9:30 LRN Newscast January 16

A Board of Regents report finds that students who do not meet academic requirements, but are still able to enroll at a college, do not perform at the same level as those students who met the academic requirements. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says many of those students admitted by exceptions are first generation college students, who need more support to succeed in college…
cut 9 (11) “….successful”

LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing is ranked 10th among all nursing schools in the United States according to a ranking by Nursing Schools in Almanac. Dean and Professor Demetrius Porche says it’s a proud achievement…
cut 15 (11) “…within nursing”

According to data from the National Education Association, public school teachers who first start out, are paid about 15-hundred dollars more than the national average for rookie teachers around the country. But after a few years, the average salary for a veteran teacher falls significantly below the national average. Teacher unions say the higher than average starting salary attracts teachers to the profession.

The Louisiana Family Forum is seeking the best examples of lasting love as they want to find the longest married couples for Valentine’s Day. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

8:30 LRN Newscast January 16

Three men have been arrested in last week’s shooting death of rookie Shreveport police officer Chateri Payton, who was shot multiple times outside a home as she was leaving for her night shift. The suspects have been charged with second-degree murder and more information will be released at 10 AM.

A Board of Regents report shows students who get into college with “academic exemptions” perform notably worse than students who do meet the minimum requirements for admission…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU Health New Orleans Nursing School is ranked 10th among all nursing schools in the United States by Nursing Schools Almanac. Nursing Dean and professor Demetrius Porche says the national ranking shows LSU Health New Orleans is doing its part to meet the demand for nurses…
cut 14 (10) “…licensure”
Porche credits the dedication of their nursing students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Valentine Day’s is about a month away and the Louisiana Family Forum is looking for the top ten longest married couples that can be entered into the L-F-F Marriage Hall of Fame. Kristie Cross says it’s a ranking they put together every year…
cut 11 (11) “..and 74 years”
For more information go to the Louisiana Family Forum website.

7:30 LRN Newscast January 16

Three men are behind bars charged with murder in the slaying of rookie Shreveport police officer Chateri Payne. 26-year-old Treveon Anderson, 22-year-old Lawrence Pierre and 38-year-old Glenn Frierson are facing a charge of second-degree murder. Police will release more details about last week’s murder of Payne at 10 AM today.

A Board of Regents report shows students allowed into higher education through “academic exemptions” had noticeably lower college GPA and graduation rates. The report was spurred by LSU’s admission that they had doubled the number of exempted students allowed into the institution. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says most of the exemptions were in one category.
Cut 7 (06) “…requirement.”
Reed says the report also shows student-athletes admitted by exceptions perform closer to the average, because they receive more academic support.

With the Saints hosting two playoff games this month, it’s keeping hotel rooms booked in the Crescent City. It’s unknown how many fans the Rams will bring to Sunday’s NFC Championship game, but President of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Jay Cicero, says they know Who Dats will be there…
cut 5 (12) “….weekend”

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again looking for the state’s longest married couple. Unfortunately, the longest married known couple the last three years, Lawrence and Valerie Player of Benton, both passed away in the last year, so Kristie Cross says the Louisiana Family Forum is looking for a new couple to honor on Valentine’s Day…
cut 12 (11) “…go to them”
Entries into the Family Forum must be made by February 5th.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Coach Will Wade was concerned about his defense heading into last night’s match up with 18th ranked Ole Miss, but they were up to the test in Oxford. The Tigers held the Rebels to 41-percent shooting from the field and forced 16 turnovers in an 83-69 win over the Rebels, who saw their 10-game winning streak snapped. The game was tied at halftime, but the Tigers outscored the Rebels 52-38 in the second half. Tremont Waters led the way with 20 points and nine assists. LSU is now 3-0 in the SEC, one of three teams with an undefeated record in league play. The Tigers, who have won six in a row, host South Carolina on Saturday, who is also 3-0 in the SEC.

Tonight in the Association, the Pelicans are at Golden State. The Warriors set an NBA record with 51 points in the first quarter last night as the defending NBA champs moved into first place in the Western Conference with a 142-111 win over Denver.

New Orleans and Los Angeles meet in the NFC Championship game Sunday. Rams running back Todd Gurley was bothered by a sore knee at the end of the regular season, but he looked good in last week’s playoff win over Dallas. The former Georgia Bulldog rushed for 115 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. Saints linebacker AJ Klein says Gurley is a big, physical running back that’s hard to tackle…
cut 17 (18) “….match ups”
The Saints held Gurley to 68 yards in their regular season match-up.

Washington State will name a new neuroscience center after former Saints star Steve Gleason. The 41-year-old Gleason is from Spokane and a Washington State graduate. He’s now a major advocate for A-L-S.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Shreveport police have arrested three individuals in connection with last week’s fatal shooting of rookie police officer Chateri Payne, as she was getting ready to report for her night shift. The suspects apprehended range in ages from 22 to 38-years-old. More details will be released at a 10 AM press conference with police chief Ben Raymond.

Postseason success for the Saints results in a victory for the local economy. Connor Ferrill has more.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill.”

The Board of Regents has released preliminary numbers that shows only 32-percent of students who are admitted into a higher education institution without meeting minimum admissions, graduate in six years. compared to half without exemptions. Students admitted by exceptions also averaged a 2.0 grade point average, while non-exempt students averaged 2.7. But Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says student athletes who didn’t meet admission standards perform much closer to average…
cut 8 (09) “…successful”

LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing has been ranked the 10th best nursing school in the nation by Nursing Schools Almanac, and 4th among all public schools. Nursing Dean Demetrius Porche credits the wealth of programs available, and the success of their graduates.
Cut 13 (10) “…we have.”

LRN Sportscast January 15

For the third time this season, the Saints will face the Rams in New Orleans on Sunday. New Orleans beat Los Angeles in the preseason, regular season and this Sunday a trip to the Super Bowl is on the line. Coach Sean Payton says L-A has one of the N-F-L’s best D-lines led by Aaron Donald…
cut 17 (16) “….tape here”

Expect another loud Superdome crowd Sunday. The decibel level reached a reported 128 in the win over the Eagles. Southeastern Louisiana Communications Professor Joe Burns has this advice, if you bring young kids to the game…
cut 15 (11) “…to you”

LSU will look to remain unbeaten in SEC play tonight when the Tigers travel to Oxford to face the 18th ranked Ole Miss Rebels. Ole Miss moved up into the Top 25 in the latest poll by beating two ranked teams last week, Auburn and Mississippi State. LSU is averaging 91 points a game in two SEC contests, but they’ve also allowed 84 points a game in league play and Coach Will Wade says they have to get better on defense.

The Ragin Cajuns JaKeenan Gant has been named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the week. The six-foot-eight senior from Georiga had 36 points at Georgia State and 22 points against Georgia Southern last week. U-L Lafayette is at ULM this Saturday.

The Pelicans are now 1-1 on their five game road trip after beating the Los Angeles Clippers 121 to 117 last night. New Orleans will face the Golden State Warriors tomorrow. The defending NBA champs are on a four-game winning streak heading into their big match-up with Denver tonight.

LRN PM Newscall January 15

Two trucking companies involved in the fatal Florida interstate crash that killed five Marksville children are being sued…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is celebrating 50 years with a star-studded lineup.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 2 (28) “Im Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________________________

The family of one of the Marksville children who died in a fiery interstate calamity outside of Gainesville, Florida has hired an attorney to pursue damages against the two truckers and companies involved in the crash that killed five children. Attorney Joe Fried says his office is conducting its own investigation into the tragedy.

Cut 3 (10) “…discovered”

Eagles Express Lines and New Prime, have been named in the suit, along with their two drivers who died in the crash. Fried says they hope to recover damages for the family of 14-year-old Jeremiah Wright, against one, or all of the parties involved.

Cut 4 (10) “…the investigation″

Reports several days after the wreck noted one of the drivers had been cited several times for his driving, but Fried says it’s too early to confirm that information.

Fried says he’s interested in getting a close look at the history of the companies, and safety policies at both of the trucking corporations involved. He says hopefully if there are systemic safety issues at one or both of the companies, the suit can force the companies to address them.

Cut 5 (10) “…happen”

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The 50th annual New Orleans Jazzfest has unveiled its lineup, and it features some of the biggest names in music. Festival producer Quint Davis says there are no shortage of acts to grab the attention of festival enthusiasts. Pop superstar Katy Perry will perform during the first weekend of the festival and a legendary act rumored is now confirmed….

Cut 6 (07) “…The Rolling Stones.”

While the clear cut headliner is The Rolling Stones, Davis explains the undercard isn’t too bad either.

Cut 7 (11) “…Trombone Shorty.”

Davis says the rest of the US tour for the Stones has been sold out for months, but says locals will get the first opportunity to buy tickets this week.

Cut 8 (13) “…for only Louisianians.”

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When asked which teams she’d like to welcome to Atlanta for the Super Bowl, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says “Just anybody other than the Saints. If it can’t be the Falcons, then hey, as long as it’s not the Saints then I’m happy.” New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation President Mark Romig says it’s all in good fun.

Cut 9 (11) “…Saints.″

Bottoms also added “I know there’s going to be a bounty on my head for saying that”, as she reportedly smiled.

And if the Saints power past the Rams for this Sunday’s NFC Championship clash, they’ll be taking that trip to Atlanta. Romig says it’s a wonderful city, and luckily for the Black and Gold Nation, easy to get to.

Cut 10 (09) “…bus services.”

Romig says the rivalry is an economically beneficial one for both cities, as fans travel back and forth, sometimes several times a year. He says if the Saints are not in the Super Bowl when New Orleans hosts again, he’d love to have Dirty Bird fans visit the Big Easy for the Big Game.

Cut 11 (10) “…New Orleans”

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Authorities have identified the 91-year-old man killed in a Union Parish house fire on Monday. Robert Jones of Marion and his two Labrador retrievers died in the blaze. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they are still trying to determine the cause

Cut 12 (09)   “…wood burning stove.” 

Investigators believe the fire originated in the home’s living room and the victim was using a wood-burning stove to produce heat. Rodrigue has this advice for others who use a wood-burning fireplace or stove…

Cut 13 (09) “…combustible items.”

The blaze started around 3:15 Monday afternoon. Rodrigue says when State Fire Marshal investigators arrived, local firefighters were still extinguishing the fire

Cut 14 (12) “…92nd birthday.”

2:30 LRN Newscast Jan 15

The Rolling Stones is the headline performer at 50th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Producer Quint Davis says the legendary rock band will perform at the Fairgrounds on May 2nd and tickets go on sale later this week…
cut 8 (13) “…for only Louisianians”
And then tickets will be available to non-Louisiana residents on Friday. The tickets are not cheap, 185-dollars a piece.

It sounds like the mayor of Atlanta took a cheap shot at Saints fans. Keisha Lance Bottoms was asked who she’d like to see in the Super Bowl when the city hosts the big game a week from Sunday. Bottoms said anyone but the Saints. New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation President Mark Romig says the Crescent City would not have that attitude…
cut 11 (10) “…New Orleans”

Two trucking companies involved in the fatal Florida interstate crash that killed five Marksville children are being sued…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana residents on food stamps can expect their February benefits this week, because of the partial government shutdown. Department of Children and Family Services Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory says recipients must be aware that these are not extra benefits, so budget accordingly for February.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Funeral services are today for two of the five children from Marksville killed in the fiery crash on a Florida interstate on January third, 14-year-old Joel Cloud and 14-year-old Jeremiah Warren. Warren’s family has hired well known attorney Joel Fried as his family is seeking damages. Fried says he’s filed court paper seeking more information on the drivers and two truck companies involved…
cut 5 (09) “…happen”

Authorities have identified the 91-year-old man killed in a Union Parish house fire on Monday. Robert Jones of Marion and his two Labrador retrievers died in the blaze. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they are still trying to determine the cause…
cut 12 (09) “…wood burning stove”

The Rolling Stones and Katy Perry are the headliners for the 50th anniversary of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Tickets for the Rolling Stone will cost 185-dollars to see Mick Jagger and the boys perform on May 2nd. Producer Quint Davis says the music festival features several other big acts…
cut 7 (10) “…Trombone Shorty”
Thursday April 25th is the opening date of the festival.

During Sunday’s Saints playoff win, the Dome rumbled as fans roared at a recorded 128 decibels….
Cut 13 (11) “…of loudness.”
That’s Southeastern Louisiana Communications Professor Joe Burns says it’s likely that reported 128 Db was only a momentary spike, and not a prolonged period that could result in hearing damage.

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 15

Anthony Davis missed his first five shots last night but ended up with 46 points and 16 rebounds as the Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 121 to 117. Julius Randle added 27 points. It’s the first time the Pels have won a road game in the Western Conference since the season opener against Houston.

LSU is at 18th ranked Ole Miss. The Rebels are a surprising 3-0 in SEC play and is led by Breein Tyree, who is averaging 18 points a game. Terrence Davis and Deveontae Shuler are also averaging double figures. Coach Will Wade says it’s hard to slow down all three of them…
cut 19 (20) “…for us”
Tip off is at 8:00.

A Southeastern Louisiana communications professor says the 128 decibels measured in the dome during Sunday’s Saints win was nearly as loud as a thunder crack at it’s source. Fans watching the game on Fox got a little taste of that roar…
Voicer 3 (33) “I’m Matt Doyle”

In other news…Former McNeese head football coach Lance Guidry has been hired as defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana.

And LSU baseball is ranked second in the D-1 preseason poll. Vanderbilt is number one, Florida is sixth, Georgia is ninth and Ole Miss is 10th.