6:45 LRN Sportscast

Heading into the halfway point of the college football season and LSU’s offensive line continues to struggle. The Tigers are only averaging 71 rushing yards a game and has allowed 11 sacks over five games. Center Liam Shanahan believes they are close to executing at a much higher level…
cut 17 (14) “…we can do”
LSU is a three-point underdog heading into Saturday’s game.

If you want to place a bet on Saturday’s LSU game or any other sporting event, you’ll be able to do so legally today starting at 3 PM at Paragon Casino in Marksville. The central Louisiana gaming destination is opening its Las Vegas-style sportsbook called the Draft Room this afternoon, which offers full-service betting.

The Saints have released kicker Aldrick Rosas, who has missed his last three field goals and the team has reportedly signed Cody Parkey, who was a pro bowler as a rookie for the Philadelphia Eagles. But he struggled in Chicago in 2018 and last season in Cleveland he made 19 of 22 field goals. New Orleans is waiting on fellow kicker Will Lutz to get healthy after undergoing core muscle surgery in August.

ULM is getting ready to host Georgia State this Saturday at 7 PM. The Warhawks enter the contest with a 2-and-2 record after getting crushed by 15th ranked Coastal Carolina 59 to 6 last week. ULM coach Terry Bowden says Coastal was the more talented team…
cut 19 (18) “…didn’t match-up”
Bowden says Chandler Rogers will start again at quarterback this Saturday after throwing for just 100 yards against Coastal.

06:30 LRN Newscast October 6

So how much money is Louisiana getting from the recent funding bill approved by Congress that contains hurricane recovery dollars? Kevin Gallagher has more…
cut 1 (33) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The number of COVID patients in the hospital has fallen below 700 statewide, which is the lowest total since July 18th when the fourth surge was just starting to ramp up. The Louisiana Department of Health reports 82-percent of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated.

Drugmaker AstraZeneca, has asked the Food and Drug Administration to authorize emergency use of what’s been called a first-of-a-kind antibody treatment to prevent COVID-19. The drug would be for individuals with compromised immune systems and need more protection to go along with the vaccine…
cut 12 (10) “…SARS-cov-2”
That’s Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Lucio Miele, says late-stage human trials show that AstraZeneca’s antibody drug reduced the risk of developing COVID symptoms by 77-percent.

A medical center in Louisiana is leading the nation in using innovative robotic technology to diagnose lung cancer. Baton Rouge General pulmonologist Dr. Michael Sanchez says the new Monarch Platform can mean earlier, more accurate detection of lung cancers or pre-cancerous nodules. He says manual bronchoscopes can only be guided so far into the body…:
Cut 13 (11) “…without it.”
Use of Monarch was recently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration

4:45 LRN Sportscast October 5

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron started his Monday zoom conference with reporters telling the media that he takes full responsbility for the issues that have led to a three-and-two record this season. The offensive line has underperformed all season long and Orgeron blames injuries during preseason camp and the players adjusting to new offensive line coach Brad Davis, who was hired in June…
cut 18 (23) “….my responsibility”
LSU will face one of the top-run defenses in the country this Saturday when they visit 16th ranked Kentucky. But Wildcats starting nose tackle Marquan McCall will miss the LSU game after suffering an injury last Saturday.

Future first-round pick and LSU All-American cornerback Derek Stingley Junior has a NIL deal with Louisiana-founded Waitr. Stingley will promote the popular food delivery app on his Instagram account. Waitr spokesperson Dean Turcol says Stingley has his own delivery code that customers can use to get free delivery on their next order. and Derek will give out that delivery code on his Instagram account this week…
cut 13 (08) “…promotonal activities”
Turcol says they also have similar deals with LSU first baseman Tre Morgan and Alabama linebacker Christian Harris, who is from Baton Rouge.

Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Cole Kelley has been named offensive player of the week by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Kelley threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 65 yards in a win over McNeese. Grambling’s Cameron Richardson is the defensive player of the week. Richardson returned a fumble for a touchdown and had an interception in the Tigers win over Alabama A-and-M.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is feeling some heat after the Tigers lost their second game of the season last Saturday against Auburn. LSU had to burn four timeouts on Saturday when trying to change the play as the play clock was winding down. Orgeron says it’s an issue they will resolve before they play Kentucky this Saturday…
Cut 17 (20) “..too hard.”
Former LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is still with the program as an analyst. Orgeron says he may have Ensminger in the coaches’ box for Saturday’s game…
cut 30 (10) “…about”

In the latest high school football polls, Many has moved up to number one in Class Two-a. The Tigers have won four in a row, including a 44-31 victory over Red River last Friday. Lafayette Christian Academy has dropped down to number two in Class Two-A After losing to Catholic High.

The Bears remain the number one ranked team in Five-A, followed by Zachary, Brother Martin, Ponchatoula, and Alexandria Senior High. ASH is at West Monroe this Friday. The Rebels are no longer ranked in the top ten after losing to Neville last week.

The Pelicans lost their preseason opener last night as they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 117 to 114. Third-year guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Pels with 22 points in 20 minutes. Rookie Trey Murphy had 21 points and was six of ten from three-point land. New Orleans will host Orlando in the Smoothie King Center tomorrow night.

8:30 LRN Newscast October 5

There are individuals left homeless after Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington reports the state has launched a program that will provide these storm victims with mobile homes, trailers, and even shipping containers to live in while repairs are done on their homes…
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington’

For the first time since early June, someone won the Powerball Jackpot which was just shy of 700-million dollars last night. The winning ticket was sold in California.

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center plans to break ground early next year on a 100-million dollar cancer center. OLOL President Scott Wester says the 80-thousand square foot facility will include literally every aspect of cancer research, treatment, and care…
cut 11 (13) “…outpatient pharmacy”
Wester says they plan on treating cancer patients from around the state and the Gulf South.

An LSU Mechanical Engineering Professor has received a 433-thousand dollar grant to study how they can freeze organs set aside for a transplant longer. Currently, doctors only have four hours to execute a transplant and Ram Devireddy says the trick is finding just the right amount of cooling time that keeps the tissue viable….
cut 14 (08) “…be happy”

7:30 LRN Newscast October 5

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has launched a program to provide housing to Hurricane Ida victims left homeless as a result of the storm. GOHSEP Deputy Director Casey Tingle says with FEMA’s assistance they hope to have trailers, mobile homes, and even shipping containers installed as soon as this weekend that can provide temporary housing
Cut 7 (06) “…implement this.”
Hurricane victims looking to register should go to Ida-sheltering-la-dot-com.

Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge announces plans to build an 80-thousand square foot, 100-million dollar cancer center. Governor John Bel Edwards says once the state of the art center is constructed, it will eliminate the need for cancer patients to seek treatment out of state…
cut 12 (10) “…our state”

The U-S House still has yet to vote on a one-point-two trillion-dollar infrastructure bill and also a three-point-five trillion-dollar social spending bill. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says both measures are important to Louisiana…
cut 5 (12) “…convoluted with definitions”
The three-point-five trillion-dollar spending bill would provide free community college and universal pre-K.

When you are waiting on something as important as a liver or kidney for a transplant, time is of the essence. Right now, you have to receive that organ within four hours for it to remain viable. But LSU Mechanical Engineer Professor Ram Devireddy (Dev-ah-ready) says they are researching ways to freeze an organ so it can remain viable longer
Cut 13 (06) “…just said.”
LSU has received a $433-thousand grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the best method to preserve an organ.

6:45 LRN Sportscast October 5

After rushing for just 33 yards in the loss to Auburn, LSU is averaging just 71 yards rushing yards a game, which ranks 128th out of 130 FBS teams. Tigers coach Ed Orgeron says part of the problem is that they are not committed to running the football…
cut 16 (20) “…this week”
The Tigers opponent this Saturday, 16th ranked Kentucky is only allowing 104 rushing yards a game, which ranks fourth in the SEC and 24th in the nation. But their starting nose tackle Marquan McCall will not play Saturday because of an injury. Kick-off on Saturday is at 6:30.

The Saints will take on the Washington Football team this Sunday. Both teams are two and two on the season. New Orleans has several players on injured reserve who are eligible to return like receiver Tre’Quan Smith, cornerback Ken Crawley and kicker Will Lutz. But there’s no word on when they’ll return.

Nicholls is also 2-and-2 and they are now ranked in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 after beating Houston Baptist 48-17 on Saturday. It was win number 40 for head coach Tim Rebowe, which is a new school record. The Colonels will host Southeastern Louisiana this Saturday. The Lions are ranked 14th in the FCS Coaches poll.

Stats Perform FCS has named Grambling as its national team of the week. The Tigers rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat Alabama A-and-M 37-28. Freshman Noah Bodden threw three touchdown passes and the defense forced five turnovers.

The Pelicans lost their preseason opener last night, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves 117 to 114. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 22 points.

6:30 LRN Newscast October 5

The state has launched a temporary housing program that will result in trailers, mobile homes, and even shipping containers being sent to the hardest-hit areas of Hurricane Ida by the end of the week. GOHSEP Deputy Director Casey Tingle says to apply for trailers go to ida-sheltering-la-dot-com…
cut 8 (09) “…housing today”
FEMA is paying for the program.

Our Lady Of the Lake hospital in Baton Rouge announces plans to build a $100-million cancer center in the Capital City. OLOL President and CEO Scott Wester says they expect to break ground early next year…
Cut 10 (13) “…all cancer patients.”
Wester says the state-of-the-art cancer center will serve the Gulf South region and the goal is to be the next M-D Anderson in Houston.

Louisiana’s only Democratic congressman is optimistic a deal will be reached soon on a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill and a more partisan three-point-five-trillion dollar social spending bill. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast October 4

It was a tough weekend for Louisiana’s two most popular football teams as LSU and the Saints both lost at home. The Bayou Bengals lost to Auburn on Saturday for the first time in Tiger Stadium since 1999. Coach Ed Orgeron says several aspects of their game have to improve
Cut 12 (13) “..tackle quarterback”
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix started the rally when he dodged several tacklers to throw a touchdown pass right before halftime. LSU linebacker Damone Clark…
cut 17 (14) “…missed tackles”
LSU is at 16th ranked and Kentucky this Saturday.

The Saints experienced a frustrating loss on Sunday, up by eleven points with 12 minutes left, but ended up losing to the previously winless New York Giants 27-21 in overtime. It was a tough day for the defense as they allowed Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to throw for 402 yards. But Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston takes part of the blame too…
cut 14 (07) “…from this”
The loss drops the Saints record to 2-and-2 and they are in third place in the NFC South.

Nicholls is also 2-and-2 and they are now ranked in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 after beating Houston Baptist 48-17 on Saturday. It was win number 40 for head coach Tim Rebowe, which is a new school record.

And Stats Perform FCS has named Grambling as its national team of the week. The Tigers rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat Alabama A-and-M 37-28. Freshman Noah Bodden threw three touchdown passes and the defense forced five turnovers.

LRN PM Newscall October 4

National Fire Prevention Week is being marked in Louisiana through Saturday and officials are noting the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

______________________________________

The Powerball drawing tonight has already made the record books and is poised to break more records. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

______________________________________

Louisiana is taking part in National Fire Prevention Week through this Saturday.  Ashley Rodrique with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says the theme this year is to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” such as when a smoke alarm goes off.

Cut 3 (08) “….then call 911.”

Statistics from 2020 show there were 77 fire-related deaths and only about a dozen structures had working smoke alarms.

As Louisiana marks National Fire Prevention Week, Rodrigue also says the State Fire Marshal’s Office is stressing that residents have a working carbon monoxide detector in the home, noting that the fumes are odorless.

Cut 4 (08) “…ever wake up.”

She says a carbon monoxide alarm involves four continuous loud beeps and that you should open doors and windows, leave your residence, and call 911.

The improper placement of generators during hurricanes or power outages has been among the issues involving carbon monoxide poisoning, sometimes resulting in deaths. Rodrique notes that’s just one of the reasons to have an operating CO alarm in your home.

Cut 5 (08) “…the proper place.”

Some CO alarms are combined with smoke alarms and it’s important to keep them working properly, with a single chirp every 30 to 60 seconds meaning the battery needs to be changed and that the alarms need to be changed every ten years.

_____________________________________

It’s been early June since a Powerball Jackpot was won and tonight’s drawing could be significant for a ticketholder if their numbers are drawn and for the lottery, if it isn’t. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kim Chopin says the jackpot is at $685.5-million.

Cut 6 (12) “…Powerball record.” 

Chopin says there’s been no other jackpot that’s rolled this many times without a winner for Powerball.

It could also be the first time a Monday night Powerball-winning ticket is ever drawn. On August 23rd the multistate lottery added a third night in addition to Wednesday and Saturday nights. Chopin says that’s added even more rollovers to the game in a short time, but ticket buyers in the Pelican State are plentiful.

Cut 7 (11) “…in Louisiana”  

Chopin is hopeful the winning Powerball numbers will be drawn tonight for a ticketholder in Louisana because it’s been three years since the state has had one, but Louisiana has proved to be lucky in the past with 17 Powerball Jackpot winners.

Cut 8 (11) “…number 18.”

She also says don’t toss your ticket in the trash too quickly if you don’t hit all six numbers. Chopin says there are prizes for choosing just the Powerball Number.

_____________________________________

Houma Representative Tanner Magee says the state launched its own sheltering assistance program today as it could be until November before  FEMA sets up trailers on the property of homes that are severely damaged by Hurricane Ida. Magee says this state-run program will get trailers to hard-hit areas much sooner

Cut 9 (10) “…trailer.” 

Magee says a website has been set up at ida-sheltering-la.com.  He says if the trailer can’t fit on the property of a person’s home, they are looking at two sites in Terrebonne Parish to set up dozens of mobile homes. He says the actual structure for the temporary housing could vary

Cut 10 (11)  “…for discussion” 

Magee has been pushing the need for temporary housing in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes and says the state’s sheltering program is a good first step. He says it’s heartbreaking to see how some hurricane victims are living after Ida destroyed their home…

Cut  11 (12)  “…troubling”  

_________________________

It was a tough weekend for Louisiana’s two most popular football teams as LSU and the Saints both lost at home. The Bayou Bengals lost to Auburn on Saturday for the first time in Tiger Stadium since 1999. Coach Ed Orgeron says several aspects of their game have to improve

Cut 12 (13) “..tackle quarterback”  

The Saints had an eleven-point lead with 12 minutes left, but lost to the Giants 27-21 in overtime. Linebacker Demario Davis says they couldn’t get that one-stop they needed in the fourth quarter and O-T…

Cut 13 (11) “..next week.”

The loss drops the Saints record to 2-and-2. Coach Sean Payton says it’s a game they will never get back. Quarterback Jameis Winston says they have to learn from this defeat…

Cut 14 (07) “…from this”