Author Archives: LRN News

04.22.22
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1:30 LRN Newscast April 22

Baton Rouge Police say a four-year-old has 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 manhunt continues as multiple agencies are still looking for a Union Parish Work Release inmate. 48-year-old Bruce Causey stabbed a coworker at Foster Farms in Farmerville, Louisiana, and was last seen in Monroe yesterday around 11 am. If you have any information, contact the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-368-3124.

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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 bill 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.”

04.22.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast April 22

The New Orleans Pelicans look to go up two games to one in their best-of-seven series with the Phoenix suns tonight in front of a sold-out crowd at the Smoothie King Center. All-Star guard Devin Booker is likely out for the remainder of the series, a major blow for the top-seeded Suns. Willie Green says Phoenix, which went 8-6 without Booker this season, is still very dangerous.

Cut 17 (17) “…as such.”

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At the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Matthew NeSmith and Taylor Moore earned an eagle on 18 for an opening-round record-tying score of 12-under 60. Or so they thought. Patrick Cantlay, the world’s fourth-ranked player knocked in a 3-foot birdie moments later, giving him and reigning Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele the new record with a 59 heading into today’s second round.

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Plenty of questions surround the LSU defense heading into tomorrow’s spring game. There are a lot of new names in the defensive secondary at DBU. Safety Joe Foucha transferred in from Arkansas and he says they’ll need the summer to bond…

Cut 20 (19) “…as one”

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LSU baseball picked up a much-needed victory, topping Missouri 5-3 last night in the first game of their three-game set. Jacob Berry smacked two home runs, giving him 12 on the season, and Ma’Khail Hilliard gave up two runs over seven innings to improve to 4-0.

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Series starting tonight include Tulane hosting East Carolina, UL at Georgia State, App State visits UL-Monroe, Southeastern and McNeese tangle in Lake Charles, Northwestern State welcomes Houston Baptist, Nicholls travels to Incarnate Word…while Southern is at Texas Southern and Grambling hosts Alcorn State.

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04.21.22
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LRN AM Newscall 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.”

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Law enforcement will increase their enforcement of seat belt use in pick-up trucks. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

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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.” 

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The full House of Representatives passes the $38-billion state budget bill. The legislation is the state’s spending plan for fiscal year that starts July 1st. Speaking on the House floor, Appropriations chair and Houma Republican Jerome Zeringue (zer-ANG) says House Bill 1 makes good use of one-time money for the pandemic and from the federal CARES act…:

Cut 4 (13)  “…one-time expenses.”

The budget bill has no significant cuts for any department, fully funds higher education, TOPS grants and includes pay raises for teachers and school support staff. On the floor, Lafayette area Republican Rep. Blake Miguez (MEE-gez) asks Zeringue about the nearly half-a-cent temporary sales tax increase; passed in 2016 to address a fiscal cliff. He worries a growing a state budget ignores the impending loss of revenue when it expires…:

Cut 5 (12) “…in the next term.”

Zeringue says he and other budget architects DID take lowered sales taxes into account…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…all things considered.”

HB1 passed the chamber by a vote of 94-4 and now moves to the Senate Finance Committee for review.

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Governor John Bel Edwards is dismayed the Louisiana House does not back his proposal to put 500-million dollars towards a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Edwards says thanks to state surplus dollars and federal infrastructure dollars the state can finally make a significant payment towards a project that could cost 2-point-5 billion dollars…

Cut 7 (04) “…shining now”

Many lawmakers are reluctant to put 500-million dollars towards a construction project that’s still several years away from happening. Officials have yet to decide where the bridge will be built. But 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”

The governor is also disappointed the House did not support his proposal to give law enforcement and firefighters a 100-dollar a month increase in pay by using state dollars. Edwards says he’s not sure why the House didn’t appropriate the supplemental pay increase in a funding bill sent to the senate…

Cut 9 (12)  “…on there.”

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The “Buckle Up in Your Truck” highway safety campaign begins Saturday 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…

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….

Cut 12 (12) “…65-percent.” 

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The success of the New Orleans Pelicans has led to a surge in popularity for the franchise. Rel Myers, 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.”

Over the past few weeks, as the team moved closer to the playoffs, Myers says the franchise has reached out to her group and others to provide support for the growing fanbase.

Cut 14 (10)  “…as well.”

As the Pelicans return home for Game 3 tonight, Myers says The Pels 12 will be out in full force, and she expects New Orleans to show up and show out as only it can.

Cut 15 (09)  “…in that first round.”

Both games three and four have already sold out.

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One of the big factors for the New Orleans Pelicans in their push into the postseason has been the play of the team’s young role players. Coach Willie Green says his staff has done an excellent job in preparing them for this moment.

Cut 16 (18)  “…big-time results.”

All-Star guard Devin Booker is likely out for the remainder of the series, a major blow for the top-seeded Suns. Green says Phoenix, which went 5-2 without Booker this season, is still very dangerous.

Cut 17 (17) “ …as such.” 

Pelicans guard CJ McCollum is making his ninth straight playoff appearance and has stressed to his teammates the importance of taking care of business in this pivotal game three.

Cut 18 (15) “ …of this game.” 

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Saturday is the LSU Spring game and there will be several new Tigers on the football field for the fans to watch. Cornerback Mekhi Garner is now wearing purple and gold after playing for the Ragin Cajuns and he loves his new coach…

Cut 19 (17) _“…favorite coaches.” 

There are a lot of new names in LSU’s defensive secondary. Safety Joe Foucha transferred in from Arkansas and he says they’ll need the summer to bond…

Cut 20 (19) “ …as one” 

04.21.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast April 21

The eighth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans can take another step toward an upset of the top-seeded Phoenix Suns on Friday night in their opening-round playoff series, which is all square at one game apiece. The Pels are seeking to become just the fifth number eight seed to advance to the second round since 1994, and the first to do it since the Grizzlies knocked off the Spurs in 2011. New Orleans got some good news when Suns All-Star Devin Booker was ruled out for the rest of the series with a strained right hamstring. Guard CJ McCollum is making his ninth consecutive appearance in the postseason and says the Pels can’t take anything for granted, even with momentum seemingly shifting their way.

Cut 21 (15) “…game gets harder.”

Tipoff for Friday’s game three is at 8:30 pm. New Orleans is 5-4 in game threes all-time, 5-2 at home.

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Kim Mulkey continues to make moves as she reshapes her coaching staff and rebuilds her roster. Wednesday, Mulkey announced that Gary Redus II has been added as an assistant coach. Redus spent last season with SMU and before that, three seasons at Vanderbilt. Redus has a reputation as an elite recruiter and should help fill the void left by the departure of long-time assistants Sytia Messer and Johnny Derrick.

LSU also announced the signing of West Virginia graduate transfer Jasmine Carson. A 5-10 guard, Carson averaged 5.2 points in 12 minutes per game last season.

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Tonight, LSU baseball begins a 3-game set versus Missouri starting at 7 pm in The Box. The Tigers are 7-8 in the SEC midway through the conference schedule, while Mizzou sits at 5-10. Ma’Khail Hilliard will take the mound in search of his fourth win of the season.

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At the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Matthew NeSmith and Taylor Moore earned an eagle on 18 for an opening-round record-tying score of 12-under 60. The Zurich has been a team event since 2017.

04.21.22
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12:30 LRN Newscast April 21

Governor John Bel Edwards rode a passenger train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans as he continues to promote the possibility of a commuter rail line. Joining Edwards on the “inspection” train ride were executives from Amtrak, Kansas City Southern, and Canadian Pacific. Canadian Pacific says it’s committed to providing a passenger rail service between B-R and NOLA. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson was also on the trip…

Cut 4 (11) “…action plan.”

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The governor’s position on a bill that would ban transgender girls from competing in female sports has not changed. Edwards vetoed that legislation last year, but the Legislature is poised to approve it once again. Edwards still believes the bill is unnecessary as he says there has not been an incident of a non-biological female playing a women’s sport in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08) “…to it”

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Robert Kelly and Angela Goodfellow, both of Slidell, were apprehended in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Wednesday for allegedly burglarizing the home of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser before starting a fire in the kitchen of the residence last week. Most of the items taken from Nungesser’s home have been recovered, though for the lieutenant governor, having that duo behind bars is a greater relief than getting back some memorabilia.

Cut 12 (12) “…off the streets.”

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The LSU Tigers will wrap up spring football with a scrimmage this Saturday. Many will be keeping an eye on Walker Howard, the most highly touted quarterback recruit at LSU since Russell Shepard. For now, he’s another freshman trying to adjust to life away from home and the difference in competition between high school and college.

Cut 16 (15) “…to compete.”

04.21.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast April 21

Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker will miss games 3 and 4 against the Pelicans with a right hamstring injury he suffered during the Pels’s game two triumph on Tuesday. New Orleans and Phoenix tip off Game 3 at 8:30 tomorrow evening; the Pelicans’ first playoff game in The Blender since 2018. The Suns are 5-2 this season without Booker in the lineup, and the Pelicans are 5-2 all-time in game threes played at the Smoothie King Center.

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On the diamond last night, Southern Miss doubled up UNO 10-5, and ULM ended McNeese’s four-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory in 10 innings.

Tonight, LSU baseball begins a 3-game set versus Missouri starting at 7 pm in The Box. The Tigers are 7-8 in the SEC while Mizzou is 5-10. Ma’Khail Hilliard will get the start for LSU as he looks to improve to 4-0 on the season.

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And the Zurich Classic of New Orleans gets underway from TPC Louisiana in Avondale. World number one and Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler headlines the field that includes five of the top six players in the world.

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LSU football fans have been waiting for a look at the Tigers under new coach Brian Kelly, and they get that chance at Saturday’s spring game. A pair of freshmen will have a lot of eyes on them. Quarterback Walker Howard is fourth on the depth chart. With three more experienced quarterbacks ahead of him, Howard has had to shift his focus to making the most of his limited on-field reps and strengthening the mental aspects of his game.

Cut 18 (13) “…tough sometimes.”

The other is left tackle Will Campbell, the top-rated prospect in Louisiana last year. He’s already impressed the Tigers staff with his maturity and ability to grasp the offense. Offensive line coach Brad Davis has been instrumental in getting Campbell up to speed. Campbell says the two have bonded quickly.

Cut 20 (13) “ …every single day.”

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04.20.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast April 20

Two seasons ago, Brandon Ingram was an All-Star but he has flown under the radar since as the New Orleans Pelicans struggled. Now, with the Pels in the playoffs, Ingram has been introduced to the basketball world on the sports’ biggest stage. Tuesday night he led the Pelicans to their first postseason victory in four years with a 37 point, 11 rebound, and nine assist virtuoso performance. Coach Willie Green says Ingram proved that he belongs in the conversation with the league’s elite players.

Cut 21 (16) “…awesome to see.”

Game three is Friday night at 8:30 in the Smoothie King Center.

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Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker, who scored 31 points in the first half of game two, could miss both games three and four with a right hamstring injury.

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LSU football takes to the field for its highly-anticipated spring scrimmage this Saturday. Though the Tigers won’t play a traditional game due to depth or lack thereof at certain positions, it is an opportunity to see just how different things will be for the Tigers under new coach Brian Kelly. One player to watch is freshman left tackle Will Campbell, who starred at Neville and was the state’s top-rated prospect. Campbell has been waiting to run out onto the field at Death Valley for some time.

Cut 22 (19) “…great experience.”

The National L Club Spring Game kicks off at 1 pm.

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In college baseball tonight, UNO is on the road at Southern Miss and McNeese looks to extend its winning streak to five games when the Cowboys visit UL-Monroe.

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04.20.22
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1:30 LRN Newscast April 20

After evening their playoff series with the Phoenix Suns, the New Orleans Pelicans will return home to the Smoothie King Center on Friday night for Game 3. CJ McCollum played for the Trail Blazers in 2018 when the Pelicans swept Portland in dominating fashion, and he’s glad that this time he’ll be wearing the home colors.

Cut 11 (12) “…do nice things.”

Game time is set for 8:30 pm.

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An effort to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated in House Judiciary. In Louisiana, the governor is term-limited and so are state legislators.  Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says having term limits on lawmakers is one thing, but many voters like their current sheriffs…

Cut 8 (12) “…people decide”

The constitutional amendment was voted down nine to two.

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A bill to raise awareness about hunger among students at Louisiana colleges and universities advances in House Education. The bill will designate colleges as a Hunger-Free Campus if they meet certain criteria, which include the presence of a food pantry and surveys of students to determine the level of food security on campus. UL system president Jim Henderson says the bill also raises awareness among students who are eligible for SNAP benefits.

Cut 5 (10) “…of resources.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

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Almost four years after 26-year-old Heikeem Hebert was killed in Abbeville police make an arrest after the crime lab linked the weapon to a suspect who was already in jail on unrelated charges. Abbeville Police Spokesperson Johnathan Touchet says 36-year-old Daniel Simon of Erath was their suspect the whole time.

Cut 12 (08) “…attempted first-degree murder.”

04.20.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast April 20

The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns 125-114 to even their playoff series at one game each. Brandon Ingram put on a show, finishing with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. It was an unlikely victory for the Pelicans, with the worst record in the playoffs, over the team with the best record in the league. Head coach Willie Green has been praised for his part in turning the Pels’ season around, but he says the credit shouldn’t come to him.

Cut 18 (20) “…do it every game.”

New Orleans won for the first time ever when trailing a series 0-1 and now returns home for game three on Friday night with home-court advantage in the series.

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In the final Wally Pontiff Junior Classic, the LSU Tigers doubled up the Ragin Cajuns eight to four. Jordan Thompson hit a two-run homer in a five-run fourth inning and Ty Floyd dominated on the mound, striking out eight and allowing two runs on four hits. The Tigers host Missouri starting tomorrow, while the Cajuns are at Georgia State this weekend.

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Greg Martinez threw seven innings of shutout baseball as La Tech blanked Little Rock ten to nothing. Steele Netterville had a three-run double.

Nicholls held Southern hitless for eight and two-thirds innings in three to nothing victory for the Colonels over the Jaguars.

Tyler Finke went five for five, including a walk-off two-run homer as Southeastern Louisiana defeated South Alabama eight to six.

And Northwestern State beat LSU-Alexandria 11 to four as Jeffrey Elkins hit a three-run homer in the eighth. The Demons are at Louisiana Tech tonight.

Tonight, UNO looks to snap a four-game losing streak on the road at Southern Miss.

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04.19.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast April 19

The New Orleans Pelicans will be trying to buck some historical trends in tonight’s Game two of their opening-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, as they trail one game to none. Since arriving in 2002, no New Orleans team has ever won game two of a series after losing game one. That’s oh-and-five all-time. Coach Willie Green hopes the effort that he saw as his team cut a 23-point deficit to six in the fourth quarter on Sunday night carries over to tonight’s performance.

Cut 22 (14) “…to do it.”

Tip-off is at 9 pm.

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LSU adds depth to its secondary via the transfer portal. Brian Kelly announced on Tuesday that Sevyn Banks, a two-year starter at corner for Ohio State has been added to the roster. In four years with the Buckeyes, Banks appeared in 36 games with 15 starts, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2020.

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It’s a busy night for college baseball as the 22nd-ranked LSU Tigers host the Ragin Cajuns in the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. The Bayou Bengals were swept by Arkansas last weekend, while the Cajuns are 9-and-6 in the Sun Belt after taking two of three from ULM. U-L Lafayette Coach Matt Deggs believes his team is primed to make a run in the second half of the conference schedule…

Cut 16 (17) “….trip to Atlanta”

The Cajuns are at Georgia State this weekend.

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Back to tonight’s schedule, La Tech begins a five-game home stand by hosting Little Rock. Southern is at Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana hosts South Alabama, and last night McNeese doubled up Sam Houston eight to four for its 20th win of the season.

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