06:30 LRN Newscast January 12

The Louisiana teacher arrested this week at the Vermilion Parish School Board meeting after she questioned her superintendent’s pay raise might file a lawsuit. Deyshia Hargrave spoke yesterday at a rally that was called to support her….
cut 11 (05) “…shocking disrespect”
Hargrave hopes her experience will empower people to use their voice when they see something that’s just not right.

Jennings Senator Blade Morrish is proposing to change TOPS award amounts. Under his plan, students who earn the basic award by achieving a 2.5 GPA and a20 ACT would receive just a four-thousand dollar annual stipend, while TOPS Honor students would get their tuition paid for, plus a stipend between 15-hundred and 25-hundred dollars. Morrish says he wants to challenge students to improve their performance…
cut 9 (08) “….old model”
Morrish could seek this change in TOPS in the upcoming session.

A portion of north Louisiana is under a winter weather advisory as light to moderate rainfall has been slowly transitioning to a freezing rain or snow or sleet mix as temperatures are dropping below subfreezing. Roadways could be slick. The state transportation department has closed a portion of I-49 in Caddo Parish.

A new social media challenge has teens eating laundry pods. Louisiana Poison Control President-Elect Mark Ryan says this is obviously dangerous and there’s no benefit…
cut 14 (12) “…off of”
Ryan says digesting a detergent pod could land you in the hospital.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 11

Steve Ensminger said today he embraces the opportunity to be LSU’s offensive coordinator and that he’ll make the state proud. The 59-year-old choked up a few times when talking about his new job after serving as the Tigers tight ends coach since 2010. And Ensminger also was defiant when it comes to the criticism that he’s not the right man for the job….
cut 14 (13) “…..I’ll do it”
So what will LSU’s offense look like with Ensminger calling plays. The former Tiger quarterback says he wants to run a fast paced, spread offense…
cut 13 (12) “…four wideouts”
And LSU has also named long-time NFL assistant Jerry Sullivan as senior offensive assistant and passing game coordinator.

One of the individual match-ups to watch when the Saints face the Vikings on Sunday is New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas versus Minnesota cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Coach Sean Payton says they have to respect respect Rhodes talent…
cut 18 (14) “….behind it”
Thomas had five catches for 45 yards in the week one matchup against Minnesota.

16:30 LRN Newscast January 11

The Louisiana Association of Educators held a rally this afternoon to show their support for middle school teacher Deyshia Hargrave, who was arrested at a Vermilion Parish School Board meeting. Kelley Ray has more…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Get ready for a dramatic drop in temperatures. A strong cold front is moving through the state, bringing with it heavy rain and and showers. Once the front moves through, expect high temperatures Friday and through the weekend in the 40s.

Officials broke ground today on a major I-10 widening project which will affect travelers between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The job will stretch over a six mile portion of the interstate from Highland Road to Highway 73. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson on the timeline…:
Cut 9 (12) “for drivers”
He encourages drivers to visit 511LA.org for traffic and road closure info.

Steve Ensminger was introduced today as LSU’s offensive coordinator. The former Tigers quarterback says he plans on running a fast paced, spread offense…
cut 13 (12) “….four wideouts”
Ensminger will also have the task of developing young quarterbacks.

15:30 LRN Newscast January 11

Teachers from multiple parishes have gathered in Abbeville at this hour to show their support for middle school teacher Deyshia Hargrave, who was arrested at a school board meeting after questioning a raise given to the Vermilion Parish Schools superintendent. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux on the message they are sending with this rally…:
Cut 6 (08) “to speak”
Superintendent Jerome Puyau says he, his staff and family have received death threats over the incident. He also says he should have stood up for Hargrave.

Meanwhile it’s been learned that the marshal who arrested Hargrave was previously sued for excessive force. Reggie Hilts was working as a police officer in the city of Scott and was named as a defendant in the 2012 lawsuit. The suit was eventually settled in 2016. Hilts left the Scott Police Department before the lawsuit was filed.

Steve Ensminger held his first press conference as LSU’s offensive coordinator. Matt Doyle has there…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Wildlife and Fisheries agents have arrested a Point Coupee Parish man for allegedly killing a protected black bear. The bear was a part of the Louisiana Black Bear Management and Research project. LDWF Spokesperson Adam Einck says agents responded after the tagged bear set off an alert..:
Cut 3 (05) “of days”
He says 28-year-old Ronald Kimble is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess a firearm in the first place.

LRN PM Newscall January 11

The Louisiana Association of Educators holds a rally this afternoon to show their support for Rene Rost middle school teacher Deyshia Hargrave.   Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Steve Ensminger held his first press conference as LSU’s offensive coordinator. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Wildlife and Fisheries agents have arrested a Point Coupee Parish man for allegedly killing a protected black bear. The bear was a part of the Louisiana Black Bear Management and Research project. LDWF  Spokesperson Adam Einck says agents responded after the tagged bear set off an alert…

Cut 3 (05) “of days.”

After the bear was found, Wildlife and Fisheries agents increased patrols in the area. Einck says 28-year-old Ronald Kimble was frequently observed by agents passing through the area with a .270 rifle…

Cut 4  (09) “that bear.” 

Louisiana black bears have been a threatened species since 1992, and it is illegal to hunt them. Einck says the charges carry a severe punishment…

Cut 5  (07)  “days in jail”

Those who kill black bears are also liable to face a 10,000 dollar civil restitution fee, and as a convicted felon, Kimble could also be facing up to 20 years in jail for possessing a firearm.

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The Louisiana Association of Educators holds a rally this afternoon to show their support for Rene Rost middle school teacher Deyshia Hargrave.  She was arrested Monday after criticizing a raise for the superintendent, while teacher’s wages have been stagnant for nearly a decade.  LAE President Debbie Meaux says they are holding this rally to expose what school and governmental boards are doing…

Cut 6 (08)  “to speak.”

In a video shown on NBC’s Today show, it is clearly seen that Hargrave is being shut up by board President Anthony Fontana with him saying, “Alright. Stop. Stop right now”.   Meaux says Fontana’s actions were completely out of line…

Cut 7 (11)  “our citizens.”

Meaux says the LAE understands the role of the board president is to keep order during a meeting, but feels nothing occurred to demand the treatment Hargrave received from the Abbeville City Marshal Reginald “Reggie” Hilts as she was escorted out of the meeting…

Cut 8 (05) “it got.”

The rally will be held at 3:45pm at Magdalen Square in downtown Abbeville.

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A major road construction project on I-10 will affect travelers between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.  Groundbreaking ceremonies are this afternoon for the project which will expand an over six mile stretch from four to six lanes from south of Baton Rouge to Highway LA-73 near Prairieville.  DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this project won’t be completed until sometime in 2020…

Cut 9 (12) “for drivers.”

With 95-thousand drivers passing over that section of the road, Wilson says it is imperative that the flow of traffic continues through the construction zone as smoothly as possible…

Cut 10 (08) “one lane.”

The 72-million-dollar expansion comes from some repurposed earmarked funds from projects that either never happened or from leftover funds.  Wilson says the majority of the money is due to the farsightedness of the Edwards Administration…

Cut 11 (08) “this administration.”

Wilson reminds drivers to check 5-1-1-l-a-dot-org and to download the phone app for when you are on the go.

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LSU head coach Ed Orgeron introduced his new offensive coordinator today, Steve Ensminger. Ensminger is an old face around Tigers, having been with the team since 2010, and having captained LSU to three bowl games in the late 70s at quarterback. Ensminger got choked up as he was introduced…

Cut 12 (09) “this state proud”

LSU’s motion offense was sluggish at times under former coordinator Matt Canada, and has ranked in the middle of the pack in the SEC over the last few years. Ensminger says he plans on running a fast paced, spread offense…

Cut 13 (12)  “four wideouts”

The move was controversial, as the team went from a nationally respected offensive mind in Matt Canada, to Ensminger, who’s been coaching the team’s tight ends. Ensminger says he doesn’t let the chatter get to him…

Cut 14 (13) “I’ll do it”

Ensminger was LSU’s interm offensive coordinator in 2016. His offense averaged 32 points a game.

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11:40 LRN Sportscast January 11

LSU introduces long time assistant coach and former quarterback Steve Ensminger as its new offensive coordinator. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Ensminger’s promotion from tight ends coach to O-C doesn’t have many fans excited…
cut 15 (13) “….solution yet”
The Tigers went 6-2 when Ensminger served as an interim offensive coordinator in 2016.

With last night’s 75-54 victory over Arkansas in Bud Walton Arena, the LSU basketball team has surpassed the number of victories it achieved all of last season. The Tigers throttled the Razorbacks 75-54 to improve to 11-4, 2-and-1 in the SEC.

The Pelicans are back at .500 mark after a disappointing 105-102 loss to Memphis. New Orleans scored just nine points in the third quarter.

The Saints have won only one road playoff game in franchise history and that came in 2014 against the Philadelphia Eagles. New Orleans goes into Sunday’s game in Minnesota with one of the least penalized offensive lines in the NFL and Coach Sean Payton says they will need to be discplined against the Vikings…
cut 17 (12) “…this year”
U-S Bank Stadium holds 66-thousand fans.

Southeastern Louisiana is off to its best start ever in Southland Conference play as the Lions improved to 4-0 with a come from behind 63-58 win over Lamar yesterday. UNO dropped to 4-1 in league play, with a 78-68 loss to Stephen F Austin and Nicholls is also 4-1 in the Southland after beating McNeese State 85-80. Tonight, Louisiana Tech begins a difficult two-game road trip at Middle Tennessee.

10:30 LRN Newscast January 11

The Vermilion Parish Elementary School teacher arrested and handcuffed this week is speaking out via Facebook. Kelley Ray has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A strong cold front moves through the state later today and it will drop our high temperatures back into the 40s starting tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a possibilty of storms today and maybe in north Louisiana some light winter precipitation during the overnight hours…
cut 9 (04) “….out for”

At noon today, LSU will introduce long time assistant coach and former quarterback Steve Ensminger as its new offensive coordinator. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Ensminger’s promotion from tight ends coach to O-C doesn’t have many fans excited…
cut 15 (13) “….solution yet”
The Tigers went 6-2 when Ensminger served as an interim offensive coordinator in 2016.

If you love King Cake and want to vote for your favorite King Cake maker in the state, you can do so at king-cake-snob-dot-com. CEO of Innovative Adverising, Jay Connaughton, says the website features a questionnaire and you can also read about how others like their king cake…
cut 5 (10) “….just icing”
Manny Randazzo took the majority of the awards last year.

14:30 LRN Newscast January 10

The Louisiana Association of Educators will host a rally tomorrow for Deyshia Hargrave. She’s the English teacher who was arrested at a school board meeting after questioning the superintendent’s pay raise. Vermilion school board member Laura LeBeouf says Hargrave’s rights were infringed upon when the school board president tried to quiet her…
cut 5 (09) “….to speak”
The school board president says Hargrave was speaking out of order.

Eilers and Krejcik Gaming says Louisiana is one of 18 states that could discuss legislation to legalize sports betting, if the U-S Supreme Court rules in favor of New Jersey, which is challenging the constitutionality of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Author of the report, Chris Grove, says legalizing sports betting would be a budgetary boon.,…
cut 15 (06) “…be taxed”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating the death of a woman at a West Monroe area boarding house. Spokesperson Glenn Springfield says first responders tried to help the woman, but she died from the wounds. Springfield says Ouachita Animal Control has the animal….
cut 9 (06) “….animal control”
Media reports identify the woman as Laura Ray.

Talks are heating up among Republicans hoping to reclaim the governor’s seat for their party in 2019. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

LRN PM Newscall January 10

The Vermilion Parish School Board is under scrutiny after a teacher was removed and arrested from a meeting.  Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Talks are heating up among Republicans hoping to reclaim the governor’s seat for their party in 2019. Michelle Southern  reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Vermilion Parish School Board President Anthony Fontana does not regret the arrest of an English teacher at a school board meeting this week. Deyshia Hargrave was taken away in handcuffs after voicing her opposition about the superintendent receiving a pay raise. Fontana says Hargrave’s comments were not germane….

Cut 3 (07) “any help.”

The Abbeville City Attorney has said he will not press charges against Hargrave, while the board is facing criticism from the ACLU and the Louisiana Association of Educators over the arrest. Board member Laura LeBeouf says what happened Monday night is typical and has seen it before…

Cut 4  (08) “board room.” 

She was one of three board members that voted against the raise, which she says hasn’t been discussed much.  She feels Hargrave’s rights were infringed upon when Fontana tried to quiet her…

Cut 5  (09)  “to speak.”

There is some question as to the status of the Marshal that handcuffed Hargrave.  Fontana says he remains in good standing with the school board…

Cut 6 (08)  “keep order.”

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A pit bull fatally wounded a woman at a West Monroe area pet boarding house last night. Ouachita Parish Sheriffs spokesperson Glen Springfield says deputies arrived at the Happy Hounds Hotel and found the victim had been severely injured…

cut 7 (07)  “the location”

Springfield says first responders tried to stabilize the woman, but the wounds were fatal…

Cut 8 (04) “was fatal”

No further details have been released about the incident, and Springfield says the pit bull is being held by Ouchita Parish Animal Control.

Cut 9 (06)  “animal control”

Media reports identified the woman as Laura Ray.

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US Senator John Kennedy says he’s considering a run for governor in 2019, as the GOP in Louisiana hopes to keep Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards from the post for a second term. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is a very conservative state, so you can expect plenty of Republican candidates to line up for next year’s election…:

Cut 10 (09) “David Vitter”

Other Republican names that have been mentioned include US Congressman Ralph Abraham, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and Attorney General Jeff Landry. Recent polling numbers on Edwards show that the majority of voters approve of the job he is doing, so Stockley says Republicans will have the task of convincing people that the governor isn’t as conservative as he maintains:

Cut 11 (09) “organization”

Stockley says Edwards is also going to have national support as people outside of Louisiana will back a Democrat in a conservative state. He says any way you slice it, Edwards is going to be a tough candidate to beat.:

Cut 12 (09) “he’s raised”

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The U-S Supreme Court is set to rule this year on New Jersey’s challenge to the prohibition against sports betting in all but four states. If the ban is overturned, a report says that Louisiana could be one of 18 states to file legislation to regulate sports betting. Managing Director at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming Chris Grove says his firm analyzed the different gaming players in Louisiana…

Cut 13 (09)  “in 2018.”

Louisiana’s legislative session begins in March, but there has not been any indications that a lawmaker is planning on filing a bill to legalize a bill in the state. Grove says placeholder legislation could be filed, while they wait for one of the three possible outcomes from the Supreme Court hearing…

Cut 14 (13) “is unconstitional”

Sports gambling is a 225 million dollar taxable industry in Nevada, and Eilers and Krejick estimates that two point five to three billion dollars in illegal bets are placed every year. Grove says legalizing betting in Louisiana would be a budgetary and consumer safety boon.

Cut 15 (08) “be taxed”

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 10

The Saints and Vikings are set to meet for a second time this season on Sunday when they meet in the N-F-C playoffs. It sure feels like that first meeting was played during a different season, considering how much the personnel has changed for both teams. Case Keenum has taken over as Minnesota’s quarterback, while the Saints didn’t have left tackle Terron Armstead or center Max Unger. Both players are healthy now, but left guard Andrus Peat will not play after breaking his fibula last week.

LSU cornerback Donte Jackson has declared for the N-F-L draft. Jackson is the fourth Tiger underclassmen who has decided to forgo his senior season. Running back Derrius Guice is expected to make his decision known very soon and he’s not expected back for his senior campaign.

Former Tennessee Tech starting quarterback Andre Sale has enrolled in classes at LSU and will walk-on the football team. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Sale completed 59-percent of his passes this past year, and threw eight touchdowns, but was intercepted 10 times.

The LSU Tigers visit Arkansas tonight in SEC basketball action. The Bayou Bengals have won two straight on the road, but Coach Will Wade says they will have to step up their game to get a win in Fayetteville…
cut 18 (13) “…dunking everythign”
Tip-off tonight is at 8 PM.