12:30 LRN newscast

A major arctic blast is heading Louisiana’s way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll need heavy coats later this week…:
CUT 13(10) “…below normal.”
Keim says the artic airmass will arrive on Thursday, dropping temperatures into the 20s and 30s by late Thursday afternoon in north Louisiana. Wind chill readings will be in the single digits on Friday in south Louisiana.

Master Trooper Kory York has hired high profile criminal defense attorney Mike Small to represent him in the Ronald Green 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.

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 recounted where the state was in the pandemic a year ago at the beginning of the Omicron surge.
Cut 9 (11) “…much better.”
The number of people hospitalized with COVID is around 250.

2022 will go down as one of the worst sweet potato crops in several 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”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

At five and nine, the Saints are still alive for a playoff spot after sweeping the season series from the Falcons, knocking off Atlanta 21-18. Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes to Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill also threw a 68-yard bomb to Rashid Shaheed. New Orleans defense gave up 231 rushing yards but, coach Dennis Allen says coming away with the victory was the important thing….
Cut 20 (17) …..what we did today”
And Tampa Bay lost, so the Bucs are now six and eight, but still in first place in the NFC South by one game over the Saints, Falcons and the Panthers.

The Pelicans host the Bucks tonight as they look to snap a three-game losing streak. Tip off is at 7:00.

Two weeks from today LSU will play Purdue in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando and Coach Brian Kelly says Jayden Daniels will be ready after failing to finish the SEC Championship game because of an ankle injury…
Cut 16 (26) “..through that progression.”
If Daniels returns next season, he’ll have another five-star recruit at wide receiver. Former Edna Karr standout Aaron Anderson has made the decision to transfer from Alabama to LSU. Anderson was the number one player in the Class of 2022 according to 24-7 sports but chose Bama over the Tigers after Ed Orgeron got fired.

11:30 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 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.

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.

Get ready for a big blast of frigid air to hit Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says wind chills Thursday night into Friday night will be in the single digits, if not below zero for north Louisiana. Keim says it will warm up for the Christmas weekend, but it will still be cold…:
CUT 15(10) “…below normal.”

Will working remotely continue into 2023? Tulane surveyed 150 startups and small businesses across the New Orleans area and Emily Egan with Tulane’s Freeman School of Business, says more than 50-percent of respondents indicated some staff will continue to work remotely, but 38-percent believe having an office is a good idea…
cut 8 (05) “…interact in person”
Egan says respondents who leased commercial space increased from 38-percent to 32-percent from 2021 to 2022.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Edwards is meeting with reporters this morning for his annual end of the year news conference. Brooke Thorington gives us a preview on what he’s expected to discuss….
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

At 5-and-9 the Saints are still alive for the playoffs after beating Atlanta 21-18 for the second time this season. Tampa Bay lost yesterday, so the Buccaneers have just a one game lead over New Orleans for first place in the NFC South.

A major arctic blast is heading Louisiana’s way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll need the heavy coats and gloves later this week, as temperatures dip to near or below freezing. He says morning lows on Friday will be in the teens in north Louisiana…:
CUT 14(07) “…in New Orleans.”
The National Weather Service says snow minor accumulations cannot be ruled out for Thursday afternoon and Thursday night for north Louisiana.

According to Tulane University’s Greater New Orleans Startup Report, area startups are feeling confident enough to add staff as the regional economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Emily Egan with Tulane’s Freeman School of Business says, they surveyed over 150 startups and small businesses across a ten-parish region…
cut 9 (08) “….doing this report”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

It’s been a disappointing Saints season, but at least they’ve beaten the Falcons twice. New Orleans took care of the Dirty Birds on Sunday 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”
Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes to Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill also threw a 68-yard TD bomb to Rashid Shaheed.

Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes and Cincinnati beat the Buccaneers 34-23. So with three games left the Bucs lead the NFC South at 6-and-8 and New Orleans is 5-and-9.

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Two weeks from today when LSU when faces Purdue in the Citrus Bowl, the Boilermarkers will play without their top three offensive stars. Quarterback Aidan O’ Connell, receiver Charlie Jones and tight end Payne Durham. UCLA transfer Austin Burton will start for the short-handed Boilermakers. Coach Brian Kelly says Burton started a game in September…
Cut 17 (21) “…and playing”
Kelly says Quarterback Jayden Daniels will be ready to play after missing the second half of the SEC Championship Game with an ankle injury.

Former five-star wide receiver Aaron Anderson has committed to LSU after spending one season at Alabama. The former Edna Karr star did not appear in a game for the Crimson Tide.

And former LSU Tiger receiver Jack Beche plans to transfer to TCU.

LRN AM Newscall December 19

Data from Tulane University shows Louisiana small businesses and startups planning more hiring and leasing office space. Brooke Thorington reports on the post-pandemic economic news…:

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. Brooke Thorington has more on what he’s expected to highlight.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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It’s Christmas week and it’s just not Santa that’s coming to the Bayou State from the North Pole this week. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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In 2023, most Louisiana residents on Social Security will see a big increase in their benefits. Deputy Assistant Secretary for family support at D-C-F-S, Monica Brown, says it’s the largest increase in 40 years and veterans benefits will also go up next year…

Cut 4 (08)  “…going to be great.”

But 34 percent of SNAP recipients who receive Social Security or Veterans Benefits face an average reduction of 47-dollars in monthly benefits because their income will increase as a result of the cost of living adjustment. The reduction will occur when the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID ends. Brown says about 14-hundred SNAP recipients will no longer be eligible for SNAP benefits….

 Cut 5 (10) “…an effect.”

Brown says households facing a reduction in benefits or the closure of a case will have another option.

Cut 6 (11)  “…SNAP benefits” 

For more information about SNAP, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/SNAP.

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A new survey from Tulane University shows the traditional office environment is making a bit of a post-pandemic comeback; especially among smaller businesses. The survey asked over 150 startups and small businesses across a 10-parish region about staffing and plans to lease office space. Emily Egan, with Tulane’s Freeman School of Business, says nearly 70-percent plan to add employees and the number planning to lease space rose by 6-percent…:

Cut 7 (12) “…the primary office.”

Egan says more than 50-percent of respondents to the survey indicated some staff will continue to work remotely, but 38-percent feel having an office is a good idea…:

Cut 8 (05)  “…interact in person.”

Egan says the survey showed startups having better success with raising capital in 2022, and higher average gross revenues (up from $1.5-million to $2.3-million). She says these companies plan to add staff in the coming New Year, and that’s a good indicator of a healing economy…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…doing this report.”

Read the entire report at “GNOstartupreport.com”

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Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects Edwards to tout the budget surplus that’s allowed him to make critical investments, like on roads and bridges and teacher pay raises.

Cut 10 (09) “…historic low.” 

Edwards will also face the media for the first time since criminal charges were handed down against five law enforcement officers in the Ronald Greene fatal arrest. Cross believes the governor will tread lightly on the topic. Cross says the real question is what did Edwards know and when did he know it.

Cut 11 (07)  “…on this.”

Cross expects Edwards to avoid discussing what led to the resignation of Secretary Marketa Garner Walters at the Department of Children and Family Services. As for what to expect in his last year in office Cross says Edwards will do what he can to leave his mark despite having lame-duck status.

Cut 12 (08) “… somewhat less.”

Cross says he feels Edwards’ will be judged favorably when his term ends especially on how he responded to hurricanes and the pandemic.

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A major arctic blast is heading Louisiana’s way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll need the heavy coats and gloves later this week.

Cut 13 (10) “…below normal.”

Keim says morning lows on Friday will be in the teens in north Louisiana…

Cut 14 (07)  “…in New Orleans.”

So if you’re going out of town be sure to have your pipes and plants prepped ahead of time.

This cold air will not bring us a White Christmas but Keim says you might want to ask to Santa for flannel pajamas.

Cut 15 (10)  “…below normal.”

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Two weeks from today LSU will play Purdue in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando and Coach Brian Kelly says Jayden Daniels will be ready after failing to finish the SEC Championship game because of an ankle injury…

Cut  16 (26)  “..through that progression.” 

Purdue will play without its top three offensive stars in the bowl game. Quarterback Aidan O’ Connell, receiver Charlie Jones and tight end Payne Durham. UCLA transfer Austin Burton will start for the short-handed Boilermakers. Kelly says Burton started a game in September…

Cut 17 (21) “…and playing” 

Bowl practices give teams a chance to play some young guys who didn’t play during the regular season. Kelly says several guys have stood out…

Cut 18 (28) “…few more guys” 

 Kelly also mentioned freshman quarterback Walker Howard performed well in red zone drills on Saturday.

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It’s been a disappointing Saints season, but at least they’ve beaten the Falcons twice. New Orleans took care of the Dirty Birds on Sunday 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”

Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes to Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill also threw a 68-yard bomb to Rashid Shaheed.  New Orleans defense gave up 231 rushing yards but, Allen says coming away with the victory was the important thing….

Cut 20 (17)     …..what we did today” 

10:30 LRN Newscast

A Union Parish Grand Jury charged five law enforcement officers in connection with the death of Ronald Greene. The most serious charge is negligent homicide.
Cut 1(36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

An update on this week’s shooting at the St. Mary Parish courthouse. State Police identify the man killed as 34-year-old inmate Chad Williams of Berwick. During a scuffle with a parish corrections officer, Williams got the deputy’s handgun and shot himself in the head.

New federal labor numbers show Louisiana continues to add jobs, as the jobless rate declines. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says November’s unemployment rate of 3.3% marked the sixth straight month of record lows…:
CUT 13(12) “…from there.”
Cates says construction has gained 34-hundred jobs from October 2022. Education and Health Services gained nearly 15-thousand jobs from November 2021. The Lafayette area has gained 52-hundred jobs over the year.

We are looking at a mild weekend, but artic air will arrive just in time for Christmas. State Climatologist Barry Keim says morning lows on Friday will be in the teens in north Louisiana…
cut 14 (07) “….26 in New Orleans”
Keim says there is a slight possibility for winter precipitation on Christmas eve for south Louisiana.

9:30 LRN Newscast December 17

A Union Parish grand jury has handed down indictments against five law enforcement officers involved in the fatal arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene in 2019. Greene died shortly after he was beaten and tasered by officers following a police chase in north Louisiana. Master Trooper Kory York, who is now on administrative leave, faces the harshest charges, one count of negligent homicide and ten counts of malfeasance. The other officers face obstruction of justice and malfeasance charges. Legal analyst Tim Meche…
cut 9 (09) “…young man”

York has hired high powered criminal defense attorney Mike Small out of Alexandria. Small says federal prosecutors investigated the case for two and a half years and determined criminal charges were not warranted. Small believes a fair minded jury in Union Parish will find Trooper York not guilty of all charges.

November marked the sixth straight month of record-breaking unemployment. And this month the state set a record for non-seasonally adjusted employment–which includes temporary jobs….
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Louisiana State Parks are offering special holiday events at their facilities. State Parks director Brandon Burris says all of the parks have added holiday features.
Cut 3 (08) “..Christmas pictures. ”
For more information go to L-A state-parks-dot-com.

8:30 LRN Newscast December 17

Indictments were handed down Thursday against five law enforcement officers at the scene when Ronald Greene was beaten and tasered by cops before he died in May of 2019. Greene’s mother Mona Hardin remains concerned State Police continues to mistreat people of color…:
CUT 08(12) “…clean up.”
State Police Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis says the actions by these officers are inexcusable and have no place in public safety services.

For the sixth consecutive month Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is a record low three-point-three percent. Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says there are about 68-thousand people who are unemployed…
cut 14 (11) “….be openings”

Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board has approved the sale of the abandoned Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City to Foundation Gaming, a Mississippi-based company. Foundation’s marketing operator Les McMackin says plans for the project feature new construction on a 47,000-square-foot casino, renovation of the 405-room hotel, at least three new restaurants, and…:
CUT 11(11) “…and live.”
Target date for the grand opening is Christmastime 2024.

Louisiana State Parks are offering special holiday events at their facilities. State Parks director Brandon Burris says Santa is making appearances throughout the park system. Oakley House at the Audubon Historic site near St. Francisville is conducting ongoing guided tours and more…:
CUT 04(07) “…going on.”
For more info go to L-A State Parks-dot-com.

LRN PM Newscall December 16

A Union Parish Grand Jury charged five law enforcement officers in connection with the death of Ronald Greene. The most serious charge is negligent homicide. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1(36)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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November marked the sixth straight month of record-breaking unemployment. And this month the state set a record for non-seasonally adjusted employment–which includes temporary jobs. Marsanne Golsby…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

______________________________________

Louisiana State Parks are offering special holiday events at their facilities. State Parks director Brandon Burris says all of the parks have added holiday features.

Cut 3 (08) “..Christmas pictures. ” 

There are 38 state parks, historic sites, and preservation areas. He says Santa is making appearances throughout the park system. Oakley House at Audubon Historic site near St. Francisville is conducting ongoing guided tours and more.

Cut 4 (07)  “…going on.” 

Tomorrow there’s a Christmas celebration at Fort Jesup Historic Site at Many from 10 am to 3 pm, and a make-your-own ornament event at Fort St. John Baptiste Historic Site at Natchitoches from 1 to 3 pm.

Burris says the parks system is offering a special: four nights for the price of three through the end of the month. The promo code is kickoff2022. In addition, for those who want to give a non-traditional gift, the parks system is offering gift cards.

Cut 5 (08) “…hands on”

For more information on the events or to make reservations, go to lastateparks.com

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The mother of Ronald Greene made remarks Thursday evening after criminal charges were handed down against five law enforcement officers who were at the scene when her son was beaten and tased by cops before he died in May of 2019. Mona Hardin said she asked Governor John Bel Edwards to join them last night.

Cut 6 (14)  “…for itself.”

Hardin has repeatedly called on those responsible for Greene’s death to be held accountable. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the grand jury failed to charge the officers with murder or even manslaughter. Only one is charged with negligent homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.

Cut 7 (12)  “…they’re convicted.”

In addition to criticizing the governor, Hardin also had harsh words for state leaders for allowing state police to continue their behavior and mistreatment of people of color.

Cut 8 (12)  “…clean up.“

One of the officers that were involved has since died but of the five officers who have been charged four face Malfeasance in Office and three face Obstruction of Justice. Meche feels the charges don’t match the crime.

Cut 9 (09) “…young man” 

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Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board has approved the sale of the abandoned Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City to Foundation Gaming, a Mississippi-based company. Foundation’s marketing operator Les McMackin says they plan to open the Shreveport-Bossier City area’s first land-based Casino by December 2024 with a nearly $200 million renovation.

Cut 10 (12) “… again with that” 

The company plans to re-brand the 26-acre property with a new name which has yet to be revealed. McMackin says plans for the project feature new construction on a 47,000-square-foot casino, renovation of the 405-room hotel, at least three new restaurants, and….

Cut 11 (11)  “…and live.”

Foundation hopes to provide a fresh, customer-friendly experience in what they believe to be a great project for the market and the community. McMackin says the company needs to provide something new and different into the market

Cut 12 (09) “…property.”  

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New numbers released today from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Louisiana continues to add jobs.  Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says November’s unemployment rate of 3.3% marked the sixth month in a row the state has either tied or set a record low.

Cut 13 (12) “…from there.”  

This month, Louisiana also set a new record low for non-seasonally adjusted unemployment, which reached 2.9%. That month-to-month jobs count, which includes seasonal and temporary work, set records in three categories—the unemployment rate, the number of employed, and the number of unemployed.  She says all of those mean good news for employers and those seeking jobs. Cates says jobs are being added in all corners of the state and in all parts of the economy.

Cut 14 (11)   “… be openings”

She says there are ten thousand openings on the workforce commission’s web page, and the state has programs to help employers and people looking for work.

Cut 15 (10) “…can qualify.”

She says job seekers who are looking to upgrade their skills can get free training on the Workforce Commission website.