08:30 LRN Newscast August 8

Governor John Bel Edwards will reportedly meet with business leaders today to discuss what options the state has when it comes to addressing a one-billion dollar plus budget deficit, because temporary taxes are set to expire. Publisher of la-politics-dot-com Jeremy Alford says another special session maybe needed to avoid the state from going over the so-called fiscal cliff…
cut 6 (09) “…capitol up”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is meeting with rural convention and visitor bureaus to discuss ways to boost tourism in rural areas….
cut 8 (10) “…around Louisiana”
Nungesser was in Tallulah and Oil City yesterday. Today he’s in Opelousas and tomorrow Houma.

Congressman Garret Graves is concerned about flood recovery dollars getting into the hands of victims as the one year anniversary of the historic flood approaches. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The New Orleans City Council holds a special meeting today to review the city’s drainage system following Saturday’s rainstorm that flooded numerous homes and businesses. The Sewerage and Water Board says there was simply too much rain for the largest drainage system in the world to handle.

07:30 LRN Newscast August 8

Governor Edwards will reportedly meet with business leaders today to discuss ideas on how to address a one-point-three billion dollar budget deficit that the state faces, because a bunch of temporary taxes expire next July. Publisher of la-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford, says raising income or business taxes maybe difficult, so they may look towards the sales tax…
cut 5 (10) “…showing up”
One penny of the state’s five-cent sales tax is set to sunset next year, but it could be kept on the books.

LSU System President F King Alexander announces faculty and staff will recieve a pay hike that will average three-percent. It’s the first raise in several years for LSU employees. Senate Faculy President Kevin Cope says other states provide pay hikes regularly to avoid attrition…
cut 15 (09) “…do this”
The raises take effect September 1st.

Thousands of homes were destroyed last August as a result of massive flooding in south Louisiana. U-S Representative Garret Graves says he’s pushing for better flood control projects, like the proposed Comite River Diversion Canal in the Baton Rouge area. Graves says elevating homes is only somewhat beneficial….
cut 11 (10) “….process”
Graves is also hopeful Congress will approve an improved flood insurance program next month.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has started a series of roundtable discussions with rural convention and visitor bureaus’ to improve tourism in those areas. Nungesser says they need to find a way to get those visitors out of the big cities and into other parts of the state. He says they also hope more Louisianans will choose to vacation in their home state.
Cut 9 (09) “haven’t seen”

06:45 LRN Sportscast August 8

The Baton Rouge Advocate has released details of the contract for new LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade. He received a six-year deal worth 15-million dollars. That mean’s he’ll make two-and-a-half million dollars a year. And the contract does not include a buyout.

It doesn’t look like former LSU Tiger Jalen Collins has much of a future left with the Atlanta Falcons. The cornerback has received a second suspension for violating the NFL’s policy against performance enhancing drugs. Collins will have to miss the first ten games of this season. He served a four-game suspension last year. Falcons Coach Dan Quinn says Collins missteps could cost him a roster spot.

Broward County officials in Florida are investigating domestic abuse claims against Miami Dolphins receiver and ex-LSU standout Jarvis Landry. But Landry’s girlfriend says Landry would never, ever do anything to harm her or anyone else. She admits the couple had a vocal disagreement.

The Saints first preseason game is Thursday night at Cleveland and it’s unkown how much action Quarterback Drew Brees, running back Adrian Peterson and other veterans will play in that game. If they do see game action, don’t expect to see much action.

Ragin Cajuns Head Coach Mark Hudspeth says backup defensive back Jam Williams will miss the rest of the season because of a leg injury. Hudspeth also says potential starting linebacker Ferrod Gardner is expected to miss some time with a foot injury.

Ruston baseball star CJ willis has changed his verbal commitment from Ole Miss to LSU. Willis hit .388 with three home runs last season.

06:30 LRN Newscast August 8

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards holds a meeting with business and industry leaders to devise a plan for addressing a looming $1.3 billion fiscal cliff when temporary taxes expire in 2018.
cut 4 (10) “…not so clear”
That’s Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com who says the governor is looking to hear from the business community on what types of policy changes may be palatable, specifically tax increases.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the slow pace of funding getting into the hands of flood victims makes it difficult to push for more federal aid, because it’s hard to quantify unmet needs…
cut 10 (08) “…we’re made”
Graves says only one-percent of the two billion additional dollars allocated by the federal government has been dispersed to flooded homeowners.

Since higher education did not receive a budget cut for the current fiscal year, LSU System President F. King Alexander says faculty and staff will receive a pay raise averaging three-percent. Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope says this modest pay hike could save the university and state money in the long run, if it keeps the staff on campus….
cut 14 (12) “….of Louisiana”
The raises take effect September 1st.

Lafayette Police charge a 15-year-old with second murder in the shooting death of a 14-year-old. Authorities say the suspect and the victim were acquaintances, but did not provide details on a motive.

17:30 LRN Newscast

The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State predicts we’ll see 11 named storms for the rest of the season, eight of those storms are expected to become hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the tropical Atlantic has been much warmer than normal and the absence of El Nino make for perfect hurricane conditions….
cut 14 (10) “….to form”

LSU announces they will build a statue of the school’s lone Heisman Trophy winner. Billy Cannon led the Tigers to a national championship in 1958. The 80-year-old thanks his former teammates, Warren Rabb and Jimmy Fields and Athletic Director Joe Alleva for pushing LSU to construct the statue….
cut 4 (10) “…fantastic”
Alleva says Cannon is largely responsible for the emergence of big-time football at LSU.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is not pleased that crawfish have been found in one of their lakes and a retention pond…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Thirteen chefs, including Bonnie Breaux from St. Martinville, will compete Saturday in the Great American Seafood Cook-off at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they also have chefs from Alaska, Massachusetts and New Mexico…
cut 7 (07) “…to see”
Tickets cost 10 bucks and it begins 11:30 AM.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 August 4

LSU announces they are building a statue of the school’s lone Heisman Trophy winner, Billy Cannon. Cannon led the Tigers to the national championship title in 1958. The 80-year-old credits the erection of the statue to the work of his former teammates, Warren Rabb and Jimmy Fields and Athletic Director Joe Alleva….
cut 4 (10) “…fantastic”
Alleva says Cannon is largely responsible for the emergence of big-time football at LSU.

A marquee player from one of the top high school football programs in the state has committed to Alabama. All-purpose back Slade Bolden chose the Crimson Tide over TCU. He plays several positions for the Rebels, but he’s expected to be a slot receiver for Nick Saban. Bolden was an all-state selection in both football and baseball last season.

Morten Andersen will be the second kicker to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. The Saints drafted Andersen in 1982 and he had 13 successful seasons in New Orleans. He’s still the team’s all-time leading scorer and the all-time points leader in NFL history.

At Saints camp, Five-foot-seven Tommylee Lewis is fighting for a roster spot. The second-year wide receiver from Northern Illinois caught seven passes last year. Lewis is also hoping to become the team’s primary punt returner…
cut 18 (14) “…great compeitition”

The Rain Cajuns men’s basketball team will begin a week-long trip to Cuba on Monday. Coach Bob Marlin’s team will play three games in Havana and participate in a couple of clinics for young children.

16:30 LRN Newscast August 4

The Colorado State Hurricane Forecast team is calling for 11 named storms for the rest of the hurricane season and eight those storms will be hurricanes. Three of the eight hurricanes are expected to be major. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 13 (11) “…breeding ground”
The National Hurricane Center is currently watching two tropical waves, one of them is in the central Caribbean.

The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has decided to honor football legend Dr. Billy Cannon with a statue. Cannon hopes the statue looks like he did in his glory days, young with a lot of hair….
cut 5 (09) “…present him”
Cannon led the Tigers to a national championship in 1958.

A new school year is fast approaching, the Louisiana Department of Health reminds parents to make sure their kids are up to date on vaccinations….
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The state legislative auditor has started an investigation into the East Baton Rouge Mayor-President’s office. There are allegations Sharon Weston-Broome’s administration misused federal grant money for a crime-fighting program. U.S. Senator John Kennedy also wants more information from the mayor’s office on this subject.

LRN PM Newscall August 4

LSU’s only Heisman Trophy winner, Dr. Billy Cannon, will be honored at the school’s Baton Rouge campus with a statue. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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With the new school year fast approaching, the Louisiana Department of Health reminds parents to make sure their kids are up to date on their vaccines. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has decided to honor football legend Dr. Billy Cannon with a statue on the Baton Rouge campus. Cannon graduated from the state’s flagship university in 1959 and is the school’s only Heisman Trophy winner. Cannon says receiving this honor is not something that you expect.

Cut 3 (10) “like me”

Cannon led the Tigers to the national championship title in 1958. The 80-year-old credits the erection of the statue to the work of his former teammates, Warren Rabb and Jimmy Fields and Athletic Director Joe Alleva.

Cut 4  (10) “fantastic”

Cannon says having a statue of him at his alma mater was the farthest thing from his mind. He hopes it looks like he did in his glory days, young with a lot of hair.

Cut 5  (09)  “represent him”

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Chefs from around the country will compete at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on Saturday for the chance to become the King or Queen of Seafood in the Great American Seafood Cook-off. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this is a chance for Louisiana to show off our fresh seafood. He says it’s a win-win for the state and the chefs.

Cut 6 (08) “or seafood”

So far 13 chefs have entered to compete for the coveted title. Louisiana’s representative is Bonnie Breaux of St. Martinville. Nungesser says other chefs are coming from as far away as Alaska, Massachusetts, and New Mexico. He says it’s always exciting to see the passion these cooks put into their dishes.

Cut 7 (07)  “to see”

Nungesser says the cook-off highlights the great seafood here in America, which he says is the best in the world. He says imported seafood just doesn’t compare to the fresh fish, crabs, and shrimp raised here in the Bayou State.

Cut 8 (09) “New Orleans”

Tickets are $10 at the door.

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The Louisiana Department of Health urges parents to make sure their children are vaccinated as school is just around the corner. State immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says vaccines are an important part of a child’s health and wellbeing, especially while they’re in school. He says children congregate in small classrooms, which makes it easier for vaccine-preventable diseases to spread.

Cut 9 (07)  “family members”

Welch says that’s why Louisiana law requires students to be vaccinated. Children must receive vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, hepatitis, and chicken pox. Students entering sixth grade also need a meningitis vaccine. He says kids have to get that shot before they’re exposed to the disease.

Cut 10 (07) “meningitis vaccine”

Welch says there is misinformation surrounding vaccines, but research has shown they do not cause things like autism. That concern was a big reason behind parents not vaccinating their kids. He encourages parents to get the facts about vaccines from their pediatrician.

Cut 11 (07) “from an expert”

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The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State has increased their storm prediction total by one and now anticipate 11 named storms for the rest of the season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the total number of storms has been increased from 15 to 16. He says this isn’t a big change but it still shows conditions are conducive for an active season.

Cut 12 (10) “normal”

The forecast says eight of those eleven storms will become hurricanes. Keim says we’ve already had five named storms this season and 11 more are expected to come. He says 3 of the 8 predicted hurricanes are expected to be major.

Cut 13 (11) “breeding ground”

The National Hurricane Center is currently watching two tropical waves, one is way out in the Atlantic, while the other is in the central Caribbean. Keim says the next couple of months will be extremely active. He says the tropical Atlantic has been much warmer than normal and the absence of El Nino make perfect hurricane conditions.

Cut 14 (10) “to form”

There is a 38-percent chance a major hurricane will make landfall along the Gulf Coast.

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14:30 LRN Newscast August 4

The Louisiana Department of Health is putting out the reminder to parents to make sure their children are up to date on their vaccinations for the new school year. Louisiana law requires children age four or older entering kindergarten, pre-k or Head Start programs to receive vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, hepatitis and chicken pox. LDH Immunization director Doctor Frank Welch says students entering sixth grade also need a meningitis vaccine. He says kids have to get that shot before they’re exposed to the disease….
cut 10 (07) “….meningitis vaccine”

President Donald Trump has nominated state Judge Terry Doughty of Rayville and Lafayette attorney Michael Juneau as federal judges in the Western District of Louisiana. the district has four vacancies now that Patricia Minaldi has gone on disability retirement.

The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State University is predicting the formation of 11 named storms for the rest of the season, eight of those storms are expeted to become hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the tropical Atlantic has been much warmer than normal and the absence of El Nino make for perfect hurricane conditions….
cut 14 (10) “….to form”

There’s a good chance that excellent seafood will be prepared at the Grearter American Seafoof Cook-off at the Morial Convention Center on Saturday. Lt. Billy Nungesster says the cook-off highlights the great seafood produced in America as opposed to the imports…
cut 8 (09) “…New Orleans”
Bonnie Breaux of St. Martinville is Louisiana’s representative at the cook-off.

13:30 LRN Newscast August 4

A new school year is fast approaching, the Louisiana Department of Health reminds parents to make sure their kids are up to date on vaccinations….
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser says an 89-year-old man who was hit over the head by a hammer during a beating by a 16-year-old boy has died. Charges are likely to be upgraded against the teenager, who also stole the victim’s car and crashed it in Baton Rouge. The series of crimes took place about a month ago.

The Colorado State Hurricane Forecast team is calling for 11 named storms for the rest of the hurricane season and eight those storms will be hurricanes. Three of the eight hurricanes are expected to be major. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 13 (11) “…breeding ground”
The National Hurricane Center is currently watching two tropical waves, one of them is in the central Caribbean.

LSU has announced they are building a statue of the school’s lone Heisman Trophy winner, Billy Cannon. Cannon led the Tigers to the national championship title in 1958. The 80-year-old credits the erection of the statue to the work of his former teammates, Warren Rabb and Jimmy Fields and Athletic Director Joe Alleva….
cut 4 (10) “…fantastic”
Cannon says he never thought LSU would honor him with a statue.