When country music star Garth Brooks plays his fan-favorite hit “Callin’ Baton Rouge” on April 30th, it will have extra meaning. Michelle Southern explains…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Michelle Southern reporting”

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Brian Kelly was introduced as LSU’s new football coach. Jeff Palermo has the highlights…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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According to Louisiana Tech’s Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says there are two ways to possibly increase the workforce.

Cut 3 (12) “…policy response.”

Scott says he doesn’t see the pandemic resolving anytime soon.

Scott says in a recession you tend to see a decrease in the production of goods and services and personal incomes are also down but presently that’s not the situation with personal income. Scott says stimulus payments and generous unemployment payments increased the average income and the demand for higher wages.

While unemployment has improved the state is still down 132,000 jobs from pre-pandemic levels. Scott says estimates are that up to 85,000 have left the workforce in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13) “…fundamentally.”

For much of 2020 and this year, there’s been a robust demand for housing, in part to low-interest rates, but Scott says the market is beginning to cool.

Cut 5 (07) “…relatively well.”

He says most of the housing movement is in existing homes, not new housing starts which has pushed prices higher than what they should be.

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Garth Brooks, one of the hottest acts in country music, makes his return to Baton Rouge next year for the first time in 24 years. Paul Arrigo, CEO and President of Visit Baton Rouge, says the superstar is set to play Tiger Stadium on April 30^th and expects a spectacular turnout that’ll put a spotlight on the city.

 Cut 6 (10) “..over the world.” 

Tickets for “Callin’ Baton Rouge” starring Brooks will go on sale through Ticketmaster on Friday, December 10 at 10 a.m. for an all-inclusive price of 94.95 each with a purchase limit of eight tickets per caller.

Arrigo says the concert by Garth Brooks will be great all around.

Cut 7 (05) “…for the region.”  

Brooks LSU appearance will mark his only concert in the Louisiana/Mississippi area in 2022.

Arrigo is hoping for an all-seats-filled Death Valley for Garth’s “Callin’ Baton Rouge” concert.

Cut 8 (09) “…those seats filled.”

He notes that Brooks’s concert coincides with the first weekend of Jazzfest in New Orleans and hopes that will draw even more fans to Tiger Stadium to hear the country superstar.

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Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain is facing up to ten years in a federal lockup after pleading guilty today to one of 16 corruption counts in a kickback scheme related to his privatizing of an inmate work release program. Loyola University law professor, Dane Ciolino, says Strain’s plea comes as no surprise.

Cut 9 (09) “…these federal charges.”

Strain is facing multiple life sentences after being earlier convicted in state court on multiple sexual assault charges, some of the victims children.

Ciolino says Strain’s federal plea may have been an attempt to avoid going first into the state’s prison system.

Cut 10 (13)  “…state court system.”

Ciolino doubts that will happen.

Ciolino says there wasn’t much to gain by forcing Strain to plea to more than one federal corruption charge.

Cut  11 (07)  “…scheme to defraud.”  

He says he wasn’t at all surprised by the single-count plea.

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LSU introduced Brian Kelly as its new head football coach today. Kelly has spent the last 12 years at Notre Dame and LSU fans have only been able to watch his work from afar as Kelly has coached his whole life in the Midwest. LSU athletics director Scott Woodward expects Tiger Nation will love him because he wins…

Cut 12 (07) “..is win”  

When you combine Kelly’s victories in Division one and two, he has more wins than any active coach in major college football.

Kelly says one of the reasons why he took the LSU job is that he admires athletics director Scott Woodward’s desire to be excellent in everything…..

Cut 13 (14) “…fulfill that goal.”

Kelly says he’s looking forward to his first experience in Tiger Stadium, but he understands the fans are expecting a winner…

Cut 14 (14) “…the field.” 

New LSU football coach Brian Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge yesterday and dozens of fans were there to welcome him to his new home. Kelly will speak publically for the first time since his hiring at LSU when he’s introduced as the Tigers’ new coach at noon.

There are some fans who are still shocked Kelly will lead the Fighting Tiger program…
cut 8 (11) “….I’m excited”
Details of Kelly’s 100-million dollar contract have been released. It contains six-figure bonuses for playing in bowl games and winning SEC and national championships. He also receives two courtesy vehicles, an interest-free loan of up to one-point-two million to buy a home, and 50 hours of travel on LSU’s private planes.

Kelly will also be introduced to Tiger fans during halftime of tonight’s men’s basketball game against Ohio.

Louisiana Tech’s new football coach is 40-year-old Sonny Cumbie who was an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and T-C-U. He served as an interim coach for Texas Tech this season, leading the Red Raiders to a 1-and-3 record in their last four games. He also played quarterback at Texas Tech in the early 2000s.

Tomorrow night, The Saints are looking to break a four-game losing streak when they face the Cowboys. Coach Sean Payton says every NFL season has its bumps in the road…
Cut 18 (20) “..kind of thing”
It’s expected that Taysom Hill will start at quarterback, even though he’s battling a foot injury. Payton says the injury is getting better. Running back Mark Ingram says he’s playing, while Alvin Kamara has been limited at practice this week.

New LSU football coach Brian Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge yesterday and dozens of fans were there to welcome him to his new home. Kelly will speak publically for the first time since his hiring at LSU when he’s introduced as the Tigers’ new coach at noon.

There are some fans who are still shocked Kelly will lead the Fighting Tiger program…
cut 8 (11) “….I’m excited”
Details of Kelly’s 100-million dollar contract have been released. It contains six-figure bonuses for playing in bowl games and winning SEC and national championships. He also receives two courtesy vehicles, an interest-free loan of up to one-point-two million to buy a home, and 50 hours of travel on LSU’s private planes.

Kelly will also be introduced to Tiger fans during halftime of tonight’s men’s basketball game against Ohio.

Louisiana Tech will introduce its new head football coach today. It’s Sonny Cumbie who was an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and T-C-U. He served as an interim coach for Texas Tech this season, leading the Red Raiders to a 1-and-3 record in their last four games. He also played quarterback at Texas Tech in the early 2000s.

Saints Coach Sean Payton has yet to name a starting quarterback for tomorrow night’s home game against Dallas. Taysom Hill is expected to start as he’s been taking the first-team reps at Q-B, but he’s also battling a foot injury. Payton says the injury is getting better….
Cut 16 (18) “…from there”
Saints running back Mark Ingram says he’s ready to play after missing the Thanksgiving loss to the Bills with an injured knee. Alvin Kamara has been limited at practice this week.

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward keeps his reputation as an A-D who can hire big name coaches. Woodward was able to pull Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame after a successful 12-year-run and bring him to Baton Rouge. Kelly has agreed to a 10-year, 95-million dollar contract plus incentives. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says that’s the kind of money it took to get Kelly
cut 8 (08) “….getting a guy”
LSU will formally introduce Kelly tomorrow at noon.

La Tech is reportedly close to naming a new head fooball coach. The Bulldogs will reportedly hire Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie. He’s 40-years-old and served as the Red Raiders interim head coach for the final four games of the season and went one and three. He’s a former quarterback at Texas Tech and has been an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and TCU.

Outgoing U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier will coach his final game in Cajun Field this Saturday when the Cajuns host Appalachian State in the Sun Belt Conference Championship game. Napier has been named the new head coach at Florida, but he has the utmost respect for the residents of Acadiana…
Cut 16 (19) “…thankful we are”

Rich Rodriguez spent just one year in Monroe as the offensive coordinator for the Warhawks. Rodriguez was introduced today as the new head coach of Jacksonville State, who is scheduled to join Conference USA in 2023.

Saints running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram are back at practice this week and raising hope they will play on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Taysom Hill has a foot injury, but he’s expected to make his start at quarterback of the season against the Cowboys.

LSU has hired one of the winningest coaches in college football to lead the Tigers. Brian Kelly leaves South Bend, Indiana for Baton Rouge after a 113-40 record at Notre Dame. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Kelly should succeed at LSU after guiding the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoffs in two of the last three years…
cut 6 (10) “…any better’
Kelly has agreed to a 10-year, 95-million dollar contract, plus incentives.

Billy Napier says he will coach the Cajuns this Saturday in the Sun Belt Championship game even though he’s accepted the head coaching job at Florida…
cut 17 (15) “…these things”
The Cajuns host Appalachian State in Saturday’s Sun Belt title game.

Louisiana Tech has reportedly hired Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie as the Bulldogs next head football coach. Cumbie was a record-setting walk-on quarterback at Texas Tech and previously also served as an offensive coordinator at TCU. He served as interim coach for the Red Raiders this season going one and three.

Prior to this news, Tech athletics director Eric Wood said he’s looking for someone that will care for their student-athletes and will work well with the Ruston community. He says the main qualification is a coach that will bring a winning football program to La Tech…
Cut 20 (18) “.of the program”

And ULM needs a new offensive coordinator as Rich Rodrigeuz has been hired as the head coach at Jacksonville State, which will join Conference USA in 2023.

LSU is expected to announce today that Brian Kelly is the new head football coach of the Fighting Tigers. Kelly is leaving Notre Dame as the school’s all-time winningest coach. In 12 seasons in South Bend, Kelly went 113-40 and led the Fighting Irish to the BCS National Championship game after the 2012 season and two appearances in the college football playoffs.

So will any current LSU assistant coaches stay? It’s been reported that cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator Corey Raymond and running backs coach Kevin Faulk will remain with the program.

ULM’s offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez is set to become the new head coach at Jacksonville State, which will soon join Conference USA.

Taysom Hill is reportedly getting snaps with the first-team offense as the Saints get ready for Thursday night’s match-up with Dallas. Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy will not travel with the team after testing positive for COVID.

U-L Lafayette athletics director Bryan Maggard says they would like to have a new football coach in place by December 15th, which is the start of the early signing period…
cut 18 (22) “….student athletes”
Louisiana Tech athletics director Eric Wood is also looking for a new football coach after firing Skip Holtz. Wood says they would like to make a higher sooner than later…
Cut 19 (21) “..possible”

LSU may have missed out on Lincoln Riley, who has left Oklahoma for USC, but does Tigers athletic director Scott Woodward have a backup plan. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman tweeted out earlier today asking out loud if LSU may try to hire Matt Rhule, the current NFL head coach at Carolina, who turned around football programs at Temple and Baylor.

Meanwhile, former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is enjoying life on a Florida beach. It was announced on October 17th that Orgeron would not return in 2022 as LSU’s head coach. But the team kept battling despite more injuries and close losses to Alabama and Arkansas. LSU finished the regular season with wins over ULM and Texas A-and-M. Orgeron says the players were great during this period of transition…
Cut 18 (17) “..do that”
At six-and-six, LSU is eligible to play in a bowl game. The Birmingham Bowl is a possibility.

Dallas Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy will not be in New Orleans on Thursday for the game against the Saints. McCarthy has tested positive for COVID as the Cowboys are dealing with a COVID outbreak among players and coaches.

The Saints are reportedly preparing to make a change at quarterback. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting Taysom Hill is taking first-team snaps at quarterback, and Trevor Siemian is running plays with the second team.

Ragin Cajuns athletic director Bryan Maggard says it’s bitter-sweet to see head football coach Billy Napier take the Florida job…
cut 15 (15) “…unprecedented”
Napier will coach the Cajuns this Saturday in the Sun Belt Championship game against Appalachian State in Lafayette at 2:30. The Mountaineers are a three-point favorite.

Ed Orgeron is in Destin, Florida as his run as the head coach of the LSU Tigers ended Saturday night with a thrilling 27-24 win over Texas A-and-M. Orgeron says offensive line coach Brad Davis will serve as the interim coach…
Cut 16 (21) “…great bowl”
It’s unknown who Tigers athletics director Scott Woodward will hire as Orgeron’s permanent replacement. A possible candidate, Lincoln Riley, left Oklahoma for USC. LSU was reportedly not interested in U-L Lafayette’s Billy Napier, but Florida was and the Gators have announced Napier as their new head coach. But Napier will coach the Cajuns in this Saturday’s Sun Belt Conference Championship game.

Skip Holtz’s nine-year run as the head coach of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs has come to an end. Holtz took the Bulldogs to seven straight bowl games, winning six straight. He believes he brought consistency to the program…
cut 20 (25) “…..great era”

In NFL news, Dallas Coach Mike McCarthy will not be in New Orleans for Thursday night’s game against the Saints. McCarthy is one of several coaches and players who have tested positive for COVID. After missing the last three games, Saints running back Alvin Kamara was seen by the media at practice yesterday.

Former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman has signed a 110-million dollar contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

It remains a big question mark on who will be LSU’s next head football coach. Florida and USC made their hires. Speculation on Saturday had Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma for LSU, instead, he shocked the college football world by taking the USC job. LSU reportedly didn’t show much interest in U-L Lafayette’s Billy Napier and the successful Cajuns coach is the new head coach at Florida.

Meanwhile, LSU’s old coach Ed Orgeron is enjoying life on a Florida beach. The Tigers sent him out on a winning note with a 27-24 win over Texas A-and-M. The offense finally came through in a close contest as Max Johnson hit Jarray Jenkins on a 28-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left. Orgeron is proud of the offense….
Cut 17 (25) “ for him”

Skip Holtz’s run as the head coach of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs ended on Saturday with a 35-31 loss to Rice. Holtz was the third-most winningest coach in program history with 64 victories in his nine seasons. The 57-year-old says he’s grateful for his time in Ruston but wishes it had not come to an end…
Cut 19 (20) “..my decision”
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reports former Louisiana Tech quarterback and current Oklahoma State quarterbacks coach Tim Rattay, La Tech offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and former Texas Tech coach Matt Wells are names up for consideration for the Tech job.

And on the recruiting front, Trevonte Citizen has de-committed from LSU. He’s a four-star running back from Lake Charles College Prep. The Tigers now have 13 players committed in the 2022 class.

LSU football closes out the regular season tonight by hosting Texas A-and-M. But it’s what the Tigers do after the game that’s the bigger story. Who will LSU athletics director Scott Woodward hire to be the next head coach? There’s buzz about Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley. ESPN college football writer Chris Low says Riley would be a big get for LSU…
cut 14 (11) “…highest levels”
Riley is 55-9 at Oklahoma and has led the Sooners to three college football playoff appearances.

Skip Holtz has a 64-49 record at Louisiana Tech, but today is his last day as Holtz will coach his final game on the Bulldogs sideline after nine seasons in Ruston. Holtz has led the program to two Conference USA championship game appearances and seven bowl games and six wins.

The 23rd ranked Ragin Cajuns host ULM today looking for an 11th straight win. But Billy Napier’s time as head coach at U-L Lafayette could be coming to an end. Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel reports that Napier is the favorite to land the Florida head coaching job.

The Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling is at 4 PM today. Both teams have losing records. 17th ranked Southeastern Louisiana hosts 22nd ranked Florida A-and-M in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

There were some great high school football games last night. Ouachita Christian got past Calvary Baptist 40-37 to advance to the Division Four state championship game and the Eagles will face Southern Lab, who shutout St. Frederick 33-0.

West Monroe’s season ended last night with an overtime loss to Zachary in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs. Westgate will play top-seeded Karr in the semi-finals of the 4A playoffs as the Tigers topped Northwood-Shreveport 34-32. And Sterlington took down the defending champs in 3A by beating Madison Prep 40-34 in overtime.