8:30 LRN Newscast March 21

LSU basketball faces Yale at 11:40 today in the NCAA Tournament. Governor Edwards agrees with the decision to suspend Will Wade after the coach was reportedly caught on an FBI wiretap discussing improper payments to a recruit…
cut 8 (11) “…questions”
But Edwards says he does not echo a statement from former Board of Regents Chairman Richard Lipsey, who said that both LSU President F. King Alexander and Atheltics Director Joe Alleva should be fired.

New Orleans police say two people were killed when a vehicle smashed into a beauty salon last night in the Broadmoor neighborhood setting off a three-alarm fire. Authorities say the two people that died were in the vehicle. A woman rescued from the building suffered serious burns. Authorities say they believe the vehicle was stolen and accelerated after officers tried to stop the car.

Research from staffing firm Robert Half indicates March Madness activities can be beneficial in the workplace. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Today is the first full day of spring. So what can we expect from the weather for the next few months? State Climatologist Barry Keim… .
Cut 13 (06) “…conditions for Louisiana.”
Keim says we’re currently in a weak El Nino which has the tendency to produce thunderstorm activity off the Texas coast near Houston and thunderstorms usually drift over Louisiana.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Third seeded LSU looks to avoid the upset as it faces 14th seeded Yale at 11:40 this morning in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Twenty-one 14 seeds have defeated three seeds since 1985. Tigers interim head coach Tony Benford says the Bulldogs have their attention…
Cut 16 (20) “the same”
The Bulldogs shoot 50-percent from the field, which is the sixth best mark in Division One Basketball.

Grambling and UNO were both knocked out of the College Insider-dot-com tournament. A lay up failed to go down at the buzzer for the Tigers and they lost to Texas Rio Grande Valley 74-73. While Texas Southern topped UNO in overtime 95-89. ULM hosts Kent State tonight at Fant-Ewing.

A lot of drama in last night’s LSU baseball game between the Tigers and Nicholls Colonels. Nicholls first baseman Adam Tarver hit a home run off Todd Peterson in the ninth inning to give the Colonels a four to three lead. It was Tarver’s second home run of the game, but a two-out RBI double by Chris Reid tied the game. Daniel Cabrera had an RBI double in the 10th as the Tigers won their fifth straight game 5 to 4 in 10 innings.

Tulane topped the Ragin Cajuns seven to three. Green Wave right fielder Hudson Haskin homered and drove in four runs. Southeastern Louisiana downed Alcorn State 13 to 3. Preston Faulkner, Kyle Schimpf and Evan Pace homered for the Lions and South Alabama downed UNO 22-7.

NBA…the Orlando Magic made the Pelicans disappear as New Orleans lost 119 to 96. Elfrid Payton’s streak of five straight triple-doubles ended as he only had seven points, two assists and three rebounds.

16:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Board of Supervisors athletic committee has approved a two-year contract extension for Coach Ed Orgeron and the Louisiana native is getting a 14-percent raise, which means he’ll make four-million dollars a year. Athletic Director Joe Alleva says Orgeron can earn even more money…
cut 13 (12) “…500,000 dollars”
On his monthly call-in show, Governor Edwards called Orgeron’s four-million dollar salary a bargain. He also said he’s not prepared to comment on former Board of Regents Chairman Richard Lispey’s demand that Alleva and LSU President F King Alexander should be fired over the handling of the Will Wade situation.

Tonight in baseball…Nicholls is at seventh ranked LSU. The Ragin Cajuns visit Tulane and the Pelicans are at the Orlando Magic.

The LSU men’s basketball team had a brief workout today at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. That’s where the Tigers will face Yale tomorrow at 11:40 in a first round matchup of the NCAA Tournament. Interim head coach Tony Benford likes the look of his team after the early exit in the SEC Tournament…
cut 20 (16) “…tomorrow”
Guard Skylar Mays says even though the Tigers didn’t win a game in the SEC Tournament, they remain confident heading into the Big Dance…
cut 18 (13) “…we play”
LSU is at 7.5 point favorite.

3:30 LRN Newscast March 20

The LSU Board of Supervisors approves a two-year contract extension that contains a 500-thousand dollar raise for head football coach Ed Orgeron. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Associated Press reports Governor Edwards will ask lawmakers in the upcoming session to increase funding for higher education by 19-million dollars. About a third of that money would be for TOPS and the governor’s plan also calls for three-million dollars to help pay for resources for students who take classes online, such as electronic textbooks.

A state parks official says a sign in front of a popular state owned plantation that said slaves were well taken-care of and happy has been taken down. It’s unclear how long the sign was posted at the Rosedown Plantation in St. Francisville. Southern University Political Science Professor Albert Samuels says unfortunately plantations tend to downplay slavery, and instead play up the pageantry of the property owners.
Cut 4 (13) “…the focus″
About 850 people were enslaved there before the Civil War.

There’s devastating flooding in the Midwest, but Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service says they are not expecting any significant flooding in the lower Mississippi River Valley as a result of flooding upstream. But she says it’s still important to keep an eye on river levels…
cut 8 (08) “…effect the river”

LRN PM Newscall March 20

Rosedown Plantation in St. Francisville has removed an exhibit sign describing the slaves who lived there as “happy”. Matt Doyle talked to a Southern University professor about the controversy…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

The LSU Board of Supervisors approves a two-year contract extension that contains a 500-thousand dollar raise for head football coach Ed Orgeron. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________________________

The Rosedown Plantation in St. Francisville is under fire for an exhibit sign that described the slaves who powered the plantation as “happy.” A state parks official says the sign has been removed and admits it was in poor taste. Southern University Political Science Professor Albert Samuels says he’s not surprised by the sign

Cut 3 (10) “…was”

The sign also mentioned that the shacks lived in by slaves were “prettily built”, had a “natural musical instinct”, and that they were “well taken care of”.

Samuels says southern historic venues tend to downplay the terror of slavery, and instead play up the pageantry of those who built their wealth and power on the backs of those chained on their property.

Cut 4 (13) “…the focus″

About 850 people were enslaved at Rosedown, and the site has become the most visited historic location in Louisiana, hosting 28,251 visitors last fiscal year.

The Professor says after the confederacy fell, a coordinated propaganda campaign was established to rehabilitate the Rebel’s image, which is why flippant accounts of slavery like the one at Rosedown are so common at southern landmarks.

Cut 5 (11)  “the war.”

The controversial quotes were pulled from the book “Rosedown” by Sarah Bowman.

____________________

Flooding in the Midwest has many concerned about how those draining flood waters could impact the already very high Mississippi River levels. National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Danielle Manning says those flood waters from the Missouri River basin shouldn’t be a threat.

Cut 6 (10) “…come down significantly.”

Manning says that water does have to pass through the Mississippi River on the way to the Gulf of Mexico, but what kind of impact will it have?

Cut 7 (09) “…start rising again.”

Manning says it’s always a good idea to keep up with what’s going on with rainfall forecasts with river levels this high.

Cut 8 (08) “…effect the river.”

_____________________

St. Martin Parish sheriff deputies arrest a Broussard mother after she allegedly left her two children, ages 1 and 5, unattended in an unlocked, running vehicle at a truck stop casino for about an hour and a half while she played video poker inside.  Major Ginny Higgins says thankfully the kids were not harmed….

Cut 9 (07) “…were in there.”

37-year-old Tara Jackson is facing two counts of child desertion.

Although the weather was favorable yesterday, Higgins says sometimes there is a misconception that temps need to be in the 80s or 90s for something to happen to someone in a vehicle.

Cut 10 (09)“…in a vehicle.”

The Good Samaritan law states that someone can bust open a window in an effort to save a child or animal trapped in a car, but Higgins says the person who spotted the children did the right thing by not taking that action because the doors were unlocked.

Cut 11 (08)   “…save their lives.”

___________________________

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved an extension and pay raise for football coach Ed Orgeron. Athletics Director Joe Alleva appeared at today’s meeting and said Orgeron is deserving of a 500-thousand dollar raise…

Cut 12 (10) “…extremely well.”

Orgeron’s new contract runs through 2023 and his annual salary is four million dollars, the ninth highest in the SEC. Alleva says Orgeron can earn even more money…

Cut 13 (12) “…500,000 dollars”

Oreron led the Tigers to 10-3 season last year and a win over U-C-F in the Fiesta Bowl. LSU is expected to be a preseason Top 10 team heading into 2019.

Cut 14 (10) “…three years ago”

2:30 LRN Newscast March 20

Rosedown Plantation in St. Francisville has removed an exhibit sign describing the slaves who lived there as “happy”. Matt Doyle talked to a Southern University professor about the controversy…
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Four employees at the Louisiana Special Education Center in Alexandria who were under a police investigation are back at work. The state department of education says they were notified by the Rapides parish District Attorney’s office that allegations of serious infractions involving residents were unfounded.

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved an extension and pay raise for football coach Ed Orgeron. Athletics Director Joe Alleva appeared at today’s meeting and said Orgeron is deserving of a 500-thousand dollar raise…
Cut 12 (10) “…extremely well.”
Orgeron’s new contract runs through 2023 and his annual salary is four million dollars, the ninth highest in the SEC.

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says 37-year-old Tara Jackson of Broussard left her two small children in an unlocked vehicle for about an hour and half while she gambled at a video poker truck stop in St. Martinville. Major Ginny Higgins says the children are okay, but something bad could happened in the kids, even if it’s not terribly hot outside…
cut 10 (09) “…in a vehicle”
Jackson has been charged with two counts of child desertion.

11:30 LRN Newscast March 20

The LSU Board of Supervisors athletic committee has approved a two-year contract extension for Coach Ed Orgeron and the Louisiana native is getting a 14-percent raise, which means he’ll make four-million dollars a year. Athletic Director Joe Alleva says Orgeron can earn even more money…
cut 13 (12) “…500,000 dollars”
The full board is expected to approve the new contract this afternoon.

St. Martin Parish sheriff deputies arrest a Broussard mother after she allegedly left her two children, ages 1 and 5, unattended in an unlocked, running vehicle at a truck stop casino for about an hour and a half while she played video poker inside. Major Ginny Higgins says thankfully the kids were not harmed….
Cut 9 (08) “…in there”
37-year-old Tara Jackson is facing two counts of child desertion.

The Rosedown Plantation in St. Francisville is under fire for posting an exhibit sign that described the slaves who powered the plantation as “happy.” A state parks official says the sign has been removed and admits it was in poor taste. Southern University Political Science Professor Albert Samuels says he’s not surprised by the sign…
Cut 3 (09) “…institution was”
About 850 people were enslaved there before the Civil War.

Avoyelles Parish School School Superintendent Blaine Dauzat says they’ve received push back since deciding last week to move to a four-day week schedule for next school year. Classes will run from Tuesday to Friday and some working parents are wondering what they will do with their children on Mondays. Dauzat has this response…
cut 6 (09) “…at this point”
Dauzat says four-days a week schedule will help attract teachers and there are examples it has led to improved student achievement.

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 20

Third-seeded LSU is in Jacksonville getting ready for tomorrow’s first round NCAA match-up with 14th seeded Yale. Junior guard Skylar Mays says both teams like to play an up tempo style and that should benefit the Tigers
Cut 16 (11) “for us”
Yale averages 81 points a game and as a team they shoot 50-percent from the field. On defense, the Bulldogs do not force a lot of turnovers, just 11 a game.

This afternoon, LSU-Alexandria takes on Central Baptist College in the N-A-I-A tournament. The Generals are the number two seed and they are making their fifth straight appearance in the national championship tournament.

Grambling State is at Texas Rio Grande Valley for an opening round match-up in the College Insider-dot-com tournament. UNO hosts Texas Southern, tomorrow it’s ULM hosting Kent State.

The Saints announce they’ve come to terms on a four-year contract with unrestricted free agent offensive lineman Nick Easton. The former Harvard star is expected to take Max Unger’s place as the starting center. In 2017, Easton started at left guard for 12 games for the Vikings, but missed all of last season with a neck injury.

The LSU Board of Supervisors athletic committee has approved an extension and pay raise for football coach Ed Orgeron. Athletics Director Joe Alleva appeared at today’s meeting and said Orgeron is deserving of a 500-thousand dollar raise…
cut 12 (10) “…extremely well”
Orgeron’s new contract runs through 2023 and his annual salary is four million dollars, the ninth highest in the SEC. The full board is expected to approve the deal this afternoon.

Last night in college baseball, UL-Lafayette defeated Northwestern State eight to three as sophomore Hayden Cantrelle hit for the cycle.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Four-point-two million dollars in unclaimed property will be sent to about 44-thousand residents in the coming weeks. State Treasurer John Schroder says they now have the ability to work with the Department of Revenue to find individuals who have money owed to them for various reasons…
cut 15 (09) “…..deal with internally”
Go to la-treasury-dot-com to search for unclaimed money.

The jackpot for tonight’s Powerball drawing is a whopping 550-million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says thousands of residents will purchase a ticket today hoping to win the grand prize, but the multi-state lottery game also features several prizes if your ticket doesn’t match all of the numbers….
cut 12 (08) “…prize tiers”
The drawing is at 9:59 tonight and sales end an hour before that time.

Starting next school year, Avoyelles Parish public schools will hold classes four days a week, instead of five. Avoyelles School Superintendent Blaine Dauzat says the Tuesday through Friday schedule hasn’t received a warm reception from everyone.
Cut 4 (10) “…parents and community.”
But Dauzat says a four-day school week will help attract teachers. Caldwell Parish also has a four-day week and Dauzat says they’ve seen school performance scores rise for nine of the 11 years it’s been in place.

A survey finds PlayStation is Louisiana’s favorite gaming console and in fact the Bayou State had the highest percentage of PlayStation users in the United States. PC Magazine Associate features editor Rob Marvin says Louisiana was just one of nine states that picked Play Station as its top choice…
cut 8 (06) “….xbox”
X-Box is the top video game console for 27 of the 50 states, with 31-percent of US consumers voting X-Box as their favorite.

8:30 LRN Newscast March 20

The state Treasury Department is mailing out a second round of unclaimed property checks. Just over 44,000 checks went out this week, totaling $4.2 million dollars. State Treasurer John Schroder says they had issues with the first wave of checks, as some folks thought it was a scam…
Cut 13 (08) “…to the bank.”
A new law allows Schroder’s office to work with the Department of Revenue for the sole purpose of returning unclaimed property.

The Powerball is up to 550 million for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says if you don’t win the grand prize, don’t toss out your ticket, because you may have won one of the smaller prizes…
Cut 10 (12) “…check your tickets”
The 550-million jackpot is the eighth largest in Powerball history, 11th highest in American lotto history.

Which video game console is the most popular in Louisiana? Matt Doyle has the answer…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU basketball begins play tomorrow in the NCAA Tournament when they face Yale in the first round. How far can the Tigers go, junior guard Skylar Mays believes they have the necessary ingriedients to make a long run…
cut 17 (09) “…whole thing”
Tip time is at 11:40.