LRN Newscast 16:30 January 6

Coach Sean Payton ended weeks of speculation about his future by announcing he’s staying in New Orleans and can’t imagine coaching anywhere else. Payton added that he’s eager to continue working with Quarterback Drew Brees.

Governor Jindal announced he’s granted clemency for 21 people who have been convicted of crimes. That brings the total number of pardons during his two terms to 83, which is well below the hundreds granted by former governors Kathleen Blanco and Mike Foster.

A judge has set trial dates in the fall for The two former Marksville deputy marshals accused in the murder of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Derrick Stafford will be eager to get his trial underway since he hasn’t posted the $1 million dollar bond…:
CUT 4 (09) “goes to trial”
Stafford’s trial is set to begin September 26th, while Norris Greenhouse’s trial will start November 28th.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards reappoints Jimmy LeBlanc as secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The two say they are on the same page when it comes to reducing Louisiana’s prison population — the highest in the world. LeBlanc says solving the state’s prison problem is not something that can happen overnight…

CUT 7 (09) “to the plate”
LeBlanc is the lone cabinet secretary holdover from the Jindal Administration.

Tonight’s Powerball drawing — a whopping $500 million dollars — is now the 6th largest in the history of lottery jackpots in North America. We asked these folks what they would do if they won…
cut 13 (04) “….of myself’
You have until 9 tonight to get your $2 ticket. The cash value of tonight’s half a billion dollar prize is $306 million.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 6

Sean Payton announces he’s staying as the head coach of the Saints and hopes to remain in New Orleans for many years to come…
cut 15 (11) “…wagon out of town”
Payton had an hour-long press conference at the team’s training facility in Metairie and talked about his love for the city and franchise. When asked about the rumors that he was looking to coach elsewhere, Payton said there’s no backstory or hidden conversations.

Payton still has two years left on his current deal. He says any talk of a contract extenstion will take care of itself. The coach also denied any kind of rift between him and general manager Mickey Loomis and also said its likely that interim defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will be back next season.

An impressive win for the LSU men’s basketball team last night as the Tigers trounced ninth ranked Kentucky 85-67. They were able to win by 18 points, even though, freshman sensation Ben Simmons, missed a good portion of the first half because of foul trouble. Junior guard Tim Quarterman picked up the slack as he had 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists….
cut 30 (17) “…out for”
LSU is now 2-0 in the SEC and they’ll play Florida on Saturday in Gainesville.

The Pelicans begin a two-game homestand tonight against Dallas. The Mavericks should be a little tired, after winning in double overtime over Sacramento last night. New Orleans is playing in its first game since beating the Mavs last Saturday. Tip-off tonight is at 7 PM.

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 6

Big victory for the LSU men’s basketball team last night as they defeated ninth ranked Kentucky 85-67. Junior guard Tim Quarterman led the way as he scored 21 points, had 10 rebounds and seven assists…
cut 28 (11) “…team defense”
Craig Victor had 15 points and 12 rebounds and freshman sensation Ben Simmons had 14 points and 10 boards. Simmons watched much of the first half, because of foul trouble, but the Tigers still had a 10 point lead at halftime. Coach Johnny Jones credits Simmons supporting cast…
cut 29 (10) “….staying the course”
The Tigers are 2-0 in the SEC and they’ll face Florida in Gainesville this Saturday.

Saints Coach Sean Payton addresses the media this afteroon as reports swirl that other teams are interested in hiring him. Payton has two years left on his contract in New Orleans and the Black and Gold would have to be compensated by the team that hired him away from the Big Easy.

The Pelicans host the Dallas Mavericks tonight at the Smoothie King Center. Dallas should be a tired team. They needed two overtimes to beat the Sacramento Kings last night. The Pels haven’t played since Saturday when they beat the Mavericks in Dallas. Tip-off tonight is at 7 PM.

LRN Newscast 17:30 Jan 5

President Barack Obama announces an executive order requiring background checks in order to purchase guns at flea markets, websites, and other informal settings. Eric Gill reports…
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Eric Gill”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards named Doctor Rebekah Gee as the state’s secretary for the Department of Health and Hospitals. The LSU professor will have the challenge of managing a nine-point-seven billion dollar agency and putting procedures in place so more poor working families can get health insurance through Medicaid.

Twenty-seven-year-old Eric John Senegal was killed in an altercation with authorities in southwest Louisiana. State Police Sergeant James Anderson says Beauregard Parish deputies were at his residence in Ragley, serving a narcotics search warrant, when gunfire erupted…
cut 10 (07) “…for review”
Two Beauregard Parish Sheriff deputies have been placed on desk duty following the incident.

For the first time ever, a desert cardinal has been spotted in Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Dan O’ Malley spotted the bird in Jefferson Davis Parish. O’ Malley says the bird looks like a female northern cardinal…
cut 16 (09) “…rounded appearance”
Pending acceptance by the Louisiana Bird Records Committee, it will bring the official list of birds in Louisiana to 480 species.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 5th

LSU’s new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda says his style calls for a smart and aggressive defense. The former Wisconsin defensive coordinator says he’s already looked at game tape of LSU’s defense and believes the talent is there to produce a great defense…
cut 7 (10) “…dictate terms on people”
It was also announced today that LSU is working on extending offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s contract.

And LSU Coach Les Miles says he’s banning his players from bars after senior tight end Dillon Gordon was stabbed multiple times. His injuries are not considered life threatening, but Miles says there’s no point in going to a bar, if violence erupts…
cut 13 (11) “…..fight night club”
Police continue to search for a suspect in Gordon’s stabbing.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is scheduled to talk with reporters tomorrow as speculation swirls he might not be the coach in New Orleans next season. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that Payton is looking at the vacancy in San Francisco. Quarterback Drew Brees hopes the uncertainity surrounding who will be the head coach next year will be resolved soon…
cut 18 (12) “….steam ahead”
ESPN is reporting Brees will not need surgery on his injured foot. Doctors have advised Brees to rest his foot for the next four to six weeks.

On the 28th anniversary of the death of former LSU great Pete Maravich, LSU will host 9th ranked Kentucky inside the arena named after Maravich. The Tigers, who won their SEC opener over Vanderbilt, can make a big statement with a win over the Wildcats.Tip-off is at 8 PM.

LRN PM Newscall January 5

President Barak Obama announces an executive order requiring background checks in order to purchase guns at flea markets, websites, and other informal settings. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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LSU’s new defensive coordiantor Dave Aranda says he’s blessed and humbled to coach for the Fighting Tigers. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

===================

President Barack Obama announces an executive order requiring background checks in order to purchase guns at flea markets, websites, and other informal settings. The hope is to expand the number of gun sales subject to background checks. President of the Louisiana Shooting Association, Dan Zelenka, doesn’t think increasing the number of background checks will have much effect on gun crime…

CUT 3 (10)  “background checks” 2X

The current law states that only federally licensed gun dealers are required to conduct background checks on buyers, but those who sell in informal settings do not have to register as dealers. Zelenka doesn’t see this executive order making that much of a difference…

CUT 4 (10)  “discounted prices”

Critics say the President is over reaching in issuing this executive order. The order would apply to anyone “in the business” of selling firearms. Zelenka says he’s waiting to see how the federal government defines a “gun dealer”…

CUT 5 (10)  “casual seller”

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LSU’s new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda says he’s blessed and humbled to have the opportunity to coach for the Tigers. Aranda comes to Baton Rouge after guiding one of the top defenses in the country at Wisconsin. He describes his defense as smart…aggression

CUT 6 (08) “intelligent”

Aranda says he’s already looked at game tape of LSU’s defense and believes the talent is there to produce a great defense…

CUT 7 (10) “on people” 

It was also announced they are working on extending offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s contract. Athletic Director Joe Alleva was present at the press conference and said big things are happening for the LSU football program…

CUT 8 (08) “season already”

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Louisiana State Police is investigating a Monday night officer involved shooting in Ragley, about 25 miles north of Lake Charles that left one man and a dog dead. Sgt. James Anderson says they began looking into the incident after a request from the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office.

CUT 9 (09)  “the residence”

The man killed is identified as 27-year-old Eric John Senegal. Anderson says deputies were at the residence serving a search warrant. He says they are releasing very few details until they gather all the facts.

cut 10 (07)  “for review”

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An LSU football player was involved in a bar fight early Tuesday in which he was stabbed multiple times, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. School officials identify the victim as tight end Dillon Gordon. BRPD Cpl. Don Coppola says they responded to a physical altercation Reggie’s around 12:45 this morning…:

Cut 11 (05) “multiple times”

The injuries to Dillon were not life-threatening and he’s been released from the hospital. Coppola says the victim suffered multiple lacerations and cuts. He says the incident remains under investigation…:

cut 12 (09) “later be made”

During a news conference Tuesday, Coach Les Miles was asked about players going to bars and he said he’s cutting it off…:

cut 13 (11)  “fight night club”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces the discovery of a rare bird for Louisiana. LDWF biologist Dan O’Malley discovered a pyrrhuloxia (peer-uh-lox-i-a), commonly known as a desert cardinal, just south of Welsh in Jefferson Davis Parish…

cut 14 (08)  “type habitats” 

This is the first time this particular species of bird has been recorded in Louisiana. Although this bird is normally found in the southwestern US and northern Mexico, O’Malley says there is evidence that the desert cardinal is on the move this year…

cut 15 (08)  “of Texas”

He discovered the pyrrhuloxia while observing a mixed flock of birds during the Lacassine-Thornwell Christmas Bird Count. O’Malley says this bird is fairly difficult to identify because it looks a lot like a female northern cardinal…

cut 16 (09)  “rounded appearance”

LRN Sportscast 11:40 January 5

LSU’s new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda says he’s blessed and humbled to have the opportunity to coach for the Tigers. Aranda comes to Baton Rouge after guiding one of the top defenses in the country at Wisconsin. He describes his defense as smart…aggression…
cut 6 (08) “…intelligent”
After Aranda spoke, Coach Les Miles announced that they are working on extending offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s contract.

LSU senior tight end Dillon Gordon is recovering after he was stabbed in a bar fight near the LSU campus. The injuries are not considered life-threatening. Gordon appeared in four games in 2015 during an injury riddled season and caught one pass. Because of his injuries on the football field, he’s seeking another year of eligibility from the NCAA. Police are still looking for the man who injured Gordon.

Still waiting to find out what will happen with Saints head coach Sean Payton. He’s been connected to the vacancy in New York as the football Giants are looking to replace Tom Coughlin. Quarterback Drew Brees hopes Payton is back and the future Hall of Famer says he’s open to a contract extension…
cut 17 (13) “…day after”
Payton is scheduled to speak with reporters tomorrow.

Big game tonight at the PMAC as the LSU Tigers host ninth ranked Kentucky. The Tigers are 8-5, while the Wildcats are 11-2 and the favorite to win the SEC. Tonight’s 8:00 tip-off is a sell out.

Elsewhere tonight…Nicholls is at Memphis, McNeese State visits Houston Baptist and Tulane battles the Houston Cougars. And Louisiana Tech’s Alex Hamilton has been named Conference USA Co-player of the week. The Bulldogs host Old Dominion on Thursday.

LRN Newscast 16:30 January 4

State Treasurer John Kennedy calls it a sad day for Louisiana. That’s his reaction to the death of activist and blogger CB Forgotston, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 70. Kennedy says Forgotston was determined to uncover the truth about state government because he loved Louisiana…
cut 4 (08) “….the right course”
Forgotston was famous for pointing out how state officials or state agencies were mishandling taxpayers’ money.

Forecasters are calling for a freeze north of I-10 and I-12 tomorrow morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says take care of pets and plants tonight, but this cold air shouldn’t stick around long…
cut 10 (08) “….during Christmas”
Keim says we’ve only seen a couple of freezes this year.

Will Sean Payton return as the coach of the Saints in 2016? It’s been reported the Saints could trade Payton to another team for a second-round pick. That’s if Payton wants to coach somewhere else next season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says that’s a scenario that would not favor the Black and Gold…
cut 7 (06) “….at this stage”
The Saints PR staff says Payton will meet with reporters on Wednesday.

An Alexandria man was arrested today after he allegedly fatally shot two people in Lafayette last week. Lafayette police corporal Paul Mouton says 21-year-old Tavis Jenkins was taken into police custody without incident…
cut 14 (07) “…off the street”
Mouton says Jenkins is accused of killing two men, including a 17-year-old, after he went to ex gilfriend’s apartment in Lafayette. He faces two counts of first-degree murder.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 4

Will Sean Payton be back next season for the Saints? That’s the big question Who Dats are asking? Players met with reporters today and Quarterback Drew Brees doesn’t want to see major changes…
cut 30 (09) ‘”…few years”
It’s been reported that Payton was set to meet with General Manager Mickey Loomis today. NFL analyst Mike Detillier on what that conversation would be about…
cut 6 (10) “…and beyond”
Now if Payton were to leave the Saints, the team would have to trade him to another organiziation. It’s been reported the Saints would seek a second-round pick in return. The Saints P-R staff says Payton will address reporters on Wednesday.

Former Ragin Cajuns star Charles Tillman will not be on the field for the Carolina Panthers when the playoffs start. The veteran cornerback has suffered a torn ACL and is out for the remainder of the season.

Tiger Rag Featured Columnist and Gannett reporter Glenn Guilbeau reports that LSU quarterback Brandon Harris is having surgery to repair a sports hernia. Harris told Guilbeau its a minor medical procedure that will take six to eight weeks of rehab, but the Tigers starting QB says he’ll be ready for spring practice.

LSU will introduce new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to the media tomorrow morning at 10 AM.

New ULM football coach Matt Viator names Mike Collins as the Warhawks defensive coordinator and Matt Kubik as the team’s offensive coordinator. Collins is the son of ULM Hall of Fame coach Pat Collins. This will be Mike Collins second stint as the D-C in Monroe. Kubik is a former Louisiana Tech quarterback and spent the past two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Stephen F Austin.

LRN Sportscast 11:40 January 4

The Saints finished the 2015 season with a 20-17 win over Atlanta, improving their record to 7-9 on the year. Coach Sean Payton on the team’s effort in the regular season finale…
cut 17 (12) “…that was important”
What’s important now is whether Payton will return next season. There’s plenty of speculation going around, Payton could coach somewhere else next season. He declined to put those rumors to rest in Sunday’s postgame press conference…
cut (14) “…be more clear”
Payton is expected to meet with General Manager Mickey Loomis today.

Nice win for the LSU men’s basketball team on Saturday as they beat Vanderbilt on the road, but they can’t celebrate too hard as 10th ranked Kentucky will be at the PMAC tomorrow night. The Wildcats are 12-1 on the season and beat Ole Miss by 22 points in their SEC opener. After the game against Kentucky, LSU heads to Florida for a 12:30 Saturday afternoon game against the Gators.

Former LSU receiver Jarvis Landry broke Saints wide out Marques Colston’s record for most catches by a player in his first two seasons in the NFL. Landry has 194 grabs since he was drafted in 2014, while Colston had 168 receptions for the Saints in 2006 and 07.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette has been named the state’s top offensive player of the year according to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. McNeese State’s Wallace Scott was selected as defensive player of the year. And Louisiana Tech quarterback Jeff Driskel earned Newcomer of the Year honors.