11:40 LRN Sportscast

Guess where LSU Coach Les Miles is today? With spring break underway on the LSU campus and no spring practice, he’s in Cuba and according to former LSU baseball star Mikie Mahtook he’ll watch the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Cuban national team. According to LSU, Miles will also visit some school and hand out soccer balls and a few footballs.

LSU faces off with UL Lafayette tonight in the Wally Pontiff Classic at Zephyr Field in Metairie. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says he’ll use a lot of different pitchers, but six-foot-five freshman right-hander Cole McKay (Mc-kie) will make his first start. Mainieri says they want to see what McKay’s got, after getting some instruction from pitching coach Alan Dunn…
cut 19 (15) “…90-plus”
UL Lafayette will counter with sophomore right-hander Evan Guillory, who is 1-2 with a 2.95 ERA.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis will spend the next four to five months recovering from surgeries to his knee and shoulder. The 23-year-old says with the team out of playoff contention, now is the time to take care of these issues in the hopes it prolongs his career…
cut 17 (14) “…the way”
The Pelicans are in action tonight as they host the Miami Heat, who are battling for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

Former NFL star and member of the Saints Super Bowl team, Darren Sharper, has reportedly pleaded guilty again to charges that he drugged and rapped women in four states. This time he’ll leave the length of his sentence up to a federal judge. Last month, US District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, rejected a nine-year sentence for Sharper and said his sentence should range from 15 to 20 years.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 22nd

The state is handing out disaster food aid to flood victims. Assistant Secretary with the Department of Children and Family Services, Sammy Guillory, says many people in the Covington area are applying, but not so much in north Louisiana, where it’s rare for the state to provide disaster food stamps….
cut 4 (11) “….hurricanes”
Guillory recommends pre-registering for food assistance if you live in one of the 23 parishes that have been declared a federal disaster.

Louisiana voters are split over whether or not elected officials should compromise, according to a new LSU survey. LSU pollster, Doctor Michael Henderson, says this does not bode well for getting things done in the legislature…:
cut 7 (09) “…have become”
Henderson says with a Democratic governor and a Republican legislature, it’s likely state politicians will have a hard time coming to agreements.

Gas prices are going up in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…Halen Doughty”

Former NFL star and member of the Saints Super Bowl team, Darren Sharper, has reportedly pleaded guilty again to charges that he drugged and rapped women in four states. This time he’ll leave the length of his sentence up to a federal judge. Last month, US District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, rejected a nine-year sentence for Sharper and said his sentence should range from 15 to 20 years.

17:30 LRN Newscast ###Legislative Report###

The governor’s top budget advisor told the House Appropriations Committee despite the additional one-point-two billion dollars in taxes raised, some government agencies are looking at a 30-percent cut in state funding. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says painful cuts will need to occur for the fiscal year that starts July 1st…
cut 13 (07) “…throughout the state”
Dardenne says more details will be released later this week.

A senate commitee began an extensive review today of the various tax exemptions, rebates and refunds Louisiana gives to individuals and businesses. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans…
cut 30 (09) “…of it”
Louisiana has over 400 different tax breaks, costing the state over 8-billion dollars in revenue.

Louisiana voters are split over whether or not elected officials should compromise, according to a new LSU survey. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says 55-percent of Democrats would like their representatives to compromise, while 52% of Republicans want their elected officials to stand their ground. Henderson says this does not bode well for getting things done in the legislature.
CUT 27 (09) “have become”
Henderson says with a Democratic governor and a Republican legislature, it’s likely state politicians will have a hard time coming to agreements. He says we’re starting to see Washington-style politics here in Louisiana.
Cut 8 (10) “by the wayside “

16:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s Ben Simmons has told Head Coach Johnny Jones he is forgoing his remaining college eligibility and he’ll enter the NBA Draft. Simmons will most likely be the number one overall pick in June. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says statistically, Simmons had one of the best seasons in college basketball history, but he was not able to lead the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament…:
cut 15 (09) ” he would”
Coach Jones says Simmons brought a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm to the team and did an outstanding job of making those around him better.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis told reporters he’s facing four to five months away from the basketball court as he’ll need surgery on his knee and shoulder. A-D says he’s been playing with a torn labrum since his rookie year.

The LSU and UL Lafayette baseball teams will face off against each other tomorrow in the Wally Pontiff Classic, which will be played in Metaire. The Tigers avoided a sweep to Alabama, by scoring six runs in the eighth inning to beat the Crimson Tide seven to five. Kramer Robertson drove in the eventual game winning run by lifting a shallow pop fly to right field, which the outfielder lost in the sun. Kramer says the Tigers will take the big break…
cut 18 (03) “…going forward”
UL Lafayette is also coming off a weekend series loss as they dropped two of three to Little Rock.

Cowboys senior right-hander Kaleb Fontenot has been named Southland Pitcher of the Week. Fontenot pitched a complete game shuout on Friday as McNeese blanked Incarnate Word four to nothing. Fontenot struck out seven on the night.

Southeastern Louisiana is in first place in the Southland after sweeping Abilene Christian. The Lions are 6-0 in league play. Two games ahead of UNO who is 4-2.

15:30 LRN Newscast March 21

Fewer Louisiana medical school graduates are choosing to stay in the state for their residencies, according to Dr. Steve Nelson, Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

State lawmakers are still waiting to hear from the Edwards administration about an additional 70-million dollars in cuts to this fiscal year’s budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says he’ll be able to provide that information later this week, but he says it appears most agencies will receive painful cuts of about 30-percent.

Two more Disaster Recovery Centers opened today in Louisiana, one in Monroe and the other in Slidell. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says flood survivors can find personnel from all of the agencies involved in disaster recovery at these centers…:
CUT 3 (06) “assisting people”
He says these centers are open from 8 to 6 Monday through Saturday, and noon to five on Sunday.

The general curator of the Baton Rouge zoo, Sam Winslow, admits they are taking criticism after two of their giraffes died over the weekend. They had to put two giraffes in the same stall as severe weather rolled in on Friday. Winslow says ne of the giraffes was already dealing with a chronic condition that worsened and the one that was sick knocked the other one down resulting in her death.
cut 14 (10) “…like that”
The two giraffes that died were 30 and 24 years old.

14:30 LRN Newscast March 21

Two more disaster recovery centers opened today, one in Slidell and the other in Monroe. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says flood victims can receive assistance from various agencies at these locations. He says you don’t have to visit one of these centers to register for financial assistance…
cut 5 (09) “…assistance”
Steele says a disaster recovery center was also opened in Bossier Parish last week.

There is still extensive flooding in the Monroe area. Neal Brown, director of the Ouachita Parish Homeland Security, says some neighborhoods will see high water for another few days. He is glad to see volunteers coming together to help flood victims…
cut 8 (11) “…greatly appreciated”

Officials at the Baton Rouge zoo are mourning over the loss of two of their giraffes. The 30 and 24-year-old giraffes were in the same stall when severe weather rolled in and one of the animals knocked the other one down, which caused injuries that led to her death. The zoo’s general curator, Sam Winslow, says they had to euthanize the other girafee because his chronic illness, which they have been treating for a long time, worsened after the event…

cut 13 (06) “…discouraging”

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that basketball star Ben Simmons has played his final game at LSU. Simmons has told ESPN he’s turning pro. Despite failing to lead the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament, he’s expected to be the number one pick. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says it remains to be seen if it was a positive that Simmons even played for the Tigers…
cut 16 (12) “…bad thing”
Simmons averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and five assists last season.

LRN PM Newscall March 21

Parts of Ouachita parish are still underwater, as the Monroe area received over two feet of rain in the recent flooding event. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Fewer Louisiana medical school graduates are choosing to stay in the state for their residencies, according to Dr. Steve Nelson, Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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

Two more Disaster Recovery Centers opened today, one in Monroe and the other in Slidell. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says at these centers, flood survivors can find personnel from all of the agencies involved in disaster recovery, as well as small business administrators with information about low-interest loans…

CUT 3 (06)  “assisting people”

Steele says the volunteer groups will be able to help people with their immediate needs, like clean up. He says these centers will be open from 8 to 6 Monday through Saturday, and noon to five on Sunday. The first one opened up last week in Bossier City and Steele says more centers should open soon.

CUT 4 (05)  “working towards now”

Steele says people can still report their damage online at emergency-dot-la-dot-gov. He says people do not have to go to one of these centers to register for federal aid.

CUT 5 (09)  “assistance”

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

Two weeks after Louisiana’s major flooding event, much of Ouachita parish is still underwater. Neal Brown, Director of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security, says rivers and bayous throughout the parish are still cresting, which means the water has nowhere to go right now.

CUT 6 (08) “the parish”

Brown says his biggest concern is the high water putting pressure on levees around neighborhoods that were not meant to hold that much water for so long. He says when the water does start to drain, it could be bad for nearby parishes.

CUT 7 (07) “hit them”

Brown says people are coming together and across the country to help. He says seeing volunteers in the area helps keep people in high spirits.

CUT 8 (11) “greatly appreciated”

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

Only 51% of LSU Health New Orleans medical graduate are staying in Louisiana for their residencies. Dr. Steve Nelson, Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, says that’s a significant drop from previous years.

CUT 9 (09) “62%”

Nelson says the drop in grads staying in the state is due to Louisiana’s budget concerns. He says 70% of Louisiana doctors trained at an LSU facility, so losing those doctors could be detrimental to the state’s healthcare system.

cut 10 (11)  “come back”

Nelson says a lack of doctors will make it harder for people, especially since the governor is looking at expanding the state’s Medicaid program. Forty percent of LSU Health Shreveport grads and only 10% of Tulane grads will take residencies in Louisiana. Nelson says 50% of LSU Health New Orleans graduates are entering primary care in Louisiana, which is a good thing.

Cut 11 (08) “the state”

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Two giraffes at the Baton Rouge Zoo died over the weekend, and workers are heartbroken. Sam Winslow, the zoo’s general curator, says one of the giraffes, a 24-year-old named Hope, was receiving treatment for a chronic illness. He says when severe storms moved in, they were forced to put another female into a stall with a male she’s normally not with…:

cut 12 (07) “happened so quick”

The 30-year-old female giraffe named Mopani was knocked over by a male giraffe named Roan which caused injuries that led to her death. Winslow says Hope’s condition worsened and she had to be euthanized. He says it’s hard enough losing one animal to an illness you’ve been working so long to treat…:

Cut 13 (06)  “discouraging”

Winslow said Roan and Mopani generally got along fine and their keepers would never put them together if they thought there was a chance of conflict. He says they’ve been criticized for moving Mopani, but she needed shelter from the thunderstorm…

cut 14 (10)  “like that”

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LSU’s Ben Simmons has told ESPN he is entering his name into the NBA Draft and he’ll hire an agent soon. Simmons will mostly likely be the number one overall pick in June. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says statistically, Simmons had one of the best seasons in college basketball history, but he was not able to lead the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament…

cut 15 (09) ” he would” 

Simmons averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in his only season in a Tigers uniform. But since LSU missed the NCAA Tournament, many fans wonder if it was worth having a one-and-done player. Worsham says it remains to be seen if it was a good thing that Simmons played for the Tigers…

cut 16 (12) “bad thing”

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 21

Not a surprise to hear that LSU forward Ben Simmons is declaring for the NBA draft. That’s according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, who spoke with Simmons last night. The native of Australia could be the top pick in the June NBA draft, but Duke’s Brandon Ingram will also get some consideration from whatever team that gets the first pick.

The SEC was nearly shutout from having a team in the Sweet 16. But Texas A-and-M rallied back from a 12-point deficit with 44 seconds left in regulation and went on to beat Northern Iowa 92-88 in double overtime.

The Pelicans Anthony Davis is out for the rest of the season, because of shoulder and knee injuries. He’ll likely need surgery, which means he might not be able to play for the US Olympic Team in this summer’s Rio games. Without Davis, the Pels still defeated the Clippers 109-105 last night. Jrue Holiday had 22 points.

After losing two out of three to Alabama, LSU has fallen out of the top ten in the Baseball America poll. The Tigers dropped six spots to number 13. But the Bayou Bengals got a confidence building come from behind victory over the Crimson Tide yesterday. The Tigers scored six runs in the eighth to win seven to five. Brody Wofford had a key hit, with two-run pinch hit single…
cut 17 (09) “…make it happen”
LSU faces UL Lafayette tomorrow night in the Wally Pontiff Classic at Zephyr Field in Metairie. The Cajuns fell out of the top 25 in the Baseball America poll after losing their series with Little Rock.

But the UL Lafayette basketball team will host UC Irvine in the quarterfinals of the College-Insider-dot-com tournament. It will take place at 7:15 on Wednesday. Before that game, the Cajuns women’s basketball team will face Youngstown State in the semifinals of the Women’s Basketball Invitational.

10:30 Newscast March 21

The discussion over the use of medical marijuana is expected to occur during the legislative session. Legislation was passed last year to allow certain patients to use it, but it’s still not available in the Bayou State. State Senator Fred Mills says there are plenty of people who are waiting to get it…
cut 15 (08) “…medical condition”
Mills says the department of agriculture and a couple of other other groups are still working on the details to make the drug available here.

The state legislature is also expected to address the growing playoff split with the Louisiana High School Atheltic Association. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot has a bill that would prevent a high school from receiving state funds, if they participate in an association with a split postseason…
cut 8 (07) “…A,B-C”
Talbot says the ultimate goal is to bring the LHSAA back together again.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee meets at noon today to begin going over the 400 or so different tax credits and deductions the state hands out to businesses and individuals. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans says the credits or exemptions that are deemed unnecessary will be removed in a potential second special session or during next year’s fiscal session…
cut 12 (06) “….budget crisis”
Morrell says it will take most of this session to go over the different tax credits.

State Health officials are gearing up for a potential outbreak of the Zika Virus, which is a mosquito borne disease which has been linked to birth defects in other countries. Dr. Frank Welch, with the state department of health says once the weather warms up, they’ll have to increase surveillance…
cut 6 (07) “….transmission”
A study from the National Center for Atmospheric Research finds New Orleans is at a high risk because of the high poverty rate and a lot of visitors from countries where Zika is prevalent.

LRN AM Newscall March 21

Expect the legislature to address the controversial split playoffs in high school atheltics. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee begins reviewing today the 400 tax exemptions given by the state to individuals and businesses. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Southeast Louisiana could be at an increased risk for the Zika virus, according to health officials. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Experts say southeast Louisiana is at a high risk of a Zika outbreak this summer. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Department Health and Hospitals says state and local health officials are performing extensive surveillance…

cut 4  (11)  “rapidly”

A study from the National Center for Atmospheric Research finds New Orleans is at a high risk because of the high poverty rate and a lot of visitors from countries where Zika is prevalent. Welch says different agencies are coming together to protect the state from an outbreak.

Cut 5  (10)  “humans”

The Center for Disease Control says there were two confirmed travel-related Zika cases in Louisiana last month but none transmitted locally. Welch says New Orleans isn’t at an increased risk just yet because right now the mosquito is not active, but…

Cut 6 (07)  “transmission”  _________________________________________________________

It’s expected the legislature will get involved in the public versus private school split that’s impacted high school sports. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot has filed a bill that attempts to reverse the LHSAA’s decision to split its postseason in several sports. Talbot says the split is hurting high school athletics…

CUT 7 (06)  “in mind”

Talbot’s bill would prevent a high school from receiving state funds, if they participate in an association with a split postseason…

Cut 8  (07)  “A,B and C “

Schools around the state have been invited to join a new high school sports association that would NOT have a split playoff system. Talbot says he hopes this legislation will lead to the end of the LHSAA split and bring public and private schools back together for postseasons.

Cut 9 (08)  “kids in mind”

______________________________________

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee begins reviewing today hundreds of tax exemptions, exclusions, rebates and refunds provided by the state to individuals and businesses. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans says during the course of this legislative session they will take a close look at each exemption to decide which ones are beneficial to the state.

Cut 10 (09) “of it”

Louisiana gives about 400 tax exemptions, costing the state over 8-billion dollars in revenue.  Morrell says some of these credits are ridiculous.

cut 11 (11) “of beads”

Morrell says the state cannot afford to give away money and the credits or exemptions that are deemed unnecessary will be removed in a potential second special session or during next year’s fiscal session.

cut 12 (06) “budget crisis” _________________________________________________________

Last year, the state legislature approved a bill that gives Louisiana residents legal access to medical marijuana, but it’s still not available in this state. The man who pushed for the legislation, St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills, says the department of agriculture along with a couple of other groups are still working on the details.

Cut 13 (10)  “dispensed”

The legislation that passed last year allows people with glaucoma, patients undergoing chemotherapy or those suffering from a rare form cerebral palsy to get medical marijuana in Louisiana. Mills is back this year with a bill that would expand the list to include cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and several other chronic conditions….

Cut 14 (11)  “will be successful” 

Medical marijuana is currently not available in Louisiana, and Mills says many people are moving to others states that do have it. He says there are plenty of people who are waiting to get it in Louisiana.

Cut 15 (08) “medical condition”

  _____________________________________

The sixth ranked LSU baseball team busted out of a hitting slump by scoring six runs in the 8th inning to beat Alabama 7-5 to avoid a three-game sweep. The Tigers needed that inning after getting swept in a doubleheader on Saturday. Coach Paul Mainieri is pleased his team found a way to win the series finale…

Cut 16  (16)  “at bats“

A key hit in the 8th inning rally was Brody Wofford’s two-run pinch hit single. Wofford says he just focused on hitting a pitch up the middle and that’s what he did…

Cut 17 (09) make it happen “

Kramer Robertson’s fly ball into right field scored the eventual go-ahead run. The outfielder lost the ball in the sun, allowing two runs to score. Robertson was relieved to get the win…

Cut 18 (03) “going forward”