LRN AM Newscall

Louisiana residents can learn what makes each parish unique in a new original travel series that debuts tonight on L-P-B. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Last year, the legislature passed a law requiring special education classrooms to be equipped with cameras. As of the beginning of this month, that law is now in effect. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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When the Mardi Gras parades are over, the horses will once again be put up for adoption. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his department is working to establish a benchmark range on the discount a homeowner should receive on their property insurance for having a fortified roof. Temple says these benchmarks are being thoughtfully developed to help consumers receive the discounts they deserve for fortifying their homes…

Cut 4 (07) “…mandatory discount.”

Temple says this Department of Insurance regulation would require Louisiana insurance companies to either meet the minimum benchmark, which could be as much as 20-percent, or provide actuarial justification for why the company’s discount does not mee the benchmark.

Cut 5 (11) “…our state.”

The Department of Insurance says it will provide further information soon on when the fortified roof benchmark discounts will go into effect. Temple says if you have a fortified roof and if you believe your homeowners insurance premium should be lower, shop around

Cut 6 (07) “…say a lot.”

Louisiana is the fastest growing state for Fortified roofs in America. To date, over 11-thousand Fortified roofs have been installed, including more than 41-hundred through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program.

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Every parish in Louisiana will be showcased in a new travel series that debuts tonight at 8 PM on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the L-A 64 series will take viewers off the beaten path to experience local traditions and all things make each community distinctive…

Cut 7 (11) “…in each parish.”

The first episode features Vermilion Parish and Nungesser says the show has already set new records on LPB’s YouTube Channel. He says L-A 64 will air new episodes over five seasons to cover all 64 parishes…

Cut 8 (11) “…didn’t know about.”

Nungesser says every parish has a story worth telling. He hopes LA 64 inspires both visitors and residents to take a staycation or travel across the state to experience how communities are preserving, celebrating and sharing Louisiana’s rich heritage…

Cut 9 (11)  “…each parish”

Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Alabama Public Television and Arkansas P-B-S plan to air the television series this summer.

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As of the beginning of this month, all public and charter school special education classrooms in Louisiana are required to have cameras installed inside them. That’s due to Act 479, which was signed into law last year. It was authored by Livingston Representative Shane Mack, who says nearly all special education classrooms got them installed in time. 

Cut 10 (05) “…getting it completed.”

Mack says the purpose of having cameras in special education classrooms is so that parents or guardians can get involved if there’s an incident in the classroom.

Cut 11 (11) “…in the classrooms.”

Mack says the law goes beyond merely installing cameras in the special needs classrooms.

Cut 12 (07) “…handle the situation.”

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When all the Mardi Gras parades are over, the horses will be put up for adoption. The Humane Society of Louisiana is once again implementing the Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says they launched the program to break the cycle of uncertainty.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sold for slaughter.”

Dorson says ever since the Humane Society launched the program in 2017, every horse that it has taken in has been adopted into permanent homes.

Cut 14 (10) “…be part of.”

Not everyone can adopt these horses – Dorson says there is an application process.

Cut 15 (09) “…a good fit.”

Some horses have already been adopted; Dorson says he hopes to have all of this year’s horses adopted by March 4th.

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It will be difficult for a freshman to crack the starting lineup at LSU, with so many veteran position players. But if there is a guy on this LSU baseball team who can do it, it is Mason Braun. Braun can play in the outfield or at first base. He has big league power and LSU  coach Jay Johnson likes his slow heartbeat in the batter’s box…

Cut 16 (23) “…for three years.” 

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An intriguing newcomer for Ragin Cajuns baseball is Donovan LaSalle from Lake Charles. LaSalle was a star baseball player at Barbe High School and signed with Oklahoma State out of high school. But he didn’t get regular playing time for the Cowboys. Coach Matt Deggs says LaSalle has big-time power and plans to have him in the line-up every game…

Cut 17 (15)  “…talent out.”

The Cajuns are picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt this season. Deggs expects his team to be tough-minded this season…

Cut 18 (14)  “…come together.” 

The Ragin Cajuns open the season by hosting Missouri State.

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On a day Louisiana Tech men’s basketball retired the jersey number of Bulldogs legend Paul Millsap, La Tech ended Sam Houston’s seven-game winning streak by beating the Bearkats 87 to 78. The Bulldogs dominated the boards outrebounded Sam Houston 46-30. Kaden Cooper, playing in his first game since January 14th, had 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. Coach Talvin Hester on Cooper’s big game…

Cut 19 (15) “…chose it.”

The win gives Tech a 6-6 record in Conference USA. The Bulldogs are on the road this week as they visit Missouri State on Thursday night and F-I-U on Saturday. Sir Issac Herron had a career-high 18 points in the win over Sam Houstoin and says the toughness they played with against the Bearkcats, they need to bring on the road…

Cut 20 (15) “…of itself.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Legendary Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was officially announced last night.  Brees led the Saints to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. He also set numerous records and his success on the field helped New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 14 (14) “…bigger than them”

As who Dats were celebrating the Brees entrance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the 5th ranked LSU women’s basketball team fell apart in the fourth quarter and lost to fourth ranked Texas 77 to 64 on Thursday night. Coach Kim Mulkey’s team was outscored 21-to-10 in the fourth quarter…

Cut 19 (11) “…compusure

LSU will look to start a new winning streak on Sunday at Auburn.

There will be four former LSU Tigers playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Anthony Bradford is a starting guard for Seattle, and the Patriots have K’Lavon Chaisson, Will Campbell and Kayshon Boutte. Boutte averages 18 yards a catch and has a touchdown in the postseason. The New Iberia native has the utmost confidence in second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

Cut 16 (13) “…of the day” 

The Patriots also have former Louisiana Tech standout Milton Williams. The defensive tackle won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season.

In college basketball on Saturday…the LSU men’s basketball team has a winnable game as they host Georgia. Tip off is at 5 PM.

In other games of note….Louisiana Tech hosts Sam Houston, Nichollas faces A-and-M Corpust Christi in Thibodaux, ULM takes on Ball State in Monroe. The Cajuns go after their fourth straight win as they host Central Michigan.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Entergy says it has completed its mission in northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom had some choice words for Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in a social media post over the A-G’s wishes to extradite a doctor in California for sending abortion pills to a person in Louisiana. I can’t say exactly what Newsome said, but it was a four letter word. Murrill’s response was “Bless your heart.”

 

A groundbreaking ceremony took place Friday afternoon on the Donaldsonville campus of the River Parish Community College system, which will be used primarily to train future employees at the Hyundai Steel mill, which will be built nearby. Chancellor Quintin Taylor says this is the latest in the growth of the system.

Cut 4 (11) “…in Boutte.”

Taylor says the Donaldsonville campus will train many of the workers that will be employed at the Hyundai Steel mill.

Sunday is a big day for Monroe native and former LSU star Will Campbell as he will start at left tackle for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60. Campbell says he will certainly take a moment to take it all in before kickoff…

Cut 18 (11) “…get ready to go”

New Iberia’s Kayshon Boutte is also key a player for the Patriots, who are looking for their seventh Super Bowl victory and their second win a Super Bowl over Seattle.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Legendary Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was officially announced last night.  Brees led the Saints to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. He also set numerous records and his success on the field helped New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 14 (14) “…bigger than them”

At this hour, they are breaking ground on a River Parish Community College campus in Donaldsonville. It’s located near the site of the future Hyundai Steel mill that will employ 13-hundred workers. River Parish Community College Chancellor Quintin Taylor says the training facility they are building will provide much of the workforce for the new steel mill…

Cut 5 (08) “…to the jobs”

The Donaldsonville campus is expected to open in 2028. Construction is expected to be completed on the Hyundai Steel mill in 2029.

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person that fatally shot a bald eagle in Vermilion Parish on December 5th has increased to 15-thousand dollars…..

Cut 7 (11) “….receiving”

That’s Sergeant Michael Hebert with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Moderna says a vaccine they’ve developed with Merk is showing that it reduces the risk of death or recurrence of the deadly skin cancer known as melanoma five years after the treatment started. The head of development and oncology and therapeutics at Moderna, Doctor Kyle Holen, says Moderna is looking at several types of cancers in clinical trials, some of which are taking place in Louisiana…

Cut 10  (10) “…types of cancer”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Legendary Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was officially announced last night.  Brees led the Saints to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. He also set numerous records and his success on the field helped New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 14 (14) “…bigger than them”

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie has a new three contract. Cumbie’s annual salary has been reduced. The money not going to Cumbie will be used to help pay players through revenue sharing deals. Athletics director Ryan Ivey says Cumbie’s contract also allows him to earn more money by hitting certain incentives…

Cut 15 (08) certainly do that”

 

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person that fatally shot a bald eagle in Vermilion Parish on December 5th has increased to 15-thousand dollars…..

Cut 7 (11) “….receiving”

That’s Sergeant Michael Hebert with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Construction is getting underway on the fifth campus in the River Parish Community College system – this one in Donaldsonville, in Ascension Parish. Chancellor Quintin Taylor says for the first three to four years after it opens in 2028, the campus will be used specifically to train workers for the new Hyundai Steel mill, until it fills all 13-hundred jobs.

Cut 3 (08) “…in the area.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

You can call Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees a Pro Football Hall of Famer. An official announcement was made last night. Brees started his NFL career in San Diego, but he became one of the quarterbacks in the games when he signed with the Saints prior to the 2006 season. Brees gives a lot credit to General Manager Mickey Loomis and Coach Sean Payton…

Cut 13 (11) “…be”

The Enshrinement ceremonies will take place in August in Canton, Ohio.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for the person who shot a bald eagle to death. Sergeant Michael Hebert says it happened in Erath on December 5th.

Cut 6 (10) “…to its wounds.”

The reward for information leading to the arrest has increased to 15-thousand dollars as the Center for Biological Diversity has added nine-thousand dollars to the six-thousand dollars the U-S Fish Wildlife Service put up.

 

Another enhanced drunk driving enforcement operation begins today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Power has been restored to all 130,000 North and Central Louisiana Entergy Customers who can safely receive it after the widespread damage from the recent ice storm. Entergy says many customers had to have their power restored multiple times as ongoing ice damage continued to cause outages and delay assessments. Rural and heavily wooded areas were hardest hit.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Brees was elected on his first ballot, and he’ll go in with Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Roger Craig and Adam Vinatieri. Brees says it’s an absolute honor…

Cut 19 (11) “…I would say”

Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans was a finalist for the Hall but did not get in.  Also, Tyler Shough did NOT win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. That honor went to Panthers receiver Tetairoa (teh-ty-ROH-uh) McMillan.

Fifth-ranked LSU was outscored 20-11 in the fourth quarter and lost to fourth-ranked Texas 77 to 64. Coach Kim Mulkey’s team had 19 turnovers

Cut 20 (09) “…poor shots.”

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Louisiana Tech has announced a new three-year contract for football coach Sonny Cumbie. Cumbie’s base salary is reduced, freeing up 155-thousand dollars a year that can be used to pay the players more money in revenue-sharing deals. Cumbie can make that money back by reaching several different performance-based incentives. Athletics director Ryan Ivey says Cumbie’s reconstructed contract is more than just a financial move…

Cut 15 (08) “…to do that’

Cumbie is 19-and-31 at Tech and is coming off an 8-5 season.

Lady Techsters basketball won again last night, 87 to 48 over UTEP. That’s nine in a row for La Tech as Jianna Morris had 21 points.

McNeese women’s basketball won its 12th straight as the Cowgirls easily defeated Houston Christian 83 to 35. That’s the 100th career Southland Conference victory for Ayla Guzzardo.

4:30 LRN Newscast

State Senator Blake Miguez of New Iberia has received President Trump’s endorsement in the race for the District Five U.S. House seat. Miguez is running to represent a Congressional district in which he does not live in, which current law allows. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says this will be a major issue in the race…

Cut 8 (10) “…in that district?”

One of Miguez’s opponents, Misti Cordell of Ouachita Parish, says she lives in the district and understands the needs of the district.

Groundbreaking ceremonies take place tomorrow in Ascension Parish on the River Parish Community College’s Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this 30-million dollar facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that’s being built nearby…

Cut 5 (10) “…game changer”

 

Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees is expected to be announced tonight as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Cut 14  (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Tech has announced a new three-year contract for football coach Sonny Cumbie. Cumbie’s base salary is reduced, freeing up 155-thousand dollars a year that can be used to pay the players more money as part of revenue sharing deals. Cumbie can make that money back by reaching several different on and off field performance-based incentives.

LRN PM Newscall February 5

A groundbreaking ceremony takes place tomorrow in Ascension Parish for the construction of the River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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President Trump makes another endorsement, and one analyst says this one’s a jaw-dropper. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Tomorrow afternoon officials will break ground on the new River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that will be built over the next few years on the Westbank of the Mississippi River in Donaldsonville….

Cut 3 (04) “…advanced manufacturing.”

Construction on the Hyundai Steel Mill is expected to be completed by 2029. It will employ 13-hundred workers with an average salary of 95-thousand dollars a year.

Nelson says the RPCC Donaldsonville campus will expand technical training opportunities, strengthen the regional talent pipeline and support future workforce needs of industry partners in the River Parishes…

Cut 4 (06) “…these jobs.”

Nelson says construction of the RPCC Donaldsonville campus will cost the state 30-million dollars…

Cut 5 (10) “…game changer.”

Hyundai  is making a nearly six-billion dollar investment in the construction of this steel mill in Ascension Parish

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President Trump has endorsed State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race, just one day after Miguez announced his withdrawal from the U.S. Senate race to run for the House. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says when he heard that, his jaw dropped to the ground.

Cut 6 (09) “…crowded Republican field.”

Stockley says Trump’s endorsement of Miguez will almost certainly make that crowded field significantly less so.

Cut 7 (07) “…to some degree.”

Miguez lives in New Iberia, which is quite a distance from the Fifth District boundary. By law, candidates do not have to live in the district they run in; they just need to live in the state. Still, Stockley says it’s in their best interest if they do.

Cut 8 (10) “…in that district?”

Other Republicans who have confirmed their intention to enter the race include state senators Stewart Cathey of Monroe and Rick Edmonds of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge State Representative Dixon McMakin and Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell of Monroe. Religious scholar Larry Foy, who has never held elected office, announced his candidacy as a Democrat before Julia Letlow launched her Senate run, abandoning her House re-election bid.

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The city of Monroe, which has debris all over the place from the ice storm, is waiting to see if the disaster will be classified as Category A Emergency Work. This designation would mean Monroe and other communities will be reimbursed by the federal government at a higher rate for debris removal. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is confident this disaster will receive the Category A designation…

Cut 9 (11)  “…designation.”

Ellis estimates the cost of debris removal for Monroe is 15-million dollars.

The ice storm knocked out power to more than 45-thousand customers in Ouachita Parish. Today there are still hundreds without power. Ellis says once the power is fully restored, they will begin talking with utility providers about a more resilient power grid…

Cut 10 (12) “…start there.”

Despite the lengthy power outages, the cleanup and the cold weather last week, Ellis says the people of Monroe have kept a positive attitude….

Cut 11 (09) “…spirits are up.”

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LSU’s football roster has undergone a massive turnover. 38 football players from the 2025 football team entered the transfer portal and coach Lane Kiffin says after a 7-6 season, the personnel needed to change.

Cut 12 (14) “…needed to be changes.”

When it comes to recruiting, Kiffin doesn’t like to take no for an answer. When top transfers Sam Leavitt and Jordan Seaton left Baton Rouge without committing, Kiffin hopped on a plane in an effort to secure a pledge from both. Kiffin says he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Cut 13 (13) “…how I work.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump makes another endorsement, and one analyst says this one’s a jaw-dropper. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is planning to sue New York and California as she’s looking to extradite doctors in those two states to Louisiana to face charges in the mailing of abortion drugs to people in Louisiana. California and New York have passed laws to prevent anti-abortion states from pursuing legal action against their residents over reproductive rights.

 

The city of Monroe, which has debris all over the place from the ice storm, is waiting to see if the disaster will be classified as Category A Emergency Work. This designation would mean Monroe and other communities will be reimbursed by the federal government at a higher rate for debris removal. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is confident this disaster will receive the Category A designation…

Cut 9 (11) “…designation”

Ellis estimates the cost of debris removal for Monroe is 15-million dollars.

Groundbreaking ceremonies take place tomorrow in Ascension on the River Parish Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical School president Richard Nelson says this 30-million dollar facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that’s being built nearby…

Cut 5 (10) “…game changer”