7:30 LRN Newscast July 25

Though he has two challengers for his next term in office, District 1 Congressman and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise says he’s focused on what comes AFTER Election Day…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

No one signed up to run against Fourth District Congressman Mike Johnson. So the Republican from Bossier Parish has been elected to a fourth term in the United States House of Representatives. Johnson is the vice chairman of the Republican caucus and also serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John Weimer was also re-elected as no one signed up to challenge him.

Republican Congressman Garret Graves will face two challengers in his bid for re-election for the 6th Congressional District. Graves believes the GOP is poised to gain control of Congress in the mid-terms, and he’s been asked by House leadership to lead the Republican’s policy on Energy, Climate, and Conservation.
Cut 10 (11) “…facing today.”
Graves is facing two challengers, Republican Brian Belzer and Libertarian Rufus Craig Junior.

One of the major stories this summer has been higher than normal energy bills. Mike Francis who is seeking re-election as District Four Public Service Commissioner says the PSC can only do so much when it comes to regulating private energy companies that also have to pay stockholders dividends.
Cut 8 (13) “…those shares.”
District Three Commissioner Lambert Boissiere is also seeking re-election.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU will unveil a statue of Pete Maravich tonight that will stand next to the statutes of two former Tiger legends, Shaquille O’ Neal and Bob Petit. The unveiling of the statue will take place at 6:30 in the plaza of the LSU Basketball Practice facility which is connected to the PMAC. LSU’s Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says members of Maravich’s family will be on hand along with some of the great players of LSU’s basketball past…
Cut 15 (13) “… of that program”

Former LSU pole vaulter and Lafayette’s Antoine Duplantis broke his own world record as the world championships ended in Eugene, Oregon. Duplantis cleared 20-feet, 4.5 inches on his second attempt to win the gold at his second world championships.

LSU football received its fourth verbal pledge for the 2024 recruiting class as tight end Tayvion Calloway of Ohio announced he plans on playing for the Tigers. He’s a four-star prospect and 24-7 sports ranks Calloway as the fifth-best tight end in the Class of 2024. Calloway stands at six-foot-six, 230-pounds.

Tomorrow, the Saints veterans report for training camp. We will hear from general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Dennis Allen tomorrow afternoon. The Saints first preseason game is August 13th in Houston to take on the Texans.

Houston rookie wide receiver John Metchie the Third has been diagnosed with a form of leukemia and it’s unlikely he’ll be able to play this season. Metchie said in a statement that he has A-P-L, which he says is the most curable form of Leukemia. The former Alabama star is a second round draft choice.

In college baseball news….Tulane outfielder Ethan Goff announced he’s transferring to Ole Miss. Goff hit .404 with nine home runs before a fractured his thumb ended his season in late April.

6:30 LRN Newscast July 25

Louisiana’s District One Congressman and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise is confident the Republican Party will regain control of the House after the mid-term elections. Scalise says President Biden’s sinking approval rating, even among his own party should worry House Democrats seeking re-election against formidable Reublican challengers…
cut 5 (09) “…far left agenda”
Scalise himself is facing two challengers, Democrat Katie Darling and Independent Howard Kearney, but Scalise is expected to easily win re-election.

LSU will unveil a statue of Pete Maravich tonight next to the statues of other basketball legends, Shaquille O’ Neal and Bob Petit. Pistol Pete is the all-time scoring leader in NCAA Division One College Basketball History and LSU’s Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says he’s one of the best to ever play the game…
Cut 13 (08) “…we’re excited.”

As many Louisianans are plagued with high energy bills District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis will face two opponents in his bid for a second six-year term. Francis says he’s often asked what he can do to help lower power bills and hurricane restoration charges.
Cut 7 (12) “…reasonable.”
Francis says the PSC can only do so much when it comes to regulating private energy companies that also have to pay stockholders dividends.

Governor John Bel Edwards is in northeast Louisiana today. His office says Edwards will be in Lake Providence for a major broadband announcement at 10:30 and then he’ll travel to Bastrop for a broadband groundbreaking ceremony at 1 PM.

LRN AM Newscall July 25

Though he has two challengers for his next term in office, District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise says he’s focused on what comes AFTER Election Day…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

________________________________________________

 As high power bills are crippling many residents, District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis, who’s seeking re-election, says the commission is trying to help consumers.

Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

________________________________________________

LSU’s basketball arena is already named after the great Pete Maravich and after tonight there will also be a statue of Pistol Pete next to the PMAC. Michelle southern has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’mMichelle Southern.”

___________________________________________________

Although Louisiana District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise has two challengers for the November 8th Congressional primary, he is focused on the future of the House, his party and the country. At qualifying for the election, Scalise said he feels a number of House Democrats may lose their seats, because what’s important for them is NOT what the American people want…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…fed up with it.”

Scalise is challenged for his next term by Democrat Katie Darling, a Covington area business woman and Howard Kearney, an Independent from Mandeville. Scalise says there’s a good chance the GOP could retake majority in the U.S House; largely because of the poor performance of the current leadership and President Biden’s sinking approval rating – even among his own party…:

Cut 5 (09) “…far left agenda.”

Scalise says, if Republican regain majority, he’ll work to ensure parents’ rights in the kids’ education, a return to law & order and a sensible “all of the above” approach to energy production. He says a GOP majority House will work to make life less difficult for taxpayers…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…struggling right now.”

Political analysts mostly agree that Scalise is very likely to win another term in November, or a possible December runoff.

_______________________________________________

As many Louisianans are plagued with high energy bills District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis will face two opponents in his bid for a second six-year term. Francis says he’s often asked what he can do to help lower power bills and hurricane restoration charges.

Cut 7 (12) “…reasonable.”

Francis says the PSC can only do so much when it comes to regulating private energy companies that also have to pay stockholders dividends.

Cut 8 (13)  “…those shares.”

Entergy says 2020 hurricane restoration efforts in Louisiana totaled $4.1 billion and that cost will be paid for by customers over a 15-year period. Francis says the commission has asked the utility provider to pay for even a portion of those charges.

Cut 9 (08)  “…like that.”

Francis will face Keith C. Bodin of Ragley who is running as an independent and Republican Shalon Latour of Iowa in November.

________________________________________________

Republican Congressman Garret Graves will face two challengers in his bid for re-election for the 6th Congressional District. Graves believes the GOP is poised to gain control of Congress in the mid-terms, and he’s been asked by House leadership to lead the Republican’s policy on Energy, Climate, and Conservation.

Cut 10 (11) “…facing today.”

And In his first venture into politics, Brian Belzer of Prairieville says he’s fed up with what’s going on in DC and wants to help common-sense legislation that’s being ignored. When the Republican diesel mechanic was asked about his views on abortion, he says he’s pro-life…

Cut  11 (12)  “…incest.” 

In addition to rallying for conservation efforts in DC, Graves says the construction of a new Mississippi River bridge in his home district of Baton Rouge is long overdue.

Cut 12 (12) “…political decision.” 

The third candidate for the 6th Congressional District is Libertarian Rufus Craig, Jr. of Baton Rouge.

_________________________________________________

LSU will unveil a statue of Pete Maravich tonight next to the statues of other LSU basketball legends, Shaquille O’ Neal and Bob Petit. Pistol Pete is the all-time scoring leader in NCAA Division One College Basketball and LSU’s Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says he’s one of the best to ever play the game…

Cut 13 (08) “…we’re excited.”

LSU Board of Supervisors voted in 2016 to erect a statue of Maravich and in 2019 the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee changed a rule to allow for non-graduates to have a statue. Worsham says Maravich’s contributions to the game and the university are worth hundreds of statues…

Cut 14 (14)  “…at LSU”

There will be a ceremony inside the LSU practice facility at 6 PM and then the unveiling of the statue after 6:30 in the plaza of the LSU Basketball Practice facility which is connected to the PMAC. Worsham says members of Maravich’s family will be on hand along with some of the great players of LSU’s basketball past…

Cut 15 (13)  “… of that program”

11:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Unopposed. Shreveport area Congressman Mike Johnson emerges from qualifying this week with no one challenging him for a fourth term in office. That means he is automatically re-elected. In a written statement, Johnson says he is “grateful for the honor” of another term, and “humbled.” Johnson is the only member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation to be un-opposed, and the only Louisianan on the important House Armed Services Committee.

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has finished its largest barrier island restoration project, with the completion of the Terrebonne Basin Barrier Islands. The project restored one-thousand acres of barrier island habitat. Project manager April Newman says these islands will provide storm surge protection..:

CUT 06(12)      “…fragile wetlands.”

The 166-million dollar project used funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

 

Congresswoman Julia Letlow qualified Friday to run for re-election. The first Republican woman to represent the state in Congress has strong feeling about parents’ right in their kids’ education and about Second Amendment rights…:

CUT 14(07)      “…to bear arms.”

She has a GOP challenger in Hunter Pullen, a former Marine from West Monroe, who says reforming the Veteran Administration is key for him…:

CUT 13(11)      “…concerns are.”

Also challenging Letlow are Democrat Oscar Danzler of Hammond, Lawtell Republican Allen Guillory and Monroe Democrat Walter Huff.

The state Department of Health reports another 2700 new cases of COVID, with 730 in the hospital with symptoms statewide. They also report 12 new COVID-related deaths.

10:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to send the most violent inmates from the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth to Angola state prison is comes under fire. A group of angry folks held a protest outside the Jefferson Parish juvenile jail late last week, complaining the sending teens to Angola unfairly punishes people of color. Loyola University law professor Hector Linares says, even though the plan is to segregate the teens from the adults, federal law dictates under those circumstances juveniles and adults must not see or hear each other, and perhaps that hasn’t been considered…:

CUT 04(09)      “…also be illegal.”’

He suggest moving the LEAST violent Bridge City kids to another place. There have been four violent escaped from the facility this year.

District FOUR Congressman Mike Johnson finished qualifying with no challenger. That means he is automatically re-elected to a 4th term in office. Garret Graves has two challengers, Julia Letlow three, Clay Higgin SEVEN, Troy Carter one and Steve Scalise two. Most politicos predict easy re-election for all, except possibly congressman Higgins.

 

A huge project to rebuild some of Louisiana’s vanishing barrier islands is complete. April Newman, with the state’s Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority, is the Terrebonne Basin Barrier Islands project manager. She says the $166-million undertaking moved nearly nine million cubic yards of dredged sediment…:

CUT 08(12)      “…but we persevered.”

The project was paid for with money from BP for the 20120 Gulf oil spill. The restored islands will help mitigate the effect of hurricanes as the come ashore.

Member of the sports media predict LSU will finish fifth in the SEC West this season. As expected Alabama is the preseason favorite. The projected order following the Crimson Tide is Texas A-and-M, Arkansas, Ole Miss and then LSU. Tiger Rag magazine editor Tim Buckley says LSU’s ranking is the result of not having an established starter at quarterback, an inexperienced offensive line, unproven running backs and only one established player at wide receiver. “Rebuilding season” indeed.

9:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Unopposed. Shreveport area Congressman Mike Johnson emerges from qualifying this week with no one challenging him for a fourth term in office. That means he is automatically re-elected. In a written statement, Johnson says he is “grateful for the honor” of another term, and “humbled.” Johnson is the only member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation to be un-opposed, and the only Louisianan on the important House Armed Services Committee.

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has finished its largest barrier island restoration project, with the completion of the Terrebonne Basin Barrier Islands. The project restored one-thousand acres of barrier island habitat. Project manager April Newman says these islands will provide storm surge protection..:

CUT 06(12)      “…fragile wetlands.”

The 166-million dollar project used funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

 

Congresswoman Julia Letlow qualified Friday to run for re-election. The first Republican woman to represent the state in Congress has strong feeling about parents’ right in their kids’ education and about Second Amendment rights…:

CUT 14(07)      “…to bear arms.”

She has a GOP challenger in Hunter Pullen, a former Marine from West Monroe, who says reforming the Veteran Administration is key for him…:

CUT 13(11)      “…concerns are.”

Also challenging Letlow are Democrat Oscar Danzler of Hammond, Lawtell Republican Allen Guillory and Monroe Democrat Walter Huff.

The state Department of Health reports another 2700 new cases of COVID, with 730 in the hospital with symptoms statewide. They also report 12 new COVID-related deaths.

8:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Louisiana District 5 Congresswoman Julia Letlow will face opposition in November as she seeks a second term…:

Cut 02  (34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Meanwhile, District FOUR Congressman Mike Johnson finished qualifying with no challenger. That means he is automatically re-elected to a 4th term in office. Garret Graces has two challengers. Clay Higgin SEVEN, Troy Carter one and Steve Scalise two.

 

Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to send the most violent inmates from the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth to Angola state prison is coming under fire. The juvenile jail has had four violent escapes so far this year. Among critics of the plan is Loyola University professor of law Hector Linares who says it seems like a bad decision, and a possible violation of federal law…:

CUT 03(12)      “…with adult prisons.”

He thinks a better solution would be taking Bridge City’s LEAST violent kids to another juvenile facility.

A Port Allen woman and her two teenage kids were killed Friday in a plane crash in Colorado. Sandra Kirby, son Ian and daughter Amanda were sightseeing near Boulder, when their small aircraft went down. The teens attended Port Allen High and Sandra was a long-time staff member at LSU Biology Sciences. The crash is under investigation.

The media picks LSU to finish 5th in the SEC West this season; likely due to a new coach and uncertainty at starting quarterback.

5:30 LRN Newscast July 22

Congresswoman Julia Letlow qualified Friday to run for re-election. The first Republican female to represent the state in Congress touted her accomplishments in her first term and also spoke of the importance of her appointment to the House Appropriations Committee and what it means to the 5th Congressional District.

Cut 12 (12) “…next year.”   

Hunter Pullen who served in the Marines is Letlow’s challenger. The West Monroe Republican says after having to wait months for medical care from the VA, he was inspired to continue his service to the country.

Cut 13 (11) “…concerns are.”

They will face three other candidates on the November ballot.

There are concerns that the decision to move youth inmates from Bridge City in Jefferson Parish to Angola might violate federal law. Governor John Bel Edwards and the state Department of Corrections say the juvenile inmates will be segregated from the adult population at Angola. Loyola University professor of law Hector Linares says federal law dictates under those circumstances juveniles and adults must not see or hear each other…:
Cut 4 (09) “…also be illegal.”

The Terrebonne Basin Barrier Islands have been restored and according to the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority it’s the state’s largest barrier island restoration project at one-thousand acres. Project manager April Newman says nearly nine million cubic yards of dredged sediment were used…
cut 8 (12) “….persevered”

4:30 LRN Newscast July 22

Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to send the most violent inmates from the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth to Angola state prison comes under fire. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Two officials from Amite will be sentenced in November after pleading guilty in a federal court in a vote-buying case. Former police chief Jerry Trabona and current City Council member Kristian Hart pleaded guilty to charges that they offered to pay people to vote for them.

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has finished its largest barrier island restoration project, with the completion of the Terrebonne Basin Barrier Islands. The project restored one-thousand acres of barrier island habitat. Project manager April Newman.

CUT 06(10)      “…barrier islands.”

The $166-million project used funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The media picks LSU football to finish in fifth place in the highly competitive SEC West. As expected, Alabama is the preseason favorite. The projected order following the Crimson Tide is Texas A-and-M, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Tim Buckley says the media that covers the SEC looks at LSU as being a year or two away from really competing in college football’s toughest division.

Cut 11 (06)  “…get it done”