8:30 LRN Newscast

Are you ready for some very cold weather? State climatologist Barry Keim says a significant cold front will move through Louisiana on Thursday
Cut 10 (11) “…our region.”
On Friday morning, temperatures will drop to 11 and 12 degrees across north Louisiana. In south Louisiana, wind chills Thursday night into Friday night will be potentially dangerous with readings in the single digits.

During an end of the year news conference, Governor John Bel Edwards discussed some of the state’s accomplishments. That includes a one-point-five billion dollar budget surplus and a record low unemployment rate of two-point-nine percent…
cut 8 (06) “….two years ago”
In December 2020, the unemployment rate was near seven-percent.

Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin bans TikTok on all state department-issued devices. The decision stems from concerns over the data collected when using TikTok and ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Deputy Secretary for Outreach Services, Joel Watson, says several states have banned TikTok use on all state government-issued devices…
cut 5 (07) “…same thing here”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission continues to try and convince Entergy to pick up some of the recovery storm costs instead of having ratepayers pay for 100-percent of the recovery. P-S-C member Foster Campbell is glad the commission is taking another look at this issue…
cut 14 (08) “….paying them”
In February, the P-S-C imposed an average storm surcharge to customers of ten-dollars per month for 15 years and now Entergy is asking for another six-dollars a month.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is in good shape financially and more people are working as 2022 winds down.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Judge Tim Kelley has dismissed seven of the 13 counts in a lawsuit filed by former LSU Associate Athletic Director Sharon Lewis who claimed she faced an atmosphere of hostility and discrimination after she reported sexual harassment claims made by two female students against former coach Les Miles.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is banning TikTok on all Department of State-issued devices, and is calling on Governor John Bel Edwards to do the same on a statewide level. Deputy Secretary for Outreach services, Joel Watson says TikTok poses a risk to your personal identification.
Cut 4 (13) “…Communist party.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has delayed a vote on Entergy’s request for customers to pay an additional six-dollars a month for the next 15 years to pay for the costs associated with recovery from five named storms in 2020 and 2021. PSC Member Foster Campbell believes Entergy’s shareholders should split those costs with customers…
Cut 13 (10) “…hell with that.”
In February, the PSC approved an average storm recovery cost surcharge of about ten-dollars per month for 15 years.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans lost their fourth straight last night as the Milwaukee Bucks dribbled past New Orleans 128 to 119. Center Jonas Valanciunas had a season-high 37 points, but two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 42 points and Bucks Center Brooke Lopez added another 30 points. The four-game losing streak is the longest one of the season, but Coach Willie Green says his team will be fine…
cut 28 (28) “…back on track”
The Pels host San Antonio on Thursday night and then travel to Oklahoma City before taking a couple of days off for Christmas.

With three games left in the regular season, the four teams in the N-F-C South are within one game of each other. Tampa Bay leads the division at 6-and-8, while New Orleans, Carolina, and Atlanta are all 5-and-9. The Black and Gold could be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to Cleveland on Sunday and the Buccaneers beat Arizona on Sunday night.

In college football news, former Louisiana Tech tackling machine Tyler Grubbs has committed to Tulane. Former Bulldogs coach Sonny Dykes has been named A-P Coach of the Year after leading T-C-U to the College Football Playoffs.

LSU women’s basketball player Angel Reese has been named ESPN”s National Player of the Week after recording three more double-doubles last week. Reese had 25 points and 20 rebounds in a blowout win over Oregon State in Hawaii on Sunday night.

Tonight, Northwestern State looks to upset 12th ranked Baylor in Waco, Texas. Both teams have eight wins on the year.

6:30 LRN Newscast

At his end-of-the-year press conference, Governor John Bel Edwards highlighted the state’s finances which have drastically improved from when he took office seven years ago, and because of that, the state is able to increase funding to programs versus cutting them.
Cut 7 (11) “…few things.”
Edwards says when he took office the state had a $2-billon deficit.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has delayed a vote on Entergy’s request to charge ratepayers another six-dollars per month for 15 years to recoup the costs it took to repair their infrastructure following several storms in 2020 and 2021. P-S-C Member Foster Campbell believes Entergy should borne some of the cost…
cut 15 (08) “…absolutely yes”

One of Louisiana’s statewide elected officials takes aim at TikTok.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

LRN AM Newscall December 20

One of Louisiana’s statewide elected officials takes aim at TikTok. Whitney Thomas reports

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards end of the year report indicates the state is in good shape financially and more people are working than ever before.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Public Service Commission has delayed a vote on another six-dollar storm recovery surcharge being put on customers’ bills as they look to see if Entergy can pay some of the costs from the 2020 and 2021 storms. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is banning TikTok on all Department of State-issued devices, and is calling on Governor John Bel Edwards to do the same on a statewide level. Deputy Secretary for Outreach services, Joel Watson says TikTok poses a risk to your personal identification.

Cut 4 (13)  “…Communist party.”

Arodin believes that banning TikTok statewide would protect their data and reaffirm the commitment to privacy for constitutes. Watson says Louisiana isn’t the only state facing immediate banning.

 Cut 5 (09) “…Same thing here.”

Watson says this decision is important because it allows them to be an example for important cyber security matters

Cut 6 (13)  “.here today” 

________________________________________________

At his end-of-the-year press conference, Governor John Bel Edwards highlighted the state’s finances which have drastically improved from when he took office seven years ago, and because of that, the state is able to increase funding to programs versus cutting them.

Cut 7 (11) “…few things.”

Edwards says when he took office the state had a $2-billon deficit and with surplus amounts, in his two terms it’s now $2 billion to the good.

Last week the Revenue Estimating Conference says the state has an extra $925 million for the current budget year and for the next fiscal year estimated $608 million.

In addition to finances, Edwards says the state’s unemployment rate remains at historic lows at 2.9 percent.

Cut 8 (06)  “…two years ago.”

In December  2020, the unemployment rate was 6.9 percent. Employment wise the governor says the state is in much better shape than it was two years ago.

Cut 9 (12)  “… two-million-forty-two-thousand.”

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Are you ready for some very cold weather? State climatologist Barry Keim says a significant cold front will move through Louisiana on Thursday

Cut 10 (11) “…our region.” 

Morning lows on Friday will be in teens for much of the state and many locations will remain freezing temps for over 30 hours. Keim says  now is the time to prepare for these rare conditions.

Cut 11 (11)  “…as you can.”

Keim says people can also expect wind chills making it feel 10 to 15 degrees colder than actual temperatures.

Cut 12 (07) “… brace yourself.”

______________________________________________

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has delayed a vote on Entergy’s request for customers to pay an additional six-dollars a month for the next 15 years to pay for the costs associated with recovery from five named storms in 2020 and 2021. PSC Member Foster Campbell believes Entergy’s shareholders should split those costs with customers…

Cut 13 (10) “…hell with that.”

Campbell says the P-S-C decided to delay a vote after New Orleans lawyer Pat Patrick told commissioners state law does not require customers to pay 100-percent of storm recovery costs. He’s glad the commission is taking another look at this issue…

Cut 14 (08)  “…paying them”

Last February, the PSC approved an average storm recovery cost surcharge of about ten-dollars per month for 15 years. So now they are back seeking an additional six-dollars. Campbell says the P-S-C should its best to see how much of these costs should be shared by the utility company…

Cut 15 (08)  “…absolutely yes”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Master Trooper Kory York has hired high profile criminal defense attorney Mike Small to represent him in the Ronald Greene Case. York is one of the five law enforcement officers facing charges. His charges are the most serious, one count of negligent homicide and ten counts of malfeasance. Small says it’s significant federal prosecutors investigated the case for two and half years and determined criminal charges were not warranted
Cut 7 (09) “…subject of the investigation”
Small says there will be no plea bargaining.

Be prepared for some downright cold weather later this week. National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Thorne says low temperatures will get down into the low teens in north Louisiana on Friday morning and we’ll see single digit wind chill temperatures for south Louisiana…
cut 14 (09) “….cold weather”

Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is banning TikTok on all Department of State-issued devices, and is calling on Governor John Bel Edwards to do the same on a statewide level. Deputy Secretary for Outreach services, Joel Watson says TikTok poses a risk to your personal identification.
Cut 4 (13) “…Communist party.”

2022 will go down as one of the worst sweet potato crops in decades. LSU Ag Center Sweet potato specialist Myrl Sistrunk says a hot and dry summer hampered crop development and as the summer moved along as much as 20 inches of rain flooded fields. Sistrunk says sweet potatoes are a costly crop to produce, which gives some producers pause heading into next year…
cut 5 (08) “…works out”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

It’s been a disappointing Saints season, but at least they beat the Falcons twice. New Orleans took care of the Dirty Birds yesterday as they held on for a 21-18 win over Atlanta. The Saints entered the game with slim playoff hopes, but Coach Dennis Allen expected his team would play hard….
Cut 19 (25) “…did it again here today”
With three games left in the season, the Saints are just one game back of Tampa for first place in the NFC South. New Orleans will visit the Browns on Saturday. The forecast calls for high temperatures in the teens and an inch of snow in Cleveland on that day.

Two weeks from today, LSU will face Purdue in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Bowl practices give teams a chance to play some young guys who didn’t play during the regular season. Coach Brian Kelly says several guys have stood out…
Cut 18 (28) “…few more guys”

The Ragin Cajuns and Houston both arrived in Shreveport today as they’ll face each other in the Independence Bowl on Friday. Looking at a cold game on Friday with high temperatures only in the upper 20s.

Tonight. The Pelicans host the Bucks at the Smoothie King Center as New Orleans looks to snap a three-game losing streak. Tip off is at 7:00.

3:30 LRN Newscast

The attorney representing Kory York believes the now suspended Master Trooper will be found not guilty of the charges he faces as a result of the 2019 in-custody death of Ronald Greene, a Black man who was beaten by officers before he died. Mike Small spoke with us today..
cut 6 (12) “…in the indictment”
York has been charged with one count of negligent homicide and ten counts of malfeasance.

Experts say this year has been the worst year for Louisiana sweet potato production in more than 30 years. LSU Ag Center sweet potato specialist Myrl Sistrunk says production is down as much as 60-percent due to a long stretch of dry weather in the summer followed by flooding rains
Cut 4 (10) “…for the state”
Sistrunk says the crop is expensive to produce, due to increased fuel, labor, and pesticide costs.

A major blast of artic air will arrive in Louisiana on Thursday bringing the Bayou State some very cold temperatures. Lows along I-20 will be around the low teens on Friday morning and low 20s for south Louisiana. Plus strong winds will produce below zero wind chills in north Louisiana and single digits in south Louisiana. Meteorologist Brandon Thorne with the National Weather Service says minor snow accumulations can not be ruled out Thursday for north Louisiana…
cut 13 (08) “…high accumulations”

During his end of the year press conference today, Governor John Bel Edwards remarked on how COVID is no longer a major story as it was the last two years…
cut 11 (12) “….protect ourselves”
Last Wednesday the state reported 4,700 new COVID cases and a seven-day average of 256 hospitalizations.

LRN PM Newscall

LSU Ag center experts say Louisiana sweet potato farmers have had their worst year in more than 30 years. They tell us farmers all over the state suffered losses. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

______________________________________

Alexandria attorney Mike Small believes his client Master Trooper Kory York will be found not guilty of the criminal charges he faces for his role in the fatal arrest death of Ronald Greene. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Experts say 2022 has been the worst year for Louisiana sweet potato production in more than 30 years. LSU Ag Center sweet potato specialist Myrl Sistrunk blames inconsistent weather…

Cut 3 (09) “..the state. ” 

He says farmers in the northeastern part of the state were hit the hardest, but the 2022 crop was expensive to plant all over the state, due to increased fuel, labor, and pesticide costs. He says production is down as much as 60-percent.

Cut 4 (10)  “…for the state” 

Sistrunk says this year has been a blow to farmers who had been banking on a bumper crop to help offset the cost of production. He says unlike farmers who grow soy, corn, and other crops that get government subsidies, sweet potato farmers do not have that kind of safety net. But he says the ones he has spoken with are trying to hang on.

Cut 5 (08) “…works out”

_______________________________________________

The attorney representing Kory York believes the now suspended Master Trooper will be found not guilty of the charges he faces as a result of the 2019 in-custody death of Ronald Greene, a Black man who was beaten by officers before he died. Mike Small spoke with us today…

Cut 6 (12)  “…the indictment”

York is one of the five law enforcement officers facing charges. His charges are the most serious, one count of negligent homicide and ten counts of malfeasance. Small says it’s significant federal prosecutors investigated the case for two and half years and determined criminal charges were not warranted

Cut 7 (08)  “…subject of the investigation”

Small says there will be no plea bargaining as he believes York did not commit any crimes…

Cut 8 (11)  “…in Union Parish.“

Body camera video of the arrest shows York dragging Greene by his ankle shackles and putting his foot on his back for push him down and leaving him face down in the dirt for nearly ten minutes.

___________________________________________

Governor Edwards held his End of the Year Press Conference today highlighting accomplishments of 2022. Among the topics were the state’s budget surplus and record unemployment. Edwards also reflected where the state was a year ago with COVID at the beginning of the Omicron surge.

Cut 9 (11) “…much better.” 

Even with a reduction in COVID cases compared to a year ago, Edwards pointed out that the healthcare system is still stressed because they are responding to a “tridemic.”

Cut 10 (12) “… boosters.” 

Instead of giving daily COVID numbers Monday through Friday, the health department transitioned to weekly updates in October. But Edwards pointed out, even though it wasn’t the first topic of discussion that COVID remains an issue.

Cut 11 (12)  “…protect ourselves.”

Last Wednesday the state reported 4,700 cases of COVID and a seven-day average of 256 hospitalizations.

_______________________________________________

The National Weather Service says the coldest weather of the season so far is expected in Louisiana by late in the day Thursday, bringing temperatures as low as ten degrees north of I-20 Friday morning. Forecaster Brandon Thorne says strong northwesterly winds, with gusts up to 30-40 mph, will accompany the front.

Cut 12 (08) “…even Saturday.”  

Thorne says the southern part of the state will experience a hard freeze with wind chill effects in the single digits.

Cut 13 (08) “…high accumulations.”  

Thorne says it’s time to begin preparing.

Cut 14 (09)   “… cold weather”

2:30 LRN Newscast

Alexandria attorney Mike Small believes his client Master Trooper Kory York will be found not guilty of the criminal charges he faces for his role in the fatal arrest death of Ronald Greene.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Ruston man has received a three-year federal prison sentence after leaving a threatening message on a Congress member’s voice mail. Prosecutors say 39-year-old Chase Levi Thibodeaux told the Congress person from New York that he would buy an uzi and shoot federal lawmakers in the streets.

Experts say 2022 has been the worst year for Louisiana sweet potato production in more than 30 years. LSU Ag Center sweet potato specialist Myrl Sistrunk blames inconsistent weather.
Cut 3 (09) “..the state. ”
He says farmers in the northeastern part of the state were hit the hardest.

The National Weather Service says the coldest weather of the season so far is expected in Louisiana by late in the day Thursday, bringing temperatures as low as ten degrees north of I-20 Friday morning. Forecaster Brandon Thorne says strong northwesterly winds, with gusts up to 30-40 mph, will accompany the front.
Cut 12 (08) “…even Saturday.”
South Louisiana will experience wind chill readings in the single digits. And some light snow is possible for north Louisiana.