LRN 16:45 Sportscast November 4

New Orleans has been selected to host the college football national championship game in January 2020.Executive director of the CFP, Bill Hancock, says there are a lot of reasons why they wanted to crown a future champion in the Big Easy…
cut 14 (07) “…downtown area”
Hancock also announced that Atlanta will host the championship game in 2018 and Santa Clara will host the title game in January 2019.

Saturday’s game between LSU and Alabama features two of the best running backs in college football. The Tigers have Heisman front-runner Leonard Fournette, and the Crimson Tide have Derrick Henry who has rushed for over 1,000 yards and has 14 touchdowns. Coach Nick Saban says Henry has had a fantastic year…
cut 18 (20) “…has played’
Kickoff on Saturday is at 7 PM.

Louisiana Tech is a 30-point favorite on Saturday as they host North Texas. who has just one win on the season. But Bulldogs quarterback Jeff Driskel says they are not changing their approach…
cut 20 (15) “…every other week”

ULM has just one win on the year and they’ll visit Troy on Saturday. The Warhawks are coming off a tough loss to the Ragin Cajuns. UL Lafayette is at Georgia State on Saturday. The Cajuns are looking to improve to 3-1 in Sun Belt play.

In college basketball news…an ESPN report says freshman Antonio Blakeney has been clared to play this season. The NCAA was apparently looking to see if he violated any rules by appearing in a workout video with a trainer.

Louisiana Tech announces that transfer LeAntwan Luckett has been ruled eligible to play this upcoming season for the Bulldogs. The fifth year senior scored over 14-hundred points at Alcorn State.

LRN PM Newscall November 4

Authorities in central Louisiana say a 6-year-old child is dead and his father in critical condition following a pursuit and officer involved shooting. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The state House Republican caucus endorses Senator David Vitter in Louisiana’s gubernatorial runoff, but will Senate Republicans do the same? Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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State Police says City Marshals from the Ward 2 office in Marksville were involved in a shooting following a pursuit that left a child dead and his alleged father gravely injured. Trooper Scott Moreau says the initial investigation revealed that officers fired on the vehicle at the conclusion of the pursuit…

CUT 3 (07)  “pronounced dead” 

Avoyelles Parish Coroner, Dr. L.J. Mayeux, says apparently a warrant had been issued for the driver, Chris Few, which is why he was being sought by officers. He says a chase later ensued…:

CUT 4 (07)  “car”

The child is identified as Jeremy Mardis. Mayeaux says once the chase ended, there was an exchange of gunfire and Few was hit and later lifted by Air-Med to Rapides General Hospital where he remains in critical condition…:

CUT 5 (09)  “several times”

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State Police is investigating a fatal hit and run crash that forced an 18-wheeler over the guardrail on I-10 West into the Pearl River near the Louisiana-Mississippi line. State Police Sgt. Nick Manale says three vehicles are thought to be involved in last night’s crash, two big rigs and a black pickup truck, which fled the scene.

CUT 6 (10) “this time”

Manale says the body of the driver who entered the water has been recovered by the St. Tammany Parish dive team and is in the process of being identified. He says state police are speaking to witnesses to try to determine what exactly happened.

CUT 7 (08)  “contact us”

Manale says the driver of the second 18-wheeler received moderate injuries. He says they believe the driver of the pickup truck was driving recklessly before the crash.

CUT 8 (11)  “guardrail here”

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The state House Republican caucus endorses Senator David Vitter in Louisiana’s gubernatorial runoff, but will Senate Republicans do the same? At issue is Vitter’s latest campaign commercial where he describes the legislature as “broken and dysfunctional” and talks of taking away politicians’ perks. House caucus Chairman, Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, says he has thick skin and the ad doesn’t offend him..

CUT 9 (09)  “a great job”

However, Senate Republican caucus Chair, Metairie Senator Danny Martiny takes offense to Vitter’s ad because he feels it tells people the legislature is no good and they’re the problem. He says says the commercial doesn’t sit well with many GOP state senators…

cut 10 (10)  “the legislature”

Harris chalks up Vitter’s campaign rhetoric as politics as usual and something that happens during political races. He says House Republicans enthusiastically support Vitter in the runoff…

Cut 11 (08)  “in the future”

It doesn’t appear the Senate Republicans will throw their support to Vitter anytime soon. Martiny says if a caucus member wanted to look into endorsing Vitter, he would call a meeting to discuss it. Martiny says he has concerns because it appears that Vitter is running a campaign against the state legislature…

cut 12 (08)  “he’s not”

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New Orleans has been selected to host the College Football Playoff Championship game in 2020. Executive Director of the CFP, Bill Hancock, made the announcement and called New Orleans an iconic city in the world of college football…

cut 13 (06)  “long time”

New Orleans beat out of several other cities to host college football national championship game in January 2020. New Orleans bid to host the game in either 2019 and 2020 after falling shot in previous bids to host the game in 2016 and 2017. Hancock says there are a lot of reasons why they wanted to crown a champion in the Big Easy…

cut 14 (07) “downtown area” 

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 4

The first college football playoff rankings are out and LSU is ranked second, while Alabama is ranked fourth. The two teams with national championship hopes will meet on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa. Crimson Tide Head Coach Nick Saban says with so much at stake, you can’t be conservative…
cut 17 (16) “…in this game”
And there’s good news on the injury front….Coach Les Miles said today that cornerback Tredavious White, defensive tackle Christian LaCouture and fullback JD Moore are practicing ahead of the Alabama game.

The Saints are getting to play the Titans on Sunday. ESPN is reporting rookie cornerback Damian Swann is not expected to play after suffering his second concussion of the season.

Louisiana Tech has a 6-3 record, 4-and-1 in Conference USA, heading into Saturday’s homecoming matchup with North Texas. Quarterback Jeff Driskel is a big reason for the Bulldogs success. He’s thrown for 27-hundred yards, 19 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. The former Florida quarterback says he’s enjoyed his time in Ruston…
cut 19 (18) “to go”
Tech is coming off a big 42-17 win over Rice.

In college basketball….LSU guard Keith Hornbsy will miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery in New Orleans. It’s expected he’ll miss at least a couple of weeks of the regular season.

And the Pelicans fell to 0-4 on the season as they lost to Orlando 103-94.

17:30 Newscast Oct 3

A poll on the governor’s race finds Democrat John Bel Edwards leads Republican David Vitter by 20 points in the runoff. The Nextstar TV stations/JMC Analytics survey shows Edwards receiving 25-percent of the Republican vote. Pollster John Couvillion says that’s not good news for Vitter…:
CUT 4 (07) “the runoff”
The poll shows Edwards receiving 52-percent of the vote compared to Vitter’s 32-percent.

Vitter picked up the endorsement of the Louisiana House Republican Delegation today. House Delegation Chairman and State Representative Lance Harris says Louisiana needs a Governor with a provent track record as a conservative reformer.

In the Lt. Governor’s race, state senator Elbert Guillory, who finished fourth in the primary in the Lt. Governor’s race, announced his endorsement for Republican Billy Nungesser over Democrat Kip Holden.

Tulane has been awarded a $6.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the long term impact of Hurricane Katrina. Mark VanLandingham, is a professor at Tulane, he says they are excited about receiving this funding…:
cut 12 (08) “after Katrina”
Researchers will investigate the long term health, demographic, and socioeconomic impacts of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the entire region.

LSU Lady Tigers play by play man Patrick Wright will fill in for Jim Hawthorne during the Alabama game Saturday night, while the Voice of the Tigers recovers from a successful medical procedure. Wright says Jim will be missed for this big top 10 SEC matchup…:
CUT 8 (11) “would want it”
LSU hopes Hawthorne will be back in a couple of weeks.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 November 3rd

The first college football playoff rankings for 2015 come out at six PM tonight. LSU is expected to be in the top four, but for them to stay in the top four they’ll need to beat Alabama on Saturday. In big games like this, mistakes can cost you. LSU leads the SEC in penalty yards per game and Coach Les Miles hopes his team doesn’t see too many flags this Saturday…
cut 19 (18) “…can be”
Kick-off on Saturday is at 7 PM.

LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones announced today that senior guard Keith Hornsby will miss the start of the 2015-16 basketball season after underoing surgery today for a minor injury. Hornsby is the Tigers top returning scorer.

The Pelicans go after their first win of the season tonight as they host the Orlando Magic at the Smoothie King Center. The Magic are also winless, as they’ve lost their three games by five points or less. Meanwhile, New Orleans has allowed at least 111 points in its three defeats. Tip-off is just after 7 PM.

The Saints did not make any moves prior to the three PM trade deadline. New Orleans will host Tennessee this Sunday. The Titans announced earlier today that they’ve fired Ken Whisenhunt, who went 3-and-20 at the helm in Tennessee. Mike Mularky was named interim head coach.

In other NFL news…former Saint Reggie Bush was placed on injured reserve by the 49ers after tearing his ACL last Sunday. San Francisco has reportedly signed another former Saint, Pierre Thomas, to take Bush’s spot on the roster.

No changes atop the rankings in the high school football polls. Rummel, Neville, University, Notre Dame and St. Mary’s are all ranked number one.

LRN Sportscast 11:40 November 3rd

The Saints opponent this Sunday is Tennessee, who announced today that they’ve fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was 3-and-20 as the head coach for the Titans. Former Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey has been named the interim head coach for the rest of the season.

After a record breaking performance against the Giants, Saints quarterback Drew Brees is up for a couple of weekly awards that fans can vote on. Brees is one of three nominees for the FedEx Air Player of the Week and Brees is one of five nominees for the Castrol edge Clutch Performer of the Week. Winners will be announced on Thursday.

And in other NFL news…there are reports former Saints running back Pierre Thomas has signed with the 49ers.

The Pelicans are looking for their first win tonight as they host Orlando at the Smoothie King Center. The Magic are also winless as former Ragin Cajuns star Elfrid Payton is averaging 10 points and five assists a game, but shooting just 36-percent from the field.

The first college football playoff rankings come out tonight. Will LSU be ranked number one? Ohio State, Baylor, Clemson, TCU, Michigan State, Iowa and Oklahoma State are also undefeated.

A big game on Saturday against Alabama for LSU running back Leonard Fournette and he can likely look forward to winning the Heisman Trophy in December. But Coach Les Miles doesn’t want his talented sophomore to think about postseason awards, just victory…
cut 18 (20) “….highest level”
And the longtime voice of the LSU Tigers will not be on the call for Saturday’s game. Jim Hawthorne is recovering from a successful medical procedure. Patrick Wright, who is the play-by-play man for LSU women’s basketball and softball, will sit in for Hawthorne.

LRN Newscast 17:30 October 30

Gubernatorial candidates David Vitter and John Bel Edwards are busy on the campaign trail. Vitter appeared at a rally in Baton Rouge on Friday and told the lunchtime crowd there’s a clear choice to make on November 21st….
cut 5 (12) “…guide us”
Edwards, a democrat, appeared at a news conference with sheriffs from around the state. Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespack says Edwards will bring integrity to the governor’s office…
cut 4 (12) “…of Louisiana”
The runoff election is November 21st.

The southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch on Saturday. The National Weather Service says heavy rain, strong winds and an isolated tornado are also possible on Halloween.

WVUE-TV reports the US Department of Education is investigating how LSU handles cases of rape and sexual assault. Emelie Gunn reports…
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Cops say a gymnastics coach from Jefferson Parish has been arrested and booked with video voyeurism and possession and production of child pornography. Kenner Police say they executed a search warrant at the home of Brian Townsend and found several images of female juveniles engaging in sex acts. Townsend worked at several dance studios in Kenner and Metairie.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 Oct 30

Tonight on Fox Sports One, Louisiana Tech will visit Rice in a big Conference USA match-up. The Bulldogs and Owls are battling for first place in the West Division. Rice leads Conference USA in rushing as they are averaging close to 200 yards a game on the ground. But Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz says the Owls also have a good passing game…
cut 17 (20) “…last year”
Tonight’s game will kickoff at 7 PM.

At Cajun Field on Saturday…UL Lafayette will host ULM. The Ragin Cajuns are double digit favorites to win. Tulane is at undefeated and 16th ranked Memphis. McNeese State looks to stay undefeated as they visit Abilene Christian. Northwestern State and Nicholls meet in Thibodaux. Southeastern Louisiana has a tough game at Central Arkansas.

Two Saints players have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Linebacker David Hawthorne will not play because of a hamstring injury, while offensive tackle Andrus Peat won’t play because of a knee injury. Cornerback Keenan Lewis is questionable as he tries to come back from a sports hernia surgery. And linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is doubtful with a hip injury.

The Giants are 4-3 on the year and there defensive coordinator is Steve Spagnuolo, who had the same job in New Orleans in 2012. Right tackle Zach Streif says they know Spagnuolo will have a specific plan to stop the Saints offense…
cut 19 (22) “…personnel group”

LRN Newscast 16:30 Oct 30

GOP Congressmen John Fleming and Ralph Abraham were among the republicans on hand for a David Vitter gubernatorial campaign event in Baton Rouge today. State Treasurer John Kennedy was also there…
cut 6 (10) “….(cheers”
Vitter received the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business, while Democrat John Bel Edwards was at a press conference featuring sheriffs from around the state.

The southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch tomorrow as heavy downpours are in the forecast for Halloween. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service, says with the already saturated grounds, the rainfall is likely to cause flooding on the streets and in other low lying areas…
cut 11 (10) “….overnight hours”
Jones says outdoor plans for tomorrow will likely be wet.

WVUE-TV in New Orleans reports the US Department of Education is investigating how LSU handles cases of rape and sexual assault. The report reveals 16 rapes were reported to an LSU campus advocacy group last year, but very little was done to protect the victims or punish the perpetrators. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell has written legislation addressing this issue and he says universities are required by law to have a Title nine coordinator to handle situations like this…
cut 14 (08) “….or a janitor”
In a statement, LSU says it cannot discuss matters pertaining to a pending investigation or any specific alleged incidents.

The Jindal administration told lawmakers today that the state finished last fiscal year with a 117-million dollar deficit. Jindal administration official say the deficit is the result of a higher than expected use fo tax refunds and credits. The gap must be closed within eight months and it’s expected Governor Jindal will address the issue before he leaves office in January.

LRN Newscast 15:30 Oct 30

The two candidates in the governor’s race held dueling press conference in Baton Rouge with their supporters. Jeff Palermo was there..
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”
If you have any outdoor plans tomorrow, bring the rain gear as much of the state could see multiple inches of rain on Halloween. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service…..
cut 10 (08) “…as well”

 

A New Orleans television station reports the US Department of Education is investigating how LSU handles cases of sexual assault. WVUE-TV spoke with women who are upset the school didn’t do enough to investigate claims they were raped. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell has been trying to address this issue in the legislature…
cut 15 (10) “…sanctioned”
LSU says it cannot discuss matters pertainning to a pending investigation.

 

Four French Quarter strip clubs who had their liquor licenses suspended by the state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control will be able to sell alcohol. That’s because a New Orleans judge has issued a temporary restraining order against ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert’s suspension order. Hebert is not pleased…:
CUT 7 (08) “over there, now”
A hearing on the temporary restraining order is scheduled for next week.