LRN PM Newscall July 7

The state’s wildlife and fisheries commission approves a plan to conserve the popular redfish. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Approval of the Alzheimer’s medication Leqembi (lah-kem’-bee) is a historic advancement in the treatment of the brain-robbing disease. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A jury has decided 47-year-old Brian Horn should die by lethal injection for killing 12-year-old Justin Bloxom of Stonewall. Justin’s lifeless body was found along a highway in Desoto Parish in 2010. It’s the second time Horn has been convicted and sentenced to die for this brutal crime. Desoto District Attorney Charlie Adams believes this conviction will stick…

Cut 3 (10) “…of people

Horn was convicted the first time in 2014, but the Louisiana Supreme Court vacated the conviction and death sentence over concerns his lawyers infringed on his Sixth Amendment right to effective counsel. Adams says his attorney in the second trial used the same strategy, having Horn admit guilt in the hopes of avoiding the death sentence…

Cut 4 (09)  “…we prevailed.” 

The 47-year-old Horn will be formally sentenced on September 14th. It remains to be seen if the sentence will be carried as it has been since 2010 since an execution has taken place in Louisiana. But Adams says Horn’s case is why Louisiana has the death penalty….

Cut 5 (11)  “…appropriate result.”

Authorities say Horn portrayed himself as a young girl to Justin in an exchange of text messages and made arrangements to pick him up in a taxi cab. Horn was the driver of that cab and strangled Bloxom after the cab ran out of gas on U-S Highway 171 in Stonewall. 

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The state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves stricter catch limits for redfish in state waters in an effort to preserve the population of the popular fish. Commissioner Joe McPherson says sportsmen back their plan of reducing the catch limit from five redfish per day, per angler to three…

Cut 6 (08)  “…fishing success” 

The minimum size allowed would change from 16 to 18 inches and anglers can no longer keep a redfish above 24 inches.

Biologists suggested a limit of four redfish caught per day, per angler. But McPherson says a catch limit of three would speed up the recovery of the redfish population from 30 years to ten years.

Cut 7 (10)  “…are in” 

The plan will undergo a public comment period that last until October 5th. McPherson says the catch limit changes could go into effect in early December, if an oversight committee of the state legislature does not step in…

Cut 8 (12)  “…effect” 

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The FDA’s endorsement of the Alzheimer’s medication Leqembi (lah-kem’-bee), is a beacon of hope for the more than five million Americans with the brain-robbing disease. LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Owen Carmichael says it’s a completely new era for Alzheimer’s disease.

Cut 9 (11)  “…symptoms.”

Carmichael says the medication is a twice-weekly infusion that’s been shown to clear sticky brain plaque linked to the disease.

And while it’s a remarkable advancement, Carmichael cautions Leqembi can have notable side effects.

Cut 10 (09)  “…off the drug.”

The FDA’s accelerated approval of Leqembi also prompted the Center for Medicare Services to announce they’ll pay for the drug via coverage under evidence development. That means patients will be monitored and physicians are required to track their progress similar to a clinical trial.

Carmichael warns the medication is not effective for all Alzheimer’s patients, it’s only effective against those with a specific protein in the brain.

Cut 11 (11)  “…other protein.”

Carmichael says it’s not known yet if long-term use of the medication will reverse one’s brain to pre-Alzheimer’s status and if the medication can wear off.

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The Major League Baseball Draft begins Sunday night and two LSU Tigers could be the first two picks, Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes. The Pittsburgh Pirates have the first pick and D-1 Baseball-dot-com’s Kendall Rogers says he would take Crews….

Cut 12 (12) “…day one” 

The Washington Nationals have the second pick and they could take Skenes, who could get to the major leagues quickly because of his 100-mile per hour fastball.

How high will LSU star Tre Morgan go in the draft? Rogers says Morgan is a great defensive first baseman, who hits for average, but does not have a lot of power

Cut 13 (13) “…with him.”

8:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s Death Row is gaining another inmate. A jury has sentenced convicted child killer Brian Horn to die for the 2010 death of 12-year-old Justin Bloxom of Stonewall. Prosecutors say Horn portrayed himself as a young girl to Justin and made arrangements to pick him up in a taxi cab. Horn was the driver of that cab and he left Bloxom’s body along U-S Highway 171 in DeSoto Parish.

The Colorado State hurricane forecast team has increased its prediction for the Atlantic hurricane season from below-average to above-average…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s proud to announce Louisiana’s personal income rate grew by over six percent in the first quarter of 2023, outpacing the national average and several southern states. University of Louisiana at Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner says the state’s workforce earnings increased slightly, but so did inflation which means more income for social security recipients…
cut 11 (13) “…way up”

The newest Louisiana civil rights trail marker has been unveiled in Jonesboro and it honors the Deacons of Defense, which protected civil rights workers, their families and the black community. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail brings together the events of the 1950s and 60s that put Louisiana at the center of the National Civil Rights Movement…
cut 15 (13) “…Convention Center”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Global business software company 360Insights announces it will move its U.S. headquarters from Delaware to New Orleans. Louisiana Economic Development says the company will bring at least 50 direct jobs and another 50-plus indirect jobs to the Crescent City. Josh Fleig (“FLEG”) is Senior VP of Business Development with Greater New Orleans Inc…
Cut 7 (07) “…development sector.”
LED says 360insights will recruit software development and support workers this summer.

Because of record warm sea surface temperatures, the Colorado State University Hurricane Forecast Team is now predicting an above-average season with 18 named storms. C-S-U researcher Alex DesRosiers says be prepared…
cut 5 (12) “…your community”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was in Jonesboro Thursday to unveil the latest civil rights trail marker. Teiko Foxx reports this one honors the Deacons for Defense Justice which protected civil rights workers, their families and the black community…
Cut 3 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

The state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission votes to reduce the catch limits from five redfish per day per angler to three. The minimum size would increase from 16 to 18 inches, while the maximum would be reduced from 27 to 24. A public comment period will take place before the new rules go into effect.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The first round of the Major League Baseball draft is Sunday night and LSU’s Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes are considered the top two players in the draft, but that doesn’t mean Pittsburgh, who holds the number one pick, will select Crews or Skenes. Baseball America prospect writer Geoff Pontes says M-L-B teams only have so many bonus dollars to spend on drafted players, so the Pirates could draft someone else that may not cost as much…
cut 16 (19) “…could do that”
The SEC has announced Crews as its male athlete of the year. He lead the league with a .429 batting average and lead the nation in walks and runs scored.

The Pelicans have officially announced the re-signing of Herb Jones to a mulit-year contract. The 2021 second round pick is known for his defense and he also averaged 10 points a game last season. New Orleans has also officially added free agent center Cody Zeller. The six-foot-eleven big man averaged seven points and four rebounds a game as a reserve for the Miami Heat last season. And the Pels have signed former second round pick E-J Liddell. The forward from Ohio State missed what would have been his rookie season last year after tearing his A-C-L.

The Pels begin action in the Summer League this afternoon. The oldest player on the roster is 29-year-old Frank Bartley, who is a Baton Rouge native and also starred for the Ragin Cajuns for two seasons from 2016 to 2018.

LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne has created the Livvy Fund to help LSU female athletes secure NIL deals and funds. Dunne is the highest -paid female college athlete in the country, making seven figures. A link to the fund can be found on the Bayou Traditions website.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Colorado State University hurricane researchers are now predicting an above average hurricane season, instead of slightly below average. Alex DesRosiers says record warm sea surface temperatures prompted the revision.
Cut 4 (08) “…intensity.”
The updated forecast is an increase from the 15 named storms predicted on June 1st.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal income growth grew by six-point-two percent in Louisiana during the first quarter of this year, outpacing the national average of 5-point-one percent. But U-L Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner says much of the increase in growth can be attributed to larger social security payments as a result of inflation…
cut 12 (11) “….income growth”

Global business software company 360 Insights announces it is moving its U.S. headquarters to New Orleans. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

LRN AM Newscall July 7

The Colorado State hurricane forecast team has increased its prediction for the Atlantic hurricane season from below-average to above-average. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Global business software company 360 Insights announces it is moving its U.S. headquarters to New Orleans. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was in Jonesboro Thursday to unveil the latest civil rights trail maker. Teiko Foxx reports this one honors the Deacons for Defense Justice which protected civil rights workers, their families and the black community…

Cut 3 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

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Researchers at Colorado State University have revised their original forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season, instead of slightly below average, now it’s expected to be an above-average season.  Alex DesRosiers, a member of the Hurricane Forecast Team at CSU says record warm sea surface temp prompted the revision.

Cut 4 (08)  “…intensity.”

(2023 July CSU predicts 18 named storms, nine hurricanes, four major hurricanes, Cat 3 or higher)

(Previous CSU forecast from April – 13 named storms, six hurricanes, two major hurricanes)

Researchers say there’s more uncertainty than usual due to conflicting signals between warmer than normal waters in the Atlantic and a robust El Nino expected for the peak of hurricane season. DeRosiers says the height of the season is right around the corner. It’s a reason to prepare not to panic…

Cut 5 (12)   “…your community.”

DesRosiers says individuals who live in a coastal community should never let their guard down even if a below-average season is predicted. Last year’s predictions for the Atlantic were slightly below normal, but DeRosiers says it certainly didn’t feel that like after Ian to Floridians

Cut 6 (07)  “…evacuate.”

So far this year, there was a subtropical in January and three tropical storms in June, Arlene, Bret, and Cindy.

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Global business software company 360Insights announces it will move its U.S. headquarters from Delaware to New Orleans. Louisiana Economic Development says the company will bring at least 50 direct jobs and another 50-plus indirect jobs to the Crescent City. Josh Fleig (“FLEG”) is Senior VP of Business Dev elopement with Greater New Orleans Inc. He says the deal had been under works for over a year…:

Cut 7 (07) “…development sector.”

Fleig says GNO Inc. worked with the New Orleans Business Alliance and Louisiana Economic Development to attract 360Insights to move to the Bayou State. He says the state’s Digital Software Development Tax Credit program was a big enticement…:

Cut 8 (12) “…in the area.’”

Fleig says the company’s CEO has already moved to New Orleans and begun the groundwork for the move. He says the interview and hiring process has already gotten underway…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…85-thousand dollars.”

360Insights expects to be fully staffed in New Orleans within two years.

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Personal income growth in Louisiana grew by 6.2 percent in the first quarter of 2023, outpacing the national average of 5.1 percent according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. University of Louisiana at Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner says an increase in social security payments accounts for most of the hike…

Cut 10 (12) “…right now.”

The six-point two percent increase means Louisianan’s personal income grew higher than Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama. Wagner says overall the state’s workforce earnings increased slightly but so did inflation…

Cut 11 (13)  “way up.”

Wagner says last year, Louisiana ranked 50th in personal income data for the nation. He says quarterly increases are not normally that high nationally….

Cut 12 (11)    “…income growth.” 

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Louisiana Civil Rights Trail unveiled its 11th physical historical marker. The newest marker commemorates the founding of the Deacons for Defense and Justice in Jonesboro. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says this marker is one of many stories representing the brave men and women who played a pivotal role in Louisiana Civil Rights era…

Cut 13 (12) “…tourism trail.”  

The marker is located at the Deacons for Defense Park in Jonesboro.  The Deacons for Defense was an armed group of African Americans who provided protection for civil rights workers, their families, and the black community. Nungesser says the journey of the Deacons will continue through family members and for years to come…

Cut 14 (12)  “…to come.”

Two notable founders of the Deacons are Earnest ‘Chilly Willy’ Thomas and Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick. Nungesser says there were 21 Deacons of Defense and Justice organizations founded across the southeastern U.S. He says the Louisiana civil rights trail narrates compelling stories and experiences of the people who dedicated themselves and their lives to making civil rights real in Louisiana.

Cut 15 (13)  “…the average.”

The current trail consists of 15 site markers, commemorating Civil Rights Era in Louisiana. Visit louisianacivilrightstrail.com to follow the historical journey.

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The first round of the Major League Baseball draft is Sunday night and LSU’s Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes are considered the top two players in the draft, but that doesn’t mean Pittsburgh, who holds the number one pick, will select Crews or Skenes. Baseball America prospect writer Geoff Pontes says M-L-B teams only have so much bonus dollars to spend on drafted players, so the Pirates could draft someone else that may not cost as much…

Cut 16 (18) “..could do that.”

Pontes says if the Pirates do not select Skenes or Crews, they may take the best high school prospect in the draft, outfielder Max Clark from Indiana…

Cut 17 (19) “…this draft.”

Crews has been a steady player during his LSU career and a two-time SEC Player of the Year and the 2023 Golden Spikes Award winner. But Pontes says Skenes 100 mile per hour fastball could put him in the major leagues as soon as next year, but there are greater risks with pitchers

Cut 18 (18) “…potentially” 

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s Dylan Crews was named the SEC Male Player of the Year. Crews just led the Tigers to their seventh national championship in baseball and he also received the Golden Spikes Award, which goes to the top amateur baseball player in the United States. Crews led the SEC in batting average at 426 and reached base 75 straight games, including all 71 games in the 2023 season.

Crews was also named hitter of the year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. LSU’s Paul Skenes is the Pitcher of the Year, Tigers third baseman Tommy White is the newcomer of the year, Jay Johnson the coach of the Year and Nicholls pitcher Jacob Mayers is the freshman of the year.

LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne has created the Livvy Fund to help LSU female athletes secure NIL deals and funds. Dunne is the highest -paid female college athlete in the country, making seven figures.

The Pelicans have released 37-year-old Garrett Temple. It might be the end of an NBA career for the Baton Rouge native and former LSU star. Temple has played for 11 NBA teams and appeared in 84 games for the Pels over the last two seasons. This past season he only averaged two points a game.

ESPN is reporting the NBA will have an in-season tournament that will take place on December seventh and ninth in Las Vegas. Full details will be announced on Saturday.

The Pelicans will begin play in the Summer League tomorrow afternoon in in Las Vegas. New Orleans will take on the Timberwolves in a game that can be seen on NBA TV.

LSU star Angel Reese scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 106 to 44 win over Cuba. Reese is playing for USA basketball at the FIBA Americup. The United States went three and one in pool play and is advancing in the quarterfinals.

LRN PM Newscall July 6

Authorities continue to track down leads in the July 4th block party mass shooting in Shreveport that killed four people and injured seven others.  Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Is Twitter causing users to cut the cord and needle their way to Threads? So far 30 million have signed up. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A new independent poll on the 2023 governor’s race shows Attorney General Jeff Landry with a huge lead over his GOP opponents. Kaplan Strategies of Florida surveyed one-thousand likely voters just before the Fourth of July and 30-percent support Landry as the state’s next governor. Pollster Doug Kaplan…

Cut 3 (11) “…general election.”

Kaplan says the other Republicans and independent in the race are receiving minimal support, polling between six and two percent. Kaplan says if they drop out of the race and Landry chips away at the 24-percent of undecided voters, he could get to 50-percent and avoid a run-off…

Cut 4 (10)  “…his way” 

Kaplan says in his poll, 20-percent back the lone major Democrat in the race, Shawn Wilson. He says Wilson will need to rally to pull off an upset this fall…

Cut 5 (10)  “…the polls”

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Shreveport authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying the gunman or gunmen who opened fire at a July 4th block party that resulted in four deaths and seven injuries. Council member Tabitha Taylor expressed her sadness and anger toward the persons involved.

Cut 6 (12)  “…you hurt.” 

Gunfire erupted in Shreveport’s MLK neighborhood around midnight Tuesday night. About 200 people were at the annual event that has not been marked with violence in the past years. Taylor calls for swift justice…

Cut 7 (13)  “…pay relentlessly.” 

Only one victim, 17-year-old Sencere Brown has been identified by family. Mayor Tom Arceneaux urges the public to help with information to bring in those responsible so families and the community can begin mending from this massacre.

Cut 8 (12)  “…as possible” 

Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects involved is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at (318) 673-7373.

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Since Twitter announced the use of their social media app would be limited or users could pay for more access, the launch of Facebook’s similar platform Threads is taking off. Haggai Davis with General Informatics… (in-for-matics) says since Elon Musk purchased the company…

Cut 9 (07)  “…for Twitter now.”

Davis says Threads is a part of Instagram, which is also part of the Meta/Facebook platform, so you have to have an Instagram account to get a Threads account.

While charging users is a way to increase revenue for the struggling social media platform, Davis says there’s another reason Twitter is limiting the reading of tweets.

Cut 10 (11)  “…than 600.”

Since its launch, less than 24 hours ago, Threads already has 30 million users. Davis, who’s among those users says if you like Instagram you’ll enjoy Threads. But he says if you’re used to following 1,500 people on Twitter…

Cut 11 (09)  “…pretty simple.”

Among celebrities who’ve joined Threads are Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, and Gordon Ramsay.

1:30 LRN Newscast

An independent poll of one-thousand voters who were asked about the upcoming the governor’s race finds that 30-percent support Republican Jeff Landry, 20-percent support Democrat Shawn Wilson. Pollster Doug Kaplan says Landry could get close to 50-percent, if the other Republican candidates drop out….
cut 4 (10) “…his way”
The Kaplan Strategies poll found 24-percent voters are undecided.

Millions of people on Twitter have started an account on Threads, which launched yesterday as an alternative to Twitter. It’s operated by Meta which handles Facebook. Haggai Davis with General Informatics says he’s a longtime Twitter user that’s giving Threads a try. He says re-following the people you followed on Twitter will take some time…
cut 11 (09) “…pretty simple”

Authorities continue to track down leads in the July 4th block party mass shooting in Shreveport that killed four people and injured seven others. Teiko Foxx has the story…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of 45 people who failed to comply with the terms of being on probation and parole. Several law enforcement agencies in Rapides were involved the roundup that also resulted in the seizure of over 14 pounds meth and eight firearms

11:30 LRN Newscast

Shreveport authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying the gunman or gunmen who opened fire at a July 4th block party that resulted in four deaths and seven injuries. Council member Tabitha Taylor expressed her sadness and anger.
Cut 6 (12) “…you hurt.”
Gunfire erupted in Shreveport’s MLK neighborhood around midnight Tuesday night. About 200 people were at the annual event.

South of New Orleans, the Corps of Engineers plans to build an underwater dame in the Mississippi River to keep salt water from the Gulf of Mexico from advancing upstream. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyette says low river levels on the Mississippi is allowing the saltwater to move upstream…
cut 5 (11) “…from the river”
Boyette says it’s a project they’ve done before.

TRIP a national transportation research group, says Louisiana traffic fatalities jumped 21-percent from 2019 to 2022, costing an estimated 37-billion dollars in economic and quality of life costs….
cut 2 (33) “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Bunkie this morning to break ground on the largest high-speed internet project to date that’s funded by the GUMBO program. According to the governor’s office, the project will bring high-speed affordable internet to 91-hundred households and 535 small businesses in Avoyelles Parish.