11:40 LRN Sportscast November 17th

The 4-and-5 Saints take on the 3-6 Carolina Panthers tonight on Thursday night football. New Orleans beat Carolina 41-38 earlier this season. Drew Brees threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns. The Q-B says the Black and Gold had a good day that day and Carolina still has a good defense…
cut 19 (19) “…the past”
The 37-year-old Brees is tied for the most touchdown passes in the NFL and ranks second passing yards as he’ll go over 3,000 mark tonight.

Also tonight in Thibodaux, Nicholls State will host Southeastern Louisiana as those two teams will battle it out for the River Bell Trophy. The Colonels won this game last year on a 40-yard field goal with no time left on the clock. Nicholls is led by freshman quarterback Chase Fourcade who has thrown for 22-hundred yards and accounted for 22 touchdowns.

The 21st ranked Gators come into Baton Rouge this Saturday with a 7-2 record, but seven starters are not expected to play because of injuries. Florida Coach Jim McElwain joked about changing the rules of football in order to make the game more even…
cut 17 (20) “…some guys”
A win for Florida and they clinch the SEC East.

Louisiana Tech is the first school since 2012 to have two players named semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award. Trent Taylor and Carlos Henderson have combined to catch 26 touchdown passes.

In college hoops, Tech beat Alabama State 87-56 last night, tonight ULM faces Colorado.

10:30 LRN Newscast November 17th

A report from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds that less than 22-percent of children ages to 6 to 19 meet the physical activity guidelines. Researcher Peter Katzmarzyk says this number is way too low and for kids to become more active it will need to start in homes and schools, but everyone can get involved….
cut 11 (09) “…the community”
Health experts say kids should get a mininum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least three days a week.

The Louisiana Association of Industry and Business is holding a criminal justice reform summit today in Baton Rouge. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says they’ll hear from experts and also look at what other states have done to lower the state’s incarceration rate…
cut 8 (10) “…the process”

The same week that Alton Sterling was shot during a confrontation with two police officers in Baton Rouge, Philando Castile was shot by an officer in Minnesota. That officer is facing charges, but still nothing on the Sterling case. Legal analyst Tim Meche explains why….
cut 5 (10) “…geographic areas”
The US Attorney’s office in Baton Rouge is overseeing the investigation into Sterling’s death.

After 130 happy, happy, happy episodes, Duck Dynasty announces the series will come to an end in April. The A&E series about the Robertson family of West Monroe has given yuppies around the country a taste of what it’s like to be a good ole boy since 2012. President of the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, Courtney Hornsby, says the show has spiked an interest in the small town….
cut 3 (09) “…backyard”

17:30 LRN Newscast November 16th

Wounded East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Tullier was transported to a rehab hospital in Texas. Tullier was one of several officers shot during the deadly police ambush in July. He spent nearly four months at Our Lady of the Lake. Chief Operating Officer Terrie Sterling
cut 30 (07) “…has been a journey”
Based on reports from the family, Tullier can move his toes and hands and open one of his eyes.

A state judge rules that the jury in the Cardell Hayes murder trial will be sequestered. Hayes is accused of killing former-Saints player Will Smith after a car accident on April 9th. Legal analyst Chick Foret says there will be a lot of media coverage and the judge wants to prevent any potential bias…:
Cut 9 (11) “the evidence”
The trial is set to begin December 5th.

A 23-year-old Baton Rouge mother has been arrested after her one-year-old daughter was accidentally shot in the face by her two-year-old son. Corporal L’ Jean McKneely says Crystal Kinchen was charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile for leaving the children alone in the car. He says the infant is still hospitalized…
cut 5 (07) “….the best”
The University of New Orleans and Northwestern State plan to cover the TOPS shortfall for recipients next semester. Emelie Gunn has more…
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

16:45 LRN Sportscast November 16th

LSU running back Leonard Fournette says he’ll be ready for Saturday’s game against Florida, despite an ankle injury that’s bothered him all season long. Fournette’s injury gave sophomore running back Derrius Guice more opportunities and the Baton Rouge product has taken advantage. Guice leads the team in rushing and has nine touchdowns. Fournette was impressed with Guice’s school-record 96 yard rushing touchdown last week…
cut 18 (12) “…it’s amazing”
Here’s how Florida coach Jim McElwain described LSU’s one-two punch at running back…
cut 30 (12) “,…this conference”
Saturday is expected to be Fournette’s last game in Tiger Stadium, because he’s expected to enter the NFL draft.

The Saints head to Carolina today for tomorrow night’s game against the Panthers. Quarterback Drew Brees on what it’s like preparing for a Thursday night game….
cut 29 (20) “…for it”
Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead has been ruled out for tomorrow night’s game with a leg injury, while cornerback Delvin Breaux is questionable.

There’s been a lot of reaction on social media to the name change of New Orleans Triple-A baseball team. The New Orleans Zephyrs are now the New Orleans Baby Cakes and the team’s general manager Cookie Rojas is happy the new nickname has drawn a ton of interest….
cut 14 (08) “…been fantastic”

14:30 LRN Newscast November 16th

A 23-year-old Baton Rouge mother has been arrested after her one-year-old daughter was accidentally shot in the face by her two-year-old son. B-R-P-D Corporal L’ Jean McKneely says Crystal Kinchen was charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile for leaving the children alone in the car. He says the infant is still hospitalized…
cut 5 (07) “….the best”
McKneely says the car was parked at a strip mall at the time of the shooting and the children were alone in the vehicle.

UNO and Northwestern State say they will cover the TOPS shortfall for students at their universities that have been told they’ll have to pay for 60-percent of their tuition next semester. Incoming UL System president Jim Henderson says many universities are doing what they can can to help TOPS students…
cut 8 (06) “…of students”
The critically injured East Baton Rouge Parish deputy shot in a July ambush has been moved to a state-of-the-art rehab hospital in Texas. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

There’s been a lot of reaction on social media to the name change of New Orleans Triple-A baseball team. The New Orleans Zephyrs are now the New Orleans Baby Cakes and the team’s general manager Cookie Rojas is happy the new nickname has drawn a ton of interest….
cut 14 (08) “…been fantastic”

LRN PM Newscall November 16th

The University of New Orleans and Northwestern State plan to cover the TOPS shortfall for recipients next semester. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

The critically injured East Baton Rouge Parish deputy shot in a July ambush has been moved to a state-of-the-art rehab hospital in Texas. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

An infant is in critical condition and a mother is facing charges following an accidental shooting in a vehicle. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says 23-year-old Crystal Kinchen of Baton Rouge left two small children unattended in a parked car with a handgun.

Cut 3 (12) “the face”

McKneely says Kinchen called 911, as she drove the child to the hospital. He says detectives arrived at the hospital shortly after.

cut 4  (07) “investigaton”

McKneely says the mother has been charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile for leaving the children alone in the car. He says the infant is being treated for the gunshot wound.

Cut 5  (07)  “the best”

______________________________________

The University of New Orleans and Northwestern State say they will use other financial resources to cover the 60-percent of tuition TOPS students will be required to pay for next semester. NSU President Jim Henderson says the scholarship program promised to pay 100% of a recipients’ tuition and they intend to keep the promise for their students.

Cut 6 (08) “that option”

Henderson, who will become the U-L System President in January, says about 21-hundred students at NSU are on TOPS, which gives them more flexibility for payment options. He says they’ve identified some resources from donors to cover the tuition cost but they’re still looking for a statewide solution.

CUT 7 (10)  “is sacrosanct”

Henderson says for TOPS students to drop out of school or incur additional debt is not an option they will consider. He says many universities are doing what they can to lessen the damage on students.

Cut 8 (06) “of students”

_____________________________________

An Orleans Parish criminal court judge rules that the jury in the Cardell Hayes murder trial will be sequestered. Hayes is accused of killing former-Saints player Will Smith after a car accident on April 9th. Legal analyst Chick Foret says there will be a lot of media coverage of the trial, and the judge wants to prevent any potential bias.

Cut 9 (11)  “the evidence”

Judge Camille Buras has ruled the jury will not have any contact with the outside world for the duration of the trial, which is set to begin December 5th. Foret says this will likely change the makeup of the jury, because the jurors will have to be people who don’t have anywhere to be.

Cut 10 (08) “the jury”

Foret says it’s not often we see juries sequestered, but he expects this to be one of the most publicized cases in the history of Orleans parish. He says he’s not surprised by the judge’s decision.

cut 11 (09) “same ruling”

________________________________________________

There has been lots of talk on social media about the name change of the Triple-A Minor League baseball team, The New Orleans Zephyrs to the Baby Cakes. General Manager Cookie Rojas says they took ideas from fans and focus groups to come up with a new nickname to liven up baseball in the Crescent City. He says the moment he heard the name, he knew this was it.

cut 12 (10) “of endearment”

Rojas also adds the King Cake with the baby inside helped them develop the new name. He says they wanted to keep the traditional colors of dark blue and gold but add a little spin.

Cut 13 (08) “to it”

Rojas says the reaction has been both positive and negative on social media. But he says he wants people to be passionate about minor league baseball.

cut 14 (08) “been fantastic”

________________________________________________

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast November 16th

Saturday is expected to be star running back Leonard Fournette’s final game in Tiger Stadium. Fournette says the juniors on the team will meet with Coach Ed Orgeron after the season to determine whether they should return for their senior season, but it’s expected Fournette will NOT be back. The All-American ball carrier has battled an ankle sprain all season long and says he’ll be ready for Saturday’s game against the Gators…
cut 17 (09) “….every day”
Fournette has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award. The New Orleans native was a finalist for the award last season.

College basketball last night, Antonio Blakeney had 26 points as the LSU Tigers improved to 2-0 on the season with a 78-61 win over Southern Miss. For the second year in a row, Louisiana College beat Mcneese State.

Southern University has been placed on five years of probation as the NCAA has determined the school lacked intitutional control when it improperly certified over 200 student-athletes during a six year period.

Another win for ULM on Saturday against Appalachian State and the Warhawks will improve their Sun Belt record to 4-3 and their overall mark to 5-6. But the Moutaineers are 7-3 and have the top defense in the league. ULM Coach Matt Viator says App State’s defense doesn’t give up many big plays…
cut 20 (18) “…here we go”

Most of the reaction on social media to the new nickname of the Triple-A Minor League baseball team in New Orleans has been negative. They are now called the Baby Cakes instead of the Zephyrs.

10:30 LRN Newscast November 16th

TOPS recipients are preparing to pay nearly 60-percent of their tuition for the spring semester, and state leaders say they are committed to making sure that doesn’t happen again next year. Jeff Palermo has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

TOPS is expected to be a topic on the governor’s monthly call-in show. The governor will take your calls on many of these same stations at 2 PM. Joining him in the studio will be the first lady, Donna Edwards.

Before the show, there’s a court hearing regarding the L-G-B-T executive order dispute between the governor and Attorney General Jeff Landry.

Some state lawmakers are upset the Office of Motor Vehicle is no longer accepting cash as a form of payment. OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain says accepting cash has become a burden for OMV workers, because they are on the hook if they come up short. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin says this is not a valid reason for why the change was made…
cut 14 (11) “…the cash”

The I-T service company called C-S-R-A has moved into its new 96-hundred square foot facility at the National Cyber Research Park in Bossier City. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson hopes this new high tech center will attract more cyber companies to Louisiana…
cut 12 (11) “….also security”
C-S-R-A already employs 400 individuals, but plan to increase its workforce to 800 by June 2018.

18:30 LRN Newscast November 15th

College students who have TOPS are looking at paying for 60-percent of their tuition for the spring semester. Governor John Bel Edwards expressed his disappointment that young adults are facing this kind of cost to get an education. Edwards says it’s his hope the state can allocate more dollars to the popular scholarship program next year.

A 17-year-old St. Paul’s High School football player is still recovering from a serious neck injury suffered in last Friday’s playoff win. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

FEMA announces they will continue to pay for hotel rooms for displaced flood victims through December 18th. Dennis Rodriguez is one of those staying in a hotel and says he’s thrilled they’ve extended the deadline because his home still unlivable. He says he’d have nowhere to live if the program ended on November 18th as planned.
Cut 4 (09) “ours yet”
More than 2-thousand families are using this federal assistance to live at a hotel.

New Orleans based-airlines, GLO, celebrates its one-year anniversary today. They offer daily flights from New Orleans to Shreveport, Little Rock and Memphis and founder and C-E-O Trey Fayard says they have a business model that works…
cut 14 (08) “…on vacation”
Fayard says they hope to expand their business in year two.

16:45 LRN Sportscast November 15th

The 16th ranked LSU Tigers are getting ready to host 21st ranked Florida for Senior Day on Saturday. The Tigers will honor 19 seniors before the game. Interim Head Coach Ed Orgeron says that’s one of the many reasons why they want to beat the Gators in a bad way…
cut 20 (17) “….ready to play”
Saturday could also mark Leonard Fournette’s final game inside Tiger Stadium. Fournette says he continues to get treatment on his injured ankle, but he’ll be ready to play this Saturday.

Grambling State Head Coach Broderick Fobbs is a finalist for the F-C-S Coach of the Year. Fobbs and the Tigers are 8-1, heading into Saturday’s game against Texas Southern.

Three Saints players did not practice today, offensive tackle Terron Armstead, cornerback Delvin Breaux and running back Daniel Lasco. New Orleans is at Carolina on Thursday.

UL Lafayette Football Coach Mark Hudspeth says his team will conduct one-thousand hours of community service as result of a viral video that shows four players in the locker room using vulgarity during an anti-Donald Trump rap song. Hudspeth says they’ll visit every middle school and high school in Acadiana…
cut 18 (20) “….social media”
The four players shown in the video have been or are facing punishment.

Tonight in college basketball…LSU hosts Southern Miss. Both teams are 1-0 on the season. Tigers forward Duop Reath had 23 points and 14 rebounds in the season opening victory over Wofford. In Lake Charles, McNeese State takes on Southern Miss.