head man Johnny Jones.

The Pelicans will host the Chicago Bulls. McNeese is at Abilene Christian, who is undefeated in Southland play. Nicholls is at Lamar. Colonels athletics director Matt Roan is leaving to be the A-D at Eastern Kentucky.

11:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump says the US will not retaliate militarily against Iran for last night’s rocket attack targeting two US bases in Iraq. Congressman Garret Graves sees a de-escalation of tensions in the region that hit a boiling point after the US killing of a top Iranian Commander.
Cut 6 (11) “none”
The President says the missile attack will trigger additional sanctions.

In the Jefferson Davis Parish town of Jennings, you’ll find plenty of people rooting for Clemson in Monday’s national championship game. That’s because it’s the hometown of Clemson star running back Travis Etienne. Jennings Mayor Henry Guinn says they are overjoyed for the two-time ACC Offensive Player of the Year…
cut 30 (12) “…anywhere else”

LSU Astronomers predict an unusually bright star is set to join the night sky. Matt Doyle spoke with Professor Juhan Frank (You-han Fronck)…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Undercover Boss episode with Saints quarterback Drew Brees airs tonight on CBS at 7:00. Brees is a co-owner of the Walk-on’s sports bistreaux chain and during the show he’ll be in disguise working as a regular employee. Walk-on’s Co-founder Brandon Landry says they are holding watch parties at their 33 locations….
cut 12 (10) “…things like that”

9:30 LRN Newscast January 8

If you drive through the small town of Jennings, you might feel as if you’re in an episode of the Twilight Zone because the town is split on which Tiger to pull for Monday. That’s because Clemson Tigers stand out running back Travis Etienne hails from the Jefferson Davis Parish town. Jennings Mayor Henry Guinn is conflicted.
Cut 4 (10) “…alama mater.”
Etienne had an outstanding prep career at Jennings High.

Staff and alumni from LSU and Clemson will get together in Harahan in Jefferson Parish on Saturday to repackage more than two tons of Louisiana-grown rice so that it can be distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. Jay Vise is the spokesperson for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana…
cut 15 (09) “…absolutely”
Vise says fighting hunger is something all football fans have in common.
LSU Astronomy Researchers have made a long-range prediction that in 2018 a faint star known as V Sagittae will explode and become the brightest star in the night sky. Professor Juhan Frank (You-han Fronck) over the next few decades the star will brighten rapidly, providing a great learning tool for astronomers…
cut 9 (12) “…phenomenon”
The findings were first shared at the 235th annual American Astronomical Society meeting in Hawaii.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says severe storms with tornadoes and damaging winds are looking increasingly likely Friday afternoon through Saturday morning for northwest Louisiana. Severe weather is possible throughout Louisiana on Saturday. Rain is also in the forecast for inauguration day on Monday.

8:30 LRN Newscast January 8

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and Walk-On’s co-founder Brandon Landry will go undercover tonight on the C-B-S television series Undercover Boss. The episode was filmed last June. Landry says Brees, who is a co-owner of the sports-themed restaurant and bar, was disguised as a regular employee at their location near the Superdome…
cut 11 (08) “….pretty special episode”
The episode airs tonight at 7.

LSU Astronomy researchers have discovered a faint star in the sky known as V Sagittae will explode in 2083 and become the brightest star visible in the sky. Professor Juhan Frank says there’s nothing to worry about here on Earth, because the cosmic explosion happens 77-hundred light years away….
cut 8 (10) “…stone age”

In the Jefferson Davis Parish town of Jennings, you’ll find plenty of people rooting for Clemson in Monday’s national championship game. That’s because it’s the hometown of Clemson star running back Travis Etienne. Jennings Mayor Henry Guinn says they are overjoyed for the two-time ACC Offensive Player of the Year…
cut 5 (11) “…anywhere else”

Meanwhile, this Saturday in Jefferson Parish, staff and alumni from LSU Clemson will come together to repackage more than two tons of Louisiana-grown rice so it can be distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across south Louisiana. Second Harvest Food Bank spokesperson Jay Vise expects there to be a little competitive spirit…
cut 14 (12) “…volunteers”

7:30 LRN newscast January 8

Media reports say six B-52 bombers from Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City have been deployed to the Indian Ocean as tensions rise in the Middle East following the U-S airstrike that killed an Iranian leader. The reports say the bombers went to Diego Garcia, a British ruled island in the Indian Ocean.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees goes undercover tonight on the season premiere of the CBS show Undercover Boss. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “… Kevin Barnhart”

LSU Astronomy researchers predict there will be a massive cosmic explosion that will provide stargazers something special, but it will not happen until 2083. Professor Juhan Frank (You-han Fronck) says a white dwarf and a star three times the size of the sun are spiraling towards each other 7,700 lightyears away and its set to end in a bang…
cut 7 (13) “…explosion”
The end result of the merger will produce a single star.

Staff and alumni from LSU and Clemson will come together in Jefferson Parish on Saturday to help feed the hungry. Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana spokesperson Jay Vise says about 100 volunteers will repackage more than two tons of rice donated by Falcon Rice of Crowley…
cut 13 (11) “…kitchens”
The rice will be distributed across 23 parishes.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

After another crushing playoff loss, the Saints begin the process of looking ahead to next season. New Orleans has been one of the best teams in the NFL over the last three seasons, but they have not been able to win a Super Bowl. Coach Sean Payton says the team will be ready to make another run at it next season…
cut 18 (25) “…tournament”
Twenty-five players on the Saints roster are set to be free agents, including 40-year-old quarterback Drew Brees. But Payton believes Brees wants to keep playing.

A small Jefferson Davis Parish town is in a predicament, torn between their allegiance to the Bayou Bengals and a hometown football star. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Tonight at the PMAC, LSU men’s basketball hosts 12-and-1 Arkansas. The Razorbacks are allowing only 60 points a game.

The Pelicans will host the Bulls tonight. Zion Williamson took another step yesterday in his recovery from knee surgery by participating in a five-on-five practice.

Nicholls athletics director Matt Roan is leaving Thibodaux to become the new A-D at Eastern Kentucky.

6:30 LRN newscast

The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the December 28th plane crash that killed five people in Lafayette provides details on what the aircraft was doing before it slammed into an open field, but a cause is still not known. The sole survivor of the crash, Stephen Berzas, is said to be improving.

LSU Astronomers predict an unusually bright star will join the night sky. Matt Doyle spoke with Professor Juhan Frank (You-han Fronck) about the massive cosmic event…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

There’s one city in Louisiana where they are split on who will win Monday’s college football national championship game. That’s the Jefferson Davis Parish town of Jennings, the home of Clemson star running back Travis Etienne. Mayor Henry Guinn says Jennings supports Etienne no matter what…
cut 6 (11) “…here in Jennings”

The Undercover Boss episode with Saints quarterback Drew Brees will air tonight on CBS at 7:00. Brees is a co-owner of the Walk-on’s sports bistreaux chain and during the show he’ll be in disguise trying to fit in as a new employee. Walk-on’s Co-founder Brandon Landry says they are holding watch parties at their 33 locations….
cut 12 (10) “…things like that”

4:45 LRN Sportscast January 7

It was a great season for Saints linebacker DeMario Davis who was selected as a first-team All-Pro performer following a 111 tackle season, with four sacks, one interception and eleven tackles for losses. Davis says having the season come to an abrupt end is not a good feeling, but there will be a 2020 season…
cut 17 (18) “…rebuild”
Who will be on the Saints 2020 roster is a big question mark. And the biggest question mark among fans is quarterback Drew Brees, who can be an unrestricted free agent in March. Coach Sean Payton said he believes Brees wants to keep playing.

Stubhub spokesperson Adam Budelli says the get-in price for Monday’s national championship game is 840-dollars and it is expected to either remain flat or see a rise closer to kickoff. Tickets have been purchased in Canada, the UK, and Australia and from over 20 states domestically.
Cut 13 (07) “…state of Louisiana.”
Budelli says the average ticket price sold on StubHub is 19-hundred dollars.

Fresh off a win in last night’s Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier’s name has surfaced as a candidate for a Power Five Job Opening. Baylor has lost head coach Matt Rhule to the Carolina Panthers and 24-7 reports Napier is a serious candidate for the Baylor opening. But the university tells the Daily Advertiser they believe Coach Napier is staying.

LRN PM Newscall January 7

The federal age to buy tobacco and e-cig products was raised to 21, but the state age remains 18. Matt Doyle spoke with Louisiana ATC Commissioner Juana Lombard about the conflicting laws…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

_____________________

Monday’s clash between LSU and Clemson in the Superdome is proving to be a coveted ticket. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

___________________________

New Orleans Police say 21-year-old Kentrell Baham faces a second-degree murder charge after fatally shooting a Walmart employee last night inside the store. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson describes what happened inside the Walmart located in Gentilly

Cut 3 (11) “expired”

A second victim was shot in the foot. Ferguson says a brave officer working security detail apprehended Baham…

Cut 4 (07) “…this business”

Hundreds of shoppers were in the store at the time of the shooting. Today the store is closed and grief counselors are available for employees. Ferguson did not provide a motive on what led to the shooting

Cut 5 (12) “…harm”

_______________________

A federal law is now in effect banning the sale of tobacco and e-cig products to those under 21, but state law still allows those 18 and up to purchase, a situation that’s creating some confusion.

Louisiana ATC Commissioner Juana Marine-Lombard says if you’re a retailer that is contemplating selling those products to someone 18-21, here’s the deal…

Cut 6 (10) “…law”

She adds there are now federal agencies actively enforcing that law.

Marine-Lombard says the issue stems from a lack of guidance from the FDA, who put the law into effect before answering key questions about how it would work.

Cut 7 (10) “immediately.”

The initial legislation signed by the President that made the change had a 180 day grace period, but for reasons unknown, the FDA put it into effect immediately.

The Commissioner says the FDA informed her that they are working diligently to provide clarity and guidance but in the meantime…

Cut 8 (12) “…written.”

The lack of guidance also leaves questions about potential exemptions for military members or others unclear.

_________________________________

Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s investigators have arrested a father and son duo for the New Year’s Eve robbery and murder of 82-year-old Robert James of Gretna.  The victim was taking out the trash at the Terrytown bar he worked at when the robbery occurred.  Sheriff Joe Lopinto says media coverage helped to get tips.

Cut 9 (09) “…persons of interest.”

Lopinto says the two were taken into custody and are now at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

Cut 10 (11) “…of that cellphone.”

Lopinto was grateful for the public’s help in identifying the two.

Cut 11 (09) “…our detective bureau.”

The suspects, 40-year-old Ricky Lincoln Senior and 21-year-old Ricky Lincoln Junior were identified through surveillance footage and now face charges of second-degree murder, simple robbery, and obstruction of justice.

______________________

Those wanting to be at the Superdome Monday night to cheer on the LSU Tigers in the CFP National Championship game will need to shell out some serious coin.  Stubhub spokesperson Adam Budelli says even the cheapest priced ticket to get into the game is currently $840.

Cut 12 (08) “…a massive game.” 

Budelli says the get-in price has remained relatively flat, and is expected to either remain flat or see a rise closer to kickoff.  Tickets have been purchased in Canada, the UK, and Australia and from over 20 different states domestically.

Cut 13 (07) “…state of Louisiana.”

Budelli says compared to other years, this game is on pace to be one of the biggest selling National Championship games On StubHub.

Cut 14 (12) “…at Levi’s Stadium.”

Roughly 4000 tickets are currently up for grabs on Stubhub.

11:40 LRN Sportscast Jan 7

After a disappointing end to the 2019 season for the Saints, the only thing Who Dat Nation can do is look forward. But how many guys from the current team will be back next year. 25 players on the Saints current roster are set to become free agents, including Quarterback Drew Brees who just completed his 19th season. Saints Offensive Tackle Terron Armstead can’t imagine Brees not playing for the Black and Gold next season…
cut 18 (16) “….without him”
Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is also a free agent and could be signed to be a starter for another team. Third-string Q-B Taysom Hill is also a free agent in March and will likely receive a lot of interest because of his versatility.

The Ragin Cajuns wrapped up the 2019 season by beating Miami of Ohio 27-17 last night in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. It’s the first time the Cajuns have won a bowl game outside of the state of Louisiana since the 1944 Oil Bowl in Houston. Quarterback Levi Lewis was named the game’s M-V-P as he threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns and finishes the season with over 3,000 yards passing.

Brandon Ingram had 35 points for the Pelicans, but New Orleans lost to the Utah Jazz 128 to 126. Ingram had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but Rudy Gobert blocked his shot at the rim. The Pels thought it was a foul.

In college hoops, Mylik Wilson scored a career-high 30-points as the Cajuns defeated Appalachian State 81-73. Coastal Carolina crushed ULM 93-64. Grambling improved to 2-0 in the SWAC play with a 68-63 win over Alabama State. Southern lost to Prairie View A-and-M 64-54.