4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Smoothie King Center is sold out for tonight’s Pelicans game as they host the Philadelphia 76ers. New Orleans is shooting for its fifth in a row. Zion Williamson is coming off a career-high 43 point performance in a win Wednesday over the Timberwolves. Williamson says he wants to keep winning…
cut 16 (16) “…getting the win”
Tip-off tonight in the Blender is at 7:30.

After missing the last two practices for what was described as personal reasons, running back Alvin Kamara was a full participant in today’s practice and he’ll play Sunday against the Eagles. Philadelphia Quarterback Jalen Hurts is listed as doubtful and it’s likely Gardner Minshew will start at Q-B for a second straight week.

The ninth ranked LSU Lady Tigers tipped off SEC play last night with a 24-point victory over 24th ranked Arkansas 64-45. Coach Kim Mulkey’s team held a good Razorbacks team to 28-percent shooting from the field…
cut 19 (22) “…the tip”
LSU also controlled the glass as they collected 23 offensive rebounds.

In men’s hoops action…Isaiah Crawford had 20 points as Louisiana Tech topped UTSA 91-69 in Ruston last night. The Bulldogs are now 1-and-1 in Conference USA.

The Ragin Cajuns dropped their Sun Belt opener as they fell to Coastal Carolina 77-76. U-L Lafayette had a ten point lead with 4:40 left.

ULM opened Sun Belt play with a 57-53 win at Texas State. Tyreke Lacure had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The Warhawks are at Arkansas State tomorrow.

2:30 LRN newscast

The Ronald Greene investigation, the DCFS scandal and a ban on most abortions are among the top stories in 2022. Marsanne Golsby has more…
cut 2 (45) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby”

A new law taking effect January 1st requires carbon monoxide detectors in one or two-family homes sold or newly leased in Louisiana. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty is the law’s author. She says she brought the bill after a close call with CO fumes following Hurricane Ida. She says CO detectors are simple to install and don’t cost a lot…:
CUT 26 (05) “…sort of thing.”
Hilferty says one can even find combination CO AND smoke detectors at almost ANY home improvement or hardware store.

Tomorrow is the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans as Alabama takes on Kansas State. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser he’s encouraged Crimson Tide and Wildcat fans to stay the entire weekend in New Orleans…
cut 5 (13) “….has to offer”
For the second year in a row, the state will have a float to promote tourism to Louisiana in Monday’s Tournament of Roses parade.

LRN PM Newscall December 30

Five people , four adults and a juvenile, have been arrested following the death of an infant in Winnfield. Jeff Palermo has the troubling details…

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Ronald Greene investigation, the DCFS scandal and a ban on most abortions are among the top stories in 2022. Marsanne Golsby has more…

Cut 2 (45)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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In 2021 the Louisiana Office of Tourism says 41 million people visited the Bayou State, not quite the pre-pandemic levels of 53 million in 2019. But Lt Governor Billy Nungesser is optimistic that numbers this year will indicate significant growth.

Cut 3 (07) “…record-breaking numbers.” 

Prior to COVID, he says the state had five years of record-breaking number years in state tourism.

Nungesser says it’s not just the Crescent City that’s rebounding in tourism, he says they saw record-breaking numbers during Mardi Gras elsewhere in the state.

Cut 4 (12)  “…really proud of.” 

And with the Sugar Bowl on Saturday, Nungesser says he’s been promoting tourism to both Alabama and Kansas State fans encouraging them to extend their trips.

Cut 5 (13) “…has to offer.”

For the second consecutive year, the Office of Tourism has promoted the state at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses parade.

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If you are going to celebrate the New Year with fireworks, the state Fire Marshal’s office says light them at least 200 feet away from houses or anything else that can catch fire. Spokeswoman Ashley Rodrigue says the embers can start fires.

 Cut 6 (10)  “…of wind.”

She says don’t handle fireworks if you are impaired, and keep a close eye on young children.

Cut 7 (09)  “…their own.”

Rodrigue says to shoot only one firework at a time and keep an eye on where the embers land.

And she says fires have started in garbage cans when the packaging wasn’t soaked with water

Cut 8 (12)  “…can catch fire.“

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This year had its share of big stories in Louisiana with the investigation into the 2019 State Police custody death of Ronald Greene ranked as our top story of 2022. Federal prosecutors refused to pursue charges against the officers involved, but five officers are facing state charges. Greene’s mother Mona Hardin felt some relief…

Cut 9 (11) “…held accountable.” 

A special legislative committee held several hearings looking at how State Police attempted to cover-up the investigation into Greene’s death. There are questions of what Governor John Bel Edwards knew and when did he know about the beating Greene took from officers before he died….

Cut 10 (09) “…false.” 

The resignation of Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters was another major story. Two Baton rouge toddlers died in a four-month span from drug overdose deaths. In both cases, DCFS received warnings the children were in danger. Governor Edwards defended Walters’ before he no longer could…

Cut 11 (11)  “…absolute failure.”

It was a big year for pro life advocates who saw abortion become illegal in most cases in Louisiana as a result of legislation passed that went into effect after Roe Versus Wade was overturned. Kathaleen Pittman was a long-time administrator at a Shreveport abortion clinic that shut down for good in August

Cut 12 (11) “…on the staff”  

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A 98-year-old mother from Alexandria and her 69-year-old daughter were killed in a two-vehicle crash on U-S 190 in Pointe Coupee Parish on Thursday morning. State Police Trooper Christian Reed says the victims were traveling in an S-U-V that slammed into the back of a parked tractor-trailer on the side of the road…

Cut 13 (09) “…at the scene”  

The victims have been identified as 69-year-old Barbara Dobard Rigby and 98-year-old Maynette Dobard of Alexandria. A person inside the 18-wheeler’s sleeper cab was not hurt. A toxicology sample was obtained from Rigby and submitted for analysis.

Reed says it’s a tragic incident to end the year…

Cut 14 (10)   “…fatal crash”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans are tied for first place in the Western Conference, with a 22-12 record heading into tonight’s home game against Philadelphia. This time last year the team was 12-22. All-star Forward Zion Williamson credits the team’s improvement to the work they have put in after last year’s surprise resurgence…
Cut 15 (20) “…something special.”
Williamson scored a career-high 43 points in the win Wednesday night and has been the leading scorer on the team while Brandon Ingram has been sidelined by a toe injury.

The 9th ranked LSU Lady Tigers had a statement win last night as they routed 24th ranked Arkansas 69 to 45 to open up SEC play.

Louisiana Tech trounced UTSA 91-69 as the Bulldogs shot 54-percent from the field. Isaiah Crawford had 20 points and six steals.

Sun Belt play started last night, the Ragin Cajuns missed a three-pointer with one second left and lost to Coastal Carolina 77-76. Jordan Brown had 25 points in a losing effort. ULM topped two-time conference regular season champion Texas State 57-53. Tyreke Locure had 12 points and eight rebounds.

LSU safety Major Burns says he’s coming back for his senior season, while Saints running back Alvin Kamara has yet to practice this week because of a personal issue.

11:30 LRN Newscast

New statistics show that New Orleans is on track for having the highest homicide rate in the U.S. this year; over 70 homicides per 100-thousand residents, which tops any other city. Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission says a lack of cops is the reason. Because so many cops have left the force, the homicide rate is up 132-percent since 2019…:
cut 28 (09) “…are up 21-percent.”

A 98-year-old mother and her 69-year-old daughter from Alexandria were killed in a two-vehicle wreck on U-S 190 in Pointe Coupee Parish on Thursday. State Police Trooper Christian Reed says their S-U-V slammed into a parked 18-wheeler on the side of the road. He calls it a tragic incident…
cut 14 (10) “…fatal crash”
The victims have been identified as 69-year-old Barbara Dobard Rigby and 98-year-old Maynette Dobard of Alexandria

For some finding a new job in 2023 is a personal goal. UNO professor of Economics and Finance Mark Rosa advises you not to leave a job, just to have a different job. He says to choose your job move wisely because your current employer will get along without you…
cut 12 (06) “…everybody loses”
Rosa says look at the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired as an investment in your career and livelihood; not just a way to pay the bills.

If you are going to celebrate the New Year with fireworks, the state Fire Marshal’s office says keep them at least 200 feet away from houses or anything else that can catch fire. Spokeswoman Ashley Rodrigue says the embers can start fires.
Cut 6 (10) “…of wind.”
She says don’t handle fireworks if you are impaired, and keep a close eye on young children.

10:30 LRN Newscast

One of the new laws taking effect New Year’s Day requires carbon monoxide detectors in one or two-family homes sold or newly leased in Louisiana….
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

The state fire marshal’s office says two people died in a house fire in Winnsboro yesterday. The victims are an elderly male and a middle-aged woman. Investigators are looking into unattended cooking as a potential cause of the deadly fire.

The U-S Coast Guard has suspended its search for four individuals who were on a helicopter that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico ten miles off of Southwest Pass, Louisiana.

2022 ends with New Orleans as America’s Murder Capital with the most killings per capita. Violent crime in the Crescent City has reached levels not seen in more than 25 years. Morale with the New Orleans Police Department is low and the number of cops has fallen below 900. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says low pay has been an issue…
cut 9 (08) “…police department”

A 98-year-old mother from Alexandria and her 69-year-old daughter were killed in a two-vehicle crash on U-S 190 in Pointe Coupee Parish on Thursday morning. State Police Trooper Christian Reed says the victims were traveling in a S-U-V that slammed into the back of a parked tractor-trailer on the side of the road…
cut 13 (09) “…at the scene”
The victims have been identified as 69-year-old Barbara Dobard Rigby and 98-year-old Maynette Dobard of Alexandria.

6:45 LRN Sportscast December 30

The 9th-ranked LSU women’s basketball team opened up SEC play last night by knocking off 24th-ranked Arkansas 69-45 in Fayetteville. Angel Reese and Alexis Morris each had 19 points and the Razorbacks shot just 28 percent from the field.

In men’s basketball action last night, Louisiana Tech trounced UTSA 91-69 as the Bulldogs shot 54-percent from the field. Isaiah Crawford had 20 points and six steals.

Sun Belt play started last night, the Ragin Cajuns missed a three-pointer with one second left and lost to Coastal Carolina 77-76. Jordan Brown had 25 points in a losing effort. ULM topped two-time conference regular season champion Texas State 57-53. Tyreke Locure had 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Pelicans go after their fifth straight win tonight as they host the 76ers in front of a sold-out Smoothie King Center. New Orleans is tied with Denver for the best record in the Western Conference at 22-12.

LSU is 1-0 in SEC play after beating upsetting ninth-ranked Arkansas on Wednesday. The Bayou Bengals are 12-and-1 overall and Coach Matt McMahon says his team is a work in progress, but looking to shake up a loaded SEC…
cut 17 (20) “…build on”
The Tigers will take on 19th-ranked Kentucky in Lexington on Tuesday.

LSU safety Major Burns says he’s coming back for his senior season, while Saints running back Alvin Kamara has yet to practice this week because of a personal issue.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The LSU Ag Center says the recent freezes were disruptive to the sugarcane crop. Sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois says the crops now being harvested experienced what he calls a killing freeze…:
CUT 07(09) “…we’ve had.”
However, ten of the eleven sugar cane mills in Louisiana are still processing cane, and the quality of the sugar being processed is still very good.

The Smoke-free Louisiana coalition says they saw an eight-percent increase in Quitline calls during the year by individuals looking to stop using tobacco products or vaping. Spokesperson Randy Hayden says a good New Year’s resolution for smokers would be to kick the habit…
cut 5 (09) “…in the year”
The number to call is 1-800-Quit-Now

Recent wastewater samples from Shreveport show an increase in COVID in northwestern Louisiana. The Center for Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats at LSU Health Shreveport has been monitoring samples. Dr. Krista Queen says when individuals are infected the virus begins replicating in their bodies even before they know they are sick.
Cut 11 (08) “…uses the restroom.”
She says similar to this time last year, we’ll start to see cases spike again.

LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte announced last night he’s entering the NFL draft and will not come back for his senior season. But Hunt Palmer of the LSU Sports Radio Network and ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge says the Tigers still have several talented receivers…
cut 14 (12) “….as well”
The Tigers play Purdue in the Citrus Bowl on Monday.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Zion Williamson scored a career-high 43 points as the New Orleans Pelicans edged out Minnesota 119 to 118. The Pels are now 15-and-4 at home, 22-and-12 overall and Williamson is thrilled he’s brought a winning team to the Big Easy…
cut 16 (15) “…great too”
New Orleans hosts Philadelphia tomorrow.

The Saints enter the game with the Eagles with a six-and-nine record and needing to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Philadelphia has the best record in the NFL at 13-and-2. Coach Dennis Allen says the players understand the challenge in front of them…
Cut 17 (16) “…handful for sure”
Kick-off Sunday is at noon.

Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (BOO-tee) has announced he’s ending his LSU career and entering the NFL draft. The New Iberia native made the announcement hours after LSU said Boutte would not play in the Cirtus Bowl, but was enrolled for the spring semester. Hunt Palmer of the LSU Sports Radio Network and ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge has this reaction….
cut 12 (07) “….for a championship”
Palmer says it’s unclear what led to the abrupt ending of Boutte’s career at LSU.

LSU Coach Matt McMahon won his first SEC game last night as the Tigers knocked off ninth ranked Arkansas 60-57 in the conference opener for both teams. Reserve guard Trae Hannibal scored 19 points off the bench to lead the way as LSU has won 13 straight home games.

Tonight, La Tech hosts UTSA, the Cajuns are at Coastal Carolina and ULM visits Texas State.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

What a night of basketball in the Bayou State last night! In front of a sold out Smoothie King Center crowd, Zion Williamson scored a career-high 43 points as the Pelicans edged Minnesota 119 to 118 for New Orleans fourth straight game. Williamson scored the final 16 points for the Pels, who are 15-and-4 on their home floor and they’ll host the 76ers on Friday night.

LSU won its SEC opener last night, upsetting Arkansas 60-57 in front of a loud PMAC crowd. Trae Hannibal had a huge game as he scored 19 points and had six rebounds. Derek Fountain had a double-double, 14 points and ten rebounds. The Bayou Bengals held the Hogs to 37-percent shooting as coach Matt McMahon is victorious in his first SEC game.

Also last night, 12th ranked Baylor beat Nicholls 85-56. Tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts U-T-S-A.

Earlier this month, receiver Kayshon Boutte announced he was returning for his senior season at LSU. Yesterday afternoon, LSU announced Boutte would not play in the Citrus Bowl, but is enrolled for the spring semester. And then last night, Boutte announced he’s entering the NFL draft and skipping his senior season.

The Saints are getting ready for this Sunday’s game against the Eagles in Philadelphia. New Orleans is not sure who they will see at quarterback. MVP candidate Jalen Hurts did not play last weekend because of a shoulder injury, so Gardner Minshew (Min-shoe) started and nearly led the Eagles to a win over Dallas. Saints Coach Dennis Allen on getting ready to face the high-flying Eagles offense…
Cut 16 (19) “.operate”
Kick off Sunday is at noon.