LRN PM Newscall December 21

A new poll gives Governor John Bel Edwards his highest approval rating since taking office in January of 2016. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (26) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Tax reform is in, and that means big changes to the way Louisianans file taxes.  Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A Southern Media and Opinion Research poll finds Governor John Bel Edwards has his highest approval numbers since taking office nearly two years ago at 65-percent. It eclipses his previous high of 63-percent and is higher than the 54-percent approval rating in May. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says timing is everything in politics…

Cut 3 (10) “and taxes.”

His approval rating is higher than other statewide elected officials.  Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy received 51 and 45 percent respectively and Congressman Steve Scalise got a 55-percent approval rating.  Pinsonat says it helps Edwards is away from the political division that’s happening in Washington D-C…

Cut 4  (09) “perfect time.” 

Governor Edwards is grateful for the trust the voters have placed in him.  He says the first two years have seen it’s share of challenges with the budget, the 2016 floods and the recent audit of former State Police leader Mike Edmonson, but he is looking forward to the future…

Cut 5  (07)  “in 2019.”

Edwards hopes his high poll numbers will help him get his agenda accomplished…

Cut 6 (08)  “against you.”

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Nearly 64,000 Americans died last year from drug overdoses, leading to a decline in life expectancy for the second year in a row, according to the CDC. Health officials say the decrease is a result of the exploding opioid epidemic, and President and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum, Jessica Hulsey Nickel, says the number of addicted Americans is growing…

Cut 7 (07)  “that they need.”

Nickel says many young adults are dying from drug overdoses, and has caused to life expectancy rate to shrink…

Cut 8 (03) “every single day.”

Nickel says the crisis has been building for years, and the country is failing to address it…

Cut 9 (11)  “our patients”

According to the World Health Organization, The United states now ranks below several dozen other countries in average life expectancy.

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Congress’s 1.5 trillion dollar tax overhaul has many wondering how this will impact their finances. The wholesale changes touch everything from investment returns to charitable donations, and radically alters tax season for most Louisianans. Baton Rouge area CPA Brandon Lagarde says the bill should lower taxes for most in the state…

 

Lgarde says despite Republican claims, the new changes won’t necessarily make tax season any simpler.  He says the new tax code will keep CPAs busy…

 

Congress inserted a special provision to allow flood victims to deduct more of the damages suffered. Lagarde says this provision should be a boon for those still recovering from the 2016 floods…

Cut 12 (11) “loses.”

Lagarde says business owners in particular will benefit the most from the changes.

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Cleco  has named Bill Fontenot as the new CEO effective January 1st. Fontenot has been with the company for 31 years, working in various capacities including business development, commercial operations and utility operations. He says he’s honored to help keep the focus of the utility on their customers.

Cut 13 (05)  “doing so.”

Fontenot’s family has a long history with the Pineville-based utility company. The father worked for the utility for over 30 years and son Bill followed in his footsteps. Fontenot says for Cleco to prosper, they need to keep supporting the communities they serve.

Cut 14 (08) “going forward.”

The utility is looking to solidify their reliability. Fontenot says he looks forward to upgrading the power grid to withstand natural disasters.

Cut 15 (12) “catastrophic conditions.”

Cleco serves about 288-thousand customers in Louisiana.

11:40 LRN Sportscast December 21

Ten of the 18 recruits LSU signed on the first day of the early signing period are offensive and defensive linemen. Head Coach Ed Orgeron is impressed with the big defensive tackles they signed….
cut 17 (17) “…we got em”
Five defensive linemen on LSU’s current roster are seniors and three of them are starters.

Linebackers Donnie Alexander and Corey Thompson have played their final games in a Tiger uniform. Orgeron has announced they will not play in the bowl game because of injuries and the banged up Arden Key will also not play and his LSU career is likely done as well, as he’s expected to skip his senior season.

New UL Lafayette Football Coach Billy Napier announces Michael Desormeaux will remain on the Cajuns staff, but what position group he’ll coach is not determined.

Quite a beat down last night in the Frisco Bowl as Louisiana Tech trounced SMU 51-10. The Bulldogs led 42-10 at halftime as the Mustangs turned it over on their first three drives and six overall. La Tech returned two interceptions for touchdowns and Bulldogs Q-B J’mar Smith threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score. Tech finishes the year with a 7-6 record.

09:30 LRN Newscast December 21

The head of the Tiger Athletic Foundation is waiting to see what kind of impact the federal tax reform legislation will have on college athletics. TAF President Rick Perry says LSU season ticket sales for their major sports could be impacted since fans will no longer be able to deduct 80 percent of their donations to the athletic program for the right to buy season tickets…
Cut 10 (06) “particular donation.”
Perry says the tax overhaul has so many ramifications that’s too early to tell if it will lead to fewer people making donations, therefore fewer season tickets sold.

Do you think the federal tax bill will lower your taxes? According to a statewide poll, only 19-percent of the respondents believe it will. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says this legislation will have a major impact on next year’s midterm elections.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he told former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson he can live in a taxpayer funded home near L-S-P headquarters….
Cut 13 (07) “state police.”
A recent state audit says Edmonson may have violated state law by living at the public home from 2008 to 2017. Edwards says he is concerned about some of the other accusations in the audit that allege Edmonson abused his power and was involved in illegal activity.

The state Office of Behavioral Health recommends against giving lottery tickets or other gambling products to children as Christmas gifts. Director of Problem Gambling Services, Quinetta Womack, says lottery tickets as a stocking stuffer can help promote problem gambling and there are much better gifts to give…
cut 6 (09) “…healthy choices”

08:30 LRN Newscast December 21

A Southern Media and Opinion Research poll finds only 19 percent of registered Louisiana voters believe their taxes will decrease with the passage of the tax reform bill. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Republicans say the average wage earner will see more money, but taxpayers are skeptical…
Cut 7 (09) “of rhetoric.”
According to the survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, 42-percent believe their taxes will increase.

Governor John Bel Edwards says his office acted quickly once it was learned one of his deputy chiefs of staff was accused of sexual harrassment by a staff member…
cut 15 (09) “…the spot”
Johnny Anderson has denied the sexual harassment allegations and the alleged victim has reportedly resigned from the governor’s office.

Governor Edwards has set a January 19th deadline to reach a deal with legislative leaders on addressing a one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards says failure to reach an agreement will mean deep cuts to health care and higher education. If an agreement in principle is reached, a special session will be called in February to make changes to the state’s tax code.

The LSU football team added much needed depth on its defensive line on the first day of the early signing period. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

07:30 LRN Newscast December 21

Governor John Bel Edwards defends former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson’s living arrangement in a public building when he served as leader of the L-S-P from 2008 to 2017. A state audit says Edmonson may have violated state law by living there rent-free, but Edwards is concerned about other areas of the audit that provide examples Edmonson allegedly abused his authority…
cut 14 (09) “….improper”

Do you think the federal tax bill will lower your taxes? According to a statewide poll, only 19-percent of the respondents believe it will. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says this legislation will have a major impact on next year’s midterm elections…
cut 8 (08) “…become popular”

The federal tax reform bill means fans can no longer deduct the donations they make for the right to purchase season tickets for college athletics…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Lottery tickets may seem like a great Christmas gift for children as stocking stuffers. But Quinetta Womack, director of Problem Gambling Services, says lottery tickets and other gambling products are NOT suitable for kids under 18…
Cut 4 (07) “that nature.”

06:45 LRN Sportscast December 21

LSU has beefed up its offensive and defensive lines by signing ten linemen on the first day of the early signing period. The Tigers inked five defensive tackles and four offensive linemen, including the number one o-line junior college prospect in Badara Traore and Cole Smith one of the country’s top centers. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says Smith is from Pontotoc High School in Mississippi…
cut 16 (16) “…is a Tiger”
LSU needed help on the O-line after five offensive linemen transferred during the last offseason.

Louisiana Tech heads into its offseason with a bunch of momentum after winning its third straight last night as they crushed SMU 51-10 in the Frisco Bowl last night.

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has apologized for the choke gesture he made towards Falcons running back Devonta Freeman. TV cameras caught the incident when the two teams met two weeks ago in Atlanta and the two teams are set to meet again this Sunday. In a conference call with Atlanta reporters, Payton said he let his emotions get the best of him. Freeman says he’s not bothered by Payton’s actions.

Former LSU Tiger Rob Sale is the new offensive coordinator at UL Lafayette. Sale was also an assistant coach at McNeese and ULM.

The Warhawks basketball team beat Centenary 74-51 last night. Travis Munnings recorded his first double-double of the season, 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Nicholls dribbled past Mobile 96-62 as Kimani Jackson had 23 points on 10-of-11 shooting. Northwestern State allowed 15 three-pointers and lost to Utah 84-62.

Today, Louisiana Tech faces Alabama State in New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana is at Notre Dame.

06:30 LRN Newscast December 21

Governor John Bel Edwards defends the living arrangements of the former State Police leader who is accused of improprities in a state audit. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A statewide poll finds only 19-percent of voters believe their taxes will decrease with the passage of the federal tax overhaul legislation. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat…
cut 9 (05) “….of it”

LSU officials are concerned the federal tax bill will make it more difficult for season ticket holders to purchase their tickets, because the legislation no longer allows fans to deduct 80-percent of the contributions they have to give for the ability to purchase their season tickets. Tiger Atheltic Foundation President Rick Perry….
cut 12 (10) “….of concern”
Perry says they were hoping Congress would phase out the deduction, instead they completely eliminated it.

Louisiana Tech jumped all over SMU in the first half and ran away with a 51-10 win over the Mustangs in the Frisco Bowl last night.

LRN AM Newscall December 21

The federal tax reform bill means fans can no longer deduct the donations they make for the right to purchase season tickets for college athletics. Kelley Ray looks at what it means for LSU…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards defends the living arrangements of the former State Police leader who is accused of legal wrongdoing in a state audit. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The LSU football team added much needed depth on its defensive line on the first day of the early signing period. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Lottery tickets may seem like a great Christmas gift with adults buying them for  children as stocking stuffers. But Quinetta Womack, director of Problem Gambling Services, says several Louisiana youths are already being indoctrinated down a path to problem gambling…

Cut 4  (07) “that nature.” 

In the lone chance that your child may “win” with a scratch off ticket, Womack says it gives the juvenile a false sense of dreams and ideas that can lead to gambling addiction, because in reality…

Cut 5  (06)  “of winning.”

Womack says it’s much better to give a child a gift that will promote their creativity, based on real values…

Cut 6 (09)  “healthy choices.”

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A Southern Media and Opinion Research poll finds only 19 percent of registered Louisiana voters believe their taxes will decrease with the passage of the Republican tax reform bill.  Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Republicans say the average wage earner will see more money, but taxpayers are skeptical…

Cut 7 (09)  “of rhetoric.”

According to the survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, 42-percent of respondents believe their taxes will increase. Pinsonat says the massive tax reform legislation will have a major impact on next year’s federal mid-term elections…

Cut 8 (12) “become popular.”

A majority of black Democrats and white Democrats and a near majority of low income voters think their taxes will increase. Pinsonat says the answers from these voters are clearly perception…

Cut 9 (05)  “of it.”

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The head of the Tiger Athletic Foundation is waiting to see what kind of impact the federal tax reform legislation will have on college athletics. TAF President Rick Perry says LSU season ticket sales for their major sports could be impacted since fans will no longer be able to deduct 80 percent of their donations to the athletic program for the right to buy season tickets…

Perry says he knows fans will receive tax breaks elsewhere as a result of the GOP tax bill, but it remains to be seen on how it will impact their ability to buy season tickets…

Cut 11 (12) “stand now.”

When the tax bill was debated in Congress, LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva said passage of the reform measure could mean a loss of 50-million-dollars for the athletic program.  Perry says they are very concerned about the ramifications of what this legislation will do when it comes to the amount of donations they get…

 

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Governor John Bel Edwards addressed two controversies involving former members of his administration. A legislative audit accuses former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson of abusing his power and possible illegal activity, but Edwards defends his living arrangement at state police headquarters.

Cut 13 (07)  “state police.”

Edwards says the agreement to allow Edmonson to live on state property began in the Jindal administration. However, the governor says that other findings revealed by both the State Police Internal Affairs and a legislative audit revealed troubling behavior.

Cut 14 (09) “improper.”

Edwards former aide, Johnny Anderson, recently resigned over sexual harassment allegations. Edwards says the issue was handled swiftly.

Cut 15  (09)  “the spot”.

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LSU has beefed up its offensive and defensive lines by signing ten linemen on the first day of the early signing period. The Tigers inked five defensive tackles and four offensive linemen, including the number one o-line junior college prospect in Badara Traore and Cole Smith one of the country’s top centers. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says Smith is from Pontotoc High School in Mississippi…

Cut 16 (16) “is a Tiger”

Orgeron is impressed with the big defensive tackles they signed…

Cut 17 (17) “we got em”

Ten of LSU’s 18 signees are from Louisiana, including six-foot-one defensive tackle Davin Cotton from Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport. Orgeron says Cotton has great upper body strength and an explosive first step to shed blockers…

Cut 18 (12) “defensive linemen”

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18:30 LRN Newscast December 20

Governor John Bel Edwards held his last press conference of the year, where he addressed concerns about the looming fiscal cliff. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The state attorney general’s office announced today the Academy of the Sacred Heart athletic director and basketball coach has been arrested on various sex crimes, including indecent behavior with a juvenile. 51-year-old Mark Aune of Opelousas was booked into the St. Landry Parish jail with the help of Texas authorities.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act approved by Congress has far reaching effects for Louisiana. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says not only will it cut taxes, but it also creates nearly 100-million dollars in additional funding for coastal restoration projects…
Cut 5 (08) “coastal erosion”
Cassidy says the bill also doubles the Child Tax Credit to two-thousand dollars.

LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois believes this will be a record breaking year for sugarcane production in this state. Gravois says the freak snow storm that hit south Louisiana two weeks ago did very little damage to the crop….
cut 13 (09) “…cold weather”
2012 is the record for production, 84-hundred pounds per acre harvested and Gravois believes they’ll beat that this year.

17:30 LRN Newscast December 20

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says the massive tax reform package approved by Congress does more than just provide tax cuts to individuals. Cassidy says the historic legislation also preserves the Historical Tax Credit, which has helped facilitate nearly 800 reconstruction projects:
Cut 4 (06) “38,000 jobs”
He says the legislation also allows victims of last year’s floods in North and South Louisiana to deduct all of their personal casualty losses from their taxable income.

A River Ridge vet has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing her neighbor’s dog, because of excessive barking. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says it’s unbelievable that 35-year-old Kelly Folse, who is supposed to take care of animals, would go to this length…:
Cut 8 (10) “techs do”
Folse faces felony cruelty to animals charges.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans on having a February special session to address the looming fiscal cliff,…
cut 9 (09 ) “…the cliff”
The governor has set a January 19th deadline to reach an agreement, if no deal is reached, he’ll be forced to propose deep cuts to health care and higher education.

LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois believes this will be a record breaking year for sugarcane production in this state. Gravois says the freak snow storm that hit south Louisiana two weeks ago did very little damage to the crop….
cut 13 (09) “…cold weather”
2012 is the record for production, 84-hundred pounds per acre harvested and Gravois believes they’ll beat that this year.