10:30 LRN Newscast

A statewide poll finds that most voters approve of the job performance of various elected officials. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The National Hurricane Center says there is a high chance of we’ll see tropical development from a tropical wave north of Haiti. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Tim Destri says the system is expected to move slowly toward the northwest towards Florida.
Cut 3 (10) “…day or so.”
Destri says the system could some rain to Louisiana if it heads West

New U-S Census Bureau data shows Louisiana’s uninsurance rate has dropped to eight-percent. In 2013, it was doubled that number. Louisiana Budget Project executive director Jan Moller says the expansion of the Medicaid program in 2016 has led to more people receiving coverage, while states that chose not to expand Medicaid have some of the highest uninsurance rates…
cut 13 (07) “…to”

Quarterback Joe Burrow’s incredible 82-percent completion percentage may be thanks in part to some cutting edge technology that LSU used over the summer to track receivers’ optimal routes based on their eye strength. Director of Athletic Training Jack Marucci wanted to find out why the team dropped so many passes last season. He says the answer was inspired by another sport.
cut 14 (10) “…why”
So he studied film to discover which routes produced the best outcomes for each receiver, and then hooked those receivers up to 14,000 dollar goggles to test the hypothesis.

9:30 LRN Newscast Sept 12

Louisiana’s uninsured rate dropped to eight percent in 2018, which is about a full point below the national average. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says the uninsured rate has been cut in half since 2013 thanks to Governor Edwards’ decision to expand the Medicaid program
Cut 11 (07) “…coverage”
The uninsured rate in 2013 was 16.6 percent in Louisiana per the Census Bureau.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission votes to lower financial incentive that future rooftop solar customers will get when they sell excess energy generated to power companies. Solar installers say this will kill their future business, but P-S-C Chairman Mike Francis says customers who do not have solar panels were subsidizing the program and it’s not fair to them…
cut 9 (09) “…two million dollars”

A poll of 500 Louisiana chronic voters finds that 54-percent of them approve of Governor Edwards’s job performance. President Donald Trump received the same approval rating in the survey. Bernie Pinsonat conducted the poll…
cut 6 (08) “….the political spectrum”
Edwards’s disapproval rating is 42-percent.

LSU’s offense is the talk of college football and Matt Doyle reports new technology has helped produce the early results…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

8:30 LRN Newscast September 12

New data from the U-S Census Bureau shows Louisiana’s uninsured rate has dropped again, while the national uninsured rate increased.
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a high chance a tropical disturbance near the Bahamas will develop into a depression or named storm over the next five days. The forecast model for Invest 95 has shifted east in the latest update and has the system moving toward Florida, but forecasters are advising Gulf Coast to be vigilant.

On a 3-2 vote, the Public Service Commission approves new rules on what is known as net metering. The change lowers the amount power companies will pay future solar users that feed their excess energy into the grid from 10 cents per kilowatt-hour to 4 cents. PSC member Foster Campbell voted against the measure.
Cut 7 (10)“…for the companies.”
But utility companies say the current rules result in higher costs for consumers who do not have solar panels because they are helping to subsidize the program.

Republican Senior U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election next year and a new poll shows his approval rating at 59-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says that’s a good number for Cassidy…
cut 5 (12) “….with white voters”
Senator John Kennedy also has an approval rating of 59-percent among chronic Louisiana voters.

7:30 LRN newscast September 12

The Public Service Commission votes for new net-metering rules, which means future solar panel owners will receive less money from utility companies for energy the homeowner generates and sells to the electricity provider. Opponents to the changes say this will kill the solar industry, but P-S-C member Craig Greene says the new rules removes are fairer….
cut 10 (12) “….another 15 years”

54-percent of Louisiana voters polled say President Donald Trump is doing a good job. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat surveyed 500 chronic voters last week…
cut 4 (08) “….76-percent”
Governor Edwards approval rating is also at 54-percent.

The number of Louisiana residents that do not have health insurance has decreased by 19-thousand over the last year. The U-S Census Bureau says eight-percent of Louisiana residents are uninsured. Louisiana Budget Project director Jan Moeller credits the expansion of the Medicaid program…
cut 12 (09) “…everybody”
While Louisiana’s uninsured rate dropped, nationally it went up.

LSU’s offense is the talk of college football as Quarterback Joe Burrow and his receivers are tough to stop. This summer, LSU had their receivers catch 10-thousand passes and used special goggles to study their ocular dominance. LSU’s Director of Athletics Jack Marucci says the data helped develop a passing scheme that has players run routes that matches their field of vision. For example, senior receiver Derrick Dillon…
cut 16 (07) “…success”

6:45 LRN Sportscast September 12

LSU is the epicenter of a revolution in sports science that’s already paying off on the field. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Saints are getting ready for Sunday’s NFC title rematch with the Los Angeles Rams. New Orleans will be able to use defensive tackle David Oneymata this week. He had to sit out Monday night’s game as he severed a one-game suspension for his arrest last January for Marijuana possession.

The one-and-one Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will visit Bowling Green this Saturday. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says the Falcons play a physical brand of football…
cut 20 (21) “….the game”
La Tech is a 10.5 point favorite.

Also this Saturday the Ragin Cajuns host Texas Southern, Nicholls is at Prarie View, Southeastern Louisiana will be at Ole Miss, Tulane hosts Missouri State. McNeese hosts Alcorn State. ULM has the week the off.

6:30 LRN newscast September 12

A statewide poll finds that most voters approve of the job performance of various elected officials. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The National Hurricane Center is now giving the tropical disturbance in the Bahamas a high chance of developing into at least a tropical depression over the weekend as it moves northwest. Models differ on whether this system gets into the gulf or just heads up the eastern seaboard like Hurricane Dorian.

The Public Service Commission has voted to reduce what utility companies will have to pay to future solar panel owners who produce more electricity than they use. P-S-C member Foster Campbell voted against it because he says it takes an incentive away for homeowners to produce clean energy…
cut 8 (11) “….real damn shame” (2x)
But supporters of the net metering change say this strikes a fair balance because it reduces the amount of money non-solar customers are having to pay in rates to utility companies to compensate for solar customers.

So far LSU’s offense has been clicking with very few dropped passes. Over the summer, LSU Director of Athletic Training Jack Marucci says they used 14-thousand dollar goggles on their receivers to test how their eyes were focusing on the football…
cut 15 (12) “….route”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU QB Joe Burrow is in the Heisman conversation after putting up 749 yards and nine touchdowns through two games. Burrow’s odds rose from 200 to 1 to five to one with some oddsmakers after dissecting Texas. USA Today Network LSU beat reporter Glenn Guilbeau, who also has a vote for the Heisman, says Burrow has a real shot.
Cut 20 (08) “…of people”
Burrow is also completing 82-percent of his passes.

UL-Lafayette hosts Texas Southern on Saturday, who is off to an 0-and-2 start. But Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says Texas Southern has some skill position players that can put points on the board in a hurry….
cut 30 (20) “…defend them”
Kick-off is at 6:30.

Saints and Raiders fans drink the most on NFL gamedays according to a new poll. Matt Doyle spoke with a longtime New Orleans CBD bartender about Who Dats’ boozy Sundays…
cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

The Saints returned to practice today as they will head out west to face the defending NFC champion L-A Rams on Sunday. New Orleans will be able to use defensive tackle David Oneymata this week. He had to sit out Monday night’s game as he severed a one-game suspension for his arrest last January for Marijuana possession.

2:30 LRN Newscast Sept 11

A statewide poll finds that 47-percent of voters support Governor John Bel Edwards as he seeks a second term in office. If Edwards reaches 50-percent, plus one on October 12th, he wins the election outright without a runoff. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the key for Edwards is to hold on to the white voters that currently plan to vote for him…
cut 8 (10) “..re-elected”
Republicans Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone are at 24 and 16-percent respectively in the poll.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration says cases of road rage that lead to a fatal crash has increased nearly 500-percent in a decade. State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says they’ve noticed…
cut 13 (11) “…if you will”
Dillon says if you see road rage happening, dial star L-S-P or call 9-1-1.

Saints and Raiders fans drink the most on NFL gamedays according to a new poll. Matt Doyle spoke with a longtime New Orleans CBD bartender about Who Dats’ boozy Sundays…
cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

Former LSU gymnast Britney Taylor has accused New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown of rape. Taylor is Brown’s former trainer and in a federal lawsuit, Taylor claims she was sexually assaulted three times over a two-year period. Brown strongly denies the accusations and he says the suit is motivated by money.

11:40 LRN Sportscast September 11

LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow’s strong play through two weeks of the season has vaulted him into the Heisman Trophy consideration. Heisman voter Glen Guilbeau, who covers LSU for the USA Today Network, says the last LSU Heisman contender was Leonard Fournette, until he and the Tigers had a poor game against Alabama in 2015. Guilbeau says a great performance against the Crimson Tide later this season would help ensure that Burrow is a finalist…
cut 12 (10) “…Tuscaloosa”
Bama running back Derrick Henry would ultimately take home the trophy in 2015.

Patriots wide receiver Antonio Bryant’s former trainer has filed a lawsuit against the NFL star claiming he sexually assaulted her on three different occasions during a two year period. The accuser is Britney Taylor, who competed on the LSU gymnastics team 2012 and 2013. Brown denies the allegations.

The Saints get back to practice today as they will head out west to face the defending NFC champion L-A Rams on Sunday. Los Angeles defeated Carolina 30-27 on the road in the season opener, despite Rams quarterback Jared Goff not having a strong game. He only threw for 186 yards and a touchdown. Running back Todd Gurley rushed for 97 yards. Kick-off on Sunday is at 3:25.

The Ragin Cajuns are back home this Saturday to take on Texas Southern. UL-Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says they are spending this week trying to reduce the errors that have cost them so far this season…
cut 30 (34) “…the players”
U-L Lafayette is one and one on the season, while the Tigers are 0-and-2.

7:30 LRN Newscast September 11

A fire truck that served in New York following 9/11 and New Orleans following Katrina will get a new home thanks to donations from the public. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Former LSU gymnast Britney Taylor has accused New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown of rape. Taylor is Brown’s former trainer and in a federal lawsuit, Taylor claims she was sexually assaulted three times over a two-year period. Brown stongly denies the accusations and he says the suit is motivated by money.

LSU QB Joe Burrow is in the Heisman conversation after putting up 749 yards and nine touchdowns through two games. Burrow’s odds rose from 200 to 1 to five to one with some oddsmakers after dissecting Texas. USA Today Network LSU beat reporter Glenn Guilbeau, who also has a vote for the Heisman, says Burrow has a real shot.
Cut 10 (08) “…of people”
Burrow is also completing 82-percent of his passes.

Bossier Sheriff deputies have arrested 45-year-old Saunders King of Haughton for having sexual relations with at least two teenagers. Lt. Bill Davis says they found out King was up to no good when a parent of one of the victims saw an inappropriate digital conversation sent from King…
cut 15 (09) “…red flags”
King has been booked into the Bossier Maxium Security Facility on a 525-thousand dollar bond.