1140 Sportscast 7/29

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton is focused on training campas it begins today, but it’s possible the Superdome will not be at full capacity for the season opener against Green Bay because of the sudden rise of COVID cases in the Gulf South. Payton points to the Stanley Cup Finals that saw Tampa Bay play in front of sold-out crowds, while Montreal had limited capacity for their home games…

Cut 18 (26) “your players”

The Saints will be without star receiver Michael Thomas for training camp due to him having surgery on an ankle injury he suffered last season.

A week from today, LSU will report for preseason camp and the quarterback battle between Max Johnson and Myles Brennan can really begin. Coach Ed Orgeron says whoever wins the job, the team will be in great shape…

Cut 19 (29) “best man”

Orgeron says he may hold off on naming the starter until the week before the first game against UCLA.

The NBA draft is tonight and the Pelicans hold the 17th pick and could draft former LSU star Cam Thomas.  Ruston native and Baylor star Jared Butler is also a possibility.

1140 Sportscast 7/28

Willie Green has officially been introduced as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. Green takes over a team with a lot of young talent, including forwards Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.  Despite the talent, the Pels missed the playoffs last season but Green calls this team a sleeping giant.

Cut 17 (16) “team go”

Green played 12 years in the NBA, including one season in New Orleans back in 2010.

The Pelicans could also make a huge offer to veteran point guard Kyle Lowry.  The Pels signing a veteran of Lowry’s magnitude could give them the type of leadership that they thrived under with Chris Paul.  Lowry will be a hot commodity and the Pelicans could be a long shot to land the all-star.

Kevin O’Connor has updated his 2021 NBA Mock Draft and has LSU shooting guard Cam Thomas going 17th overall to the New Orleans Pelicans.

LSU junior kicker Cade York has been named to the Lou Groza Award watch list.  The Groza goes to college football’s top place-kicker.  The McKinney, Texas native made over 85 percent of his field goals last season and made a career long 57-yarder at Florida, which is a school record.

With Michael Thomas being placed on the PUP list and set to miss the start of the season due to ankle surgery, the Saints have now agreed to a deal with veteran wide receiver Chris Hogan.  The 33-year-old won two super bowls with the New England Patriots during his nine-year career.  Hogan has caught 250 passes for 3,337 yards and 22 touchdowns during his time in the NFL.

The Saints have also announced they signed defensive end Kendall Donnerson and cornerback Brian Poole. Donnerson was on the Bengals practice squad last year after he was selected in the seventh round by the Packers in 2018. Poole is a former Florida Gator and in 70 career games in the NFL, he’s intercepted seven passes and has played the last two seasons with the Jets.

1140 Sportscast 7/27

The post-Drew Brees era really sets in today for the Saints as veterans report for training camp. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill will compete against each other for the opportunity to replace Brees as the team’s starting quarterback. ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett says there’s a lot to like about both guys…

Cut 16 (18) “Taysom Hill”

Texas and Oklahoma have officially informed the Big 12 of their plans to leave the conference.  The two schools are now seeking an invitation from the SEC, which would make it a 16-team super conference.

SEC presidents will meet Thursday as they decide whether or not to allow Texas and Oklahoma entry into the conference.  12 of 14 teams have to vote yes in order to receive an invitation to join the conference.

Cooper Fouts will join coach Lane Burroughs’ staff at Louisiana Tech and serve as the teams recruiting coordinator and pitching/catching coach.  Fouts has 16 years of collegiate coaching experience on his resume and was most recently an assistant coach at Purdue.

Tech linebacker Tyler Grubbs has been named to the Nagurski award preseason watch list.  Last season he led the Bulldogs with 99 tackles including nine and a half tackles for loss.  The Nagurski is presented yearly to the best defensive player in college football.

Also, LSU offensive lineman Ed Ingram is on the Outland trophy preseason watch list.  The Outland trophy is award to the best interior lineman in the country.

Happy birthday coach O.  The Tigers head coach is celebrating his 60th birthday today.  Orgeron is entering his fifth season as the head man in Baton Rouge.

The U.S. women’s gymnastics team took silver after Simone Biles withdraws from the finals due to what is being called mental health issues.

1140 Sportscast 7/26

Texas and Oklahoma have announced that they are leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference, which would make the SEC a 16-member league. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says this might mean the end of the Big 12.

Cut 13

This could make the SEC even more dominant as one of the premier conferences in college athletics.

The New Orleans Saints and Caesars Entertainment have announced a 20-year, exclusive naming rights deal that rename the stadium as the Caesars Superdome.  The Caesars Superdome will host Super Bowl LIX in 2025.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry has won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay team.  Curry swam in the preliminaries and his team finished first in their heat.  He was replaced for the final by Caeleb Dressel, but all swimmers who participate in prelims or finals receive a medal.

LSU cornerbacks Elias Ricks and Derek Stingley Jr. have both been named to the Jim Thorpe award watch list.  The Thorpe award is presented each year to the best defensive back in college football.  Also, LSU linebacker Damone Clark was named to the Butkus Award watch list, presented to the best linebacker in the country.

The U-S Men’s Basketball team lost for the first time in Olympic competition since 2004 as France closed the game on a 16 to 2 run to win 83-76. Former Pelican Jrue Holiday led the U-S with 18 points. This was not an elimination game however, so team USA’s gold medal hopes are still alive.

Former University High golfer Patrick Reed has been added to the USA Golf team after Bryson DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19. A positive COVID test has also knocked Spain’s Jon Rahm out of the Olympic golf tournament.

Former LSU star Aaron Nola was on his game yesterday as he allowed four hits and struck out nine in 8.2 innings as Philadelphia held on for a two-to-one win over Atlanta.

 

10:30 LRN Newscall 7/24/21

The more contagious and virulent Delta coronavirus variant is tearing through Louisiana, resulting in Governor Edwards issuing a statewide mask advisory. Louisiana leads the nation in case growth with 47 cases and has been designated as a “state of concern” by the White House. Edwards says the statewide average of daily cases per 100,000 residents has increased 208 percent over the past 14 days

Cut 10 (06) “…United States of America”

Businesses have also been called to review policies to limit COVID exposure and spread.
In Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has announced his city is joining New Orleans in issuing an indoor mask advisory due to the Delta-fueled surge in COVID cases. Perkins says the return to masking is what is needed to hold back the tide of new Delta cases.

Cut 3 (12) “…lives”

Roughly 30 percent of northwest Louisiana is vaccinated and Perkins says undertaking these measures will save lives and the economy.

The National Retail Federation projects record back-to-school spending this year as students head back to class for fall. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says k-12 shoppers will likely spend about 850 dollars on average while College students and their families are expected to spend about 1,200 dollars on average. Cullen says after a slump last year it appears that families are returning to brick and mortar, but some online shopping is still popular.

Cut 14 (09) “…2020″

Shoppers are also expected to spend about 300 dollars on average on electronics.

The N-F-L Network reports Saints star receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his injured ankle. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas has not been able to fully recover after injuring his ankle in the 2020 season opener.

Cut 9 (09) “…the surgery”

The recovery period will set Thomas back four months resulting in him missing several games while the Saints are looking for a veteran wide receiver to sign

9:30 LRN 7/24/21

Following the 4th surge of COVID-19 cases Governor Edwards has issued public health reccomendations. These include wearing masks wether one is vaccinated or unvaccinated while indoors when social distancing isn’t physically possible. Businesses have also been called to review policies to limit COVID exposure and spread.

There are also new policy recommendations for exposure situations

Cut 16 (09) “…19”

Louisiana currently leads the nation in case growth and has been marked as a “state of concern” by the White House.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian perkins has announced that his city will join New Orleans in issuing an indoor mask advisory. Since July 1st Louisiana has added 654 new COVID-related hospitalizations erasing five months of progress in three weeks. Perkins says he made this decision after consulting with healthcare experts.

Cut 4 (11) “..community”

Roughly 30 percent of northwest Louisiana is vaccinated according to KSLA TV.The National Retail Federation projects record back-to-school spending this year as students prepare for the fall semester. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says back-to-school shoppers are expected to spend about 300 dollars on average on electronics and about 254 dollars on average on clothes.

Cut 13 (09) “…enviroment”

On average, college students are expected to spend 1,200 dollars on average for the upcoming semester, which could culminate in 71 billion in total spending.

The N-F-L Network reports Saints star receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his injured ankle. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says says the Saints are thin at wide receiver after losing Emmanuel Sanders in free agency.

Cut 11 (14) “…number one guy.”

Thomas’s recovery period is estimated to last four months and will cost the reciver several games.

LRN 8:30 Newscast 7/24/21

Governor Edwards has issued new statewide COVID public health recommendations following the designation of Louisiana by the White House as a “state of concern”. Edwards says we’ve seen an explosion in new cases and hospitalizations since the start of the month. Because of this…
Cut 15 (09) “…maintained”
Louisiana leads the nation in case growth with 47 cases per capita and has surpassed one-thousand COVID patients in the hospital.

Prior to the governor’s announcement, Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins issued an indoor mask advisory following the tide of new Delta cases.

Perkins says returning to masking will save lives and save the economy.

Cut 5 (07) “…shutdown.”

There is some positive news regarding COVID, the state has announced its second round of Shot at a Million winners. 65-year-old Edwina Jones of Marrero won 100-thousand dollars and 14-year-old Andrew Homan of Slidell won 100-thousand dollars in scholarship money.

Only 36 percent of the state is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as health experts warn of the dangers of the 4th surge. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says the low vaccination rate equates to only one in three being fully immunized.

Cut 6 (10) “….pandemic.”

The Delta variant is responsible for eighty percent of the current cases and the variant is fifty percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant which was fifty percent more contagious than the original.

The National Retail Federation projects record back-to-school spending this year as students head back to class for fall.

NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says they’re expecting K-12 shoppers to spend about 850 dollars on average, 60 dollars more than last year.

Cut 12 (05) “…dollars”

Following a slump last year many families are returning to brick and mortar but the appeal of online shopping is still present

PM Newscall with new Edwards cuts

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announces a city-wide masking advisory as Delta variant COVID cases surge statewide. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________________

Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas will likely miss the start of the season after undergoing ankle surgery in June. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

Shreveport joins New Orleans in issuing an indoor mask advisory due to the Delta-fueled surge in COVID cases.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says the return to masking is what is needed to hold back the tide of new Delta cases.

Cut 3 (12) “…lives” 

The state has seen a dramatic increase in cases and COVID-related hospitalizations since the start of the month. Since July 1st Louisiana has added 654 new COVID-related hospitalizations erasing five months of progress in three weeks.

Perkins says he made this decision after consulting with healthcare experts.

Cut 4 (11) “..community”

Roughly 30 percent of northwest Louisiana is vaccinated according to KSLA TV.

Perkins says returning to masking will save lives and save the economy.

Cut 5 (07) “…shutdown.”

___________________________

With only 36-percent of the state fully vaccinated for COVID, health officials warn of the growing risks for unvaccinated individuals, especially with the highly contagious Delta variant. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says the low vaccination rate equates to only one in three being fully immunized.

Cut 6 (10) “….pandemic.”

Vanchiere says the Delta variant is responsible for eighty percent of the current cases and the variant is fifty percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant which was fifty percent more contagious than the original. The fourth surge has also sparked the Mayors of New Orleans and Shreveport to issue indoor mask advisories.

Cut 7 (11) “…get vaccinated”

On a positive note, Vanchiere says in the Shreveport area they are vaccinating two and a half times as many people this week compared to a month ago and many are receiving their first dose. He says if you are sick, the most important thing besides staying home is to get tested.

Cut 8 (12) “…approaches.”

For a list of vaccination and testing sites visit LDH-dot-LA-dot-gov forward slash Coronavirus.

___________________________

The N-F-L Network reports Saints star receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his injured ankle. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas has not been able to fully recover after injuring his ankle in the 2020 season opener

Cut 9 (09) “…the surgery”

Recovery from the surgery is an estimated four months, which means Thomas will likely miss several games. Detillier says Thomas’ absence will make it difficult for both Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston who are trying to replace Drew Brees as the starting quarterback…

Cut 10 (11) “..wide receiver”

Reports say the Saints are looking for a veteran wide receiver to sign, but the options are limited with training camp set to start next week. Detillier says the Saints are thin at wide receiver after losing Emmanuel Sanders in free agency…

Cut  11 (14) “…number one guy.” 

________________________________________________

The National Retail Federation projects record back-to-school spending this year as students head back to class for fall.

NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says they’re expecting K-12 shoppers to spend about 850 dollars on average, 60 dollars more than last year.

Cut 12 (05) “…dollars”

College students and their families are expected to spend about 1,200 dollars on average for the upcoming semester. That could result in 71 billion in total spending, up 2.3 billion from last year.

Cullen says back-to-school shoppers are expected to spend about 254 dollars on average on clothes.

Cut 13 (09) “…enviroment”

Shoppers are also expected to spend about 300 dollars on average on electronics.

Cullen says after a slump last year it appears that families are returning to brick and mortar, but some online shopping is still popular.

Cut 14 (09) “…2020″ 

__________________________________

Governor Edwards issues new statewide COVID public health recommendations due to the rapidly spiraling Delta surge.

Edwards says we’ve seen an explosion in new cases and hospitalizations since the start of the month. Because of this…

Cut 15 (09) “…maintained” 

Businesses have also been called to review policies to limit COVID exposure and spread.

There are also new policy recommendations for exposure situations…

Cut 16 (09) “…19” 

1230 PM LRN News

Louisiana sees another 3,100 COVID cases reported today and the number of COVID related hospitalizations continues to explode, now just over 1,000, an increase of 95 from yesterday. With this new Delta-fueled surge in full swing and health experts calling for a return to masking Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says his city is joining New Orleans in issuing a mask advisory…

Cut 4 (11) “..community”

Delta is tearing through the state in large part due to our one of the lowest in the nation vaccination rates. only 36-percent of the state fully vaccinated. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says with only a third of the state fully vaccinated…

Cut 6 (10) “….pandemic.”

Vanchiere says the Delta variant is responsible for eighty percent of the current cases.

Bad news Saints fans, star receiver Mike Thomas will miss the start of the season after undergoing ankle surgery. Recovery from the surgery is an estimated four months, which means Thomas will likely miss several games. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says to make matters even worse the Black and Gold are awful thin at receiver after losing Emmanuel Sanders in free agency…

Cut  11 (14) “…number one guy.” 

Reports are the Saints are seeking veteran help to fill the gap. 

1130 AM LRN News

Shreveport joins New Orleans in issuing an indoor mask advisory due to the Delta-fueled surge in COVID cases. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says the return to masking is what is needed to hold back the tide of new Delta cases.

Cut 3, 12 seconds, lives

The state has seen a dramatic increase in cases and COVID-related hospitalizations since the start of the month. Since July 1st Louisiana has added 654 new COVID-related hospitalizations erasing five months of progress in three weeks.

Because of this new surge Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says the state’s largest hospital system is moving to mandatory vaccination for staff…

Cut 10 (12) “…the FDA.” 

In a statement, Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gervich threatened that there will be consequences for the failure to override any of the Governor’s vetoes. Gervich threatened recalls and suggested there be electoral challenges against Republicans who broke rank. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffery Sadow…

Cut 13 (05) “…2023.”

Three Republican Senators changed their regular session support for “constitutional carry” legislation and one didn’t show up for the vote. On the transgender athlete bill one Republican House member joined with Democrats in voting against the veto override.

Louisiana will receive 325 million dollars over about two decades from a nationwide settlement with opioid manufacturers. Attorney General Jeff Landry says while the funds are appreciated…

Cut 8 (07) “…crisis.”