LRN sportscast 11:40 November 12

The college football weekend gets started tonight with the Ragin Cajuns visiting South Alabama in a Sun Belt match-up. The Jaguars are led by quarterback Cody Clements, who has thrown for 17-hundred yards and 12 touchdowns. Coach Mark Hudspeth wants his defense to put some pressure on him….
cut 17 (11) ‘…our DBs”
The Cajuns are expected to play two quarterbacks tonight. Brooks Haack and Jalen Nixon, with Haack the likely starter. Kick-off tonight is at 6:30. ESPN-U will televise the game.

Tennessee Titans linebacker David Bass will reportedly be fined 17-thousand dollars for a hit that he put on Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Roughing the passer was called on the play and Brees needed stitches after the game. Brees says he’ll be fine for Sunday’s game against Washington.

This weekend in the Southeastern Conference….LSU hosts Arkansas on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. The Razorbacks are coming off a wild one-point overtime victory at Ole Miss. Hogs Head Coach Brett Bielema says his team is not looking back…
cut 20 (13) “…LSU pro”
LSU fans will do some scoreboard watching on Saturday afternoon. That’s when Alabama visits Mississippi State. A win for the Bulldogs and the Tigers will once again have a chance at winning the SEC West.

17:30 LRN Newscast

In last night’s televised gubernatorial debate, the candidates were asked about expanding Medicaid so more low-income residents can participate. Republican David Vitter says Louisiana has to be careful if it goes in that direction, because Kentucky, has seen its health care costs skyrocket…
cut 9 (10) “…on that issue”
Expanding the number of charter schools were also discussed. Democrat John Bel Edwards says more charter schools is not the answer in all areas of the state…
cut 6 (10) “…or not”
LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says each candidate held their own…
cut 13 (09) “…state’s voters”
Early voting for the governor’s race continues tomorrow.

State Police have arrested Shreveport firefighter Brian Garza on several charges….
cut 16 (06) “…a minor
Trooper Matt Harris says Garza was taken into custody after he allegedly tried to faciliate a meeting with a 13-year-old girl and her mother for a sexual encounter with both.

We’re well into November but there are an unusual high number of mosquitoes buzzing around. Eric Gill reports…
cut 1 (27) “…reporting”

16:45 LRN Sportscast November 11

Both the Saints and LSU are looking to bounce back from losses last weekend. The Tigers host Arkansas this Saturday. LSU guard William Clapp says they are using the loss to Alabama to motivate them to do better…
cut 20 (15) “…as you can”
LSU is a 7.5 point favorite to win on Saturday.

The Saints are at Washington on Sunday. Quarterback Drew Brees spoke with reporters today and said he got stitches in his jaw after taking a big hit in the loss to the Titans. But he’ll be fine for Sunday. But there were several Saints players who didn’t practice today. And that list includes tackle Terron Armstead and linebacker Danell Ellerbe. But cornerback Keenan Lewis was not on the injury report.

ULM hopes Saturday’s home game against Arkansas State will result in their second victory of the season. The Warhawks are looking to snap a seven-game losing streak. Last time out, they were blown out by Troy 51-14. Arkansas State is 5-0 in the league, and they are averaging close to 45 points a game in their five Sun Belt contests.

UL Lafayette is at South Alabama tomorrow night. The Cajuns are 3-and-1 in league play and need a win to keep their hopes alive for a Sun Belt championship.

In the NBA…the Pelicans will look to make it two wins in a row tonight as they visit Atlanta. New Orleans beat Dallas 120-105 last night, but Anthony Davis did not play in the second half because of a hip injury. And he’s listed as doubtful to play tonight. Team officials say X-rays on his injured hip were negative.

Conference USA has announced that it will hold its league baseball tournament in Biloxi, Mississippi from 2017 to 2019.

LRN PM Newscall November 11

We’re well into November but there are an unusual high number of mosquitoes seen buzzing around for this time of year. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (27)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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

LSP has arrested an on duty Shreveport firefighter after trying to meet up with a minor and her mother for sexual encounters with both. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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

We’re well into November but, apparently, no one has told the mosquitoes. There are an unusual high number of mosquitoes seen buzzing around for this time of year. Colby Colona, President of the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association, says there is one big reason we’re seeing more of the pests and that’s weather…

CUT 3 (07)  “at this time” 

She says warm temperatures and heavy rain events can trigger dormant mosquito eggs to hatch and that’s what’s happened here over the past three weekends. Colona hopes temperatures will become more fall or winter like sooner than later…

CUT 4 (05)  “issue anymore”

She says once cooler temperatures arrive, mosquitoes will enter a dormant stage and their numbers will drastically drop. Colona says until colder weather arrives, you should take proper precautions to avoid mosquito bites…

CUT 5 (10)  “fitted clothing”

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The two candidates for governor touched on several key policy issues during last night’s debate hosted by Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the Council for a Better Louisiana. They each have vastly different views on the topic of education. Democrat John Bel Edwards says he’d support charter schools, but only if school districts felt they had a need for them…:

CUT 6 (10) “or not”

But Republican David Vitter, who supports charter schools without reservation, says limiting the opportunity to districts with low letter grades, would alienate thousands of students who happen to be in high a performing district…:

CUT 7 (10)  “charter schools”

The two are also split on the direction they believe healthcare should be headed in the state. Edwards says he would immediately expand the traditional Medicaid program as governor, and it should have already been done…:

CUT 8 (10)  “right versus wrong”

But Vitter says he would only consider Medicaid expansion on Louisiana’s terms. He says states who have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, like Kentucky, have seen health care costs skyrocket…:

CUT 9 (10)  “on that issue”

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Thunderstorm activity is expected across north Louisiana today and into tonight. Marty Mayeaux with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says a cold front is moving in bringing a chance of severe weather…

cut 10 (07)  “strong thunderstorms”

He says there is a chance of isolated tornados throughout the region today. Mayeaux says these storms could bring about an inch of rain to the area…

Cut 11 (05)  “prolonged precipitation”

He says the cold front will bring much cooler temperatures to the state over the next few days. Mayeaux says the severe weather threat will diminish as the system moves east…

cut 12 (10)  “New Orleans”

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A political analyst says there was no clear cut winner or loser in last night’s gubernatorial debate between Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says each candidate held their own…

cut 13 (09)  “state’s voters”

The debate got heated and personal toward the end. Edwards called Vitter a liar and a cheater, while Vitter accused the West Point graduate of not living by the Honor Code. Hogan says you can expect this type of back and forth between the candidates to continue through election day…

cut 14 (09) “close election” 

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Louisiana State Police arrested a Shreveport firefighter after he allegedly facilitated a meeting online with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl and her mother to have a sexual encounter with both. Trooper Matt Harris says 35-year-old Brian Garza was on duty when he chatted with the girl and arranged to meet her at a location. Harris says when Garza showed up, Troopers were waiting to arrest him…

cut 15 (10)  “old girl”

Harris says Garza believed he was talking to a 13-year-old girl when it was actually an LSP agent on the other end. He says if Garza is convicted, he could be fined up to 75-thousand dollars and spend 70 years in prison.

cut 16 (06)  “a minor”

LRN Sportscast 11:40 November 11

After a physical game against Alabama, LSU is now getting ready to host Arkansas. Freshman offensive guard Will Clapp says there’s a lot of film study going on this week, so they can correct the mistakes made in the Alabama game…
cut 19 (15) “…high level”
LSU rushed for only 54 yards against Alabama.

The Saints get back to practice today as they get ready for Sunday’s game against Washington. Both of these teams ahve been inconsistent and each team has five losses. The Redskins like to rush the football with Matt Jones and Alfred Morris. On defense, they are allowing 133 rushing yards per game on the groupnd, which ranks 29th in the league.

After picking up their first win of the season last night, by beating Dallas 120 to 105, the Pelicans begin a three-game road trip tonight in Atlanta. Will Anthony Davis play. Davis didn’t play in the second half last night because of a hip contusion. Davis had 17 points last night and so did Ish Smith, who scored 17 and had a career-high 12 assists.

LRN Newscast 17:30 November 10

The music industry is mourning the death of New Orleans icon Allen Toussaint, who was a songwriter, performer and producer. Toussaint (Two-Saint) was on tour in Europe when he reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack after a performance in Spain. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame President Mike Shepherd says Toussaint was not only one of the biggest international figures in music, but was also a true gentleman…:
CUT 6 (09) “great man”
Toussaint (Two-Saint) was 77-years-old.

Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards will debate tonight on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. The Council for a Better Louisiana is a co-host and CABL President Barry Erwin says the debate will give voters an opportunity to see Edwards and Vitter discuss their plans for Louisiana…:
CUT 5 (04) “to actually do”
It beings on LPB at 7pm.

The US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled Louisiana can keep the final Angola 3 inmate in jail and try him again in the 1972 killing of a prison guard. Legal analyst Tim Meche says even though a US District Judge ruled that Albert Woodfox shouldn’t have to face a third 40 year old trial, the 5th Circuit disagreed. He says trying this case again poses many issues…:
CUT 10 (10) “will be the same”
Amnesty International contends the convictions of Woodfox are riddled with flaws.

The acts for this year’s Bayou Country Superfest were announced. The annual country musical festival in Tiger Stadium will be three days long during the Memorial Day Weekend. The headliners are Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Eric Church. Producer Quint Davis says if you missed the six previous bayou country superfests, this is the year to go…
cut 14 (07) “…school yard”
Tickets go on sale one week from today.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 November 10

LSU wants to get past the disappointment of Saturday’s loss to Alabama. Running back Leonard Fournette says the Tigers have another big game this Saturday night as they host Arkansas…
cut 19 (08) “…us together”
According to CBS, the LSU-Alabama game was the most watched college football game of the season as it had 11 million viewers, up 20-percent from last year’s game.

The new college football rankings are unveiled on ESPN tonight. Jerry Palm, with cbs-sports-dot-com, says he has LSU at number five in his projections…
cut 16 (10) “…schedule”
LSU will play the rest of the season without fullback JD Moore, who re-aggravated a knee injury in the loss to Alabama.

The Saints have added former LSU Tiger Matt Flynn to their roster. New Orleans was in need of another quarterback because Luke McCown suffered a back injury that will reportedly force him to miss the rest of the season. Flynn has thrown 18 touchdown passes during a long professional career, where he’s been a back-up for several teams.

A win this Saturday for Grambling State and they’ll clinch the Western Division title in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Grambling is undefeated in league play and they’ll visit Arkansas Pine-Bluff this Saturday, who has just one win of the year.

Tonight at the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans go after their first win of the season as they host Dallas at 7 PM. After tonight, New Orleans will embark on a three-game road trip, so this is the time for them to get a win.

And in college baseball news…UL Lafayette Coach Tony Robichaux has suspended relief pitcher Colton Lee for violating team rules. Police reports indicate Lee was arrested over the weekend and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

LRN Newscast 2:30 PM Nov 10

New Orleans music icon Allen Toussaint has died at the age of 77. Toussaint was on tour in Europe when he suffered a fatal heart attack after a performance. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame President Mike Shepherd says although Toussaint was a famed performer and producer one aspect of his career will stand above all others..:
CUT 7 (09) “outshine anything”
The music legend in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll and Blues Halls of Fame.

The Council for a Better Louisiana and Louisiana Public Broadcasting are hosting tonight’s gubernatorial debate between Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards. CABLE President Barry Erwin says viewers can expect the candidates to discuss familiar issues..:
CUT 3 (10) “in-depth way”
The debate begins at 7pm and can be seen on LPB stations.

Additional information will be hard to come by regarding last week’s shooting in Marksville where a six-year-old boy was fatally shot and two city marshals were charged in his death. An attorney for the Louisiana State Police has denied a public records request from news outlets seeking information in the Jeremy Mardis shooting. A judge has issued a gag order.

We do know the 2016 Bayou Country Superfest in Tiger Stadium will feature superstars Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Eric Church. Eric Gill has more on today’s big announcement…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

LRN PM Newscall November 10

The music community is in mourning today after the passing of New Orleans music icon Allen Toussaint. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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

The 2016 Bayou Country Superfest in Tiger Stadium will feature superstars Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Eric Church. Eric Gill reports…:

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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

The Council for a Better Louisiana and Louisiana Public Broadcasting are hosting tonight’s televised gubernatorial debate between Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards. The debate begins at 7PM and will be televised statewide on LPB stations. CABL President Barry Erwin says viewers can expect the candidates to discuss familiar issues impacting the state…

CUT 3 (10)  “in-depth way” 

He hopes the candidates will be able to dig a little deeper into the issues than in previous forums. Erwin says they hope to make this feel more like a real debate with more back and forth between the candidates…

CUT 4 (09)  “more interaction”

He says the focus of this debate will be the issues facing the state in a big way in the months ahead. Erwin says it’s important for Louisianians to see Edwards and Vitter discuss their plans for Louisiana…

CUT 5 (04)  “to actually do”

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The music community is in mourning today after the passing of New Orleans music icon Allen Toussaint. Toussaint was on tour in Europe when he reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack after a performance Monday in Madrid, Spain. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame President Mike Shepherd says Toussaint was not only one of the biggest international figures in music, but was also a true gentleman…

CUT 6 (09) “great man”

Toussaint was 77-years-old. The music legend is not only a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, but also the Rock and Roll and Blues Halls of Fame as well. Although Toussaint was a famed performer and producer, Shepherd says one aspect of his career will stand above all others…

CUT 7 (09)  “outshine anything”

Toussaint’s songs have been covered by the biggest names in music, including Glen Campbell who had a number one hit in 1977 with “Southern Nights”. Shepherd says Toussaint was a true representative of New Orleans and he will be greatly missed…

CUT 8 (11)  “with Allen”

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

The US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled Louisiana can keep the final Angola 3 inmate in jail and try him again in the 1972 killing of a prison guard. The move reverses an order by a US District Judge that Albert Woodfox must be released and not face a third trial. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Woodfox’s other two convictions were tossed on technicalities.

CUT 9 (11)  “and not tried again”

Woodfox is the last incarcerated member of the Angola 3, who supporters say is being held on invalid convictions in isolation for years at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Meche says most of the witnesses from the case are dead and a trial on a 40 year old case would present major issues:

cut 10 (10)  “will be the same”

Amnesty International contends the convictions of Woodfox are riddled with flaws, and he’s unjustly been held in cruelty for several decades. Meche says lawyers and supporters of the Angola 3 have been very successful in getting the public and the media on their side…:

Cut 11 (10)  “released”

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

Organizers with Bayou Country Superfest announce another stellar lineup for the Tiger Stadium shows in 2016 which will be 7th year of the event. Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Eric Church will headline the three nights, May 27th, 28th & 29th, with super star opening acts including, Darius Rucker and Dierks Bently says BCS Producer Quint Davis…:

cut 12 (08)  “soaring up”

Davis says three day ticket packages will go on sale one week from today, November 17th, beginning at 10am. Other acts on the lineup include The Randy Rogers Band, Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell. Davis also invites folks to take advantage of the Fan Fest and Tailgate Party just outside the stadium with a country stage, festive food and meet and greets…:

cut 13 (09)  “enjoy”

He says if you’ve never been to a Bayou Country Superfest over a Memorial Day weekend in Tiger Stadium, you won’t believe your eyes when you walk inside…:

cut 14 (09) “rock show really” 

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

LRN Sportscast 11:40 November 10

Running back Leonard Fournette and the rest of the LSU Tigers are trying to move on from their disappointing performance against Alabama last Saturday. Fournette says Bama played great team defense and the Crimson Tide players didn’t gloat about what they did…
cut 18 (12) “…stay focused”
Fournette was held to a season low 31 yards rushing.

Tonight the new college football playoff rankings come out. Does LSU still have a chance to make the four-team playoff. Jerry Palm studies this kind of thing for cbs-sports-dot-com and believes the Tigers still do, but they’ll need to win their final three games…
cut 14 (07) “….other teams do”
LSU can still win the SEC west, if the Tigers win out and Alabama to lose against either Mississippi State or Auburn.

Former LSU quarterback Matt Flynn is expected to join the Saints. New Orleans was in the market for a back-up quarterback, because of a back injury to Luke McCown that will sideline him for the rest of the season. Flynn said on twitter that it looks like his hunting season is over.

The rumors of Saints Coach Sean Payton leaving New Orleans are not over. Yahoo Sports reporter Charles Robinson says he’s heard from a source that there’s a 50-50 chance Payton will not return for the 2016 season and a lot of the decision depends on the legal battle with Owner Tom Benson and his former heirs.

The Ragin Cajuns have a game Thursday night game against South Alabama. Coach Mark Hudspeth says he’s leaning towards statrting Brooks Haack at quarterback, but plans to play Jalen Nixon as well.

In the FCS Coaches Poll…McNeese State is ranked second. Grambling State is ranked 28th.

In the NBA…the Pelicans have re-signed shooting guard Jimmer Fredette. New Orleans seeks its first win tonight against Dallas.