LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 28

The legal back and forth continues between Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson and his children and grandchildren. In a court filing, Benson explains further his decision to put his wife, Gayle, in control of the professional franchises after his death, because Renee Benson, along with Rita Leblanc and Ryan Leblanc never rose to the occassion. Meanwhile, lawyers for the estranged heirs filed court documents pushing for Mr Benson to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s annual convention is underway and the top agenda item is the controversial split of the football playoffs. New LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he wants more time to dive into issues which created the split and work with schools on a plan that will make it more equitable for teams to win a championship…:
CUT 15 (05) “trial on”
Votes on various proposals are scheduled for Friday.

After winning two games on the road last week, the LSU men’s basketball team hosts South Carolina tonight, looking for their third consecutive win. Sophomore forward Jarell Martin is looking forward to playing in front of the home folks…
cut 30 (10) “….want to see”
Tip-off is at six o’ clock.

At seven o’ clock in the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans, who have won four in a row, host Denver, who has lost seven straight.

The Ragin Cajuns have been picked to repeat as Sun Belt champs. Junior shortstop Blake Trahan was named as the league’s preseason player of the year. U-L-M is picked to finish ninth.

Sam Houston State has been picked to win the Southland by the league coaches. Southeastern, Northwestern, Nicholls and McNeese projected to finish in third through sixth place.

And Louisiana Tech has been picked to finish in last play in Conference USA.

PM LRN Newscall January 28

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise agrees to meet with two civil rights leaders in the aftermath of reports Scalise spoke to a group of white supremacists in 2002. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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Sasol announces they are delaying a final investment decision on building a gas to liquids plant in the Lake Charles area. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

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

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise agrees to meet with two civil rights leaders in the aftermath of reports that the House Majority Whip spoke to a group of white supremacists in 2002. The pair want to ask Scalise to help advance civil and human rights issues, like the renewal of the Voting Rights Act. Political analyst Clancy Dubos thinks this is a good move for the Congressman…

CUT 3 (12)  “meeting with EURO”

Dubos says this is a step Scalise can take to put some action behind the words he said in regards to the controversy. The Congressman has acknowledged it was a mistake to speak to the group and has apologized. Dubos feels Scalise has been sincere in his remarks since the news came out…

CUT 4 (11)  “in all forms”

The House Majority Whip will meet with former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, and Wade Henderson, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, next month. Dubos says Scalise should use this meeting as a real chance to communicate…

CUT 5 (07)  “a good thing”

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Sasol says it’s delaying a final decision on whether or not it will invest in a proposed gas-to-liquids plant in southwest Louisiana. The South African energy company says they’re holding off on the 14 billion dollar phase of the project due to tumbling oil prices. LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says not a surprise, considering the massive scope of the project with…:

CUT 6 (10)  “little bit more questionable”

Sasol has already approved an $8.1 billion ethane cracker in Westlake but right now the company says they are working to conserve as much money as possible in the wake of falling oil prices. There are several other announced industry sites out there in Louisiana and Dismukes says the farther one is away from completion, the more likely a similar delay will take place:

CUT 7 (08)  “locked in”

If Sasol green-lights this GTL plant, it would be the most expensive industrial project in Louisiana history, totaling $22 billion when combined with the cracker. Dismukes says this decision is reflective of what’s happening with the entire energy industry

CUT 8 (08) “oil prices”

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Slidell Police say a homeowner woke up this morning to find something quite unusual in his home. Detective Daniel Seuzeneau says the homeowner immediately called police and responding officers found 31-year-old Sharrod McCullum sound asleep on the victim’s sofa…

CUT 9 (08)  “he was at”

The officers woke McCullum up and were able to arrest him without incident. Seuzeneau says the suspect appeared to be intoxicated. He says authorities discovered that McCullum forced entry through the rear door of the residence…

cut 10 (08)  “the neighborhood”

McCullum faces one count of simple burglary and one count of criminal damage. Seuzeneau says other charges could be filed in the near future. He admits it’s funny, but scary at the same time to wake up and find a stranger sleeping in your house…

cut 11 (09)  “further incident”

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early morning fire in Ouachita Parish that has claimed the lives of two people. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the fire occurred around 5AM this morning at a mobile home in Calhoun…

cut 12 (11)  “this mobile home”

The identities of the man and woman who perished in the fire have not been released. The mobile home shared property with a house that is believed to belong to the father of one of the victims. Browning says the fire that destroyed the mobile home was very intense…

cut 13 (07)  “at this point”

Browning says officials are still working to determine the exact cause of the fire. He stresses it’s a very active investigation and information is very limited at this time…

cut 14 (07)  “in Louisiana”

11:40 Sportscast January 28

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s annual convention is underway and the main agenda item is the current split of the football playoffs. LHSAA Executive Director, Eddie Bonine, believes since he’s new on the job, the best course of action is to stay with the split football playoffs for another year, to give him more time to work on a better solution…
cut 14 (09) “thing right”
The LHSAA voted in 2013 to split the football playoffs, because of concerns private schools had certain advantages over public schools.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson has responded to a lawsuit filed by his daughter and two grandchildren. In a court filing, Benson says for years he attempted to groom Renee Benson and his two grandchildren to take over the professional franchises once he dies, but they never rose to the task. He adds the decision for his wife to take control of the teams following his death was a deliberate and reasoned decision.

After picking up two wins on the road last week, LSU is home tonight to take on South Carolina at six P-M. The Tigers are 4-and-2 in the league and a win tonight, puts them in a four-way tie for second place. The Gamecocks are one and five in the SEC.

The Pelicans are seeking their fifth straight win of the season tonight when they host the Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, Denver is trying to avoid it’s eighth straight defeat. Tip-off from the Smoothie King Center is at 7 PM.

McNeese State released its 2015 football schedule today. The Cowboys will kick-off the season at LSU on September fifth and return home the next week to play against Incarnate Word. The Pokes will play five home games, including a match-ups with Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State in October.

Louisiana Tech has been picked to finish in last place in Conference USA by the league’s baseball coaches.

U-L Lafayette has been picked to repeat as softball champions in the Sun Belt.

LRN Newscast 07:30 January 28

New employment numbers are out that show private employers in Louisiana added 34-thousand jobs during 2014, but the state’s unemployment rate also rose one-point-three percent to six-point-seven percent last year. Louisiana Workforce Commission director Curt Eysink says the higher unemployment rate is not because of layoffs, but because more people are looking for jobs…
cut 11 (09) “…find work”

A study from the National Shooting Sports Foundation has found that 74-percent of gun shops saw growth in female customers in 2013. Barret Kendrick is a firearms trainer in Covington and he’s noticed over the last couple of years that females are becoming less scared of guns and enjoying training courses…
cut 9 (05) “….sports industry”

The split high school football playoff system is up for discussion as the Louisiana High School Athletic Association begins its annual convention today. New LHSAA executive director, Eddie Bonine, says he’s asking schools to give him a year to come up with a proposal that would resolve the issues between public and private schools…
cut 13 (07) “….state again”

A Boudin King Cake made in Lafayette has gone viral. Acadiana food critic Bob Carriker reviews King Cakes and Boudin from all over the nation and decided to combine the two and share the idea on his Facebook page…
cut 4 (12) “….in minutes”
Carriker says the now famous King Cake uses a bread that’s savory, stuffed with boudin and topped with Steen’s cane syrup.

LRN Sportscast 06:45 January 28

Split high school football playoffs will be the main topic for discussion as the Louisiana High School Athletic Association begins its annual convention today. There is a proposal to expand the postseason split of public and private schools to other sports. But new LHSAA executive director, Eddie Bonine, is asking schools to give him a year to come up with a proposal that a bulk of schools are pleased with….
cut 13 (07) “….state again”
Bonine, who was hired in December, has spent the last couple of weeks talking with schools and getting their input. High school principals will vote on Friday on a variety of proposals.

Tom Benson fires back at his daughter and two grandchildren who are attempting to get a judge to declare the Saints and Pelicans owners is not competent to make sound business decisions. In a court filing, Benson says he tried to groom Renee Benson and Rita and Ryan Leblanc, but they never rose to the task.

After winning two games on the road last week, the LSU men’s basketball team is back home tonight to host South Carolina. The Tigers are 4-and-2 in league play, while the Gamecocks are 1-and-5 and have lost three in a row.

In action last night…Tulsa topped Tulane 62-55.

Tonight at the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans go after their fifth win in a row as they host the Denver Nuggets. The last time these two teams played each other, the Nuggets won by 20 points over New Orleans. But Denver has lost its last seven, coming into tonight’s game.

Former LSU pitcher Anthony Ranaudo has been traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Texas Rangers. Ranaudo was 4-and-3 with a 4.81 ERA in seven starts with the Red Sox last season. Boston receives left-handed pitcher Robbie Ross in the deal.

LSU defensive back Jalen Mills’ trial for misdemeanor simple assault will take place April eighth, which is about ten days before the spring game. Mills is accused of punching a woman in the mouth.

LRN Newscall 06:30 January 28

Louisiana’s December labor numbers are in and once again the state broke employment records. Scott Carwile has more…
cut 3 (32) “….reporting”

In a court filing, Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson says his daughter and two grandchildren, who are suing over his new succession plan, never rose to the task as he attempted to groom them to take over his professional franchises. The filing was in response to a lawsuit filed by Benson’s daughter, Renee, and two grandchildren, who claim Mr. Benson, is not mentally fit to make important decisions.

Studies show more and more women are buying guns and becoming more familiar with how to use them. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, 74 percent of gun shops saw growth in female customers in 2013. Barret Kendrick, a firearms trainer in Covington, says they have seen a major increase in the number of women coming into the gun market….
cut 7 (10) “…their children”
Kendrick says he’s found many of his female students go from being scared of weapons to really enjoying a training course and having fun.

LRN Newscast 17:30 January 27

According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says that is possible…:
CUT 12 (09) “of a plateau”
Redman says gas prices should go up later in February as we start heading into spring.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson has responsed to the lawsuit filed by his daughter and two grandchildren. In a court filing, Benson says for years he attempted to groom Renee Benson and his two grandchildren to take over the professional franchises once he dies, but they never rose to the task. He adds the decision for his wife to take control of the teams following his death was a deliberate and reasoned decision.

Labor numbers for December show it was another record breaking month for Louisiana employment. Louisiana Workforce Commission director Curt Eysink, says total nonfarm employment grew to 1,992,000, as private employers added 34-thousand jobs over the year.

A group of high school students from Cedar Creek in Ruston are on a field trip in snowy New York City. Eric Gill on how they’ve adapted as a result of a big snowstorm…
cut 1 (31) “…reporting”

LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 27

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson, through his attorney, has filed a response to the lawsuit filed by his daughter and two grandchildren. In the filing, Benson says for years he attempted to groom Renee Benson and his two grandchildren to take over the professional franchises once he dies, but they never rose to the task. He adds the decision for his wife to take control of the team following his death was a deliberate and reasoned decision.

LSU defensive back Jalen Mills’ trial for misdemeanor simple assault will take place April eighth, which is about ten days before the spring game. Mills is accused of punching a woman in the mouth, which allegedly occurred last June. Mills has entered a plea of not guilty and his attorney claims it was actually Mills’ girlfriend who hit the woman.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a two-year, two-million dollar contract for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele when the board meets Friday in Shreveport.

In the NBA, the Pelicans are off tonight. They won their fourth in a row last night, beating the lowly 76ers 99-74. Tomorrow, New Orleans will host Denver, who is 18-and-27 season on the season. The Pels are a game and a half back of Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In college basketball…Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State and McNeese State all continue to fall towards the bottom of the Southland standings as they all lost last night. The Colonels were blown out by Northwestern State 80-51. The Demons are 5-and-3 in the league and they are at Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.

In recruiting news…Neville standout Kavonte Turpin has decided he’ll play his college football at TCU. The Ragin Cajuns 2016 baseball recruiting class has been rated as the best in the Sun Belt Conference, according to Perfect Game. Two of the top players in that class are from Louisiana, including Hogan Harris, a left-handed pitcher at St. Thomas More.

PM LRN Newscall January 27

As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says the search for a teen, wanted in connection to a weekend robbery, ended unexpectedly when the suspect was found dead. Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan says officers responded to a call from a crawfisherman who discovered a body in a field just east of Crowley…

CUT 3 (08)  “face down”

The body was identified as 18-year-old Slye Mier (mere) of Crowley. Trahan says after the Sunday night robbery, Rayne Police were involved in a chase with a vehicle that Mier and the other suspect, a juvenile, occupied. She says when the pursuit ended, both Mier and the juvenile fled on foot…

CUT 4 (07)  “in the field”

Authorities say Mier’s death is being classified as suspicious, although the exact cause of death is unknown at this time. Mier’s body has been taken to Calcasieu Parish for an autopsy. Trahan says their investigation is ongoing…

CUT 5 (10)  “the investigation”

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As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of Louisiana high school students find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston are in the Big Apple on a school trip. Director of Student Activities Elizabeth Walker says yesterday’s curfew cancelled the Broadway show they planned to attend, but they are making the best of the situation…

CUT 6 (09)  “what we can”

Walker says the group totals 27 people, including 14 students. She says that, even with the weather conditions being less than optimal, they are taking in as much of New York as they possibly can, including Central Park…

CUT 7 (08)  “experience for us”

Walker says the eight inches of snow made this a fun and memorable trip for everyone in the group. She says they are scheduled to fly back home tomorrow…

CUT 8 (11) “fun to do”

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Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies are searching for at least two suspects involved in a double homicide in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says around 3:30pm yesterday they arrived at the scene of a reported shooting and found 37-year-old Chad Nichols dead on the front lawn of his house..:

CUT 9 (10)  “did not survive”

Bacala says 29-year-old Benny Booker of Prairieville was also found shot in the doorway of the residence and he succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. He says as of right now they don’t know who is responsible for these murders…:

cut 10 (10)  “Booker’s vehicle”

Bacala says the suspects killed the victims then one drove away in a 2008-2011 white BMW 3 series vehicle and the other stole Bookers vehicle which is a 2007 white Dodge Magnum. He says investigators are actively searching for both cars. Bacala says they believe the victims were targetting by the shooters…:

cut 11 (04)  “to rob them”

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According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s possible, as the price of crude oil has stabilized between $45 and $48 a barrel…

cut 12 (09)  “of a plateau”

But Redman says there is also a chance that we could still see prices slip as we head into February…

cut 13 (06)  “into spring”

Redman says the drop in fuel costs is astounding, especially when you compare prices to this time last year…

cut 14 (09)  “a year ago”

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 27

The Pelicans are on a season-high four game winning streak after beating the Philadelphia 76ers 99 to 74 last night. Anthony Davis had several big-time dunks and finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and five block shots. The Pels go for five in a row on Wednesday against the Nuggets.

In college hoops last night…Northwestern State easily defeated Nichollls State 80 to 51. Ta’Jon Welcome had 18 points and career-high seven rebounds to go along with three steals.

Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi defeated Southeastern Louisiana 70 to 61, Incarnate Word rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to beat McNeese State 86 to 84 and Southern lost to Alabama State 63 to 59 in overtime.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a two-year, two-million dollar contract for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele when the board meets Friday in Shreveport. The deal is 300-thousand dollars less than what John Chavis made in his final season with LSU.

And in a college football scheduling note….F-B schedules-dot-com reports that the Ragin Cajuns will host Northwestern State on September 12th. An official announcement is expected this week. And LSU has announced that spring practice will begin March 7th and the Spring game is set for April 18th.

In recruiting news…Neville standout Kavonte Turpin has decided he’ll play his college football at TCU. Plaquemine tight end Joe Keller has reportedly given a verbal pledge to Nicholls State.

In college baseball news…the Ragin Cajuns 2016 recruiting class has been rated as the best in the Sun Belt Conference, according to Perfect Game. Two of the top players in that class are from Louisiana…Nick Lee from Longville and Hogan Harris, a left-handed pitcher at St. Thomas More.