6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints will go up against the Chargers again today in preparation for their preseason game on Sunday in Carson City, California. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says it’s good to go up against another team…
cut 30 (22) “…up the competition”
Saints wide receiver Keith Kirkwood was in full pads yesterday. He had missed the last eight practices with an undisclosed injury. He did not participate in team drills. Running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas were also in pads but did not go through team drills. Today’s practice will begin at 10 AM pacific time.

LSU’s Michael Divintiy who started at outside linebacker last year is set to start at inside linebacker this season. Coach Ed Orgeron says Jacob Phillips, Patrick Queen and Damone Clark are competing for the other inside linebacker spot. Orgeron expected Phillips would take on a bigger role with Devin White’s departure…
cut 17 (19) “…of plays”
LSU outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson returned to the practice field yesterday after missing eight straight practices. All-American safety Grant Delpit practiced for a second straight day. And LSU is reportedly on the verge of hiring former Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson. Johnson would take the place of Dennis Johnson, who can’t be on the sidelines after badly injuring both of his knees in a basketball game.

6:30 LRN newscast August 16

The State Central Democratic Committee will deliver official endorsements on Saturday for the fall election. There are eleven Democrats on the ballot in the various statewide elections. There are multiple Democratic candidates running for governor and Ag Commissioner…
cut 5 (10) “….Republicans”
That’s State Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk.

State Police has launched a new Facebook page to help with recruiting future troopers as they are looking for cadets for their 100th class. Sergeant Melissa Matey says they are trying to make it easier to apply…
cut 9 (09) “…in the past”
The 99th State Police cadet class will begin training soon and training for the 100th class is expected to begin in the next year.

Louisiana is receiving nearly five million dollars from the U-S Department of Health and Human Services to help in the fight against the opioid crisis. The Bayou State continues to see an increase in overdose deaths, but it has shown signs of slowing down. The state also has high rates for H-I-V and Hepatitis C and Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Doctor Alex Billioux says this money can help with reducing those rates as well…
cut 15 (13) “….as other substances”

16:45 LRN Sportscast

The Louisiana Bond Commission has approved a 450-million dollar financing plan that will pay for upgrades to the Superdome. Superdome Commission Chairman Doug Thornton says the renovations will improve an iconic facility…
cut 8 (12) “….annual basis”
Renovations will begin after this football season and take four years. The upgrades include expanded concourses, more concession stands and replacing the pedestrian ramps with escalators and elevators.

The Superdome Commission, the Saints, and the state will provide the funds to get the project done. Governor John Bel Edwards says getting the financing plan approved will help secure a deal that will keep the Saints in New Orleans for another 30 years.

Meanwhile, the Saints are out in California holding a couple of joint practices with the Chargers and then they’ll face Los Angeles in a preseason game on Sunday.

LSU freshman offensive guard Kardell Thomas will reportedly miss the next two months because of an ankle injury suffered in yesterday’s practice. Thomas was the nation’s number one offensive guard in the 2019 recruiting class. He was not getting reps with the first team, but Coach Ed Orgeron has been encouraged by his development.

Orgeron is reportedly bringing in former Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson to coach the LSU Tigers D-Line. Current defensive line coach Dennis Johnson is in a wheelchair after badly injuring both knees while playing basketball.

ESPN reports former Pelican and current Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins suffered a serious knee injury while working out in Las Vegas. Doctors fear the four-time All Star tore his ACL. It would be Cousins third major injury since tearing his Achilles while playing with the Pelicans in 2018.

LSU basketball lost to the Dominican Republic 92-88 in an exhibition game in Spain. Sophomore forward Emmitt Williams led LSU with 28 points.

LRN PM Newscall August 15

The Louisiana Bond Commission gives approval to a 450-million dollar plan to upgrade the Superdome. Jeff Palermo has more

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

____________________________________

The investigation into alleged repeated misuse of funds by former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson ends without action being taken. Matt Doyle spoke with the former Colonel’s attorney…

cut  2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

________________________________________

Former Lake Charles Police officer Robert Hammac has pleaded guilty in a federal courtroom to using excessive force during a police chase in 2017. U-S Attorney David Joseph says when the chase ended, Hammac ran to the front passenger door and grabbed the defendant

Cut 3 (09) “…additional times”

Joseph says the victim was not resisting in any way or posing a threat. He says the Department of Justice supports police officers, but Hammac’s actions betray the badge and the public’s trust

Cut 4 (09) “…in general”

Hammac will be sentenced in November and Joseph says the 45-year-old faces up to ten years in prison

Cut 5 (09) “…accountable”

Hammac pleaded guilty to a single count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

_____________________________

The State Bond Commission has approved a 450-million dollar financing plan to pay for renovations to the 44-year-old Superdome. The state will spend 90-million dollars on the project, the Superdome Commission 210-million dollars and the Saints will put up the rest. Saints President Dennis Lauscha

Cut 6 (08) “…150-million”

Renovations will begin after this football season and take four years. Lauscha says the planned improvements will benefit the fan, expanded concourses, more concession stands and replacing the ramps with escalators and elevators….

Cut 7 (08) “…be comfortable”

Superdome Commission Chairman Doug Thornton says these renovations are designed to improve an iconic facility…

Cut 8 (12) “…annual basis”

______________________________________

Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain pleads not guilty to charges of aggravated rape, aggravated incest, indecent behavior with a juvenile, and sexual battery.  Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says despite the fact that some of the accusations date back to when 56-year-old Strain was 17, there is no statute of limitations.

Cut 9 (08) “…enough timely brought.”

The most recent accusations are fifteen years old.  Ciolino says the centerpiece of the defense will likely be the age of the charges as well as putting the criminal background of one of the accusers on trial.

Cut 10 (10) “…are four victims.”

Ciolino expects Strains’ legal defense to also lean on his years of public service.

Ciolino says at this point the trial moves into discovery as the defense tries to get a hold of police reports and evidence.

Cut 11 (08) “…perhaps psychological experts.”

The allegations carry up to a mandatory life sentence.

______________________________

Former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson has been cleared in an investigation into his alleged repeated misuse of department funds during his tenure.

A Legislative auditor’s report detailed a department funded “side trip” to Las Vegas for troopers, Edmonson living rent-free at the state police compound, and other violations.  Edmonson Attorney Gray Sexton spoke with LRN about the decision.

Cut 12 (08) “…report”

According to the report the long-time Superintendent was also having his vehicles repaired by state workers.

Edmonson left State Police two years ago after coming under fire for the audit’s findings. Sexton says any actions his client did take did not meet the threshold of an ethics violation.

Cut 13 (12) “inquiry”

Current State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves agreed with the findings of the Auditor’s report two years ago when it was released.

Sexton says if his client had violated any ethics laws during his tenure, he’s confident that the Louisiana government or the feds would have pursued charges.

Cut 14 (12) “…misconduct”

Edmondson served from 2008-2017.

11:40 LRN Sportscast August 15

LSU All-American Safety Grant Delpit returned to practice after missing six straight practices, but the Tigers suffered another injury as freshman guard Kardell Thomas went down. Coach Ed Orgeron said after practice the injury could be serious and there’s a report out today that says Thomas will miss two months.

Fellow freshman Trey Palmer returned to practice this week after being held out because of a minor injury. Orgeron says the former Kentwood star has been impressive to watch…
cut 30 (22) “…impressed with him”
LSU will hold its second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday.

The NFL Players Association has issued a work stoppage guide to help players prepare for the possibility of a strike or lockout following the 2020 season. The NFL and its players’ association have been discussing a new collective bargaining agreement, but little progress has been made. Sources say both sides are confident a work stoppage can be avoided. The current C-B-A will expire in March 2021, but if talks break down, a work stoppage in 2020 could be possible.

The State Bond Commission has approved a 450-million dollar financing plan to pay for renovations to the 44-year-old Superdome. The state will spend 90-million dollars on the project, the Superdome Commission 210-million dollars and the Saints will put up the rest. Saints President Dennis Lauscha…
cut 6 (08) “…150-million”
Renovations would begin after this football season and take three to four years to complete.

10:30 LRN Newscast August 15

The State Bond Commission is meeting and the panel is expected to approve a 450-million dollar financing plan to renovate the Superdome. The 44-year-old venue is in need of modifications to keep the venue competitive for hosting major events and the proposal is tied to keeping the Saints in New Orleans for 30 more years. State Treasurer John Schroder says the investment into the dome is a good one.
Cut 5 (08) “…I’m seeing done.”
The renovations would take three to four years to complete.

A poll of one-thousand likely Louisiana voters finds that 71-percent of them believe in climate change and 68-percent believe extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and Pollster Greg Rigamer says a majority of them are concerned about those impacts…
cut 8 (10) “…no”
And 80-percent believe extreme weather will have a greater impact on future generations.

Hurricane Barry was the last-named storm and that was a month ago. State Climatologist Barry Keim says do not let your guard down, the last time we had zero storms in August, September was very active.
Cut 15 (10) “…September”
NOAA is predicting an above-average season because El Nino weather conditions have faded.

Louisiana ranks number one on CenturyLinkQuote’s ranking of safest states for kids online. The report says Louisiana has one of the lowest victim rates and is well under the national average for malware infection rates. Spokesperson Elaine Thompson says while Louisiana does have the top spot, the state is not immune to cyber dangers and parents need to express the importance of best practices online.
Cut 12 (12) “…upcoming school year.”

8:30 LRN Newscast

Today the state bond commission is scheduled to vote on the financing plan for the $450 million overhaul to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington ”

Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain will be arraigned today on eight sex crime charges, four of those crimes allegedly occurred 44 years ago, when he was 17. State Police arrested Strain on aggravated rape, aggravated incest and sexual battery charges last June. Authorities say his alleged victims were under the age of 18.

A survey of one-thousand likely Louisiana voters finds that 71-percent of them believe in climate change. Pollster Greg Rigamer says many of those same respondents say it’s impacting the weather…
cut 9 (12) “….future”
Restore the Mississippi Delta paid for the poll, which was conducted to find out voters’ opinions about coastal restoration.

We are moving into the teeth of the hurricane season, but it’s been a month since a named storm popped up in the Atlantic Basin, despite NOAA’s prediction of an above-average season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the lack of a named storm from July 15th to August 15th is rare….
cut 13 (10) “…common”
Keim says so far we’ve been lucky, but don’t count on that luck to continue.

7:30 LRN Newscast August 15

A poll finds nearly three out of four Louisiana residents believe in climate change and half of the respondents say it’s impacting their lives. Matt Doyle spoke with the pollsters…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education gives state education superintendent John White a satisfactory job evaluation for the seventh year in a row. White credits a rising high school graduation rate and an increase in high school students who qualify for TOPS.

The state bond commission is scheduled to vote on the financing plan for the proposed $450 million upgrade to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. State Treasurer John Schroder says he doesn’t foresee any hurdles in getting a green light on the overhaul.
Cut 4 (10) “…without any objection.”
The cost will be split between the state, the Superdome Commission and the Saints.

Louisiana takes the top spot for the safest state for kids to be online in a study conducted by CenturyLinkQuote. Spokesperson Elaine Thompson says the ranking takes into consideration the number of victims of internet crimes and the reported rates of malware infections.
Cut 10 (11) “…malware infection rates.”
And Thompson says Louisiana has over 10 different cyberbullying and sexting laws.

6:45 LRN Sportscast August 15

The LSU football team is starting to get over the injury bug. Coach Ed Orgeron says All-American strong safety Grant Delpit practiced yesterday for the first time in a week…
cut 30 (30) “….offensive line”
But Orgeron says true freshman guard Kardell Thomas suffered what appeared to be a serious injury and he expects the former Southern Lab standout to be out awhile.

The LSU basketball team will play the Dominican Republic in an exhibition game today as part of the Tigers 10-day visit to Spain. Dominican Republic is ranked 18th in the FIBA World poll.

Today the state bond commission is scheduled to vote on the financing plan for the $450 million overhaul to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington ”

The Saints will hold a joint practice with the Chargers today in California.

The Falcons have signed former LSU quarterback Danny Etling, one day after he was released by the Patriots.

The Southland Conference will hold a beach volleyball championship in 2020. U-N-O, Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana have programs, with S-L-U beginning its first competitive season in 2020.

6:30 LRN Newscast August 15

In a survey of one-thousand Louisiana residents, 71 percent of the respondents believe in climate change. Restore the Mississippi River Delta conducted the poll and pollster Greg Rigamer says the percentage of those who believe in climate change varies between regions.
Cut 7 (11) “…58-percent.”
68 percent of respondents agree that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent.

CenturyLinkQuote has determined Louisiana is the safest state for children to go online. Spokesperson Elaine Thompson says Louisiana has a lot of laws on the books to protect kids..
cut 11 (09) “….than 10 laws”
Louisiana has one of the lowest victim rates for those under 20 at just five-percent.

It’s been a month since a named storm has formed in the Atlantic Basin despite high sea surface temperatures and a non-existent El Nino. Kevin Barnhart asked our state climatologist what’s going on…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin barnhart”