11:40 LRN Sportscast September 16

The Ragin Cajuns will be on ESPN tonight as they will host the Ohio Bobcats at 7 PM. Over 25-thousand fans were at U-L Lafayette’s home opener last Saturday. Coach Billy Napier hopes they’ll have a big crowd again tonight…
Cut 17 (17) “…that care.”
Athletic Director Bryan Maggard is promising a better fan experience for tonight’s game. There was an issue with concessions for the home opener last Saturday that resulted in long lines and congestion in the concourse.

LSU will be without two starters on defense for Saturday’s game against Central Michigan. Orgeron says defensive end Ali Gaye and safety Jay Ward will not play for a second straight week. Coach O says running backs coach Kevin Faulk is expected to miss the game as well after the sudden death of his 19-year-old daughter on Monday.

The Saints just keep rolling with the punches. The team has been practicing in the Dallas area since late August because of Hurricane Ida and now they are dealing with a COVID outbreak involving vaccinated coaches on the offensive side of the football. Coach Sean Payton says he feels like Ted Lasso working with a reduced staff, while the COVID positive coaches prepare for Sunday’s game in isolation in their hotel rooms.

But Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says the team has it good compared to the thousands who are struggling to recover from the destruction Hurricane Ida left behind…
cut 19 (27) “….this week”

9:30 LRN Newscast September 16

During his monthly radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene, which is under federal investigation. Body camera video shows several State Troopers punching and tasing Greene before he died. Edwards is troubled by the video…
cut 12 (11) “…really criminal”
Edwards says he has confidence that Colonel Lamar Davis’ new policies will prevent future incidents of excessive force arrests.

According to AARP’s nursing home dashboard in the four-week period ending August 22nd, resident COVID cases and deaths increased dramatically. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says the numbers mirror that of the state during the same time period.
Cut 13 (12) “…this year.”

You may someday have an alternative way to getting protected against bacterial pneumonia. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

The remnants of Nicholas could produce scattered showers and thunderstorms across the state today. The National Weather Service says Lake Charles has received 62 inches of rain this year, which surpasses the average annual accumulation of nearly 60 inches. We still have 3.5 months left to go in this year.

8:30 LRN Newscast September 16

Governor Edwards addresses the State Police scandal in which a man’s death during his arrest was covered up for two years. Kevin Gallagher reports.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Baton Rouge native Haley Arceneaux was successfully launched into space last night in the first-ever all-civilian space flight. The 29-year-old Arceneaux who battled cancer as a child is in space with three others, where they are conducting experiments. Arceneaux is also the youngest American to ever go into space. The mission will last three days.

LSU President William Tate met with President Joe Biden to discuss the school’s vaccination requirement and COVID testing procedures. Tate says it has resulted in more than 81-percent of students showing proof of vaccination…
cut 8 (11) “….at the top”
LSU says there are 78 students who are not in compliance with their vaccination and testing protocols and they face expulsion.

Tulane researchers say they’ve developed an inhaled vaccine that can provide protection against bacterial pneumonia, which is found in hospital settings. Researcher Doctor Jay Kolls says their studies show this vaccine has been successful in mice…
cut 5 (09) “…bacteria”
Kolls says more studies are needed before it can be used on humans.

7:30 LRN Newscast September 16

LSU President William Tate met with President Biden to discuss the university’s COVID protocols. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU has fallen 19 spots in a U-S News and World Report that ranks the nation’s universities. LSU ranks 172nd nationally and 13th in the SEC. Only Mississippi State ranked lower among SEC schools. President William Tate says LSU’s overall rank fell largely because of financial and faculty resources.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports his new Commander of State Police, while federal authorities investigate the death of motorist Ronald Greene, who died while in police custody after he was beaten by several troopers following a police chase. LSP Colonel Lamar Davis announced tough new policies last week, and the Governor says he approves.
Cut 10 (07) “…be a state trooper.”
Edwards called the actions by State Troopers who arrested Greene as criminal.

Researchers at Tulane University believe they have developed an inhaled vaccine against bacterial pneumonia. Dr. Jay Kolls, a corresponding author of the study, says the medication may help curb a disturbing death toll.
Cut 4 (11) “…the United States.”
Kolls says the vaccine has been shown to protect mice from bacterial pneumonia and more studies are needed.

6:45 LRN Sportscast September 16

LSU is hoping the offense can have a breakout game on Saturday night when they host Central Michigan. They’ve had trouble running the football and protecting quarterback Max Johnson. Coach Ed Orgeron says playing with more tempo could help…
cut 28 (08) “…this week”
On defense, Orgeron does not expect defensive end Ali Gaye or Safety Jay Ward to play this Saturday due to injuries.

Tonight in Lafayette, the Cajuns host the Ohio Bobcats. Athletic Director Bryan Maggard is promising there will be a better fan experience for tonight’s game. There was an issue with concessions for the home opener last Saturday that resulted in long lines and congestion in the concourse. Kick-off is at 7 PM on ESPN.

Tonight’s NFL game is the New York Giants versus the Washington Football Team.

The Saints just keep rolling with the punches. The team has been practicing in the Dallas area since late August because of Hurricane Ida and now they are dealing with a COVID outbreak involving vaccinated coaches on the offensive side of the football. Coach Sean Payton says he feels like Ted Lasso working with a reduced staff, while the COVID positive coaches prepare for Sunday’s game in isolation in their hotel rooms.

But Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says the team has it good compared to the thousands who are struggling to recover from the destruction Hurricane Ida left behind…
cut 19 (27) “….this week”

6:30 LRN Newscast September 16

During his monthly radio show, Ask the Governor, Governor John Bel Edwards said he has complete confidence in the Superintendent of State Police, Colonel Lamar Davis. Last Friday, Davis held a press conference and discussed policy reforms L-S-P has implemented to reduce excessive force encounters with the public. Edwards calls the policy changes appropriate…
cut 11 (11) “…people of Louisiana”
State Police has come under fire for multiple cases of white troopers beating up black motorists during traffic stops. Edwards called the 2019 violent arrest of Ronald Greene criminal. Greene died in police custody and federal investigations into the case are ongoing.

Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux is in space. The 29-year-old Arceneaux and three other citizens blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral last night. The crew will conduct scientific experiments during a three-day mission.

LSU President William Tate met with President Biden and the COVID Response team Tuesday afternoon and briefed them on the school’s multi-tiered approach of COVID mitigation and vaccination requirement. LSU was the only university that attended the meeting and Tate says the President was interested in how the school’s approach changed vaccination rates.
Cut 7 (11) “…and staff.”
The university says there are 78 students who face expulsion for not following the school’s COVID vaccination policy.

AARP’s nursing home dashboard found that COVID cases and deaths in nursing homes shot up dramatically in the four weeks leading up to Hurricane Ida. Several nursing homes were evacuated as a result of Ida and AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says fears the COVID numbers could worsen among nursing homes…
cut 15 (06) “….concerned about it”
AARP says they are hopeful more staff will be vaccinated once the national mandate for nursing home workers to be vaccinated goes into effect.

4:45 LRN Sportscast September 15

Saints Coach Sean Payton confirmed there is a group of offensive coaches, a nutritionist and one player who have tested positive for COVID-19. He says all of them were vaccinated. Payton says it will take two negative tests before the coaches can re-enter the building, so it’s unknown if they’ll be available for Sunday’s game against Carolina. He spoke today about having a reduced staff on offense…
cut 29 (29) “..covering the information”
The player who tested positive is reportedly injured wide receiver Michael Thomas.

ULM will welcome Deion Sanders and the Jackson State Tigers to Malone Stadium on Saturday for the Warhawks home opener. The Tigers are off to a 2-0 start and have been receiving national attention because Coach Prime is leading the program. ULM football coach Terry Bowden says Sanders has raised the talent level at J-S-U
Cut 18 (25)”…for us.
Deion played for Terry Bowden’s dad, Bobby Bowden at Florida State so they will use this game to honor the late great coach. Both teams will wear decals in honor of Bowden on their helmet.

Tomorrow night, the Ragin Cajuns will host Ohio. U-L Lafayette is the favorite by 20 points.

LRN PM Newscall

The federal government has given Louisiana approval to run a disaster food stamp program in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

______________________________________

29-year old Baton Rouge native Haley Arceneaux will make history tonight as the youngest American in space. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

Folks with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further damage.  Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson tells us as Nicholas’ rains cause additional problems, tarps that home and business owners have used thus far, fall short of the federal government’s Blue Roof program.

Cut 3 (11) “..growing out there”

Chaisson isn’t pleased that surrounding parishes that have most of their power back appear to be ahead in the line when it comes to getting Blue Roof assistance.

Cut 4  (08) “…couple of days.” 

Chaisson is also upset in the slow movement of FEMA to set up temporary long-term housing like mobile homes in Lafourche to house residents as their storm-damaged homes are made habitable after Ida’s wrath.

Cut 5 (09) “…into the parish.”

_____________________________________

Disaster food stamps, also known as D-SNAP, will soon be available to residents in 25 parishes hit hard by Hurricane Ida. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says D-SNAP helps eligible households buy groceries due to lost income or damages related to Ida

Cut 6 (11) “…you’re eligible.” 

Howard says people who currently do receive food stamps can be eligible for D-SNAP. She says the virtual application process for residents in select parishes will begin Monday…

Cut 7 (08) “. the disaster”  

Howard says residents who are interested should pre-register and then starting on Monday D-C-F-S agents will begin interviewing applicants to see if they are eligible. She says residents who live in the hardest-hit parishes like Lafourche, St. Charles, and Terrebonne will go through the interview process during the first full week of October…

Cut 8 (12) “..grocery store openings.”

For a schedule of when applicants will be interviewed based on their last name and the parish, they live in go to dcfs.la.gov/dsnap.

_______________________

Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux will make history tonight as the youngest American in space. She’s part of the Inspiration4 space mission that aims to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where Arceneaux overcame bone cancer. Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington at LSU Health Shreveport was one of Arceneaux’s instructors.

Cut 9 (10) “…one of them.” 

29-year-old Arceneaux will also be the first cancer survivor and the first person with a prothesis to journey into space.  Ferrington remembers when Arceneaux applied to the LSU Health Shreveport Physician Assistant Program, and she realized then her potential.

Cut 10 (10)   anything.” 

Arceneaux now works as a PA at St. Jude, and she inspires her patients as a cancer survivor herself and her mission in space. Ferrington says they are celebrating Arceneaux with a launch party at the school.

Cut  11 (12)  “…nervous.”  

Coverage begins this afternoon on SpaceX’s YouTube Channel and the five-hour launch window opens at 7 pm.

_______________________

The Chief Civil Deputy at the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s office, Debbie Dollar, is facing charges of malfeasance in office and theft charges. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 58-year-old woman stole thousands of dollars from the Caldwell Sheriff’s office

Cut 12 (12) “35-thousand dollars”  

Reichardt says she’s been taking money out of a drawer used to hold money collected for fines and fees since January 2020…..

Cut 13 (07)    little more”

Dollar was booked into the Caldwell Parish Jail. Her bond was set at four-thousand dollars. Reichardt says stealing 35-thousand dollars is a lot of money…

Cut 14 (08) “…really” 

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast September 15

Multiple reports say six assistant coaches for the Saints have tested postive for COVID-19 and so has injured receiver Michael Thomas, who has been put on the COVID list. Because the coaches are vaccinated, there’s a chance they can travel with the team to Charlotte for Sunday’s game against Carolina.

LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is off to a good start this season, but the rest of the offense is not. The Tigers only had 305 yards of total offense in a 34-7 win over McNeese on Saturday. In two games, Boutte has 14 catches and five touchdown receptions. He says he’s not disappointed with the offense but believes they can do more…
cut 16 (14) “….all around”
The Tigers host Central Michigan on Saturday night. The Chippewas have allowed only two third-down conversions on 23 tries.

Saturday is the home opener for the ULM Warhawks as they host Jackson State. And they will also honor the late great college football coach Bobby Bowden, who died last month. Jackson State’s coach is Deion Sanders, who played for Bowden at Florida State. Warhawks coach Terry Bowden says he misses the morning phone calls with his Dad…
cut 19 (21) “…she can watch”
Kick-off on Saturday is at 7 PM in Malone Stadium.

Sonny Dykes will return to Ruston on Saturday. The former Louisiana Tech coach will bring his SMU Mustangs to Joe Aillet Stadium. The Mustangs are 2-and-0 after beating North Texas and Abilene Christian. Kick-off on Saturday is at 2:30.

9:30 LRN Newscast September 15

The state health department reported 121 more COVID-19 deaths yesterday, bringing the death toll to 13,241. Zondra Wright is Charbonnet Funeral Home Director in New Orleans and says unfortunately her business has been very busy since March 2020 and she fears the number of COVID deaths will not let up anytime soon…
cut 12 (09) “….Christmas 2021”
Wright says she’s seeing more people die in their 40s, 50s, and 60s from COVID than last year.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy, who is also a doctor, continues to advise people to get the COVID vaccine. He says using the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin is not the answer…
cut 15 (07) “…and who died”

Nicholas is now a tropical depression but the flood threat still exists. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the slow movement of Nicholas allows the system to saturate the area…
cut 4 (09) “…the problem”
Numerous roads in Evangeline Parish are closed due to high water. Schools are closed in Avoyelles Parish due to flooding concerns. A flash flood warning is in effect for St. Tammany and Washington Parish until 11:15.

Entergy Louisiana says they’ve restored power to 90-percent of its customers who lost power as a result of Hurricane Ida. But John Hawkins with Entergy says they still have more work to do in the River Parishes and the Bayou Region of Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes…
cut 9 (09) “…work there”
Entergy Louisiana reports nearly 65-thousand customers without power.