16:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints coach Sean Payton has told Pro Football Talk that there are no plans to re-work Quarterback Drew Brees’ contract. The 36-year-old Brees will have a 26-million dollar salary cap figure for the 2015 season. Brees has two more years left on his contract.

Former Nicholls State head coach Daryl Daye is the new defensive coordinator for Northwestern State. Daye was the head coach at Missouri Southern the last three seasons and replaces Mike Lucas, who is now at U-L Lafayette.

In the NBA tonight, the Pelicans get back on the court for first time since the all-star break as they visit the Orlando Magic. Anthony Davis is expected to play. You may remember he’s missed the last two games with a shoulder injury. But forward Ryan Anderson is doubtful, because of his on-going elbow injury. Tip-off tonight is at 6:00. The Pelicans enter tonight’s action a game and a half back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot.

Nicholls State baseball is now off to a four and one start. The Colonels beat North Florida four to three. Marc Frazier was the winning pitcher as he allowed just one run over six innings. And lead-off man Justin Holt scored twice. Nicholls is playing in the Cox Diamond Invitational in Pensacola.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts Florida tomorrow at noon. The Fighting Tigers can’t afford any more bad losses at home, if they want to make the NCAA Tournament. The Gators are 13-and-13 on the season.

Louisiana Tech plays its final regular season road game of the year as the Bulldogs visit Old Dominion tomorrow. Tech will try to snap Old Dominion’s 18-game home winning streak. Tip-off is at two P-M.

U-L-M puts its six-game winning streak on the line tomorrow at Arkansas State. The Warhawks are 12-and-3 in the Sun Belt, a game ahead of Georgia Southern in the league standings. U-L Lafayette is 9-and-7 in the Sun Belt and they are at Texas-Arlington tomorrow night.

LRN PM Newscall for February 20th

Meteorologists are keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation in north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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Meteorologists are keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation in north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday. Mario Valverde with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says cold is expected along with rain…:

CUT 3 (09)  “hazardous”

Valverde says it’s going to be cold and it’s going to be wet and nothing good comes from everything freezing up. He says this precipitation is likely to continue into Monday with many areas struggling to get much above freezing during the day down into central Louisiana…:

CUT 4 (07)  “gonna be”

So what about the white stuff? Valvdere says there is a better chance for snow on Monday night as the cold air builds deeper…:

CUT 5 (10)  “the air gets”

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon encourages taxpayers to file for an insurance rebate available to any person who pays for a homeowners, renters or business property insurance policy. Donelon says eligible taxpayers should check the box on their returns for the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Assessment rebate

CUT 6 (12)  “tax return”

Donelon says unfortunately millions of dollars in rebates connected to this assessment are unclaimed every year. He says you can also still claim the assessment, if you failed to do so from 2011 to 2014…

CUT 7 (10)  “refund for”

Donelon says if you have questions, go to the insurance department’s website or call 1-800-259-5300. He says over 300-million dollars from 2006 through 2010 expired and never claimed…

CUT 8 (10)  “to access”

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Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. LaPolitics.com was the first to deliver the report about the ads and publisher Jeremy Alford says (today) Friday is the first day Angelle’s spots starting airing as part of the $200,000 buy…:

CUT 9 (09)  “damaged”

Alford says there are three commercials in rotation feature Angelle’s “Workhorse Not a Showhorse” line and in one of the ads he speaks in Cajun French…:

cut 10 (09)  “the spicket has been opened”

Alford says now we can expect to see gubernatorial ads non-stop between now and the fall — not only from candidates but also from super PACS. He says the Angelle campaign wanted to keep the buy extremely quiet because they wanted to be the first on the air…:

cut 11 (11)  “was celebrating”

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The legislature’s joint budget committee approved a 103-million dollar cut to this fiscal year’s budget. But there were several complaints on how the cuts were handed down. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith expressed her frustration that the governor’s office only received a ten-thousand dollar cut in funding

cut 12 (06)  “by example”

Smith says a leader should lead by example during tough budget times and could do so by working without pay

cut 13 (11)  “six months”

Crowley Representative Jack Montoucet, who is also an alligator meat processor, expressed concerns with the cuts to the department of ag, which he says will result in fewer food inspectors…

cut 14 (10)  “my concern”

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols pushed lawmakers to approve the governor’s plan, because if any proposed cuts are re-stored, it it will lead to deeper cuts next fiscal year….

cut 15 (10) “higher education”

11:40 LRN Sportscast February 20

Because of the likelihood of rain on Sunday, several college baseball teams are playing a doubleheader today. The second ranked Tigers will play two games against Boston College. After losing to Nicholls State on Wednesday, coach Paul Mainieri has decided to move Alex Bregman from the number two hole to number three.

Louisiana Tech’s home opener is today. The bulldogs will play a doubleheader against Arkansas Pine-Bluff at 3 PM. U-L Monroe will also play two games against Stephen F Austin, and the Ragin Cajuns will play a single game tonight against Stony Brook and then two games tomorrow against the Seawolves.

It was a chaotic day in the NBA yesterday because of the trade deadline. The Pelicans were involved in a couple of deals and it results in them adding a piece to their backcourt. Miami’s Norris Cole is now a Pelican. He’s averaged six points a game during his four-year career. New Orleans is at Orlando tonight.

Saints coach Sean Payton has told Pro Football Talk that there are no plans to re-work Quarterback Drew Brees’ contract. The 36-year-old Brees will have a 26-million dollar salary cap figure for the 2015 season. Brees has two more years left on his contract.

Former Nicholls State head coach Daryl Daye is the new defensive coordinator for Northwestern State. Daye was the head coach at Missouri Southern the last three seasons and replaces Mike Lucas, who is now at U-L Lafayette.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball won in overtime on the road last night beating Charlotte 83 to 82 in overtime. A Kenneth Smith layup sent the game into overtime and the Bulldogs Alex Hamilton scored 29 points.

Shawn Long had 17 points and seven rebounds as the Ragin Cajuns defeated Texas State 64-42.

The LSU men’s basketball team is back in action tomorrow at twelve o’ clock as they host Florida.

09:30 LRN Newscast Feb 20

Former Governor Edwin Edwards plans to seek his real estate license. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 3 (30) “…reporting’

The University of Louisiana System hopes it will name a new president at Grambling State in June. The Grambling presidential search committee is expected to meet next week and approve the timeline. Officials originally planned to name a new president in April, but concerns over deep cuts in state funding to Grambling has hampered search efforts.

The former pastor of President Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, told a large audience at Southern University that black people should look for assistance from the chuch and not government…
cut 15 (12) “…mass incarceration”
Wright was Barack Obama’s minister until 2008 when controversial comments surfaced from a sermon he gave in 2003.

The Saints Junior Galette faces a civil suit in which a 22-year-old woman claims the linebacker physically and emotionally abused her over a two year period. This woman was involved in an incident that led to a misdemeanor battery charge against Galette earlier this year. But the criminal charge has been dropped. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says the civil suit will allow for an examination of the facts…
cut 8 (09) “….domestic abuse”

08:30 LRN Newscast Feb 20

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center assists in the discovery of 97 new genetic factors that contribute to obesity. Doctor Mark Starzynksi says they’ve also found 49 genetic markers that determine where fat is stored and he says the next step is seeing how these markers are specifially related to obesity…
cut 6 (10) “….something like that”
Starzynski says this research should result in better ways to treat obesity.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is seeking a real estate license. The 87-year-old is not interested in showing homes, but he would like to work with friends on developing property in south Louisiana…
cut 12 (04) “…for our joint benefit”
Edwards says getting a real estate license is something he’s thought about, since he was released from federal prison in 2011.

Religious leader, Reverend Jeremiah Wright visited Southern University’s campus, for a black history month program, where he told those in the audience that they should look to church, not government, when it comes assistance in their life. Wright was President Barack Obama’s minister until 2008, when controversial comments surfraced from a sermon he gave in 2003. Wright didn’t mention Mr. Obama during yesterday’s speech, but defended his work…
cut 14 (08) “….2008”

Action by the state bond commission allows for a plan to upgrade the Cajundome in Lafayette to move forward. The facility’s director Greg Davis says the 16-point-seven-million project includes the redesign of the lower seating level, which will allow for more seats. The bond commission gave approval to the selling of 20-million dollars in revenue bonds to fund the upgrade.

07:30 LRN Newscast February 20

A global constorium, which includes LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, makes a historic discovery linking obesity to genetics. Eric Gill reports…
cut 1 (29) “….reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal’s plan to close a 103-million dollar budget deficit for this fiscal year will go before lawmakers this morning. The legislature’s joint budget committee is expected to approve the plan, which would result in the lay off of 130 workers and the closure of three state historic sites.

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Gallette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their 2-year relationship. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says this is not good for Gallette or the Saints as Gallette will be asked about his personal behavior with this woman under oath…
cut 7 (09) “…real big problem”
Galette’s attorney calls the lawsuit a “shakedown” and says it’s all lies.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is seeking a real estate license. The Cajun Prince says with an 18-month old child and a young wife, he would like to make sure there is a nice nest egg left behind for them and plenty of money for son Eli to go to college…
cut 10 (11) “….to be that way”
Edwards plans to take a test to get his real estate license in the next few weeks.

06:45 LRN Sportscast Feb 20

Louisiana Tech won a thriller last night in Charlotte to remain in first place in Conference USA. The Bulldogs beat the 49ers 83-82 in overtime. Alex Hamilton led all scorers with 29 points, including four in the overtime period. Michale Kyser had a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs who have won four in a row.

U-L Lafayette easily defeated Texas State 64-42. The Cajuns went on a 16-4 run in the first half to pull away. Shawn Long had a solid game, 17 points and seven rebounds and the Bobcats shot 32-percent from the field.

Also last night…Central Florida beat Tulane 69-55.

In the NBA…the Pelicans have acquired point guard Norris Cole in a trade with Miami. Cole has averaged six points a game in his four-year NBA career. New Orleans also gets former LSU forward Justin Hamilton in the deal.

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Galette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their two-year relationship. Eric Gill reports…
cut 2 (30) “….reporting”

The expectation for rain on Sunday has led to changes with the weekend college baseball schedule. The LSU Tigers will play a doubleheader with Boston College today, starting at two P-M. U-L M will also play a doubleheader today as they host Stephen F Austin. Loisiana Tech also plays two against Arkansas Pine Bluff.

06:30 LRN Newscast Feb 20

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are involved in a history discovery linking obesity to genetics. The study discovered 97 new gentic factors that contribute to obesity and 49 gentic markers that determine where fat is stored in the body. Doctor Mark Sarzynksi, says these results give them a better idea of where to target their next studies…
cut 4 (10) “….our body weight”

A civil lawsuit has been filed against Saints linebacker Junior Galette by a woman who claims Galette abused her sexually, mentally and physically and also drugged her. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri…
cut 9 (04) “…to manage”
But a criminal domestic violence charge that involes the same woman who filed the civil suit has reportedly been dismissed by Kenner authorities.

The former pastor of President Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, spoke to students at Southern University on Thursday telling the audience that you shouldn’t seek help from the government but instead from the Lord. Wright says for too many years, blacks have looked to government for help and that’s the wrong place…
cut 13 (12) “…wrong place”
Wright was Barack Obama’s minister until 2008 when controversial comments surfaced from a sermon he gave in 2003.

The Legislature’s joint budget committee meets today and they’ll get a chance to approve the Jindal administration’s plan to cut 103-million dollars from this year’s budget, which will lead to state worker layoffs and the reduction of museum hours.

PM LRN Newscall Feb 19

Republican Senator David Vitter is leading all other candidates in cash on hand for this year’s governor’s race. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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The Mandeville Police Department says a man is charged with his 8th DWI after he allegedly drove a car that didn’t belong to him drunk into another vehicle then fled the scene. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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Republican Senator David Vitter is leading all other candidates in cash on hand for this year’s governor’s race. Wednesday was the deadline for statewide elected officials to file annual campaign finance reports for 2014. Vitter has reported $3.5 million in the bank for his campaign. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is not surprising…

CUT 3 (07)  “lot of money”

Fellow Republican candidates Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne reported $1.55 million, and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle has $1.43 million. Pinsonat says both Dardenne and Angelle are off to a good start…

CUT 4 (10)  “up with him”

Democratic State Representative John Bel Edwards reported $745,000. Pinsonat says the wildcard is Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy, who has reported $3.45 million in cash on hand. The treasurer is considering running for governor, attorney general, US Senator, as well as re-election. Pinsonat says Kennedy has enough money available to do just about anything he wants…

CUT 5 (09)  “to run for”

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The case of the man who was convicted of literally scaring a Lafayette woman to death in 1999 after he broke into her home, then had the ruling overturned, will be reviewed by the Louisiana Supreme Court. A jury found 40-year-old Willie James Robertson guilty in 2013 of causing 86-year-old Irene Schoofs heart attack which killed her. Legal analyst Tim Meche…:

CUT 6 (13)  “affirm a conviction”

The death of the woman happened in 1999 but the case wasn’t prosecuted until 13 years later. An appeals court overturned the manslaughter conviction and acquitted Robertson and now the state’s high court has agreed to take a look at the case at the request of the Lafayette Parish DA’s Office. Meche says the evidence in this case is very flimsy…:

CUT 7 (11)  “eyewitness testimony”

Meche says in these types of cases courts look to determine whether or not the evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction, and the court of appeals concluded it was not. He says the trend of late is that the Louisiana Supreme Court reverse courts of appeal in cases like this…:

CUT 8 (10)  “very flimsy”

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The Mandeville Police Department says a man is charged with his 8th DWI after he allegedly drove a car that didn’t belong to him drunk into another vehicle then fled the scene. Lt. Gerald Sticker says 48-year-old James Hittson took his friend’s 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche from an apartment where they were hanging out without her permission…:

CUT 9 (09)  “damaged”

Sticker says when Hittson returned the crashed vehicle to the owner, a disturbance ensued where the suspect threatened the woman and her boyfriend. He says cops then got a call from a local Winn Dixie regarding a vehicle that had been slammed into while the owner was shopping…:

cut 10 (07)  “two and two together”

Sticker says the suspect’s history includes seven prior DWI’s starting in 1984 from Tangipahoa, Jefferson and St. Tammany Parishes. He says they arrested Hittson and booked him into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on many charges along with DWI – 8…:

cut 11 (06)  “suspensions as well”

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In a recent CBS News Poll, 67-percent of Republican respondents said they did not know enough about Governor Bobby Jindal to consider him for the Republican presidential nomination. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is bad news for Jindal especially after the publicity he received after his stance on “No-Go Zones”…

cut 12 (10)  “candidate for president”

The poll found that 18-percent of respondents would consider Jindal. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush lead the poll with 49-percent saying they would consider him as the Republican nominee. Pinsonat thinks Jindal’s strategy is not to gain the presidential nomination this time…

cut 13 (10)  “nomination next year”

He feels Jindal is laying the groundwork for a presidential run in 2020 or 2024. But Pinsonat points out that a lot could happen in the next four to eight years and the odds do not favor Jindal.  But he says that won’t stop the governor…

cut 14 (06)  “I could do it” X2

11:40 LRN Sportscast February 19

The second ranked LSU baseball team left 17 runners on base in a six to three loss to Nicholls State last night. The Colonels, who at one time led six to nothing in this game, improved to three and one on the season. LSU is also 3-and-1 following the upset loss.

The Ragin Cajuns erupted for four runs in the first inning and went on to beat Northwestern State seven to three last night. Gunner Leger was the winning pitcher as he allowed just two runs in five innings. Joe Robinson also had a home run and a career-high four RBIs for the Cajuns.

Louisiana Tech won its first game of the season yesterday as the Bulldogs defeated McNeese State 12 to 2. It’s the first win for new head coach Greg Goff. The loss drops McNeese’s record to four and one and they’ll host Bradley for three games this weekend.

Former LSU football player Ryan Clark has retired after a 13-year career in the NFL.

Louisiana Tech, who is in first place Conference USA, visits Charlotte tonight. The 49ers are 11-and-14 overall on the season, but Bulldogs coach Mike White calls Charlotte one of the more talented teams in the league…
cut 19 (10) “…on edge”
Louisiana Tech is coming off its 20th win of the season, a 75-42 victory over F-I-U.

The Ragin Cajuns are home tonight where they’ll take on Texas State. U-L Lafayette has lost seven of its last eleven and Coach Bob Marlin knows his team can play better…
cut 17 (16) “….two areas”
The Cajuns are 14-and-12 with just five regular season games left.