LRN PM Newscall

Entergy continues making progress in restoring power in Northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana’s bond with France dates to the 17th century, so it’s fitting the Saints will host a “home game” in Paris next season. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Entergy crews made significant progress in northeast Louisiana over the weekend. Entergy says it has now restored power to 90-percent of customers affected by last week’s ice storm, accounting for more than 118-thousand customers. Nyka (NIGH-kah) Scott, the vice president of customer service at Entergy, says this is just one component to the recovery process.

Cut 3 (12) “…they’re fully recovered.”

Scott there’s widespread damage to the electricity grid, including almost one-thousand utility poles. She says more than 500 miles of wire and 210 transformers need to be repaired or replaced.

Scott says as crews restore power to the last remaining customers still in the dark, they’re still running into vegetation issues, which is making the process much, much longer.

Cut 4 (09) “…or fourth time.”

Scott says many of the customers still without power are in areas which are not easily accessible.

Cut 5 (06) “…getting bogged down.”

Scott says she expects the last customer to be restored by Wednesday.

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A 15-year-old involved in Saturday’s shooting at a Mardi Gras parade in East Feliciana Parish will be charged as an adult. That’s according to district attorney Sam D’Aquilla. Sheriff Jeff Travis says Malik Liggins is one of four people to be arrested and more arrests are likely…

Cut 6 (10) “…other stuff.”

Six people were injured in the shooting including Liggins. Travis says no one was killed, but lives have been changed…

Cut 7 (12) “…we can.”

Liggins is facing an attempted murder charge to go along with the reckless discharge of a firearm and obstruction charges. Travis says authorities have also arrested 25-year-old Phillip Williams. He’s one of four people facing charges in connection with the shooting in Clinton that Travis says was gang-related…

Cut 8 (14) “..horrified.”

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Five people are arrested following a joint investigation into child exploitation by State Police, the Coving Police Department and the FBI. Trooper Marc Gremillion says State Police arrested two men – 26-year-old Kevin Pierre of Folsom and 44-year-old Mayfield Lee of Metairie.

Cut 9 (07)  “…St. Tammany Parish.”

The other three were arrested by the Covington Police Department. Trooper Gremillion says Pierre and Folsom are facing identical charges.

Cut 10 (07) “…with a juvenile.”

Gremillion says these arrests underscore the fact that keeping kids safe on the internet is a never-ending process.

Cut 11 (08) “…of Louisiana children.”

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The Saints announce they will play in the first ever NFL regular season game in France. Saints Owner Gayle Benson says the game in Paris will be significant as there is a strong cultural connection between Louisiana and France that dates back to the 17th century. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detilllier…

Cut 12 (07) “…and France.”

In 2023, the NFL awarded the Saints international marketing rights in France, making the Saints the first and only team to hold those rights in France. Last summer, a contingent of SAints team officials, led by Mrs Benson, visited France in an effort to strength the connection between the team and its French fans. Detillier expects a lot of the Saints fans will make the trip overseas…

Cut 13 (07) “…heritage.”

Nothing official from the Saints, but a French outlet reports the game will be played on October 26th against the Browns. With the game France that means the Saints will play eight regular season games in the Dome next season, instead of nine. The Saints announce this will mean a 10-percent reduction in ticket prices for season ticket holders.

2:30 LRN Newscast

The East Feliciana Parish town of Clinton remains rattled over Saturday’s shooting at a Mardi Gras parade that wounded at least six people. Sheriff Jeffrey Travis says the shooting appears to be gang related…

Cut 8 (14) “….horrified”

Travis says everyone that was wounded is expected to survive, but one of the victims may never walk again. Authorities also say a 15-year-old charged in the shooting, will be tried as an adult.

State Police announce the arrest of five people involved in child exploitation. Trooper Marc Gremillion says 26-year-old Kevin Pierre of Folsom and 44-year-old Mayfield Lee of Metairie traveled from their homes to meet juveniles in St. Tammany Parish. They and three were arrested and face several charges.

Cut 10 (07) “…with a juvenile.”

Gremillion says keeping kids safe on the internet is a never-ending process.

 

Entergy is making progress in getting electricity restored following last week’s ice storm, but 55-hundred customers are still without power….

cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

State Police reports the eight inmates that escaped from the Lake Providence Detention Center late last week are back in custody and are now in a jail cell at Angola. Three of the escapees were accused of murder in East Baton Rouge Parish. No word yet from the East Carroll Parish Sheriff on how they escaped.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team put on a show on Sunday as the Lady Tigers dominated 24th-ranked Alabama 103-63. Four players scored in double figures as LSU shot 56-percent from the field. The Lady Tigers also had 11 blocked shots and forced 17 turnovers that led to 24 points. Head Coach Kim Mulkey…

Cut 16 (15) “…offensively.”

LSU has its biggest road test of the season on Thursday night as the Lady Tigers visit fourth ranked Texas.

The Saints announce they will play in the first ever NFL regular season game in France. Saints Owner Gayle Benson says the game in Paris will be significant as there is a strong cultural connection between Louisiana and France that dates back to the 17th century. WWL Radio’s Mike Detilllier…

Cut 12 (07) “….and France”

The game will reportedly be played on October 26th against the Browns.

 

There is a big college basketball game in Nacogdoches, Texas tonight as McNeese visits Stephen F Austin. The Lumberjacks have a one game lead over the Cowboys for first place in the Southland. The Pokes beat S-F-A by two points in Lake Charles on January 5th.

LSU’s new starting third baseman Trent Caraway has dreams of playing in the Major Leagues, but he’s excited for the opportunity to play in the Purple and Gold. Caraway is expected to hit for a high average and double-digit home runs for the Tigers. Last season at Oregon State he hit .267 with 12 home runs, half of those home runs came in the NCAA Tournament. Caraway says he needed another year in college before going pro….

Cut 20 (15) “…stuff yet’

10:30 LRN Newscast

One of the state’s  better performing school systems is trying something new and that’s not assigning homework to its students. LaSalle Parish School Superintendent Jonathan Garrett says the thinking behind this is that students will come to school every morning ready to learn, if they were not up late the night before completing their homework assignment. Garrett says they’ve received some positive feedback on the no homework policy…

Cut 9 (11) “…doing that anyway”

Garrett says they will re-evaluate their no homework policy after the school year.

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again looking to honor the state’s longest married couple on Valentine’s Day. Louisiana Family Forum president Gene Mills says they are honored to share these examples of lasting love…

Cut 11 (13) “…to be told”

Nominations need to be in by the end of tomorrow. You can email them to info@lafamilyforum.org

 

North Louisiana is trying to get back to normal after the ice storm. The loss of power, the cold weather, and being cooped up in the house can lead to stress, anxiety, or depression. LSU Health Shreveport Psychiatry professor Doctor Smink Sangsura says if the winter blues have you down, get outside as the temperatures will warm up today…

Cut 14 (11) “…be still.”

The sixth ranked LSU women’s basketball team was red hot yesterday as the Lady Tigers shot 56-percent from the field, hit 10 three-pointers on their way to a 103 to 63 win over 24th ranked Alabama. Coach Kim Mulkey also liked what she saw from her defense…

Cut 16 (15) “…offensively”

LSU’s next game is Thursday night against fourth ranked Texas.

9:30 LRN Newscast

The legislative session is five weeks away from today and once again a north Louisiana lawmaker will bring a bill up for consideration that seeks to eliminate the need for inspection stickers for passenger vehicles….

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The ice storm hit a little more than week ago and Entergy is still reporting seven-thousand of its customers are without power. More than half of the outages are in hard hit Ouachita Parish.

 

North Louisiana tries to get back to a sense of normalcy this week after the ice storm left thousands without power and prevented many from going to work or school. LSU Health Shreveport Psychiatrist Doctor Smink Sangsura says the if the situation has you overwhelmed, please reach out to someone…

Cut 15 (10) “…help out”

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again seeking the state’s longest known married couple to recognize on Valentine’s Day. Entries must be received by the end of tomorrow. Family Forum president Gene Mills says nominations can be emailed to info-at-L-A-family-forum-dot-org….

Cut 12 (08) “…with em”

For more information call the Louisiana Family Forum.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team won its seventh straight yesterday, a dominating 103-63 win over 24th-ranked Alabama. Four players scored in double figures, led by Jada Richard (Ree-shard), who had 16 points. Coach Kim Mulkey likes the unselfishness of her team…

Cut 17 (25) “…fun to coach”

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was named the MVP of the Senior Bowl as he led the American team on two touchdown drives.

A French outlet is reporting the Saints will play the Browns in the first NFL game in Paris, France on October 25th.

 

The ULM men’s basketball team battled hard but came up short in winning its first Sun Belt game yesterday as the Warhawks lost to Coastal Carolina 83 to 79. U-L-M is now 3-20 on the season.

The two best teams in the Southland play each other tonight as McNeese visits Stephen F Austin. The Cowboys beat the Lumberjacks by two points in Lake Charles earlier this season.

LSU’s new starting third baseman, Trent Caraway, has already undergone a swing change. When Caraway arrived at LSU, he decided to change his swing. He says he’s calmer at the plate, eliminating a toe step he had his whole life…

Cut 19 (12) “…results.”

Caraway is expected to hit for a high average and double-digit home runs for the Tigers.

 

The Pelicans are at Charlotte today. The game will tip off at 2 PM because of the East Coast snow storm.

LRN AM Newscall February 2

If one Louisiana lawmaker has his way, inspection stickers will soon be a thing of the past. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LaSalle Parish Schools is the first school district in the state to eliminate homework assignments. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The Louisiana Family Forum is once again seeking nominations for the state’s longest living married couple. Jeff Palermo has the details..

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If one member of the Louisiana House of Representatives has his way, private passenger vehicle safety inspection stickers will soon be a thing of the past. Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley plans to file a bill in this year’s session that would do away with them. Bagley says there’s nothing in a failed safety inspection that police can’t use to pull you over.

Cut 4 (09) “…no particular reason.”

Bagley disagrees with the notion that safety inspection stickers indicate to police that they’re safe vehicles, saying officers have scores of modern technology tools at their disposal.

Cut 5 (08) “…from all that.”

Bagley notes that this will not be the first time he has filed such a bill, and he’s surprised that prior efforts have not resulted in his proposed legislation ending up on the governor’s desk.

Cut 6 (07) “…they are not.”

Bagley’s bill would not apply to commercial vehicles; they would still be required to undergo safety inspections.

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LaSalle Parish Schools is the first district in the state to eliminate homework assignments. Superintendent Jonathan Garrett says homework has a limited benefit on academic success and believes that no homework gives students a strong reason to come to school excited each day.

Cut 7 (14) “…on our end.”

LaSalle Parish is rated as a “B” school district and is one of three parishes in the state where every school is rated as a B or higher. Garrett says getting rid of homework will allow both teachers and students to be more effective throughout the school day, which will help enhance overall performance in the classroom.

Cut 8 (14) “…that we currently have.”

The No homework initiative will remain in place through the end of the current school year, and the district will review data before deciding whether the change becomes permanent.

Garrett says the school system has received plenty of positive feedback on cutting out homework.

Cut 9 (11)  “…doing that anyway.”

The district says optional practice will still be available for families who want additional reinforcement at home.

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With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the Louisiana Family Forum is once again in search of the state’s longest married couple. L-F-F president Gene Mills says couples married 70 years or more are eligible for nomination…

Cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana.”

Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans were honored as Louisiana’s longest-married couple last year. They were inducted into the L-F-F’s marriage hall of fame along with other couples who rank in the top ten for longest living married couples.  Mills says they are honored to share these examples of lasting love…

Cut 11 (13) “..to be told.”

Entries must be received by the end of Tuesday. Mills says nominations can be emailed to info-at-la-family-forum-dot-org…

Cut 12 (08) “…with em.”

For more information call the Louisiana Family Forum.

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North Louisiana is trying to get back to normal after the ice storm. The loss of power, the cold weather, and being cooped up in the house can lead to stress, anxiety, or depression. LSU Health Shreveport Psychiatry professor Doctor Smink Sangsura says getting back into a normal routine can help alleviate that mental stress…

Cut 13 (09)  “…really great.”

Sangsura says if you are having the winter blues…try to get outside as the temperatures will warm up today…

Cut 14 (11) “…be still.”

Sangsura says if some fresh air is not helping and you are really feeling overwhelmed, please reach out to someone…

Cut 15 (10) “…help out.”

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The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team put on a show on Sunday as the Lady Tigers dominated 24th-ranked Alabama 103-63. Four players scored in double figures as LSU shot 56-percent from the field. The Lady Tigers also had 11 blocked shots and forced 17 turnovers that led to 24 points. Head Coach Kim Mulkey…

Cut 16 (15) “…offensively.”

Jada Richard had 16 points to lead the way. Mikaylah Williams and ZaKiyah Johnson each had 15 points. LSU has now won seven in a row and the 63-year-old Mulkey is having fun coaching this deep team…

Cut 17 (25)  “…fun to coach.”

Thursday night should be a fun game. LSU will visit 4th ranked Texas.

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LSU’s new starting third baseman Trent Caraway is a West Coast kid. He’s from Southern California, named the Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2023 after nearly hitting 500 at the plate. Caraway signed out of high school at Oregon State and played two seasons for the Beavers. He entered the transfer portal and quickly hit it off with LSU coach Jay Johnson who also recruited him out of high school…

Cut 18 (09)  “…national championship.” 

Caraway hit .267 last season with 12 home runs and 47 RBIs. He hit half of his home runs in the NCAA Tournament, helping Oregon State get to the College World Series. When Caraway arrived at LSU, he decided to change his swing. Caraway says he’s calmer at the plate, eliminating a toe step he had his whole life…

Cut 19 (12) “…results.”

Caraway is expected to hit for a high average and double-digit home runs for the Tigers. His dream is play in the Big Leagues, but he needed another year at college to get himself ready…

Cut 20 (15) “…stuff yet.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

No football this weekend, but there is plenty of college hoops. The LSU Tigers will try to snap its three-game losing streak when they visit South Carolina at noon on Saturday. This game has been moved up from its original five o’ clock tip time, because of a snowstorm threatening the east coast.

Louisiana Tech is also on the road as they play Sam Houston at 9 PM on Saturday night in a game that will be televised by ESPN 2. The Bearkcats have won five in a row.

ULM has lost 12 straight after losing by three points to Georgia Southern on Friday. The Warhawks will try again on Saturday at 2 PM against Coastal Carolina.

The Ragin Cajuns host Georgia Southern at 3 PM.

McNeese looks for its fourth straight win as the Cowboys visit rival Lamar.

The Lady Techsters have won seven in a row and they host Jacksonville State on Saturday at 2 PM. The sixth ranked LSU women’s basketball team has won six in a row and they will host 24th ranked Alabama on Sunday at 11 AM.

 

We are getting closer to another college baseball season. LSU baseball had one of the best pitching staffs in the country last season. Not only did the Tigers have great starters in Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, but they also had several reliable relievers. LSU pitching coach Nate Yeskie says junior left-handed pitcher Santiago Garcia, a transfer from Oregon, is going to be a key arm out of the bullpen this year.

Cut 16 (15) “…above average pitches.”

Louisiana Tech baseball has been picked to finish second in Conference USA. Dallas Baptist is the preseason favorite than it’s the Bulldogs, followed by Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State and Western Kentucky. Bulldogs closer Blake Hooks has been named to the Conference USA preseason All-Conference team.

3:30 LRN Newscast

More cold air is on the way and temperatures will fall well below the freezing mark on Saturday and Sunday morning. The state health department says the winter storm is responsible for nine deaths, some of the victims died as a result of hypothermia because of the extended power outages. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this second round of extremely cold air is concerning for the thousands who still do not have power…

Cut 14 (14) “…available”

Two middle school students who just got off a school bus were among eight people injured in a two-vehicle crash in Thibodaux yesterday afternoon….

Cut 10 (07) “…the Honda”

State Police Trooper Henry Perez says a vehicle hit the two kids who were on the side of the road after trying to get back in the proper lane after traveling in the wrong lane in a no passing zone.

The Rockin’1000 musicians are getting ready for tomorrow night’s big show in the Superdome. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 15 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Works says the state has set a record for nonfarm employment, with just over two million people employed. Louisiana Works Deputy Secretary Osmar Padilla says the job sectors of private education and health services has added 15-thousand jobs over the last year…

Cut 7 (09) “….machinists”

1:30 LRN Newscast

A two-vehicle crash in Thibodaux on Thursday afternoon sends eight people to the hospital, including two children who just got off a school bus. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The search is on for six escaped inmates from the River Bend Detention Center in Lake Providence. The East Caroll Parish Sheriff’s Office along with several other surrounding agencies are searching for the escapees. Three of the escapees are accused of murder.

 

The latest employment numbers released by the state agency, Louisiana Works, shows strong employment growth in the state with records set for seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment and private sector employment. Louisiana Works Deputy Secretary Osmar Padilla says most of Louisiana’s metro areas are seeing growth….

Cut 8 (08) “…or anything”

The Baton Rouge area is leading the way with six-thousand new jobs over the last year.

It will be very cold weekend and there are multiple Mardi Gras parades in southeast Louisiana on Saturday. There’s also Rockin 1000 in the Superdome. One-thousand musicians are coming together to play iconic rocks songs. It’s the first time the Rockin 1000 has had a performance in the U-S. Kelly Schulz is a spokesperson for New Orleans and Company…