LRN Sportscast Oct 16

What a performance by the Saints last night as they took it to their NFC South Rival and handed Atlanta its first loss. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 300 yards for the 90th time in his career, running back Mark Ingram had two touchdown runs and the defense forced three turnovers in the Saints 31-21 victory. But the play of the game was Michael Mauti’s block punt for a touchdown that gave the Saints a 14-0 lead…
cut 30 (15) “…I’m enjoying it”
And Steve Gleason, who continues to bravely battle A-L-S was honored before the game as he received the George Halas Award.

In high school football tonight, there are some big games in Class 3-A. Lutcher visits St. James as these parish rivals meet for the first time since 2004, U-High hosts Parkview in a rematch of last year’s Division Two state title game, which was won by U-High.

After playing in front of a half-full stadium last week, there will be over 100-thousand screaming fans inside Tiger Stadium on Saturday for the top ten match-up between LSU and Florida. Tigers running back Leonard Fournette says he’s looking forward to it….
cut 14 (08) “…be crazy”
LSU is a seven-point favorite. The other big game in the SEC is in College Station as Texas A-and-M hosts Alabama. The Crimson Tide thrashed the Aggies 59 to 0 last year.

Mississippi State will host Louisiana Tech at 11 AM tomorrow. These two teams last met in 2011 and State won in overtime 26-20.

1-and-4 ULM will host Appalachian State on Saturday at six PM. These two teams played a nail bitter last year and it was won by the Mountaineers with a last minute field goal.

In the NBA…the Pelicans next preseason game is tomorrow night in Lexington, Kentucky as New Orleans will face Sacramento.

17:30 LRN Newscast October 15

The federal government has announced there will not be an increase in benefits for millions of Social Security recipients. Brenda Hatfield with Louisiana AARP says this is especially devastating because next year Medicare costs are expected to increase for seniors, veterans and the disabled:
CUT 9 (10) “from Social Security
The main reason given for no increase in social security benefits, low gas prices.

In the governor’s race, Republican David Vitter was heavily critized by his opponents for missing a debate last night and for running attack ads against them. Republican Scott Angelle says Vitter doesn’t want to answer questions about his prostitution scandal…
CUT 5 (10) “means yes”
Early voting for the October 24th primary comes to an end on Saturday.

A lack of rainfall in Louisiana in the past several weeks has put most of the state in drought conditions. The US Drought Monitor reports that 86-percent of Louisiana is currently dealing with drought conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the last 90 days have been extremely dry…:
cut 12 (09) “three months”
The report shows that 51-percent of Louisiana is suffering from extreme drought conditions.

Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff Ivy Woods says a Jennings woman has been able to find the whereabouts of her mother, who was last seen in this state in 1982. Woods says it turns out that Lee Marie Kratzer started a whole new life in Memphis as Lisa Neese, but passed away in 2008. Woods says DNA and help from a Tennessee woman helped Kathernie Renee Kratzer find her mother after filing a missing person’s report last year…
cut 8 (06) “…missing relative”

16:45 LRN Sportscast Oct 15

The Saints face their hated rival tonight, the Atlanta Falcons, in a Thursday night matchup inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Atlanta is favorite to win this game as they’ve been explosive on offense, while the Saints can’t stop opposing offenses. New Orleans running back CJ Spiller says Atlanta’s defense is also playing well under first-year head coach Dan Quinn…
cut 30 (14) “…division game”
And heading into tonight’s game, Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network is reporting Saints head coach Sean Payton is open to fielding offers from other teams. Rapoport says Payton will receive interest from multiple teams looking to make a coaching change and that includes Miami and the Dallas Cowboys. Payton has two years left on his contract and he denied speculation that he’s looking to leave New Orleans when he spoke with reporters on Monday.

Big time match-up in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night as sixth ranked LSU faces eighth ranked Florida. Can the Gators slow down Tigers running back Leonard Fournette, who has already rushed for over one-thousand yards this season. Last season, Fournette had 140 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Florida in the swamp.

Louisiana Tech takes on Mississippi State on Saturday at 11 AM in Starkville. State’s defensive coordinator is Manny Diaz, who was the defensive coordinator at Tech last season. Bulldogs head coach Skip Holtz says that does present some challenges…
cut 20 (20) “…normally be”
Mississippi State is a 13-point favorite on Saturday.

LRN sportscast 11:40 Oct 15

The Saints are 3.5 point underdogs at home tonight against Atlanta. The Falcons offense has been impressive, averaging 32 points a game. Quarterback Matt Ryan is third in the NFL in passing yards and second-year running back Devonta Freeman is the league’s second leading rusher and has also caught 24 passes out of the backfield. Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan says Freeman has looked impressive on the game film….
cut 17 (18) “….the defense”
Kick-off is at 7:25.

LSU Coach Les Miles says he expects senior defensive back Jalen Mills will play this Saturday against eighth ranked Florida. Mills has been sidelined since injuring his ankle on August 19th.

Lousiaina Tech visits Mississippi State on Saturday. Bulldogs coach Skip Holtz says State is playing well on offense and defense, but they may excel the most on special teams…
cut 19 (21) “….any time”
Kick-off is at 11 AM.

The preseason men’s basketball coaches poll is out and the LSU Tigers are ranked 19th. The Bayou Bengals have one of the top freshman in the country, Ben Simmons, who along with his teammates, worked out in front of about 40 NBA scouts earlier this week.

Meanwhile, CBS sports-dot-com says Grambling State is the worst basketball team in the country heading into the 2015-16 season.

17:30 LRN Newscast Oct 14

Authorities in north Louisiana are searching for an arsonist responsible for several fires. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 1 (27) “….reporting”

We saw record high temperatures in north Louisiana today and more are expected tomorrow. Highs tomorrow in north Louisiana are expected to be in the mid 90s.

A new Orleans television station is reporting that two people were killed when a small merchant plane crashed at the Hammond airport this afternoon. A cause of the crash is not known.

The head of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab says were seeing a lot more negative commercials for this governor’s race compared to 2003, which was the last compeitive race for governor we had in Lousiaina. Michael Henderson says we can expect to see more negative ads as we approach election day and head into a runoff…
` cut 11 (09) “….2000 to 2014”
The four main candidates for governor will be involved in a televised debate tomorrow night.

An Ascension Parish judge has decided that a 16-year-old accused of murder should be tried as an adult. Authorities say Jacob Westbrook stabbed 18-year-old Todd Toups, who went to a trailer home to give a girl a ride to the St. Amant homecoming dance. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s too early in the process to anticipate how this case will turn out…
cut 14 (04) “….make predictions’

16:45 LRN Sportscast Oct 14

The Saints take on their biggest rivals on Thursday as they host the Atlanta Falcons. First-year coach Dan Quinn has the Dirty Birds out to a 5-0 start. The Falcons had a losing record last year and Quarterback Drew Brees says their personnel is not much different from a year ago…
cut 19 (17) “…well right now”
Brees is seven and two against the Falcons in games played in the Superdome.

The LSU Tigers will face the Florida Gators on Saturday night. It’s not been a quite week in Gainesville. It all started with the one-year suspension for starting quarterback Will Grier for taking a banned over-the-counter supplement. Now a freshman defensive back, Deiondre Porter, has been suspended indefinitedly for allegedly firing a gun in the direction of his pregnant girlfriend.

LSU Coach Les Miles says fullback JD Moore will not play against eighth ranked Florida. Moore went down with a knee injury last Saturday against South Carolina. Miles says it would be great if Moore can return for the Western Kentucky game on October 24th.

Louisiana Tech continues preparations for its trip to Mississippi State by piping in the sound of cow bells ringing while they practice. Mississippi State has won eight of the eleven match-ups between the two schools and kick-off on Saturday is at 11 AM.

In the Southland Conference this weekend…Nicholls State seeks its first win of the year as they Houston Baptist. McNeese State looks to stay undefeated as they visit Central Arkansas. Northwestern State is coming off a bye week and they’ll host Lamar, while Southeastern Louisiana takes on Stephen F Austin in Hammond. Lions leading receiver Jeff Smiley is out for the year with a torn ACL.

In the SWAC this weekend….It’s homecoming for Southern as they take on Prairie View, while Grambling travels to Alcorn State in a matchup of two teams undefeated in league play.

LRN Sportscast 11:40 October 14

For the fourth consecutive week, LSU will face a back-up quarterback. Florida will start Treon Harris under center, because Will Grier has been suspended for one year for taking a banned over the counter supplement. LSU defensive tackle Christian Lacouture gives this scouting report on Harris…
cut 17 (14) “…do your job”
And Florida has suspended freshman defensive back Deiondre Porter after he was arrested on aggravated assault charges. Porter is one of Florida’s best players on special teams.

And LSU Coach Les Miles confirmed starting fullback JD Moore will miss this game and the next, because of a knee injury sustained in the South Carolina game.

And Southeastern Louisiana leading receiver Jeff Smiley will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL.

The Saints are 1-and-4 and in last place in the NFC South heading into Thursday night’s match-up with the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Drew Brees always has a positive take on things, but admits the losing is eating at him inside…
cut 18 (11) “something positive”
Tomorrow night’s game will kickoff at 7:25 and can be seen on CBS and the NFL Network. And Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is not sure if he’ll be able to play. Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered in the win over the Redskins.

Louisiana Tech continues preparations for its trip to Mississippi State by piping in the sound of cow bells ringing while they practice. Mississippi State has won eight of the eleven match-ups between the two schools and kick-off on Saturday is at 11 AM.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 October 13

The hype around LSU running back Leonard Fournette continues to get bigger. He’s on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated. LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette says Fournette joins a list of great Tigers who have been featured on the front of the popular sports magazine….
cut 11 (11) “…not very many”
While Fournette is making the offense go, something needs to be done about the Tigers special teams. This past week they gave up a 96-yard kick off return for a touchdown. The kicking game has also been flagged on numerous occasions. Coach Les Miles says they’re looking at making personnel changes, but it also comes down to the players executing…
cut 19 (15) “…correct it”
LSU hosts Florida in a top ten matchup this Saturday night.

The Saints only have a couple more days to prepare before they play their big division rival Atlanta. New Orleans will host the Falcons on Thursday night. Coach Sean Payton on what he’s seen on tape from Atlanta, who is undefeated on the season…
cut 30 (11) “…football well”
Kick-off is at 7:30 on Thursday.

In NBA preseason action…the Pelicans beat the Chicago Bulls 123 to 115 last night. Anthony Davis, playing in his hometown of Chicago, had 26 points on 10 of 16 shooting. Sean Kilpatrick added 23. New Orleans continues its preseason schedule on Saturday against Sacramento in Lexington, Kentucky.

In high school football….Notre Dame of Crowley is the newly ranked number one team in Class Two-A. Many, Ouachita Christian, Riverside and Calvary Baptist round out the top five in Two-A.

LRN PM Newscall October 13

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a mother and daughter accused of neglecting more than 40 animals at their home in Bogalusa. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is on the cover of this week’s national Sports Illustrated magazine. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a mother and daughter accused of neglecting more than 40 animals at their home in Bogalusa. Terri Turner and Frannie Fisher are charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the Sheriff’s Office was aware of the poor condition of the animals…

CUT 3 (08)  “to the authorities”

He says authorities advised the accused on numerous occasions to take better care of the animals and the women refused to do so. The Humane Society was able to remove more than 20 dogs, 20 cats, a duck, and a rabbit from the property. Dorson says since Washington Parish does not have an animal control department, care for all these animals falls on the Humane Society…

CUT 4 (09)  “off the top”

He says all the animals are in need of veterinary care. The Humane Society is seeking donations from the public to help with those costs. Dorson says they plan to go to court and present evidence against Turner and Fisher of long-term, chronic neglect for all of these animals…

CUT 5 (06) “everything shows”

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Through two days of early voting, the Secretary of State’s office reports just over 60-thousand ballots have been casted. That’s seven-thousand fewer voters than during the same period last year for the Congressional election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he’s anticipating an overall turnout below 50-percent for the October 24th primary

CUT 6 (09) “hold true” 

Schedler says early voting totals may pick up later in the week, because there’s still a large contingent of voters who remain undecided on the key races…

CUT 7 (07)  “statewide elections”

East Baton Rouge Parish has the most early votes after two days, as 41-hundred ballots have been casted. Jefferson Parish is next at 34-hundred and Schedler says so far more women have taken advantage of early voting than men

CUT 8 (10)  “51-hundred”

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LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is on the cover of this week’s national Sports Illustrated magazine. The No. 6 Tigers remain undefeated on the year thanks to help from the sophomore who has averaged more than 200 yards per game and scored 12 touchdowns. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says Fournette is also a great guy and teammate off the field…:

CUT 9 (05)  “he enjoys it”

Bonnette says it’s only October and there’s a lot of ball left to play, so one of the things they are focusing on is keeping Fournette in check. He says Coach Les Miles has asked team leaders to keep in mind that Leonard is at LSU to go to school and play football and doesn’t want too much on his plate…:

cut 10 (10)  “one of these”

A quote on the SI cover from Fournette says “In that ball, the whole of Louisiana is in your hands.” Bonnette says being on the cover of Sports Illustrated is a huge honor for Leonard and for LSU…:

Cut 11 (11)  “not very many”

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

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has launched a statewide campaign to educate Louisiana patients and families on how to use available health information technology. DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert says the campaign is called “Your Health in Your Hands”…

cut 12 (08)  “health care cost”

She says the goal of the campaign is to help families use health IT tools to improve their health and health care decision making. A main component is its website, makemyhealth-dot-me. Kliebert says the site contains resources and information designed to help Louisianians become more engaged in their health care…

cut 13 (11)  “healthier outcomes”

The website also contains information about how to request copies of medical records and how to use those to improve your health. Kliebert says Louisiana is the first state in the country to have a consumer engagement tool like this…

cut 14 (08)  “health care options”

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11:40 LRN Sportscast Oct 13

It turns out that Steve Spurrier has coached his last game and it came against LSU last Saturday in Tiger Stadium. Spurrier told his players that he’s resigning immediately. South Carolina lost to LSU last week 45-24, which was the fourth consecutive loss in league play for the Gamecocks. Spurrier won six SEC titles during his 23 combined seasons at South Carolina and Florida.

Meanwhile, the LSU Tigers are getting ready for a top ten matchup against Spurrier’s old team. The Gators have allowed just 13 points in their last two SEC games and they are one of the best teams at defending the run. Coach Les Miles is interested to see if LSU can have success running the football against the Gators…
cut 18 (13) “…a war”
Kick-off on Saturday night is at six PM.

Tuesday is usually a day off for the Saints, but they’ll practice today, because they host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. New Orleans has plenty of players on the injury list, including wide receiver Marques Colston, who reportedly has a separated shoulder. Left guard Tim Lelito, left tackle Terron Armstead and punter Thomas Morstead are also not expected to play against the Falcons.

And the LSU Tigers have picked up a verbal commitment from an in-state linebacker. His name is Michael Divinity and he stars at John Ehret High School.

Louisiana Tech takes a three-game winning streak to Starkville where they’ll play Mississippi State at 11 AM. Tech’s defense is trying to stop giving up the big play. They allowed two long touchdown passes in last Saturday’s win against Texas San Antonio, including a 57-yarder that tied the game.

In NBA preseason action, the Pelicans came from 20 points down to beat the Chicago Bulls 123-115.