For the first time in the Sean Payton era, the Saints have a five-game losing streak. New Orleans dropped its fifth straight last night, a 27-17 defeat to Dallas. Quarterback Taysom Hill threw four interceptions as the offense continues to struggle in the post-Drew Brees era. Hill played much of the game with a splint on his middle finger on his throwing hand. Coach Sean Payton on Taysom’s first start at Q-B of the season…
cut 30 (16) “….unfortunate”
The Saints are now tied with Carolina for last place in the NFC South. Each team is 5-and-7. New Orleans does not play again until December 12th when they visit the New York Jets.

Still no word on when Zion Williamson will play with the Pelicans. He’s feeling soreness in his surgically repaired right foot, but the team hopes it’s a minor setback. The Pels are at Dallas tonight.

The 24th ranked Ragin Cajuns play for a Sun Belt Conference championship tomorrow in their home stadium as they host Appalachian State at 2:30. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says there are a lot of schools wishing they could be playing for a title this weekend…
Cut 17 (20) “ of that”
App State is a three-point favorite.

The LSU men’s basketball team is 8-0 but Coach Will Wade is not happy with his team. He’s displeased with the 17 turnovers in Wednesday night’s 66-51 win over the Ohio Bobcats and the lack of offensive rebounding…
cut 20 (20) “…26 shots”
The Tigers’ next game is next Saturday in Atlanta against Georgia Tech.

The Saints will be short-handed once again tonight when they host the Dallas Cowboys. New Orleans is trying to snap a four-game losing streak, but running back Alvin Kamara will reportedly miss his fourth straight game and offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramcyyk are also not expected to play.

Taysom Hill is expected to start at quarterback. Hill, who has been battling a partial plantar fascia tear in his foot, says he’s excited for another chance to be the starting quarterback….
cut 20 (22) “….football games”
The Saints are trying to avoid their first five-game losing streak since 2005.

New LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says he had no plans on leaving Notre Dame, where he’s the winningest coach in school history. But Kelly says when LSU athletic director Scott Woodward described his vision for the future of LSU Football, Kelly says he wanted to be a part of it
Cut 17 (17) “ take on”
It appears none of Kelly’s assistants at Notre Dame will join him at LSU. Irish Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees has announced he’s staying at N-D and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is reportedly in line to become of the next head coach of the Irish.

The Southland announces Chris Grant will take over as the league’s commissioner in the spring taking over for Tom Burnett who will be a full-time consultant to the commissioner. Grant takes over at a time when the Southland has lost several schools to other leagues.

And the Pelicans say Zion Williamson is experiencing minor soreness in his surgically-repaired fractured foot. The team is calling it a minor setback.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly has started the process of bringing the next national championship football team to the Bayou State. LSU athletics director Scott Woodward has confidence Kelly will get the job done…
cut 28 (08) “…sustain it”
And Kelly believes the leadership at LSU will help him provide Tiger Nation with a consistent winner on the football field…
cut 18 (18) “….for me”
It doesn’t look like any of Kelly’s assistants at Notre Dame will follow him to LSU. Fighting Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees says he’s staying in South Bend and Notre Dame defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman will reportedly replace Kelly as N-D’s new head coach.

The Saints will be without three starters on offense when they host the Cowboys tonight at the Superdome. Running back Alvin Kamara will reportedly miss his fourth straight game with a knee injury. Starting tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramcyzk are also reportedly out for tonight’s contest. That means James Hurst and former Louisiana Tech standout Jordan Mills will likely start at the two tackle positions. Kick-off is at 7:20.

LSU men’s basketball improved to 8-0 last night as the Tigers topped Ohio 66-51 in front of 11-thousand fans. Coach Will Wade was not happy with his team’s 17 turnovers and the 12 offensive rebounds that the Bobcats collected.

Louisiana Tech defeated Texas Southern 87-60 last night. It’s the fifth straight game the Bulldogs have scored 80 or more points. David Green led Tech with 19 points. Kenneth Lofton and Amorie Archibald each added 15 points.

Dallas shot a franchise-record 69-percent from the field as the Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 139-107. Brandon Ingram had 29 points in a losing effort.

Alignment was the big buzzword during Brian Kelly’s introductory press conference where he was introduced as the new head football coach of the LSU Tigers. Kelly says one of the reasons why he took the LSU job is that athletics director Scott Woodward’s vision for the future of LSU football aligns with what he wants to do as a head coach..
Cut 23 (14) “…fulfill that goal.”
Kelly says he has not made any firm decisions on his staff, but his two coordinators at Notre Dame are not following him to Baton Rouge. Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is staying in South Bend and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is reportedly replacing Kelly as Notre Dame’s head coach.

There’s football in the Superdome tonight as the Saints host the Cowboys. Alvin Kamara, Ryan Ramczyk, and Terron Armstead are questionable for tonight.

New Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie described his vision for Bulldog football during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. Cumbie is described as having an innovative offensive mind after serving as an offensive coordinator at both Texas Tech and TCU. The former Red Raiders Q-B wants La Tech to have an explosive and physical offense…
Cut 19 (26) “..make plays”

In basketball last night, LSU improved to 8-0 with a 66-51 win over Ohio. ULM crushed Centenary 104-67, La Tech topped Texas Southern 87-60, McNeese lost to Seattle 78-62 and Dallas shot 69-percent from the field as Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 139-107.

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”