7:30 LRN Newscast January 8

Governor John Bel Edwards has made giving teachers a pay raise of at 1,000 dollars the cornerstone issue of his 2019 legislative agenda, but questions remain as to how the state will pay for the roughly 135-million dollar proposal. Edwards says he plans to pay for the raise with increased revenue from an improving economy.
Cut 10 (09) “…doing better.”
But House Republican leadership is reluctant to recognize the increased revenues.

Alabama took a pounding in last night’s national championship game losing to Clemson in Santa Clara, California. Next year the game will be in New Orleans and Chief Operating Officer of the Sugar Bowl Jeff Hundley says they’ll have plenty of events leading up to the big game…
cut 15 (09) “….fans to do”
The national title game is expected to bring a 300-million dollar economic impact to the New Orleans region.

Congressman Cedric Richmond says he believes President Trump has committed impeachable offenses, but is waiting for the final results from the Mueller probe before taking action.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Hixson Brothers Funeral Home will handle the funeral services for the five children in Marksville who were killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Florida last week. Vice president of Hixson Brothers Funeral Homes Joel Swisher says the families of the victims are paying for the funerals, but if the public wants to help with additional expenses like medical and travel costs, they can make donations at stepscenla.org.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Finally, It was Alabama on the receiving end of a beating last night as the Clemson Tigers took it to the Tide in the national championship game. Former Jennings standout Travis Etienne scored three touchdowns as Clemson rolled Alabama 44-16. It’s the first time a team beat Bama by 14 points since 2007.

Next year, the college football championship game will be in New Orleans. Jeff Hundley is the Chief Operating Officer of the Sugar Bowl and he says the finale of the college football playoffs has resulted in a 300-million dollar economic impact for the host cities…
cut 14 (06) “…..a destination city”
The championship game will be January 13th.

The Pelicans have hit the halfway point of the NBA with a 19-and-22 record. They won their second straight last night, beating Memphis 114 to 95. Anthony Davis had 36 points and 15 rebounds. Frank Jackson added 17 points off the bench.

LSU returns from an 11-day lay off to face Alabama in the SEC Opener for the Tigers. So what did the Bayou Bengals do during the extended break, Coach Will Wade explains…
cut 20 (18) :”…every day”
LSU has won 15 straight in the PMAC, but Avery Johnson has won five straight over LSU and is 5-and-1 against the Tigers since taking over as the head coach in Tuscaloosa in 2015.

In college hoops last night…Alabama A-and-M defeated Grambling 65-60 in overtime. Texas Southern topped Southern 77-67.

In colelge football, LSU’s straight nose Breiden Fehoko says he’s coming back for his senior season, because in a Twitter post he says the future is bright for the Tigers. Fehoko is also urging defensive end Rashard Lawrence to come back for his senior season.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Edwards has pledged a teacher pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars this year. But how it gets accomplished is unclear. Many Republicans have signaled their support, but suggest the pay raise should be funded with cuts in other areas of the budget. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says no matter how it gets done, it needs to get done…
cut 11 (10) “….do it”
The average pay for a teacher is just below 50-thousand dollars a year, 22-hundred dollars below the Southern Regional Average. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux points out that teachers also spend hundreds of dollars out of pocket every year for supplies…
cut 13 (12) “…stappler”

Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump were re-introduced last week, so we had a chance to talk with Louisiana’s lone Democrat in the state’s Congressional Delegation about whether his colleagues should move to forcibly remove the president from office. Cedric Richmond of New Orleans says he’s waiting for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete his report…
cut 6 (12) “….remove him”
President Trump has tweeted out that how can you impeach a president that’s done nothing wrong, had the most successful first two years of any president and is the most popular Republican in party history.

4:45 LRN Sportscast January 7

The Eagles will fly into New Orleans on Sunday for their NFC playoff matchup with the Saints. It will be the second meeting of the year between the two teams. New Orleans smashed Philly 48-7 in the Superdome in November. Eagles coach Doug Pederson expects a much closer contest this time…
Cut 18 (13) great atmosphere”
Saints Coach Sean Payton says the Eagles are a different team since they last plaed them. Payton was asked during a tele-conference with local media about how different New Orleans is since that Week 11 Blowout win…
cut 30 (12) “…sense of urgence”
The Saints are an 8.5 point favorite. Kick-off on Sunday is at 3:40.

Former Haughton star and Sulphur native Dak Prescott won his first NFL playoff game on Saturday as the Cowboys defeated the Seahawks 24-22. Prescott threw for 226 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown as Dallas moves on to play the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday
Cut 16 (16) keep going”
The Rams and Cowboys are set for a 7:15 kick off on Saturday night.

The Pelicans are looking to start a winning streak tonight when they host Memphis. The Grizzlies have lost five in a row and New Orleans is coming off a 133-98 win over Cleveland on Saturday night.

Southern and Grambling lost their SWAC openers on Saturday. They are both in action tonight. Grambling is at Alabama A-and-M, while Southern hosts Texas Southern.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his legislative agenda today in a speech in front of the Baton Rouge Press Club. Edwards says he’ll ask lawmakers in the spring to approve a pay raise for teachers and he’ll once again support legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage. Wage hike bills have been killed by the republican controlled legislature in years past, but Edwards says that will not deter him…
cut 13 (12) “…those individuals”
Edwards also asked Louisiana residents to pray for the families involved in last week’s wreck in Florida that killed five children from Marksville. We spoke with Marksville Mayor John Lemoine about the support they’ve received nationally….
cut 5 (11) “…country’s had”

State Police say a teenager was killed in a single vehicle crash in Franklin Parish on Sunday. Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says 16-year-old Angel Erwin of Winnsboro ran off the road for unknown reasons and hit a tree. A 15-year-old passenger in the vehicle was also seriously injured. Reichardt says impairment is unknown, but State Police has this message for motorists…
cut 11 (07) “…seatbelt”

Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider blames himself over failing to make the mortgage payments on his 57-acre land in Livingston Parish. The property has been seized and is up for auction January 16th. In a video posted on his Facebook page, Schnedier says he has until January 14th to make something happen and encourages his fans to help by buying items for sale on his website, john-schneider-studios-dot-com…
cut 8 (08) “…on that”

LRN PM Newscall January 7

The Avoyelles Parish town of Marksville remains in mourning over the deaths of five children killed in a fiery crash in Florida.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________________

Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider says his Holden-based production studio was seized because he’s a lot more of a story teller than he is a businessman. Jeff Palermo has more..

Cut 2 (30) “Im Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________________________

The residents of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish are still in mourning following the I-75 crash involving two 18 wheelers that left seven dead, with five being local children on a church trip to Disney last week.  Another candlelight vigil is planned for 5:30 this afternoon at Marksville High School’s football field.  Marksville mayor John Lemoine describes the day the news broke in the town.

Cut 3 (10) “…everybody knows everybody.”

The wreck happened just outside of the Gainsville area.

The children ranged in age from 14 to 9.  Lemoine says he knew four of the five children that died in the fiery crash.

Cut 4 (08) “…with the community.″

Lemoine says the support that has come in from around the country to help the grieving community has been overwhelming.

Cut 5 (11) “…the country’s had.”

_________________________________________

Former Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider has opened up about why his production studio in Holden was seized by the Sheriff, saying plainly, that it’s his fault for not making the mortgage payments on the property. Schneider says the recording and filmmaking hub has been on hard times since the 2016 floods, but…

Cut 6 (09) “…the world”

Court records indicate Schneider has not paid the mortgage, held by First Guarantee Bank, on the property since July 28th.

Schneider, who played Bo Duke on the hit show from 79-85, says he wants to make it clear that unlike many plots from Dukes, the seizure was not some nefarious, underhanded scheme from the local sheriff.

Cut 7 (11) “…in trouble.”

The star purchased the property, named Schneider Studios, in Holden in 2014.

Schneider hopes fans will visit the website and purchase some of the songs and movies made at the studio in a last second bid to stop from losing the property, but warns he will not be asking for charity.

Cut 8 (08) “…on that.”

The property is set to be sold January 16th.

_______________________

A single-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 135 in Franklin Parish on Sunday resulted in the death of a teenage driver and serious injuries to another teen. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 16-year-old Angel Irwin of Winnsboro over corrected and hit a tree…

Cut 9 (10) “…serious injuries″

The trooper says impairment is not suspected and the conditions of the passenger are not known at this time.

Reichardt says regardless of the holiday season a crash like this is tragic…

Cut 10 (09) “…party”

Reichardt says if you are traveling always be prepared…

Cut 11 (07) “…seatbelt”

_____________________________

Governor Edwards has been unsuccessful in his effort to increase the minimum wage, but he’ll try again this year. Edwards says this spring he’ll ask the legislature to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to eight dollars an hour by 2020 and $8.50 by 2021. He says Arkansas recently approved similar legislation

Cut 12 (12)   “…gone up.” 

Edwards’ previous attempts to raise the minimum wage have been blocked by the legislature during his first three years in office. But he says that will not deter him…

Cut 13 (12) “…those indviduals”

The governor made the comments at the weekly meeting of the Baton Rouge Press Club. Edwards also talked about legalizing sports betting in Louisiana. He says it will not lead to a major increase in state revenues, but it will allow our casinos to remain competitive

Cut 14 (10) “…sports betting”
_________________________

1:30 LRN Newscast January 7

Governor Edwards has been unsuccessful in his effort to increase the minimum wage, but he’ll try again this year. Edwards says this spring he’ll ask the legislature to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to eight dollars an hour by 2020 and $8.50 by 2021. He says the legislation is modeled after what Arkansas recently approved…
cut 12 (12) “…gone up”
A single-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 135 in Franklin Parish on Sunday resulted in the death of a teenage driver. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 16-year-old Angel Irwin of Winnsboro over corrected and struck a tree…
Cut 9 (10) “…serious injuries″
A 15-year-old passenger also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

The fiery I-75 wreck in Florida last Thursday that killed seven, including five Louisiana children, has left the Avoyelles Parish town of Marksville in mourning. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

New Orleans native Patricia Clarkson took home her first Golden Globe last night as she won best supporting actress for her role in HBO’s Sharp Objects.

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 7

The Saints will welcome back Philadelphia to the Superdome this Sunday for an NFL divisional round playoff game. The Eagles upset the Chicago Bears 16-15 yesterday as quarterback Nick Foles rebounded from two interceptions in the first half to throw two touchdowns in the second half.

The Eagles and Saints will meet for a second time this season at 3:40 on Sunday. New Orleans smashed Philly 48-7 in the Superdome in November. Eagles coach Doug Pederson expects a much closer contest this time…
Cut 18 (13) great atmosphere”
Philadelphia offensive tackle Jason Peters says the Black and Gold ran up the score on them the first time around and they wanted to play them again. The oddsmakers like the Saints to win big as the Black and Gold is a nine point favorite to advance to the NFC Championship game.

And for the fourth time in four years, Clemson and Alabama face off. Tonight it’s in the national championship game. The Crimson Tide beat the Tigers 24-6 in last year’s Sugar Bowl. Kick-off tonight is at 7:15.

The Pelicans have a chance to get on a winning streak this week as they’ll face three teams that have losing records. New Orleans, who is 18-22, will host 19-and-22 Memphis tonight at the Smoothie King Center. Wednesday, Cleveland, who has the worst record in the league, visits New Orleans. On Saturday, the Pels head to Minnesota, who just fired head coach Tom Thibodeau.

The LSU men’s basketball team will return to the hardwood tomorrow after an 11-day lay off. The Tigers will host Alabama in the SEC opener. The Crimson Tide started its conference schedule by upsetting 13th ranked Kentucky 75-73.

ULM is one of three teams to start Sun Belt play with a 2-0 record as the Warhawks defeated Arkansas State 85-75. Daishon Smith had 24 points. ULM is at Georgia Southern on Saturday.

Grambling and Southern both lost in their SWAC openers. They play again tonight. The Tigers are at Alabama A-and-M, while Southern hosts Texas Southern

11:30 LRN Newscast January 7

Governor John Bel Edwards speaks at the Baton Rouge Press Club today where he’s expected to talk about his accomplishments during his first three years in office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
cut 14 (09) “….he’ll talk about”

The U.S. Surgeon General says a record 2.1 million American teenagers vape. Matt Doyle spoke with a local health expert about this epidemic.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Marksville continues to mourn the deaths of five children from their Avoyelles Parish town. They were among the seven dead in last week’s fiery crash on a Florida Highway. A candlelight vigil is planned for 5:30 today at Marksville High School’s football field. Marksville Mayor John Lemoine says the town is reeling from the devastating news…
Cut 3 (10) “…everybody knows everybody.”

Former Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider has opened up about why his production studio in Holden was seized by the Livingston Parish Sheriff, saying plainly, that it’s his fault for not making the mortgage payments on the property. Schneider says the recording and filmmaking hub has been on hard times since the 2016 floods, but…
Cut 6 (09) “…the world”
The 57 acre property will be up for auction on January 16.

9:30 LRN Newscast January 7

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared teen vaping an epidemic with an estimated two-point-one million middle and high school students using e-cigarettes. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says traditional cigarettes are banned from promoting in a way that attracts kid, but e-cig companies are not…
cut 12 (11) “….packaging”

If you are traveling through the Lake Charles area be advised one lane is closed in each direction On I-210 as crews begin the process of re-decking the Prien Lake Bridge. State transportation department spokesperson Tammy York says today begins the first phase of a two-phase project…
cut 5 (09) “…side of the bridges”
Significant delays are expected and construction is expected to take one year.

At 23 years of age, the village of Turkey Creek in Evangeline Parish has the youngest mayor in the state’s history. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

New Orleans native Patricia Clarkson took home her first Golden Globe last night as she won best supporting actress for her role in HBO’s Sharp Objects.

And in Avoyelles Parish, a candlelight vigil takes place tonight at 5:30 at the football field at Marksville High School as the town continues to grieve the loss of five children killed in a fiery crash in Florida.