Saints and defensive end Cam Jordan have reportedly agreed on a three-year contract extension that’s worth up to 55.5 million dollars. The new deal would keep the team’s sack leader under contract in New Orleans through the 2023 season. The first round pick in 2011 is entering his ninth season and the Arizona native says he’s a New Orleanian now…
cut 17 (17) “…of the city”
Saints coach Sean Payton says the contract extension for Jordan is deserved and he believes wide receiver Michael Thomas will be the next Saint to get a new contract.

Quarterback Drew Brees remains away from the team. Brees is involved in a trial involving a San Diego jeweler, who allegedly defrauded Brees and his wife.

Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin says there is no urgency to trade six-time All-Star Anthony Davis before the NBA draft on June 20th. If the Pels unload Davis before the draft, it will result in more high draft picks for New Orleans. It’s been reported Davis is only willing to sign long term deals with the Lakers and Knicks, which could hurt the Pels leverage if they try to work out a deal with other teams.

LSU freshman pitcher Cole Henry reportedly had a nerve issue on Saturday which ended his start after just two innings against Florida State. Henry underwent laser treatment to fix a buildup of scar tissue around the median nerve and according to Henry’s father his son can throw again without any issues.

LSU Catcher Brock Mathis and relief pitcher Will Ripoll are looking to transfer.

Louisiana Tech’s leading hitter this past season, Mason Mallard, has signed a free-agent contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Mallard hit .374, scored 65 runs and had 20 stolen bases.

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain is facing multiple sex crime charges from allegations that date back to the 1970s. St. Tammany D-A Warren Montgomery says the case involves four victims and Strain has been booked on charges of aggravated rape, aggravated incest, sexual battery and indecent behavior. Legal analyst Tim Meche says if this case goes to trial, it’s doubtful that it can be held in St. Tammany….
cut 5 (11) “…decision”
Strain was elected in 1995 and lost a re-election bid in 2015.

Governor Edwards has signed the bill that creates a statewide framework for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. The state department of transportation is in the process of establishing rules for the issuance of permits. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson expects the process to be done by the end of the year…
cut 7 (10) “…an annual basis”

Officials from Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas are meeting today in Bossier City to discuss disaster mitigation from river flooding. …
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Enjoy another day of lower humidity levels, but the humidity cranks back up again on Friday.

ESPN reports the Saints and defensive end Cameron Jordan have agreed on a three-year, 52-million dollar contract extension. Jordan has two more years on his current deal, so this would keep him with the Black and Gold through the 2023 season. ESPN also reports Jordan would receive 42-million dollars in guaranteed earnings. Jordan will turn 30 years-old in a month and he’s coming off a season in which he recorded a dozen sacks.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees was not at today’s minicamp practice as he remains involved in a trial in San Diego with a jeweler who allegedly defrauded his family.

Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin said today there is no urgency to trade Anthony Davis before the June 20th NBA draft. If the Pels unload Davis before the draft, it could result in more draft picks for New Orleans. Meanwhile, Griffin plans to meet soon with Zion Williamson and his family. The Pels are expected to take the former Duke star with the number one pick.

There are four teams from the SEC in the College World Series, but LSU is not one of them for a second straight year. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says a key to next year’s team success is the development of Gavin Dugas and Drew Bianco, as they will likely be starting infielders next season. He says the incoming freshmen that will play a role on next year’s team are Denham Springs shortstop Cade Doughty, Memphis outfielder and football star Maurice Hampton and former Airline star Hayden Travinski, who can swing the bat
Cut 18 (16) “Travinski”
NOLA-dot-com reports LSU freshman pitcher Cole Henry will be ready by next fall after dealing with a nerve issue that ended his start on Saturday night after just two innings. Henry reportedly underwent laser treatment and he’s able to throw again without any issues.

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain has been booked on rape and incest charges. Late last year allegations became public that Strain may have been involved in sex crimes. The accusations came out of a federal investigation into a work-release program run by the St. Tammany Sheriff’s office.

It’s been a quiet governor’s race so far, but a political analyst says expect that to change very shortly…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The latest survey from the National Federation of Independent Business finds that small business optimism is reaching near record highs. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says the growth in optimism should mean more jobs and higher pay for workers…
cut 8 (10) “…our state”
Starns says Louisiana small business owners like what’s happening in Congress and they’re happy the state legislature maintained the status quo.

Governor Edwards is in Thibodaux at this hour, holding a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that’s expected to bring Uber and Lyft to areas of the state that currently do not have ridesharing services. Uber spokesperson Evangeline George…
cut 10 (10) “….button”
The Louisiana law goes into effect on July 1st.

Small business optimism is up, but the National Federation of Independent Business still wants a change in the Governor’s mansion….
cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Now that the legislative session is over, expect to hear more from the candidates for Governor, Democratic Incumbent John Bel Edwards and his two Republican challengers Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on the early tone of the race…
cut 4 (10) “…party philosophy”

Governor Edwards is in Thibodaux this afternoon for a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that creates a statewide framework for ridesharing services. The law will bring Uber and Lyft to the Houma-Thibodaux region, central Louisiana and other areas of the state that currently do not have it. Uber spokesperson Evangeline George on when they may go statewide…
cut 11 (08) “…the law”

A Houma man is dead after State Police say he wrecked his car into a tree following another crash where he fled the scene. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 44-year-old Ricky Giroir Jr. was driving a Dodge Durango southbound on Highway 315 in Terrebonne when the initial crash happened.
Cut 12 (10) “…that fatal crash.”
Sandifer says investigators are uncertain why Girior fled from the initial crash.

Legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session will move the 2020 presidential primary to April fourth, about a month later than originally planned. Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Handwerk says despite the later primary date, he expects several candidates will still be seeking the nomination…
cut 6 (12) “…to us”
The state was scheduled to hold the presidential primary on March 7th, but that would put the spring general election on Easter weekend, which is a violation of state law.

The Shreveport City Council will vote this afternoon on a measure to repeal the city’s saggy pants ordinance. Councilwoman LeVette Fuller says the government should not tell people how to dress. But Councilman James Flurry says his constituents tell him that they want the ban to remain in place.

A survey from the Republican-leaning polling firm We Ask America finds that 42-percent of Democrats in Louisiana would like to see another Democratic candidate for governor, because of John Bel Edwards anti-abortion views. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards re-election campaign team should be concerned…
cut 8 (12) “….area”
At this point, there’s been no indication of a Democrat planning to challenge the governor.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is surveying residents in ten southwest Louisiana parishes to find out more about their hurricane preparedness plans. Institute Director Brant Mitchell…
cut 15 (09) “….prepare emergency responders”

A poll of Louisiana Democrats finds that 42-percent of them would like to see another Democrat challenge Governor Edwards this fall. Matt Doyle explains why…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Thibodaux this afternoon for a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that creates a statewide framework for ridesharing services like Uber and Lfyt. The law will bring ridesharing services to Alexandria and rural areas.

Scientists predict the northern Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone this summer is the second largest on record. It’s an area in the Gulf that has low oxygen that can’t support marine life. LSU Professor Doctor Nancy Rabalais says it’s a big problem for shrimpers…
cut 11 (09) “…imports as well”
Excessive nutrients and fertilizer from farmlands along the Mississippi River watershed have caused the dead zone.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is currently surveying residents in 10 southwest Louisiana parishes about their hurricane evacuation plans. Institute Director Brant Mitchell says the survey is looking for information to improve evacuation operations.
Cut 13 (11) “be taking pets.”
Mitchell says the phone survey takes 18 minutes to complete.

On the heels of Governor John Bel Edwards signing the fetal heartbeat abortion bill, a survey of 500 Louisiana Democrats finds 42-percent of them would like to see another Democrat run for governor. UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says an ambitious, pro-choice Democrat could pose a serious threat to Edwards’ re-election chances, but…
cut 7 (12) “….the party”
The survey found that only 32-percent of Democrats support the governor’s pro-life position.

The 2020 Presidential Primary will take place in April next year, about a month later than originally planned. Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Chairman Stephen Handwerk says with a large field of Democratic presidential candidates, he expects Louisiana to remain an important state in the nomination process…
cut 5 (07) “…in Louisiana”

Scientists predict the 2019 Dead Zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico may be the second largest on record. The zone, which is estimated to be about the size of New Hampshire, is an area with very little oxygen that can’t support marine life. LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says the swelling Mississippi River levels are to blame for the near-record size.
Cut 10 (07) “…high this year.”
Researchers will map out the hypoxic area next month.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is surveying southwest Louisiana residents to learn more about their hurricane preparedness plans…
voicer 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”