6:45 LRN Sportscast January 1

At high noon today, it’s LSU versus Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl. Both teams say they have a lot to play for. The Knights are looking to extend their winning streak to 26 games and they want to prove to college football fans that they belong with the big boys in the sport. The Tigers are looking for their first 10-win season since 2013 and Coach Ed Orgeron says the seven overtime loss to Texas A-and-M in the regular season finale also serves as motivation in this game…
Cut 30 (11) “…to approach it.”
LSU should have success running the football today. U-C-F allowed 227 yards a game on the ground this season.

In the Mercedes Benz Superdome tonight, fifth ranked Georgia takes on 15th ranked Texas at 7:45.

The Saints first playoff game is not until January 13th and Coach Sean Payton says that gives them time to improve on the fundamentals and techniques. Payton is not happy with how his team performed in Sunday’s 33-14 home loss to Carolina.

Elfrid Payton returned last night after missing 22 games and the Pelicans defeated Minnesota 123 to 114. Payton has only played in seven games this season, but the Pels have won six of them. And New Orleans won last night without Anthony Davis, who was out with an illness. Julius Randle had 33 points and 11 rebounds in A-D’s absence. Darius Miller had a big fourth quarter and finished with 21 points.

In college basketball, the Ragin Cajuns second leading scorer Malik Marquetti will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The Senior was averaging 15 points a game and shooting 45-percent from three-point territory. The U-S-C transfer hurt his knee in Saturday’s win over Southeastern.

6:30 LRN Newscast January 1

Governor John Bel Edwards says pay issues for minimum wage workers and the gender wage gap are among his big concerns to spearhead in 2019. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Two dozen new state laws take effect with the start of the new year. Serious felony crimes committed from this date forward will take a unanimous jury verdict to secure a conviction. Families can now install video cameras in nursing home rooms and new sexual harassment policies go into effect for state government.

A state representative plans to bring legislation in the upcoming session that would lock in health care protections for Louisianans with pre-existing conditions and allow dependents to stay on their parents’ plan until 26, even if a pending court case strikes down Obamacare. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown….
Cut 12 (10) “…coverage”
A federal judge in Texas has declared the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The case is expected to be heard next in the New Orleans based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The LSU Tigers face Central Florida this afternoon in Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl. There are over 300 members from the Golden Band from Tigerland that will perform at halftime and before the game with the Tigers opponent…
cut 4 (07) “….two bands”
That’s LSU videographer and former band member Steven Miley.

LRN PM Newscall December 31

A recent Facebook post by the Harahan Police Department is encouraging anyone who has purchased meth in Louisiana to have it tested for the Zika virus.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________________

Tomorrow it will be legal to have cameras installed in your loved one’s nursing home room to keep an eye on them. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________________________

The Harahan Police Department’s recent offer to screen methamphetamine for the Zika virus has captured the attention of social media and news outlets across the globe.  In a Facebook post, the department encouraged meth users to bring all of their drug to police for free testing.  Police Chief Tim Walker acknowledged the post was a stunt to bring attention to the issue of drug use.

Cut 3 (08) “…their free time.”

Chief Tim Walker says the social media post has already received over 500,000 views in the two days since it was posted.

Cut 4 (06) “…world its interesting.″

Walker admits there is no meth actually contaminated with the Zika virus.  But has anyone been gullible enough to take him up on the offer of testing meth?

Cut 5 (06) “…would surprise me.”

_________________________________________

Only one person in Louisiana was sentenced to death this year, David Brown of Lafourche Parish, who was convinced of sexually assaulting, then murdering a mother and her two daughters, and setting their house on fire in 2012. Death Penalty Information Center Executive Director Robert Dunham says that follows a nationwide trend of an 85 percent decline in death sentences.

Cut 6 (08) “…the country”

Louisiana did not sentence anyone to death in 2017 and 2016.

Durham attributes the decline in support for the death penalty, even in Bayou State, to public awareness of the extensive legal costs, the difficulty of finding chemicals for lethal injection, and the 11 exonerations for death row inmates in Louisiana since 1900.

Cut 7 (06) “…the country”

20 states have outlawed the practice, and 10 others have no performed an execution in over a decade.

Durham notes that more than half of all death sentences come from 2 percent of counties, or parishes, in the US. He says there’s two parishes in Louisiana that stand out when it comes to the number of death penalties issued.

Cut 8 (08) “…in Louisiana”

Louisiana has not performed an execution since 2010.

_______________________

A new year begins tomorrow, which means new laws will go into effect, including one that allows you to set up a camera to monitor your elderly loved ones in their nursing home room. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says the families must pay for the device and installation, cannot use the facility’s Wi-Fi, and…

Cut 9 (06) “…roommate″

The law was brought by former New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno during the regular session last year.

Since you can’t use the facility’s Wi-Fi, you’ll have to purchase a data plan from a cellular provider that will support the device. Talbot says it’s for a good reason.

Cut 10 (11) “…of communication”

Talbot says he’s checked out the cost for those data plans, and they appear to be affordable.

The legislation was inspired by a case of suspected abuse of an elderly person by nursing home workers, and Talbot says he’s gotten a lot of positive feedback about the opportunity now available to families. As for the nursing homes…

Cut 11 (11) “…matter what.”

_____________________________

After weeks of preparation, LSU and U-C-F will finally play each other tomorrow in the Fiesta Bowl. The Knights bring a 25-game winning streak into the contest and an offense that averages 44 points a game. But Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says you can’t overlook U-C-F’s defense led by defensive coordinator Randy Shannon

Cut 12 (12)   “…60 minutes.” 

Last year, U-C-F upset Auburn in the Peach Bowl 34-27. Some say Auburn wasn’t ready to play after losing in the SEC Title game. But LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says his guys are focused and desperately want to win

Cut 13 (12) “…be battle.”

LSU enters the game with a 9-3 record. Orgeron says the seven overtime loss to Texas A-and-M in the regular season finale also serves as motivation in this game…

Cut 14 (11) “…to approach it.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

2018 will be remembered as a year where Louisiana achieved budget stability by renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax which allowed the state to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program, public colleges and higher education.

In 2018, the state also lost its title as incarceration capital of the world as a result of criminal justice reform efforts approved in 2017.

The MeToo movement hit the Secretary of State’s office, which led to the resignation of Secretary Tom Schedler. Dawn Ross, spoke with LRN, and said she was the victim of sexually suggestive charged emails, gifts and advances since 2007 from Schedler. Ross says her boss also stalked her and bought a town home in her complex…
Cut 7 (15) “…back there.”

The Harahan Police Department’s recent offer to screen methamphetamine for the Zika virus has captured the attention of social media and news outlets across the globe. In a Facebook post, the department encouraged meth users to bring all of their drug to police for free testing. Police Chief Tim Walker acknowledged the post was a stunt to bring attention to the issue of drug use….
Cut 3 (08) “…their free time.”
Walker admits there is no meth actually contaminated with the Zika virus.

A new year begins tomorrow, which means new laws go into effect, including one that allows you to set up a camera to monitor elderly loved ones in their nursing home room. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says the families must pay for the device and installation, cannot use the facility’s Wi-Fi, and…
Cut 9 (06) “…roommate″
The legislation was inspired by a case of suspected abuse of an elderly person by nursing home workers.

11:40 LRN sportscast December 31

After weeks of preparation, LSU and U-C-F will finally get a chance to play each other tomorrow in the Fiesta Bowl. The Knights bring a 25-game winning streak into the contest and an offense that averages 44 points a game. But Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says you can’t overlook U-C-F’s defense led by defensive coordinator Randy Shannon…
cut 12 (12) “…60 minutes”
Kick-off is at noon.

Tonight the Pelicans host the Minnesota Timberwolves and point guard Elfrid Payton is expected to return to action. Payton has missed 31 games this season, mostly due to a broken finger. In those 31 games, New Orleans is 11-20, but they are 5-1 when Payton plays. The Pelicans enter tonight’s game in 14th place in the Western Conference.

Even though the Saints finished the regular season with a 13-and-3 record, Coach Sean Payton is not happy with how his team played Sunday in a 33-14 loss to Carolina. The Panthers started undrafted rookie Kyle Allen at quarterback and the former Houston Cougar threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Sean Payton on the play of his defense…
cut 17 (09) “…disappointing”
One bright spot, wide receiver Michael Thomas broke Joe Horn’s single-season franchise record for receiving yards. He finished with 1,405 yards for the season.

Could former LSU star Leonard Fournette be finished in Jacksonville? The Jaguars are not happy with their former first round pick after he appeared disengaged from his teammates in yesterday’s regular season finale. The Associated Press is reporting the Jaguars could move to void the remaining guarantees in his four-year contract.

10:30 LRN Newscast December 31

It was an interesting year in state politics. Matt Doyle looks back at 2018…
Cut 1 (53) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Alllstate Sugar Bowl Fan Fest in New Orleans will once again be part of “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” on ABC as the nation ushers in 2019. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

If you are celebrating at home tonight and plan to light off a few fireworks, state fire marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue has this advice…
cut 11 (09) “…alcohol”

9:30 LRN Newscast December 31

The search for a nine-year-old autistic boy in Evangeline Parish resulted in the arrest of the child’s parents on a charge of cruelty to juveniles. Dozens of people searched all day Saturday for nine-year-old Bryson Thibodeaux. He was eventually found in a safe location. But authorities decided to book Paul and Minette Thibodeaux because Bryson and his sister appeared malnourished and they lived in filthy conditions.

One of the more dramatic news days in 2018 was when Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announced in March the state would not pursue criminal charges against the two white Baton Rouge Police officers who were involved in the 2016 fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, who ws black. Sterling’s relatives are still seeking justice against officers Howie Lake and Blane Salamoni….
cut 8 (05) “…a killer”
A civil lawsuit against the police department, the officers involved and the city-parish remains unsettled heading into 2019.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office has advice for New Year’s Eve amateur pyro technicians…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve will once again show how New Orleans rings in a new year. Country music sensations Florida Georgia Line and Maren Morris will perform near Jax Brewery and A-B-C will show portions of the concert. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s good exposure for the state’s tourism industry…
cut 15 (11) “….watched the Grammys”
For those interested in attending the Allstate Fan Fest, it’s free and gates for all the activities open at noon at the Jax Brewery parking lot.

8:30 LRN Newscast December 31

2018 will be remembered as a year where Louisiana achieved budget stability by renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax which allowed the state to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program, public colleges and higher education.

In 2018, the state also lost its title as incarceration capital of the world as a result of criminal justice reform efforts approved in 2017.

The MeToo movement hit the Secretary of State’s office, which led to the resignation of Secretary Tom Schedler. Dawn Ross, spoke with LRN, and said she was the victim of sexually suggestive charged emails, gifts and advances since 2007 from Schedler. Ross says her boss also stalked her and bought a town home in her complex…
Cut 7 (15) “…back there.”

The Alllstate Sugar Bowl Fan Fest in New Orleans will once again be part of “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” on ABC as the nation ushers in 2019…
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The rain should be out of the state tonight when many will head outside to light fireworks. But the state fire marshal’s office has this message for those who plan to use more than just fireworks…
cut 12 (07) “….entertain people”
That’s State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue.

7:30 LRN Newscast December 31

With no Drew Brees, the Saints stumbled in the regular season finale, falling to the Carolina Panthers 33-14. The loss doesn’t hurt the Black and Gold as they already have the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. But Coach Sean Payton didn’t like what he saw on Sunday
Cut 16 (12) ready to play”
The Saints will have a first round bye in the NFC playoffs and they’ll either host Philadelphia, Dallas, or Seattle on January 13th.

The state fire marshal’s office says before you slap down the cash for fireworks today, make sure the retailer is licensed…
Cut 10 (06) “from us.”
State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says over the weekend their office issued cease and desist orders to eight fireworks stands in five parishes, Sabine, Lafayette, Acadia, St. Martin and Iberia parishes. A large warehouse in Acadia Parish was also shut down.

One of the most significant pieces of legislation approved in 2018 was the constitutional amendment that will require unanimous jury verdicts for a conviction in serious felony convictions. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell argued the standard of needing only 10 of 12 jurors to secure a conviction is not what our founders envisioned…
cut 6 (08) “….unanimous juries”
Louisiana lost a couple of legendary figures in 2018. LSU’s only Heisman trophy winner Billy Cannon passed away in May at the age of 80. And Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson died in March. He was 90. Benson’s wife, Gayle, has taken over the two professional sports franchises and plans to keep the teams in new Orleans…
Cut 9 (10) “…big family.″

6:45 LRN Sportscast December 31

With no Drew Brees, the Saints stumbled in the regular season finale, falling to the Carolina Panthers 33-14. The loss doesn’t hurt the Black and Gold as they already have the number one seed in the NFC. But Coach Sean Payton didn’t like what he saw on Sunday
Cut 16 (12) ready to play”
Carolina led 23-0 at halftime. First time in the Payton era, the Saints were shutout in the first half at home.

But that’s all history now. The franchise can focus on hosting a playoff game on January 13th against either Philadelphia, Seattle or Dallas. New Orleans will play who ever is the lowest seed remaining after the wild card round.

There will be at least one coaching change in the NFC South. Dirk Koetter is out in Tampa Bay after three seasons and back-to-back 5-and-11 campaigns.

We are now a day away from LSU’s matchup with undefeated UCF in the Fiesta Bowl. The Tigers go into this game thin on the defensive line and at cornerback, because of injuries, suspensions and a couple of players have decided to turn pro. Coach Ed Orgeron says they need nose tackle Tyler Shelvin to step up. He’s been hindered during his brief LSU career by injuries and weight issues. Kick-off tomorrow is at noon.

Former Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is the new head coach at Miami after a wild day in south Florida. Yesterday morning, Mark Richt announced his retirement after three years as the head man at his alma mater. Diaz who was named head coach at Temple on December 13th left the Owls to replace Richt as the Hurricanes new head coach.

The Pelicans close out 2019 by hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at 7 PM. Point guard Elfrid Payton is expected to play after missing 30 of the last 31 games, mostly due to a broken finger.