8:30 LRN Newscast April 4

Tulane researchers have documented cases of COVID-19 infections impacting the brain, even among those who have mild COVID symptoms. Doctor Tracy Fisher says their research team found severe brain inflammation in some cases…
cut 8 (12) “….understand words”
Fisher says more research is needed to see how COVID affects the brain.

State lawmakers return to the capitol today after overriding the governor’s veto of the congressional district map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the next big legislative battle is over a bill that would prohibit transgender individuals from competing on girls’ sports teams…
cut 15 (12) “….the Legislature”
First Lady Donna Edwards kicked off her human trafficking awareness campaign at the Final Four in New Orleans because large sporting events attract trafficking victims. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that took place yesterday morning in St. John the Baptist Parish. L-S-P says deputies responded to 9-1-1 calls of a vehicle partially submerged in the marsh near I-10 and U-S 51 and when the officers approached the vehicle, an encounter occurred and one deputy shot 20-year-old Jacoby Williams of Gramercy who is in critical condition. An A-K 47 style firearm and handgun were recovered from the scene.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The fight over redistricting has moved to the courtroom, so the next big legislative battle will be over a Senate bill that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports in Louisiana. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she’s more determined to pass her bill after Penn swimmer Lia Thomas became the first trans woman to win an NCAA swimming title…
Cut 13 (13) “.athletes from”
Governor Edwards’ vetoed this bill last year.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana on a federal scale. The bill must also win passage in the Senate before it can be sent to the President’s desk, but Louisiana Cannabis Association founder Matt Moreau says this is “real progress” for his industry…:
Cut 10 (12) “…decriminalized years ago.”

New research from Tulane University shows how COVID impacts the brain. David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Versatile music performer and Metairie native Jon Batiste was the big winner at the Grammy’s last night winning five awards, including best Album.

Another spring storm is heading to Louisiana. There’s an enhanced risk for severe weather across the northern half of the state and the northern end of the North Shore as strong storms will move through tonight into tomorrow morning.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU football team is a third of way through spring practice and Coach Brian Kelly has been pleased with how the players are adapting to the new methods that his coaching staff is putting in place to get them ready for the 2022 season. Kelly says the players are adapting to new habits…
Cut 17 (17) “ …their routine.”

The Saints have re-signed defensive back P-J Williams to a one-year deal. Williams had 42 tackles and three interceptions last season. New Orleans has signed defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson who played in 12 games for the Texans last year and had nine tackles.

Tonight is the men’s national championship basketball in New Orleans as Kansas faces North Carolina. The eighth-seeded Tar Heels have won 17 of their last 20, while the top-seeded Jayhawks have won their five tournament games by an average of 14 points per game.

The Pelicans could have clinched a spot in the play-in tournament last night but lost to the Clippers in Los Angeles 119 to 100. The Clippers made 21 three-pointers.

LSU baseball dropped a series to Auburn over the weekend, committing four more errors and there were plays that could have been made but were not. Second baseman Jordan Thompson says it’s not a confidence issue…
cut 20 (16) “….those plays”

Louisiana Tech dropped a series to Southern Miss with first place on the line in Conference USA. While the Ragin Cajuns took two of three from Georgia Southern. U-L and Tech meet in Ruston on Tuesday.

ULM lost a series to U-T Arlington.

6:30 LRN Newscast April 4

New research from Tulane University shows that COVID-19 infections can impact the brain, even among those who only experience mild symptoms. Dr. Tracy Fisher is the lead investigator on the first comprehensive assessment of coronavirus and neuropathology…
Cut 7 (13) “…cell deaths.”
Fisher says more research is needed to determine how to treat patients suffering from the neurological consequences of COVID-19 and long COVID.

State lawmakers return to Baton Rouge today after overriding the governor’s veto of a Congressional district map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the next legislative battle with be over a bill that prohibits a transgender woman from participating in girls sports, a measure the governor vetoed last year, but will he veto it again if it passes…..
cut 16 (11) “…his agenda”

Tonight is the men’s national championship basketball game in New Orleans as Kansas will face North Carolina. Unfortunately, big sporting events also bring human traffickers according to law enforcement. First Lady Donna Edwards says 25-million victims of trafficking have been identified across the globe and just last year 900 received services in Louisiana, but there are so many more that need our help. She says the problem often impacts children who are most vulnerable.
Cut 5 (11) “,…relatives often.”
Edwards is asking people to be on the lookout for human trafficking.

LRN AM Newscall April 4

First Lady Donna Edwards kicked off her human trafficking awareness campaign at the Final Four in New Orleans over the weekend because large sporting events attract trafficking victims.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________

New research from Tulane University shows how COVID impacts the brain. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

_____________________________________

The U.S. House passes a bill decriminalizing marijuana. What may this mean for Louisiana’s fledgling legal marijuana industry? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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As thousands are in New Orleans for the Final Four NCAA Basketball Tournament, First Lady Donna Edwards is using the opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking. She’s hoping that by raising awareness more individuals trapped in the coercion of commercial sex and/or labor will be saved. She stays human trafficking is all too REAL.

Cut 4 (10)  “…StopTraffickingLA.com.”

Research indicates often large sporting events attract those who are trafficking humans to bring in victims to cater to attendees.

Edwards says 25-million victims of trafficking have been identified across the globe and just last year 900 received services in Louisiana, but there are so many more that need our help. She says the problem often impacts children who are most vulnerable.

Cut 5 (11) “,…relatives often.” 

Edwards says we’re raised to believe it’s none of our business and to ignore it when we see anything out of the ordinary. The First Lady wants to change our mindset and says it’s time to take a more active role and help those who can’t help themselves.

Cut 6 (10)  “…around us.”

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New research from Tulane University shows that COVID-19 infections can impact the brain, even among those who only experience mild symptoms. Dr. Tracy Fisher is the lead investigator on the first comprehensive assessment of coronavirus and neuropathology…

Cut 7 (13) “…cell deaths.”

Dr. Fisher says how an individual is impacted is directly related to what areas of the brain experience the trauma.

Cut 8 (12)  “…find words.”

She says that damage to the brain went overlooked in patients who didn’t present severe respiratory symptoms.

Tulane’s National Primate Research Center launched its COVID-19 research in 2020, and non-human primates appear to be a consistent model to study how humans experience coronavirus. Fisher hopes that this study and others will help map the long-term effects of COVID and ultimately help in treating it.

Cut 9 (12)  “…survived infection.”

Fisher adds that neurological complications are among the first symptoms of COVID and that they affect patients of all ages and without regard to any other conditions, though the severity may vary.

________________________________________

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana on a federal scale. The bill must also win passage in the Senate before it can be sent to the President’s desk, but the legal marijuana industry is happy. Louisiana Cannabis Association founder Matt Moreau says this is “real progress” for his industry…:

Cut 10 (12) “…decriminalized years ago.”

The bill passed Friday by the House – if passed into law – would eliminate the federal ban on marijuana which is seen as a major roadblock for a burgeoning legal cannabis industry, as more states legalize medical or even recreational weed. Moreau says it’s about time…:

Cut  11 (11)  “…entrepreneurs to grow.”  

The House bill also allow the VA to prescribe medical marijuana to some patients and authorizes a sales tax on the substance. The bill goes to the U.S. Senate, where its passage is far from assured. Moreau says – even if it fails this year – this was still an important first step in normalizing marijuana laws..:

Cut 12 (07) “…are changing dramatically.”

Moreau says marijuana is a highly misunderstood substance, but also feels that legal recreational marijuana in Louisiana is inevitable.

___________________________________

The fight over redistricting has moved to the courtroom, so the next big legislative battle will be over a Senate bill that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports in Louisiana. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she’s more determined to pass her bill after Penn swimmer Lia Thomas became the first trans woman to win an NCAA swimming title…

Cut 13 (13) “.athletes from”

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed Mizell’s anti-transgender bill last year calling it mean-spirited and in search of a problem that doesn’t exist. But Mizell says she’s trying to keep women’s sports fair by not allowing biological males to participate…

Cut 14 (10)  “…own lane.”

The Senate Education Committee is expected to hold a hearing soon on the bill. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the measure received overwhelming support last year and he expects it will again this year…

Cut 15 (12)  “…the Legislature.”

After the Republican-led Legislature overrode his veto of the Congressional District map, Pinsonat says there’s a chance the governor will not veto the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act if it passes this year…

Cut 16 (11)  “…his agenda.”

______________________________________________

The LSU football team is a third of way through spring practice and Coach Brian Kelly has been pleased with how the players are adapting to the new methods that his coaching staff is putting in place to get them ready for the 2022 season. Kelly says the players are adapting to new habits…

Cut 17 (17) “ …their routine.” 

Senior wide receiver Jaray Jenkins says they’re always running at practice and the practices are fast-paced, just like how it is in the game…

Cut 18 (16) “ …pretty well.” 

________________________________________________

The LSU baseball team is 4-5 in the SEC after dropping a home series to Auburn over the weekend. The Tigers gave up two runs in the eighth inning on Saturday in a 6-4 loss to Auburn in the rubber game of the three-game series. Coach Jay Johnson on trying to be more consistent…

Cut 19 (20) _“…those things.” 

Another tough weekend in the field for LSU has they committed four more errors during the series and there were also a few plays that were not made but didn’t go down as errors. Second baseman Jordan Thompson says it’s not a confidence issue…

Cut 20 (16) “ …those plays.” 

07:30 LRN Sportscast

I’m Brooke Thorington and this Louisiana Radio Network Sportscast is brought by tele-leaf-dot-com, Louisiana’s access to medical marijuana from the comfort of your home.

The LSU Tigers evened their series with Auburn by taking down the War Eagles nine to two last night. The Bayou Bengals erupted for five runs in the seventh inning. Jordan Thompson and Dylan Crews each drove in two runs and Ma’Khail Hilliard struck out seven for his third win of the season.

Louisiana Tech struck out 11 times and lost to Southern Miss eight to two. The Golden Eagles move into sole possesion of first place in Conference USA, one game ahead of the Bulldogs. The same two teams play again today at 2 PM.

The Ragin Cajuns doubled up Sun Belt Conference co-leader Georgia Southern six to three. UL-Lafayette scored three runs in the eighth inning to snap a three-three tie. The Cajuns have won three in a row.

ULM mustered only five hits in a five to two loss to UTA.

_____________________________________________________________________

Lebron James scored 38 points but the Pelicans still overcame a five-point fourth quarter deficit to drain the Lakers 114 to 111. CJ McCollum had 32 points for New Orleans and Brandon Ingram chipped in with 29 points as the Pels swept the season series over L-A. New Orleans is ninth place in the West, two games up on San Antonio and three up over the Lakers.

The Final Four tips off tonight in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The first game is Kansas versus Villanova just after 5 PM today and the second game is North Carolina versus Duke. Each team has won multip national championships and it’s the first time A-C-C rivals Duke and North Carolina have played each other in the NCAA Tournament.

There are now no more members of this year’s LSU men’s basketball team left on the roster, all of them are either in the transfer portal or preparing for a career in the pros.

I’m Brooke Thorington and this Louisiana Radio Network sportscast was brought to you by tele-leaf-dot-com. Tele-leaf helps connect you to medical marijuana when you need it.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Risk Rating 2.0, a new federal flood insurance pricing system for existing policyholders, goes into effect today. FEMA says 23-percent of current policyholders will see their premiums decrease, while 73-percent will see their premiums increase up to 20 dollars per month. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a small percentage of premiums will increase by more than 20-dollars a month…
cut 7 (13) “….worthless overnight”
Senator Bill Cassidy says there are members of Congress who want to address this issue, but it will likely have to wait until next year.

The next hurricane season starts June 1 and Accuweather is predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says if the forecast is accurate, this would be the third straight very active season…
cut 8 (06) “…big deal”

The National Weather Service has confirmed that four E-F-1 tornadoes touched down in Jackson and Bienville Parishes on Wednesday. Another E-F 1 tornado touched down in Roseland in Tangipahoa Parish. Forecasters say there could be another threat of severe weather on Tuesday.

The road to the Final Four could be paved with gold for Louisiana…David Grubb has more.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

7:30 LRN Newscast April 1

The so-called Risk Rating 2.0 rate hikes for National Flood Insurance kick in today. Kevin Gallagher on what it means for policyholders…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A coalition of Civil rights groups has filed a federal lawsuit against the Congressional District map approved by the state legislature. They claim the map violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the political power of Black voters. Republican lawmakers say the map is legal as there are not enough black voters to create two majority-minority districts.

For Congresswoman Julia Letlow her first piece of legislation to pass in the U-S House is a personal one. Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passed overwhelmingly. The legislation tasks the Library of Congress to record, collect and preserve stories of Americans directly impacted by COVID.
Cut 11 (06) “…future generations.”
Letlow’s husband Luke Letlow was set to be sworn in to Congress when he died from complications from COVID.

New Orleans will be packed this weekend with college basketball fans, especially from North Carolina, who are in the Big Easy for the Final Four. Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski is coaching in his final Final Four and Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says that just brightens the spotlight on the city…
cut 16 (12) “….is all about”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team’s three game winning streak ended last night with a six to five loss to Auburn. Auburn scored all of its runs in the fifth inning off losing pitcher Blake Money. The Tigers hit three home runs, including a two-run shot from red-hot Brayden Jobert, but it was not enough. Game two fo the series is tonight at 6:30.

The top two teams in Conference USA meet in Hattiesburg this weekend as Louisiana Tech visits Southern Miss. These two rivals met 11 times last year, with Tech winning seven of the games including two in the conference tournament. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs…
cut 18 (18) “…amped it up”
First pitch is at 6 PM.

Newly-signed Saints quarterback Andy Dalton met with the media on Thursday, and the 11-year veteran explained why New Orleans was the right place at this point in his career.
Cut 19 (16)_“…what’s been done.”
The 34-year-old will be Jameis Winston’s back-up in the 2022 season.

Kim Mulkey was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Tigers to a 26-6 record. It’s the third time she’s won the honor.

The LSU men’s basketball team has received a commitment from six-foot-ten center Conreilous Williams, who was committed to Murray State. Meanwhile, two more LSU players have entered the transfer portal, center Efton Reid and guard Eric Gaines.

And this weekend it’s the Final Four in New Orleans. Tomorrow night Kansas plays Villanova and then it’s North Carolina versus Duke.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Phase two of the Risk Rating 2. 0 rollout begins today which means 70-percent of Louisiana policyholders are expected to see premium increases when they renew their flood insurance policies. Policies could increase by as much as 18-percent per year until they reach their full risk rate. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s still not too late for action to stave off the worst of the coming rate hikes…
cut 4 (10) “…..really occurs”
The revamped NFIP “Risk Rating 2.0” system prices flood insurance by property individually; rather than by flood zone.

And Accuweather says we will see another busy hurricane season as they are predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says sea surface temperatures are already above normal….
cut 10 (09) “….like in May”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s first bill to pass in the House is historic for many reasons. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”