1:30 LRN Newscast May 23rd

New Orleans will host the 2024 Super Bowl after being the only team invited to bid this year. Connor Ferrill has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferril”

The House Ways and Means committee began discussion on solving the fiscal cliff, which is a 648-million dollar revenue shortfall that threatens to cut state services. Republicans are not excited about passing tax bills, but Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the Edwards administration is not asking for an overall increase in taxes…
cut 14 (09) “….a cut”
The special session must end June 4th.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression could form this weekend over the eastern or central Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim says…
cut 8 (09) “…gain strength’
Keim says we could see heavy rain from the Central to the Eastern Gulf Coast through the Memorial Day weekend.

A Marshall Project report says Louisiana’s prison population dropped five-percent from 2016-17, one of the largest drops in the country. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a sign criminal justice reform measures are working, but the key is to make sure released inmates do not re-offend….
cut 11 (11) >…St. TammanY”

12:30 LRN Newscast May 23rd

Forecasters continue to watch a low pressure system near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula that could bring the Gulf Coast wet weather for the Memorial Day Holiday. Invest 90L is being given about a 60 percent chance of developing into at least a tropical depression in the central or eastern Gulf. State Climatologist Barry Keim
Cut 6 (11) “whole weekend”
Keim says there’s no anticipation of this storm developing into a hurricane.

A new report shows Louisiana’s prison population had one of the biggest declines in the nation at five percent from 2016-2017. State Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc is proud to report that it has not led to an increase in crime…
cut 10 (10) “…that’s important”

New Orleans will host a record-tying 11th Super Bowl in 2024 after an unanimous vote by the N-F-L’s owners. The Big Easy was the only city asked to bid and Saints Owner Gayle Benson made the official presentation this morning. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says the NFL used to have multiple teams bidding for one Super Bowl, but they changed its bidding process, because…
cut 5 (09) “….elected officials”
2013 was the last time New Orleans hosted a Super Bowl and the economic impact that year was 480-million dollars.

With an 8-5 victory over Mississippi State last night, the LSU Tigers are now in the double elimination portion of the SEC Tournament. They’ll face top ranked Florida later today. Ma’Khail Hilliard starts on the mound for LSU.

9:30 LRN Newscast May 23rd

Another special session is back on after a failed attempt in February to solve the fiscal cliff. Michael Farrar has more.
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Michael Farrar”

New Orleans will host the Super Bowl in 2024 for a record tying 11th time. NFL owners made the decision after hearing a presentation from Saints owner Gayle Benson.

LSU legendary football player Billy Cannon will be laid to rest today. A public vistiation begins at noon at the Maravich Center on the LSU campus.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research study finds improved blood pressure and blood sugar in individuals who eat all of their meals in a six-hour period and finish by mid-afternoon. Researchers found their fasting diet improved insulin sensitivity, but co-author of the report, Doctor Eric Ravussin says this type of dietary plan may not work for everyone, specifically those who engage in strenuous early morning activity.
cut 9 (08) “…fitting all”

Canadian tech giant C-G-I announces it will hire over 400 more workers in Lafayette by 2023, bringing C-G-I’s total employment to 900. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the jobs will be located at UL Lafayette’s Research Park facility….
cut 15 (11) ‘…the state”

8:30 LRN Newscast May 23rd

Today is the first full day of the special session that’s been called to address the fiscal cliff and Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras says Governor John Bel Edwards’ scare tactics will not lead to new taxes….
cut 12 (11) “…heard taxes”
Over a billion dollars in temporary taxes are set to expire June 30th, Governor Edwards hopes legislators will approve legislation to replace about 650-million dollars in expiring taxes.

Meanwhile, Governor Edwards has a big economic development announcement involving a global technology firm in Lafayette…
cut 16 (19) “…2023”
C-G-I solves complex business and I-T challenges for clients.

A new study out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows health benefits for people who only eat early in the day….
Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints Owner Gayle Benson goes before the NFL owners today, asking them to approve New Orleans has a Super Bowl host site in 2024.

The National Hurricane Center says a sub-tropical or tropical depression could form this weekend over the eastern or central Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters say we could see heavy rain from the Central to the Eastern Gulf Coast through the Memorial Day weekend.

7:30 LRN Newscast May 23rd

In a video message, Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras calls it “political theater” Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’ decision to begin the special session by delivering a speech on the UL Lafayette campus. Barras also blames the governor for resisting bipartisan efforts and being responsible for legislative gridlock…
cut 11 (12) “….new taxes”
Barras also says the governor’s decision to veto a budget approved by lawmakers can make it difficult to pass another budget, plus raise revenue to stave off cuts during a two-week special sesion which begins its first full day today. Yesterday, Edwards asked legislators to stay away from divisive partianship.

We’ll find out today if New Orleans will host the Super Bowl in 2024. A vote by the NFL owners will take place this morning in Atlanta.

A pilot study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows a noticeable, positive drop in blood pressure and blood sugar when restricting your eating to early in the day. The study had participants restrict eating to 6 hours a day, starting in the morning. Associate Executive Director for Clinical research Dr. Eric Ravussin has a suggestion if you’re interested in trying out fasting.
Cut 7 (05) “at night”
Researchers say eating late at night is bad for the metabolism.

When you go on vacation, do you still check in on work. A study from Accountemps finds that 56-percent of Americans do. Spokesperson Carrie Lewis says their study found millennials are more prone to being tethered to their phone, while only 39-percent of 55 and older respondents stay plugged in….
cut 5 (12) “…habit”

06:45 LRN Sportscast May 23rd

The LSU baseball team roared back from a 3-0 deficit in the 5th inning to beat Mississippi State 8-5 last night to advance to the double elimination portion of the SEC Tournament. The Tigers scored two runs in the 5th, 6th 7th and 8th innings for a victory that should help their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. Coach Paul Mainieri on the comeback…
cut 30 (19) “…battle back”
LSU faces top ranked Florida at around 4:30 this afternoon.

Starting at noon today, Billy Cannon’s public visitation will begin inside the Maravich Center on the LSU Campus. A funeral service from two to three PM will follow visitation.

Second-seeded Louisiana Tech begins play in the Conference USA Tournament in Biloxi today by facing seventh-seeded Rice at 12:30 at MGM Park. The Bulldogs swept the Owls in Ruston, to open the first weekend of league play. Left-hander David Leal will start for Tech.

The second-seeded UL Lafayette baseball team begins play in the Sun Belt Tournament by hosting Little Rock at Russo Park. The Ragin Cajuns are on a four-game winning streak, while the Trojans beat Georgia State 2-1 in an elimination game yesterday.

The Southland Conference Baseball Tournament begins today in Frisco, Texas. First game of the day is at 9:30 as Northwestern State meets McNeese. Following that game it’s Nicholls versus S-L-U.

In the American Athletic Confernece, Tulane beat Houston 11-6 yesterday and they’ll face East Carolina today.

The NFL owners approve new rules in an effort to make kick-offs safer. Players on the kicking team cannot line up more than one yard from the point of the kickoff.

06:30 LRN Newscast May 23

State legislators are seeking a solution to avoid going over the fiscal cliff, which would result in big cuts in state government. Jeremy Alford of La-Politics-dot-com says there is some consensus around a plan to renew a portion of a temporary one-cent sales tax that’s set to expire June 30th….
cut 13 (10) “…quarter penny”
The special session on taxes must conclude June 4th.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research pilot study finds that by restricting your eating to six hours a day and finishing meals by mid-afternoon, it can help drop your blood pressure. Clinical research Doctor Eric Ravussin says fasting helps cut back on the unhealthy habit of snacking….
cut 8 (10) “…designed for”

G-C-I, a tech company in Lafayette, is adding 400 new jobs in a planned expansion. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…reporting”

Lafayette’s Antoine Duplantis had three hits and drove in two runs as LSU defeated Mississippi State 8-5 to advance to play top ranked Florida today in the SEC Tournament.

LRN AM Newscall May 23

CGI, a tech company in Lafayette, is adding 400 new jobs in a planned expansion. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30)    Matt Doyle“

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A new study out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows health benefits for people who only eat early in the day. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

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The special session is back on after a failed attempt in February to solve the fiscal cliff. Michael Farrar has more.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Michael Farrar”

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Vacation once held the luxury of being offline, but more workers are admitting they cannot stop checking into the office. A recent study by staffing firm Accountemps reports that 56-percent of vacationing workers check in with the office. Spokesperson Carrie Lewis says this is an increasing trend.

Cut 4  (09) “2016” 

There is a generational gap that governs whether you will follow this trend. Lewis says that millennials are more prone to being tethered to their phones. 70-percent of respondents ages 18-34 will keep in touch with work, while only 39-percent of 55 and older respondents staying plugged in.

Cut 5  (12)  “habit”

Vacations are vital for successful employees, but disconnecting can be more stressful. There are different recipes for everyone, so Lewis advises we set our own limits.

Cut 6 (10) “set limits”

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A pilot study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has shown there are noticeable, positive drop in blood pressure and blood sugar when restricting your eating to early in the day. The study had participants restrict eating to 6 hours a day, starting in the morning. Associate Executive Director for Clinical research Dr. Eric Ravussin has a suggestion if you’re interested in trying out fasting.

Cut 7 (05)  “at night”

Ravussin says this is because the body evolved to undergo intermittent periods of fasting, due to the scarcity of food. He says fasting helps cut back on the unhealthy habit of snacking.

Cut 8 (10)  “designed for”

The study did not have participants undergo a fasting period that began later in the day.

But the Doctor says this type of dietary plan may not work for everyone, specifically those who have to engage in strenuous early morning activity.

Cut 9 (08)  “fitting all”

The study did not focus on how fasting effected individuals weight loss.

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The special session is underway and lawmakers can now replace one-point-four-billion dollars in sales taxes that are set to expire June 30th. Those expiring sales taxes are at the heart of the impending fiscal cliff that threatens to wreck healthcare and higher ed. But LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says don’t expect a deal to be reached any time soon.

Cut 10 (11)   “possibility”

The session is set to run until June 4th. Another session could be called to give lawmakers time to fill the 648 million dollar budget gap.

Speaker Taylor Barras ripped into the Governor, calling his decision to hold the speech outside of the capital a political stunt. Barras accused the Governor of resisting bipartisan offers, and being personally responsible for legislative gridlock of the regular session.

Cut 11 (12) “new taxes”

He went after the governor, who he says is trying to scare Louisianans into higher taxes, with a little one liner.

Cut 12 (11) “heard taxes”

Reports say a consensus is building around a compromise plan to renew a portion of the one cent sales tax that was raised two years ago to plug the last fiscal cliff. But Alford says that might be easier said than done.

Cut 13 (10)  “quarter penny” 

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CGI, an international tech company, has announced a big expansion, bringing 400 new jobs to the Lafayette area as part of its IT Center of Excellence. Another Lafayette Parish site will add an additional 100 jobs, bringing the company’s total to 900 employees in Acadiana. Louisiana Secretary of Economic Development Don Pierson says the expansion comes down to ULL’s partnership with the company.

Cut 14 (08) “paying jobs”

Pierson says they’ve been emphasizing a program that pairs companies with universities, technical colleges, and community colleges to build a pipeline program that gets graduates good paying jobs, and guarantees companies a steady stream of qualified workers.

Cut 15 (11) “the state”

Pierson says the program has yielded results such as DXC Technology’s decision to locate in New Orleans. It’s even led to the creation of a pipeline that leads New Orleans Delgado students on a path to putting people back in space.

Cut 16 (11) “and beyond”

17:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

The sixth special session since Governor John Bel Edwards took office is underway. Edwards opened the session on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus, as public colleges are at risk of budget cuts, unless legislators approve 648-million dollars in taxes. Edwards hopes the legislature can come together on a plan…
Cut 12 (12) “deserve”
UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects any tax plan that comes out of the special session to only be a temporary solution…
cut 11 (11) “…2020″
The special session comes to an end June 4th, but there are already concerns whether two weeks is enough time to pass a budget and revenue raising measures in two weeks.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical disturbance in the Caribbean, which is expected to impact the Gulf Coast during Memorial Day weekend. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Danielle Manning says Louisiana could dodge the worst of it.
Cut 3 (07) “of Louisiana”
Forecasters give the system a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical storm when it reaches the Gulf of Mexico later this week.

For the second time this year, the Monroe Police Department lost an officer while on duty. Twenty-six-year-old Ayrian Williams died last night in a car crash while responding to a call. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo…
cut 8 (08) “…Monroe police department”
In January, Officer Chris Beaudoin was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash. Williams joined Monroe P-D last November after graduating from LSU and then serving as a Southern University Police officer. She’s a native of New Orleans.

16:45 LRN Sportscast May 22nd

Later today it will be LSU versus Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. LSU is on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament after a 15-and-15 showing in the Southeastern Conference this season. LSU was scheduled to play at 4:30, but a rain delay in the first game of the tournament has pushed everything back.

We’ll find out tomorrow morning whether New Orleans will host an 11th Super Bowl. Saints Owner Gayle Benson will make an official presentation for the Big Easy to host the Super Bowl in 2024. New Orleans is the only candidate to host Super Bowl 58 under the league’s new bidding process.

The NFL is also considering a new policy where the home team will decide if the two teams should take the field for the playing of the National Anthem. Albert Breer of Monday Morning Quarterback says the league’s owners are also discussing a 15-yard penalty for kneeling during the anthem.

Billy Cannon’s funeral will be tomorrow inside the Maravich Center, starting at noon. The visitation and funeral services, which will start at 2 PM, will both be open to the public. The 1959 Heisman Trophy Winner passed away peacefully in his St. Francisville home on Sunday at the age of 80.

Louisiana Tech announces they will celebrate the first 50 years of football at Joe Aillet Stadium by honoring the top 50 Bulldog players to ever play in the stadium during the home opener against Southern on September eighth. The 32 members of the All-Century Team will be included on the 50th Anniversary Team.

O-T-A’s began today for the Saints. First time the team was on the field since the heart-breaking playoff loss to the Vikings. Running back Alvin Kamara says they can’t dwell on last season…
cut 30 (13) “….better things”