11:40 LRN Sportscast

The tenth ranked LSU football team leaves for Nashville today where they’ll play 17th ranked Vanderbilt tomorrow. The Commodores are seventh in the nation in scoring, averaging 43 points a game. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly says the Tigers’ defense has to be disciplined….

Cut 14 (12) “…to beat you.”

The Tigers could be without two starters on defense as defensive tackle Bernard Gooden is doubtful with a collarbone injury and linebacker Whit Weeks is questionable with an ankle injury.

In other action this weekend, the Ragin Cajuns host Southern Miss. ULM takes on Troy in Monroe. Northwestern State is at Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese hosts Houston Christian, Nicholls is at Stephen F Austin, Grambling visits Arkansas Pine Bluff and Southern hosts Priairie View A-and-M.

 

The Saints will face their old coach on Sunday. Dennis Allen is the defensive coordinator for the three and two Chicago Bears. Allen has spent most of his coaching career in New Orleans. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says he appreciated his many years with Allen and says no love has been lost.

Cut 20 (12) “…of my games.”

Kick off in Chicago is at noon.

Wild game in the NFL last night…as the Bengals without Joe Burrow defeated Pittsburgh 33 to 31. Joe Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Former LSU star Ja’Marr Chase had 16 catches for 161 yards and a TD.

High School football tonight…Ruston and Neville face off for the 100th time tonight.

11:30 LRN Newscast

A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish, as he’s shot by a shooting suspect he was confronting. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says Sheriff Leland Falcon was close to the scene when the call for assistance came down, so he responded and encountered the suspect.

Cut 6 (08) “…the left torso.”

Sheriff Falcon was treated and released. State Police says the man who shot at the sheriff was shot by a responding deputy and is in critical condition.

In response to two shootings on LSU’s campus last weekend, Unity Field near the intersection of Highland Road and South Stadium Drive is closed for the remainder of the football season. Officials say two recent shootings have been linked to that tailgating spot. Interim LSU President Matt Lee says disciplinary action could be taken against a student organization that attempted to hold an unsanctioned event in that area last Saturday, which led to a huge crowd…

Cut 29 (10) “…our existing policies.”

 

The number of standardized tests high school sophomores must take is being reduced from 6 to 4 next school year. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the two English and two math tests currently required are being consolidated into one each.

Cut 11 (08) “…making reductions there.”

Brumley says students must pass the English and math tests, and either the biology or the civics test to graduate.

With its famous namesake on hand, Southeastern Louisiana University officially opens its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center today. President Dr. William Wainwright says it includes a newsroom, a film studio and a multimedia studio, giving students experience in all facets of broadcasting.

Cut 3 (13) “…also digital media.”

Wainwright says Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts was a main catalyst behind the construction of the media center.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has called for a special session that will begin next week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter was providing TSA agents at Louis Armstrong International Airport with free lunches during the government shutdown, but Carter says TSA agents have told him they can no longer accept the free food. Donations from political figures is apparently a no-no.

 

Public high school students will take two less standardized tests as a result of a new policy approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says high school students will now take four standardized tests, and they will need to pass the English and Math tests and either Biology or civics test…

Cut 12 (10) “…to that diploma”

10th ranked LSU has a tough test tomorrow as they visit 17th ranked Vanderbilt. Receiver Barion Brown was quiet last week in the win against South Carolina. Coach Brian Kelly on getting Brown more involved…

Cut 15 (15) “…opportunities for him”

Kick off is at 11 AM

6:45 LRN Sportscast October 17

The Saints head to Chicago on Sunday to face the Bears. There will be a familiar face on the Bears sidelines as former Saints head coach Dennis Allen is Chicago’s defensive coordinator….

Cut 19 (15) “…of the game”

Allen says when he watches the tape, he sees a Saints team that keeps getting better.

LSU is looking to put up some points in Nashville as the Tigers visit Vanderbilt. Receiver Barion Brown was quiet last week in the win against South Carolina. Coach Brian Kelly on getting Brown more touches…

Cut 15 (15) “…opportunities for him”

Kick off is at 11 AM

_________________________________________________

ULM is coming off a messy 23-8 loss to Coastal Carolina last week after the Warhawks turned the ball over three times. As ULM prepares to face a red-hot Troy team, head coach Bryant Vincent says his team is focused on winning each week and learning from their prior mistakes.

Cut 16 (13) “…to get there.”

The Warhawks are 3-3 overall, 1-1 in the Sun Belt, while Troy has won three in a row and they are 4-2 overall, 2-0 in the Sun Blet.

The Ragin Cajuns are also 1-1 in the Sun Belt and they will host 2-0 Southern Miss on Saturday.

Other games in Louisiana on Saturday, Southeastern Louisiana entertains Northwestern State for homecoming. Also homecoming in Lake Charles as McNeese faces Houston Christian.

Tulane faces Army at Yulman Stadium at 11 AM on Saturday.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier showed improvement in throwing the ball in the Tigers’ 20-10 win over South Carolina. Nussmeier said the first few games of the season were tough due to his ab injury, but he says he’s gaining more confidence heading into this week’s game with Vanderbilt.

Cut 17 (21) “…keep doing that.”

Head coach Brian Kelly gave an update on several players’ availability ahead of the Tigers matchup with Vanderbilt. Wide receiver Aaron Anderson and offensive lineman Paul Mubenga are probable. Junior linebacker Whit Weeks and senior defensive end Jimari Butler are game time decisions and are questionable with ankle injuries. Senior Defensive tackle Bernard Gooden is doubtful with a bruised collarbone.

Sunday’s matchup between the Saints and Bears will be the first time Dennis Allen faces the Saints since being fired as the team’s head coach in November of last year. Allen’s defense in Chicago has forced 11 turnovers in the last three games, and quarterback Spencer Rattler says Allen poses many challenges as the Bears’ defensive coordinator.

Cut 20 (12) “…our ‘A’ game.”

Kickoff at Soldier Field in Chicago Sunday is noon.

Earlier this week, the New Orleans Pelicans announced that center Kevon Looney has been diagnosed with a proximal tibiofibular ligament sprain in his left knee and he will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks. The Pelicans are now down to Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic and Hunter Dickinson at the center position.

The Pelicans are in Orlando tonight to take on the Magic in their final preseason game at 6 p.m. before starting the regular season next Wednesday.

LRN PM Newscall

LSU announces enhanced security measures for football home games for the rest of the season. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

A new survey finds strong support for more federal funding for afterschool programs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

For the remainder of the football season, those going to LSU home games can expect beefed-up security following a pair of shootings outside the stadium last week. Scott Ballard, the chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, says there will be additional police presence – not only those you can see, but also those you CAN’T see.

Cut 3 (09) “…behavior very quickly.”

Part of that surveillance support includes the use of drones. Ballard says accessibility to campus will be restricted for those who do not have gameday parking permits.

Cut 4 (07) “…have interior permits.”

Highland Road runs parallel to Burbank Drive, which is one of the main routes to get to Tiger Stadium. Ballard says law enforcement is also cracking down on the use of marijuana, which people have complained about for a while.

Cut 5 (09) “…on the spot.”

Ballard says people have even been smoking marijuana inside the stadium. Those who are caught doing so will be ejected; and if they’re season ticket holders, their tickets for the next home game will be forfeited. Ballard is also reminding fans that LSU is a firearm-free campus, and no one except law enforcement should be bringing firearms onto campus.

___________________________________________________

About four in five Louisiana children are missing out on afterschool programs according to a survey conducted by the Afterschool Alliance. Afterschool Alliance executive director Jodi Grant says 48-percent of Louisiana parents say the programs are too expensive…

Cut 6 (10) “…programs.”

Grant says the survey also found that 44-percent say afterschool programs are unavailable in their community…

Cut 7 (08) “…long waiting list.”

Grant says they conducted this study in response to the Trump Administration withholding funds Congress appropriated for afterschool and summer learning programs. After a huge public outcry, the Trump administration released the one-point-four billion dollars this past summer, but federal funding going forward is uncertain. Grant says their study found that parents support more public funding for these programs…

Cut 8 (12) “…huge difference.”

___________________________________________________

The EPA has returned the Smitty’s Supply site back to the company and the Tangipahoa River and connecting ponds back to the State of Louisiana. EPA Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says this is the result of the cleanup progress following the explosion at the chemical plant in August. Mason says the EPA, however, is not going away.

Cut 9 (10)  “…are being met.”

Mason says while it’s handed what’s left of the facility back to Smitty’s, there is still some cleanup left to go.

Cut 10 (11) “…prevent further releases.”

Mason says there will be a coordinated approach with Smitty’s handling the facility cleanup and the state leading the river and pond cleanup under EPA oversight, with Tangipahoa Parish serving as the local coordinator.

Cut 11 (08) “…this case, Smitty’s.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

LSU announces enhanced security measures for football home games.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Fighting Tigers are at Vanderbilt this Saturday and two starters on defense could miss the game. Coach Brian Kelly gave an updated injury report today…

Cut 13 (08) “…doubtful”

Linebacker Whit Weeks and defensive tackle Bernard Gooden are starters on LSU’s defense. Weeks’s ankle that had offseason surgery on it is bothering him and Gooden has an injured collarbone.

 

About four in five children are missing out on afterschool programs because of cost or they are not available in their area. That’s according to a survey conducted by the Afterschool Alliance. Executive Director Jodi Grant says 44-percent of the parents they surveyed in Louisiana say afterschool programs are unavailable in their community…

Cut 7 (08) “…long waiting list”

Grant says they released this survey to inform federal and state policy makers that the need is great for afterschool programs.

The federal EPA has handed management of Smitty’s Supply site in Roseland back to the company. EPA Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says Smitty’s Supply will continue cleanup efforts…

Cut 10 (11) “….prevent further release”

Smitty’s needed the EPA to take over the cleanup at first, because it was so massive. EPA says they removed more than seven million gallons of liquid waste and laid over 22-thousand feet of containment boom.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The 10th ranked LSU Tigers are preparing for their 11 AM kickoff versus 17th ranked Vanderbilt in Nashville on Saturday. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier enjoys quieting opposing crowds…

Cut 19 (15) “….a great challenge”

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks is listed as questionable. The ankle he disclocated in the bowl game is bothering him.

The Saints are also on the road this Sunday as they visit the Chicago Bears. Chicago is second in the NFL with 12 takeaways. New Orleans Coach Kellen Moore…

Cut 21 (09) “…this past game”

The Bears have won three in a row. Kick off is at noon.

 

The LSU women’s basketball team is ranked fifth in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. Junior guard Milaysia Fulwiley is one of the big new additions to LSU. She transferred in from South Carolina. She averaged nearly 12 points a game for the Gamecocks last season as she was a wing player. Coach Kim Mulkey says they also plan to use Fulwiley at point guard…

Cut 26 (24) “…at the point”

Pelicans starting center Kevon Looney will miss the start of the season with a knee injury.  Looney signed with New Orleans in the offseason for two years 16 million dollars after winning three NBA titles with the Warriors. He was  a durable player at Golden State. The Pels tip off the regular season next Wednesday.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has issued an executive order that establishes a moratorium on new applications of carbon capture injection wells. This is a new technology where carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted from Louisiana plants would be captured and then stored underground. Several rural lawmakers have concerns, including Rosepine Representative Charles Owen….

Cut 9 (11) “…don’t want it”

Landry says the moratorium allows state regulators to focus on the 33 applications that the Department of Conservation and Energy has received. Landry says it takes about two-thousand hours to review each project.

LSU is holding a press conference at 10 AM to discuss security enhancements for future home football games. There were two shootings on campus last Saturday when the Tigers hosted South Carolina. Two people were wounded in one of the shootings near the North Gates. Police have arrested a 16-year-old and charged him with two counts of attempted first degree murder.

 

 

The head of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development remains confident construction will start next year on a new Hyundai steel mill in Ascension Parish….

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Louisiana Community and Technical College System President, Doctor Monty Sullivan, says he will retire early next year. L-C-T-C-S Vice President Chandler LeBoeuf says Doctor Sullivan helped establish strategic partnerships that have resulted in workforce solutions for local businesses and industry…

Cut 12 (11) “….in that space”

8:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry issues a moratorium on new applications for carbon capture injection wells in the state. Several lawmakers in rural areas, including Charles Owen from Rosepine, have expressed concerns about pumping and storing carbon dioxide below the ground.

Cut 7 (09) “…get it right.”

In the governor’s 12-page executive order, he’s asking companies to make an effort to seek out public and local government input on pending projects.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, however, sees it another way. President and CEO Will Green says Landry’s announcement creates uncertainty and unpredictability…

Cut 9 (09)  “…open for business.”

Carbon capture and sequestration involves pumping carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by industrial processes deep underground.

LSU veteran quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s confidence is on the rise after showing signs of improvement in the Tigers’ 20-10 win over South Carolina.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Doctor Monty Sullivan has announced his retirement. He plans to step away early next year. LCTCS Vice President Chandler LeBoeuf says the mission will remain the same, helping Louisiana residents prepare for opportunities in the workforce…

Cut 13 (11) “…diplomas and a like”