11:30 LRN Newscast

A group from East Carroll Parish is in Baton Rouge today hoping to keep the broadband expansion project on track. Nathanael Wills with Delta Interfaith says it’s on hold due to a subsidiary of Cable One protesting the grant awards that they didn’t even apply for to stop competition from providing service.
Cut 6 (08) “…to do.”
Wills says current laws and rules favor incumbent providers and a company that serves even a portion of an area, they can stop competing providers from establishing service and basically block access.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to find a man who disappeared nearly 33 years ago. Investigators say Robert Fulton Browning was last seen walking away from his home on November 27th 1989 after an argument. Deputy Glenn Springfield says they haven’t given up on finding Browning.
Cut 3 (06) “…in the case.”
Browning was 53 when he disappeared and would be 85 now.

The White House says it’s sending another six-thousand additional doses of the monkeypox vaccines to Louisiana to administer at vaccination events surrounding the Southern Decadence Festival in New Orleans, which is one of the largest L-G-B-T-Q plus gatherings in the United States. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis (Dousk ah lock -ss) says Decadence allows them to reach those who are less likely to go to a clinic.
Cut 12 (04) “..the event.”
In addition to Decadance this weekend the federal response team will also be doing similar outreach at Atlanta Black Proud.

The Saints have traded fan favorite Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 seventh round pick to the Eagles for three draft picks, a fifth round selection in 2023 and two sixth round picks in 2024. Coach Dennis Allen addressed the trade with reporters…
cut 16 (10) “….wish him the best”
Gardner-Johnson is expected to start at safety for Philadelphia. He was looking for a new contract with the Saints and those talks reportedly broke down, which led to the trade.

10:30 LRN Newscast

To help mitigate the spread of Monkeypox, a federal response team will work with state healthcare workers at Southern Decadence Festival. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s a happy ending to the kidnapping case of a Louisiana nun who was abducted almost five months ago while doing missionary work in West Africa. Sister Suellen Tennyson is alive and in U-S Hands. Officials are not saying when the 83-year-old Kenner native will be brought back to the United States.

Louisiana will receive another 98-million dollars in federal transportation funds that other states failed to use, while Louisiana used its full allotment in federal highway money for 2021-22. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the additional federal money has happened before but this is one of the largest such infusions to date…
cut 14 (07) “…to good use”
Wilson says no determination has been made yet on how this latest allocation will be spent.

15-million dollars in state funding will go towards a new College of Engineering Building at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dean of the College of Engineering Doctor Ahmed Khattab says the building will provide a cutting-edge learning environment for students
cut 9 (06) “….and develop”
Construction is set to begin next year and it will take 16 to 18 months to complete.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana will receive an additional 98-million in federal transportation dollars as this is money other states failed to spend. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says Louisiana has many infrastructure needs and they will use the redistributed funds across the state…
cut 15 (08) “…get it done”

The federal government is also sending Louisiana six-thousand additional doses of the monkeypox vaccine ahead of the Southern Decadence Festival, which is a large LGBTQ- gathering. Edwards says it’s an ideal opportunity to reach a vulnerable demographic.
cut 11 (08) “….important”
There will be a large-scale vaccination site at Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans starting tomorrow and running through Labor Day.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces a plan for its new engineering building. Whitney Thomas has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

A Louisiana Internet for All Summit takes place in Alexandria today. Executive Director of Louisiana Broadband and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar says an estimated 1.5 million people in Louisiana do not have high-speed internet and it’s because of a number of reasons…
cut 6 (05) “…access issue”

8:30 LRN Newscast

The federal government awards Louisiana an additional $98 million to put toward planned road and infrastructure needs. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A spokesperson for New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the recall effort against her is a Republican-backed maneuver by people with an agenda. The statement praises the mayor for leading the city through the pandemic and Hurricane Ida. Recall organizers say the mayor’s political action committee is spreading lies to try and discredit their effort.

Stakeholders involved in the implementation of high-speed internet for the state are meeting in Alexandria today. Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of Louisiana Broadband and Connectivity, says it’s an opportunity to discuss what’s been done so far and anticipated challenges…
Cut 4 (10) “…not sooner.”
Among the attendees are Senator Bill Cassidy and Governor John Bel Edwards.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces plans to construct a 70,000-square-foot Engineering building. The mission is to increase students’ resources in and out of the classroom. Dr. Ahmed Khattab, Dean of the College of Engineering, says the building will offer a plethora of opportunities
Cut 7 (10) “…industry partners.”
Construction will begin next year and 15-million dollars in state funds, along with 35-million dollars in private and public funds will be used to pay for the building.

7:30 LRN Newscast

To help mitigate the spread of Monkeypox, a federal response team will work with state healthcare workers at Southern Decadence Festival. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s a happy ending to the kidnapping case of a Louisiana nun who was abducted almost five months ago while doing missionary work in West Africa. Sister Suellen Tennyson is alive and in U-S Hands. Officials are not saying when the 83-year-old Kenner native will be brought back to the United States.

Louisiana will receive another 98-million dollars in federal transportation funds that other states failed to use, while Louisiana used its full allotment in federal highway money for 2021-22. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the additional federal money has happened before but this is one of the largest such infusions to date…
cut 14 (07) “…to good use”
The previous high was 80-million dollars in 2018.

15-million dollars in state funding will go towards a new College of Engineering Building at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dean of the College of Engineering Doctor Ahmed Khattab says the building will provide a cutting-edge learning environment and will be an improvement over two existing buildings…
cut 8 (11) “….we currently have”
Construction is set to begin next year.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Based on reports, the failure to reach a long term contract with defensive back CJ Gardner Johnson led to the Saints trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles. New Orleans receives a fifth-round pick next year, and two sixth round selections in 2024. The Eagles are also getting a seventh round pick in 2025.

Coach Dennis Allen says it was not an easy decision, but he says the depth they have at cornerback made them feel they could depart with the 2019 draft pick….
cut 17 (14) “…..we made”
Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo are the Saints starting cornerbacks and they also have Bradley Roby and second round pick Alontae Taylor.

The Saints also had to get their active roster down to 53, which resulted in waiving 12 players like Ian Book, Kirk Merritt and former Nicholls receiver DaiJean Dixon.

BJ Ojulari, Ali Gaye and Mike Jones Junior have been name co-captains for the LSU football team. Ojulari wears number 19 and is a preseason All-American selection. Gaye recently graduated from LSU and Jones enters his fifth season of college football with 81 career tackles.

There are a bunch of first year coaches in Louisiana this year, but ULM’s Terry Bowden is entering his second season. The Warhawks went four and eight last season and Bowden believes there’s more talent on this team…
cut 20 (09) “….on the field”
ULM is heavy underdogs heading into its season opener on Saturday. Texas is a 37.5 point favorite.

Sunny Cumbie era begins tomorrow night for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs visit Missouri. Mizzou is a 19.5 point favorite.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana will get another $98 million in federal dollars for transportation and infrastructure projects. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the additional funds are a reward of sorts, for making good use of federal dollars previously awarded to the state. Wilson says this will allow the state to continue its momentum in road and bridge improvements…:
Cut 13 (12) “…we’ve ever received.”

In preparation for Decadence Festival in New Orleans this weekend, the National Monkeypox Response team has sent teams along with 6,000 vaccine doses to help mitigate and raise awareness of the virus. Governor John Bel Edwards praised the efforts to reach those most at-risk.
Cut 10 (10) “…appreciate that.”

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces plans for a new engineering building. Whitney Thomas has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints have traded fan favorite Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 seventh round pick to the Eagles for three draft picks, a fifth round selection in 2023 and two sixth round picks in 2024. The 24-year-old had a career-high three interceptions last season and this summer Gardner-Johnson called himself the best nickel cornerback in the NFL. Coach Dennis Allen addressed the trade with reporters…
cut 16 (10) “….wish him the best”
Gardner-Johnson is expected to start at safety for Philadelphia. He was looking for a new contract with the Saints and those talks reportedly broke down, which led to the trade.

It’s also cut down day as every NFL team needs to get its roster down to 53 players this afternoon. One of the cuts…third-string quarterback Ian Book. The Black and Gold are reportedly hoping to sign Book to their practice squad.

Whoever starts at quarterback for LSU on Sunday against Florida State will have a bunch of wide receivers to throw the football too. Coach Brian Kelly says he expects seven to eight receivers will play and there’s also a lot of versatility with the position group….
cut 17 (25) “…keep guys fresh”
Kelly expects Malik Nabers will play on Sunday after missing last Saturday’s practice with a sprained ankle. Also, Jack Beche seems to be over his shin splits that caused him to miss a few practices earlier in camp.

Zachary, Westgate, Sterlington, Many and Homer are all ranked number one in their respective classes in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association preseason poll.

LRN PM Newscall August 30

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana today is $3.40, down nine cents from a week ago. But the big question is whether will it continue to decrease. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

State officials say we are in the peak time of transmission for West Nile Virus. They’re urging you to take precautions.  Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (31) I’m Marsanne Golsby.”  

______________________________________

As gas prices slowly lower, Nick Chabarria (Cha-berry) with Triple-A says one reason is due to a decrease in demand and the end of the summer vacation season now that kids are back in school. He says the higher prices also brought on driver fatigue.

Cut 3 (07) “…gas prices.” 

And while gas prices are higher than this time last year and the year before, many question if gas prices will return to those levels if the war on Ukraine ends. Chabarria says those prices reflected the pandemic when travel diminished heavily. As for the immediate future and prices, Chabarria says it’s anybody’s

Cut 4  (12) “…back up.”

And while we’ve been seeing gas prices fall ten to 15 cents week over week, Chabarria says those price drops are already beginning to slow.

Cut 5  (10) “…oil prices 10.”

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana today is $3.40, down nine cents from a week ago.

________________________________________________

If you thought the West Nile Virus had gone away, think again. The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting the first case of the deadly form of West Nile in Acadiana in two years. Dr. Glennis Gray with the Department of Health says the symptoms are similar to the flu.

Cut 6 (07) “…nausea or rash.” 

She says if you have those symptoms and have been bitten, get to a doctor ASAP. Gray says this is shaping up to be a very challenging West Nile season and we are entering the peak time for transmission. She urges residents not to let their guard down and to take diligent precautions against mosquito bites.

Cut 7 (08) “…twice a day.” 

Rain means pools of standing water. In that water this year, experts have found nearly three times the number of West Nile-positive mosquitos as last year.   So far this year the state is reporting two deaths from West Nile and 14 severe neuroinvasive cases.

Cut 8 (05) “..resurrects itself.”

______________________________________________

A youth justice advocacy group called Families and Friends of Louisiana gathered at the state capitol today demanding that Louisiana not transfer youth violent offenders to Angola. Executive Director Gina Womack led today’s protest

Cut 9 (12)  “…OJJ facilities.”

A federal judge has put a halt on a plan to transfer 25 incarcerated youth offenders from a youth detention center in Jefferson Parish to the State Penitentiary. The governor’s office says they will wait until September 15th before they transfer the juvenile offenders.

Cut 10 (10) “..scare yet.” 

The state is looking to remove some of the juveniles from the Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish because of continuous problems at the center. There have been at least four escapes this year and there was also a riot where 20 juveniles took over parts of the facility.

But Womack argues the state should instead invest more dollars into education, therapy, and healing of the offenders and not

Cut 11 (06)  “…incarcerating kids.”

___________________________________________________

State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, along with the Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association and Farm Bureau are urging Governor John Bel Edwards to seek a disaster declaration because of excessive rainfall. Strain says some of the state’s row crops received 18 inches of rain in just a few days…

Cut 12 (10) “…for some.”  

Strain says the excessive rainfall came during the height of harvest for soybeans, rice, corn, grains and cotton, which will likely result in a reduction of yields. He says by requesting a disaster declaration it opens the possibility for farmers to get federal assistance…

Cut 13 (10) “as a weapon.” 

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints made a surprise trade today as they’ve reportedly sent safety Chaunce Gardner-Johnson to the Philadelphia Egles. New Orleans would receive the Eagles fifth round pick in 2023 and two sixth round picks in 2024. The Saints are sending Philly a seventh round pick in 2025. New Orleans and Gardner-Johnson reportedly could not reach terms on a long-term deal which resulted in the trade.

It’s possible Saints rookie offensive tackle Trevor Penning will start the season on injured reserve. Coach Dennis Allen was asked about Penning’s injury….
Cut 20 (12) “ …toe injury”
It’s reported Penning suffered a torn ligament in Friday’s last preseason game. If Penning starts the season on I-R, he’ll have to miss the first four games.

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly has not publically announced a starting quarterback for Sunday’s season opener against Florida State, but he has announced the starting offensive line. The tackles are Will Campbell and Cam Wire, guards Miles Frazier and Anthony Bradford and the center is Garrett Dellinger…
Cut 18 (18)“…his technique”
Kelly also says redshirt freshman kicker Damian Ramos will handle field goals and extra points as he’s beat out Nathan Dibert, Northwestern grad transfer Trey Finison and Ezekeal Mata. Ramos is from Baltimore and joined the team as a walk-on before the start of last season. A decision on who will handle kick-offs has not been made