7:30 LRN Newscast February 4

The first batch of medical marijuana grown in Louisiana has passed the state agriculture department’s extensive testing process and now the grower, G-B Sciences, will work to produce a large quantity of the medicinal cannabis. Advocates have expressed frustration in the long process, but Doctor Bill Richardson with the LSU Ag Center says it’s necessary…
cut 6 (10) “…asked for”
Some have estimated medical marijuana will be available to the public in the summer.

Super Bowl 53 was far from Super as New England defeated the Rams 13-3 in the lowest scoring Super Bowl ever. In 2024, New Orleans will host its 11th Super Bowl and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President and CEO Jay Cicero was in Atlanta to see how it was put together…
cut 11 (11) “…opportunities”

A Shreveport mom received a 30-day prison sentence because her two children didn’t attend school for a year and a half. Caddo Parish Chief Deputy District Attorney Wilbert Pryor says 35-year-old Fathimah Slack was arrested in November living a questionable lifestyle…
cut 14 (12) “….some strip clubs”
Pryor says the children are in the custody of a family member and attending school.

The San Diego Zoo Kids Channel is now available for patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. It’s a closed circuit TV adventure channel that offers family friendly, animal oriented content that’s both entertaining and educational. Spokesperson for the Zoo, Debra Erickson, says parents say it gives families hope.
cut 7 (09) “…normal life”
The channel is currently available in 203 facilities, including the children’s hospital in New Orleans.

6:45 LRN Sportscast Feb 4

If you boycotted Sunday’s Super Bowl you picked a good game not to watch as the Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3 for New England’s sixth NFL championship. There were nearly as many as punts as points. Former Louisiana Tech standout Ryan Allen averaged 43 yards a punt and had three inside the 20 for New England. Pats wide receiver Julian Edelman was named the Super Bowl MVP.

Saturday was a big day for Louisiana football as three players with strong ties to the state were elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Former Desterehan star Ed Reed is a first ballot Hall of Famer, while former LSU Tigers Kevin Mawae and Johnny Robinson are the fourth and fifth LSU players to receive an invite into the Hall.

Dennis Allen is reportedly staying with the Saints to remain as the team’s defensive coordinator. The Cincinnati Bengals also reportedly had interest in Allen, whose contract expired at the end of the season.

Wednesday is national signing day for college football, the LSU Tigers received a commitment from the nation’s number six junior college strong side defensive end. Soni Funua had 114 tackles and 4.5 sacks over the last two seasons at Mesa Community College.

The 19th ranked LSU men’s basketball team is no longer tied for first place in the SEC. The Bayou Bengals 10-game winning streak ended on Saturday with a 90-89 loss to Arkansas. The Razorbacks hit 13, 3-pointers. LSU is at Mississippi State on Wednesday night. The Bulldogs are 4-4 in league play and coming off a win over Ole Miss.

On Saturday, La Tech, ULM and UL-Lafayette all lost. UNO won its third straight as the Privateers defeated Incarnate Word 89-72. UNO is 7-3 in the Southland. Southeastern is 5-4 after a 91-70 win over the Colonels. Nicholls has lost five straight.

6:30 LRN Newscast Feb 4

It’s been a long road for medical marijuana in Louisiana, but LSU AgCenter Dean of Agriculture Dr. Bill Richardson says the first batch of medical marijuana grown by GB Sciences and the AgCenter has passed testing. Advocates have voiced displeasure with the delays, but Richardson says the extensive testing process can not be rushed.
Cut 4 (11) “…anticipated.”
Richardson says he can not commit to date on when medical marijuana will be available, there have been projections for this summer.

The Atlanta Super Bowl is in the books, and it’s only five years until the big game makes it’s return to the Big Easy. New Orleans has hosted 10 so far, tied with Miami for the most. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says it’s a half decade away but they’re already preparing…
Cut 10 (08) “…2024”

Thousands of Who Dats took to the streets in New Orleans on Super Bowl Sunday for Second Line parades as many in the Black and Gold nation turned their back on the Super Bowl. Many were waiving yellow towels in reference to the missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game.

Patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge have new television programming to watch with the introduction of the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Revised LRN Newscall for Feb 4 2019

The first batch of medical pot from GB Sciences and the LSU AgCenter has passed muster, and the program is set to begin full scale production soon…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

Patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge have new television programming to watch with the introduction of the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_______________________________

A Shreveport woman received a 30 day prison sentence after she allowed her kids to play hooky from school for over a year.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

It’s been a long road for medical marijuana in Louisiana, but LSU AgCenter Dean of Agriculture Dr. Bill Richardson says the first batch of medical marijuana grown by GB Sciences and the AgCenter has passed testing. Advocates have voiced displeasure with a series of delays to the release date, but Richardson says it’s an extensive safety process that cannot be rushed.

Cut 4 (11) “…anticipated.”

The AgCenter and GB Sciences are partners in the effort to develop the treatment.

Last week ,reports mentioned the product would be ready available for those with a prescription by summer, but Richardson says he can’t commit to that date just yet.

Cut 5 (09) “…we hope.”

Despite passing, GB Sciences says they are waiting until they have a steady stream of product before they release it to the 10 pharmacies that have been licensed for sale.

The first medical marijuana legislation legalization law passed in 2015, and Richardson says he understands why advocates are frustrated with the long process, but says they will not allow a faulty product to be released to the public.

Cut 6 (10) “….asked for”

___________________________________________________

Patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge have new television programming to watch with the introduction of the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel.  It’s a closed circuit TV adventure channel that offers family friendly, animal oriented content that’s both entertaining and educational.  Spokesperson for the Zoo, Debra Erickson, says the feedback from viewers is positive, adding parents say it gives families hope.

Cut 7 (09) “…and normal life.”

The channel is currently available in 203 facilities, 39 states and DC, and 8 different countries, including children’s hospital in New Orleans.  The channel has also filmed content at the Baton Rouge Zoo with animals native to the Bayou state.

Cut 8 (10) “…next few weeks.”

The partnership between the channel and the hospital was made possible with the help of the Baton Rouge Zoo, who will now be bring animals by the hospital.

Cut 9 (09) “…a regular basis.″

_________________________________

The Atlanta Super Bowl is in the books, and it’s only five years until the big game makes it’s return visit to the big easy. New Orleans has hosted 10 so far, tied with Miami for the most. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says it’s a half decade away but they’re already preparing…

Cut 10 (08) “…2024”

The last New Orleans Super Bowl was in 2013, where the power infamous died during the Ravens triumph over the 49ers. Beyonce also played the halftime show.

Technology will likely be a bit different in five years, but Cicero says the fundamentals of hosting tens of thousands of football’s biggest fans won’t change…

Cut 11 (11) “….opportunities”

But 2024 is a ways away, and New ORleans will play host to quite a few major sporting events between now and then.

Cut 12 (11) “…final four”

_____________________________

A Shreveport mom pleads guilty to improper supervision after authorities learned she allowed her kids to play hooky from school.  Caddo Parish Chief Deputy District Attorney Wilbert Pryor says 35 year old Fathimah Slack’s 13 and 14 year-old children missed over a year and a half of school.

Cut 13 (10) “…of 2018.”

Slack was arrested in November.  Pryor says she was living a questionable lifestyle.

Cut 14 (12) “…some strip clubs.”

Slack was sentenced to 30 days behind bars, the maximum sentence for the crime, but received credit for time served and is now out of prison.  Pryor says the children are in the custody of a family member and attending school, trying to catch up with their classmates…

Cut 15 (07) “…should be in.”

_______________________

16:45 LRN Sportscast

All-Star Anthony Davis has explained why he asked for a trade out of New Orleans. Davis says he’s given all he can to the Pelicans and the time is right for him to play elsewhere…
cut 10 (05) “….advantage of that”
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday. Davis said he did not give a timetable on when he would like to be traded and didn’t provide any preferred destinations.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees was a guest on several TV and radio shows in Atlanta on Friday and of course he was asked about the infamous blown pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. Brees said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should have said something sooner about the no call than waiting until this past Wednesday to address the controversy.

The Saints are reportedly making changes with their special teams coaches. Mike Westoff and his staff are being let go and New Orleans will reportedly bring in longtime Dolphins special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.

The 19th ranked LSU Tigers take an 11-game winning streak into tomorrow’s game against Arkansas at 5:00 inside the P-MAC. Coach Will Wade says his team has a good away about themselves….
cut 18 (20) “…it’s fun”
LSU and Tennessee are the two teams in the SEC that are undefeated in conference play.

In West Monroe, they will be watching the Super Bowl and rooting for hometown hero Andrew Whitworth, the veteran offensive tackle for the Rams who also starred at LSU. State Senator Mike Walsworth says Whitworth is a real leader for the West Monroe community…
cut 15 (06) “…kids”
Whitworth can become the 16th former LSU Tiger to have won both a national title and a Super Bowl.

15:30 LRN Newscast Feb 1

Accused killer Dakota Theriot declined to fight extradition back to Louisiana during a hearing in Virginia today. He faces five counts of first-degree murder for allegedly killing his parents in Ascension and three others in Livingston Parish. Legal analyst Tim Meche…
cut 14 (10) “…man suffer”
A court-appointed attorney in Virginia said that Theriot drove to Virginia so that he can hug and kiss his two aunts and grandmother goodbye.

Pelcians All-Star Forward Anthony Davis says he’s given the New Orleans franchise all that he can and it’s time to move on. Davis did not give a timetable on when he would like to be traded and didn’t provide any preferred destinations. He says if not traded this year, he’ll suit up for the Pels when his injured finger heals…
cut 11 (10) “…I get traded”
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday.

Louisiana movers and shakers in politics and business are in the nation’s capitol for Washington D.C. Mardi Gras. DC Mardi Gras King Ray Brandt says there’s a packed schedule of events
cut 27 (09) “…too make”
Brandt says both Democrats and Republicans can agree that D-C Mardi Gras is a good time.

A Cajun groundhog will give his prediction on how long Spring will be during a ceremony Saturday morning in downtown New Iberia. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LRN PM Newscall Feb 1

Waitr has released a list of it’s most popular Super Bowl Sunday food choices, ahead of what is usually one of the busiest days for food delivery services.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________

A Cajun groundhog will give his prediction on how long Spring will be during a ceremony Saturday morning in downtown New Iberia. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________________________

Food delivery service Waitr has released a top 10 list of what people order for Super Bowl Sunday. The list is unsurprisingly topped by wings, fries, and burgers. But Waitr spokesperson Whitney Savioe says at number nine, an iconic Louisiana food makes the list.

Cut 3 (07) “…in Louisiana”

Traditional wings topped the list, followed boneless wings at 2, and reports estimate nearly 1.3 billion chicken wings will be consumed on Sunday.

And if you’re a Who Dat who’s not boycotting the Super Bowl, you’ll probably be either hosting, or heading to a party for the Rams/Pats showdown, and that means you’ll need a good spread. Savioe says once the party gets together, you can make sure everyone gets what they want, without one person being stuck with a monster tab by using the “Group Order” option.

Cut 4 (11) “dollar fee″

And while the company says they’ve scheduled extra drivers for Super Bowl Sunday, Savioe recommends placing a “future order” to ensure you get your food exactly when you need it.

Cut 5 (11) “…hours early”

Kickoff is set for 530PM Sunday.

_________________________________________________

Saturday marks the 20th year Pierre C. Shadeaux will exit his hand built Cajun home in downtown New Iberia as a crowd awaits whether or not he will see his shadow. It’s a fun twist on Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog’s Day celebration. Zoosiana Zoo of Acadiana spokesperson Lea Loftin says unlike the Pennsylvania version, Pierre will not predict the length of winter…

Cut 6 (10) “…longer spring”

Punxsutawney Phil has been checking his shadow since 1887.

It’s a tradition that was started by the Daily Iberian, and Loftin says the rat’s been pretty spot on with its predictions over the last two decades, and the Coypu pretty regularly sees it’s shadow…

Cut 7 (12) “…every year” (2x)

The swamp rat was brought to Louisiana about 100 years ago, and has since infested the bayous, eating roots vital to the marshland’s existence. Loftin says they hope to use the event to educate kids on the dangers of invasive species, but also to just throw a great party for everyone who attends.

Cut 8 (09) “music playing”

the festival kicks off at 730 in the morning.

_______________________

Anthony Davis addressed the media today, speaking on his trade aspirations to leave the Pelicans in favor of playing for a team with the ability to win more consistently.  Davis says he feels that it’s just the right time to leave the Big Easy.

Cut 9 (08) “…play this game.″

Davis says he’s working to get his finger healthy, which has kept him benched recently.  He says the conversation about leaving the Pels was a tough one to have.

Cut 10 (05) “…advantage of that”.

Davis says when he’s healthy, he’s still ready to suit up for the Pelicans and will continue on in a professional manner.

Cut 11 (10) “…I get traded.”

_______________________________

Accused murderer Dakota Theriot returns to Louisiana today after waiving his extradition at a court hearing in Virginia. Theriot is accused of murdering a family he lived with in the Walker area, before heading to Gonzales to execute his parents, and then fleeing to Virginia. Legal Analyst Tim Meche on what happens next

Cut 12 (12)   “…death penalty.”

Theriot allegedly drove to Virginia to tell his grandmother and aunts “I love you, I’m sorry.”

An Advocate report earlier this week mentioned Theriot had previous mental instability and suffered from hallucinations, and Meche says if that’s true, it could make it less likely that the 21-year-old would be sentenced to death.

Cut 13 (12) “…penalty.”

The report also noted Theriot had several short term mental health stays, and a record with the police that included threatening to burn his parents’ house down with them in it.

Theriot allegedly admitted guilt to Louisiana investigators when they visited him in Virginia. Meche says that takes a lot of the effort out of one portion of the trial, but it could still take some time to have a final sentencing.

Cut 14 (10) “…man suffer.”

 

14:30 LrN Newscast Feb 1

Accused murderer Dakota Theriot is headed back to Louisiana today after waiving his extradition at a court hearing in Virginia. Theriot stands accused of murdering three members of a family he lived with in the Walker area, before heading to Gonzales to execute his parents, and then fleeing to Virginia. Legal Analyst Tim Meche on what happens next.
Cut 12 (12) “…death penalty.”
During his extradition hearing today, a court-appointed attorney said Theriot drove to Virginia to tell his two aunts and grandmother good-bye.

All-Star Anthony Davis explained today why he’s asked for a trade out of New Orleans. Davis says he’s given all he can to the Pelicans and the time is right for him to play elsewhere…
cut 10 (05) “….advantage of that”
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday.

It will be a unique Super Bowl Sunday in Louisiana as many will watch something other than the game, because of the blown missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship. Acadiana morning show host Fast Eddie says they’ll take some of their frustrations out with a viewing party of the Saints Super Bowl Victory over the Colts at Smitty’s Wings in Lafayette…
cut 30 (09) “….a good day”
Even Governor John Bel Edwards has said he plans on watching something on Netflix on Sunday.

Saturday in New Iberia, the Cajun groundhog gives us his prediction on whether we’ll see a short spring and a longer summer, that is if he sees his shadow during a 7:30 ceremony. Zoosiana Zoo of Acadiana Director of Marketing Lea Loftin says Pierre C Shadeaux has been accurate lately…
cut 7 (12) “…every year”

1:30 LRN Newscast Feb 1

All-Star Anthony Davis addressed the media today, speaking on his trade aspirations to leave the Pelicans in favor of playing for a team that’s a more consistent winner. Davis says he feels that it’s just the right time to leave the Big Easy.
Cut 9 (08) “…play this game.″
Davis says he didn’t give the Pelicans a list of trade destinations and he’s not sure if he’ll be traded this season or in the offseason.

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day and in downtown New Iberia on Saturday morning people will gather to find out if Pierre C Shadeaux, a nutria rat, will see his shadow. If Pierre does, that means a short spring and long summer. Zoosiana Zoo of Acadiana spokesperson Lee Loftin says the event has turned into a party…
cut 8 (09) “…music playing”
Pierre will make his spring time prediction at 7:30.

The missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game has led several businesses to boycott Sunday’s Super Bowl. Kevin Barnhart found out what they are doing instead…
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There will still be Super Bowl watch parties. If you use the Waitr app to order food delivery, Whitney Savoie, says you can make sure everyone gets what they want, without one person being stuck with a monster tab by using the “Group Order” option.
Cut 4 (11) “dollar fee″

11:40 LRN Sportscast February 1

Thursday night was not a good night for Louisiana college basketball teams. UL-Lafayette, ULM, La Tech and Tulane all lost. The Cajuns fell behind 17-0 and lost to Appalachian State 104-77. The Warhawks fell to Coastal Carolina 92-81. F-A-U topped Tech 69-61 and East Carolina upended Tulane 66-65.

19th ranked LSU goes after its 11th straight win tomorrow when they host the Razorbacks at 5 PM. After losing four straight SEC games, Arkansas has won its last two. Coach Will Wade says the Razorbacks are an up and coming team…
Cut 19 (20) “…better at”

It will be a unique Super Bowl Sunday in Louisiana as many will watch something other than the game, because of the blown missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. Acadiana morning show host Fast Eddie says they’ll take some of their frustrations out with a viewing party of the Saints Super Bowl Victory over the Colts at Smitty’s Wings in Lafayette…
cut 13 (09) “….a good day”
Even Governor John Bel Edwards has said he plans on watching something on Netflix on Sunday.

In West Monroe, they will be watching the game and rooting for hometown hero Andrew Whitworth, the veteran offensive tackle for the Rams who also starred at LSU. State Senator Mike Walsworth says Whitworth is a real leader for the West Monroe community…
cut 15 (06) “…kids”
Whitworth can become the 16th former LSU Tiger to have won both a national title and a Super Bowl.