7:30 LRN Newscast

Senator Bill Cassidy announces a big federal Infrastructure Law grant for Alexandria International Airport. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Lucille Fremin Babineaux, the mother of former Governor Kathleen Blanco has died at the age of 102. Babineaux was born in 1919 in New Iberia and had seven children of her own as she ran the Home Rug Cleaning and Floor Company in Coteau. She was the matriarch of a family of 105 and was with her daughter Kathleen Blanco every day when she got sick and died in 2019.

Lafourche Parish was one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ida, yet their students did so well academically after the hurricane that the state’s education superintendent personally delivered a top honor to them. Cade Brumley awarded the Lafourche Parish School District its Models of Excellence award…
Cut 7 (08) “…of Louisiana.”
Brumley says Lafourche’s four-point LEAP score increase tied for the largest improvement in Louisiana.

According to the State Office of Motor Vehicles, the Honda Accord is the most popular car owned in Louisiana, followed by a Toyota Camry and then a Nissan Altima. O-M-V spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says the top three most popular pick-up trucks registered in Louisiana are Ford, Chevy, and GMC.
cut 14 (10) “…F-150”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The NFL has suspended Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans for one game after his fight with Saints cornerback Marcus Lattimore. Lattimore will not be suspended but could be fined. It’s second time Evans has been suspended for one game, because of an altercation with Lattimore.

The Saints defense did all they could to keep New Orleans in that game against Tampa Bay on Sunday as the offense struggled to score ten points. But the Black and Gold defense could not put pressure on Quarterback Tom Brady and through two games, the Saints defense has just one sack. Coach Dennis Allen is not worried…
cut 20 (15) “…of the year”
Up next for New Orleans it’s the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are 0-2 under new quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has just two touchdowns on the season. Kick-off is at noon.

LSU would like to get off to a faster start offensively. Slow starts against Florida State and Mississippi State forced the Tigers to rally back from double digit deficits. Getting wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is also a priority. Through three games, the pre-season all-American has ten catches for 93 yards and zero touchdowns. Coach Brian Kelly says the coaches and Boutte have to do more for him to be the playmaker he can be…
Cut 18 (15)“…skill set.”
LSU hosts New Mexico State at 6:30 this Saturday. The Auburn game on October 1st will kick off at 6 PM.

Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says he’ll continue to use the same rotation at quarterback for this Saturday’s Sun Belt opener at ULM. Chandler Fields and Ben Wooldridge combined to threw for 102 yards in a loss to Rice on Saturday. Fields is the starter and Wooldrige is playing every third series series or so.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Alexandria International Airport has received a chunk of federal Infrastructure Law money for needed updates at the facility. Scott Gammel is Deputy Director for Aviation at AEX. He says the $1.6-million grant comes right behind another $1.4-million federal check…to be used for needed runway rehabilitation and more…:
Cut 4 (07) “…good condition.”

If you’re stuck in traffic, and you look around most likely you’ll see a similar vehicle to your own or at least the same color. So, if you’ve ever wondered what the top three most registered cars are in Louisiana, Office of Motor Vehicles spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux has the results.
Cut 13 (09) “…Nissan Altima.”
Boudreaux says the top three most popular pick-up trucks registered in Louisiana are Ford, Chevy, and GMC.

State Treasurer John Schroder launches a second round of the Louisiana Loggers Relief Grant Program. It’s designed to alleviate the economic strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Logging companies that previously received the maximum $25,000 amount from the original Loggers Relief program are not eligible. But Schroder says those who were previously denied may be eligible for this round of funding.
Cut 11 (10) “…across the state.”
The online application process opens at 10 a.m. at LAtreasury.com.

The state department of education names Lafourche Parish School district a model of excellence for its innovative science program and its perseverance through Hurricane Ida. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says Superintendent Jarod Martin and his team displayed an unwavering commitment to student success, no matter the challenge…
Cut 8 (09) “…able to do.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The NFL has suspended Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans for one game for shoving Saints corner Marshon Lattimore down to the ground during yesterday’s 20-10 victory for Tampa Bay. This is not the first incident between Evans and Lattimore. In 2017, Evans was suspended for one game for coming onto the field and shoving Lattimore in the back. Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas says Evans’ antics are tiring….
cut 10 (08) “…getting old”
Five turnovers were the downfall for the Black and Gold in the loss to the Bucs. Quarterback Jameis Winston was sacked six times and he threw three interceptions in the final 12 minuts as the Buccaneers scored 17 points in the fourth quarter…
Cut 16 (15) “..positives there”
New Orleans is at Carolina this Sunday.

The LSU Tigers won their SEC opener on Saturday night, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to rally back from a 13-point deficit to beat Mississippi State 31-16. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly likes the grit his team showed…
Cut 18 (18)“…football team.”
LSU safety Jay Ward is this week’s SEC Defensive Player of the week while BJ Ojulari is the SEC Defensive Lineman of the week. Ward had a career-high 11 tackles and an interception against the Bulldogs, while Ojulari had four tackles and a sack and a half.

Baseball America has ranked LSU’s recruiting class number one in the nation. The Tigers have six players in Baseball America’s Top 500,,,,pitcher Jaden Noot, catcher Brady Neal, pitcher Chase Shores, catcher Jared Jones, pitcher Aiden Moffett and catcher Ethan Frey.

LRN PM Newscall September 19

Experts say the pandemic is far from over in nursing homes nationwide, including in Louisiana. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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Roundabouts, you either love them or hate them, but DOTD says once you’re used to them chances are you’ll appreciate them. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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If you have a loved one in a nursing home, this information should concern you. New data from the AARP shows that COVID-19 still has a deadly grip on the nation’s nursing homes. Deaths and cases from residents and staff nationwide have risen for the fourth consecutive month.

Andrew Muhl is director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana.

Cut 3 (06) “…several weeks.” 

Muhl says during a four-week stretch over July and August, 46 Louisiana nursing home patients died from COVID after only recording five deaths during the previous four weeks.

The AARP is urging those with loved ones in nursing homes to contact the facilities’ staff and ask key questions about COVID in that home.

Cut 4 (10) “…COVID-19.” 

Muhl says that information should be communicated to their residents’ loved ones on a regular basis. And while experts say the pandemic has receded in most of the population, Muhl says it’s a different world inside nursing homes.

Cut 5 (09) “…general public.” 

Muhl says the rates of resident and staff cases have increased nine-fold nationwide over the last four months. He says he is concerned about high staff turnover and possible shortages of staff.

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When Louisiana roadways begin to experience significant congestion among the options to keep the flow of traffic continuous is a roundabout. While roundabouts are the norm in Europe and New England, DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they are a successful alternative here also, even though there’s usually resistance at first.

Cut 6 (08)  “…want more.” 

Since 2003, 174 roundabouts have been constructed in Louisiana.

Mallett says according to a survey they conducted after the Sorrento roundabout, 85% say there are fewer wrecks, 88% say traffic flows better and 90% say they’d like to see another one in their community.

Cut 7 (10) “…in the area.”

While many are hesitant to embrace them at first, Mallett says if you can yield and use a blinker you can adapt to a roundabout. He says when you compare them to other intersections, you’re less likely to be involved in a serious accident like being t-boned or a high-speed rear-end.

Cut 8 (11)  “…roundabout.”

DOTD considers roundabouts as one of the options to be evaluated when they are looking at intersections and other capacity improvements.

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The NFL has suspended Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans one-game for his role in yesterday’s fight in the Buccaneers 20-10 win over the Saints.  Evans knocked Saints cornerback Michael Thomas down to the ground during a shoving match between Thomas and Bucs running back Leonard Fournette. Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas says the Bucs instigated the fight

Cut 9 (07)  “…protect yourself”

Fournette shoved Lattimore after an incomplete pass that resulted in the benches-clearing brawl in the fourth quarter.

This is not the first time Evans and Lattimore have been involved in some extracurricular activity. In 2017, Evans was suspended for one game for coming onto the field and shoving Lattimore in the back and Lattimore was fined 10-thousand dollars for an unnecessary roughness call on Evans in 2020. Thomas says Evans’ antics are tiring

Cut 10 (08) “…getting old” 

The NFL says Evans was walking off the field when he turned around and violently struck an unsuspecting Thomas. Saints defensive back Tyrann Mathieu says Tampa Bay is just trying to get under Lattimore’s skin…

Cut 11 (10)  “…his game”

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The first day of Fall is Thursday, but it still feels very much like summer with the heat index around 100 degrees. LRN Meteorlogist John Wetherbee says if you are outside for a long period of time, you’ll feel it…

Cut 12 (11) “.. .a taste of summer”  

Wetherbee says the hottest temperatures will occur during the middle of the week…

Cut 13 (05) “…triple digits” 

Wetherbee says expect temperatures over 100-degrees every day this week…

Cut 14 (11)  “..be ready for heatl” 

1:30 LRN Newscast

The AARP says COVID remains a serious issue in our nursing homes…
cut 5 (09) “…general public”
That’s Andrew Muhl, the director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana, who says Muhl says during a four-week stretch over July and August, 46 Louisiana nursing home patients died from COVID after only recording five deaths during the previous four weeks.

The NFL has suspended Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans for one game for shoving Saints corner Marshon Lattimore down to the ground during yesterday’s 20-10 victory for Tampa Bay. This is not the first incident between Evans and Lattimore. In 2017, Evans was suspended for one game for coming onto the field and shoving Lattimore in the back. Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas says Evans’ antics are tiring….
cut 10 (08) “…getting old”

Roundabouts, you either love them or hate them, but DOTD says once you’re used to them chances are you’ll appreciate them.
Cut 2 (34) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline continues to fall. According to Triple-A, It’s down to $3.13, which is 35-cents cheaper than a month ago. Triple-A says gas prices have been falling for nearly 100 days and Louisiana’s statewide average is the second lowest in the country, trailing only Mississippi.

11:40 LRN sportscast

During the Saints 20-to- 0 loss to the Buccaneers a brawl broke out between the two NFC South rivals the resulted in the ejection of New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans. Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas believes the Bucs instigated the fight
Cut 9 (07) “…protect yourself”
It was former LSU Tiger and Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette who shoved Lattimore after an incompleted pass that resulted in the benches-clearing brawl in the fourth quarter.

Some Saints fans believe Coach Dennis Allen should have benched starting quarterback Jameis Winston in favor of backup Andy Dalton. Winston had a poor performance against his former team and it contributed to a 20-to-10 loss to Tampa Bay. Winston was sacked six times and he was intercepted three times, one of the picks was returned for a touchdown.

Prior to the game, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported that Winston has four fractures in his back, but there’s no risk of further damage. Allen says he didn’t think the back injury hampered Winston’s play…
Cut 17 (20) “…and see”
Meanwhile, we’ll see if the NFL will hand down any suspension for the fight that broke out between Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Bucs receiver Mike Evans. Leonard Fournette pushed Lattimore which started the fracas.

LSU’s defense played well in the Tigers SEC opening win over Mississippi State. The Bayou Bengals held the Bulldogs to 289 yards of offense in the 31-16 victory on Saturday night. Coach Brian Kelly credits the defense for following the game plan, which called for them to give State’s offense different looks…
cut 20 (20) “…situations’
LSU safety Jay Ward had a big game with 11 tackles and an interception.

Tulane won its first game over a Power 5 school on the road since 2010 on Saturday as the Green Wave upset Kansas State 17-10. The Green Wave are 3-0 and will host Southern Miss this Saturday. On the flip side, McNeese lost for the first time ever to a SWAC School as Alcorn State took down the Cowboys 30-19. The Pokes are 0-3.

11:30 LRN Newscast

New data from the AARP shows that COVID-19 still has a deadly grip on the nation’s nursing homes. Deaths and cases from residents and staff nationwide have risen for the fourth consecutive month. Andrew Muhl is director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana.
Cut 3 (06) “…several weeks.”
Muhl says during a four week stretch over July and August, 46 Louisiana nursing home patients died from COVID after only recording five deaths during the previous four weeks.

When Louisiana roadways begin to experience significant congestion among the options to keep the flow of traffic continuous is a roundabout. While roundabouts are the norm in Europe and New England, DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they are a successful alternative here also, even though there’s usually resistance at first.
Cut 6 (08) “…want more.”
Since 2003, 174 roundabouts have been constructed in Louisiana.

Wallethub ranks Louisiana tenth in the nation for the highest rate of job resignations. UNO Professor Mark Rosa says many people are quitting their current jobs to go work remotely for out of state businesses, like accounting firms…
cut 8 (07) “….outreach”
Georgia ranked 1st among states with the highest resignation rate, followed by Kentucky, Tennessee, Arizona, and Wyoming.

During the Saints 20-to-10 loss to the Buccaneers a brawl broke out between the two NFC South rivals the resulted in the ejection of New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans. Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas believes the Bucs instigated the fight
Cut 9 (07) “…protect yourself”
It was former LSU Tiger and Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette who shoved Lattimore after an incompleted pass that resulted in the benches-clearing brawl in the fourth quarter.

9:30 LRN Newscast

For the third straight month, Louisiana set a record for its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate. It was a record three-point-five percent in August. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says the number of people employed dropped from July to August, but the decline was small…
cut 14 (12) “….are unemployed now”
Professional and business services have added 17-thousand jobs since August 2021.

Queen Elizabeth the Second will be laid to rest today. She was loved by thousands and has the respect of Louisiana Attorney Warren Perrin. It was Perrin who convinced the Royal Family to issue an apology for the illegal deportation of thousands of French Acadians out of Nova Scotia in the 18th century. Perrin says that formal apology is still used in schools today…
cut 6 (06) “…bilingual document”
There is a signed copy of the apology at the Acadian Museum in Erath.

The hurricane season remains quiet for the continental United States. Brooke Thorington says AccuWeather has lowered its predicted storm total…
cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office has charged two individuals with second-degree murder in the death of a one-year-old child. Over the weekend, deputies responded to a home and found the toddler unresponsive. The child died at a local hospital a short time later. 29-year-old Dillon Cormier and 23-year-old Deziree Sutton were booked into the parish jail.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Queen Elizabeth is being laid to rest today in London. Among the millions of condolences is one from a Louisiana man who once threatened to sue her. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Saints legend Steve Gleason was discharged from the hospital yesterday after a two-night stay because of abnormally low sodium levels. Gleason tweeted that his low sodium levels puts him at risk for seizures and brain swelling. He returned home in time to watch the Saints, but saw his team lose to Tampa Bay 20-10 as New Orleans turned it over five times.

For the third consecutive month, Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is a record low. It was three-point-five percent in August. That’s down by nearly two full percentage points from August 2021. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says wages are up, which encourages more people to enter the workforce. She says LWC offers job assistance and even connections for on-the-job training, via it’s Tech Ready Louisiana Program…
cut 15 (07) “….training programs”

Wallethub ranks Louisiana tenth in the nation for the highest rate of job resignations. UNO Professor Mark Rosa says many people are quitting and working remotely for out of state businesses, like accounting firms…
cut 8 (07) “….outreach”