10:30 LRN Newscast

Amazon has selected Louisiana to invest 12-billion dollars for a data center campus. The interconnected campuses will be built in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Governor Landry says it’s believed to be the biggest single investment by a company in the history of northwest Louisiana – as well as one of the most important.

Cut 4 (10) “…and digital infrastructure.”

Landry says these three data centers will create thousands of jobs.

Louisiana has tried for years to get funding to build a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge to alleviate the traffic congestion. The projected price tag is three billion dollars, but Monroe Representative Michael Echols believes if they name the new bridge after President Trump, the state will receive the funding it needs…

Cut 8 (12) “..this thing built”

Echols has authored a bill for the upcoming session to call a third Baton Rouge bridge the Donald J Trump Expressway.

The Louisiana Lottery announces it has given public education in Louisiana more than five billion dollars. When the Louisiana Lottery Corporation was created 35 years ago, state lawmakers said 35-percent of lotto revenue must go to K-through-12 schools..

Cut 14 (11) “…Minimum Foundation Program”

That’s Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher.

LSU sophomore Kailin Chio has emerged as one of the top gymnasts in the country. She scored perfect 10’s on the balance beam and vault last Friday versus Oklahoma and has won 22 event titles this year, one shy of the 23 event titles she had last year. Head Coach Jay Clark…

Cut 11 (12) “…to be”

The Second ranked LSU gym team hosts third ranked Alabama on Friday night.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Amazon is investing 12 billion dollars in northwest Louisiana as the technology company will build three data centers, two of them in Caddo Parish and the other one in Bossier Parish. Governor Jeff Landry says these data centers will create thousands of jobs…

Cut 5 (12) “…northwest Louisiana”

The project is expected to create 540 new jobs that pay salaries that are 50-percent higher than the state average. Construction on the data center campuses is expected to begin immediately, with operations launching in phases over the next several years.

Former Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham is leaving his job as second in command at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a statement, Abraham says he can no longer work for the CDC because of unforeseen family obligations.

 

By state law 35-percent of Louisiana Lottery Revenues are re-directed to pay for public education. The Louisiana Lottery is pleased to announce they’ve just crossed the five-billion dollar transfer threshold and spokesperson Chrislyn Maher says those recent big Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots helped them cross this milestone…

Cut 15 (10) “…really big jackpots”

LSU sophomore Kailin Chio is one of the best gymnasts in college athletics. Chio scored a perfect 10 on the beam and the vault last Friday against top ranked Oklahoma. Coach Jay Clark says what Chio is doing is amazing, but for them to win a national title, the other athletes need to hit their routines too…

Cut 12 (11) “…scores up there”

Second ranked LSU hosts 3rd ranked Alabama.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Amazon is investing 12-billion dollars in northwest Louisiana as the technology company plans to build three A-I data centers in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. This would result in 540 permanent jobs. Data centers use large amounts of water and they also need a lot of power to operate. But Governor Jeff Landry says Amazon has told the state officials’ power bills will not go up…

Cut 6 (08) “…these projects”

Landry says Amazon Web Services also plans to invest 400-million dollars in public water infrastructure.

The Louisiana Lottery says it has now transferred five-billion dollars to the state treasury that’s used to fund public schools….

Cut 13 (08) “…from ticket sales”

Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher says state law requires that 35-percent of Louisiana Lottery revenues must go towards public education.

 

If another Mississippi River Bridge is built in the Baton Rouge area, one state lawmaker believes it should be named after President Trump. Monroe Republican Representative Michael Echols says if his legislation is approved, the proposed bridge that would be built south of the current Mississippi River Bridge would be named the “President Donald J. Trump Expressway.”

Cut 7 (10) “…get that done.”

Cost is a big hurdle when it comes to building a bridge that would connect LA-Highway One in Iberville Parish to LA Highway 30. The projected price tag is three billion dollars.

An elevated fire danger exists once again today because of dry and windy conditions. Fire officials say they contained a wildfire near South Beauregard High School. According to Ward Six Fire, the blaze started when someone driving on the highway lost a wheel and the wheel was hot enough to the start a fire in the dry grass along the road.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Big economic development news in northwest Louisiana. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (34) “….I’m Colleen Crain”

Governor Landry has asked the U-S Department of Education to expand its investigation of diversity, equity and inclusion practices at the state’s higher education board to also include all public colleges and universities. Earlier this month, the federal government began looking into whether the Board of Regents violated the Civil Rights Act by calling on public universities to increase the number of underrepresented minorities.

 

There’s been a desire for a long time to build a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, but finding the funding for the projected three-billion dollar project has been difficult. A state lawmaker has come up with a idea that could lead to the necessary federal funds and that is name the new bridge after President Donald Trump….

Cut 9 (12) “….done for Louisiana”

That is Monroe Representative Michael Echols who has filed a bill calling on the proposed bridge to be named after the current president.

The Louisiana Lottery announces it has given public education in Louisiana more than five billion dollars. When the Louisiana Lottery Corporation was created 35 years ago, state lawmakers said 35-percent of lotto revenue must go to K-through-12 schools..

Cut 14 (11) “…Minimum Foundation Program”

That’s Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team returns to Alex Box Stadium tonight where they will host McNeese. The Tigers are ranked number one in three different polls. The Cowboys are coming off a tough road trip to Kansas where they were swept by the Jayhawks and only scored five runs. First pitch is at 6:30.

ULM is 3-and-5 and they will host Grambling tonight. The Warhawks team ERA is 5.43 and first year coach Ford Pemberton says it’s not the time for his pitchers to make mechanical changes, but they can pitch with a stronger mindset…

Cut 26 (13) “…best baseball is ahead”

Also tonight, La Tech hosts Northwestern State. Bulldogs first baseman Trey Hawsey is the Conference USA hitter of the week after batting .636 this past weekend in Memphis. And the Ragin Cajuns begin a two-game midweek series against Kansas State tonight.

_____________________________________________________________

In Southland Conference basketball last night, UNO upset Stephen F Austin on its home floor, knocking off the Lumberjacks 77 to 73. Meanwhile, McNeese beat UTRGV 75 to 68 to move within one game of S-F-A who leads the Southland. Also last night, Northwestern State downed UIW 54 to 49 and Nicholls edged Lamar 53-52.

In the NBA…Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray makes his season debut tonight as New Orleans hosts Golden State. Murray missed nearly 13 months after tearing his Achilles tendon and he says he feels great…

Cut 27 (11) “….I’m excited”

Murray played in 31 games last season for New Orleans and averaged 17.5 and seven assists a contest. Tip off is at 7 PM.

6:30 LRN Newscast February 24

Amazon has selected Louisiana to invest 12-billion dollars for a data center campus. The campus is being built in northwest Louisiana in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Governor Landry says it’s believed to be the biggest single investment by a company in the history of northwest Louisiana – as well as one of the most important.

Cut 4 (10) “…and digital infrastructure.”

Landry says these three data centers will create thousands of jobs.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson is proposing stiffer penalties for students convicted of making threats towards a school. Prison time could be anywhere from two to 15 years…

Cut 17 (14) “…consequences”

Johnson’s legislation will be heard in the upcoming legislative session.

A state lawmaker has come up with a plan to get the federal government to help pay for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge — and that is to name it after President Trump.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

LSU sophomore Kailin Chio is one of the top gymnasts in the country. She scored two 10s in last week’s meet against Oklahoma, even though she didn’t think her vault, which received a perfect score was that great…

Cut 10 (13) “…the other ones”

2nd ranked LSU hosts 3rd ranked Alabama on Friday.

5:30 LRN Newscast

Amazon has selected Louisiana to invest 12-billion dollars for a data center campus. The campus is being built in northwest Louisiana in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Governor Landry says it’s believed to be the biggest single investment by a company in the history of northwest Louisiana – as well as one of the most important.

Cut 4 (10) “…and digital infrastructure.”

Landry says these three data centers will create thousands of jobs.

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in multiple arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lt. Blake Tabor says those arrested range in ages 25 to 59.

Cut 13 (10) “…this case.”

Tabor says The coordinated operation led to the recovery about 70 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly one pound of Heroin and Fentanyl.

 

One state lawmaker wants to put a stop to threats being made against schools. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

One more cold night as we’ll see low temperatures tomorrow morning get below freezing for a large portion of the state. But we’ll see warmer temperatures the rest of the week. It will remain windy too and mostly dry, which means an elevated risk of wild and brushfires.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Dry and windy conditions have increased the fire danger for Louisiana. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has more..

Cut 1 (35) “…statewide.”

Yesterday, there were several hundred acres that were burning along I-12 in St. Tammany Parish. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 7 (08) “…of the Interstate”

 

With students posting threats against schools on social media in increasing numbers year after year, one state lawmaker has filed a bill aimed at putting a stop to it. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill would increase the penalty for terrorizing a school to 15-thousand dollars or up to 15 years in prison, and parents would be held financially responsible. Johnson says there would be certain instances where parents could face even more severe consequences.

Cut 9 (10)  “…them criminally liable.”

Johnson says under his bill, all students will know about the state law and the consequences surrounding it – all in a way that they can understand.

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in six arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office, approximately 70 pounds. Lt. Blake Tabor says the coordinated operation also resulted in the recovery of significant quantities of other dangerous narcotics…

Cut 12 (06) “…if you will”

The six people arrested range in ages 25 to 59 and live in Houma, Gray and Schriever.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The top ranked LSU baseball team improved its record 8-0 with three wins in Jacksonville this past weekend. The Tigers completed the weekend with an 11 to nothing mercy rule victory over U-C-F as William Schmidt threw five shutout innings. Coach Jay Johnson says it was high quality baseball that is sustainable…

Cut 16 (16) “…three innings.”

Cade Arrambide hit his second home run in as many days. Derek Curiel and Jake Brown each drove in three runs.

It was also a good weekend on the diamond for Louisiana Tech and the Ragin Cajuns. The Bulldogs beat Ohio State twice and Memphis. U-L Lafayette swept Maryland and on Friday and Sunday, the Cajuns won in walk-off fashion, with freshman shortstop Blaze Rodriguez driving in the winning run.

The seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team laid the hammer down on Missouri yesterday beating the Tigers 108 to 55. LSU had 72 rebounds and tied a program record for margin of victory in an SEC game. Freshman forward ZaKiyah Johnson had 17 points and career high 14 board. Mikaylah Williams, who didn’t play in the second half of last Thursday’s come from behind win over Ole Miss, had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Coach Kim Mulkey also likes what Williams did on the defensive end

Cut 20 (13) “…Florida really well.”

Grace Slaughter had 14 points on 3 of 12 shooting. LSU hosts Tennessee on Thursday.

The Winter Olympics are over in Italy. Norway won the most medals with 41. The U-S won 33 and the 12 gold medals are the most ever for the United States in the Winter Olympics.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Dry and windy conditions has sparked several grass and wilfdfires. Separate fires have burned 40 acres or more in Natchitoches and Caddo Parish. The situation got so bad in St. Tammany Parish that I-12 was closed for several hours yesterday because of all of the smoke.

President Trump approves Governor Landry’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for nine parishes in north Louisiana impacted by last month’s winter storm. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A federal appeals court has upheld a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this by no means ends the case as the ACLU is expected to appeal the decision…

Cut 15 (12) “….to their context”

The ACLU says the displaying of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms violates the separation of church and state, as they say public schools exist to educate, not indoctrinate. But Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says don’t’ kill or steal should not be controversial.

A bill filed for the upcoming legislative session would allow the Louisiana Department of Ag to get involved in the testing of imported shrimp for banned antibiotics. Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, Blake Price, says only a very small percentage of imported shrimp is ever tested for banned antibiotics…

Cut 8(11) “….unfit for consumption”

The legislative session begins next month.