16:30 LRN Newscast October 6th

It’s a decision that has many LSU fans irate. The SEC has decided to postpone Saturday’s scheduled game at Florida, because of Hurricane Matthew. The league says they will attempt to try and reschedule the game for later in the year, but it will take the reshuffling of games. But a source tells Tiger Rag-dot-com there’s zero chance the game will be rescheduled. The Tiger Rag report also says LSU offered Tiger Stadium, it’s charter plane and buses to accommodate a possible relocation to Baton Rouge.

The US Supreme Court has decided not to hear former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin’s appeal for a new trial. Nagin is serving a 10-year sentence for public corruption charges. Legal analyst Chick Foret says Nagin probably had some hope after the nation’s highest court vacated former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s corruption convicton…
cut 5 (08) “…in this case”
Nagin still has eight years left on his federal prison sentence.

There are concerns that the potential damage Florida could receive from Hurricane Matthew could interfere with the federal disaster aid coming to Louisiana. But U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy doesn’t think so…:
CUT 9 (07) “having problems”
Congress is expected to return in December to discuss more financial flood relief for Louisiana and what will need to be done to help those impacted by Hurricane Matthew.

It’s sugar cane grinding season in Louisiana and the harvest is expected to be up from last year. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m jeff Palermo”

14:30 LRN Newscast October 6th

Still waiting on a decision from the SEC and Florida about the status of Saturday’s college football game between the Tigers and Gators. We were told yesterday that a decision would be made by noon today, then it was pushed back to two o’ clock and now there are reports a decision on a location and game time will be made by 5:00.

Florida is bracing for the impact of a Category Four Hurricane. Matthew is packing winds of 140 miles hour. If there’s significant damage to Florida, will that hurt efforts by Louisiana’s Congressional delegation to secure more federal flood aid? Senator Bill Cassidy predicts Matthew will create a heightened awareness for a need to help storm-impacted communities…
cut 10 (05) “…little better”
Cassidy says Congress will return in December to discuss more financial flood relief for Louisiana and what will need to be done to help those impacted by Hurricane Matthew.

The UL System Board of Supervisors names Northwestern State President Doctor Jim Henderson as the new leader of the UL System. Henderson believes his healthy relationship with state lawmakers can help the nine universities that make up the UL system…
cut 13 (09) “…really enjoy”
Henderson will take over as UL system president on January 1st.

The US Supreme Court has declined to hear former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin’s appeal for a new trial. Nagin was convicted in 2014 on public corruption charges. Legal analyst Chick Foret says for the appeal to be heard, Nagin’s lawyers would have had to show there was irreversible error during the trial…
cut 4 (11) “…sentencing guidelines”
Nagin has served two of those ten years.

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 6th

We’re anticipating an announcement soon on the status of the LSU-Florida game. Hurricane Matthew is intensifying as it approaches the east coast of Florida. The university has decided to cancel classes this afternoon and tomorrow and Louisiana’s Senior Senator, David Vitter, is urging Florida to move the game out of Gainesville.

If LSU is able to play on Saturday, running back Leonard Fournette is not expected to play because of an ankle injury. Offensive guard Will Clapp will also miss the game with a shoulder injury and tight end Foster Moreau is also dealing with an undisclosed injury and he’ll likely not play against the Gators.

In the Southland Conference, Nicholls hosts Stephen F Austin for homecoming. 20th ranked McNeese travels to Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State hosts a division two school, Kentucky Wesleyan. The Demons are still looking for their first win of the season.

Big football game in Ruston tonight as Louisiana Tech hosts Western Kentucky, who has won 12 straight conference games. The Bulldogs were the last team to defeat the Hilltoppers in league play. Western Kentucky comes into this game as one of the top passing teams in the league. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says it’s impressive to see them move the football…
cut 18 (16) “…offensively”
This game features the top two wide receivers in the conference, Trent Taylor for Louisiana Tech adn Taywan Taylor for Western Kentucky.

UL Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth says defensive lineman David Lemoto is done for the season with a torn ACL. He injured his knee in the double overtime loss to New Mexico State. Backup QB Jalen Nixon and defensive lineman LaDarrius Kidd also went down with season ending injuries in that game.

17:30 LRN Newscast October 5th

Research by the Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity finds Louisiana has more opioid prescriptions than residents. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Residents of Jefferson Parish are demanding that Parish President Mike Yenni resign as a result of allegations that claim he sent a 17-year-old boy sexually explicit texts. This resident urges the council to take action..
cut 11 (10) “…don’t hide’
Yenni was absent from the council meeting.

Sad news today about L-S-U’s live mascot, Mike the Tiger. His veterinarian, Doctor David Baker, says the tumor on his face has resumed growing and his cancer has spread, and the 420-pound Tiger only has one to two months to live. Baker says Mike will no longer receive radiation treatment and their plan is to give the LSU community time to say their goodbyes…
cut 4 (11) “…hospice care”
The doctor says they plan to euthanize Mike, once it gets to become too painful for him to live. Baker added that LSU has instructed him to find another live mascot.

Despite Hurricane Matthew’s threat on the east coast, the LSU-Florida game is still scheduled to be played in Gainesville, but it’s unclear whether it will kick-off at 11 AM on Saturday. Officials say a final decision on the start time will be made by noon central time tomorrow. But there are no plans to move the game out of Gainesville.

16:45 LRN Sportscast October 5th

LSU and Florida game is scheduled to be played in Gainesville, but it’s unclear whether it will kick-off at 11 AM on Saturday, because of Hurricane Matthew. Officials say a final decision on the start time will be made by noon central time tomorrow. And they say the game will not be moved out of Gainesville.

Whenever this game is played, it could be a low scoring affair. Florida has allowed just seven touchdowns, while LSU has given up five. Tigers senior linebacker Kendell Beckwith says the fewer the touchdowns allowed, the better the chances for victory…
cut 18 (15) “…we can be”
Coach Ed Orgeron said today it’s unlikely Fournette will play. He continues to nurse a left ankle injury that’s already forced him to miss two games this season.

The Tulane and Central Florida game scheduled for tomorrow night in Orlando has been moved to November 5th, because of Hurricane Matthew. That was an easy decision, since both teams have a bye week that weekend.

There is a college football game in the state tomorrow night. Louisiana Tech hosts defending Conference USA champion Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers have won 12 straight league games.

Sad news today about L-S-U’s live mascot, Mike the Tiger. His veterinarian, Doctor David Baker, says the tumor on his face has resumed growing and his cancer has spread, and the 420-pound Tiger only has one to two months to live. Baker says Mike will no longer receive radiation treatment and their plan is to give the LSU community time to say their goodbyes…
cut 4 (11) “…hospice care”
The doctor says they plan to euthanize Mike, once it gets to become too painful for him to live. Baker added that LSU has instructed him to find another live mascot.

LRN PM Newscall October 5th

LSU’s live mascot Mike VI’s cancer has spread throughout his body, according to his veterinarian Dr. David Baker. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Research by the Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity finds Louisiana has more opioid prescriptions than residents. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Mike the Tiger’s veterinarian announces the live mascot’s cancer has spread throughout his body. Dr. David Baker says based on a CT scan, they believe Mike has one to two months to live.

CUT 3 (11)  “radiation”

Baker says currently, Mike VI is behaving very normally and his appetite has returned after treatment for a sinus infection due to a tumor. He says their current plan gives the LSU community time to say their goodbyes to the beloved mascot.

CUT 4 (11)  “hospice care”

LSU has already instructed Baker to begin the search for a young tiger to become Mike VII. Baker says there is no way to know when Mike VI will permanently retire to his night house and assures they will not let him suffer. He says he’s been questioned about Mike’s radiation treatment and believes it did what it was supposed to do.

CUT 5 (08)  “its behavior”

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There are more opioid prescriptions in Louisiana than there are residents. That’s according to research by the Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity. Medical Director with the state Office of Public Health, Dr. David Holcombe, says it’s a problem in the Deep South, as Louisiana is one of 8 states with a high rate of prescriptions per resident. He says part of the problem is that it’s easier for doctors to write a prescription.

CUT 6 (07) “the math”

Louisiana’s opioid prescription rate was 1.03 per capita in 2015, and Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Kentucky also had rates higher than 1. Holcombe says pharmaceutical companies push these pills as being safer than they really are. He says there’s also a problem with patient demand.

CUT 7 (09) “be tolerated”

Holcombe says when they crackdown on over prescribing these pills, many people who have become addicted will switch to heroin because it’s cheaper and more readily available. He says a simple solution would be for doctors to check their patients’ prescription history.

CUT 8 (09) “and so forth”

Holcombe doesn’t expect doctors to be eager to do these checks because it would be another hassle on their to-do list.

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Angry Jefferson Parish residents spoke out at a council meeting today urging Parish President Mike Yenni to resign. There are multiple allegations claiming while Yenni was the mayor of Kenner, he sent a 17-year-old boy sexually explicit texts and kissed the teen in a public bathroom then gave him designer underwear. Resident Richard Brown maintains Yenni offered that teen a job.

CUT 9 (06) “credit card” 

A spokesperson for Yenni said he would have something to say soon, but not today. Kenner resident and a mother of two boys, Stacy Alessandro, says she’s disappointed Yenni wasn’t at the meeting to refute these allegations. She says his silence speaks volumes.

cut 10 (07)  “in hiding”

Another Jefferson Parish resident says this is humiliating for the entire parish. She urges the council to take whatever action is need and hopes Yenni will speak out about these claims.

Cut 11 (10) “don’t hide”

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An unrestrained 19-year-old was killed in a single vehicle crash after her vehicle was split in half in Catahoula Parish. State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says police responded to a crash in Harrisonburg, yesterday morning involving, Reagan Rainey of Jonesville, who lost control of her vehicle and hit a tree.

cut 12 (11) “in half”

Moreau says State Police doesn’t see too many crashes were a vehicle is split in half, but when they do, speed is typically a factor.

Cut 13 (10)  “as well”

Moreau says police are out enforcing speed and seat belt laws because it can be a recipe for disaster like this.

cut 14 (07)  “correct way”

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11:40 LRN Sportscast October 5th

Sad news for LSU fans as Doctor David Baker, with the LSU Vet School, announced that Mike the Tiger only has one to two months to live, because his cancer, which was first diagnosed this past spring, has spread. Dr. Baker says they will euthanize Mike humanely before he’s in great pain. Dr. Baker also says the search for a new live-mascot has begun.

Hurricane Matthew is a threat to Florida, which is raising questions on whether the Tigers will be able to play the Gators at 11 AM in Gainesville on Saturday. If they do play at 11 AM, Danny Etling, the former Purdue quarterback, says he’s used to early kickoffs from his days in the Big Ten…
cut 17 (11) “…entire week”
And Interim Head Coach Ed Orgeron doesn’t think running back Leonard Fournette will be able to play Saturday.

Because of Hurricane Matthew, Friday night’s Tulane-Central Florida game has been moved to November 5th. It worked out well, because both teams have an open date that weekend.

ULM is back home this Saturday to host Idaho after playing three straight on the road. Last week, the Warhawks lost to auburn 58-7. Coach Matt Viator says for them to have success this Saturday, they’ll need to tackle better…
cut 20 (19) “…on plays”
The rest of the games for the Warhawks will be against Sun Belt opponents.

In the first preseason home game for the Pelicans, New Orleans fell to the Pacers 113-96. First round pick Buddy Hield had 35 points.

10:30 LRN Newscast October 5th

There are more opioid prescriptions in Louisiana than there are residents. That’s according to research by the Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity. Medical Director with the state Office of Public Health, Dr. David Holcombe, says it’s a problem in the Deep South, as Louisiana is one of 8 states with a high rate of prescriptions per resident. He says part of the problem is that it’s easier for doctors to write a prescription…
cut 6 (07) “….the math”
Louisiana’s opioid prescription rate was 1.03 per capita in 2015.

The LSU vet school says Mike the Tiger’s cancer is getting worse and officials are holding a press conference at this hour to discuss the next steps of his treatment. His caretakers found a tumor on his face earlier this year and a CT scan this week discovered that the tumor is spreading.

And we are still waiting to hear if there will be any changes with this Saturday’s LSU game at Florida, because of Hurricane Matthew.

Alexandria is mourning the death of Ned Randolph, who was the city’s mayor from 1986 to 2006. Current mayor, Jacque Roy, says Randolph will be missed, because he always wanted what’s best for the Cenla Region…
cut 9 (08) “….to him”
Randolph battled Alzheimer’s Disease for the last several years of his life.

Today the last shelter for south Louisiana flood victims will close. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

18:30 LRN Newscast October 4th

Congressman Charles Boustany is suing author Ethan Brown and publisher Simon and Schuster for making prostitution allegations. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (27) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Senator Troy Brown has entered a plea of “not guilty” to a domestic abuse charge. Brown is accused of biting his wife’s arm during an argument at their home in Ascension Parish. A trial date has been scheduled for December.

A federal judge has ruled state can not yet enforce a new law that prohibits strip clubs from hiring strippers under the age of 21. There is a suit seeking to get the law thrown out.

District Attorney Jerry Jones is retiring after 26 years as DA for Ouachita and Morehouse Parishes. He cites health reasons and says he hopes to remain practicing some type of law with his son…:
CUT 11 (12) “lot of em”
Jones helped write several state laws that called stronger punishments for those victimize women and children.

Two Central Lafourche High school students have been arrested for wearing clown masks while riding around the school. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says they have evidence that Jordan Boudreaux and Taylor Defelice were wearing the masks, because one of them posted it on Snap Chat.
Cut 15 (10) “certain holidays”

17:30 LRN Newscast October 4th

Congressman Charles Boustany has filed a lawsuit against the author and publisher of a new book that claims the US Senate candidate frequented a Jennings motel looking for prostitutes. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says very few public officials succeed in libel or defamation lawsuits.
Cut 7 (10) “or falsity”
The author, Ethan Brown, stands by what he wrote.

Congressman Garret Graves is holding a town hall meeting in Baker tonight. Graves expects there will be a lot of discussion about the FEMA requirement to elevate flood damaged homes and what additional measures the federal government should take to protect residents from future floods.
Cut 10 (07) “other projects”

Longtime northeast Louisiana district attorney Jerry Jones will step down on November 1st, because of health reasons. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Two south Louisiana teens have been charged with terrorizing after they were allegedly caught wearing a clown mask at Central LaFourche High School…
Cut 14 (10) “…on campus”
LaFourche Parish Sheriff spokesperson Brennan Matherne says the 17-year-olds from Raceland face up to three years in jail if convicted.