LRN PM Newscall February 19

Spring is right around the corner, but Louisiana is getting one more blast for arctic weather. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Bill Jacquemin”

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Democrat Davante Lewis is no longer the vice chairman of the Public Service Commission after using a vulgar slang on social medial towards Governor Jeff Landry.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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CBS News contributor and Louisiana native David Begnaud is launching a storytelling initiative highlighting college students who exemplify kindness, resilience, and community impact. Begnaud introduced his vision to representatives from Louisiana’s public and private colleges.

Cut 3 (12) “…for someone else.” 

Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed praised the project, emphasizing the opportunity to showcase students’ impactful work.

Cut 4 (12) “…first in this project.”

Begnaud, passionate about celebrating Louisiana’s people, encourages students to nominate peers who are making a meaningful impact. Begnaud says the initiative seeks stories that inspire and unite.

Cut 5 (09) “…makes storytelling memorable.”

Know a student with an extraordinary story? Nominate them by emailing deardavid@cbsnews.com.

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Brace yourself – brutally cold weather is coming back tonight. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says that will especially be the case in North Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…across northern Louisiana.”

Grymes says while it will be coldest in North Louisiana, it will dip below freezing across the entire state tonight.

Cut 7 (09) “…to the coast.”

However, Grymes says we should not see a string of days on end of subfreezing temperatures.

Cut 8 (08) “…during the daytime.”

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For seventh consecutive year, the Humane Society of Louisiana is running a program that allows the public to adopt horses used in Mardi Gras parades.  H-S-L board member Rena Sweeney says the adoption program keeps the horses from possible being slaughtered after the carnival season….

Cut 9 (10)  “…just over 120 horses.”

As of now there are 19 horses available for adoption and interest is already high. Sweeney says adoption fees range from $650 to $1,500 and the horses ill likely need training.

Cut 10 (08) “…take into consideration.”

Sweeney says photos of the horses up for adoption are available at Mardi-gras-horses-dot-com.

Cut 11 (12) “…for their family.”

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The Public Service Commission votes to strip Davante Lewis of his vice chairmanship and install Eric Skrmetta into that role. The vote was three to two, right down party lines. The move comes after Lewis directed vulgar language towards Governor Landry on social media. During public comment prior to the vote, liberal activist Melissa Flournoy says Lewis’ should not be punished for his social media post.

Cut 12 (12) “…the vice chair.”

Lewis defended himself, saying he was not going to apologize for his remarks.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sand to me.”

Lewis, who is the lone black member on the PSC, said stripping him of his leadership role reeks of racism.

Cut 14 (09) “…you to do.”

Chairman Mike Francis said the decision to hold a vote to strip Lewis of his leadership role was his and his alone.

Lewis used an expletive towards Landry in response to the governor posting on “X” that new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy was a major upgrade over his predecessor from the Biden administration.

1:30 LRN Newscast

PSC member Davante Lewis has been removed as vice president of the five-member regulatory body for a social media post where he used a vulgar word in response to a post by Governor Jeff Landry. Lewis, who is the lone black member on the PSC, said stripping him of his leadership role reeks of racism.

Cut 14 (09) “…you to do.”

Chairman Mike Francis said the decision to hold a vote to strip Lewis of his leadership role was his and his alone. Erik Skrmetta is now the Vice-Chair.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is once again running a program that allows the public to adopt horses used in Mardi Gras parades. Humane Society board member Rena Sweeney says photos are available at Mardi-gras-horses-dot-com.

Cut 11 (12) “…for their family.”

There are 19 horses available for adoption and the adoption fees range from 650 to 15-hundred dollars.

Two groups are challenging Entergy’s plan to build three gas plants to power a Meta artificial intelligence data center in northeast Louisiana….

Cut 26 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s a cold day in Louisiana and State Climatologist Jay Grymes says nearly the entire state can expect temperatures below freezing Thursday and Friday morning…

Cut 8 (08) “….during the daytime”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team is 4-and-0 and they’ve won in lopsided fashion in each game. Yesterday, the Tigers defeated Southern 13 to 1 as Ethan Frey from Rosepine hit his first collegiate home run. Coach Jay Johnson was surprised that was Frey’s first home run at LSU…

Cut 26 (24) “…good player”

LSU will hit the road tonight as they will take Nicholls at 6:30. The Colonels fell to Omaha five to two last night to drop to two and two on the season.

The LSU men’s basketball team has its first SEC winning streak of the season as the Tigers won their second consecutive conference game with an 81 to 67 victory over South Carolina. Coach Matt McMahon is pleased with the team’s performance…

Cut 19 (21) “…made 13”

Cam Carter had 17 points and Mike Williams scored a season-high 13 points. The Tigers will host second ranked Florida on Saturday.

New Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore is zeroing in on an offensive coordinator, and it’s a name Louisiana football fans are very familiar with – Doug Nussmeier. Nussmeier is the father of LSU Q-B Garrett Nussmeier, Doug just won a Super Bowl ring as the quarterbacks coach for the Eagles

8:30 LRN Newscast

Two groups are challenging Entergy’s plan to build three gas plants to power a Meta artificial intelligence data center in northeast Louisiana….

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Arkansas has snow and ice, but north Louisiana missed out. But the Bayou State will not escape the cold. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says freezes extend all the way to the coast for both Thursday and Friday morning.

A public service commissioner’s words could come back to haunt him. PSC Chairman Mike Francis has called on commissioners to vote on whether to keep Davante Lewis as the vice chairman at this morning’s meeting. Last week, Lewis posted a comment on X towards Governor Landry, using language that cannot be repeated on the radio. Francis says calling for the vote is his call.

Cut 4 (13) “…as vice chairman.”

Lewis used the expletive towards Landry in response to the governor tweeting new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy was a major upgrade over his predecessor from the Biden administration.

New facilities are coming for Northwestern State. A new academic center will open this Fall and the school’s executive director of university affairs, Jennifer Kelly, says progress is also being made with a new health performance center…

Cut 11 (15) “…as well”

This project is funded by private donations.

7:30 LRN Newscast

A Democratic public service commissioner’s vulgar words could come back to haunt him this morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A second inmate has died this month at the medium security federal prison in Pollock. The Federal Bureau of Prisons says 26-year-old Artavius Burnett was found unresponsive Tuesday morning. This is the fourth death at the facility in Grant Parish since last fall. Burnett was convicted in Tennessee for armed robbery.

Two groups are challenging Entergy’s plan to power a massive Meta artificial intelligence data center in northeast Louisiana. The Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Union of Concerned Scientists are asking the Public Service Commission to deny Entergy’s request to build three gas power plants for the facility. Logan Burke, the executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says Entergy sidestepped PSC policy.

Cut 13 (14)  “…necessarily are needed.”

Entergy says Meta will significantly offset the costs associated to make service available to the company’s data center and region.

The Louisiana Department of Health is no longer organizing mass vaccination events. Professor Susan Hassig, with the Tulane School of Public Health, says L-D-H is neglecting its responsibility of keeping the public safe…

Cut 9 (10) “…to them”

Surgeon General Ralph Abraham says vaccination decisions should be made between the patient and the doctor.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team has a two-game winning streak! The Tigers were in control from the start last night as they picked up their third SEC win with an 81 to 67 victory over South Carolina. Cam Carter had 17 points, and four rebounds and sophomore Mike Williams scored a season-high 13 points. Williams on the mini-win streak…

Cut 18 (17) “…like that”

LSU begins a tough stretch of games to close out the regular season when it hosts second ranked Florida on Saturday.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore is filling out his staff as he’s reportedly hired two more assistant. Scott Tolzien will be the Black and Gold’s new quarterbacks coach. Moore and Tolzien worked together in Dallas. Also, Joel Thomas is returning as running backs coach. He spent last season with the Giants. Thomas was on Sean Payton’s staff from 2015 to 2018 and during that time the Saints led the NFL in rushing touchdowns.

Another good day on the mound for the LSU baseball team and a fourth consecutive blowout win to start the season as LSU beat up on Southern 13 to 1. Conner Ware got the start and threw three shutout innings. Coach Jay Johnson on the transfer from Pearl River Community College…

Cut 27 (15) j out there today”

Zac Cowan came out of the bullpen and pitched three innings, allowing an unearned run. Ethan Frey hit his first home run at LSU. The Tigers are at Nicholls tonight.

The Colonels lost to Omaha five to two last night. The Ragin Cajuns scored seven runs in the seventh inning to defeat Texas Southern 14 to 11. J-R Tollett was the winning pitcher as he allowed one run in four innings of relief and struck out a career-high five hitters.

Jake Haggard drove in four runs as ULM trounced Grambling 17 to 2.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Nine medical organizations representing thousands of Louisiana doctors released a statement that says vaccines “should not be politicized.” It’s in response to Surgeon General Doctor Ralph Abraham’s directive that the Louisiana Department of Health is no longer organizing mass vaccination efforts.  Professor Susan Hassig, with the Tulane School of Public Health, says there’s been push back against vaccines for decades, but the results show they are good for public health…

Cut 7 (08) “…than that.”

Abraham says an individual should talk with its own health care providers to decide if a vaccine is right for them.

The Alliance for Affordable Energy does not think Entergy’s plan to build three gas power plants to support the ten-billion dollar Meta artificial data center in northeast Louisiana is a good idea. Logan Burke is concerned about cost…

Cut 14 (11) “…Entergy Louisiana bill.”

Entergy says the gas power plants will be designed for clean energy production when feasible. They are seeking approval from the P-S-C by October, if regulators reject Energy’s plan, the energy company has to come up with a new proposal.

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly is expected to get a trial date today. Colleen Crain reports it was about a year ago when he was allegedly involved in a shooting in Union Parish….

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Every couple years or so the LSU baseball team goes down to Thibodaux to play the Nicholls Colonels. Tonight is the night. It will be cold with temperatures in the low 40s and a wind coming out of the north. Tomorrow morning, wind chills will be in the single digits for north Louisiana and in the teens for central and much of south Louisiana.

LRN AM Newscall February 19

A Democratic public service commissioner’s vulgar words could come back to haunt him this morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two groups are challenging Entergy’s plan to build three gas plants to power a Meta artificial intelligence data center in northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly is expected to get a trial date today. Colleen Crain reports it was about a year ago law enforcement say he was involved in a shooting in Union Parish….

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A public service commissioner’s words could come back to haunt him. PSC Chairman Mike Francis has called on commissioners to vote on whether to keep Davante Lewis as the vice chairman at this morning’s meeting. Last week, Lewis posted a comment on X towards Governor Landry, using language that cannot be repeated on the radio. Francis says calling for the vote is his call.

Cut 4 (13) “…as vice chairman.”

Francis says the language that Lewis used in criticizing Landry was uncalled for.

Cut 5 (07) “…what he said.”

Francis is a Republican – and a former chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party – and Lewis is a Democrat. When we asked him whether he would have taken the same action if a Republican commissioner used that same language towards a Democratic official, he couldn’t definitively say yes or no.

Cut 6 (09) “…statement like that.”

The meeting starts at nine this morning.

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Nine medical organizations representing thousands of Louisiana doctors released a statement that says vaccines “should not be politicized.” It’s in response to Louisiana Surgeon General Doctor Ralph Abraham’s directive that the Louisiana Department of Health will no longer organize mass vaccination efforts.  Professor Susan Hassig, with the Tulane School of Public Health, says there’s been push back against vaccines for decades but the results show they are good for public health…

Cut 7 (08) “…than that.”

In a memo posted on L-D-H’s website, Abraham says an individual should talk with its own health care providers if a vaccine is right for them. In a letter from the nine medical associations, they say vaccines are one of the most significant medical innovations of our time. Hassig agrees with the letter signed by the Louisiana State Medical Society and others…

Cut 8 (12) “…vaccines.”

Hassig says the Louisiana Department of Health is neglecting its responsibility of keeping the public safety by eliminating mass vaccination events. She says it could lead to outbreaks of the measles…

Cut 9 (10)  “…to them.”

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In the coming years, several new facilities will be opening at Northwestern State University. Jennifer Kelly, the school’s executive director of university affairs, says the biggest project is Alost Hall, the new main academic building. Named after former president Dr. Robert Alost, it will be a three-level facility boasting more than 73-thousand square feet.

Cut 10 (17) “…nurse anesthesia program.”

Kelly says there will also be a new fieldhouse.

Cut 11 (15) “…on as well.”

Once that new field house opens, the current field house will be repurposed into offices and other things. There will also be an innovation park through the school’s collaboration with the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts.

Cut 12 (14) “…their shop area.”

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Two groups are challenging Entergy’s plan to power a massive Meta artificial intelligence data center in northeast Louisiana. The Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Union of Concerned Scientists are asking the Public Service Commission to deny Entergy’s request to build three gas power plants for the facility. Logan Burke, the executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says Entergy sidestepped PSC policy.

Cut 13 (14)  “…necessarily are needed.”

Burke says Entergy did not sufficiently show that the plants are the most cost-effective option; and in the long run, ratepayers could get stuck with the bill.

Cut 14 (11) “…Entergy Louisiana bill.”

Burke says powering a massive A-I data center is not cheap.

Cut 15 (13) “…should this cost?”

Entergy and Meta have not commented on the groups’ challenge.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

New Saints head coach Kellen Moore continues to fill out his staff as he’s reportedly hired two more assistant coaches. NFL insider Ian Rapoport says Scott Tolzien will be the Black and Gold’s new quarterbacks coach. Moore and Tolzien worked together in Dallas. Tolzien is described as a rising young coach. Also, Joel Thomas is returning to the team as running backs coach. He spent last season with the Giants. Thomas was on Sean Payton’s staff from 2015 to 2018 and during that time the Saints led the NFL in rushing touchdowns.

The Saints are coming off their worst season since 2005, but that didn’t stopped them raising season ticket prices. John Sigler with Saints Wire, reports the increase is five to 15 percent increase.

On the hardwood tonight, the LSU men’s basketball team hosts South Carolina. After coming from behind to beat Oklahoma on Saturday, the Tigers could win their second straight. The Gamecocks are winless in SEC play, but coach Matt McMahon says Carolina is better than you think…

Cut 18 (17)  “…physicality.”

Reports indicate McMahon will be back next season with a bigger NIL budget.  Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau says McMahon is doing what he can on the recruiting trail…

Cut 14 (12) “…all tell.”

Guilbeau says LSU men’s basketball has one of the lowest NIL budgets in the SEC.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

On3-dot-com is reporting LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon will be back next season, despite the team’s two and ten record in league play this year. Sources say McMahon will also have a larger NIL budget to help bring better players to Baton Rouge. McMahon was asked to respond to the report at a press conference yesterday…

Cut 17 (13) “….2025”

LSU’s early signing recruiting class announced in December is ranked as the sixth best in the country. Tonight, the Tigers host South Carolina. The Gamecocks are winless in SEC play.

A lot of college baseball during the day in Louisiana today. LSU hosts Southern at 2 PM. Grambling is at ULM for a 2 PM first pitch. The Ragin Cajuns host Texas Southern at 3 PM, and McNeese was scheduled to play at top ranked Texas A-and-M tonight, but that game has been cancelled because of inclement weather.

The McNeese Cowboys improved to 15-and-1 in Southland Conference play with an 88 to 82 win over Southeastern Louisiana last night. The victory clinched a double-bye in the league’s postseason tournament. Coach Will Wade…

Cut 19 (16) “…first step”

McNeese can clinch at least a share of the Southland regular season title on Saturday with a win over A-and-M Corpus Christi.

Also in the Southland, Nicholls upended UNO 78 to 62 as the Colonels got 19 points from Byron Ireland. Northwestern State lost at home to Lamar 75 to 65.

Southern maintained a three-game lead for first place in the SWAC with a 66 to 57 win over Texas Southern last night. The Jaguars are at Grambling this Saturday. The Tigers routed Prairie View A-and-M 70 to 48 last night.