1:30 LRN Newscast

Candidates running for statewide office this fall must submit updated campaign finance reports to the state Ethics Board today. Republican Jeff Landry is expected to report nine million dollars cash on hand. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says that’s a huge number for his opponents to try and keep up with…
Cut 9 (08) “…for competitiveness.”
There are seven major candidates running for governor and qualifying is set for August 8th through the tenth.

LSU football Coach Brian Kelly is in Nashville today as SEC Football Media Days is underway. Kelly says after watching women’s basketball and baseball win national championships, he knows what’s expected from his team as he enters his second year as head coach…
cut 12 (09) “….court now”
LSU kicks off the season September third versus Florida State.

The Advocate which provides news to readers in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette, officially expanded to northwest Louisiana today as Georges Media Group launched the Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate. Publisher Judi Terzotis says they are partnering with the Community Foundation of North Louisiana to help pay for quality journalists…
cut 5 (14) “…hire journalists”
Terzotis says they already have seven reporters working at the Shreveport-Bossier bureau and plan to hire three more.

And global technology company, SLB, plans to hire 600 people as it converts the former General Motors Plant in Shreveport into a digital infrastructure manufacturing facility. SLB Vice President of Industry Affairs of North America Bruce Miller says renovations are underway….
cut 16 (10) “….early 2024″
Production is estimated to reach full capacity at the end of 2026.

10:30 LRN Newscast

The veto override session begins tomorrow, and lawmakers could potentially overturn the governor’s rejection of 25 bills. The driving force of the session is the veto of a measure that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Chair of the House Republican Delegation and Erath Representative Blake Miguez….
Cut 10 (12) “…duck governor.”
Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins will fight to prevent the Republican controlled legislature from overturning the vetoes. He believes a ban on gender affirming care restricts parental rights…
cut 13 (10) “…people’s identity”
The override veto session must end on Saturday.
The Screen Actors Guild is on strike and, along with the already striking Screenwriters Guild, and you can expect big delays before you see any new TV or movies. Jason Bayle is an actor, based in Baton Rouge, who says SAG’s strike is about helping those in the industry who cannot demand multi-million salary deals…:
Cut 7 (10) “…work in entertainment.”
Bayle expects a lengthy work stoppage for actors.

But 600 jobs are coming to Shreveport as global technology company, SLB, announces plans to invest 18.5 million dollars to convert the former General Motors Plant in Shreveport into a digital infrastructure manfuacturing facility. SLB Vice President of Industry Affairs of North America Bruce Miller says renovations are underway….
cut 16 (10) “….early 2024”
Production is estimated to reach full capacity at the end of 2026.

LRN AM Newscall July 16

A Louisiana actor says the walk-out by Hollywood entertainment workers will soon be felt by all of us. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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For the third straight year, lawmakers are returning for a veto override session tomorrow. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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With its $18.5 million investment to set up a manufacturing facility, SLB is bringing hundreds of jobs to the old General Motors Plant in Shreveport. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Starting today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has increased the daily limit for red snapper from three to four for private recreational and state-charter boat fishermen. LDWF fisheries biologist Jason Adriance says the increase is the result of a lower-than-expected harvest rate…

Cut 4 (10)  “…on weekends.”

Adriance says the new daily creel limit of four red snappers also applies to federal waters off Louisiana, except for federally permitted charter boats…

Cut 5 (11)   “…federal waters.”

Adriance says L-D-W-F is happy to relax the regulations and give fishing opportunities back to the public…

Cut 6 (09)  “…the freezer.”

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The Screen Actors Guild has gone on strike and, along with the already striking Screenwriters Guild, you can expect big delays before you see any new TV or movies. Jason Bayle is an actor, based in Baton Rouge, who says SAG’s strike is about helping those in the industry who cannot demand multi-million salary deals…:

Cut 7 (10) “…work in entertainment.”

Bayle says a major issue among SAG members is compensation for work shown on streaming services like Hulu, Prime, or Netflix. He says movies and conventional TV can track ratings, which are used as a basis for pay and residuals. He says streamers treat viewing information as data and generally do not share the info with actors or their agents…:

Cut 8 (12) “…any money in the business.’”

Bayle says streaming technology is just one potential problem for actors and creative people in being fairly paid. He says artificial intelligence (AI) will further erode performers’ rights to proper compensation, and needs to be headed off in strike negotiations. Bayle says, as fall arrives, the effects of the writers’ AND actors’ strikes will soon be felt…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…start to notice it.”

Bayle and others feel the strike and negotiations to resolve it, will take quite some time.

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The veto override session begins tomorrow, and lawmakers could potentially overturn the governor’s rejection of 25 bills. The driving force of the session is the veto of a measure that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Chair of the House Republican Delegation and Erath Representative Blake Miguez….

Cut 10 (12) “…duck governor.”

Miguez believes the Republican super-majority will overturn the governor’s vetoes and predicts the vote will not be down party lines. It will take 70 votes in the House and 26 in the Senate to override a governor’s veto.

Shreveport Representative and Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Sam Jenkins says he’s not surprised about the session, and he believes the governor’s reasoning of why rejected more than two dozen bills is fair. Jenkins says many of the bills are government overreach…

Cut 11 (11)  “…these laws.”

Two other bills that some have deemed as anti-LGBTQ, including a don’t say gay bill have also been vetoed by Governor Edwards. Miguez goes a bit further in referring to the bill banning medical procedures on minors.

Cut 12 (06)    “…of children.” 

Jenkins says the bill to prohibit classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation places an extra burden on teachers, and the other two bills restrict parental rights.

Cut 13 (10) “…people’s identity.” 

Lawmakers could also overturn three-line-item vetoes in state budget bills and legislation to phase out the state’s corporate income tax.

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Global technology company, SLB announces it will invest $18.5 million to convert the former General Motors Plant in Shreveport into a digital infrastructure manufacturing facility. Louisiana Economic Development says the company will create nearly 600 direct jobs over the next three years. Governor John Bel Edwards says this is a historic milestone for economic growth…

Cut 14 (12)  “…long time.”

The company plans to hire 200 people by the end of the year. According to Louisiana Economic Development, the project will result in an additional 700 indirect jobs. SLB Vice President of Industry Affairs of North America Bruce Miller says the company will participate in a solution-based workforce training program to meet employment targets…

Cut 15 (10)  “…we hire.”

Miller says the infrastructure is in place and upgrades are underway to complete the company’s needs. 

Cut 16 (12) “..happening now.”

SLB expects renovations of the facility to be completed by early next year. Production is estimated to reach full capacity by the end of 2026.

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SEC Football Media Days begin today in Nashville. The LSU Tigers are one of three schools that will be featured today as Coach Brian Kelly and players Jayden Daniels, Josh Williams and Mekhi Wingo will speak with hundreds of reporters. Host of the Locked on LSU podcast, Caroline Fenton, says the expectations for the Tigers are much higher heading into the second year of the Brian Kelly era…

Cut 17 (26) “…this year”

LSU exceeded expectations last season, winning the SEC west, playing in the conference title game and winning ten games. So the expectation among fans is to win the SEC championship this year and play for a national title. Fenton says if LSU falls short of those goals, it doesn’t mean the program is taking a step back

Cut 18 (20) “…strides forward” 

Even Kelly said in an interview with the USA Today that with another year of recruiting, 2024 is a more realistic goal to win a national title.

Texas A-and-M and Missouri are the other two schools that will take the podium today. Fenton says the Aggies are an interesting team as Jimbo Fisher enters his sixth season as the head coach of the Aggies…

Cut 19 (24) “…look like” 

4:45 LRN Sportscast

SEC Football Media Days begin next week in Nashville. The LSU Tigers are one of three schools that will be featured Monday as Coach Brian Kelly and players Jayden Daniels, Josh Williams and Mekhi Wingo will speak with hundreds of reporters. Host of the Locked on LSU podcast, Caroline Fenton, says the expectations for the Tigers are much higher heading into the second year of the Brian Kelly era…
Cut 17 (26) “…this year”
The SEC Media poll could select LSU as the favorite to win the SEC West over Alabama.

LSU baseball has landed an All Pac-12 outfielder out of the transfer portal. Mac Bingham will be a fifth year player next season after hitting 10 home runs and hitting .319 for the Arizona Wildcats last season. Bingham played two seasons for Coach Jay Johnson, before Johnson left the Wildcats for LSU.

Good news for Louisiana Sportsmen as the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has increased the red snapper daily creel limit from three to four fish, starting on Monday. LDWF fisheries biologist Jason Adriance says the new daily creel limit of four red snappers also applies to federal waters off of Louisiana, except for federally permitted charter boats…
Cut 28 (11) “…federal waters.”
Adriance says the increase is the result of a lower than expected harvest rate.

LRN PM Newscall

As expected, state lawmakers are coming back for a veto override session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A machete attack of a priest in St. Landry Parish last night leaves a small town in shock. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Lawmakers will return to the State Capitol  next Tuesday for a veto override session. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says Governor Edwards vetoed 25 bills and specific items in three different budget bills…

Cut 3 (12) “….vote as well” 

Lawmakers had until midnight Thursday to cancel the veto session, but the votes fell short of a majority vote needed in either the House or Senate.

Schexnayder says the governor’s veto of a bill to ban gender affirming care of transgender minors has motivated Conservative lawmakers to hold a veto session for a third consecutive year…

Cut 4 (07)  “…canvassing bill” 

Representative Les Farnum’s bill would move voters to an inactive list if they have not voted in ten years and they would then be purged from the voter rolls if they do not correspond with the Secretary of State’s Office or fail to vote in two federal elections.

Twelve members in the Senate and 31 members in the House voted to cancel the veto override session. The Legislature will meet at noon on Tuesday and Schexnayder says it will take a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate to override any of the governor’s vetoes…

Cut 5 (11)  “…will get there.”

The veto override session is scheduled to take five days. The Legislature successfully overrode the governor’s veto of a new Congressional district map last year, but in 2021 legislators failed to override a veto of a bill that banned transgender athletes from playing girls sports.

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The small town of Melville in St. Landry Parish is in shock after a man used a machete to attack a priest. Police Chief Phillip Lucas says 58-year-old Johnny Neely of Melville is in custody after the alleged attack on a St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church priest Thursday night.

Cut 6 (12)  “…machete knife.” 

Lucas says the witness who was with Neely fled the scene and called 9-1-1. The priest is listed in critical condition following the attack and Neely faces second-degree attempted murder charges. Lucas says he could also be charged with a hate crime.

Cut 7 (07)  “…head today.” 

Lucas says Neely had been walking around town looking for work and that he has a history of being in and out of jail. Lucas says the investigation is ongoing and the machete attack has shaken the community.

Cut 8 (09)  “…in custody.” 

The priest is being treated for lacerations to his head and body. Neely is also charged with home invasion.

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Cancer patient advocates are thrilled that Governor Edwards has signed four bills into law aimed at getting folks facing cancer the treatments they need. Former state Rep. Julie Stokes is now with the Louisiana Oncology Society and the Survivors Cancer Action Network. She says the bills help assure care without un-needed exclusions and help keep covered treatments in pace with developing medical technologies…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…from last year.”

Biomarker testing allows doctors to gather more and better genetic information with which to formulate cancer treatments.

Stokes says another important bill signed into law by the Governor assures a patient’s right to speedy review and coverage…:

Cut 10 (10)  “…involves cancer.”

The new law also requires insurance to approve whatever oncologists prescribe as treatment.

Another new law taking effect January 1st will offer you the choice to list yourself as a bone marrow donor on your driver’s license; which Stokes says is a now-painless procedure. And the last of the package of bills signed by Governor Edwards provides that health insurance must cover fertility preservation procedures for persons undergoing cancer treatment. Stokes says it’s an advancement for women and for prospective dads…:

Cut 11 (10)  “…and retrieve them.”

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The police chief in Grand Coteau has been arrested after authorities received a tip that Jeffrey Guilbeau was involved in the use and distribution of illegal drugs. St Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says they began surveillance and verified the information.

Cut 12 (05) “…been doing.” 

Guilbeau is charged with distribution, theft, obstruction of justice, and malfeasance in office.

The investigation revealed the drugs involved in the case had been previously seized by police in Grand Coteau. Guidroz says it’s bad enough that the small community has drug dealers…

Cut 13 (09) “…disheartening.”

The investigation is ongoing and Guidroz says other individuals along with more charges could be filed in the case. As for who’s leading the Grand Coteau Police in the meantime…

Cut  14 (11)  “…assistant chief.”

According to KATC-TV in Lafayette, last week Guilbeau turned in his resignation and the following day he withdrew it.

8:30 LRN Newscast

There will be an override veto session at the state capitol next week. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder confirmed it is happening while speaking with Brian Haldane on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge this morning.

The gubernatorial primary is three months from today and a new poll released by Citizens for a New Louisiana shows Republican Jeff Landry is receiving 30-percent of the vote, while Democrat Shawn Wilson is getting 20-percent. Director for Citizens for a New Louisiana, Michael Lunsford, says the other declared candidates are in the single digits…
cut 8 (05) “….that’s it'”
Landry’s gubernatorial campaign says it has nine million dollars in cash on hand after raising 4.5 million dollars since April.

Current Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Shreveport this afternoon to discuss the future of the former General Motors assembly plant. According to the USA Today Network the economic development announcement could mean 600 new jobs.

Plants can suffer from too much extreme heat. An LSU Ag Center horticulture expert provides simple tips on how to keep your plants cool…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette celebrates its 125th anniversary today. School president Joe Savoie says a state senator at the time, Robert Martin, authored legislation to create the university and the school’s first president was Edwin Stephens…
cut 15 (08) “….evolved”

7:30 LRN Newscast

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder told Talk 107-3 FM in Baton Rouge that there will be a veto override session next week. State legislators had until midnight last night to submit a ballot to cancel the override veto session. The governor’s veto of a bill to ban gender affirming care is motivating the Republican led Legislature to hold an override session.

Yet another poll in the governor’s race shows Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry with a comfortable lead over all challengers.
Cut 3 (30) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill. Dr. Nicole Freehill, Assistant Professor of Clinical OB/GYN at LSU Health New Orleans applauds the decision because a large percentage of pregnancies every year are unplanned.
Cut 4 (10) “…unintended pregnancies.”

Today is the 125th birthday of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. It was July 14, 1898, when at that time Governor Murphy James Foster signed an act to establish Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. University president Dr. Joseph Savoie says it was two years later before Lafayette was chosen as the site.
Cut 13 (10) “…the institution.”
The latest statewide economic impact study indicates U-L Lafayette has a statewide economic impact of $2.7 billion dollars on the state.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Football season is around the corner but former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron does not have that itch to coach again. Orgeron told the Advocate Newspaper he’s likely done coaching as the 61-year-old is enjoying his free time since he was fired from LSU in 2021. Orgeron’s name was connected to the vacant head coaching job at Northwestern, but he’s not sure how those rumors started.

Six-foot-five left-handed pitcher Cameron Johnson says he plans on attending LSU after he was selected in the 20th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Johnson pitched for IMG Academy last season and he’s ranked as the 42nd best prospect going into the draft according to M-L-B-dot-com.

Also, right-handed pitcher Christian Little says he will return to LSU next season after he was drafted in the 19th by the New York Mets. Little struggled with a 7.79 ERA last season after transferring in from Vanderbilt.

The Pelicans raced out to an 18-0 lead last night and defeated the Hornets 89 to 83 in Summer League Action. Dereon Seabron had 20 points as he was nine of 13 from the field. Dyson Daniels added 16 points and E-J Liddell had 11 points in 20 minutes. New Orleans is now 3-and-1 and will play one more game this weekend.

LSU men’s basketball will play at least three exhibition games in the Bahamas next month as the Tigers look to have a much better season next year, year two for head coach Matt McMahon. The Tigers will be in the Bahamas from August 6th to the 12th. College teams are allowed to make an international trip every four years.

There is some sad news to report involving the LSU women’s basketball program. Former All-SEC women’s basketball player Danielle Ballard has died at the age of 29 after she was hit by a car at an intersection in Memphis early Thursday morning. The five-foot-nine guard averaged 12 points and seven rebounds during her career from 2012 to 2015.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The FDA has approved the first ever over the counter birth control pill called Opill. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police has issued an endangered-missing child advisory on behalf of the Crowley Police Department. Authorities are searching for 19-month old Liam James was taken by his non-custodial mother, Savannah James. Savannah was last seen driving a 2003 Silver Dodge Caravan with a Louisiana License plate of 8-3-1- C-P-W.

We’ll find out this morning if there will be an override veto session. State lawmakers had until midnight last night to turn in a ballot to cancel the veto session that’s set to begin Tuesday. A new statewide poll finds 70-percent of likely voters say they disapprove of how legislators handled the budget, approving it just before a 6 PM deadline last month….
cut 9 (07) “….anything”
That’s Michael Lunsford, director of the Citizens for a New Louisiana.

Many people don’t like this heat we are seeing as the entire state is once again under a heat advisory as Heat index values could climb above 110-degrees. Louisiana’s summers can be tough on plants and LSU Ag Center horticulture specialist Heather Kirk-Ballard says keep your plants cool and saturated…
cut 10 (12) “…..the heat”
Kirk-Ballard recommends misting plants by using a fine spray nozzle and fertilizer is also a good idea.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

A pitcher in the transfer portal that many fans hoped would go to LSU, is instead is heading to Wake Forest. Chase Burns was a strikeout pitcher at Tennessee the last two seasons and has decided to join the Demon Deacons, who are known for developing pitchers.

Don’t listen to those rumors that former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron might be interested in coaching at Northwestern University. The Wildcats are looking for a new coach after firing Pat Fitzgerald because of a hazing scandal. Orgeron told the Advocate he’s enjoying his time away from coaching and doesn’t plan on coaching again.

The SEC has given Commissioner Greg Sankey a contract extension that will extend through 2028. Sankey helped lure Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, but still needs to get the league to agree on a long-term scheduling format in football. He’ll discuss the future of the conference when he speaks at next week’s SEC Media Days.

LSU’s Angel Reese won the ESPY last night for Best Breakthrough Athlete. In her first season at LSU, Reese helped the Lady Tigers win their first national championship and she became an overnight sensation as a result of her play in the Final Four and she does not plan on stopping…
cut 16 (09) “…cheers”
Reese’s Instagram followers have gone from 100-thousand to over two million.

There is some sad news to report involving the LSU women’s basketball team. Former All-SEC women’s basketball player Danielle Ballard has died at the age of 29 after she was hit by a car at an intersection in Memphis during the overnight hours. The five-foot-nine guard averaged 12 points and seven rebounds during her career from 2012 to 2015.