9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana has the fourth highest rate in the nation for most severe case of the West Nile Virus, with 33 such cases this year. Whitney Thomas has more
Cut 22 (32) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Tropical Depression number nine formed in the central Caribbean Sea this morning, but at this time it doesn’t appear to be a threat to Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center says the system will begin turning north on Sunday and cross over Cuba on Tuesday as a hurricane and reach the western coast of Florida on Wednesday.

A Tulane University study says having kids makes one become more conservative. Senior study author and professor of psychology Dr. Damian Murray says they surveyed more than 2600 people in numerous countries and they found that those raising kids placed higher importance on things like family values, social stability, sexual behavior, reproduction, and physical safety…:
Cut 4 (09) “…vulnerable human being.”

The Violence Policy Center reported this week that once again Louisiana ranks in the Top ten for the rate of women murdered by men. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Psychiatry Doctor Rahn Bailey says for some men they learned in their upbringing to resort to abuse and they lack conflict resolution skills. He says many are unable to control their emotions when it comes to rejection or jealousy.
Cut 12 (06) “…hostile way.”

8:30 LRN Newscast

Over a dozen schools in Louisiana received false reports yesterday of active shooters at their school. Neville High School in Monroe, Mansfield, Rayne, Leesville, New Iberia and Westgate High were among the schools that received the automated report. Authorities are trying to determine who is responsible for the hoax.

When questioned about the status of the Allie Rice case Baton Police Chief Murphy Paul defends his officers and the investigation. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Violence Policy Center released a report this week that said nearly 90-percent of women who are murdered are killed by an intimate partner or someone they know. LSU Health New Orleans Psychiatry Professor Doctor Rahn Bailey says women are more likely to let their guard down around they are close to versus a man they don’t know…
cut 11 (10) “….happening too much”
If you need assistance call the Louisiana Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-888-411-1333.

A Tulane University study finds having children makes parents more conservative. Social conservatism – not political – is what’s being discussed here. Lead author of the report Doctor Damian Murray says they compiled data from over 400 thousand people in over 80 countries to arrive at the findings. He says – regardless of the culture – when people take on the responsibility of children, their feelings tend to change…:
Cut 5 (08) “…conservative values.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Tropical Depression nine has formed in the Carribbean and the National Hurricane Center forecast track has the storm developing into a hurricane early next week and crossing over Cuba on Tuesday. The long range forecast shows a landfall on the western side of Florida on Wednesday. But Governor Edwards says Louisiana residents should still monitor the storm’s development over the weekend…
cut 13 (12) “…about 1991”

Baton Rouge Police officials deny a media report that they did not call back a witness who claimed to see the fatal shooting of LSU student Allie Rice last Friday morning. Lt. Kevin Heinz….
cut 7 (11) “….know of”
The Shed BBQ restaurant where Rice worked has raised 40-thousand dollars for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for killing the 21-year-old from Ascension Parish.

Louisiana consistently ranks in the top ten among states with the highest rate of women murdered by men. Brooke Thorington asks a psychiatrist what prompts men to murder women.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

West Nile has infected enough Louisianans to rank us 4th highest in the U.S. for case counts. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says protect yourself and your home from mosquitos…:
CUT 21(07) “…your house.”
Five have died this year from Neuro-Invasive West Nile.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU football completes its three-game homestand by hosting New Mexico tomorrow. The Lobos are in the Mountain West Conference and they are 2-1 with wins over Maine and UTEP and a loss to Boise State. They have forced ten turnovers this season, so Coach Brian Kelly has put his team on alert…
Cut 16 (09) “…no doubt about that.”
Kelly says receiver Kayshon Boutte will not play tomorrow night as his girlfriend gave birth to their first child last night.

Also, the NCAA placed the football program on one year of probation and former LSU offensive line coach James Cregg gets a three-year show cause penalty for giving a prospect LSU gear during a COVID-19 recruiting dead period. LSU continues to await on possible sanctions on alleged recruiting violations committed by former basketball coach Will Wade.

ULM welcomes the Ragin Cajuns to Malone Stadium on Saturday for the Sun Belt opener. UL-Lafayette was picked to win the Sun Belt’s West Division, while the Warhawks were picked to finish last in the West. ULM Coach Terry Bowden’s team is not hiding the fact of who has the more talented team…
Cut 19 (13) “…we are there yet.”
Kick-off is at 7 PM.

There are a couple of big games in southeast Louisiana tomorrow. Tulane is off to a 3-0 start and they host Southern Miss in a renewal of the Battle for the Bell rivalry.

Southeastern Louisiana kicks-off Southland play by hosting U-I-W fourth ranked U-I-W at Strawberry Stadium. The Cardinals have won the last four meetings.

Looks like Northwestern State is making a quarterback change for its Southland opener against Lamar at 3:30 in Turpin Stadium. Based on the Demons depth chart, Zachary Clement will get the start over Miles Fallin.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Tropical Depression Nine formed early this morning over the central Caribbean and based on the National Hurricane Center’s Forecast track this storm will develop into a hurricane as it moves towards Cuba and then the Gulf Coast of Florida. Louisiana has been keeping its eye on the system and Governor Edwards says the state really needs a season with no storms…
cut 15 (08) “…travel trailers”

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the shooting death of LSU student Allie Rice is up to 40-thousand dollars. Baton Rouge Crimestoppers Director Johnny Dunnam the Shed BBQ restaurant where Rice worked is raising the money….
cut 8 (11) “….and citizens”
It was a week ago today when Rice was gunned down in her car near downtown Baton Rouge.

Research from Tulane University reveals adults with children tend to become more conservative. That story from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte will not play in tomorrow night’s game against New Mexico as his girlfriend gave birth to their first child last night.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The NCAA has placed LSU’s football program on one year of probation and former LSU offensive line coach James Cregg was given a three year show cause for improper recruiting violations. That means it will be hard for him to find a job over the next three years in college football. The NCAA has determined Cregg gave a recruit team gear during a COVID-19 dead period for visiting recruits. LSU will pay a self-imposed five-thousand dollar fine and the number of official recruiting visits will be limited to 55.

It’s expected true freshmen Will Campbell and Emery Jones will start again at the two offensive tackle spots on Saturday. Center Charles Turner says both of them played really well last week as starters…
cut 17 (12) “…tremendous amount”
The Tigers host New Mexico on Saturday night.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints quarterback Jamies Winston is still struggling with ongoing back injuries that may continue to hinder him throughout the rest of the season. Winston suffered four fractures in his back in week one against the Falcons but he isn’t focusing on the pain.
Cut 16 (09) “…than that.”
Rookie wide receiver Chris Olave had five receptions for 80 yards in the loss but was targeted thirteen times including multiple deep shots of which only one connected. Winston praised the rookie’s route-running ability and maturity and says he needs to be more accurate on those throws down the field.
Cut 18 (14) “…in the game.”
The Saints visit the winless Panthers on Sunday.

The LSU Tigers are getting ready to host the Lobos of New Mexico on Saturday night. Coach Brian Kelly the Mountain West school will present them with some challenges…
cut 30 (12) “…of preparation”
LSU is a 31.5 point favorite.

U-L Lafayette’s nation-leading 15-game win streak came to an end last weekend in a loss to Rice, but coach Michael Desormeaux is glad the pressure has been taken off his team and is looking forward to bouncing back this Saturday against the ULM Warhawks…
Cut 19 (13) “…forward here.”
Cajuns running back Chris Smith calls the loss to Rice a wake-up call

LRN AM Newscall September 22

A reward of $30,000 is being offered to help find those responsible for the shooting death of LSU student Allie Rice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_________________________________________________

A federal judge rules the federal government may no longer require COVID shots or masks of teachers, staff or volunteers with Project Head Start. Kevin Gallagher has the story…:

Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

________________________________________________

New Orleans experienced a major uptick in crimes this year with over 200 homicides, now locals are wondering if it will affect tourism. Whitney Thomas has more…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

________________________________________________

The restaurant where Allie Rice worked is helping collect reward money for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who gunned the LSU student down last Friday. One of the owners of The Shed, Chez Ciccone says the reward is up to $30,000 and he thinks it will make a difference.

Cut 4 (08)  “…people know.”

Allie Rice worked at The Shed alongside two of her brothers. Ciccone says the restaurant pitched in $10,000 dollars initially and other businesses have also donated to the reward. He says they hope to have $50,000 by Friday, which would be one week after the LSU senior was killed in her car on Government St. in Baton Rouge.

Cut 5 (07) “…did this.”

Ciccone says there’s been an overwhelming outpour of condolences and offers to help in any way they can since Allie was killed. He urges the community to work together to help end the uptick in crime in Baton Rouge.

Cut 6 (06)  “…off the street.” 

For more information on how to donate to the reward, you can visit The Shed’s Facebook page. If you have any tips about the case call Crimestoppers or Baton Rouge Police.

____________________________________________

A federal judge rules that the U.S. Government may NOT require masks and/or COVID shots for teachers, staff and volunteers with Project Head Start. The suit was brought by a school teacher and represented by the Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, whose general counsel Sarah Harbison says the plaintiff is vindicated…:

Cut 7 (08) “…aren’t having it.”

U.S. Circuit Court Judge Terry Doughty issued a permanent injunction preventing the feds from enforcing their mask and shot mandates on Head Start in Louisiana and 23 other states. Harbison says the case against the government wasn’t just about compliance…:

Cut 8 (06)  “…to do so.”

Harbison says the federal government can appeal the ruling, but other COVID mandates have also been reversed and they’ll likely lose on appeal in this case. President Biden recently publicly proclaimed the COVID pandemic “over” so why would the feds persist in the mask and shot mandates…?

Cut 9 (07)  “…and medical decisions.”

________________________________________________

Today is the first day of fall, but its unseasonally hot. Temperatures will get into the upper 90s today, and triple digits north of I-10. State Climatologist Barry Kiem says the hot weather will stick around through the weekend.

Cut 10 (09) “…some locations.”

A front is expected to come in next week dropping high temperatures back into the 80s. The humidity is also expected to drop. Keim says even though the calendar says fall summer is hanging on. 

Cut  11 (06)  “…still here.” 

But Keim says we’ll get a little break over the weekend

Cut 12 (06) “…incredibly hot..” 

______________________________________________

New Orleans has experienced astronomical crime rates this year with over 200 people murdered. A concerned local asked Governor John Bel Edwards on his monthly call-in radio program if this is impacting tourism.

Edwards says numbers indicate that tourism is actually up in Crescent City.

Cut 13 (13) “…our economy.”

Edwards says he believes the increase in crime isn’t keeping tourists away.  

Cut 14 (09)  “…that either..”

Edwards says getting more police officers will make a difference.

Cut 15 (08)  “… retain them.”

_______________________________________________

Saints quarterback Jamies Winston is still struggling with ongoing back injuries that may continue to hinder him throughout the rest of the season. Winston suffered four fractures in his back in week one against the Falcons but he isn’t focusing on the pain.

Cut 16 (09)  “…than that.” 

Winston threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter against the Buccaneers last Sunday, including a costly pick-six. Winston doesn’t want his injuries to act as an excuse for his performance and takes accountability for the late-game mistakes.

Cut 17 (17) “…the middle.” 

Rookie wide receiver Chris Olave had five receptions for 80 yards in the loss but was targeted thirteen times including multiple deep shots of which only one connected. Winston praised the rookie’s route-running ability and maturity and says he needs to be more accurate on those throws down the field.

Cut 18 (14) “…in the game.” 

_____________________________________________

U-L Lafayette’s nation-leading 15-game win streak came to an end last weekend in a loss to Rice, but coach Michael Desormeaux is glad the pressure has been taken off his team and is looking forward to bouncing back this weekend.

Cut 19 (13) “…forward here.”

The Cajuns next game will be against conference rivals ULM on Saturday. The Warhawks have had the unenviable challenge of facing off against two top programs in Texas and Alabama to start their season, but Desormeaux says the Warhawks are better than their record or even film may show.

Cut 20 (20) “ …physical one.” 

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly said today he wants to get wide receiver Jack Bech more involved in Saturday’s game against New Mexico. So far Beche only has two catches in three games, after leading the team in receptions with 43 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns last season.

The Tigers game against the Lobos is at 6:30 and Kelly says he’s looking forward to seeing what running back John Emery can do after making his 2022 debut last Saturday…
cut 28 (13) “…for him”

The Saints returned to practice to get ready for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Running back Alvin Kamara was a limited participant after missing the loss to the Buccaneers because of a rib injury. Cornerback Paulson Adebo was also limited with an ankle injury that’s kept him out the first two games of the season.

Lousiaina Tech lost to Clemson last weekend 48-20 but the Bulldogs showed they can be winners away from the football field. The Clemson football program has been grieving over the death of 15-year-old Ella Bresee, the sister of Tigers defensive tackle Brian Bresee. Before Saturday’s game, Tech players decided to write hand written letters to Bresee’s family to offer their sorrow and some words of encouragement. Wide receiver Julian Lewis was one of the players who wrote a letter…
Cut 17 (15) “..his family”
Tech is back on the road this Saturday as they will visit South Alabama in its final non-conference game.

ULM starting offensive tackle Stacey Wilkins has been suspended from the team until further notice after he was arrested and charged with domestic battery.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Baton Rouge Police believe Friday’s fatal shooting of 21-year-old Allison Rice was likely a random act, but an exact motive is unknown as the search for her killer continues. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the LSU student attempted to turn her vehicle around at a train crossing when shots were fired.
Cut 30 (07) “…this case.”

It looks the days of falling gas prices are coming to an end. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13 today, which matches yesterday’s statewide average. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says now that gasoline prices have stabilized its hard to predict where they go from here….
cut 7 (08) “….right now”
But Redman says if a major hurricane appears in the Gulf, prices will spike. Forecasters are keeping an eye on a tropical wave in the western Atlantic.

Social Catfish, an online investigation service that monitors scams, says in Louisiana last year more than 4,000 people lost $43 million to con-artists, that’s up from $27 million in 2020. Social Catfish CEO David McClellan…
Cut 9 (08) “…staggering.”
During the pandemic, there was an increase in identity theft due to stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment.

Southeastern Louisiana has received a five million dollar grant that they will use to recruit teachers, including from underserved population. Dean of Education Paula Summers Calderon says they are partnering with the Tangipahoa School System for the first year and they will focus on ways to better prepare teachers….
cut 4 (11) “…those new teachers”
The project will prepare 375 more highly effective and trained teachers over a five-year period.