6:30 LRN Newscast

Nine medical organizations representing thousands of Louisiana doctors released a statement that says vaccines “should not be politicized.” It’s in response to Surgeon General Doctor Ralph Abraham’s directive that the Louisiana Department of Health is no longer organizing mass vaccination efforts.  Professor Susan Hassig, with the Tulane School of Public Health, says there’s been push back against vaccines for decades, but the results show they are good for public health…

Cut 7 (08) “…than that.”

Abraham says an individual should talk with its own health care providers to decide if a vaccine is right for them.

The Alliance for Affordable Energy does not think Entergy’s plan to build three gas power plants to support the ten-billion dollar Meta artificial data center in northeast Louisiana is a good idea. Logan Burke is concerned about cost…

Cut 14 (11) “…Entergy Louisiana bill.”

Entergy says the gas power plants will be designed for clean energy production when feasible. They are seeking approval from the P-S-C by October, if regulators reject Energy’s plan, the energy company has to come up with a new proposal.

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly is expected to get a trial date today. Colleen Crain reports it was about a year ago when he was allegedly involved in a shooting in Union Parish….

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Every couple years or so the LSU baseball team goes down to Thibodaux to play the Nicholls Colonels. Tonight is the night. It will be cold with temperatures in the low 40s and a wind coming out of the north. Tomorrow morning, wind chills will be in the single digits for north Louisiana and in the teens for central and much of south Louisiana.

LRN AM Newscall February 19

A Democratic public service commissioner’s vulgar words could come back to haunt him this morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two groups are challenging Entergy’s plan to build three gas plants to power a Meta artificial intelligence data center in northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly is expected to get a trial date today. Colleen Crain reports it was about a year ago law enforcement say he was involved in a shooting in Union Parish….

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A public service commissioner’s words could come back to haunt him. PSC Chairman Mike Francis has called on commissioners to vote on whether to keep Davante Lewis as the vice chairman at this morning’s meeting. Last week, Lewis posted a comment on X towards Governor Landry, using language that cannot be repeated on the radio. Francis says calling for the vote is his call.

Cut 4 (13) “…as vice chairman.”

Francis says the language that Lewis used in criticizing Landry was uncalled for.

Cut 5 (07) “…what he said.”

Francis is a Republican – and a former chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party – and Lewis is a Democrat. When we asked him whether he would have taken the same action if a Republican commissioner used that same language towards a Democratic official, he couldn’t definitively say yes or no.

Cut 6 (09) “…statement like that.”

The meeting starts at nine this morning.

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Nine medical organizations representing thousands of Louisiana doctors released a statement that says vaccines “should not be politicized.” It’s in response to Louisiana Surgeon General Doctor Ralph Abraham’s directive that the Louisiana Department of Health will no longer organize mass vaccination efforts.  Professor Susan Hassig, with the Tulane School of Public Health, says there’s been push back against vaccines for decades but the results show they are good for public health…

Cut 7 (08) “…than that.”

In a memo posted on L-D-H’s website, Abraham says an individual should talk with its own health care providers if a vaccine is right for them. In a letter from the nine medical associations, they say vaccines are one of the most significant medical innovations of our time. Hassig agrees with the letter signed by the Louisiana State Medical Society and others…

Cut 8 (12) “…vaccines.”

Hassig says the Louisiana Department of Health is neglecting its responsibility of keeping the public safety by eliminating mass vaccination events. She says it could lead to outbreaks of the measles…

Cut 9 (10)  “…to them.”

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In the coming years, several new facilities will be opening at Northwestern State University. Jennifer Kelly, the school’s executive director of university affairs, says the biggest project is Alost Hall, the new main academic building. Named after former president Dr. Robert Alost, it will be a three-level facility boasting more than 73-thousand square feet.

Cut 10 (17) “…nurse anesthesia program.”

Kelly says there will also be a new fieldhouse.

Cut 11 (15) “…on as well.”

Once that new field house opens, the current field house will be repurposed into offices and other things. There will also be an innovation park through the school’s collaboration with the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts.

Cut 12 (14) “…their shop area.”

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Two groups are challenging Entergy’s plan to power a massive Meta artificial intelligence data center in northeast Louisiana. The Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Union of Concerned Scientists are asking the Public Service Commission to deny Entergy’s request to build three gas power plants for the facility. Logan Burke, the executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says Entergy sidestepped PSC policy.

Cut 13 (14)  “…necessarily are needed.”

Burke says Entergy did not sufficiently show that the plants are the most cost-effective option; and in the long run, ratepayers could get stuck with the bill.

Cut 14 (11) “…Entergy Louisiana bill.”

Burke says powering a massive A-I data center is not cheap.

Cut 15 (13) “…should this cost?”

Entergy and Meta have not commented on the groups’ challenge.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

New Saints head coach Kellen Moore continues to fill out his staff as he’s reportedly hired two more assistant coaches. NFL insider Ian Rapoport says Scott Tolzien will be the Black and Gold’s new quarterbacks coach. Moore and Tolzien worked together in Dallas. Tolzien is described as a rising young coach. Also, Joel Thomas is returning to the team as running backs coach. He spent last season with the Giants. Thomas was on Sean Payton’s staff from 2015 to 2018 and during that time the Saints led the NFL in rushing touchdowns.

The Saints are coming off their worst season since 2005, but that didn’t stopped them raising season ticket prices. John Sigler with Saints Wire, reports the increase is five to 15 percent increase.

On the hardwood tonight, the LSU men’s basketball team hosts South Carolina. After coming from behind to beat Oklahoma on Saturday, the Tigers could win their second straight. The Gamecocks are winless in SEC play, but coach Matt McMahon says Carolina is better than you think…

Cut 18 (17)  “…physicality.”

Reports indicate McMahon will be back next season with a bigger NIL budget.  Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau says McMahon is doing what he can on the recruiting trail…

Cut 14 (12) “…all tell.”

Guilbeau says LSU men’s basketball has one of the lowest NIL budgets in the SEC.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

On3-dot-com is reporting LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon will be back next season, despite the team’s two and ten record in league play this year. Sources say McMahon will also have a larger NIL budget to help bring better players to Baton Rouge. McMahon was asked to respond to the report at a press conference yesterday…

Cut 17 (13) “….2025”

LSU’s early signing recruiting class announced in December is ranked as the sixth best in the country. Tonight, the Tigers host South Carolina. The Gamecocks are winless in SEC play.

A lot of college baseball during the day in Louisiana today. LSU hosts Southern at 2 PM. Grambling is at ULM for a 2 PM first pitch. The Ragin Cajuns host Texas Southern at 3 PM, and McNeese was scheduled to play at top ranked Texas A-and-M tonight, but that game has been cancelled because of inclement weather.

The McNeese Cowboys improved to 15-and-1 in Southland Conference play with an 88 to 82 win over Southeastern Louisiana last night. The victory clinched a double-bye in the league’s postseason tournament. Coach Will Wade…

Cut 19 (16) “…first step”

McNeese can clinch at least a share of the Southland regular season title on Saturday with a win over A-and-M Corpus Christi.

Also in the Southland, Nicholls upended UNO 78 to 62 as the Colonels got 19 points from Byron Ireland. Northwestern State lost at home to Lamar 75 to 65.

Southern maintained a three-game lead for first place in the SWAC with a 66 to 57 win over Texas Southern last night. The Jaguars are at Grambling this Saturday. The Tigers routed Prairie View A-and-M 70 to 48 last night.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana wants to execute an arrest warrant on a New York doctor accused of sending abortion pills to a household in West Baton Rouge Parish. Abortion is illegal in Louisiana in most cases. But New York’s laws shield the doctor from prosecution for mailing the abortion pills. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says one way for her to get arrested is that if she travels out of New York…

Cut 11 (10) “…and facing prosecution”

A proposed 11-billion dollar LNG export terminal in Cameron Parish has received a couple of key regulatory approvals from the Trump Administration. Louisiana Energy Export Partners spokesperson Randy Hayden …

Cut 7 (11) “…their project”

A final investment decision is expected in September.

An argument at the breakfast table turns deadly in LaPlace. 24-year-old Tamyrihu (tam-uh-REE-hoo) Hubbard of Marrero is behind bars in connection with the shooting death of her boyfriend, 23-year-old Joshua Jones. St. John The Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Trege says the couple had been having problems, and the argument over breakfast was the last straw.

Cut 6 (13) “…then turned deadly.”

Hubbard’s bond is set at one million dollars.

A Winter Weather advisory goes into effect in North Louisiana at six tonight. National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Hemingway says travel could become treacherous deeper into the night because of the possibility of winter precipitation.

Cut 3 (09) “…daybreak tomorrow morning.”

The winter weather advisory covers Shreveport, Homer, Ruston, Monroe and Winnfield.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Two teachers and a pastor are trying to stop a constitutional amendment from reaching voters. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Despite a two and ten SEC record, LSU will reportedly not fire men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon at the end of the season. Sources say they plan to back McMahon with a bigger NIL budget.

State officials want to bring Doctor Margaret Daley Carpenter of New York to Louisiana to face charges of sending abortion-inducing drugs to a family in West Baton Rouge Parish.  But her extradition is on hold, because New York has laws that say a doctor can not be criminally charged for mailing abortion pills. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says we are at a stalemate and he doesn’t expect any movement in the case for a while….

Cut 12 (13) “…of prosecution”

A Texas judge has fined Doctor Carpenter 100-thousand dollars for providing abortions pills to women in Texas.

The Trump Administration has approved an LNG export license for the Commonwealth LNG project in Cameron Parish. The company will make a final decision on investment in September. But Louisiana Energy Export Partners spokesperson Randy Hayden says it’s a big move for all proposed LNG plants…

Cut 9 (15) ‘…LNG exports”

The Trump Administration wants to increase LNG exports so that Europe does not have to rely on Russian gas.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Just when you thought winter was over, think again. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Authorities say an argument over breakfast food escalated into a fatal shooting in St. John the Baptist Parish. Sheriff Mike Trege says 24-year-old Tanyrihu Hubbard of Marrero shot her boyfriend, Joshua Jones, in the chest at a home in LaPlace on Sunday morning. Hubbard is in jail on a charge of second-degree murder.

Two teachers and a pastor are trying to get an amendment that seeks to rewrite portions of the constitution removed from the March 29th ballot, because they allege it misleads voters. For example, plaintiffs attorney William Most says the ballot measure claims that the property tax exemption of churches and religious groups would be retained is misleading.

Cut 4 (11) “…currently are not.”

Governor Landry says the lawsuit attempts to prevent citizens from voting on the amendment.

Louisiana wants to execute an arrest warrant on a New York doctor accused of sending abortion pills to a household in West Baton Rouge Parish. Abortion is illegal in Louisiana in most cases. But New York’s laws shield the doctor from prosecution for mailing the abortion pills. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says one way for her to get arrested is that if she travels out of New York…

Cut 11 (13) “…and facing prosecution”

8:30 LRN Newscast

A lawsuit has been filed that challenges Constitutional Amendment Two on the March 29th ballot. That’s the measure lawmakers approved in last November’s tax reform special session that brings about lower income taxes, an increase in tax deductions for those over 65 and a permanent teacher pay raise. But the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, William Most, says the amendment is more much more than that so it’s misleading to the voters…

Cut 6 (16) “…intelligently on it”

Governor Landry says Amendment two was thoroughly debated in the session and the lawsuit is an attempt to keep the public from voting on this amendment.

Despite a two and ten SEC record, LSU will reportedly not fire coach men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon at the end of the season. Sources say they plan to back McMahon with a bigger NIL budget.

Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill want to bring a doctor from New York to Louisiana to face charges for allegedly sending abortion pills to a family in West Baton Rouge Parish that terminated a teenager’s pregnancy. But Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says laws in New York protect Doctor Margaret Carpenter from out of state prosecutions for sending abortion pills to patients….

Cut 10 (06) “…shields her”

Borghardt says Louisiana’s best chance at arresting Carpenter is if she travels to another state that does not have shield laws and is apprehended by authorities and then extradited to Louisiana.

A winter weather advisory goes into effect for north Louisiana tonight and into tomorrow morning because of the possibility of freezing rain. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll also see another artic blast move in tomorrow…

Cut 13 (10) “…of the state”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Two teachers and a pastor are trying to stop a constitutional amendment from reaching voters.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

 

The Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Union of Concerned Scientists have asked the Public Service Commission to deny Entergy’s request to build three gas power plants that will provide power for Meta’s ten-billion-dollar data center in Richland Parish. The groups allege Entergy has not shown the plants are the most effective generation options that serve the publics interest. Entergy says the plants will provide reliable and sustainable energy to support Meta’s operations.

A winter weather advisory will go into effect tonight and continue into tomorrow morning for north Louisiana because of the possibility of freezing rain for Shreveport. Homer, Ruston, Monroe and Winnfield. Accumulation will be light. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says to conclude the work week, we’ll see below freezing temperatures….

Cut 14 (11) “…coastal boundary there”

A proposed 11-billion-dollar Commonwealth LNG project in Cameron Parish has received regulatory approvals from the Trump Administration. Louisiana Energy Export Partners spokesperson Randy Hayden says the project stalled last year when the Biden Administration ordered a pause on new export licenses….

Cut 8 (11) “….this first move”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU will reportedly bring back men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon for a fourth season and increase the NIL budget in the hopes better players will lead to more wins. The Tigers are 2-and-10 and in 15th place in the SEC. McMahon was asked on Monday about the report that he will not be fired after this season…

Cut 16 (23) “…like LSU.”

LSU will host South Carolina tonight at 8 PM. Trey’ Dez Green will not play in the game. McMahon says Green, who is also on a tight end on the football team, needs to focus on academics.

The McNeese Cowboys dribbled past Southeastern Louisiana 88 to 82 in Hammond last night to move within one of game claiming at least a share of the Southland Conference title. McNeese had five players in double figures led by Javohn Garcia, who had 18 points. Joe Charles added 17.

Lamar hit eight three-pointers in the second half and defeated Northwestern State 75 to 65. Nicholls completed a season sweep of UNO by beating the Piraveters 78 to 62. Byron Ireland had 19 points to lead the way.

Southern and Grambling were winners in the SWAC last night. The Jaguars defeated Texas Southern 66 to 57 to improve to 12 and 1, while Grambling pounded Prairie View A-and-M 70 to 48.

In college baseball today….LSU hosts Southern at 2 PM. Grambling is at ULM for a 2 PM first pitch. The Ragin Cajuns host Texas Southern,  and McNeese is at top ranked Texas A-and-M.