LRN AM Newscall April 8

Cloudy conditions will make it difficult to see the solar eclipse today. Meteorologist Ryan Gallagher has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…development”

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It’s eclipse day, and in Louisiana, the moon will begin to eclipse the sun around 12:30, be at its maximum close to 1:45, and end at three.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Improving the state’s insurance market and providing school choice are the main themes of this 2024 regular session. Jeanne Burns has the story…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Jeanne Burns” 

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Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars since he announced in January he would run the newly created 6th congressional district seat, which now stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Fields is off to a good start with finances…

Cut 4 (11) “…of money.”

Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves in November. The Baton Rouge Republican reported $3.8 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023. Hogan says Graves might be able to out-fund raise Fields, but the sixth district is now a majority-minority district..

Cut 5 (11) “…Cleo Fields.” 

Hogans says the campaign finance report shows that out of the 601-thousand dollars raised, 564-thousand came from individuals…

Cut 6 (13) “…opposes him.”

A federal court hearing is scheduled for today and tomorrow to hear arguments on the legality of the new Congressional map. Graves believes the map will be tossed out because state lawmakers solely considered race when drawing the map

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Today’s the big day for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse that will be visible in North America. Even though cloudy weather is expected to decrease the view in Louisiana, LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says it’s definitely worth stepping outside to see how the moon blocking the sun affects the Earth.

 Cut 7 (13) “…you are.”

Animals even react to a total solar eclipse. Hinkel says crickets have been known to emerge because they think it’s nighttime and livestock often show signs of anxiety.

Cut 8 (07) “…of thing.” 

And it’s not just animals that react to a total solar eclipse, Hinkel says the weather is also impacted.

Cut 9 (10)  “…on the earth.”

Ophthalmologists remind you to never look directly at the eclipse, even a partial view of one without proper eclipse glasses. Doing so can cause permanent eye damage.

You can also safely view the eclipse by visiting science.nasa.gov.

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The probability of viewing the eclipse isn’t ideal in Louisiana thanks to cloud cover. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions are very unstable right now, with a front to our north and west…

Cut 10 (11) “…the state.”

Keim says hopefully when the eclipse gets as close to totality, around 1:45, there will be a little break in the clouds.

Cut 11 (04) “…be surprised.”

The northwest corner of the state is under a flash flood watch from Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning as multiple rounds of heavy rainfall is expected. Keim says there’s the potential for five inches of rain or more

Cut 12 (09) “…systems.” 

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A month into the regular session and legislation seeking to improve the state’s insurance market and giving parents more options to educate their children are moving through the process with few hiccups. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Jeff Landry and GOP lawmakers ran on these issues in the fall…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Education Savings Accounts”

The full House is scheduled to vote on the E-S-A bill today. It would provide thousands of dollars to families regardless of their income the ability to tap into state dollars to send their children to private school. Pinsonat says there’s opposition to doing this…

 

Cut 14 (10)  “…public education.”

Pinsonat says when it comes to insurance reform, Republican lawmakers are seeking to make changes to reduce the number of lawsuits. Opponents say it will just pad the profits of insurance companies. He says tort reform and ESAs are on the front burner of this session

Cut 15 (11)  “…their voters”

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The LSU women’s basketball team has taken heat for not being on the court for the national anthem, but the football team has not been present for the anthem in decades. AD Scott Woodward says they’ll review their processes. Governor Landry is calling for college teams to be present for the anthem. Tigers football coach Brian Kelly says they will do whatever the administration wants…

Cut 16 (18)  “…national anthem” 

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted second-degree murder charge. A Union Parish Grand jury didn’t find enough evidence to indict him on attempted murder for a shooting in Farmerville on February 15th. Holly still faces a charge of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. Kelly says the case could be resolved soon.

Cut 17 (16) “…welcome back” 

The spring game is this Saturday at Tiger Stadium. Kelly says they’ve worked hard at improving the running game. Kelly has also been impressed with the development of receiver Kyren Lacy and likes what he is seeing from defensive back Major Burns, who is playing at nickel back

Cut 18 (18)  “…really really good”  

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After dropping another conference series, the LSU baseball team is now 3-and-9 in SEC play. Vanderbilt took two of three from the Tigers and won the series on Saturday with a 13-3 win in eight innings. Coach Jay Johnson on what’s wrong with LSU’s pitching

Cut 19 (09) “…right now”   

LSU’s bullpen has struggled. Griffin Herring has shown to be the lone pitcher out of the pen that’s been really effective. Johnson had to use Herring on Thursday to make sure Vanderbilt didn’t come back from a nine-to-nothing deficit. Johnson didn’t expect LSU to struggle as much as they have with pitching…

Cut 20 (12) “…about that”

7:30 LRN Sportscast

Despite two home runs from Tommy White, the LSU baseball team lost to Vanderbilt eight to six. The Tigers led six to five with two outs in the top of eighth when Nate Ackenhausen gave up a two-run homer. Coach Jay Johnson’s team has now lost its last five games decided by three runs or less…
cut 27 (12) “…past that hump”
The Tigers will try to win the rubber game at two pm today.

The Ragin Cajuns extended their win streak to 13 in a row with a four to one win over ULM. Caleb Stelly drove in a couple of runs as the Warhawks were limited to five hits.

Louisiana Tech scored two runs in the eighth inning to snap a three-three tie and went on to beat Middle Tennessee five to three. Ethan Bates homered in the eighth inning and in the ninth inning closed the game out for his ninth save. The nine saves leads the country.

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Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces a charge of attempted second degree murder after a Union Parish Grand jury didn’t find enough evidence to indict him on that charge for a shooting that happened in Farmerville on February 15th. The grand jury has indicted Holly on a charge of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality against Holly. His attorney Mike Small is confident Holly will be found not guilty.

Mike Collins has been named the new head football coach at Neville High School. Collins replaces Jeff Tannehill who resigned earlier this week. Collins has been the team’s defensive coordinator the last two seasons and has 40 years of coaching experience at the high school and college levels.

Tough loss for the Pelicans last night as they lost to one of the NBA’s worst teams, San Antonio 111 to 109. New Orleans led by 15, but the Spurs hit 17 three-pointers as the Pels were without Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Jose Alvarado. New Orleans is in seventh place in the West.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson’s no-phone policy in the locker room worked for one game. The 18th ranked Tigers defeated sixth ranked Vanderbilt ten to six last night to snap a four-game losing streak. Tiger first baseman Jared Jones…
cut 28 (18) “…in the lockeroom”
LSU faces Vanderbilt at 7 PM.

Also tonight…ULM visits the Ragin Cajuns who have won 12 in a row. La Tech hosts Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders have lost six straight.

The Pelicans try to snap a three-game losing streak tonight when they host San Antonio. New Orleans is in seventh place in the West. They need to be in the top six to avoid the play in tournament.

There is a little over a week to go in spring football and first year defensive coordinator Blake Baker likes the development he’s seen from his defensive secondary. He likes how the D-Bs have attacked the football…
cut 19 (25) “….as a unit”

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward responded today to Governor Jeff Landry’s push for college athletic teams to be present for the national anthem or risk losing their scholarship. Woodward said they’ll review their processes. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne doesn’t see LSU making many changes…
cut 8 (11) “….about nothing”

LRN PM Newscall April 5

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward and Governor Jeff Landry exchanged statements on Friday over the national anthem controversy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Forecasters say the highly anticipated Great American Eclipse that starts around 12:30 on Monday in Louisiana could be eclipsed by clouds. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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The Powerball Jackpot has reached $1.23 billion, that’s a billion with a B. The cash value for Saturday night’s drawing is $595 million. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says the current jackpot has been rolling over since January 3rd.

Cut 3 (11) “…out of it.”  

(4th largest Powerball Jackpot, and 8th largest jackpot in US Lottery history)

Annison says the Bayou State is overdue for a Powerball Jackpot winner and this would be one heck of a prize. Since Louisiana joined the multi-state lottery game in 1995…

Cut 4 (08) “…next one.” 

The odds of winning this Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million, but Annison says while you might not win the 4th largest jackpot in Powerball history, there are eight ways total to win and those odds are 1 in 25.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the jackpot.”

The drawing is Saturday night, and the Louisiana Lottery reminds you to play responsibly and that it only takes one ticket to win.

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LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward has responded to Governor Landry’s call for college athletic teams to be present for the national anthem. Woodward says LSU will always be dedicated to the flag, the anthem and the country. Woodward says LSU will look at their processes. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne doesn’t see LSU changing its pregame activities, unless…

Cut 6  (11) “…do things” 

Horne says he’s attended hundreds of LSU football games since 1970 and the team has never been present when the marching band plays the national anthem.

Landry has called on the state’s higher education boards to develop a policy for college athletic teams to be on the field or court when the national anthem is played and if not, they could lose their scholarship. Horne says it would be difficult to fit the football team on the field when the Golden Band from Tigerland plays the “Star Spangled Banner…

Cut 7 (12) “…is threatened.”  

Horne believes this anthem controversy has been blown out of proportion…

Cut 8 (11) “…about nothing.” 

Landry is also calling on the NCAA to mandate that student athletes are present for the national anthem.

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Millions are excited for Monday’s total solar eclipse but mother nature may have other plans. Gary Chatelain (Shat-ta-lane) with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says they’re expecting cloudy skies on Monday before strong storms arrive.

Cut 9 (13) “…the day.” 

Chatelain says it will be mostly cloudy during the peak hours early Monday afternoon, but there is still a chance to see the moon block the sun.

Cut 10 (12) “…pretty limited. “

If you plan to travel to view the total eclipse, a storm system will push through north Louisiana by Monday afternoon. Chatelain says unfortunately Louisianans won’t get the full effect of the Great American Eclipse.

Cut 11 (10) “…by clouds.”

The total eclipse begins around 12:30 and ends by 3:10 in the Bayou State.

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The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class with a ceremony in Baton Rouge tomorrow (Saturday) night highlighted by two term Governor John Bel Edwards. Louisiana Political Museum director Shonna Moss says Edwards is being honored for his dedication of political service.

Cut 12 (13) “…justice reform.” 

This year’s Hall of Fame includes seven new members. Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster is one of the inductees. Moss says Engster has been a talk show host since 1998.

Cut 13 (13) “..Rag Magazine.”

The 2024 class also consists of former state representative Joe Delpit, former state senator Louis Lambert,  former newspaper reporter Ed Anderson who passed away in 2015, former Board of Regents chair Richard Lipsey, and former Louisiana Chemical Association president Dan Borne’.

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame is located in Winnfield and has 243 members with the latest inductees.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

That’s more like it. The 18th ranked LSU baseball team defeated sixth ranked Vanderbilt ten to six yesterday. Josh Pearson got the scoring started with a solo home run in the third inning. The Tigers scored six runs in that inning and three more in the fourth inning to chase Vandy starting pitcher Gresyen Carter. Luke Holman was the winning pitcher and Griffin Herring pitched 3.1 innings of shutout ball to earn his third save. Game two tonight at 7 PM.

The Ragin Cajuns and U-L-M Warhawks begin a three-game series tonight in Lafayette. The Cajuns have the nation’s longest winning streak at 12 games. The Warhawks are 3-and-6 in the Sun Belt.

Louisiana Tech is home to take on Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders have lost six in a row. Tech’s Ethan Bates has been named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch list. He’s the first Bulldog player to be named to the list. He leads the Bulldogs in hits, RBIs and the country in saves.

When LSU hired Blake Baker as defensive coordinator, many wondered how he would maximize linebacker Harold Perkins. Baker says they are trying to find out what he does best and utilize his skill set….
Cut 17 (20) “…right now”
Incoming freshman cornerback P-J Woodland from Hattiesburg, Mississippi has impressed Baker. At practice he’s working with the first-team.

Starting August 1st, Louisiana casinos will no longer offer prop bets on college athletes. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says the policy will protect the integrity of sports betting as well as the safety of the student-athlete…
cut 28 (130 “…bettor”

8:30 LRN Newscast

A bill to repeal a section of a 2022 law that calls for the installation of ticket writing speed cameras on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge heads to the Senate Floor. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Governor Landry has sent a letter to the state’s higher education boards calling on them to develop a policy that requires student-athletes to be present for the national anthem or risk losing their scholarships. The Louisiana Democratic Party says Landry is engaging in divisive rhetoric.

Global Seamless Tubes & Pipes has chosen northwest Louisiana as the site for its first U.S. production facility. The 35-million dollar investment will be made in the Desoto Parish town of Mansfield. Mansfield Mayor Thomas Jones says Global Seamless Tubes and Pipes will bring quality jobs to the local economy.
Cut 14 (06) “…part of history.”
The India-based company expects to create 135 direct new jobs.

Monday is the Great American Eclipse and much of the state will get 90-percent or higher of totality. Southeast Louisiana its around 75-percnet. Tulane School of Medicine , Chair of Ophthalmology, Doctor David Hinkle, recommends ceritified eclispe glasses and beware of fake ones…
cut 8 (07) “…..to wear”
Looking at the eclipse without proper eyewear can lead to permanent damage to your eyes.

7:30 LRN Newscast

If you plan on viewing Monday’s eclipse it’s imperative to have proper eyewear. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Will the weather cooperate for Monday’s eclipse? Northwest Louisiana is set to get the best look with totality at 90 to 95-percent. But the National Weather Service in Shreveport says confidence is increasing for the threat of strong to severe thunderstorms late on Monday. The probability of cloudy skies for eclipse viewing continues to increase as well.

Haughton Representative Dodie Horton is leading the effort for Louisiana to become the first state in the nation where it would be mandated for public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. The House Education Committee approved this proposal, despite concerns its not constitutional, because it’s not a separation of church and state. But Horton disagrees…
cut 12 (08) “…first lawgiver”
The measure heads to the House floor.

A law passed in 2022 calls for ticket writing speed cameras to be installed on the I-10 the Atchafalaya Basin bridge. But New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez has a bill to repeal that section of the law. He believes law enforcement officers should be writing tickets and issuing fines…
cut 6 (12) “….fight crime”
The proposal is waiting for discussion on the Senate floor.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The 18th ranked LSU baseball team snapped a four game losing streak last night with a ten to six win over sixth ranked Vanderbilt to open a three-game series against the Commodores. The Tigers scored six runs in the third inning. It started with a Josh Pearson home run, a Paxton Kling walk, a bunt single by Steven Milam and then Vanderbilt shortstop Jonathan Vastine committed an error on a groundball hit by Mac Bingham. Coach Jay Johnson…
cut 20 (20) “…right there”
Game two of the series is tonight at 7 PM. Starting series tonight. U-L-M is at U-L Lafayette at La Tech hosts Middle Tennessee.

LSU guard Hailey Van Lith did not declare for the WNBA draft. Instead, Van Lith is entering the transfer portal. The Washington native will look to play her final season of eligibility at another school. She averaged 12 points a game this past season.

Former Ragin Cajuns starting power forward Joe Charles is transferring to McNeese. Charles is from Carencro and averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds a game for U-L Lafayette this past season.

In LSU spring football, early enrollee P-J Woodland has been taking snaps with the first-team defense. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker says the four-star cornerback out of Hattesburg, Mississippi, is a competitor who has all the tools…
cut 18 (17) “…few days”

6:30 LRN Newscast

The House Education Committee approves legislation that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public classroom from elementary school to college. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton is a co-author of the bill and says The Ten Commandments are a historical document on which all laws are based
Cut 10 (08) “…classrooms”
The measure passed on a ten to three vote. Representative Barbara Freiberg, a Republican from Baton Rouge, was one of the three no votes…
Cut 11 (14) “…to do”
Despite Freiberg’s objection, the measure heads to the House floor.

The 18th ranked LSU baseball beat Vanderbilt 10 to 6 last and in women’s basketball…LSU’s Hailey Van Lith has entered the transfer portal.

As we count down to Monday’s total solar eclipse you need to be aware of the dangers of viewing the astronomical marvel without proper eye protection. Tulane School of Medicine, Chair of Ophthalmology Dr. David Hinkle says while it’s extremely tempting to look directly at the eclipse…
Cut 7 (11) “…a lifetime.”
Even though Louisiana is not in the direct path of the total eclipse, Hinkle highly recommends certified eclipse glasses with the ISO 12312-2 filter.

A pipe and tube manufacturer from India has decided to build its first U-S production facility in Mansfield. The project will create 135 direct jobs. DeSoto Parish juror, Trina Boyd Simpson, says Globlal Seamless Tubes and Pipes will revitalize the former Hensley facility…
cut 16 (10) “…the map”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

For the third consecutive weekend, LSU baseball is taking on a team ranked in the top ten. A series against seventh ranked Vanderbilt begins tonight. Coach Jay Johnson says the Commodores do not hit for a lot of power but they can run the bases…
cut 18 (17) “…right now”
LSU needs a series a victory, they are two and seven in the SEC. First pitch is at 6 PM.

Lady Tigers guard Hailey Van Lith did not declare for the WNBA draft. She had 48 hours to do so following the loss to Iowa. But she is not returning to LSU. Van Lith has decided to enter the transfer portal after averaging 12 points a game this past season while learning the point guard position.

The Pelicans lost their third in a row last night, a 117 to 108 defeat to the Magic. And Zion Williamson has an injured finger. He did not play down the stretch in last night’s loss. New Orleans is trying to avoid the play-in tournament. They need to finish sixth or higher in the West and with six regular season games remaining, they are a half-a-game ahead of seventh place Sacramento and Phoenix. The Pels host San Antonio tomorrow.

Former Ragin Cajuns starting power forward Joe Charles plans on transferring to McNeese. Charles is from Carencro and averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds a game for U-L Lafayette this past season.

The Saints have signed another linebacker. Former Washington Commander Khaleke Hudson. The former Michigan Wolverine played mostly special teams for Washington after he was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 draft.

The LSU gymnastics team competes in the NCAA Regionals tonight. They are in the Fayetteville Regional and will need to finish in the top two of tonight’s four-team session in order to compete in the regional final.