10:30 LRN Newscast

A shocker in Baton Rouge as political newcomer Sid Edwards has unseated two-term incumbent mayor Sharon Weston Broome and will become the parish’s next mayor-president in January. At his victory rally, the longtime high school football coach said voters wanted change.

Cut 3 (13) “…going to happen. (cheers fade)”

Edwards received 54-percent of the vote in the low turnout election.

The first bear hunt in Louisiana since 1987 got underway this weekend. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the season will last 16 days, and ten hunters were chosen by lottery to participate.

Cut 7 (10) “…and not harvest.”

Two more Louisiana teachers have been recognized with a Milken Educator Award.  Band director at Maplewood Middle School from Sulphur was honored with the prestigious Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 cash prize to Kyle Cook during a school assembly, with State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley in attendance. Cook says it was a total surprise.

Cut 10 (08) “…very grateful.”

The other winner is Charday Wilson, a master teacher at Logansport High School.  Born and raised in DeSoto Parish, Wilson attended LHS as a student before excelling as a collegiate athlete and becoming the first in her family to graduate college at Louisiana Tech. Her return to LHS as a math and science master teacher has been transformative, playing a key role in the school’s rise from a ‘B’ to an ‘A’ rating.

Cut 12 (07) “…combination school.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Two more teachers from Louisiana were awarded with 25-thousand -dollars as they are Milken Educator Award winners.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a 15-year-old after he made statements on social media about planning to bring a gun to school today and shoot a classmate who was spreading rumors about him. Deputies say the teenager admitted he didn’t have a gun and didn’t have access to one, but he was still charged with terrorizing.

There’s only a few more days left on the calendar for Congress to pass a new Farm Bill this year. Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says without the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, many important resources would stand to greatly suffer.

Cut 6 (13) “…of that nature”

If Congress fails to send a Farm Bill to the President by the end of the session, the 119th Congress will have to start from square one to reauthorize it.

The Ragin Cajuns were blown out Saturday night in the Sun Belt Championship game as the Marshall Thundering Herd trampled U-L Lafayette 31 to 3. Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says regardless of the lopsided result, he’s proud of everything that his team has accomplished to this point…

Cut 15 (16) “….we wanted tonight”

The Cajuns will now get ready to play TCU in the New Mexico Bowl on December 28th.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Time is running out for Congress to pass a new Farm Bill. Executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association, Buck Vandersteen, says federal lawmakers are supposed to pass a new Farm Bill every five years…

Cut 5 (10) “….a year overdue”

The Louisiana Farm Bureau says a Farm Bill provides essential risk management tools, nutrition programs, and conservation efforts and without one, farmers, ranchers and rural economies face uncertainty.

The first black bear hunting season in Louisiana started on Saturday in northeast Louisiana and it will last 16 days. The only tags awarded were through a lottery and each tag holder can only harvest one bear….

Cut 9 (04) “….to a family”

John Hanks is the large carnivore program manager at L-D-W-F and a black bear hunting season was reinstated because the black bear population is at a more healthy number now.

Charday Wilson, a math and science master teacher at Logansport High School in DeSoto Parish is a 25-thousand dollar Milken Educator Award recipient. Wilson works with teachers to create individualized game plans needed for lesson pacing, classroom management, formative assessments, and co-teaching at her alma mater…

Cut 13 (10) “…quality citizens”

It wasn’t a master piece, but the Saints beat the New York Giants 14 to 11 yesterday to improve to five and eight, two games back of first place Tampa Bay. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says being in playoff contention motivates the team…

Cut 18 (16) “….for us”

But Saints quarterback Derek Carr reportedly fractured his non-throwing hand and could miss this Sunday’s game against Washington.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Time is running out to reauthorize the Farm Bill. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (31)“…I’m Don Molino.”

The first legal bear hunting season in Louisiana since 1987 got underway in northeast Louisiana on Saturday. Tags went out to ten hunters through a lottery and they can only harvest one bear during this 16-day season. John Hanks leads the state’s large carnivore program….

Cut 8 (09) “…utilize this animal”

Governor Landry will have more to say about Black Bear management at a press conference at noon today.

Two teachers on the western side of the state are 25-thousand dollars richer because they have won the Milken Educator Award, which goes to a select number of teachers every year for their outstanding work.

Charday Wilson is a math and science teacher at Logansport High School in DeSoto Parish and she’s a Milken Educator Award recipient because she helped Logansport rise from a B school rating to an A rating…

Cut 12 (07) “…combination school”

And the band director at Maplewood Middle School in Sulphur is also a Milken Award Recipient. Kyle Cook was recognized for including core academics like math with his music instruction….

Cut 11 (13) “….people of society”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

It was an ugly game, but the Saints picked up a win on the road yesterday beating the hapless New York Giants 14 to 11. New York had a chance to tie the game on the final play, but Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (Bruh-zee) leaped over New York’s offensive line to block a 35-yard field goal attempt…

Cut 17 (20)  “…just me.” 

New Orleans improves to 5-and-8 and they are two games back of Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South. But Quarterback Derek Carr reportedly suffered a fracture to his non-throwing hand late in the fourth quarter, putting him in jeopardy of missing this Sunday’s game against the Commanders.

The Pelicans fell to 5-and-20 on the season with a a 121 to 116 loss at San Antonio.

The Ragin Cajuns were blown out Saturday night in the Sun Belt Championship game as the Marshall Thundering Herd trampled U-L Lafayette 31 to 3. Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says regardless of the lopsided result, he’s proud of everything that his team has accomplished to this point…

Cut 15 (16) “….we wanted tonight”

The Cajuns will now get ready to play TCU in the New Mexico Bowl on December 28th.

The LSU Tigers are headed back to the Texas Bowl as they’ll play Baylor on New Year’s Eve afternoon. Kick off is at 2:30.

Tulane will take on Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on December 20th in Tampa.

In college basketball…the LSU men beat Florida Gulf Coast 80 to 71 to improve to 8-and-1. Louisiana Tech topped the Ragin Cajuns 69 to 58 in the Cajundome. And the LSU Lady Tigers crushed Grambling 100 to 54. Aneesah Morrow had 26 points and 16 rebounds.

6:30 LRN Newscast

We’re approaching the end of 2024 and, as such, the end of the 118th Congress. And Congress has still yet to send a reauthorization of the Farm Bill to President Biden’s desk. Buck Vandersteen, the executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association, says it’s imperative that Congress do so.

Cut 4 (11) “…and national security”

Only 20-percent of the Farm Bill goes to farmers, ranchers, foresters and land-grant universities. The remaining 80-percent goes towards nutrition programs for feeding hungry children and adults.

The first bear hunt in Louisiana since 1987 got underway this weekend. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the season will last 16 days, and ten hunters were chosen by lottery to participate.

Cut 7 (10) “…and not harvest.”

Louisiana college football teams went 0-and-3 in conference championship games over the weekend. Tulane, Southern and the Ragin Cajuns all lost in lopsided games. U-L Lafayette fell to Marshall 31 to 3 at Cajun Field. Coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) says he felt like he let the team down….

Cut 14 (15) “….and they’re winners”

The Ragin Cajuns will now get ready to play TCU in the New Mexico Bowl on December 28th. Marshall will play 22nd ranked Army in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on December 28th in Shreveport.

The LSU Tigers will play on New Year’s Eve against Baylor in the Texas Bowl.

The Saints beat the New York Giants 14 to 11 yesterday, but quarterback Derek Carr reportedly suffered a fracture to his non-throwing hand.

LRN AM Newscall December 9

Time is running out to reauthorize the Farm Bill. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (31)“…I’m Don Molino.”

_____________________________________________

Two more teachers from Louisiana were recognized  with 25-thousand -dollars from the the Milken Educator Awards.  Sean Richardson ha more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

_____________________________________________

It was a lost weekend for Louisiana teams vying for championships, as all three go down to defeat, punctuated by the Ragin’ Cajuns loss in the Sun Belt title game. Andrew Greenstein is at Cajun Field in Lafayette with more.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_____________________________________________

We’re approaching the end of 2024 and, as such, the end of the 118th Congress. And Congress has still yet to send a reauthorization of the Farm Bill to President Biden’s desk. Buck Vandersteen, the executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association, says it’s imperative that Congress do so.

Cut 4 (11) “…and national security”

Only 20-percent of the Farm Bill goes to farmers, ranchers, foresters and land-grant universities. The remaining 80-percent goes towards nutrition programs for feeding hungry children and adults. The Farm Bill must be reauthorized every five years. Vandersteen says Congress is severely behind schedule.

Cut 5 (10) “…a year overdue.” 

Vandersteen says without the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, many important resources would stand to suffer greatly.

Cut 6 (13) “…of that nature”

If Congress fails to send a Farm Bill to the President by the end of the session, the 119th Congress will have to start from square one to reauthorize it, causing even further delay.

_____________________________________________

The first bear hunt in Louisiana since 1987 got underway this weekend. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the season will last 16 days, and ten hunters were chosen by lottery to participate.

Cut 7 (10) “…and not harvest.”

Hanks says they’re able to hold a bear hunting season due to an increase in the bear population.

Cut 8 (09) “…utilize this animal.”

Hanks says one bear can feed a lot of people.

Cut 9 (04)  “…to a family.”

The hunt is taking place in the Tensas (TEN-saw) Bear Area in Northeast Louisiana, which Hanks says has the densest bear population. In fact, Hanks points out that that’s where President Teddy Roosevelt hunted in Louisiana in 1907, during his time in office.

_____________________________________________

Two more Louisiana teacher have been recognized with a Milken Educator Award.  Band director at Maplewood Middle School from Sulphur was honored with the prestigious Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 cash prize to Kyle Cook during a school assembly, with State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley in attendance. Cook says it was a total surprise.

Cut 10 (08) “…very grateful.”

Cook’s impact extends beyond the bandroom, where nearly half the student body participates in band, combining music instruction with core academics like math.

Cut 11 (08 “…people of society.”

Charday Wilson, a master teacher at Logansport High School.  Born and raised in DeSoto Parish, Wilson attended LHS as a student before excelling as a collegiate athlete and becoming the first in her family to graduate college. Her return to LHS as a math and science master teacher has been transformative, playing a key role in the school’s rise from a ‘B’ to an ‘A’ rating.

Cut 12 (07) “…combination school.”

Willson says there are so many benefits to teaching at her alma mater…

Cut 13 (07)  “…closely intertwinded.”

_______________________________________________________

It wasn’t the result the Ragin’ Cajuns had hoped for, as they lost to Marshall in the Sun Belt Championship Game, 31-3, in front of their own fans at Cajun Field in Lafayette. Head Coach Mike Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) says it’s a bitter way to end the Sun Belt season, and he felt like he let the team down. 

Cut 14 (15) “…and they’re winners.”

Desormeaux says regardless of the lopsided result, he’s proud of everything that his team has accomplished to this point.

Cut 15 (16) “…we wanted tonight.”

The Cajuns seemed to get the wind knocked out of their sail midway through the second quarter when redshirt senior quarterback Chandler Fields left the game due to an injury and didn’t return. That left the offense to true freshman Daniel Beale, who completed nine of 24 passes for 95 yards and an interception, and he was sacked twice. Receiver Lance LeGendre (le-ZHAHN) says the team has a next-man-up mentality, and this was no different.

Cut 16 (12) “…running the ship.”

Fields was 4 for 8 for 102 yards before being carted off with his injury. Desormeaux said after the game that Fields’ injury does not look good and was pessimistic about his chances of playing in the New Mexico Bowl against TCU on December 28th.

_______________________________________________________

It was not an exciting game, but the Saints picked up a win on the road yesterday beating the hapless New York Giants 14 to 11. New York had a chance to tie the game on the final play, but Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee leaped over New York’s offensive line to block the 35-yard field goal attempt…

Cut 17 (20)  “…just me.” 

The Saints are now 3-and-1 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi. They are 5-and-8 on the season, two games back of first-place Tampa Bay. Rizzi says being in playoff contention motivates his team.

Cut 18 (16)   “…for us.”

Saints quarterback Derek Carr left the game in the fourth quarter with a hand injury and he’s also being evaluated for a concussion.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Tonight is the semifinals of the high school football playoffs…and there are seven teams playing that have never played in a championship game in the Caesars Superdome according to 14-and-0 productions. They are Alexandria Senior High, Bunkie, Central, General Trass, Iowa, Jena and Plaquemine.

The Green Devils are hosting Cecilia, Jena is at Sterlington, Iowa is at Franklinton, General Trass visits Haynesville, Central takes on Neville, Bunkie battles Dunham and Alexandria Senior High hosts John Curtis. Legendary Patriots coach J-T Curtis turns 78 years old today.

Also tonight, the Tulane Green Wave face Army in the American Atheltic Championship game.

The Gatorade Louisiana High School Player of the Year is running back Harlem Berry from St. Martin’s High School. The LSU signee rushed 21-hundred and 41 touchdowns this past season. On defense he also forced three fumbles and blocked a field goal.

Tomorrow night it’s the Sun Belt Championship game in Lafayette as the Cajuns host Marshall. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux says Marshall’s quarterback, Braylon Braxton is a hard nosed runner and can also beat you with his arm…

Cut 17 (16) “….right in his wheelhouse”

Kick-off is at 6:30.

Sunday, the Saints visit the New York Giants. New Orleans interim head coach Darren Rizzi says they can’t allow former LSU Tiger and Giants receiver Malik Nabers to have a bunch of big plays…

Cut 30 (14) “…part of it

3:30 LRN Newscast

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana, and every ballot has four constitutional amendments to be voted one. Amendment 1 would increase the number of people on the state Judiciary Commissions from nine to 14. Public Affairs Research Council president Steven Procopio says the purpose is to speed up investigations of judges.

Cut 12 (07) “…citizens on there.”

Amendments Two and Three deal with the approval of the budget in the final days of regular session. And Procopio urges voters to go the PAR Website to read up on Constitutional Amendment Four, because it’s complicated.

The National Weather Service issued a cold weather advisory this morning for parts of Louisiana. Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service says they will no longer issue wind child advisories when wind chills dip well below the freezing mark…

Cut 5 (06) “…you go outside”

Entergy Louisiana says it will power Meta’s 10-billion dollar A-I data center that will be built in Richland Parish.  Sean Richardosn has more.

Cut 27  (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Tonight is the semifinal round of the high school football playoffs. 32 teams are battling to play in the Superdome next week. Meanwhile, West Monroe is looking for a new coach as the Rebels have fired Kevin Davis after a seven and six season.

And former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is in talks with Netflix to be one of the broadcasters for Christmas Day coverage of two games.

LRN PM Newscall

Parts of the state were under a cold weather advisory Friday morning. Andrew Greenstein explains what that means…

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________

Saturday is Election Day in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo recaps the four amendments that all voters will be deciding.

Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

______________________________________

With Old Man Winter bearing down on Louisiana, there’s some new terminology from the National Weather Service to get used to.

Cut 3 (08) “…wind chill warnings.” 

Danielle Manning, the lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in New Orleans, says that’s all changed. Now, the service issues “cold weather advisories” and “extreme cold warnings.” Manning says the thresholds depend on where in the state you’re at.

Cut 4 (14) “…the northern area.”

Manning says they made the change, because people didn’t care whether it was the temperature or the wind chill factor that’s causing conditions to be brutally cold outside.

Cut 5 (06) “…you go outside.”

______________________________________

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office has broken ground on a three-million dollar training facility designed to benefit law enforcement agencies across Louisiana.  Major Ginny Higgins says the facility will provide critical training—much of it at no cost—for agencies that cannot afford similar resources.

Cut 6 (11) “…that will be there.”

Higgins highlighted the regional impact, stating the facility would not only enhance law enforcement capabilities in Acadiana but also strengthen community and inter-agency collaboration. “It’s good for the community and for other agencies to come here and learn,” he said.

Cut 7 (07) “…things like that.”

Higgins says its crucial for law enforcement to be well rounded and this facility aims to train all aspects of law enforcement.

Cut 8 (12) “…really exciting.”

The facility is set to open next October.

______________________________________

A 30-year-old Lafayette man is facing charges for killing a black bear in Concordia Parish. Wildlife and Fisheries Lt. Chad Watts says over the Thanksgiving weekend Christopher Buck, a convicted felon, was booked into jail because he was in possession of a shotgun on the Richard Yancey Wildlife Management Area. Last Sunday a dead black bear was found at that same W-M-A, so investigators went back and spoke to Buck

Cut 9 (08)  “…black bear”

Watts says Buck told agents he thought he shot a pig, but investigators didn’t buy that story…

Cut 10 (08) “…he thought it was a pig.”

Watts says the bear was shot in buckshot, which was a critical piece of evidence in their investigation…

Cut 11 (11) “…containing buckshot.”

Taking a bear during a closed season carries up to a 950-dollar fine and up to 120 days in jail. Buck faces several years in prison because he was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Sgt. Cole Cupit and agent Andrew Lemoine were also involved in the investigation. LDWF Veterinarian Rusty Berry performed the necropsy on the bear.

The first legal black bear season in Louisiana since 1987 begins Saturday and runs through December 22nd. Only ten hunters have been awarded tags and each hunter can only harvest one bear.

______________________________________

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana, and every voter in the state will be deciding on four constitutional amendments. Amendment 1 would increase the number of people on the state Judiciary Commissions from nine to 14. Public Affairs Research Council president Steven Procopio says the purpose is to speed up investigations of judges.

Cut 12 (07) “…citizens on there.”

Procopio says the argument against is that it would politicize the process, with the five additional members being appointed by the legislature – two each by the House and Senate and one by the governor.

Cut 13 (05)  “…at the case.”

Amendment 2 would require a 48-hour waiting period before the legislature can vote on budget-related bills. Amendment 3 would allow for up to three, two-day extensions of the session to finish budget work. And Amendment 4, which Procopio says is the most complex of them all, would establish a tax lien system for delinquent properties, in which investors would only be purchasing the debt and not the property itself. Procopio says it would take many aspects out of the constitution and into statute.

Cut 14 (12) “…be against this.”