6:30 LRN Newscast March 20

A plan to expand high-dosage tutoring moved to the full Senate after unanimously passing in the Senate Education Committee. Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath says his plan boosts the budget for high-dosage tutoring by 50-percent.

Cut 4 (09) “…very well spent.”

Furthermore, it expands high-dosage tutoring to eighth grade. It remains to be seen if lawmakers will fund the extra 15 million dollars.

A bill that makes it a felony to distribute A-I images of nude minors heads to the House floor.  The measure received unanimous support from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Joseph Daniels told the panel his daughter’s likeness was used for pornographic deep fake, and the damage from it cannot be repaired.

Cut 14 (11) “…it seriously enough.”

If the legislation becomes law, it will be known as the Ivy Daniels Act.

 

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has approved a plan to spend 1.5-billion dollars on coastal projects next fiscal year. CPRA chair Gordon Dove says the money will cover 143 active projects, including a levee protecting the central portion of Louisiana’s coast.

Cut 7 (12) “…ten years ago.”

The state legislature must also approve the plan, and it will be a straight up or down vote — no changes can be made.

No first round upset this year.. 12th seeded McNeese led Vanderbilt by as much as 11 points in the first half, but they couldn’t hold on, as the fifth-seeded Commodores beat the Cowboys, 78-68. The loss marks the end of the road for fifth year guard Javohn Garcia, who spent the last three years in Lake Charles.

Cut 10 (05) “…last three years.”

The three-time Southland Conference champs couldn’t repeat the magic of last season, when they upset Clemson in the first round for their first NCAA Tournament win in school history.

LRN AM Newscall March 20

A bill to significantly expand high-dosage tutoring advances in the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is backing a plan to spend 1.5-billion dollars on 143 projects across the state’s coast. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that if you possess, produce or distribute deepfake images of nude minors, it could result in a one to five year prison sentence. Joe Gallinaro has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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A plan to expand high-dosage tutoring moved to the full Senate after unanimously passing in the Senate Education Committee. Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath says his plan boosts the budget for high-dosage tutoring by 50-percent.

Cut 4 (09) “…very well spent.”

Furthermore, it expands high-dosage tutoring to eighth grade. McMath notes that when the program first launched, they limited it to kindergarten through fifth grade.

Cut 5 (07) “…done this before.”

To say that the program is now proven is an understatement – McMath notes that Louisiana’s high-dosage tutoring program has helped the state lead the nation in learning loss recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cut 6 (05) “…what we’re doing.”

Some expressed concern to lawmakers that high-dosage tutoring could pull students from courses that are linked to increased attendance, such as art, band or choir.

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The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has approved a plan to spend 1.5-billion dollars on coastal projects next fiscal year. CPRA chair Gordon Dove says the money will cover 143 active projects, including a levee protecting the central portion of Louisiana’s coast.

Cut 7 (12) “…ten years ago.”

The plan does not include Mid-Barataria or Mid-Breton sediment diversions, which were cancelled last July. Coastal advocates had said those two projects were critical in the state’s fight against coastal restoration. Governor Landry and Dove said the diversion projects were too expensive, and they are moving forward with projects that are more cost effective.

Cut 8 (07) “…of the diversion”

Dove believes once construction is completed on these projects that will receive funding, the tide will have turned in the state’s battle against coastal land loss.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on hurricane protection.”

The state legislature must also approve the plan, and it will be a straight up or down vote — no changes can be made.

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McNeese’s incredible season has come to an end. The South Region’s 12th seed led Vanderbilt by as much as 11 points in the first half, but they couldn’t hold on, as the fifth-seeded Commodores beat the Cowboys, 78-68. The loss marks the end of the road for fifth year guard Javohn Garcia, who spent the last three years in Lake Charles.

Cut 10 (05) “…last three years.”

It’s also the end for senior guard D.J. Richards Jr., who says while the loss stings, getting to the NCAA Tournament three years in a row is something to be incredibly proud of.

Cut 11 (07) “…that we accomplished.”

The first two years of this three-year run were done with Will Wade at the helm. This year, Bill Armstrong led the team after Wade took over as head coach at NC State. Armstrong says for McNeese, the best is yet to come.

Cut 12 (13) “…our fourth straight”

McNeese couldn’t repeat the magic of last season, when they upset Clemson in the first round for their first NCAA Tournament win in school history. McNeese ends the season with an overall record of 28-and-6.

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Legislation that would result in at least one year of prison time for possessing, selling and distributing artificial intelligence-produced nudity of a minor heads to the House floor. The measure increases the penalty for doing so from a misdemeanor to a felony. Joseph Daniels says when his daughter was 13, she was the victim of a pornographic deepfake.

Cut 13 (11)  “…next be targeted.”

The measure received unanimous support from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Daniels told the panel his daughter’s likeness was used for pornographic deep fake, and the damage from it cannot be repaired.

Cut 14 (11) “…it seriously enough.”

Daniels said what happened to his daughter caused emotional distress, embarrassment and fear. House Criminal Justice Committee member Dodie Horton was moved by Daniels’ testimony.

Cut 15 (11) “…you for that.”

If the legislation becomes law, it will be known as the Ivy Daniels Act.

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The second-seeded LSU women’s basketball team begins its national title run tonight as the Lady Tigers face 15th-seeded Jacksonville at 5 p.m. Tonight marks the first NCAA Tournament appearance for four LSU freshmen. Senior Flau’jae Johnson, who is competing in her fourth and final NCAA Tournament, says she’s offering as much advice as possible to the younger players.

Cut 16 (10) “…task at hand.”

In each of LSU’s last four deep NCAA Tournament runs, the Tigers received consistent production from their post players. While this year’s team may not have an Angel Reese or an Aneesah Morrow, Johnson says the bigs are embracing the challenge of elevating their play in the postseason.

Cut 17 (15)  “…can do this.”

If LSU beats Jacksonville tonight, it will face the winner of Texas Tech and Villanova on Sunday. The game would also mark the final time Flau’jae Johnson plays in Baton Rouge. Head coach Kim Mulkey says it will be an emotional night and is encouraging LSU fans to show their appreciation for everything Johnson has meant to the program.

Cut 18 (14)  “…be just packed.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation that would result in at least one year of prison time for possessing, selling and distributing artificial intelligence-produced nudity of a minor heads to the House floor. The measure increases the penalty for doing so from a misdemeanor to a felony. Joseph Daniels says when his daughter was 13, she was the victim of a pornographic deepfake.

Cut 13 (11)  “..be targeted.”

Daniels said what happened to his daughter caused emotional distress, embarrassment and fear. House Criminal Justice Committee member Dodie Horton was moved by Daniels’ testimony…

Cut 15 (12) “…for that.”

The measure received unanimous support from the House Criminal Justice Committee.

A plan to expand high-dosage tutoring moved to the full Senate after unanimously passing in the Senate Education Committee. Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath says his plan boosts the budget for high-dosage tutoring by 50-percent.

Cut 4 (09) “…very well spent.”

Furthermore, it expands high-dosage tutoring to eighth grade.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has approved a plan to spend one-point-five billion dollars on coastal projects next fiscal year. CPRA chair Gordon Dove says the money will cover 143 active projects, including a levee protecting the central portion of Louisiana’s coast.

Cut 7 (13) “…ten years ago.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The McNeese men’s basketball season came to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, as the Cowboys fell 78-68 to fifth-seeded Vanderbilt this afternoon. McNeese led by as many as 11 in the first half.

LSU women’s basketball’s Friday night matchup with fifteenth-seeded Jacksonville will mark the first NCAA Tournament appearance for four freshmen. Senior Flau’jae Johnson, who is competing in her fourth and final NCAA Tournament, says she’s offering as much advice as possible to the younger players.

Cut 16 (12): “task at hand.”

The Southern women’s basketball team takes on Samford in the “First Four” of the NCAA Tournament tonight at 6 p.m. With a win, the Lady Jags would advance to play top-seeded South Carolina in the first round on Saturday at noon.

The LSU baseball team plays its SEC home opener tonight against eighth ranked Oklahoma. The Tigers fielding percentage ranks 14th in the SEC and Coach Jay Johnson says the Sooners like to pressure you with their speed….

Cut 21 (16) “…with this team”

First pitch is at 7 p.m.

The 25th-ranked UL-Lafayette baseball team defeated Houston 6-3 in 10 innings last night, to extend its win streak to three games. The Cajuns improved to 16-5 overall and will look to stay hot this weekend at Texas State.

ULM also picked up a win, defeating UNO 17-12 to secure its fifth straight victory. All but one batter in the starting lineup produced a hit for the Warhawks as the team combined for 14 hits and 13 RBI. ULM will travel to Mobile this weekend to face South Alabama.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Some tense moments for about 250 people in Winn Parish yesterday, as they had to be evacuated due to a wildfire. Fire District Three Chief Dustin Parker says the fire started along Highway 34 in Dodson shortly after noon yesterday and spread from there.

Cut 6 (08) “…some evacuations there.”

Last month’s oil spill from a terminal operated by the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port is threatening the state’s oyster industry. A leak in a cargo transfer hose sent 31-thousand gallons into Terrebonne Bay. Mitch Jurisich, the chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, says this has the potential to be evocative of a certain devastating oil spill from 16 years ago.

Cut 11 (11) “…BP oil spill.”

Three Ochsner hospitals are listed among the 250 top hospitals in the country by “Newsweek” magazine. Regional Medical Director Dr. Quentin Alleva says Ochsner’s success is based on the fact that it’s a one-stop shop for all of a patient’s medical needs.

Cut 4 (07) “…they may need.”

The three are Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge.

McNeese’s incredible season has come to an end. The South Region’s 12th seed led Vanderbilt by as much as 11 points in the first half, but they couldn’t hold on, as the fifth-seeded Commodores beat the Cowboys, 78-68. McNeese couldn’t repeat the magic of last season, when they upset Clemson in the first round for their first NCAA Tournament win in school history. McNeese ends the season with an overall record of 28-and-6.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation that would result in at least one year of prison time for possessing selling and distributing artificial intelligence-produced nudity of a minor heads to the House floor. The measure increases the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony for distributing AI produced nudity of a minor. Joseph Daniels says when his daughter was 13, she was the victim of a pornographic deepfake

Cut 13 (11)  “..be targeted.”

The measure is heading to the House floor.

Six oyster leases are closed in Terrebonne Bay because of an oil spill. Mitch Jurisich of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force says this oil spill could contaminate a large portion of the oyster population, putting a significant dent in the oyster supply…

Cut 10 (13) “…hit the consumers.”

 

Some tense moments for some folks in Winn Parish as a wildfire approached their homes. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Secretary of State’s office says delete any text message that claims to come from them that’s seeking personal information and potentially charge unnecessary fees. The Secretary of State’s Office does not send unsolicited text messages or emails threatening with prosecution or asking for payment.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Last month’s oil spill from a terminal operated by the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, or LOOP, is threatening the state’s oyster industry. Last month, a cargo transfer hose at the terminal located 18 miles offshore in Terrebonne Bay sprang a leak, spewing more than 31-thousand gallons of Venezuelan crude into the bay. Mitch Jurisich, the chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, says the oil has now made contact with the coast, which can spell disaster.

Cut 9 (09)  “…reopen anytime soon.”

About 250 people in Winn Parish were forced to evacuate as a wildfire threatened their homes. Fire District Three Chief Dustin Parker says the dry weather allowed the fire to grow to about two-thousand acres.

Cut 8 (05) “…very quickly.”

The fire is fully contained, and everyone who had been evacuated is now back home.

Three Ochsner hospitals are listed among the 250 top hospitals in the country by “Newsweek” magazine. They are Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge. Regional Medical Director Dr. Quentin Alleva says it’s a tremendous honor.

Cut 3 (11) “…for the patients.”

Cut 23 (03) (fade and use as bed)

It’s that time of year again – the time when workers everywhere focus on their brackets instead of focusing on work. I would say that includes us here at LRN, but following the action on the court is kind of our job – especially when it comes to the 12th seed in the South Region. McNeese is taking on Vanderbilt at this hour, as it looks to pull off a first-round upset for a second year in a row. Tonight in the women’s tournament, Southern takes on Samford in the First Four play-in round.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Last month’s oil spill off the Louisiana coast could be a disaster for the state’s oyster industry.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro

Crawfish prices continue to drop as the Easter weekend approaches. That’s according to the Crawfish App, who says based on real-team pricing consumers can expect to pay an average of $3.71 per pound for live crawfish and $6.37 per pound for boiled crawfish. That’s a drop of 50-cents from last weekend.

 

A wildfire in Winn Parish caused some tense moments yesterday as about 250 people had to be evacuated. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says it was likely caused by a tractor trailer tire that had caught on fire, and the fire response was tremendous.

Cut 7 (06) “…aviation division overhead.”

The blaze burned at least 15-hundred acres.

Three Ochsner hospitals are ranked among the Top 250 hospitals in the United States according to Newsweek Magazine. They are Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge. Regional Medical Director Dr. Quentin Alleva says Ochsner’s success is because it’s a one-stop shop for all of a patient’s medical needs.

Cut 4 (07) “…they may need.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Some tense moments for about 250 people in Winn Parish yesterday, as they had to be evacuated due to a wildfire. Fire District Three Chief Dustin Parker says the fire started along Highway 34 in Dodson shortly before one yesterday afternoon and spread from there.

Cut 6 (08) “…some evacuations there.”

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says it was likely caused by a tractor trailer tire that had caught on fire, and the fire response was tremendous.

A political action committee that supports fifth district Republican congressional candidate Rick Edmonds says it’s produced what it claims is the first-ever A-I political ad in the state’s history. Lionel Rainey with The Louisiana First Victory Fund says the commercial features four A-I generated characters that are worried about Edmonds’ conservative platform.

Cut 10 (05) “…where he stands.”

Edmonds is one of four well-known Republicans in the May 16th Republican primary election

 

Louisiana’s film industry is celebrating the four Oscars won by “Sinners.” Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Will McNeese fans be celebrating later this afternoon as the Cowboys will take on Vanderbilt at 2:15 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament?  Senior guard Javohn Garcia is playing in his fourth NCAA Tournament game…

Cut 15 (11) “…of the tournament”

11:30 LRN Newscast

The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana is clearing up what it says are misconceptions about Constitutional Amendment 3, which would give teachers in Louisiana a permanent pay raise. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A teacher in St. Tammany Parish is being accused of putting Band-Aids on seven students who were allegedly talking in class at Riverside Elementary School in Pearl River. The students’ ages range from 8 to 10. Thirty-eight-year-old George Serban faces several charges including simple battery and cruelty to juveniles.

 

According to a political action committee, the state’s first ever 100-percent A-I generated political advertisement will be seen on television in the fifth Congressional district. The Louisiana First Victory Fund produced the ad, which is supporting Rick Edmonds in the Republican 5th Congressional District race. Political consultant Lionel Rainey says A-I-generated political ads can cost less than a traditional commercial, and they can be produced faster.

Cut 12 (08) “…or four days.”

Three of Ochsner’s hospitals in Louisiana are listed among the top 250 hospitals in the United States in a list comprised by Newsweek. The three hospitals are Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, Lafayette General Medical Center and Ochsner’s Medical Center in Baotn Rouge. Regional Medical Director Doctor Quentin Alleva says this ranking should give patients peace of mind…

Cut 5 (10) “….outside our region”