11:40 LRN sportscast March 17

The LSU men’s basketball team leaves today for Pittsburgh where they’ll play eighth-seeded North Carolina State in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. Guard Tim Quarterman says after an up and down regular season, the team is ready to play its best basketball…
cut 17 (11) “….upcoming games’
LSU should have a healthy Jordan Mickey for the NCAA Tournament, Mickey says his banged up shoulder is feeling much better.

Louisiana Tech will host Central Michigan in the N-I-T tonight. The Chippewas are 23-and-8 and Bulldogs Coach Michael White says they are hard to defend….
cut 20 (12) “…all year”
Tip-off is at 6:30 in the Thomas Assembly Center.

In the NBA tonight, the Pelicans host Milwaukee at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans is a half-game back from O-K-C for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Saints have reportedly restructured the contract of new linebacker Dannell Ellerbe. The Black and Gold acquired Ellerbe from the Dolphins last week. Based on media reports, Ellerbe’s base salary was slashed to one-point-one million dollars this year, but with bonuses he’ll make at least four-point-nine million dollars in 2015.

In college baseball…LSU is at Southern tonight. The Tigers are 18-and-2, while the Jaguars are three and ten. U-L-M visits Grambling State, Southeastern Louisiana is at Tulane and Nicholls State hosts Lamar. The Colonels will wear green jerseys today and then aucion them off after the game to raise funds for a bone marrow transplant recipient in Thibodaux.

After taking two out of three from national powerhouse Florida, LSU softball is the new number one ranked team. It’s the first time the program has ever been ranked number one.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 October 16

LSU will face North Carolina State in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night. The Tigers are the nine seed in the East Regional and will play in their first NCAA Tourney game since 2009. Guard Tim Quarterman says he’s familiar with the Wolfpack after watching them play in the A-C-C Tournament…
cut 28 (06) “….ready to play”
N-C State is 20-and-13 overall, 10-and-8 in the A-C-C.

Louisiana Tech was hoping to make the NCAA Tournament, but the Bulldogs will have to settle for the N-I-T. Tech will host Central Michigan tomorrow night at 6:30.

New Saints Center Max Unger spoke with reporters today on a conference call and said he’s stoked to be part of the Who Dat nation. The two-time Pro Bowler missed ten games last season, because of knee and ankle injuries. The 28-year-old said he took a physical today and he assumes that he past.

The LSU Tigers are still ranked number one in Baseball America’s poll. The Tigers took two out of three from Ole Miss this past weekend. LSU lost on Saturday to the Rebels in 14 innings, but starting pitcher Alex Lange received SEC Freshman of the Week honors for his performance on that night. The Missouri native struck out a career-high 13 in eight innings.

In the Southland….McNeese State swept Incarnate Word this past weekend and the Cowboys are now five and one in the league. Northwestern State is also 5-and-1 in the Southland after taking two of three from Sam Houston State.

After losing in double overtime last night, the Pelicans are off tonight. New Orleans is now one game back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Thunder are at Dallas tonight. O-K-C’s Serge Ibaka reportedly needs knee surgery to relieve some soreness. No word on how much time he might miss. New Orleans hosts Milwaukee on Tuesday.

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 16

For the first time since 2009, the LSU Tigers are in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Coach Johnny Jones says the tournament selection committee recognizes LSU had a good regular season…
cut 14 (09) “from this team”
The Bayou Bengals are a nine-seed and they’ll take on North Carolina State in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Louisiana Tech will have to settle for the N-I-T again this year. The Bulldogs will host Central Michigan on Tuesday night at the Thomas Assembly Center.

U-L-M has received a bid to play in the College Basketball Invitational. The Warhawks will host Eastern Michigan on Wednesday. It’s U-L-M’s first postseason apperance since 1996.

The Ragin Cajuns and Northwestern State are in the College-Insider-dot-com tournament. U-L Lafayette will visit in Incarnate Word tomorrow night, while the Demons will host Tennessee-Martin on Thursday.

Great ballgame and great performance from Anthony Davis in the Smoothie King Center last night but the Pelicans lost 118-111 in double overtime to the Denver Nuggets. A-D had 36 points, 14 rebounds, nine blocks and seven assists. Oklahoma City also won yesterday, so New Orleans now trails the Thunder by one game for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The LSU Tigers are still ranked number one in Baseball America’s poll after taking two out of three from Ole Miss. The Bayou Bengals belted the Rebels 18 to six yesterday as Alex Bregman, Jared Foster and Conner Hale all had home runs. LSU is now 18-and-2 on the season.

AM Newscall for Monday March 16

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and it is reported that nearly 23 million Americans between the ages of 50 and 75 are not getting tested as recommended. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

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Students in third through eighth grades will begin taking the controversial tests tied to Common Core today. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The state Department of Health and Hospitals announces a new initiative aimed at reducing c-section rates among Louisiana mothers. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and it is reported that nearly 23 million Americans between the ages of 50 and 75 are not getting tested as recommended. Last year alone, more than 50,000 people died of colorectal cancer in the United States. Tulane Gastroenterologist, Dr. Jordan Karlitz, says this is a major public health problem in the state…

cut 4  (09)  “United States”

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. But Karlitz says it is preventable with screening. He says a colonoscopy is recommended because it can identify pre-cancerous polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer…

Cut 5  (07)  “their screening”

Karlitz says many insurance plans, including Medicare, help with the expense of colorectal cancer screenings. He says, by getting screened appropriately, you can really have a profound effect on this illness…

Cut 6 (09)  “least in half”

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Students in third through eighth grades will begin taking the controversial tests tied to Common Core today. This is the first time PARCC will be administered in Louisiana. State Department of Education Superintendent John White says this is about getting a basic description of what kids should be able to do at the end of each grade level…:

CUT 7 (10) “we’re doing that”

The DOE says if a child chooses not to take the PARCC test, the score for that student in the accountability system is counted as a zero — but the child is not the one getting the zero. There are many people who oppose Common Core arguing that it’s too complex but White says it’s time that we stop teaching math with memorization…:

Cut 8  (10)  “it really is” 

The DOE says promotion from one grade to the next is a district decision during this transition to higher expectations. White says Common Core is a standard, it’s not curriculum. He says how it’s taught and what’s used to teach it is up to districts. White says at the state level, it’s their job to assure kids a basic fundamental right to a quality education…:

Cut 9 (07)  “to parents”

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The state Department of Health and Hospitals announces a new initiative aimed at reducing c-section rates among Louisiana mothers. DHH Secretary Kathy Kleibert says “Go the Full 40” is a voluntary pledge by hospitals to end non-medically indicated induced pregnancies…:

Cut 10 (09) “healthy life”

Kleibert says about 50% of babies in Louisiana are born before 40 weeks gestation. She says they know going full term reduces medical problems for both the mother and child…:

cut 11 (09) “complications”

Kleibert says she is very proud of the March of Dimes and health care partners for taking another step in making the well being of newborns a priority. She says not only are early elective deliveries more dangerous, they are also more expensive. Kleibert says they will be going around talking to hospitals and doctors about the importance of going the full 40…:

cut 12 (04)  “this initiative”

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For the first time since 2009, the LSU Tigers are in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The Bayou Bengals are a nine-seed and they’ll face North Carolina State on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. Coach Johnny Jones says the goal all season long was to get an invite to the Big Dance

Cut 13 (15)  “front of us”

There was a concern LSU would not get into the tournament after they lost to Auburn in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. But based on LSU getting a nine-seed, they really didn’t need to sweat it out. Jones says the tournament selection committee recognizes LSU had a good regular season…

Cut 14 (09) “from this team”

The LSU Tigers get into the NCAA Tournament in year three of Jones at the helm. He says it’s a sign the program is heading in right direction

Cut 15  (08)  “right road”

LRN Sportscast 16:45 March 12

The Saints were wheeling and dealing again today. New Orleans traded two-time pro bowl offensive lineman Ben Grubbs to Kansas City for a 5th round pick. The trade freed up three-point-six million dollars in salary cap money. The Black and Gold used that extra cap space to sign cornerback Brandon Browner, who helped the New England Patriots win the Super Bowl last season and he was a member of the Seahawks the year before. The Saints have also announced they’ve re-signed special teams captain Ramon Humber.

Meanwhile, former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham said on a conference call with reporters in Seattle that his trade out of New Orleans was shocking.

And news out of New Orleans, Tyrann Mathieu’s mother, Shelia Mathieu, is one of 20 people indicted by the US Attorney’s office in a Medicare Fraud case. Shelia is a registered nurse who is accused of completing fraudulent paperwork that resulted in patients receiving Medicare services they didn’t need.

Louisiana Tech will play Rice tonight at 8:30 in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament. The tournament is taking place in Birmingham and Bulldogs Coach Michael White knows each team will give its best effort…
cut 18 (12) “….for the fences”
If Tech can win three games in three days, they’ll win the conference tournament and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The Lady Techsters were eliminated today from the women’s Conference USA Tournament.

At the Southland Tournament…McNeese State and UNO advanced last night and tonight the Cowboys will play Northwestern State, while the Privateers take on Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi at 7:30.

In the SWAC Tournament….Southern beat Alabama A-and-M.

And the number one ranked LSU baseball team begins SEC play tomorrow against Ole Miss.

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 12

The heirs to Tom Benson’s professional franchises say they would like to see the Saints and Pelicans flourish as world champions in New Orleans. Michelle Southern has the story…
cut 3 (28) “…reporting”

In other Saints news…the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Black and Gold offered cornerback Brandon Browner a contract that would pay him over five million dollars a season. Browner helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl this past season. And free agent running back CJ Spiller is in New Orleans today visiting with the Saints.

Louisiana Tech will play Rice tonight at 8:30 in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament. If the Bulldogs win tonight, they’ll play in the semi-finals on Friday at 5:30. Coach Michael White says it’s a disadvantage to play late tonight and then turn around and play another game in less than 24 hours….
cut 17 (10) “…won’t be correct”
Tech beat Rice earlier this season 58-45 in Ruston.

At the Southland Tournament…McNeese State and UNO advanced last night and tonight the Cowboys will play Northwestern State, while the Privateers take on Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi at 7:30.

In LSU spring football news…Jerald Hawkins has been working out at left tackle. He could be a possible replacement to La’el Collins at that position. Hawkins started at right tackle last season.

And the number one ranked LSU baseball team blanked McNeese Seven to nothing.

16:45 Sportscast March 11, 2015

So now that the Saints have traded tight end Jimmy Graham, what’s next for the Black and Gold. There are reports that the Saints are interested in bringing running back Reggie Bush back. The former first round pick, who helped New Orleans win a Super Bowl is coming off an injury plagued season in Detroit. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says Bush would be a nice pick up, if the price is right….
cut 15 (08) “….settle for”
The Saints are not the only team interested in Bush. He’s reportedly visiting the 49ers today.

In other Saints news…linebacker David Hawthorne has reportedly taken a pay cut to remain with the Black and Gold. Hawthorne’s base salary went from two million to one-point-one-nine million. And former Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton has signed with the Oakland Raiders. And Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis has apparently told the team to guarantee the remaining three years of his contract or cut him.

The Pelicans are off tonight as they get a chance to rest after winning back to back road games in Milwaukee and Brooklyn. The Pelicans cut down the Nets 111 to 91 to move into a tie with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Thunder host Chris Paul and the Clippers tonight.

The Southland Conference Tournament cranks up today in Katy, Texas. On the men’s side McNeese State battles Southeastern Louisiana, while Nicholls State takes on UNO. The Colonels have won three straight.

Louisiana Tech senior guard Speedy Smith has been named Conference USA Player of the Year and the Bulldogs Michael White has been named Coach of the Year. Tech enters the Conference USA Tournament as the top seed and they’ll play either North Texas or Rice in the quarterfinals tomorrow night.

Today at the Boys Top 28 Tournament in Lake Charles…it’s the Class B Semi-finals….Florien versus Midland and Anacoco against Fairview.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Many in the Who Dat Nation are in shock after the Saints traded tight end Jimmy Graham plus a fourth round pick to Seattle for Seahawks center Max Unger and a first round pick in this year’s draft. Graham caught 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says it will be hard for New Orleans to replace that kind of production…
cut 14 (08) “give up something”
There are reports the Saints are also looking at bringing back running back Reggie Bush. But CBS Sports reports that Bush is visiting with the San Francisco 49ers today.

And former Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton has reportedly signed with the Oakland Raiders. And Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis has asked the team to guarantee the remaining three years of his contract or let him go.

The Pelicans are now tied with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after cutting down the Brooklyn Nets 111 to 91 last night. New Orleans is now 36-and-29 and there’s 17 games left in the regular season.

Louisiana Tech senior guard Speedy Smith has been named Conference USA Player of the Year and the Bulldogs Michael White has been named Coach of the Year. Tech enters the conference USA Championship as the top seed and they’ll play either North Texas or Rice in the quarterfinals tomorrow night.

The Southland Tournament starts today in Katy, Texas. Southeastern Louisiana takes on McNeese State, while UNO faces Nicholls State at 7:30. The Colonels enter the tourney on a three-game winning streak.

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team has won six in a row and they were scheduled to play at Southern tonight, but that game has been delayed until April 8th because of poor field condition.

The LSU baseball team will attempt to play at four PM today against McNeese State.

07:30 LRN Newscast March 11

Eleven servicemen are missing, including four soldiers from a Hammond, Louisiana-based National Guard Unit after the helicopter they were riding in crashed in the Florida panhandle. Search crews have found a debris site, but a rescue operation for the missing soldiers continues. CBS News reports that weather may have been a factor in the crash.

Effective this week, the Office of Motor Vehicles will issue a new format for all classes of Louisiana driver’s licences. State Police Sgt. Nick Manale says there’s also a new design for I-D cards and handicap placards…
cut 10 (11) “…aware of it also”
Manale says the new licenses contain multiple layers of security components and design features for greater security, protection of privacy and resistance to tampering.

Two men are in trouble after the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries allegedly found that they changed the freshness date on frozen mahi-mahi filets. The incident happened at a wholesale facility in New Orleans and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says the seafood ‘s original freshness date was September 2013, but they put the seafood in bags that had a best by date of May 2016. Einck says 26-year-old Seth Delaune and 49-year-old Thomas Smith were cited with misbranding seafood…
cut 9 (03) “…year in prison”

Gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards has received an endorsement from the Louisiana A-F-L/C-I-O. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a signficant endorsement for the democratic state representative….
cut 4 (09) “…I’m running”
Edwards is the only announced democratic candidate for governor.

06:45 LRN Sportscast March 11

Saints Coach Sean Payton says the decision to trade tight end Jimmy Graham was a difficult one and they wish him the best. New Orleans pulled off a shocking deal with Seattle yesterday that sent Graham and a fourth round pick to the Seahawks for center Max Unger and a first round pick in this year’ draft. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Unger improves a Saints o-line that has some holes in it….
cut 13 (11) “….in there”

In the NBA, the Pelicans had six players who scored in double figures last night in a 111-91 win over Brooklyn. Quincy Pondexter and Alexis Ajinca each had 17 points, Eric Gordon and Norris Cole had 16 points a piece and Anthony Davis had 15 for New Orleans, who is now tied with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot int he Western Conference.

LSU baseball will face McNeese State at four o’ clock today. The game was moved up two and a half hours in the hopes of avoiding expected rainfall tonight. Also at four o’ clock today, Louisiana Tech hosts long-time rival Northwestern State. U-L-M is set to host Grambling at six P-M. The Ragin Cajuns, who have won six in a row, are at Southern. And Southeastern Louisiana is at South Alabama.

LSU quarterback Brandon Harris spoke last night and told reporters his second spring practice is easier mentally than his first….
cut 29 (11) “…quarterback here”
Harris is battling Anthony Jennings for the starting quarterback spot at LSU.

At the Boys Top 28 Tournament in Lake Charles, Natchitoches Central and Scotlandville advanced to the Class 5 A Championship, while Atlanta and New Living Word will battle for the Class C title on Friday afternoon.