6:30 LRN Newscast April 25

Behind 30 points from Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans evened their best of seven playoff series with the Suns at two games apiece as New Orleans dribbled past Phoenix 118 to 103. Ingram becomes the first player in franchise history to score 30 points or more in three straight playoff games…
cut 13 (13) “…look good”
Game five is Tuesday night in Phoenix.

An LSU student-founded sportsmen’s charter business wins big in a business plan competition. Logan Meaux is the founder of Mallard Bay, which books guided hunting and fishing trips with reputable charters and outfitters. He says at the Rice University Business Plan Competition, they won over $200-thousand dollars…:
Cut 10 (14) “…pitching in the finals.”

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has a bill heading to the Senate floor that would require cable and internet service providers to provide rebates after disasters.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

We have rain moving into northwest Louisiana this morning. Shreveport and Monroe could see a half-inch to an inch of rain, while south of I-20 could see over an inch of rainfall today. Showers and thunderstorms will develop in south and central Louisiana later today. Only a marginal risk for severe weather.

Legislative report for Monday April 25

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Erik Piccoli…

A bill to allow a sexual assault victim, if requested, to receive a copy of their forensic medical exam is scheduled to be heard in the Louisiana Senate today. Bill Author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she was shocked to learn this was even an issue after hearing testimony from former LSU students who claimed they were sexually assaulted…
Cut 4 (10) “…her report.”

Another bill awaiting Senate floor debate is a measure that would require internet and cable providers to provide refunds to customers if they’ve experienced an outage for more than 24 hours following severe weather or a hurricane…
cut 7 (10) “…should not have to pay”
Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says currently a customer needs to contact their cable or internet provider in order to receive a refund.

The proposal also puts cable and internet providers under the regulatory authority of the Public Service Commission.

Lauren Chauvin (Show-van), executive director of the Louisiana Internet and Television Association, says they do issue refunds and they oppose the bill…
Cut 9 (12) “…on our members.”

A bill staking New Orleans’ claim as the birthplace of Rock and Roll is headed to the house floor.
Cut 20 (35)…I’m David Grubb.”

I’m Erik Piccoli on the Louisiana Radio Network.

Updated LRN AM Newscall for April 25 ###Pelicans sound added###

A bill to allow sexual assault victims to receive a copy of their forensic medical exam is expected to be heard in the Louisiana Senate today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Senator Cleo Fields has a bill on the table that would require cable and internet service providers to provide rebates after disasters. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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An LSU student-founded outdoorsman’s company wins big in a prestigious business plan pitching competition. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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A bill to allow a sexual assault victim, if requested, to receive a copy of their forensic medical exam is scheduled to be heard in the Louisiana Senate today. Bill Author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she was shocked to learn this was even an issue after hearing testimony from former LSU students who claimed they were sexually assaulted.

Cut 4 (10)  “…her report.”

The bill was amended in committee that only a component adult victim may request a copy of the exam from the healthcare provider who performed the examination. Mizell says a copy must be provided to the patient no later than 14 days after the request is received.

Cut 5 (12) “…like that.”

STAR (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response) Legal Director Morgan LeMandre says it’s about your medical health and victims of other crimes, for example, a gunshot wound, are able to have a copy but not victims of sexual assault.

LeMandre says she and Mizell were told at a sexual assault oversite commission meeting why victims are denied a copy of the report….

Cut 6 (12)  “…through something (right).”

If passed the bill is a companion piece of legislation to Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly’s, House Bill 313, granting crime victims certain rights.

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After a disaster strikes outages are likely, and paying for your internet or cable that is not working should not be another burden for consumers, says Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields. His Senate Bill 352 would fix that.

Cut 7 (10) “… have to pay.”

Fields says he’s not interested in punishing companies, but in making the process of recovery easier. To emphasize that, he proposed amendments to the bill that limited the scope of when the rebates would take effect and who would be subject to them.

Cut 8 (11)  “…are not metered.”

Fields says currently a customer needs to contact their cable or internet provider in order to receive a refund if they experienced an outage after a hurricane or severe weather. The Baton Rouge lawmaker believes these refunds should occur automatically if the outage lasts more than 24 hours.

The proposal also puts cable and internet providers under the regulatory authority of the Public Service Commission.

Lauren Chauvin, executive director of the Louisiana Internet and Television Association, says they issued millions of dollars in refunds after Hurricane Ida and the bill calls for too many restrictions on service providers…

Cut 9 (12)  “…on our members.”

The amended bill passed through Senate Commerce, with Fields pledging to work on the wording of the legislation before he brings it up for a vote in the Senate.

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An LSU student-founded sportsmen’s charter business wins big in a business plan competition. Logan Meaux is the founder of Mallard Bay, which he describes as a marketplace for booking guided hunting and fishing trips with reputable charters and outfitters. He says they recently were in the Rice University Business Plan Competition, and won over $200-thousand…:

Cut 10 (14) “…pitching in the finals.”

Meaux is the son of WAITR delivery app founder Chris Meaux. He says problems with booking a hunting trip for his dad inspired him to build Mallard Bay from the ground up. In existence for less than a year, Meaux feels Mallard Bay did remarkably well in the prestigious business pitch competition…:

Cut  11 (11)  “…across North America.”  

Only 42 teams competed in the Rice competition, and Mallard took home the fourth largest amount of investments; totaling about $215-thousand. So what’s next for Meaux, his business partners and Mallard Bay? Perhaps an appearance on “Shark Tank?”…

Cut 12 (10) “…gonna go from here.” 

More online at “MallardBay.com”

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Trailing by two at halftime, the eighth-seeded Pelicans outscored top-seeded Phoenix 69-52 in the second half on their way to a 118-103 victory on Sunday night to even up their opening-round series at two games each. Brandon Ingram scored a game-high 30 points, becoming the first player in franchise history to reach that mark in three straight playoff games.

Cut 13 (13) “…look good”

It was an electric weekend in New Orleans, with sold out crowds making their presence felt in both games. Pelicans coach Willie Green says it was something special.

Cut 14 (11)  “…behind us.”

After scoring 31 points in game three, Chris Paul was held to four by the Pelicans, on just 2-of-8 shooting. Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado also forced Paul into three turnovers, one more than he had in the entire series coming in. It got testy between the two in the second half, Alvarado says it’s just basketball.

Cut 15 (11)  “…difficult for him.”

Game five of the series is Tuesday night with game six back in New Orleans on Thursday.

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LSU and Louisiana Tech held spring games on Saturday and both schools are undecided at starting quarterback. In Ruston, TCU transfer Matthew Downing, redshirt senior Parker McNeil and freshman Landry Lyddy are competing to be Q-B 1. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says it would be hard to name a starter right now

Cut 16 (06)  “…have to do that today.”

Going into spring, many believed it was between Myles Brennan and Jayden Daniels to be the starting quarterback. But Garrett Nussmeier showed he should be considered as well as he threw for a game-high 136 yards and a touchdown. Following the spring game, Tigers Coach Brian Kelly admitted there’s less clarity on who will be the starter…

Cut 17 (17) “ …on the team” 

Jack Bech led the wide receivers with six catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Kelly is impressed with the soon-to-be sophomore from Lafayette and calls him deceptive…

Cut 18 (20) “ …that today” 

After a slow start on Saturday, LSU got the running game going. Tre Bradford led the way with 85 yards rushing, Armoni Goodwin had 71 yards on the ground and Josh Williams scored twice and had 51 yards rushing. John Emery also got four carries for 24 yards. Kelly knows they have holes on the team but not at running back…

Cut 19 (20) _“…in this league” 

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After getting swept last weekend at Arkansas, LSU baseball returned home this past weekend to sweep Missouri. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson likes the look of his line-up with freshman Josh Pearson leading-off…

Cut 20 (22) “ …this weekend” 

LSU hosts UNO on Tuesday and then Georgia this weekend.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

I’m Erik Piccoli and This Louisiana Radio Network Sportscast is brought to you by tele-leaf-dot-com, Louisiana’s access to medical marijuana from the comfort of your home….

The Pelicans battled last night, but Suns point guard Chris Paul was fantastic in the fourth quarter again as he scored 19 of his 28 points in the final 12 minutes as Phoenix dribbled past New Orleans 114 to 111. The Suns also got a big night from Deandre Ayton (A-ton) who had a playoff career high 28 points and 17 rebounds. Brandon Ingram had 34 points for the Pels, but it was not enough. New Orleans will try even the series at two games apiece on Sunday when the two teams meet again in the Smoothie King Center.

Spring football games take place in Baton Rouge and Ruston today. A lot of attention will be on the quarterbacks during LSU’s spring game which gets underway at 1 PM. Louisiana Tech’s spring game begins at 11 AM.

Louisiana Radio Network sports.
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In college baseball, there were three walk-off wins involving Lousiaina teams and a perfect game last night. LSU’s Cade Doughty slammed a single into left center field to score the winning run in the tenth inning as the Tigers defeated Missouri four to three to take the series. LSU will go for the sweep this afternoon.

Kade Morris mashed a grand slam in the eleventh inning as McNeese defeated Southeastern Louisiana seven to three. Gary Rowlett drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth as Northwestern State defeated Houston Baptist four to three.

Grambling State’s standout pitcher Shemar Page threw a perfect game as the Tigers trounced Alcorn State 16 to nothing. Page struck out 13 and it goes down as the 34th perfect game in NCAA Division One history.

Also last night, the Ragin Cajuns defeated Georgia State five to four, Appalachian State downed ULM five to one and Middle Tennessee knocked off Louisiana Tech seven to three.

This sportscast was brought to you by tele-leaf-dot-com, I’m Erik Piccoli Louisiana Radio Network sports.

LRN PM Newscall April 22

Baton Rouge Police say a four-year-old died after being forced to consume a bottle of whiskey and her relatives are behind bars. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A bill staking New Orleans’ claim as the birthplace of Rock and Roll is headed to the house floor. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35)…I’m David Grubb.”  

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After a four-year-old Baton Rouge toddler was allegedly forced to drink alcohol and found unresponsive Thursday morning, her mother and grandmother are charged with first-degree murder. BRPD Spokesperson L’Jean McKneely says when officers arrived the family had already attempted to revive China Record by placing her in a tub of cold water.

Cut 3 (11) “…later die.”

The coroner says China Record’s blood alcohol concentration was a deadly point-six-eight-zero. McNeely says the victim’s grandmother 53-year-old Roxanne Record and mother 28-year-old Kadjah Record were both charged, even though the investigation indicates the grandmother forced the child to drink the whiskey.

Cut 4  (10) “…unconscious.”

McKneely says this is just one of many heartbreaking cases where a child’s life ended due to abuse. He says they are trying to raise more awareness of available resources to help those in such situations. McKneely encourages the public to contact them.

Cut 5  (08) “…available.”

The case remains under investigation. Both women are being held in the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail and bond amounts have not been listed

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Houma Representative Tanner Magee considers himself a music aficionado, and as one, something has bothered him for a very long time…the fact that the city of Memphis lays claim as the home of rock and roll. A trip to the legendary Sun Records studio years ago has inspired him to propose HB 889, which would create a rock and roll museum in New Orleans.

Cut 6  (12) “…comes to Memphis.” 

The Dew-Drop-America’s Rock and Roll Museum would celebrate and promote the city and state’s rich musical heritage, as well as the social, cultural, and economic history of rock and roll music near the site of one of the most famous music clubs and hotels in the country.

Cut 7 (12) “…just music.” 

Magee says cities like Memphis have built up cultural tourism sites, leading to increased revenue and that it’s time for Louisiana to start doing the same.

Cut 8 (09) “…all these things.” 

The pill passed House Municipal and now heads to the floor for further debate.

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Should Louisiana increase the number of medical marijuana pharmacy licenses? That’s a debate underway in the ongoing legislative session. Current law provides for the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to issue no more than ten, but Gretna Representative Joe Marino has a bill to increase the limit to 25…

Cut 9 (12) “…access to it.”

The House Health and Welfare Committee has approved Marino’s bill and a full House vote is scheduled next week.

The legislation does not have the full support of the governor. John Bel Edwards says the framework for dispensing medical marijuana is still relatively new in Louisiana and adding more licensee holders could be unfair to the existing ones…

Cut 10 (10)  “…problematic”

Edwards believes it would be better to keep the number of licensed medical marijuana pharmacies to ten….

Cut 11 (11)  “…to have too.” 

Houma Representative Tanner Magee has a bill that’s passed House Health and Welfare that would allow current marijuana pharmacy license holders to have satellite locations.

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Today marks 30 years since the multi-state, big money Powerball lottery game debuted, and Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the anniversary comes with one of the game’s top twenty jackpot amounts…:

Cut 12 (09) “…for Saturday’s drawing.”  

The estimated Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is at just over $400-million. Chopin says ticket sales always soar when jackpots get this high…:

Cut 13 (08) “…for two dollars.”

This far from the biggest Powerball jackpot ever. That was a $1.6-billion sum awarded in January 2016 to winners in California, Florida and Tennessee. Chopin says it’s still good to observe three decades of Powerball with a chance for someone in Louisiana to become a millionaire…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…that multi-state game.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House has approved a 38-billion-dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. There’s money in the budget to give teachers and college faculty a pay raise and 450-million to upgrade water and sewerage systems. The measure passed on a 94-4 vote. Erath Representative Blake Miguez is one of the four no votes because he’s concerned about a shortfall in the next couple of years when a temporary sales tax expires…
cut 5 (12) “…in the next term”
Governor John Bel Edwards is also disappointed the House did not support his proposal to give law enforcement and firefighters a 100-dollar a month increase in pay…
cut 9 (09) “…there”
The budget is now in the Senate for consideration.

The Pelicans’ success has more birds of a feather flocking together, as fan groups sprout up and meet up to watch the team. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Today is Earth Day and Governor John Bel Edwards, First Lady Donna Edwards and their staffs are picking up litter this morning around the State Capitol as it’s also Love the Boot Week.

The Angola Rodeo returns this weekend at the Louisiana State Penintentary. Tickets are sold out.

8:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House has passed a $38-billion budget. The legislation is the state’s spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. Appropriations chairman and Houma Republican Jerome Zeringue says House Bill 1 makes good use of one-time money from the federal CARES act…:
Cut 4 (13) “…one-time expenses.”
The legislation also contains 450-million dollars to upgrade water and sewerage systems.

The search continues for a work release inmate who killed a co-worker at the Foster Farms chicken processing plant in Farmerville. Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates says 48-year-old Bruce Causey stabbed the unidentified victim to death, as the two argued…:
CUT 21(08) “…motive behind it.”
Gates says Causey could have fled to the Baton Rouge area.

Local police will increase their enforcement of seat belt use in pick-up trucks. Kevin Gallagher has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Tonight is Game Three of the Pelicans playoff series against the Suns. It’s the first NBA home playoff game in New Orleans since 2018 and Rel Myers, co-founder of The Pels 12 Fan Group, says the flock will be ready…
cut 15 (09) “….in that first round”
Tonight’s Game 3 is sold out.

7:30 LRN Newscast April 22

The state’s $38-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st has passed the House of Representatives. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The House has yet to commit to the governor’s request to allocate 500-million dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. John Bel Edwards says now is the time to do it, with a huge surplus of state dollars and federal infrastructure money…
cut 7 (04) “…shining now”
The Senate has yet to weigh in on funding for a new Baton Rouge bridge.

The “Buckle Up in Your Truck” campaign gets underway tomorrow as police officers and sheriff deputies step up enforcement of seat belt use inside trucks. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says they are targeting pick-up trucks because these vehicles are more likely to roll over in a crash…
cut 11 (08) “…even death”
Lambert says surveys also show drivers and passengers are less likely to buckle up when they are in a pick-up truck.

According to the Louisiana Survey, only 51-percent of the respondents say they trust the information they get from local news organizations. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says that’s a 27-percentage drop from four years ago…
cut 28 (11) “…Independents drop”
Republicans’ trust in local news fell by 31-percent, Democrats’ trust fell 23 percentage points.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Jacob Berry blasted two home runs and senior right-hander Ma’Khail Hilliard pitched seven strong innings as the LSU Tigers defeated Missouri five to three to take game one of their series. The Tigers are now 8-and-8 in SEC play. Game two is tonight at 6:30.

Also tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Middle Tennessee, the Ragin Cajuns are at Georgia State and McNeese hosts Southeastern Louisiana.

Tomorrow afternoon is the LSU Spring game and there will be several new Tigers for fans to watch. Cornerback Mekhi Garner is now wearing purple and gold after playing for the Cajuns and he loves Brian Kelly…
Cut 19 (17) _“…favorite coaches.”
The Blender should be rocking tonight as the Pelicans host the Suns in the Smoothie King Center for game three of their playoff series, which is tied at one game apiece. New Orleans has looked well prepared for the defending Western Conference champs and Head Coach Willie Green gives his staff all of the credit…
cut 16 (18) “….big-time results”
Phoenix All-star guard Devin Booker is likely out for the remainder of the series with a hamstring injury. The Suns went 8-and-6 without Booker this season.

Six-foot-nine forward Derek Fountain is transferring from Mississippi State to LSU. Fountain played in 44 games for the Bulldogs and this past season, he averaged two points and two rebounds a game.

LSU women’s basketball confirms the hiring of former assistant coach Bob Starkey.

6:30 LRN newscast

The Louisiana House has approved several spending bills including a 38-billion dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. With the legislative session reaching the halfway point it’s unclear whether legislators will fund the governor’s request for 500-million dollars for a new Mississippi River bridge. John Bel Edwards says a 500-million dollar commitment will show the federal government the state is serious about building this bridge…
cut 8 (10) “….our state”
Louisiana has excess cash now, but in 2025, the state will see a reduction in revenues when a temporary state sales tax expires. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue was asked if he took that into account when crafting next fiscal year’s budget…
cut 6 (11) “….all things considered”

The “Buckle Up in Your Truck” highway safety campaign begins tomorrow and runs for the next week. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement agencies will focus on making sure pick-up truck drivers and their passengers are buckled up….
Cut 10 (11) “…your seatbelt”
Lambert says they are targeting pick-up trucks because these vehicles are more likely to roll over in a crash and passengers are less likely to buckle up.

Pelicans fever is spreading across the state as the NBA team will host Game 3 of its playoff series with the Suns tonight. The series is tied at one game apiece and Rel Meyers, co-founder of The Pels 12 fan group, says fans are meeting up to support the team and local businesses as well…
cut 13 (11) “….local economy”
Tonight’s game in the Smoothie King Center tips off at 8:30.