4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team will try to go to 2-0 in SEC play with a win tonight at home against Vanderbilt. The Tigers have played better since Tulane transfer Jalen Cook was granted eligiblity in mid-December. Cook in four games is averaging 14 points and nearly five assists a game. Coach Matt McMahon says Cook has been a real shot in the arm…
cut 17 (18) “….the team”
LSU is 9-5 overall, while Vanderbilt is 5-9. Tip off is at 8 PM.

McNeese is 2-0 in the Southland after beating Northwestern State 68-59 last night. Shadada Wells had 18 points and five assists. Nicholls hosts Southeastern Louisiana tonight. Both teams won their conference opener.

Dennis Allen says he expects to be back next season as the Saints head coach. Allen went 7-10 in his first season and now 9-8. He was asked about a divide between the players and coaches over the decision to score a touchdown in the final seconds of Sunday’s blowout win over Atlanta. Allen answered the question this way…
cut 20 (10) “…fracture”
The Saints will have the 14th pick in the first round of the draft and Nola-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan is reporting former Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden could be an added to the Saints coaching staff.

The Advertiser is reporting a suspension that kept Ragin Cajuns wide receiver Lance LeGendre on the sidelines for the entire 2023 season has been lifted. Legendre was suspended from the team after he was arrested in July on charges of battery of a dating partner. The charges were dropped in October.

LRN PM Newscall January 9

One of Jeff Landry’s first acts as governor is calling lawmakers to the state capitol for a redistricting session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A statewide poll of 650 likely voters finds car and home insurance rates are the number one issue for Louisianans. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Governor Jeff Landry has issued the call for a redistricting special session. It will begin Monday and legislators will have until January 23rd at 6 PM to finish their work. Senate President Cameron Henry says legislators will redraw the Congressional and Supreme Court map and debating a move to a closed primary elections…

Cut 3 (09) “…get done.”

Moving from open primary elections to closed primaries would be a major change in how we elect our officials. Henry says the special session is at least giving legislators the ability to debate this issue and can vote on it at a later time…

Cut 4 (08) “…cost of it.”

Currently all of the candidates are placed on a primary ballot, regardless of party and the top two vote getters head into a runoff, unless one of the candidates has a majority of the vote. A closed party primary system would have Republicans and Democrats holding their own primaries and the winners facing each other in a general election.

Henry says a closed party primary election would end the December run-off in Congressional elections, which  hurts newly elected U-S Representatives and Senators when it comes to seniority…

Cut 5 (10) “ …which is huge” 

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A JMC Analytics poll reveals 26 percent of Louisianans believe the cost of homeowner and car insurance is the biggest issue in the Bayou State. Legislation addressing the state’s high insurance premiums will be discussed in the regular session that begins in the spring and Pollster John Couvillon says residents will be paying attention to what lawmakers are going to do.

Cut 6 (07) “…insurance commissioner.” 

Homeowners in Louisiana pay on average about two thousand dollars every year for insurance. And Louisiana ranked second to Florida for the highest car insurance rates.

The poll of 650 likely voters indicates crime is the third top issue right behind education and healthcare. Couvillon says a new legislature will tackle crime in a special session next month. With Louisiana ranked one of the most dangerous state in the country in 2023, he says it’s not shocking that crime is an issue for Louisianans.

Cut 7 (06) “…couple years.” 

Taxes and spending ranked fourth, inflation ranked fifth, and social issues like abortion ranked sixth.

During the regular session, Couvillon says Governor Jeff Landry and the new legislature will have to solve issues that are important to residents across the state.

Cut 8 (13) “…right now.” 

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Among Governor Landry’s first actions in office was overturning the appeals process for high school seniors who fail the LEAP exam. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says Landry mentioned early on that he was against this particular proposal for waving those graduation requirements…

Cut 9 (08) “…in office.” 

Erwin says if the governor hadn’t issued the executive order, he believes incoming BESE members would have overturned the appeal process that was at the center of controversy…

Cut 10 (12) “…requirements.” 

Erwin also points out that the governor makes three appointments to BESE.

Louisiana is the only state in the country that does not have an appeals process. Erwin says the debate highlighted two issues… one that the process was for students who were not fluent in English, and two that this particular process was implemented at the end of Edward’s term.

Cut 11 (12) “…the future.”

The first BESE Board meeting for 2024 is scheduled for January 17th.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The college football season ended last night with Michigan defeating Washington 34-13 for its first national championship since 1997. The final AP Top 25 poll came out today and the LSU Tigers are ranked 12th.

Saints quarterback Derek Carr ended up throwing for 3,878 yards this past season with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Carr received plenty of criticism from the fanbase during the season, but finished the year strong. Coach Dennis Allen says there are several reasons why Carr played well down the stretch…
Cut 19 (26) “…he’s played.”
There’s a report the Saints are looking at bringing in former head coach Jon Gruden as an addition to its coaching staff.

8:30 LRN Newscast

On his first day in office, Governor Jeff Landry released the call for a special session and issued two executive orders. The special session to redraw the Congressional map will begin next Monday and last until January 23rd. The session will also give legislators the opportunity to vote on a proposal to move Louisiana from open primary elections to closed primaries.

An executive order vetoes the graduation appeal process approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Several BESE members wanted to give high school seniors other options to graduate if they did not pass the LEAP exam.

Legislative leaders have been selected. Eunice Republican Phillip Devillier is House Speaker, Pineville Representative Mike Johnson is Speaker Pro Tem, Metairie Republican Cameron Henry is Senate President and Baton Rouge Democrat Regina Barrow is Senate President Pro Tem…
cut 9 (08) “…very much”

COVID and flu cases are circulating in Louisiana at high levels.…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Library usage is on the rise. A new report shows nine million people visited libraries in 2022, up 21-percent from 2021. State Librarian Meg Placke says it’s welcome news after a dip during the pandemic…
cut 10 (08) “….we have”
Patrons checked out more than 46 million items in 2022.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Eunice Republican Phillip DeVillier begins his first full day as Louisiana’s House Speaker. He was sworn in yesterday shortly after a new Legislature took the oath of office. The 47-year-old says a new Legislature brings new hope and a sense of unity to accomplish great things…
cut 30 (14) “…succeeds”
Pineville Republican Mike Johnson was named Speaker Pro-Tem.

Senators elected Metairie Republican Cameron Henry as their new President and Baton Rouge Democrat Regina Barrow as President Pro Tem. Barrow gave an emotional speech…
cut 7 (13) “…he knew”
Chairmanships will be announced this week.

The flu is going around and we still are not at the peak of the season. Ochsner Medical Director Doctor Sandra Kemmerly says they’ve seen an increase in flu-like respiratory illnesses…
cut 5 (12) “….we perform”

Library visits in Louisiana increased by 21 percent in 2022 and it’s not just about books. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The college football season ended last night with Michigan beating Washington 34-13. The Wolverines are national champions for the first time since 1997. Now we wait to see if Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh will make a jump to the NFL.

The NFL Network reports Dennis Allen will remain the Saints head coach. Allen told reporters on Monday he also expects to be back in 2024 but knows he has to do a better job…
Cut 18 (19) “…didn’t.”
Nola-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan says the Saints are expected to make changes to their coaching staff and former head coach Jon Gruden could be addition.

The LSU men’s basketball team has a chance to go 2-0 in the SEC tonight when they host Vanderbilt. The Tigers won their SEC opener on Saturday night against Texas A-and-M, while the Commodores are 5-9 overall. But Coach Matt McMahon says they can’t take Vandy lightly…
Cut 16 (16) “..recent games.”
Tip off is at 8 PM.

Last night, McNeese improved to 2-0 in Southland play with a 68-59 win over Northwestern State. The Demons fell to 0-2. It’s the first time in 39 years that the Pokes have started league play with two victories on the road.

Also last, UNO outscored Texas A-and-M Commerce 88-85. Southern downed Prairie View A-and-M 79 to 58 and Texas Southern topped Grambling 54-52.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A lawsuit has been filed to block the state from enforcing a new law that prohibits certain procedures to alter the sex of a minor child. Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit on behalf of five Louisiana transgender youth. Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan says the ban prohibits their clients from either moving from one treatment to another or inhibits their ability to start any treatment…
cut 15 (12) “….this ban”
The author of the legislation, Pollock Republican Gabe Firment, says the lawsuit was expected, but appellate courts in other states have upheld similar laws.

The call for a special redistricting session went out late Monday afternoon. It will begin next Monday afternoon and must conclude on January 23rd. Lawmakers will attempt to redraw the state’s Congressional district map and the Supreme Court map.

Louisiana is seeing the highest activity level of flu and COVID cases in the nation. Ochsner Medical Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says the seasonal flu shouldn’t be taken lightly and the best protection is getting vaccinated.
Cut 4 (12) “…some cases.”
According to the Department of Health, emergency room visits in the state between December 17 through 23 were at 14 percent – the highest in more than a decade and double the national average.

The NFL Network reports Dennis Allen is expected to remain the Saints head coach. Colleen Crain…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Controversy at the end of Sunday’s Saints game as New Orleans scored a touchdown with three seconds left to give them a 48-17 margin of victory over Atlanta. Falcons coach Arthur Smith thought it was poor sportsmanship, Saints coach Dennis Allen says he just wanted to take a knee, but quarterback Jameis Winston says the team decided they wanted to give running back Jamaal Williams his first and only touchdown of the season…
cut 13 (09) “…good about that”
There are some analysts who say it’s a sign Allen has lost the team. But NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says Allen is expected to return next season as head coach. Allen says he has to do a better job.

The Pelicans started a five game road trip last night with a convincing 133 to 100 win over Sacramento. New Orleans has won 10 of its last 14.

It was a productive weekend for the LSU football program. On Saturday, they received a verbal commitment from the nation’s number one prospect for the Class of 2025, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood. Underwood chose the Tigers over Michigan, Alabama, Colorado, Florida State, Oregon and Penn State. LSU’s 2025 recruiting class is now ranked number one.

And Friday night, LSU announced it hired Blake Baker to be Tigers’ next defensive coordinator. Baker turned around Missouri’s defense and Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says coach Brian Kelly needs this hire to work out…
cut 17 (10) “….banking on”
Baker was LSU’s linebackers coach in 2021. He was the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech from 2015 to 2018. The Houston native is also a former Tulane linebacker. This past season, Baker played a major role in Missouri’s 11-2 season. Mizzou was fourth in the SEC in scoring defense and fifth in total defense.

LRN PM Newscall January 8

The potential for tornadoes hail, and flash flooding is expected for south Louisiana thru early tomorrow morning. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Mudbug season is questionable this year, after the heat and drought of 2023. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Severe weather is expected to impact the southern half of Louisiana for the next several hours. National Weather Service Meteorologist Christopher Bannan says flash flooding is possible this afternoon thru early tomorrow morning for southeast Louisiana…

Cut 3 (12) “…eight inches.”

Bannan says a strong line of storms could be capable of producing some tornadoes, which is why a tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana..

Cut 4 (11) “…strong tornadoes.”

Once the line starts to develop, it will move to the east quickly and out of the Bayou State by early morning.

Bannan says there’s a moderate risk for flash flooding for southeast Louisiana…

Cut 5 (13) “ …potential develops.” 

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This crawfish season is among the most questionable in the Bayou State after the oppressive heat and drought of 2023. LSU AgCenter Crawfish Specialist Todd Fontenot says conditions have made it extremely difficult for the state’s favorite crustacean crop to thrive.

Cut 6 (08) “…this time.” 

Crawfish normally lay eggs in August but the drought dried out those areas where they normally retreat to reproduce.

Fontenot says many crawfish farmers made adjustments, for example, those who rotate from rice to crawfish, he says they irrigated post-harvest.

Cut 7 (11) “…as big as an effect.” 

On the bright side, Fontenot says the mild winter we’ve had so far has improved conditions for crawfish. But he’s quick to point out that for some farmers salinity issues and lack of rice stubble have devastated their mudbug crop.

Cut 8 (08) “…producers.” 

Fontenot says if you’re already craving crawfish, prepare for sticker shock due to the initial lack of supply.

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Eunice Republican Phillip Devillier was elected today as Louisiana’s new Speaker of the House. Devillier was elected to the House in 2015 and his district includes parts of Acadia, Evangeline and St. Landry Parishes. Devillier’s acceptance speech hit on a theme Governor Jeff Landry touched on during his inauguration speech and that’s unity….

Cut 9 (09) “… are coming” 

Devillier says Louisiana faces a lot of challenges and its residents have waited long enough for real change…

Cut 10 (14) “…Louisiana succeeds” 

Senators elected Metairie Republican Cameron Henry as its President. Henry was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2008 and he’s beginning his second term as a state senator…

Cut 11 (05) “…great honor”

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The Saints missed the playoffs despite blowing out Atlanta out 48-17 yesterday to finish with a 9-8 record. There’s a lot of talk about what happened at the end of the game when Jamaal Williams scored a touchdown from one yard out with three seconds left. Coach Dennis Allen didn’t want his team to score again

Cut 12 (10)  “…should be”  

Atlanta Coach Arthur Smith was furious after the game and refused to shake Allen’s hand. Quarterback Jameis Winston says it was a team decision to give Williams the ball so he can finish the year with one touchdown…

Cut 13 (09) “..good about that” 

 

11:30 LRN Newscast

Republican Jeff Landry was sworn in as Louisiana’s 57th governor as the sun set on Baton Rouge yesterday. Landry made a call for unity and he also discussed one of his campaign themes, making Louisiana a safer place. He says too many families are ripped apart by violence…
cut 12 (10) “…..for good”
Landry is planning to hold a special session in February on crime.

Up first is a special session on redrawing the Congressional map, which is expected to take place next week. The courts have ruled that the map should contain two majority-minority districts. Republicans were committed in 2022 to having a map with only one black voting district. Democratic Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields believes the GOP-led Legislature will do the right thing this time…
Cut 9 (07) “…next time.”

Severe weather is expected to impact the Bayou State for next several hours. National Weather Service Meteorologist Meteorologist Christopher Bannan say southeastern Louisiana is facing the greatest threat with flash flooding possible this afternoon thru early tomorrow morning….
Cut 3 (12) “…eight inches.”
Tornadoes and damaging winds are also possible across south Louisiana.

Despite beating Atlanta 48-17 yesterday and winning four of their last five, the Saints did not make the playoffs. Coach Dennis Allen’s team went 9-and-8 this season…
cut 14 (14) “…fight back”
Many analysts are expecting Allen to be back for a third season.