New legislation is in motion to renew the Violence Against Women Act. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A few things need to go right Sunday for the Saints to win home field advantage in the playoffs, starting with a win at Carolina. Last year, the Saints had the advantage of resting starters but that’s not the case this time.

Quarterback Drew Brees says even though it’s a long shot, there’s still a chance of home field, so it’s all hands on deck Sunday.

Cut 3 (09) “…possible”

A New Orleans based playoff game along with losses for the 49ers and Packers also depends on the 49ers and Packers both losing their next games.

958 million dollars is the anticipated investment into the state’s coast beginning July 1st 2020 through the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

CPRA Executive Director Bren Haase says sixteen dredging projects are slated to be part of that construction.

Cut 7 (12) “…of new land.”

Haase says funding from the 2010 gulf oil spill contributed to the financial resources for their 2021 fiscal plan to help restore the Louisiana coast.

Louisiana is the first state in the nation to receive authorization from the USDA to distribute industrial hemp licenses.

State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain farmers who want to grow hemp in Louisiana must get one of four licenses to do so…

Cut 14 (13) “…seed.”

The fourth is a license for those hired to be contract carriers.

Senator John Kennedy is backing the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act which had expired earlier this year.
Kennedy says violence against women is a problem, and over the years, the act has helped fund avenues to improve the situation.

Cut 10 (10) “…social service agencies.”

The Violence Against Women Act, originally enacted in 1994 and had provided resources to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority releases its Fiscal Year 2021 annual plan which begins July 1, 2020. The plan anticipates investing $958 million into the state’s coast.

CPRA Executive Director Bren Haase says various factors are in place to make this the largest spending plan in the history of the coastal program.

Cut 6 (11) “…to the state.”

$718 million will be allocated toward construction.

Louisiana is the first state in the nation to receive authorization from the USDA to distribute industrial hemp licenses.

It’s the culmination of a process that began earlier this year in the Legislature when Louisiana growers told lawmakers they were interested in taking advantage of a new federal ruling on the crop. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 12 (06) “…fruition

Strain cautions against planting hemp seeds without being aware of the many regulations regarding hemp production and a license.

LSU coach Ed Orgeron and Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley met for a joint press conference that was mostly full of praise for each other’s season, in particular, each team’s offensive prowess.

Riley says LSU Assistant Coach Joe Brady created spread at LSU is among the most creative he’s ever seen…

Cut 15 (16) “…played.”

Riley is an oft mentioned candidate for an NFL coaching job.

LSU is back on the gridiron in Atlanta this weekend, hoping to lock in their place in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 : [ from Am Newscall] “I’m Kevin Barnhardt.”

Senator John Kennedy is supporting the reauthorization of an act that provided resources to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Violence Against Women Act was originally enacted in 1994, but it expired back in February. Kennedy says violence against women remains a serious problem with considerable issues.

Cut 9 (07) “…female genital mutilation.”

Kennedy says this bill’s renewal will help address the problem.

The New Orleans Saints are focused on a win against the Panthers in North Carolina on Sunday at noon. But if the Saints want to bring the NFC playoffs to the Crescent City for hometown support, that would require the 49ers and Packers to lose their games.

The Saints best chance of at least securing a bye-week is the Sunday Night matchup between the Seahawks and 49ers. Even if the Packers win, Drew Brees knows a Seattle victory could give them much needed rest.

Cut 5 (10) “game”

2019 was an up and down year for Louisiana agriculture, a year marked by trade war sales woes, and the Legislature’s decision to allow hemp production.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says if trade deals can get agreed too, we’ll need an aggressive plan in place to facilitate the ensuing increase in demand.

Cut 6 (10) “…product”

Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says we’ve hit the 13 billion dollar mark in Ag revenue

Your Christmas tree could be crucial for enhancing the wetlands. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Home field advantage for the Saints in the playoffs will depend of a few things, starting with a win at Carolina, along with defeats for the 49ers and Packers in their upcoming games.

Both the Saints and Packers play at 12PM on FOX, so unless you have Sunday Ticket you’ll have to track the game on your phone. Tight end Jared Cook says the players can’t let the Packers game distract them.

Cut 4 (10) “…they may”

The Packers play the 3-11-1 Lions, and are 12.5 point favorites.

A viral video on Facebook could result in a 15 year prison sentence for a 26-year-old Louis McGlone, a Sulphur man who allegedly skateboarding down the I-210 Bridge near Lake Charles.

State Police Trooper Derek Senegal says McGlone could be in tough spot, and so is 34-year-old Lindsey Hulett of Lake Charles who allegedly recorded the skateboard antics,

Cut 14 (07) “incident”

Senegal says both are charged with Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce.

Only two games stand between the Tigers and a national title. It’s a must-win for the Bayou Bengals to go on, as LSU clashes with Oklahoma at the Chick-fila Peach Bowl on Saturday.

QB Joe Burrow says while his Heisman is a big accomplishment, a national championship is much more important to him.

Cut 11 (10) “…is more significant.”

Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 3PM Central.

ESPN is reporting disgraced former Steelers, Raiders, and Pats wide receiver Antonio Brown had a workout with the Saints this morning. Brown has had a tumultuous year, forcing a trade from Pittsburg to Oakland in the offseason, before forcing his way off the Raiders, and being picked up by New England, only to get cut once again following multiple accusations of sexual assault, one involving a former LSU gymnast.

The Saints are also prepping to have all hands on deck, knowing if they can beat the Panthers Sunday, and the Packers or 49ers lose, they’ll win a bye-week. QB Drew Brees…

Cut 5 (10) “game”

La. Tech gets the win in Shreveport, beating Miami 14-0 in the Independence Bowl. It’s an inspiring finish to the season for the Ruston based team, whose community was devastated by a tornado earlier this year.

Tiger Nation is ready for Saturday’s 3PM Peach Bowl matchup against Oklahoma, and so is John Goodman…

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Embattled wide receiver Antonio Brown may be no Saint off the field, but he’s working out with the New Orleans Saints today. Brown posted a picture of his workout waiver on social media Friday morning, but it has since been deleted. Coach Sean Payton is doing his due diligence with the Pro Bowl receiver.

Two people are under arrest after one of them allegedly skateboarded down the I-210 Bridge outside Lake Charles while the other filmed it. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) I’m Matt Doyle” 

Coach Ed Orgeron says running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has not practiced this week due to a hamstring injury. He was sore after working with trainers following yesterday’s practice. It’s win or go home for the Bayou Bengals as LSU clashes with Oklahoma at the Chick-fila Peach Bowl on Saturday.   Coach O still expects Clyde to play this Saturday, but is uncertain how much time he’ll be in action. Orgeron says staying focused is going to be the key to victory in Atlanta.
Cut 10 (10) “…a great mindset.”
Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 3PM Central.
Your discarded Christmas tree could be a building block in coastal restoration.  Southeastern Louisiana University’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station manager Dr. Rob Moreau says using the trees to enhance wetlands has more benefits than putting them into a landfill. Volunteers and students to deploy the trees in the Pass Manchac wetlands between lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas.

Cut 8 (08) “…as the base.”

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has not practiced this week due to a hamstring injury.  He was sore after working with trainers following yesterday’s practice.  Coach O still expects Clyde to play this Saturday, but is uncertain how much time he’ll be in action.

Embattled wide receiver Antonio Brown may be no Saint off the field, but he’s working out with the New Orleans Saints today.  Brown posted a picture of his workout waiver on social media Friday morning, but it has since been deleted.  Coach Sean Payton is doing his due diligence with the Pro Bowl receiver.
Your discarded Christmas tree could be a building block in coastal restoration.  Southeastern Louisiana University’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station manager Dr. Rob Moreau says using the trees to enhance wetlands has more benefits than putting them into a landfill.

Cut 7 (10) “…things like that.”

A 26-year-old Sulphur man is facing up to 15 years in prison for allegedly skateboarding down the I-210 Bridge just outside Lake Charles, and getting an accomplice to film it and put it on Facebook.

State Police Trooper Derek Senegal says his office was alerted to the viral video that shows Louis McGlone doing tricks as he sped down the iconic bridge. Senegal isn’t sure what was going through his head…

Cut 13 (09) “…of it”

The video shows a man leisurely skating down the bridge in the late evening, doing tricks and waving at passers-by

2019 was an up and down year for Louisiana agriculture, a year marked by trade war sales woes, and the Legislature’s decision to allow hemp production. So what’s 2020 have in store for Louisiana farmers?  Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says we’ve hit the 13 billion dollar mark in Ag revenue, and if the trade wars can come to a conclusion next year, we should blast right past that mark.

Cut 4 (11) “commodities”

A 26-year-old Sulphur man is facing up to 15 years in prison for allegedly skateboarding down the I-210 Bridge just outside Lake Charles, and getting an accomplice to film it and put it on Facebook. State Police Trooper Derek Senegal says Louis McGlone has been charged with Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce because the stunt endangered both his life, and the lives of nearby drivers.

Cut 15 (07) “stuff”

34-year-old Lindsey Hulett of Lake Charles, who filmed the incident, is also facing the same charge.

LSU takes on Oklahoma Saturday at 3 pm for the Peach Bowl, the Tiger’s second trip to Atlanta in just three weeks. Safety Grant Delpit says the primetime spotlight may supercharge the Sooners, but…

Cut 12 (08) “…gold this time.” 

Southeastern University in Hammond wants you to bring your live Christmas trees to them so they can plant them in the wetlands to help build up the marshes. Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station manager Dr. Rob Moreau says the tree recycling program has become a post-holiday tradition in the time since it was first established.

Cut 9 (12) “…over that time.”

For more info on drop off times and locations, go to southeastern.edu/turtlecove.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain expects a better year for Louisiana agriculture in 2020 than we just had in 2019. Strain says he sees a coming end to the trade wars, and if trade deals can get agreed too, we’ll need an aggressive plan in place to facilitate the ensuing increase in demand. They’ve set out three goals…

Cut 6 (10) “…product”

Southeastern Louisiana University wants you to swing by Hammond and drop off your live Christmas tree, instead of sending it to a landfill. Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station manager Dr. Rob Moreau says volunteers and students will deploy the trees in the Pass Manchac wetlands between lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas to help build marshland.

Cut 8 (08) “…as the base.”

For more info on drop off times and locations, go to southeastern.edu.

26-year-old Louis McGlone of Sulphur and 34-year-old Lindsey Hulett of Lake Charles are facing 15 years in jail after McGlone allegedly skateboarded down the I-210 bridge and Hulett made him famous for it. State Police Trooper Derek Senegal says a viral video of the incident was shot by Hulett, who was right behind him, just ten yards away…

Cut 14 (07) “incident”

Coach Ed O has had his hands full this week keeping the Tigers focused on Saturday’s Peach Bowl matchup against Oklahoma. The team has been in Atlanta preparing for the game, and Orgeron says the number one goal has been keeping their head right ahead of the clash…

Cut 10 (10) “…a great mindset.”

Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 3PM Central.

2019 was an up and down year for Louisiana agriculture, a year marked by trade war sales woes, and the Legislature’s decision to allow hemp production. So what’s 2020 have in store for Louisiana farmers? Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain expects the state to blast past the 13 billion in ag revenue generated this year thanks in part to new investments by major ag industrial players…

Cut 5 (11) “…world”

The number one Tigers take on Oklahoma Saturday for the Peach Bowl. Coach Ed Orgeron says staying focused is going to be the key to victory in Atlanta.

Cut 10 (10) “…a great mindset.”

Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 3PM Central.

La. Tech dominates Miami en route to a 14-0 win in Shreveport for the Independence Bowl. The matchup between the 9-3 C-USA runner up Bulldogs and the 6-6 Power Five Hurricanes was a great cap to an inspiring season for the Ruston based team whose community is still recovering from a devastating tornado earlier this year. QB J’mar Smith tossed one TD and one pick along with 163 yards, while running back Justin Henderson stole the show with 95 yards rushing on 22 attempts. Defensively they kept Miami to under 50% competition, and two total picks, and nearly 3.0 yards a carry.

The Saints are preparing to take on the Carolina Panthers this Sunday knowing they do not control their playoff seeding fate. To secure the 1^st seed the Saints will need a win, along with a Green Bay and San Francisco loss, although a loss by either the Packers or 9ers would give the team a bye-week and the 2^nd seed assuming they can take down the feckless Panthers, who ditched longtime coach Ron Rivera weeks ago. Players to watch: Saints receiver Mike Thomas and Panthers running back Christian McCaffery, who are both in contention for offensive player of the year.

Have the Pelicans turned a corner? After a franchise-record losing streak ended nine days ago the team has gone 3-1 and is now only five games behind the 8^th seed in the west. They take on Indiana tomorrow at 6.