5:30 LRN Newscast March 15

A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race…

Cut 9 (08) “…first in October.”

The poll was conducted March 6-8 and included Congressman Garett Graves who came in third before he announced he would not run.

The latest national survey of small businesses finds inflation and labor shortages continue to frustrate businesses. State Director of the NFIB Dawn McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can grow again. She says they need the help of the federal and state government because small business owners are doing what they can to cope with the labor shortage…

Cut 14 (07)  “…work schedules.”
Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian and Dallas-Fort Worth. Southern Rail Commission Chairman, Knox Ross says this has been an ongoing project.

Cut 6 (07)  “…distant service.” 

The National Hurricane Center says it will give out seven-day forecasts, instead of the traditional five, starting with this year’s hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this update in forecasting will be beneficial…

Cut 4 (10)  “…be headed” 
The National Hurricane Center says they’ve been testing seven-day forecasts in recent years and now feel confident enough in them, to make them public.

4:30 LRN Newscast March 15

A recent governor’s poll has Jeff Landry and Shawn Wilson running neck and neck. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

The LSU Tigers football team will begin their next season with a Sunday night game against USC. that will be nationally televised. ABC Sports will carry the game; kickoff is at 6:30 Central on Sunday September 1st. It will be the first game between LSU and USC since 1984, when the Tigers beat the Trojans, 23-3, in Los Angeles.

 

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian, Mississippi, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Amtrak will seek funding from last year’s federal infrastructure law for the study. Southern Rail’s chairman Knox Ross says last year the cities of Monroe, Ruston & Shreveport…and Vicksburg, Mississippi began the process of applying for federal-state partnership grants for this purpose…:

CUT 08(09)      “…those cities.”

National Hurricane Center officials are extending forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season – instead of the traditional five-day forecast, they will give a seven-day forecast. The recent modifications come after years of testing long-range predictions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says keep in mind that even state-of-the-art forecast can be mistaken occasionally…:

CUT 05(09)      “…these hurricanes.”

What will it mean for you? Quite possibly more advance notice of an approaching storm.

3:30 LRN Newscast March 15

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continue to prevent full economic recovery from the pandemic. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says inflation has driven up prices and there’s a lack of qualified job applicants…:

CUT 12(09)      “…unrelenting inflation.”

McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can begin to recover.

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana, connecting Dallas-Fort Worth and Meridian, Mississippi. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the application is the first step in determining the soundness of the concept…:

CUT 07(09)      “…train operation.”

Monroe, Ruston & Shreveport have applied for federal-state partnership grants for the study as well.

 

National Hurricane Center officials are extending forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season – instead of the traditional five-day forecast, they will give a seven-day forecast. The recent modifications come after years of testing long-range predictions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s a great step forward for the Emergency Management Community…:

CUT 03(07)      “…their region.”

The changes take place May 15th.

Deputies in St. James Parish say they had to fish a man out of the Mississippi River yesterday, after he crashed his car then set it on fire. The unnamed motorist was driving recklessly and fled when officers hit the lights & siren. He crashed in a cane field, got out, set his car aflame, then ran across the nearby levee and jumped into the river. He was rescued and taken into custody. His mental health will be evaluated.

2:30 LRN Newscast March 15

A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race, he may be assured a runoff position. Couvillon believes support for other GOP candidates will most likely be distributed geographically. For example, in Baton Rouge, it would likely go to Stephen Waguespack because of name recognition…:

CUT 11(10)      “…after Garret Graves.”

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continues to prevent full economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says 47-percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, remaining historically very high…:

CUT 13(05)      “…workforce.”

 

After years of testing, tropical storm predictions will have a different spin from weather experts. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian, Mississippi, and Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Amtrak will seek funding from last year’s congressional infrastructure law for the study.

1:30 LRN Newscast

A recent governor’s poll has Jeff Landry and Shawn Wilson running neck and neck. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

JMC Analytics also did a poll on the attorney general’s race, paid for by one of the candidates John Belton, a district attorney in north Louisiana. Belton received 13-percent of the vote, Solicitor General Liz Murrill in the Attorney General’s Office received 10-percent and state representative John Stefanski had seven percent. 68-percent said they were undecided.

The National Hurricane Center says it will give out seven-day forecasts, instead of the traditional five, starting with this year’s hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this update in forecasting will be beneficial…
cut 4 (10) “…might be headed”
The National Hurricane Center says they’ve been testing seven-day forecasts in recent years and now feel confident enough in them, to make them public.

The latest national survey of small businesses finds inflation and labor shortages continue to frustrate businesses. State Director of the NFIB Dawn McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can grow again. She says they need the help of the federal and state government, because small business owners are doing what they can to cope with the labor shortage…
cut 14 (07) “…work schedules”

12:30 LRN Newscast March 15

The latest poll for governor has Republican Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Democrat Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon with the two running neck and neck the question is how much traction can the remaining four Republican candidates make before the primary.

Cut 10 (10) “…in the run-off.” 

The poll was conducted March 6-8.

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continue to prevent full economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. N-F-I-B state director Dawn McVea says inflation has driven up prices and there’s a lack of qualified job applicants…

Cut 12 (09) “…unrelenting inflation”. 

 

After years of testing, tropical storm predictions will take a different spin from weather experts. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

11:30 LRN Newscast March 15

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian and Dallas-Fort Worth. Southern Rail Commission Chairman, Knox Ross says this has been an ongoing project.

Cut 6 (07)  “…distant service.” 

Canadian Pacific has agreed on the study, but the co-owner of Norfolk Southern Railway would also have to approve.

A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race…

Cut 9 (09) “…first in October.”

The poll was conducted March 6-8 and included Congressman Garret Graves who came in third place with 12 percent.

If you’ve ever fallen victim to a scam the Federal Trade Commission wants you to report it. Emma Fletcher with the FTC encourages you to visit ReportFraud-dot-FTC-dot-gov and even if you haven’t lost money to make them aware of a potential scam.

Cut 11 (10)  “… for investigations.”

More than $8.8 billion was lost to scammers in the US last year.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says nine companies have applied for grant money that would result in them offering residential and commercial policies in coastal areas and that qualified companies could begin offering competitively priced options to Louisiana home and business owners very soon.

Cut 15 (05)  “…next month”

The legislature appropriated $45-million for insurance incentives to write policies in Louisiana.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 15

A bill filed for the April legislative session would punish fentanyl dealers the same as convicted killers. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A recent JMC Analytics poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent of the vote followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. The poll was conducted March 6-8 and included Congressman Garret Graves who came in third place with 12 percent.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces nine companies have applied for grant money that would result in them offering residential and commercial policies in coastal areas. Donelon says the response is more than what they anticipated…

Cut 13 (09) “…that’s available” 

He says some of those companies could begin writing policies as early as April.

The Federal Trade Commission says last year 2.4 million Americans were scammed and or victim to identity theft with a total loss of $8.8 billion. Emma Fletcher with the FTC says they have tips on how to avoid scams on their website and if anyone ever asks you to buy a gift card to fix a problem…

Cut 12 (08) “…that a lot.”

 

Louisiana residents ranks among the top 5 states who are scammed and/or fall victim to Identity theft.

9:30 LRN Newscast

A south Louisiana lawmaker wants individuals convicted of distributing more than 28 grams of fentanyl to spend the rest of their life behind bars without the possibility of parole or probation. Hundreds die from fentanyl annually in Louisiana and Crowley Representative John Stefanski says Louisiana has dealt with other drug scourges  in similar fashion…
cut 5 (12) “….those penalties”
Stefanski’s bill will be heard in the upcoming legislative session.

Northwestern State has broken ground on a new 44-million dollar academic building. The more than 73,000 square foot building will feature laboratories for nursing and anesthesia programs, clinics and 60 offices. NSU President Doctor Marcus Jones says it will become a hub of innovation for students
Cut 9 (05) “…they graduate.”

A new league year begins today for the NFL. Saints analyst Ross Jackson and The Advocate’s Luke Johnson share their insight and look ahead to free agency…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

As part of new McNeese men’s basketball coach Will Wade’s contract, he’ll be suspended the first five games of the season. He’s also prohibited from doing any off-campus recruiting until after July 31st. Wade was fired from LSU a year ago over alleged recruiting violations.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Crowley Representative Jonn Stefanski has filed a bill that would make the punishment for distributing more than 28 grams of fentanyl the same as murder, which means life in prison without the possibility of parole. Stefanski says fentanyl is killing too many of our residents and he expects bipartisan support from his colleagues…
cut 6 (07) “….you belong to”
Stefanski is also running for state Attorney General this fall.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says nine companies have applied for grant dollars from the state that will result in them writing property insurance policies in coastal Louisiana. Donelon says his staff still has to review the applications, but some of these companies could start writing new policies soon…
cut 15 (05) “….next month”
Donelon has also announced he’s not running for re-election this fall.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is suing drug makers and prescription benefit managers over the high cost of insulin. He says 20% of middle-class Americans are unable to take their prescribed dosage of insulin…:
CUT 21(05) “…can’t afford it.”
He hopes the suit will result in them lowering costs for diabetics.

If you’ve ever been scammed or had your identity stolen you’re not alone. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”