LRN PM Newscall August 13

There are three well-known Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy in next April’s U-S Senate primary, but we have yet to see a Democrat announce they will challenge the Republican primary winner. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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A New Orleans Police officer has been arrested for allegedly hire sex workers while on duty in the French Quarter. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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In 1980, the current homestead exemption of 75-thousand dollars was set. St. Tammany Parish assessor Louis Fitzmorris says in the 1980s and 1990s, you could purchase a home and not pay property taxes. Fitzmorris says in the early 1990s he purchased a home in Abita Springs for 48-thousand dollars…

Cut 3 (05) “…200-thousand dollars”

Fitzmorris says if the homestead exemption kept up with inflation from 1980, many homeowners would not pay property taxes. But he says for that to happen, the legislature would have to quadruple the homestead exemption…

Cut 4 (08) “…300-thousand dollars.”

There was an effort in the last legislative session to increase the homestead exemption. New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard’s bill would have allowed parishes to increase the homestead exemption, but it died on the House floor. Fitzmorris says with homestead exemption holding steady at 75-thousand dollars, it’s been a stealth tax increase on homeowners…

Cut 5 (06) “…fully homestead exempted”

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There are three well-known Republicans challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s U-S Senate race, but will there be a formidable Democratic candidate. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Democrats would like to see former Governor John Bel Edwards run, but that’s unlikely…

Cut 6 (11) “…that happening”

Alford says as it stands now, there’s not an obvious candidate for the Democrats to run against the winner of the Republican Primary. He says former Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been mentioned as a possible candidate…

Cut 7 (10) “…that would be.”

Alford says it’s unlikely Democratic U-S Representatives Troy Carter or Cleo Fields would give up a House seat for a chance at representing Louisiana in the U-S Senate.

He says the Louisiana Democratic Party is in rebuilding mode…

Cut 8 (09) “..Republican primary” 

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A Port Allen man is accused of trying to set a home on fire that had four children inside. The incident happened early Tuesday morning in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Justin Hill says when investigators arrived at home, they saw evidence of a break-in…

Cut 9 (08)  “…nobody was injured”

Hill says thanks to the work of several agencies they apprehended the suspect, 46-year-old Alfred Jarvis. Jarvis had two restraining orders again him and he allegedly threatened the occupants of the home two days before he tried to set it on fire….

Cut 10 (12) “…under control.”

Hill says Jarvis have been charged with four counts of attempted first degree murder…

Cut 11 (12) “…witnesses said.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley supports President Trump’s effort to abolish the Department of Education and let the states decide how to spend federal dollars. Superintendent Brumley says Louisiana is positioned to benefit from that kind of system…

Cut 11 (09) “…result.”

During her visit to Louisiana, U-S Education Secretary Linda McMahon says the Trump Administration would like to move to a block funding model, letting states to decide how to spend federal dollars.

New rules for SNAP recipients in Louisiana will ban the use of food stamps in purchasing soft drinks, energy drinks and candy. hat new policy will go into effect in January.  Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says the goal is to help prevent future health problems for children.

Cut 14 (11) “…poor child.”

Abraham says they are hoping the USDA makes a rule change that would allow for the purchasing of hot rotisserie chickens with SNAP benefits.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is facing a challenge from three well-known Republicans in next year’s U-S Senate race, which will have party primary elections in April and a run-off in May. A formidable Democratic candidate has yet to emerge. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says do not expect former Governor John Bel Edwards or former Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu to get in the race…

Cut 7 (10) “…that would be”

Alford says Democratic U-S Representatives Troy Carter or Cleo Fields are also showing no interest in running for U-S Senate.

11:30 LRN Newscast

There are three well-known Republicans challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s U-S Senate race, but will there be a formidable Democratic candidate. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Democrats would like to see former Governor John Bel Edwards run, but that’s unlikely…

Cut 6 (11) “…that happening”

Alford says as it stands now, there’s not an obvious candidate for the Democrats to run against the winner of the Republican Primary.

Since last week’s sudden resignation of athletics director John Hartwell, there’s been speculation ULM is cutting funding to athletics. But KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says he’s seen the budget for this athletic year, and ULM has increased funding by 1.5 million dollars

Cut 7 (09) “…last year.”

Starting in January, Louisiana SNAP recipients can no longer purchase soda, energy drinks and candy with their food stamps. Jeff Palermo reports Louisiana’s Surgeon General hopes this leads to healthier children…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Police has released more information on a fatal officer involved shooting that took place in Sabine Parish on August 2nd. L-S-P says deputies tried to serve a property ban notice to the man for a previous incident, but he fled and barricaded himself inside a home. After several hours, the subject exited the home with a firearm and two knives. Investigators say he refused to surrender his weapons despite commanding  him to do so and that’s when he was shot.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The injuries are starting to pile up for the Saints. Back-up offensive lineman Will Clapp has been put on injured reserve with a foot injury. Coach Kellen Moore says cornerback Alontae Taylor has a groin injury and will be out awhile. Offensive guard Trevor Penning reportedly has a turf toe injury and is expected to miss four to six weeks and reserve wide receiver Bub Means is dealing with an ankle injury.

At LSU preseason camp, the Tigers have two tight ends they want to feature in the passing game, Trey’Dez Green and Bauer Sharp, who led Oklahoma in receiving last season. Green says Sharp has helped him with his confidence…

Cut 17 (15) “….amazing man”

 

ULM is about two weeks from the start of their football season and head coach Bryant Vincent is not only leading the football program, but he’s also leading the athletic department after the sudden resignation of John Hartwell. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says the fanbase is glad Vincent is in charge….

Cut 9 (14) “….period of time”

The Warhawks kick-off the season August 28th against St. Francis.

Preseason camp continues for the Ragin Cajuns. Coach Michael Desormeaux says former Cecilia star Brent Gordon is having a strong camp after helping the Bulldogs win a state title last year…

Cut 20 (18) “…be done”

10:30 LRN Newscast

The U.S. Supreme Court has set a date to revisit Louisiana’s congressional map and decide whether it violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State health officials says there have been three new cases of Vibrio vulnificus, which is a flesh-eating infection that’s able to get into a person’s body through open cuts or a weakened immune system. Twenty people have bene hospitalized and four have died. People are getting the infection through exposure to warm coastal waters or eating raw or uncooked seafood.

Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham believes preventing SNAP recipients from using their food stamps to purchase soft drinks, energy drinks and candy will make for a healthier Louisiana. That new policy will go into effect in January and Abraham says a good portion of government assistance is going towards the purchase of these items…

Cut 13 (07)  “…will be banned.”

Abraham says the big concern is that SNAP recipients are using their government assistance to buy their children soda and candy.

ULM is about two weeks from the start of their football season and head coach Bryant Vincent is not only leading the football program, but he’s also leading the athletic department after the sudden resignation of John Hartwell. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says the fanbase is glad Vincent is in charge….

Cut 9 (14) “….period of time”

The Warhawks kick-off the season August 28th against St. Francis.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

In Saints injury news, backup offensive lineman Will Clapp miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, cornerback Alontae Taylor will be out a little while with a groin injury and starting guard Trevor Penning will miss a few weeks with a foot injury.

Head Coach Kellen Moore says the battle for starting quarterback continues…

Cut 23 (11) “…for the Jackonsville game”

Barion Brown wants to be a big play receiver for LSU and the amount of talent the Tigers have at wide receiver is pushing him…

Cut 16 (17) “…make a play”

Brown had 11 receiving touchdowns in three seasons at Kentucky.

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ULM is set to spend just over 22-million dollars on athletics this year. That’s a little more than last year, but still one of the smallest budgets among FBS schools. Some say the Warhawks should drop down to the FCS level.

But KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says the school is getting three-point-seven million dollars to play Alabama and Northwestern, because they are an FBS school…

Cut 8 (06) “…drop down.”

Preseason camp continues for the Ragin Cajuns. Coach Michael Desormeaux says former Cecilia star Brent Gordon is having a strong camp after helping the Bulldogs win a state title last year…

Cut 20 (18) “…be done”

LRN AM Newscall August 13

There has been a concern ULM was slashing its athletic budget, but KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says that is not the case. Andre Champagne reports…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Starting in January, Louisiana SNAP recipients can no longer purchase soda, energy drinks and candy with their food stamps. Jeff Palermo reports Louisiana’s Surgeon General hopes this leads to healthier children…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The U.S. Supreme Court has set a date to revisit Louisiana’s congressional map and decide whether it violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Amtrak’s new passenger train service from New Orleans to Mobile starts Monday and for those who want to take a bus from Baton Rouge to New Orleans to catch the train there’s an easy way to do that. Florian Sitrin with Flix North America says you will not have to buy two different tickets…

Cut 4 (10) “…one trip.”

FlixBus already provides daily bus service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Sitrin says the schedule has been timed up so that you can take the bus from the Capitol City to Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans and catch a train to the Mississippi or Alabama Gulf Coast…

Cut 5 (08) “…too long.”

Sitrin says they have two dedicated buses that you can book at Amtrak or Flix Bus that can connect you to the Mardi Gras Service….

Cut 6 (11) “…beautiful connection.”

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Since last week’s sudden resignation of athletics director John Hartwell, there’s been speculation ULM is cutting funding to athletics. But KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says he’s seen the budget for this athletic year, and ULM has increased funding by 1.5 million dollars

Cut 7 (09) “…last year.”

Shortly after Hartwell’s resignation, it was reported new ULM president Carrie Castille was imposing a six-to-nine percent cut to the school’s athletic department budget.

ULM is set to spend just over 22-million dollars on athletics this year. That’s one of the smallest budgets among FBS schools and some say the school should drop down to the FCS level.

But Dietrich says the school is getting three-point-seven million dollars to play Alabama and Northwestern, because they are an FBS school…

Cut 8 (06) “…drop down.”

Football coach Bryant Vincent is the interim athletics director. Dietrich says the long-term future for ULM athletics is a little cloudy, but the fanbase is glad Vincent is leading athletics for the time being..

Cut 9 (14)  “…period of time”

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Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley supports President Trump’s effort to abolish the Department of Education. Brumley says decisions about what’s taught in Louisiana public schools should be made here, not Washington D-C…

Cut 10 (12) “…can be.”

During her visit to Louisiana, U-S Education Secretary Linda McMahon says the Trump Administration would like to move to a block funding model, letting states to decide how to spend federal dollars. Brumley says Louisiana is positioned to benefit from that kind of system…

Cut 11 (09) “…result.”

Louisiana has seen improvement in literacy scores, but Brumley says the job is far from over…

Cut 12 (10) “…getting better.”

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Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham believes preventing SNAP recipients from using their food stamps to purchase soft drinks, energy drinks and candy will make for a healthier Louisiana. That new policy will go into effect in January and Abraham says a good portion of government assistance is going towards the purchase of these items…

Cut 13 (07)  “…will be banned.”

Abraham says the big concern is that SNAP recipients are using their government assistance to buy their children soda and candy…

Cut 14 (11) “…poor child.”

Abraham says candy and soda are high in sugar and too much of it, becomes a bad thing…

Cut 15 (09) “…of the mean.”

Abraham says once you reach a certain level, sugar gets stored as fat.

Last week, USDA Secretary Brooke Collins signed a SNAP waiver for Louisiana that removes soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy as eligible food items. This will go into effect in January.

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The LSU wide receiving room is one of the deepest position groups on the team after lacking some explosiveness in the room last season. Kentucky transfer Barion brown is one of the multiple receivers the Tigers brought in during the offseason. His rare speed should add to the vertical passing game.  Brown says the room’s talent helps push each other each day.

Cut 16 (18) “…make a play.”

The LSU tight end room has placed a large emphasis on becoming more involved in blocking in the run game. The Tigers added Donovan Green and Bauer Sharp to join Trey’Dez Green in the offseason. Green says Sharp has helped him with his confidence during the summer.

Cut 17 (15)  “…amazing man.”

LSU wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton has played a large role in developing his wideouts, most notably with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Kentucky transfer Barion Brown says Hankton is taking his skills to the next level.

Cut 18 (19) “…better at.”

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UL Head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) spoke on his quarterback battle. The quarterback between Daniel Beale, Walker Howard, and Lunch Winfield is still ongoing after the Cajuns first couple of scrimmages. Desormeaux says he likes what he sees out of each player.

Cut 19 (21) “…practice setting.”

The Cajuns have lots of new faces on this team, and head coach Michael Desormeaux wants to get them as much experience as possible. Freshman cornerback Brent Gordon is one freshman who  is sticking out to the Cajuns staff. Desormeaux says he expects the former three-star out of Cecilia to contribute right away.

Cut 20 (18) “…be done.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

U-S Education Secretary Linda McMahon says what Louisiana is doing is working. Over the last five years, Louisiana’s ranking for reading has jumped from 49th to the 32nd on a national test called the nation’s report card. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state went back to the basics…

Cut 4 (10) “…academic excellence”

An effort is well underway to get Charlene Richard of Acadia Parish canonized as a Saint. Richard died from leukemia at the age of 12 in 1959, but her faith has inspired many and many Catholics have prayed to her to heal them. Nanette Reiners says unexplainable happenings have occurred as a result of Charlene’s intercession…

Cut 12 (11) “…canonization”

State Police arrested a Caddo Parish deputy for insurance fraud. Joe Gallinaro has the details…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

Former LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham has been getting happy retirement text messages, but the 32-year-old has not retired. A post on X from someone who runs a parody page of ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said Beckham was retiring, but Beckham responded by saying not done yet. The former Newman Greenie is currently not with an NFL team after catching just nine passes for the Dolphins last season.

LRN PM Newscall August 12

A new national survey finds small business optimism rose in July. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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State Police arrested a Caddo Parish deputy for insurance fraud. Joe Gallinaro has the details…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

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U-S Secretary of Education Linda McMahon started her “Returning Education to the States” tour in Louisiana because she’s impressed with Louisiana’s improved reading scores. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it was validation for what is doing in the public classroom…

Cut 3 (08) “…with disabilities”

McMahon toured Jefferson Terrace Academy which has implemented new reading initiatives, including high dosage tutoring and the Baton Rouge school is already seeing results.

Over a five-year period, Louisiana’s reading scores have improved from 49th to the 32nd on a national test called the nation’s report card. Brumley says they went back to the basics…

Cut 4 (10) “…academic excellence.”

McMahon is touring the country to see what each state is doing to improvement student achievement. Brumley says Louisiana’s improved reading scores is why she decided to start her tour by visiting at school in Baton Rouge…

Cut 5 (10) “…our state”

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Optimism is up among small businesses according to a new survey released by the NFIB. NFIB state director Leah Long says federal legislation that makes a 20-percent small business tax deduction permanent gives small business owners more clarity…

Cut 6 (08) “…businesses grow”

Long says in Louisiana small business owners are optimistic that the tort reform legislation approved in the last regular session can help reduce insurance rates over time….

Cut 7 (07) “…for that.”

Long says it’s good to see improving conditions, but labor quality remains is the single most important problem facing small businesses…

Cut 8 (08) “…to hire” 

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A Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputy is on administrative leave after he was arrested for insurance fraud. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas says a months long investigation has determined 50-year-old Frank Launer of Blanchard got into a wreck last April and did not have automobile insurance and then quickly obtained coverage

Cut 9 (11)  “…same day”

Thomas says once investigators had enough evidence to show that Launer filed a claim with his insurance provider after he got into a wreck, an arrest warrant was issued…

Cut 10 (09) “…insurance fraud.”

Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn says his office does not condone the alleged actions attributed to Launer. Thomas says Sheriff Whitehorn supports L-S-P’s investigation into Launer…

Cut 11 (09) “…as well.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

U-S Secretary of Education Linda McMahon started her “Returning Education to the States” tour in Louisiana because she’s impressed with Louisiana’s improved reading scores. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it was validation for what is doing in the public classroom…

Cut 3 (08) “…with disabilities”

McMahon toured Jefferson Terrace Academy which has implemented new reading initiatives, including high dosage tutoring and the Baton Rouge school is already seeing results.

A Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputy is on administrative leave after he was arrested for insurance fraud. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas says a months long investigation has determined 50-year-old Frank Launer of Blanchard got into a wreck last April and did not have automobile insurance and then quickly bought coverage

Cut 9 (11)  “…same day”

Launer says once investigators had enough evidence to show that Launer filed a claim with his insurance provider after he got into a wreck, an arrest warrant was issued.

A new national survey finds small business optimism rose in July.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Don Molino.”

The Louisiana Tech University community is mourning the death of its longest-serving first lady, Linda Reneau. Linda spent 26 years as Louisiana Tech’s first lady, and left a lasting contribution on Louisiana Tech’s campus, including an endowment to care for the landscape and maintenance created by her and former President Dan Reneau. The Quad’s rose garden is also named after Linda.