6:45 LRN Sportscast November 18

The Saints produced the bounce-back performance they were looking for as they defeated Tampa Bay 34-17 to improve their record to 8-2. New Orleans started fast and built a 20-0 lead in the second quarter, which pleased Coach Sean Payton, but he says there are areas of improvement.
cut 14 (12) “….last week”
Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Thomas had eight catches for 114 yards and the defense had four interceptions and two sacks.

The Pelicans knocked down 18 three-pointers last night to beat Golden State 108-to-100. 35-year-old guard J-J Redick had a team-high 26 points as hit six three-pointers. The Pels are 4-and-8 and they’ll host Portland tomorrow night.

LSU is 10-and-0 but Saturday’s 58-37 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels was a disappointing affair for the Tigers defense that gave up 614 total yards, the most given up by an LSU defense since 2001. Coach Ed Orgeron says the most important thing is that they won the game…
cut 18 (16) “…way it is”
LSU returns home this Saturday night to host Arkansas. The Razorbacks are two and eight and averaging just 353 yards a game.

The Ragin Cajuns also return home this Saturday after a two-game road trip as U-L Lafayette will host Troy. The Cajuns beat South Alabama 37-27 on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech has a big game this Saturday at U-A-B after losing to Marshall 31-10 on Friday.

6:30 LRN Newscast November 18

Governor John Bel Edwards has survived a difficult re-election campaign beating Republican challenger Eddie Rispone by two percentage points. Rispone poured millions of dollars of his own money into the campaign and President Trump made multiple visits to the state on his behalf. But Edwards says this was always a race about Louisiana issues…
Cut 7 (09) “…over politics.”
Rispone’s main platform during the campaign was to improve Louisiana’s standing and make it the best state in the south. He says that remains the goal…
Cut 10 (11) “…what it should be.”
Rispone says he has no plans to run for political office again.

So how did Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards win re-election in a conservative state? Matt Doyle spoke with a political analyst…
voicer 3 (30 “…i’m Mattt Doyle”

The Saints defense intercepted four passes on their way to a 34-17 win over Tampa Bay yesterday. In the AP Top 25, LSU remains number one.

LRN AM Newscall November 18

Federal and state officials are urging air travelers to get a Real ID before next October. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Connor Ferrill.”

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Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards beats back a hard challenge from Republican and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. Kevin Barnhart has reaction from Edwards’ election night headquarters…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards wins reelection after a hard-fought run-off against GOP contender Eddie Rispone. Matt Doyle spoke with an analyst about the result…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Transportation Security Administration and the state Department of Public Safety urge the public to get their Real ID driver’s license soon, even though the Real ID requirement to fly domestically is not needed until October 12020. TSA Spokesperson Sari (Saw-ree) Koshetz is visiting Louisiana airports to get the word out…

Cut 4 (12) “…out of town.”

Travelers without a Real ID after October 1st can still fly domestically, but they’ll need a passport.

State Office of Motor Vehicles administrator Jill Jarreau says to get a REAL ID, you need to visit your local DMV with various forms in hand…

Cut 5 (11) “…social security card.”

LA Wallet, Louisiana’s digital ID, will not be Real ID-compliant October 1st of 2020 but the Office of Motor Vehicles has applied to Homeland Security to make LA Wallet an alternative to Real ID.

Jarreau says so for only 10 percent of Louisiana citizens are Real ID-compliant, so don’t wait until the last minute to pick one up from the DMV…

Cut 6 (05) “…lines.”

Visit expressway.org for a full walkthrough of the Real ID pickup process.

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Governor John Bel Edwards survived a difficult re-election campaign beating Republican challenger Eddie Rispone by two percentage points. Rispone poured millions of dollars of his own money into the campaign and President Trump made multiple visits to the state on his behalf. But Edwards says this was always a race about Louisiana issues…

Cut 7 (09) “…over politics.”

Edwards remains the only Democratic governor in the Deep South. During his first four years, the former state lawmaker from Amite, he expanded the state’s Medicaid program, approved a criminal justice reform package that had the support of Republicans. Edwards looks forward to the next four years…

Cut 8 (16) “…minimum wage.”

Rispone says despite the hard-fought loss the Republican Party has nothing to be ashamed of…

Cut 9 (08) “   …(applause fade out).”

Rispone’s main platform during the campaign was to improve Louisiana’s standing and make it the best state in the south. He says that remains the goal…

Cut 10 (11) “…what it should be.”

_____________________________

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards wins re-election in a deep red state despite a massive push by state and national Republicans to retake the Mansion.

LSU Poli Sci Professor Robert Hogan says Edwards’ blend of cultural conservatism and dedication to popular services like healthcare and education put him at the center of the state’s political gravity.

Cut 11 (12) “voters”

This comes despite three visits to the state by President Trump in just over a month. Hogan says Rispone worked hard to tie himself to the President, but it may have been a double-edged sword.

Cut  12 (12) “turnout” 

Turnout in Orleans parish, the state’s Democratic stronghold, surged in the run-off to 49 percent, up from 39 percent in the primary.

Edwards returns for a four-year stint that Hogan says will be a lot tougher than his first term now that Republicans have a near-supermajority in the lower chamber.

Cut 13 (07) “…through”

The GOP entered the night with a supermajority in the Senate.

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The New Orleans produced the bounce-back performance they were looking for as they defeated Tampa Bay 34-17 to improve their record to 8-2. The Saints started fast and built a 20-0 lead in the second quarter, which pleased Coach Sean Payton, but he says there are areas of improvement…

Cut 14 (12) “last week” 

The defense, playing without star cornerback Marshon Lattimore, intercepted Tampa Bay four times. PJ Williams took Lattimore’s place and had an interception as he defended Bucs standout wide receiver Mike Evans. Payton says it was a good day for Williams and the defense…

Cut 15 (11) “…of games”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Thomas had a strong game with eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. Brees says the trust factor he has with Thomas is high…

Cut 16  (10)  …every play.  

The Saints host Carolina on Sunday. The Panthers lost to Atlanta.

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Number one LSU is one win away from winning its first SEC West title since 2011 after defeating Ole Miss 58-37 in a wild game in Oxford. The Tigers had 714 total yards as Quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 489 yards and five touchdowns. But LSU’s defense couldn’t stop the Rebels ground game. Coach Ed Orgeron on what led to allowing 402 rushing yards…

Cut 17  (16)  quarterback runs”    (2x)

Ole Miss Q-B John Rhys Plumlee rushed for 212 yards and four touchdowns. But there was a sense of disappointment in the locker room, because of the play of LSU’s defense. Orgeron says the most important thing is that they won the game…

cut 18  (16)  way it is” 

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Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls both won on Saturday setting up a huge game in Hammond on Thursday when the Lions host the Colonels in a game that could decide the Southland title. S-L-U, Nicholls and Central Arkansas are all tied for first place heading into the final regular-season game. Colonels Coach Tim Rebowe’s team started fast and defeated McNeese 34-20 on Saturday…

cut 19 (16), first half”    

Senior quarterback Chase Fourcade threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns to end the Cowboys’ three-game winning streak….

cut 20 (13) “ made plays”    

LRN PM Newscall November 15

The 2019 governor’s race is a toss-up, with election day on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Both sides of the Governor’s race are rolling out the stars hoping to inspire their base to pack into polling stations tomorrow…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”    

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A second poll released this week shows Saturday’s election for governor is a virtual tie. The JMC Analytics survey of 600 Louisiana voters finds Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican challenger Eddie Rispone each getting 45-percent of the vote. Pollster John Couvillon says it all comes down to turnout…

Cut 3 (07)   “…both candidates” 

Couvillon is predicting a turnout of at least 52-percent. He says north Louisiana and African American voters will have a big say in this election…

Cut 4 (10) “…runoff season.”

Couvillon believes voters made up their mind a long time ago, based on his voting polling throughout the race…

Cut 5 (10) “…persuade.” 

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The time for fundraising and voter persuasion in the gubernatorial race is now over and both campaigns are pushing hard to drive voters out to the polls Saturday.

Republicans have leaned on Presidential rallies and the GOP Congressional delegation to drive interest. Senator John Kennedy is calling on all Republicans to cast a ballot…

Cut 6 (11) “Governor.”

Kennedy made the call to action at last night’s Trump rally.

Trombone Shorty, Mannie Fresh, The Soul Rebels and more will be rocking a stacked concert tonight in New Orleans for a pro-Edwards election eve turnout drive. Ivan Neville’s Dumpstafunk headlines the bill…

Cut 7 (08) “…direction”

The concert will be on Fulton St. in Downtown New Orleans.

Senator Bill Cassidy says it’ll be a close election that could be decided by a little as a thousand votes, so he’s calling for all boots on the ground…

Cut 8 (07) “   …neighbor”

Governor Edwards is set to show up to “Turn up, Turn out” tonight to make one of his last pitches to votes. Neville says he hopes the night will inspire people to head to the polls Saturday.

Cut 9 (09)  “…their lives”

Polls open at 7AM and close at 8PM tomorrow.

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China lifts a ban on poultry imports from the United States.  In Louisiana, poultry is a $2 billion industry and the decision opens the market for Louisiana producers as the port of New Orleans is one of the largest poultry exporters in America.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says it is welcomed news.

Cut 10 (06) “…the foreign markets.”

China banned all US poultry imports in January 2015 after a bird flu outbreak in December 2014.  Strain says in 2013, the US was selling about $500 million in poultry annually to China.

Cut 11 (12) “…$4.3 billion worldwide.”

Strain believes Louisiana can meet the growing demand by taking product being held in storage and moving it.

Cut  12 (13) “poised for growth” 

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Many Tiger fans are hitting the road this weekend to support the top ranked Bayou Bengals in their matchup with Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi.   Visit Oxford Executive Director Kinney Ferris says the excitement in the town to host the fans is high after the Tigers tamed Bama last week.

Cut 13 (11) “..influx of visitors.”

SEC Nation will be broadcasting from the town on the SEC television network.  In addition to getting fans hyped up over the game, Kinney says visitors and viewers will also see the community is ready for Christmas.

Cut 14 (11) “…for the holiday.”

Kinney says the large influx of visitors may result in the area moving at a slower pace.

Cut 15 (12) “…our small town.”

Kickoff is at 6PM.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Superdome will begin to undergo a major facelift in January after the Superdome Commission approved a contract that puts the wheels in motion for a 450-million-dollar renovation plan. Commission Spokesperson Mike Hoss says the -the iconic facility will see upgrades that will result in the 44-year-old building being compared favorably with new facilities like AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Cut 14 (11) “the country”
The renovation plan calls for the removal of the 80-thousand square foot ramp system and replaced with escalators. New atriums will be built and workers will also put in end zone field boxes.

Tonight is the first round of the high school football playoffs. Non-select schools will play their championship games in the Dome, while on the select-side, we’ll have to wait until after the semis before a site is selected for their title games.

Louisiana Tech takes its perfect Conference USA record on the road tonight to face the Marshall Thundering Herd. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says this is not an easy assignment for his team…
Cut 17 (25) the game”
And the assignment has become even more difficult for the Bulldogs as they will be without starting quarterback J’Mar Smith, leading receiver Adrian Hardy and senior linebacker James Jackson. La Tech has announced the trio has been suspended due to an athletic department violation. Jackson will only miss tonight’s game, while Smith and Hardy will miss the next two. Redshirt freshman Aaron Allen is expected to start at Q-B.

7:30 LRN Newscast November 15

In Bossier City last night, President Trump criticized Governor Edwards leadership ahead of Saturday’s runoff election…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District votes to move forward with the 450-million overhaul of the Superdome. Commission spokesperson Mike Hoss says the iconic building will get a 21st-century facelift…
cut 12 (11) “…decks”
The renovation will take four years to complete.

Saturday’s ballot also features the run-off in the Secretary of State’s race. Republican incumbent Kyle Ardoin and Democratic challenger Gwen Collins-Greenup face off again in a rematch of last year’s special election run-off. Ardoin won last year 59-to-41 percent. Ardoin says his experience makes him the best candidate…
cut 8 (11) “….year”
Collins-Green up is a Southern law grad, who has worked in government, including a position in the East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court. The Democrat has some criticisms of Ardoin’s tenure, pointing to national reporting from Politico and other sites that raised concerns about Louisiana’s outdated voting machines.
Cut 11 (11) “…process”
Polls open tomorrow from 7 AM to 8 PM.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore did not practice again yesterday because of a hamstring injury. Linebacker Demario Davis is also suffering from a hamstring injury and he was limited at practice. New Orleans will face a Tampa Bay offense on Sunday that’s ranked seventh in the NFL. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says the Bucs feed on big plays…
cut 16 (13) “….explosive plays”
The Saints are at Tampa Bay on Sunday. The Superdome is set to undergo a massive 450-million dollar renovation starting in January. Superdome Commission spokesperson Mike Hoss says as part of the first phase of the renovation includes the removal of the infamous ramps…
cut 13 (08) “…the stage”

Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday broke out of his scoring slump by scoring a season-high 36 points last night as New Orleans defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 132 to 127. The Pels needed a big night from Holiday, because Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball were all out with injuries. The Clippers did not play Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverly.

In college hoops last night, Mississippi State defeated ULM 62-45.

In college football tonight, Louisiana Tech is at Marshall at 6 PM. Top-ranked LSU visits Ole Miss tomorrow. After giving up 41 points last week, LSU defensive end Rashard Lawrence looks forward to a more dominant effort in Oxford…
cut 20 (11) “… 60-minute game”
Kick-off is at 6 PM.

And tonight is the first round of the high school football playoffs.

6:30 LRN newscast November 15

The Shreveport-Bossier City area was a battleground in the race for the Governor’s mansion on Thursday. During a rally at the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City, President Trump told the crowd, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is controlled by, as he puts it, the extremists pushing the impeachment witch hunt.
Cut 4 (10) “…Adam shifty Schiff.”
It was Trump’s second visit to Louisiana in as many weeks as he’s urging Republican voters to vote for GOP challenger Eddie Rispone on Saturday. Edwards held a campaign event in Shreveport earlier in the day and says Rispone does not have a plan for the state, which is why he’s using DC politicians…
cut 7 (12) “…four more years”

A 450 million dollar Superdome renovation is on the way after the Superdome Commission approves a financing package for the facelift. Brook Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU is a three-touchdown favorite to beat Ole Miss on Saturday in Oxford. The Rebels rank last in the SEC in pass defense, but Quarterback Joe Burrow doesn’t see Ole Miss as a poor team on “D”….
cut 18 (18) “…of practice”
The Rebels have lost six games this season, but only one of those losses was by eleven points or more.

The Pelicans have played 10 games and so far they are two and eight. They will try to get a win tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers, who lost last night in Houston. The Pels starting poing guard Lonzo Ball is expected to miss his third straight start with a groin injury, while the team’s leading scorer Brandon Ingram is a game time decision because of knee soreness.

The Saints have a chance to sweep the season series against the Bucs when they meet their NFC South Rivals in Tampa Bay on Sunday. New Orleans beat the Bucs on October sixth 31 to 24. Tampa Bay is 3-and-6 and they boast the best run defense in the NFL. On the other side of the ball, Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown 17 touchdown passes, but he’s also been intercepted 14 times. Coach Sean Payton on Winston…
cut 30 (25) “…impact on”

2:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump returns to Louisiana tonight hoping to boost Republican Eddie Risponsse’s chances at winning governor. The President will be in Bossier City tonight. Political consultant Roy Fletcher says Trump is trying to get suspicious north Louisiana conservatives to buy-in on Rispone.
Cut 3 (09) “…question”
Governor John Bel Edwards held a rally in Shreveport this afternoon and said this election will be decided on the Louisiana issues.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has issued a legal opinion that will allow police officers, firefighters and other first responders to attend tonight’s rally at the CenturyLine Center. Landry says concerns over whether first responders could be breaking ethics laws by attending the rally may have been politically motivated…
cut 14 (11) “…claiming”

Democrats say testimony from the public impeachment hearings show President Trump abused his office when he threatened to hold back foreign aid to Ukraine if the country didn’t investigate a political rival. But Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson says he hasn’t seen any impeachable offenses
Cut 11 (09) “ for that”
Democrats disagree, they allege President Trump committed bribery and extortion.

Four artificial reef sites are under construction in Lake Bornge and the Mississippi Sound. L-D-W-F reef biologist Ashley Ferguson says boaters should steer clear of the sites as the habitat develops…
cut 8 (11) “….acre permit area”
The reefs will eventually boost the availability of fish by increasing hard-bottom habitat in an otherwise soft muddy water bottom