7:30 LRN Newscast

Court documents show Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet was involved in a kickback scheme that’s resulted in the conviction of Dusty Guidry of Youngsville on three federal charges. Records from the U-S Attorney’s office indicates Montoucet signed a contract for a program set up by Guidry, where people ticketed for minor violations can take educational courses for hunting and boating licenses through a private company and the violations would be dismissed. Montoucet has not commented on this matter.

Optimism among Louisiana’s small businesses continued to slide in the 1st Quarter of the year. The National Federation of Independent Business maintains a Small Business Optimism Index, which shows a 15th straight month of decline. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says inflation, labor shortages and a post-pandemic lack of customers are the main reasons why…
Cut 10 (12) “…about the future.”

This weekend is the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Teiko Foxx reports it’s been a tough year for strawberry producers…
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

New federal data shows suicide rates increased four-percent in 2021 after two years in decline. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Doctor Rahn Bailey reminds those in need there’s a new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number 9-8-8…
cut 9 (04) “…best advice”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

For the first time in nine years, the LSU baseball team hit two grand slams in one game and the top ranked Tigers went on to beat Kentucky last night 16 to six to open a three-game series against the 12th ranked Wildcats. Jordan Thompson hit the first grand slam in the first inning. Coach Jay Johnson….
cut 27 (06) “…level swing”
Brayden Jobert hit a grand slam in the second inning and that was followed by Cade Beloso with a three-run homer. The one negative, second baseman, Gavin Dugas left the game with a shoulder injury and his status for the rest of the series is unknown.

The Ragin Cajuns are tied for first place in the Sun Belt heading into this weekend. U-L Lafayette hosts Troy tonight. The Trojans are 6-and-6 in league play. ULM hosts South Alabama. Louisiana Tech is also at home to host FIU.

Spring football is over for ULM and Warhawks Coach Terry Bowden saw enough to believe his team is ready to compete for a conference championship in the Sun Belt…
cut 17 (17) “…expect to do”

Louisiana Tech announces it will have a spring game on April 22nd at 11 AM. The game consist of two-15 minute running clock halves with a ten-minute halftime.

Despite numerous injuries, LSU has earned a spot in the NCAA Gymnastics Final Four. The Tigers posted a score of 197.475 in the semifinals yesterday in Fort Worth, Texas. LSU seeks its first title in program history on Saturday.

LSU men’s basketball announces Baton Rouge area natives Jalen Cook from Tulane and Jordan Wright from Vanderbilt have transferred to LSU.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed tells the House Appropriations Committee the state is seeing fewer students obtaining the state funded TOPS scholarship. Reed says it’s a concern….
cut 13 (13) “…as well”
Reed says based on last year’s number 14-percent of TOPS eligible students went to school out of state and another 15-percent, eight-thousand TOPS eligible students, did not go anywhere. She says they would like to know what those high school grads are doing now.

The state director of the NFIB, Dawn McVea, says optimism among small business owners continues to slide as a result of labor shortages and inflation. McVea says many owners need to raise prices on their products, but they are reluctant to do so…
cut 11 (07) “…..prices any longer”

Suicide rates in 2021, increased by four percent from the previous year in the U.S. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The top-ranked LSU Baseball team will host 12th-ranked Kentucky in a 3-game series starting tonight. The Wildcats are much improved from last season with a 9-3 conference record. LSU Coach Jay Johnson credits their success to a top-ten transfer class and selfless play…
Cut 16 (19) “…very successfully.”
Kentucky likes playing small ball, they lead the SEC with 30 sacrifice bunts and they’ve stolen a league high 57 bases.

In college baseball last night, ULM upended La Tech eight to five, Southeastern Louisiana edged the Cajuns five to four and McNeese rallied in the ninth to beat Rice seven to six.

LSU men’s basketball announces Baton Rouge area natives Jalen Cook from Tulane and Jordan Wright from Vanderbilt have transferred to LSU.

The Pelicans season ended last night with a loss to Oklahoma City. When January started, New Orleans was one of the top teams in the league, but injuries derailed them. CJ McCollum played much of the season with thumb and shoulder injuries, and says staying healthy next year will be key…
Cut 4 (11) “ going to take.”
McCollum says he’s getting surgery on this thumb and may need shoulder surgery as well.

Two weeks from tonight is the first round of the NFL draft. Could New Orleans use that pick on a quarterback. Ross Jackson, host of Locked on Saints podcast, says with the signing of Derek Carr, the Black and Gold will likely not take a Q-B in the first round…
cut 20 (18) “….another weapon”

LRN PM newscall

Colorado State University’s predictions for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane have been released. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The House Commerce Committee has approved legislation that would allow the attorney general to fine porn sites that do not follow a state law that requires users to verify their age. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The Pelicans’ season ended last night with a loss to Oklahoma City in the NBA’s play-in tournament. When 2023 started, New Orleans was one of the top team’s in the league. Then Zion Williamson got hurt and the team suffered through other injuries. Coach Willie Green says it’s disappointing…

Cut 3 (08) “…can be”

Williamson only played in 29 games this season because of a hamstring injury. Forward Brandon Ingram missed nearly half the with a toe injury and one of their top players off the bench Jose Alvarado missed 20 games down the stretch with an injury. CJ McCollum played much of the season with thumb and shoulder injuries and he says staying healthy next year will be a key…

Cut 4 (12)  “     going to take” 

Brandon Ingram had 30 points in a losing effort last night. He also acknowledges injuries were an issue all season long…

Cut 5 (12) “…play games”

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Colorado State University researchers are predicting a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season for 2023. Research Assistant Tyler Barbero (Bah-rare-oh) says they are forecasting 13 named storms of which six would be hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane status.

Cut 6 (10)  “…ocean currently.” 

Researchers cite the likely development of El Nino as the primary factor for the below-average prediction for 2023.

And while a slightly below-average hurricane season prediction is welcome news for Bayou State residents, especially after 2020 and 2021, Barbero says to always have a hurricane plan in place regardless.

Cut 7 (10)  “…prepare as always.” 

The CSU prediction for a major hurricane to make landfall this season along the Gulf Coast, which stretches from the Florida panhandle westward to Brownsville, Barbero says is 28 percent.

Cut 8 (10)  “…average probability.” 

The CSU team will issue forecast updates on June 1st, July 6th, and August 3rd.

The first tropical storm of the 2023 season will be named Arlene, followed by Bret, Cindy, and Don.

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Legislation that requires personal locator beacons on life jackets of offshore workers being transported offshore by aircraft was approved by the House Commerce Committee. Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his bill was designed to help a family in his district who lost a son after a helicopter crash in 2008.

Cut 9 (11) “…locator devices.”

The requirement for personal beacons was supposed to be part of earlier legislation known as “Jacob’s Law,” but was amended out because it was too expensive. Romero says prices have come down and the devices are now around $200.

Cut 10 (12) “…oil location.” 

New Orleans Representative Candace Newell (new-ELL) believes cost should not impede progress on offshore worker safety and says the legislature should move forward with keeping offshore workers safe.

Cut 11 (08)  “…passionate bill.”

Romero’s bill now heads to the house floor.

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A House committee advances a bill to let the attorney general crack down on adult websites who do not age verify users as adults. In the House Commerce Committee, bill sponsor and Jefferson Parish Representative Laurie Schlegel says her bill is a follow-up to a bill passed last year that requires all adult websites to require users to verify they are adults…:

Cut 12 (07) “…into the bill.” 

Under the bill, violators could face fines of up to $5-thousand for every day they are non-compliant. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell (new-ELL) was the sole “no” vote on Schlegel’s bill. She is concerned with the bill’s language, though she says she’s all for keeping kids off adult sites…:

Cut 13 (11) “…in its consequences.”

Newell worries the bill, if passed, could render a website intended to offer sex education vulnerable to attack by an overzealous prosecutor. Schlegel says her bill uses the well-regarded Miller Test: a three-point tool used to gauge obscenity, and no legitimate website or public library website has anything to worry about…:

Cut 14 (10)  “…on the internet.”

By a vote of 15-to-1, the measure moves forward to the House floor.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The top ranked LSU baseball team begins a series against 12th ranked Kentucky tonight down a few arms in the bullpen. Coach Jay Johnson says Garret Edwards and Chase Shores are out for the series with arm injuries, while Nate Ackenhausen is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Johnson says it’s an unfortunate reality but the Tigers will have to power on…
Cut 17 (17) “…to go.”
At least LSU has Paul Skenes on the mound tonight. He’s five and one with a 1.14 ERA. First pitch tonight is at 6 PM at Alex Box Stadium.

Last night, ULM beat La Tech for a second time this season, sweeping the series as the Warhawks downed the Bulldogs eight to five. Southeastern Louisiana ended the Cajuns six-game winning streak with a five to four win over U-L Lafayette. And McNeese scored three runs in the ninth inning to beat Rice seven to six.

The Pelicans season came to an end last night as New Orleans lost to Oklahoma City in the play-in tournament. The Thunder rolled past the Pels 123 to 118, despite 30 points from Brandon Ingram. Ingram says injuries kept this team from reaching its full potential…
cut 5 (12) “…play games”
CJ McCollum says he’ll need surgery on his thumb in the offseason and might also need shoulder surgery as well.

Louisiana Tech signee Paris Guillory has been anmed the Class 3A Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Guillory completed a standout career at St. Louis Catholic in Lake Charles by averaging 27 points, 11 rebounds and four assists a game this past season.

This afternoon, the LSU Gymnastics squad competes in the semifinals of the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Edwards and teachers are pushing for the approval of a teacher pay raise of at least two-thousand dollars a year. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says a proposed two-thousand dollar teacher pay hike will cost the state an additional 196-million dollars a year and what happens when state revenues decline…
cut 13 (07) “….to put that in”

With Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s announcement he’s running for Secretary of State. That’s three candidates vying for the seat currently occupied by Kyle Ardoin, who is not running for re-election. PSC Member Mike Francis and businessman Brandon Trosclair are also running. Schexnayder, a Republican from Ascension Parish, says he has the ability to reach across the aisle…
cut 6 (12) “….right there”

Preliminary research finds CBD provides therapeutic pain management for former professional athletes. Teiko Foxx explains…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims passed away yesterday morning unexpectedly at age of 54. “Big Daddy” was his nickname and the DeRidder native was a standout player for the Tigers from 1987 to 1991. In 2018, his son, Wayde Sims, who also played basketball at LSU, was fatally shot outside of Southern’s campus.

7:30 LRN Newscast

A big discussion on public school funding took place in yesterday’s House Appropriations Committee meeting. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala believes A and B graded school systems should be awarded with additional state funding. He believes that philosophy will incentivize average to below average performing school systems…
Cut 14 (12) “…get something done”
But Marrero Representative Rodney Lyons says a lack of effort is not why Louisiana has “D” and “F” graded schools…
Cut 15 (06) “…we are.”
The teacher pay raise proposal and funding for public school discussion will continue for the remainder of the legislative session.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder announces he’s running for Secretary of State this fall as he looks to replace fellow Republican Kyle Ardoin, who is not running for re-election. The Secretary of State’s main job is overseeing elections and Schexnayder commends Ardoin’s work for the office’s top ten rating for election integrity…
cut 5 (09) “….do better”
PSC member Mike Francis and grocery store owner Brandon Trosclair are the other candidates.

In February of 2022, a six-year-old girl in Slidell was struck and killed while crossing the parking lot at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. Slidell Representative Bob Owen has filed legislation that would require certain safety protocols when students are picked up or dropped off from elementary school…
cut 9 (08) “…entire communities”
One of the components of Owen’s bill is requiring students under the age of ten be accompanied by a school employees in the pick-up-drop off area.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans season came to an end last night with a 123 to 118 loss to Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 second-half points to lead the Thunder past New Orleans in the play-in tournament game. S-G-A finished with 32 points.

Coach Willie Green says it’s a disappointing end to the season. When Zion Williamson was healthy, the Pels looked like one of the best teams in the NBA, but Zion has been out since early January and other injuries also crippled their team…
cut 29 (24) “….that’s the deal”
The Pelicans finished with a record of 42-and-41.

Sad news involving LSU men’s basketball as Wayne Sims died unexpectedly yesterday at the age of 54. He was a standout player for the Tigers from 1987 to 1991, helping the Bayou Bengals reach the NCAA Tournament four times.

The Top ranked LSU baseball team begins a three game series tonight against 11th ranked Kentucky. The Wildcats like to play small ball, which means they’ll bunt. Coach Jay Johnson says third baseman Tommy White will need to be ready…
cut 18 (21) ”
First pitch tonight at 6 PM.

In college baseball last night, ULM scored five runs in the fifth inning and upended Louisiana Tech eight to five to sweep the season series from the Bulldogs. Southeastern Louisiana edged the Ragin Cajuns five to four and McNeese scored three runs in the ninth inning to beat Rice seven to six.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder is hoping to earn the title of Secretary Schexnayder by running for Secretary of State. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

At the state capitol yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would increase the pay of first responders by 12-hundred dollars a year.

Also former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims has died at the age of 54, while the Pelicans lost last night to Oklahoma City to end their season.

After six-year-old Emma Bell Savoie (Sah-voy) was killed by a car in her school’s parking lot in Slidell last year, Representative Bob Owen has filed legislation to keep other students from the same fate. It’s called the “Safe Path to School Bill,” and it requires elementary schools to have safety protocols when students are dropped off and picked up.
Cut 7 (08) “…from school.”
The legislation will be heard in the House Education Committee.

LSU Health Sciences Shreveport is involved in a study that found topical CBD can help with pain management for former elite athletes and the only side effect reported was dry skin for 50-percent of the participants…
cut 11 (13) “…pain scores”
Doctor Kevin Murnane hopes CBD can be an option to control pain, instead of opioids.