07:30 LRN Newscast, July 5th

The Governor has vetoed three bills seen by some as “anti-LGBT.” Will that trigger a veto override session or not? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A July 4th mass shooting at a block party in Shreveport has claimed the lives of 3 people and wounded several others, according to reports. A councilwoman has told news outlets that she learned the shooter or shooters just showed up to the party and started firing. This is a developing story.

The boycott on Bud Light and other Anheuser-Busch beer is reportedly to blame for the closure of the Ardagh Glass Packaging Plant in Lincoln Parish. Last month the Mayor of the small village of Simsboro where the plant is located said the news of the closure and subsequent laying off of 245 employees came as a complete shock. The nationwide boycott is over Bud Light’s promotion of a controversial transgender influencer.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law a bill to establish a funding source dedicated to keeping older adults in their homes for as long as possible. Under the measure, 12 percent of any excess state revenue will be directed toward the Community Options Waiver Trust Fund.
CUT 10 (11) “nursing home care”
That’s AARP Advocacy Director Andrew Muhl who says this is a major milestone for seniors.

06:45 LRN Sportscast, July 5th

Saints tight end Foster Moreau is in “full remission” after four months of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. The 26-year-old received the stage 2 diagnosis in March during a Saints physical. New Orleans then signed the former Jesuit High and LSU player to a three-year contract worth a reported $12 million, including $8 million in guaranteed money.

LSU junior centerfielder Dylan Crews has been named one of three outfielders on the 2023 American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove team for NCAA Division I. Crews finished the season with a perfect fielding percentage, committing no errors in 171 chances. He led LSU to the 2023 College World Series title and captured the Golden Spikes Award, batting .426 with 16 doubles, two triples, 18 homers, 70 RBI and 100 runs.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission pickleball injuries could cost Americans close to $400 million in medical costs this year. LSU Health New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Christopher Marrero says pickleball resembles tennis, but players use paddles to hit a plastic ball and it doesn’t require as much running…:
Cut 13 (11) “overuse injuries, etc.”
The Sports and Fitness Industry Association trade group says pickleball has grown from 3.5 million players in 2019 to 8.9 million in 2022.

LSU gymnast and Instagram influencer Olivia Dunne revealed during a recent podcast interview that she once received over $500,000 for a single sponsored post to social media. Dunne’s NIL valuation is already reportedly second among all college athletes at $3.3 million. She has over 4 million followers on IG and over 7 million on TikTok.

06:30 LRN Newscast, July 5th

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed anti-LGBTQ bills, triggering speculation as to whether state lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for an override session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat thinks the legislature will want to reverse the vetoes, and the pressure will be on the Governor to avert that…:
Cut 7 (05) “two-thirds majority”
A veto override session is automatic unless enough House & Senate members vote – in writing – not to reconvene.

The hot and dry summer we’ve been experiencing is likely to limit the yields for some of the state’s key crops, like rice. Louisiana Rice Specialist Ronnie Levy (Lee-Vee) with the LSU Ag Center says if planted late in the season, the heat may have affected anything flowering now:
Cut 4 (09) “critical stages”
He says the bigger concern is drought conditions that may impact soybeans, corn and sugarcane.

The waiting list for seniors and in-home services should start to dwindle due to legislation passed in the most recent session. Brooke Thorington has more…:
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KSLA in Shreveport is reporting 3 people are dead and at least 6 are injured following a shooting at a 4th of July block party. Shreveport PD is still on the scene. We’ll have more on this as it develops.

08:30 LRN Newscast, July 4th

We’re getting some respite from the extreme heat this week…:
Cut 4 (10) “couple of weeks”
That’s State Climatologist Barry Keim who says humidity will still be higher than normal though so some parts of the state will still see triple digit feels-like temperatures.

While the price of our 4th of July BBQ went down 3% over last year on average nationally, it went up in The Bayou State. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says the average price for a party of 10 in the southern region, which runs from Texas to South Carolina, rose about $2.00 to $66.43…:
Cut 9 (11) “the country”
But gas prices are much lower this 4th of July Holiday with the statewide average for a gallon of regular at $3.07, which is $1.28 lower than the same time last year.

LSU ace pitcher Paul Skenes set an SEC record 209 Strikeouts this season, and he’s giving back in a major way. Kace Kieschnick reports…:
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As you party for the 4th of July today with fireworks and cookouts, state officials are reminding you to designate a driver. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign remains in place through tonight so police will be out in full force looking out for drunk drivers. Operation Dry Water is also still in effect where LDWF agents will be on waterways making sure boat operators aren’t drinking.

07:30 LRN Newscast, July 4th

We’ve stopped seeing the excessive heat warnings in Louisiana, so we return to our normal hot summer. Brooke Thorington reports…:
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Saints Tight end Foster Moreau announced on Twitter yesterday that his cancer is in full remission. This comes a few months after he found out during a Saints physical that he had Hodgkin Lymphoma. The former Tiger officially signed with New Orleans in May, a reported three-year deal that will pay him 12-million dollars.

The 2023 National Champion LSU baseball team ace pitcher Paul Skenes will not only be remembered for the SEC record 209 strikeouts this season, but also how he used that to give back. The Air Force transfer pledged a donation to Folds of Honor for every strikeout, the non-profit that benefits military families…:
Cut 8 (14) “Folds of Honor”
Skenes raised over $50,000 for the charity.

If you’re going to put on your own fireworks show this 4th of July, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is out with its yearly safety reminders. Spokeswoman Ashley Rodrigue…:
Cut 13 (12) “fire easily”
She says it’s never a good idea to deal with fireworks when you’ve been drinking.

06:45 LRN Sportscast, July 4th

Starting with some fantastic news. Saints tight end Foster Moreau announced Monday on Twitter that his cancer is in full remission. This comes some three months after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma following a physical with the Saints while he was visiting the team in free agency. That’s when he found out. Moreau says it was a tumultuous few months, but this news is a blessing, and he thanks everyone who sent their thoughts and prayers.

More accolades coming in for the 2023 National Champion LSU Baseball team. It’s another one that doesn’t come as a surprise as Tiger junior centerfielder Dylan Crews, aka the G.O.A.T., has been named one of three outfielders on this year’s American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove team for NCAA Division I. Crews finished the season with a perfect fielding percentage committing no errors in 171 chances.

LSU Pitcher Paul Skenes set an SEC record with 209 strikeouts this season, but they won’t only be remembered in the record books. Kace Kieschnick has more…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

A Louisiana man competes in Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest today in Coney Island New York. Adrian Morgan of Baton Rouge’s best record was in 2015 when he got 5th for consuming 31 hotdogs in 10 minutes. He got a $1000 award for that.

06:30 LRN Newscast, July 4th – Happy 4th of July!

Most of the state is finally seeing some relief from the scorching hot temperatures we’ve seen over the last week as excessive heat warnings are no more, and we return to “normal” summer conditions…
CUT 3 (06) “few degrees”
That’s State Climatologist Barry Keim who says there is a chance for scattered thundershowers for the rest of the week which will also contribute to keeping temperatures in the low 90s.

The average price for your 4th of July cookout has increased from last year in The Bayou State. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says for a party of 10 in the southern region, we’re paying about $2 more to $66.43. He says things like burgers and fries, or potato salad, are contributing:
CUT 11 (07) “dairy products”
He says nationally the cost of a BBQ this year is down 3%.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging you to play it safe with your fireworks show this 4th of July. Spokeswoman Ashley Rodrigue says the safest bet is to let professionals handle it…:
CUT 12 (12) “our opinion”
Regulations of setting off fireworks vary by municipality to make sure it’s allowed in your area before planning your own show.

The accolades keep rolling in for members of the 2023 National Champion LSU Baseball team. Ace pitcher Paul Skenes has received many honors including first team All-American and D-1 Baseball’s National Player of the Year. The ace pitcher says all of this still hasn’t set in…:
CUT 6 (12) “good though
On Tuesday Dylan Crews was named one of three outfielders to receive this year’s Gold Glove Award.

09:30 LRN Newscast, July 3rd

A new poll on the 2023 Governor’s race shows Democrat Shawn Wilson slightly ahead of Republican front-runner Jeff Landry, but also shows former LABI head Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place. The poll was conducted for Reboot La, a PAC supporting Waguespack. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says this poll is accurate…:
CUT 12 (07) “but that’s malarkey”
Fletcher places more faith in independent pollsters.

Taxes on e-cigarettes and vape products in Louisiana have tripled as of July 1. Secretary of Department of Revenue Kevin Richard says retailers must use electronic age verification platforms…:
Cut 4 (13) “of age”
The law also says beginning on October 1st, manufacturers will have to register their products with ATC.

The US Supreme Court ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority to forgive federally backed student loans is receiving criticism. This ruling comes on the heels of affirmative action being overturned for college admission which New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says is another example of politics in the nation’s highest court:
Cut 9 (07) “of policy”
Carter says the federal government regularly forgives the debt of businesses, industries, and even small countries and students deserve the same.

LSU Star Pitcher Paul Skenes has raised nearly $50,000 for Folds of Honor, a non-profit that provides educational scholarships to the family members of military and first responders who have fallen or been disabled. Skenes’ effort got a big boost when Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves kicked in $20,000.

08:30 LRN Newscast, July 3rd

The chance that lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session went up Friday as Governor John Bel Edwards nixed anti-LGBTQ legislation. The Governor promised he would veto any measures similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” that seeks to ban talk about gender and sexual identity in K-12 classrooms. The governor called such proposals an attack on some of the state’s most vulnerable children.

Under a new law that went into effect July 1st, the taxes on nicotine vape products and e-cigarettes nearly tripled. Teiko Foxx reports..:
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The US Supreme court is being criticized for it’s decision to strike down President Biden’s student loan cancellation plan. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says it sends the wrong message to students who’ve worked hard to get their college degrees…:
Cut 7 (07) “provide help”
The court’s decision means payments would start back up again in October.

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says he will instead retire at the end of this year and not seek re-election. He says he wanted to announce his decision because there are only six weeks left to qualify for the office…:
Cut 15 (10) “successful campaign”
He stressed he is not resigning. Prator became sheriff in Caddo 23 years ago, and has been in law enforcement for 50 years.

 

07:30 LRN Newscast, July 3rd

A new poll on the 2023 Governor’s race shows Democrat Shawn Wilson slightly ahead of Republican front-runner Jeff Landry, but also shows former LABI head Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place. The poll was conducted for Reboot La, a PAC supporting Waguespack for Governor. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says he’s recently seen two independent polls that contradict Reboot La’s findings:
Cut 10 (12) “into double digits”
The gubernatorial primary election is October 14th, and the general election is November 18th.

After close to 50 years in law enforcement, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces he will not seek re-election. Prator says a recent diagnosis of a treatable cardiac condition played a role in his decision:
Cut 13 (10) “this decision”

State Police have identified the woman who was killed after her car crashed into the Amite River in Livingston Parish on Saturday night. They say for unknown reasons, 37-year-old Sara Marshall of Prairieville ran off the road and into the river. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Supreme Court’s ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority on student loan debt forgiveness receives criticism. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”