LRN AM Newscall December 9

Time is running out to reauthorize the Farm Bill. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (31)“…I’m Don Molino.”

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Two more teachers from Louisiana were recognized  with 25-thousand -dollars from the the Milken Educator Awards.  Sean Richardson ha more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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It was a lost weekend for Louisiana teams vying for championships, as all three go down to defeat, punctuated by the Ragin’ Cajuns loss in the Sun Belt title game. Andrew Greenstein is at Cajun Field in Lafayette with more.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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We’re approaching the end of 2024 and, as such, the end of the 118th Congress. And Congress has still yet to send a reauthorization of the Farm Bill to President Biden’s desk. Buck Vandersteen, the executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association, says it’s imperative that Congress do so.

Cut 4 (11) “…and national security”

Only 20-percent of the Farm Bill goes to farmers, ranchers, foresters and land-grant universities. The remaining 80-percent goes towards nutrition programs for feeding hungry children and adults. The Farm Bill must be reauthorized every five years. Vandersteen says Congress is severely behind schedule.

Cut 5 (10) “…a year overdue.” 

Vandersteen says without the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, many important resources would stand to suffer greatly.

Cut 6 (13) “…of that nature”

If Congress fails to send a Farm Bill to the President by the end of the session, the 119th Congress will have to start from square one to reauthorize it, causing even further delay.

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The first bear hunt in Louisiana since 1987 got underway this weekend. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the season will last 16 days, and ten hunters were chosen by lottery to participate.

Cut 7 (10) “…and not harvest.”

Hanks says they’re able to hold a bear hunting season due to an increase in the bear population.

Cut 8 (09) “…utilize this animal.”

Hanks says one bear can feed a lot of people.

Cut 9 (04)  “…to a family.”

The hunt is taking place in the Tensas (TEN-saw) Bear Area in Northeast Louisiana, which Hanks says has the densest bear population. In fact, Hanks points out that that’s where President Teddy Roosevelt hunted in Louisiana in 1907, during his time in office.

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Two more Louisiana teacher have been recognized with a Milken Educator Award.  Band director at Maplewood Middle School from Sulphur was honored with the prestigious Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 cash prize to Kyle Cook during a school assembly, with State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley in attendance. Cook says it was a total surprise.

Cut 10 (08) “…very grateful.”

Cook’s impact extends beyond the bandroom, where nearly half the student body participates in band, combining music instruction with core academics like math.

Cut 11 (08 “…people of society.”

Charday Wilson, a master teacher at Logansport High School.  Born and raised in DeSoto Parish, Wilson attended LHS as a student before excelling as a collegiate athlete and becoming the first in her family to graduate college. Her return to LHS as a math and science master teacher has been transformative, playing a key role in the school’s rise from a ‘B’ to an ‘A’ rating.

Cut 12 (07) “…combination school.”

Willson says there are so many benefits to teaching at her alma mater…

Cut 13 (07)  “…closely intertwinded.”

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It wasn’t the result the Ragin’ Cajuns had hoped for, as they lost to Marshall in the Sun Belt Championship Game, 31-3, in front of their own fans at Cajun Field in Lafayette. Head Coach Mike Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) says it’s a bitter way to end the Sun Belt season, and he felt like he let the team down. 

Cut 14 (15) “…and they’re winners.”

Desormeaux says regardless of the lopsided result, he’s proud of everything that his team has accomplished to this point.

Cut 15 (16) “…we wanted tonight.”

The Cajuns seemed to get the wind knocked out of their sail midway through the second quarter when redshirt senior quarterback Chandler Fields left the game due to an injury and didn’t return. That left the offense to true freshman Daniel Beale, who completed nine of 24 passes for 95 yards and an interception, and he was sacked twice. Receiver Lance LeGendre (le-ZHAHN) says the team has a next-man-up mentality, and this was no different.

Cut 16 (12) “…running the ship.”

Fields was 4 for 8 for 102 yards before being carted off with his injury. Desormeaux said after the game that Fields’ injury does not look good and was pessimistic about his chances of playing in the New Mexico Bowl against TCU on December 28th.

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It was not an exciting game, but the Saints picked up a win on the road yesterday beating the hapless New York Giants 14 to 11. New York had a chance to tie the game on the final play, but Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee leaped over New York’s offensive line to block the 35-yard field goal attempt…

Cut 17 (20)  “…just me.” 

The Saints are now 3-and-1 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi. They are 5-and-8 on the season, two games back of first-place Tampa Bay. Rizzi says being in playoff contention motivates his team.

Cut 18 (16)   “…for us.”

Saints quarterback Derek Carr left the game in the fourth quarter with a hand injury and he’s also being evaluated for a concussion.