LRN Sportscast 16:45

It’s reporting day for the Saints as players were expected to report to the team’s training camp facility in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The team will prepare for the upcoming season at the Greenbrier resort. They’ll spend three weeks there. They have three brand new football fields to work on and there’s plenty of meeting rooms. The first practice is tomorrow morning.

Elsewhere in the NFL….the Falcons have signed wide receiver Roddy White to a three-year contract extension, which will keep White with the Falcons for the next four seasons. White is 32-years-old and has been named to the Pro Bowl four times, but last year he was limited by a high-ankle sprain and hamstring injury.

And former John Ehret Star Reggie Wayne showed up to Colts training camp driving a two-seat Indy Car. Wayne says he did it, because he wants Indianapolis to get off to a fast start this season. Wayne will have to prove himself this season as he’s 35-years-old and coming off an ACL injury.

Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks have reached an agreement to carry the SEC Network when it launches on August 14th. With the addition of Time Warne Cable and Bright House Networks, the SEC Network will be available to about 60-million households nationwide. But there’s still no agreement with either Direct TV or Charter.

In a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors, Southeastern Louisiana has been picked to win the Southland Conference. The Lions won the Southland last season and Head Coach Ron Roberts believes the Lions can do it again…
CUT 18 (19) “basis”
McNeese State is picked to finish second, Northwestern State fifth and Nicholls State is projected to come in ninth place.

The Colonels are coming off a four and eight season. Head Coach Charlie Stubbs says Nicholls goes into the season with Tuskani Figaro as its starting quarterback, but Breaux Hebert and Kalen Henderson will also compete for the job.

In Lake Charles, Cowboys Coach Matt Viator has to find a replacement for Cody Stroud, who threw for nearly 3-thousand yards and 28 touchdowns last season. Former Kansas State QB Daniel Sams goes into camp as the favorite to win the starting QB job.

LRN Newscall July 24 PM

Over 60-thousand Louisiana residents who purchased insurance through the marketplace set up by the Affordable Care Act are facing a rate increase in the double digits. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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The National Weather Service in Shreveport says a bad storm that blew through northwest Louisiana last night left thousands without power and claimed the life of one person. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (33) “reporting”

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State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 60-percent of the Louisiana residents who purchased insurance through the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act face a double-digit rate hike next year. Donelon says that’s based on paperwork filed with the state’s insurance department

CUT 3 (11) “for the subsidy”

Donelon says 101-thousand Louisiana residents have health care through the individual marketplace and they anticipate the average rate increase to be about 12 to 13 percent

CUT 4 (11) “10-percent”

Donelon says the double-digit rate hike is the result of a federal premium tax that’s been placed on the policies and the rates have been capped for the elderly and least healthy….

CUT 5 (15) “national average”

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The National Weather Service in Shreveport says a bad storm that blew through northwest Louisiana last night left thousands without power and claimed the life of one person. Senior Meteorologist Jason Hansford says they saw 60-70 mile per hour winds which downed numerous trees and power lines…:

CUT 6 (07) “without power”

Hansford says as of early this morning there were still over 50,000 people who did not have power. He says one woman even lost her life…:

CUT 7 (09) “yesterday evening”

Hansford says the victim was walking down a street during the height of the storms when the winds really started picking up…:

CUT 8 (12) “to her injuries”

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A commitment is in place to produce more workers for the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas industry. Higher education leaders, state officials and representatives from the oil industry have formed a long-term public-private partnership to come up with solutions to meet with workforce needs. Louisiana Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association President Chris John

CUT 9 (12) “that’s workforce”

John says about 40-percent of the workforce that’s experienced in the Gulf of Mexico will retire in the next ten years. He says that’s a concern, especially since deep water exploration and production is expected to increase.

CUT 10 (09) “out in the Gulf”

John says this Memorandum of Understanding between the various entities will come together to form a curriculum so prospective gulf of mexico oil workers could be certified in two years….

cut 11 (09) ” well paying job

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Louisiana State Police say two women died in a crash just after midnight in Rapides Parish and they weren’t buckled up. Trooper Scott Moreau says they responded to the crash in Alexandria on La Hwy 1205 around 12:15am and learned a Honda was being driven by 31-year-old Heather McComic of Boyce…:

CUT 12 (10) “collided with a tree”

Moreau says after McComic ran off the road and crashed into a tree, she was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead…:

CUT 13 (08) “under investigation”

Moreau says the only passenger in the vehicle, 29-year-old Ashley Gallien of Pineville, was pronounced dead at the scene. He says neither woman was restrained at the time of the crash. Moreau says properly wearing your seatbelt will dramatically reduce your chance of being killed in a crash…:

cut 14 (10) “any other factor”

1140 Sportscast July 24

Today’s reporting day for the Saints as training camp will get underway tomorrow. The team will spend the first three weeks of training camp in West Virginia at the Greenbrier Resort. The 55-thousand square foot training facility has three practice fields. Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis will speak with reporters later today.

Former LSU Tiger Tyrann Mathieu will watch the start of training camp from the sidelines as the Cardinals put the dynamic defensive back on the physically unable to perform list. Mathieu is still recovering from a major knee injury last December. There’s no timetable on when he’ll return.

In news out of the NFC South…the Falcons announced they’ve signed wide receiver Roddy White to a three-year contract extension, which will keep White with the Falcons for the next four seasons. White is 32-years-old and has been named to the Pro Bowl four times, but last year he was limited by a high-ankle sprain and hamstring injury.

Second year Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz told reporters at Conference USA Media Day that he expects a better season this year after going four and eight in 2013. Holtz says they have more speed at the wide receiver position and some new additions on defense, like defensive end Houston Bates, who is a transfer from Illinois….
cut 17 (15) “….football team”
Louisiana Tech opens the season against Oklahoma on August 30th.

Southeastern Louisiana has been picked to win the Southland. That’s according to polls of the league’s coaches and sports information directors. Lions Head Coach Ron Roberts likes the idea that his team will have a bulls eye on their chest this season….
cut 19 (20) “…2014”
McNeese State has been picked to finish second in the Southland race. Northwestern State fifth place and Nicholls State ninth place.

LSU freshman defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao (Lay-ah-lah-ee-mahta-fow) has been released from the hospital after being treated for a cut in his arm he got from punching in a window at the school’s weight room on Monday according to multiple sources. Officials say he will remain on the team.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 July 23

NFL training camps are opening across the country. Saints players are scheduled to report to the team’s new training camp facility in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia by tomorrow Most of the players were seen rolling into town today. Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis are scheduled to address the media tomorrow afternoon.

In Arizona, the Cardinals have announced former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu will start camp on the physically unable to perform list. Mathieu is still rehabbing a serious knee injury that took place last December. There is some concern that the Honey Badger will not be when the regular season starts.

Southeastern Louisiana has been picked to win the Southland Conference. That’s accoring to a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors. McNeese State is picked to finish second, Northwestern State fifth and Nicholls State is projected to come in ninth place.

Expectations are not overly high in Monroe for the Warhawks football team. ULM is picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt, but head coach Todd Berry says they can surprise some people if they stay healthy…
cut 19 (17) “…be sidelined”
The Warhawks begin the season on Thursday August 28th at home against Wake Forest.

The Pelicans Anthony Davis says he’s excited about the acquisition of Omer Asik. Davis says Asik will help his game a lot, because he likes playing power forward instead of center.

College basketball….Ragin Cajuns shooting Kevin Brown told his followers on twitter that he’s transferring to UNO. Brown started 13 games for the Cajuns last season and averaged 5.5 poitns a game. He’ll be able to play right away for the Privateers as a graduate student.

11:40 Sportscast July 23rd

We are 38 days away from the first Saturday in college football. On that day, the preseason favorites in the Sun Belt, the Ragin Cajuns will host Southern, who is expected to win the SWAC West Division. When these two teams met in 2009, 41-thousand attended the game at Cajun Field. UL Lafayette Head Coach Mark Hudspeth is expecting a bigger crowd this time…
cut 17 (20) “…to town”

The Southland Conference Media Days are being held in Lake Charles today. According to a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors, Southeastern Louisiana is expected to finish the league. McNeese State finished second in the polls.

Most of the Saints players will arrive today at the team’s training camp facility in West Virginia. They are required to report tomorrow and the first practice is set for Friday. Two players have been added to the roster. Nose tackle Tyrone Ezell and linebacker Marcus Thompson. Ezell played at the University of Pittsburgh, while Thompson is an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers.

Today, Quarterback Drew Brees is serving as a honorary mayor for Comfort, Texas, as a part of a promotion with Wrangler Jeans. Brees has told reports that he’s excited the Saints and tight end Jimmy Graham have agreed to a long-term contract.

Some sad news to report out of the NFL,…former Cowboys fullback Robert Newhouse has passed away. Newhouse had been battling cancer and died at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota at the age of 64. Newhouse rushed for nearly five thousand yards and 31 touchdowns and helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl 10.

In Major League Baseball Action…former Ragin Cajuns star Jonathan Lucroy hit two home runs to help the Brewers beat the Reds four to three. Lucroy’s second home run was in walk-off fashion.

Former LSU Tiger Aaron Hill drove three runs last night as the Diamondbacks beat the Tigers five to four.

And the Pelicans Anthony Davis he’s excited about the acquisition of Omer Asik. Davis says As\ik will help his game a lot, because he likes playing power forward instead of center.

LRN Sportscast 4:45 July 22nd

The Saints signed a couple of undrafted rookies today. Linebacker Marcus Thompson and nose tackle Tyrone Ezell are on the team’s training camp roster. Thompson is from Rutgers and had 5.5 sacks last season. Ezell started 12 games and was a captain at the University of Pittsburgh last season. Meanwhile, nose tackle John Jenkins has been placed on the physically unable to perform list. Jenkins reportedly had surgery on his pectoral muscle.

LSU freshman defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao has been recovering today after severely cutting his arm when he punched a window in the team’s weight room. Assistant editor of Tiger Rag Magazine, Robert Stewart, says it appears Trey has a long road of recovery ahead of him…
cut 8 (07) “….gonna have”
Trey said on twitter this has been a learning experience and he’s thankful to be alive. LSU has not said what provoked the incident.

Sun Belt Media Day took place today in New Orleans. ULM Head Football Coach Todd Berry was one of the first to stand at the podium and answer questions. Berry says the offense will have a different look now that quarterback Kolton Browning has graduated….
cut 30 (18) “…we’re excited about that”
The Warhawks were picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt this season, according to a poll of the league’s coaches. ULM’s first game is Thursday August 28th against Wake Forest.

The LSU baseball team’s 2015 schedule is already out. It all starts with a three-game series against Kansas on February 13th. Coach Paul Mainieri says his team will be challenged right away…
cut 18 (18) “….to the wire”
LSU will also travel to Houston’s Minute Maid Park to play in the Houston College Classic. The three teams they are scheduled to play are Houston, Nebraska, and Baylor. The Tigers SEC schedule begins March 13th at home against Ole Miss.

LRN Newscall July 22nd

Authorities have made an arrest in last week’s UL-Lafayette bomb scare that caused the campus to shut down for a day. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A lawsuit was filed today seeking clarity over whether Governor Jindal has the legal authority to stop the implementation of the Common Core education standards. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (35) “reporting”

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The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says they’ve arrested a Golden Meadow Police officer in connection with a methamphetamine investigation. Spokesman Brennan Matherne says they began conducting this investigation in April 2014…:
CUT 3 (11) “for personal use”

Matherne says they learned 37-year-old Officer Ashley Pollard and his brother, 33-year-old Courtney Pollard were allegedly making meth for personal use. He says they also learned the cop’s girlfriend, Anna King, was buying products for the meth lab. Matherne says they brought in Officer Pollard for questioning Monday…:
CUT 4 (05) “stress disorder”

Matherene says investigators found the meth lab at Officer Pollard’s and King’s home during a search of the residence. He says Golden Medow Police Chief Reggie Pitre issued a statement indicating Pollard resigned from the department upon his arrest…:
CUT 5 (04) “in Pollard’s actions”

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An LSU freshman football player is recovering in a hospital today after severely cutting his arm during an incident in the school’s weight room. Assistant editor of Tiger Rag magazine, Robert Stewart, says based on what they’ve been able to gather defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao (Lay-ah-lah-ee-mahta-fow), punched a window at the LSU football facility…

CUT 6 (08) “his arm”

The San Antonio native tweeted a picture of himself in a hospital bed with his left arm in a large cast. He also commented on twitter that this has been a learning experience and he’s thankful to be alive. Stewart says LSU has not said what led up this incident….
CUT 7 (10) “this window”

Initial reports said Trey may need to have his arm amputated. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says that’s not the case, but Stewart says it appears the six-foot, 300-pound defensive tackle has a long road of recovery ahead of him…
CUT 8 (07) “gonna have”

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Officials say an arrest has been made in the case of the bomb threat last week at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette that closed the campus down an entire day. Louisiana State Police Troop I spokesman Brooks David says a multiple agency investigation lead to the arrest of 30-year-old Devin Haywood of Lafayette…:

CUT 9 (11) “in Lafayette”

Haywood is charged federally through the FBI with planting a hoax device and attempted armed robbery according to David…:

Cut 10 (11) “are possible”

David says they believe Haywood called KATC last Wednesday morning saying there was a bomb in a trash can at a park near the UL-Lafayette campus, then minutes later he went to try and rob the MidSouth bank…:

cut 11 (06) “for both

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A group of parents and teachers who support the Common Core education standards filed a lawsuit today against Governor Jindal. They claim the governor violated his legal authority by using executive orders and contract suspensions to keep schools from using Common Core. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger supports this legal action

cut 12 (12) “clarity there”

This pro Common Core lawsuit comes one day after a separate suit, which challenged whether BESE followed state law when it adopted the controversial education standards. Leger is hopeful the courts can make a ruling quickly on today’s lawsuit, so teachers can plan accordingly for the upcoming school year

cut 13 (13) “move forward”

Navis (Novice) Hill is a parent of a public school student and one of the plantiffs in the lawsuit filed today. Hill says Jindal is playing political games and because of that her fourth grader is preparing for a school year, not knowing what standardized test he’ll take

cut 14 (06) “racially discriminatory”

LRN Sportscast 11:40

LSU freshman defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao (Lay-ah-lah-ee-mahta-fow) has tweeted out he’s doing well after severely injuring his arm when he punched a glass window inside the team’s weight room. He also commented on twitter this has been a learning experience and he’s thankful to be alive. Tiger Rag Magazine Assistant Editor, Robert Stewart, says LSU has not said what led up this incident….
cut 7 (10) “…this window”
Trey is a six-foot, 300-pound defensive tackle and was listed as a backup on team’s depth chart when it was released last week at SEC Media Days.

The Sun Belt Media Days are today in New Orleans. Ragin Cajuns Quarterback Terrence Broadway has been named the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The senior completed 62-percent of his passes for 2,419 yards and 18 touchdowns.

LSU head baseball coach Paul Mainieri has a new assistant coach in Andy Cannizaro and he’s also been able to officially add 12 players to the roster. They make up the 2015 recruiting class and Mainieri says this group of power arms and very good everyday players is one of the best in the country….
cut 17 (19) “….show that”
LSU has also released its schedule for next season. It all starts with a three-game series against Kansas on February 13th.

Northwestern State says centerfielder Bret Underwood has decided to play for the Demons next season, even though he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 20th round. Underwood hit .289 last season and led the team with 18 stolen bases. He played in 53 games last season.

The owner of a bar in Nashville says former LSU Quarterback Zach Mettenberger was sucker punched by an Alabama fan. Steve Ford says Mett was not provoking the person in any way but that the guy said “Roll Tide” and Zach said, “Good Luck with that.” That’s when the other person’s friend sucker punched the Titans draftee in the eye. He said Zach did not punch back.

LRN Sportscast 16:45

LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles went through the ESPN Carwash today appearing on various television and radio shows at the Bristol, Connecticut complex. Miles was asked several times about incoming freshman running back Leonard Fournette. Here’s his answer on Sportscenter…
cut 30 (13) “….one day at time”
LSU reports for fall camp on August third.

Ragin Cajuns Quarterback Terrance Broadway was named the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year today. The senior from Baton Rouge completed 62-percent of his passes for 2,419 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2013. Broadway is one of eight Ragin Cajuns who made the Sun Belt preseason first team. ULM had two players.

According to the Tennessean, former LSU Quarterback and Titans rookie Zach Mettenberger was sucker punched at a popular Nashville nightspot. A police report was not filed, but the owner of the Losers Most Wanted Bar and Grill on Division street says a patron went up to Mettenberger and said Roll Tide to Mettenberger. Zach reportedly said good luck with that and that’s when Mettenberger was punched in the eye. According to the bar owner, Mettenberger did not throw a punch back.

ESPN.com reports the Saints Jarius Byrd should be healthy enough to participate in training camp when the team reports later this week at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Whether he’ll be limited or not, has yet to be decided. Byrd had back surgery in late May to repair a disc issue.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri introduced Andy Cannizaro has the Tigers new recruiting coordinator and hitting coach at a press conference today. Cannizaro had a standout college career at Tulane and has worked as a scout for the New Yankees since 2009. Mainieri says he received some good references, before hiring Cannizaro….
cut 29 (18) “…Yankees organization”

1140 Sports July 21

LSU Football Coach Les Miles is making the rounds at ESPN today in Bristol, Connecticut. Miles appeared on SportsCenter this morning and was asked about being picked to finish third in the SEC West. Miles says his team doesn’t pay attention to preseason rankings or polls…
cut 30 (09) “….ranking is”
Miles and the Tigers report for fall camp on August third.

The Ragin Cajuns are picked to finish first in the Sun Belt. That’s according to a poll of the league’s coaches. Finishing behind U-L Lafayette are Arkansas State, South Alabama, Troy and ULM is expected to finish fifth. The Warhawks were six-and-six last season, while the Cajuns were nine and four and finished in a tie for first place in the league. Sun Belt media day is scheduled for tomorrow.

Crews are putting the finishing touches on the Saints new training camp facility in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The Black-and-Gold are set to report this Thursday. We’ll likely find out then, if newly signed safety Jarius Byrd will be able to practice once training camp starts. The former Buffalo Bill is coming off back surgery.

LSU has released its 2015 baseball schedule. The Tigers begin the year by hosting Kansas on february 13th. LSU will also travel to Houston’s Minute Maid Park to play in the Houston College Classic. The three teams they’ll play are Houston, Nebraska, and Baylor. The Tigers SEC schedule begins March 13th at home against Ole Miss. And they’ll play the Ragin Cajuns on Wednesday April 1st in the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic at Zephyr Field in Metairie.

Tough start on the mound for former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman yesterday as he allowed five runs in four innings as his Orioles lost to the Oakland As ten to two. The loss drops Gausman’s record to four and three.

Former saints linebacker Jo Lonn Dunbar was arrested over the weekend in Miami Beach, Florida for allegedly getting into a fight outside of a nightclub with NBA free agent Donte Greene. Dunbar played with the Saints from 2009 to 2011 and he’s now a linebacker with the St. Louis Rams.