7:30 LRN Newscast January 23

A New Orleans attorney has filed a lawsuit in an effort to get NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to invoke a rule that gives him authority to say a game should be replayed because of that missed pass interference call in the final two minutes of the NFC Championship game. Lawyer Frank D’Amico…
cut 15 (10) “…from that point”
Governor Edwards has written a letter to Goodell asking him and the other owners to pursue rule changes to ensure this does not happen again.

Legislation could be debated during the regular session that begins in April that would legalize hemp. Louisiana Industrial Hemp Alliance Representative Arthur Walker says hemp is a commodity that’s wanted in China and it can be used in plastics, asphalt and clothing. He says Louisiana’s fertile grounds would be a good growing spot…
cut 5 (09) “….ideal”
Advocates will have to convince lawmakers that you can’t get high off of hemp.

The LHSAA Annual Convention begins today and there’s a proposal up for debate that would let private schools hold their football championships at a venue other than the Superdome…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Three young men are in custody for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Chandler Erskine of Oak Grove. State Police say Erskine and another person were shot when a group of individuals met at the Oak Grove Rodeo Arena for an unknown reason. The second victim in the shooting is said to be in serious condition. The three men arrested are from Oak Grove.

6:45 LRN Sportscast January 23

LSU basketball puts its seven-game winning streak on the line tonight when they host Georgia at 6 PM in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Tigers coach Will Wade says his team is playing with great rhythm and the chemistry is great…
cut 18 (16) “….get better”
The Tigers have also won 17 straight at the P-MAC which ties for fourth longest in program history.

Elsewhere, Northwestern State hosts Sam Houston State. The Bearkats are 5-0 in league play, while the Demons are 2-and-3. Nicholls is at Corpus Christi. The Colonels are trying to break a two-game losing streak. Southeastern looks for its third straight win when they visit Houston Baptist. UNO is at Central Arkansas in a game featuring two teams with identical 4-and-2 conference records.

After a five-game road trip, the Pelicans are home tonight to take on the Pistons. No Anthony Davis for New Orleans today and he might be out longer than originally expected. It was estimated he could miss a week or two because of an injured finger, but now there’s a report he could be out two to four weeks if a specialist finds a fracture in his left index finger.

The LHSAA Annual Convention begins today and there’s a proposal up for debate that would let private schools hold their football championships at a venue other than the Superdome. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

6:30 LRN Newscast January 23

Lawsuits have been filed against the NFL claiming the league must pay damages to fans who are suffering from Sunday’s NFC Championship game. New Orleans Attorney Frank D’Amico says the non pass interference call in the final two minutes of regulation was egregious and demands a recourse…
cut 14 (10) “…courts by Monday”
And a Lafayette attorney is seeking an injunction to stop the Super Bowl. Legal analysts say these suits are not expected to be successful.

Another cold front is moving through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 7 (08) “….said and done”
And just like on Saturday, temperatures will drop. High temperatures only in the 40s for north and central Louisiana today and we’ll see freezing temps for much of the state tomorrow morinng.

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp regulation on a state level, so could we see it legalized in Louisiana? Matt Doyle talked to one group pushing to make it happen…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

LRN AM Newscall Correction ###Corrects the last name of the attorney in the Saints suit story####

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp regulation on a state level, so could we see it legalized in Louisiana? Matt Doyle talked to one group pushing to make it happen…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

The LHSAA Annual Convention begins today in Baton Rouge and there’s a proposal up for debate that would let select or private schools hold their football championships at a venue other than the Superdome. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

_______________________________

A New Orleans lawyer is taking the side of the Saints in the courtroom an attempt to get NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to provide answers following the Burglary on the Bayou.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

An organization is gearing up to push for hemp legalization in Louisiana after the 2018 Farm Bill let states start regulating it. Louisiana Industrial Hemp Alliance Representative Arthur Walker says it’s a lucrative cash crop that currently has to be mostly imported, and is found in a range of products.

Cut 4 (11) “…can do.”

According to PEW, 19 states harvested industrial hemp last year, but only 25,000 total acres. Walker says it’s a hearty crop that can sprout up just about anywhere, so Louisiana’s fertile lands would be perfect.

Cut 5 (09) “…ideal.”

Some lawmakers have expressed concern that allowing hemp would lead to kids using recreational marijuana.

When most people hear hemp, they think pot, which historically has kept the plant from taking root. Walker says while hemp is related to marijuana, they are not the same, and industrial hemp cannot get you stoned.

Cut 6 (10) “…you high.”

The state legislature would have to pass a regulatory bill for hemp growth to be allowed here.

___________________________________________________

The Saints Super Bowl hopes isn’t the only thing going cold in the Bayou State this week as more cold air moves into the state today.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says with this latest front you’ll need to dress warm for the next few days and arm yourself with an umbrella for today

Cut 7 (08) “…said and done.”

Keim says the northern parishes have already seen a massive drop in temps compared to yesterday afternoon.

Cut 8 (07) “…across northern parishes.”

Keim says by this afternoon the front will have crossed the state and the cold temps will continue to drop throughout the afternoon and into tomorrow as well.

Cut 9 (07) “…across northern parishes.″

Keim says it’s not atypical to receive this type of arctic blast at this time of the year.

_________________________________

There’s a push at this week’s Louisiana High School Athletic Association annual convention to allow schools in the “select” divisions, generally private schools, the ability to choose their own championship game locations. Teurlings Catholic principal Mike Boyer says ideally, “select” teams could host the championship at the higher seeded team’s home field to save on stadium rental costs.

Cut 10 (10) “non-revenue sports”

The move was inspired in part by disappointing revenue for high schools in the 2017 state football championships, a year where the cost to rent the Superdome increased significantly.

Opponents argue that would likely mean student-athletes from select schools would not have the chance to play at big, nationally recognized venues for their championship games. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says depriving select school kids of a trip to the Superdome is wrong

Cut 11 (11) “…argument wise.”

The other “split division sports” include baseball, softball, and girls and boys basketball, and they all have predetermined championship venues.

Boyer says he understands the argument about keeping kids out of the dome, but believes students are not motivated by the venue, they’re motivated by the title.

Cut 12 (07) “…might be.”

Many select schools have indicated that they do not think they need the rest of the LHSAA to hold a select school vote on the matter, but Bonnie disagrees. He says the whole argument is a moot point, because the constitution of the LHSAA would prevent such an action.

Cut 13 (09) “…gonna play.”

The convention begins today and a vote on the proposal to separate championship venues will take place Friday.

_______________________________________________

Lawsuits have been filed against the NFL over Sunday’s NFC Championship game. New Orleans Attorney Frank D’Amico says the non pass interference call in the final two minutes of regulation was egregious and demands recourse…

Cut 14 (10) “…courts by Monday.”

An NFL rule gives NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell the  authority to call the two teams back to the Superdome and resume the game from the point where the penalty should have been called. D’Amico says that’s the goal of his suit…

Cut 15 (10) “…from that point.”

D’Amico says the legal action is not a stretch as the no-call appeared to be a deliberate action and an example of a business not operating fairly by its customers.

Cut 16 (14) “…not doing so..″

A Lafayette attorney is seeking an injunction to stop the Super Bowl. Legal analysts say these suits are not expected to be successful.

Governor Edwards has penned a letter to Goodell, expressing his disappointment with the outcome of the game as well.  Edwards said while he doubts Goodell will change the outcome of the game, he suggested Goodell and owners should make sure there is some recourse on the field to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

____________________________________

The 25th ranked LSU men’s basketball team shoots for its eighth straight victory tonight when they host Georgia. The Tigers are 4-0 in league play, while the Bulldogs are 1-and-4. But Coach Will Wade says his team better not be complacent tonight…

 cut 17 (18)   “..play better” 

Wade says his team is playing with great rhtyem during this seven-game winning streak and the chemistry is great too…

Cut 18 (16)  get better” 

LSU enters this game ranked 25th in the country. It’s the first time they’ve been in the Top 25 since November. Wade says when you start receiving national recognition, you can’t let off the gas pedal…

Cut 19 (20)   “…first go around”

16:45 LRN Sportscast January 22nd

Can the Saints rebound from another heartbreaking end to a season? Last year it was Minneapolis Miracle that knocked New Orleans out of the playoffs, this year it’s the Burglary on the Bayou. Saints linebacker DeMario Davis says they need to process the end of this season the right way in order to make another run at a Super Bowl next season…
cut 19 (19) “…be better”
There will be a few Saints players playing in Sunday’s Pro Bowl. Defensive end Cam Jordan says he plan to play, but Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, Terron Armstead and Max Unger are skipping the game

Three Saints players were added to the Pro Bowl squad today, Alvin Kamara, Andrus Peat and Larry Warford.

A lawsuit has been filed in an effort to force the NFL to replay the NFC Championship game, because of the missed pass interference and helmet to helmet call on Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis. There is a rule that gives Commissioner Roger Goodell the authority to take appropriate action if a calamity occurs in an NFL game which the Commissioner deems so extraordinarily unfair. Attorney Frank D’Amico is hoping a hearing on the matter will take place Monday in a New Orleans courtroom, because he believes the fix was in on Sunday.

The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s office has ruled that end of the Saints season was a homicide. Dr. Chuck Preston with the official cause of death…
Cut 13 (10) “…Super Bowl hopes.”
He says criminal intent is clear.

LSU announced the spring football game will be April sixth at One PM. The Tigers will start spring practice on March 7th.

12:30 LRN Newscast January 22nd

Governor John Bel Edwards has officially launched his re-election campaign…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The missed pass interference call in Sunday’s NFC Championship game will hurt businesses that sell Saints merchandise. Pam Randazzo of Black and Gold says they were gearing up to sell Super Bowl gear, until the refs took the game away from the Saints…
cut 10 (09) “…that call”

Three people were killed around midnight last night, including a two-year-old child, when a pickup truck ended up submerged in Bayou LaFourche in Golden Meadow. Senior Trooper Michael Reichardt says the vehicle driven by a 37-year-old Galliano man ran off the roadway in a curve. Reichardt says motorists must understand that driving is a full-time job…
cut 8 (08) “…buckle up”
The victims have been identified as Michael Barthelemy of Galliano, two year old Trisha Bartheelmy and 17-year-old Zackary Cheramie of Golden Meadow.

Authorities say an arrest has been made in the shooting death of 17-year-old Chandler Erskine of Oak Grove. 21-year-old James Turner of West Monroe was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder.

LRN Sportscast 11:40

Saints owner Gayle Benson says its undeniable that her team and Who Dat fans were unfairly deprived of the NFC championship by the no call on a pass interference that happened in the final two minutes of regulation. But New Orleans Cornerback PJ Williams says they can’t blame the result entirely on the officials…
cut 17 (18) “..better so”
Last year, the Saints were eliminated in the playoffs on a last second touchdown pass. Linebacker Craig Robertson says this team knows how to bounce back…
cut 18 (11) “…even more”

With no Anthony Davis in the line-up yesterday because of an injured finger, someone had to step up. Veteran Jahlil Okafor was that guy as he scored a season high 20 points and also had 10 rebounds as New Orleans defeated Memphis 105-85. Jrue Holiday and Nikola Mirotic also added 21 points. New Orleans is back home tomorrow night against Detroit.

The LSU men’s basketball team is back in the AP Top 25 after a two month absence. The Tigers are ranked 25th after beating South Carolina and then 18th ranked Ole Miss. LSU is 4-0 in the SEC, one of two teams still undefeated in league play. Number one Tennessee is the other.

Last night, Prairie View defeated Grambling 83-66. The Tigers turned it over 26 times and committed 29 fouls. Southern won for only the third time this season as the Jaguars defeated Mississippi Valley 80-56.

LSU is ranked number two in the Baseball America preseason poll. Vanderbilt is the preseason number one. Florida is ranked fourth, Mississippi State ninth. The Tigers begin preseason workouts on Friday.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards officially kicked off his re-election campaign today with a message to voters that hits on his accomplishments over the last three years. He says there are more people working in Louisiana than ever before…
cut 4 (10) “…new jobs”

Former Republican Louisiana congressman John Fleming is considering running for governor…
Voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Saints fans are still heartbroken over the missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game, but for businesses that sell team merchandise, the refs’ mistake is hitting them more than just the heart. Black and Gold Shop owner Pam Randazzo says the blown call is costing them money, as they were gearing up to sell Super Bowl items.
Cut 9 (13) “a lot″

To help Saints fans get over the heartbreaking loss, Haydel’s Bakery is making what they call “no ref” cookies. David Haydel….
cut 15 (09) “…cookies”
The head official in Sunday’s NFC Championship game, Bill Vinovich, is featured on the front of the no ref cookie.

10:30 LRN Newscast January 22

Governor John Bel Edwards officially launched his re-election campaign with a video message to voters. The main theme is that he says Louisiana is better than it was when he took office in 2016, when he inherited a two-billion dollar plus budget deficit…
cut 3 (11) “…600-million dollars”
Edwards is facing two announced Republican challengers, Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone.

Three people are dead, including a two-year-old child after a pickup truck ran off the road into Bayou Lafourche in Golden Meadow. State Police Senior Trooper Jesse LaGrange says it happened shortly after midnight last night on LA 308 and the driver, 37-year-old Michael Barthelemy of Galliano overcorrected…
cut 6 (06) “…escape it”
Two-year-old Trisha Barthelemy of Galliano and 17-year-old Zackary Cheramie of Golden Meadow also died in the crash.

The man who was elected mayor of the Town of Ball last fall, and then disqualified from serving due to his criminal conviction when a new constitutional amendment was also approved, is challenging that decision in appellate court. Roy Hebron, who was convicted for FEMA Fraud in 2011, unseated the incumbent. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says even though he ran before the amendment went into effect…
Cut 7 (09) “…public office.”

If you are still frustrated with the refs in the NFC Championship game, Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans has created a cookie called the no-ref cookie. Head ref Bill Vinovich’s face is displayed prominently on the front of the confection, and Haydel says taking that first bite might make you feel a bit better about the Burglary on the Bayou…
Cut 14 (07) “…vengeance there”

9:30 LRN Newscast January 22nd

Pecan growers say they are having another difficult growing season. Ouachita Parish farmer Abraham Fowler says the problem this time is too much rain….
cut 6 (07) “….too much rain”
And there’s more rain in the forecast for today and tomorrow. Fowler says this is the fifth straight year the weather has produced crop losses.

There could be another entry into the 2019 governor’s race. Former Louisiana Congressman John Fleming, who represented the fourth district for eight years, is reportedly considering a run for governor. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow doesn’t give Fleming much of a chance at beating Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards….
cut 11 (12) “…for the Republicans”
The two Republican candidates announced so far are Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone.

In November, a central Louisiana town voted a convicted felon into office, and now he’s being disqualified from holding the office due to the approval of a Constitutional amendment that was on that same ballot…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

KALB-TV reports former Bunkie Police Chief Bobby Corner will plead not guilty to malfeasance charges today at the Avoyelles Parish courthouse. State Police say Corner allowed multiple pieces of evidence to be unsecured, misplaced and lost in the police department’s building. Corner lost his re-election bid last April, after serving one-term.