1:30 LRN Newscast March 20

Baton Rouge Police say 45-year-old Derrick Perkins has been charged with the improper disposal of the remains of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard. BRPD Sgt L’Jean McKneely says investigators believe Perkins was the last person to see Millard alive.

Cut 8 (05)  “…in now.” 

Toxicology results to determine Millard’s exact cause of death are pending.

A bill filed for the upcoming legislative session would require high school juniors and seniors to complete a Financial Literacy course to graduate from high school and qualify for TOPS. Bill author Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello says he’s been working with Superintendent of Education – Dr. Cade Brumley to educate students on being fiscally responsible.

Cut 4 (08)  “…currently getting.” 

Neuty the Nurtria will be able to remain with the Jefferson Parish family that’s kept his as a pet since 2020. Ed Pratt with LDWF says under state law it’s illegal to possess a wild animal but they are making an exception in this case.

Cut 11 (09)  “…all sides.”

Details of the permit have not been released.

The LSU women’s basketball program is headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014. Angel Reese was dominant as she had 25 points and 24 rebounds and the Lady Tigers held Michigan to a season-low for points in a 66-42 win in front of a raucous crowd at the PMAC. Reese on the team’s defensive performance…

Cut 12 (13) “…it was fun.” 

LSU will play Utah on Friday.

12:30 LRN Newscast March 20

Baton Rouge Police say 45-year-old Derrick Perkins has been charged with the improper disposal of the remains of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard. BRPD Sgt L’Jean McKneely says last week they believe Millard’s actions in the early morning hours of February 23rd resulted in his death.

Cut 7 (11)  “…his death.” 

Toxicology results for the exact cause of death remain pending.

After State Wildlife officials attempted to recover Neuty, a Jefferson Parish family’s pet nutria last week, an agreement has been reached for Neuty to remain in their custody. LWDF spokesperson Ed Pratt says the couple has applied for a permit that allows them to keep Neuty under certain conditions…

Cut 10 (12) “…the nutria” 

The 22-pound nutria went viral last week when news of the situation went public.

State lawmaker Nichols Muscarello wants Louisiana high school students to learn Money management. Teiko Foxx has more on his proposed legislation.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Third-seeded LSU women’s basketball is headed to the Sweet 16 after beating Michigan 66-42 yesterday in front of ten-thousand fans at the Maravich Center. LSU held Michigan to a season-low in points and outrebounded the Wolverines 46-26. LSU led by 15 at half, but Michigan quickly scored the first five points of the second half. So Coach Kim Mulkey called a time-out and reminded the team of blowing a 17-point lead against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament…
Cut 18 (18) “…remember” (2x)
The Lady Tigers will face Utah in the regional semifinals on Friday in Greenville, South Carolina.

The top ranked LSU baseball team’s 13-game winning streak ended yesterday as the Tigers bullpen gave up four runs in eighth inning as Texas A-and-M rallied to beat the Tigers eight to six. Chase Shores and Christian Little each allowed two runs as LSU had to settle for a series victory in College Station.

New Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders had a career-high 3.5 sacks last season and also a career-high 48 tackles with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Saunders says it was a read-and-react defense in Kansas City and likes that the Saints play a more attacking style of “D”…
Cut 20 (15) “…learn a defense
Former Saints defensive back C-J Gardner Johnson has signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions. Gardner-Johnson had a career-high six interceptions after New Orleans traded him to Philadelphia last season.

11:30 LRN Newscast March 20

Baton Rouge Police have charged 45-year-old Derrick Perkins for his involvement with the improper disposal of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard’s body. BRPD Sgt L’Jean McKneely says Perkins was already in custody on related charges of Access Device Fraud and investigators learned more about his involvement.

Cut 6 (08)  “…the information.” 

Perkins is also charged with Simple Criminal Damage to Property for burning the car he allegedly used that night and Failure to Seek Assistance in Millard’s death.

A bill filed for the upcoming legislative session would require high school juniors and seniors to complete a Financial Literacy course to graduate from high school and qualify for TOPS. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello, who authored the bill says this has been on his radar for some time.

Cut 3 (08) “…two years.” 

 

Entergy says it has made the largest renewable power expansion request in state history as the company has filed a request with the PSC to add an additional three gigawatts of solar power to their portfolio. This is on top of the nearly 225 megawatts of solar power requested earlier this month. Entergy Louisiana president Phillip May says they are serious about protecting the state’s environment…

Cut 15 (11)  “…renewable portfolio.”
There appears to be a happy ending for Neuty the Nutria. Last week, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries attempted to take the wild animal away from a Jefferson Parish couple who had Neuty as a pet. But L-D-W-F spokesperson Ed Pratt says an agreement has been reached so that the nutria can remain with the family…

Cut 9 (08) “…about this.”

Lt Governor Billy Nungesser was among the elected officials who lobbied to free Nuety.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast March 20

Longtime L-A-B-I official Jim Patterson is the interim president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. And among the legislation, they plan to support when lawmakers convene next month is carbon capturing. He says while some are opposed to the issue…

Cut 11 (11)  “… prevent a risk”

And he says they will also lobby against raising the minimum wage.

The newest member of the state Republican Party is the longest-serving member of the Louisiana legislature. Delhi Representative Francis Thompson was a lifelong Democrat and by joining the GOP both chambers are a Republican super majority. And for the first time, the 81-year-old will have an R beside his name on the ballot.

Cut 6 (09)  “…continue that.” 

With the federal approval of Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern, Baton Rouge Area Foundation Vice President John Spain says passenger rail service from the capital city to New Orleans is one step closer. Spain it’s a great solution for transportation infrastructure issues.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the train.”

A decision on funding to replace the bridge across the Bonne Carre Spillway is expected by the end of the year.

The LSU Lady Tigers are headed to the Sweet 16 as they defeated Michigan 66-42 in front of a loud crowd inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Angel Reese was outstanding for LSU as she had 25 points, 24 rebounds, and six blocked shots. Reese says she was hungry for a win…

Cut  16 (09)  “…their careers.” 

The lady Tigers will play Utah on Friday.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Longtime L-A-B-I official Jim Patterson is now the interim President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Jeff Palermo talked with Jim Patterson about L-A-B-I’s priorities in the upcoming legislative session

 Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

52-year-old Charles Germany of Livingston Parish plead guilty to leaving threatening voicemails for Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy. A warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of interstate transmission of a threat. Germany allegedly threatened to kill Murphy. If convicted, Germany could get up to five years in prison.

Federal regulators approved Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern, a major step towards reconstructing the passenger rail service between Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Baton Rouge Area Foundation Vice President John Spain says the future of the project is looking promising.

Cut 8 (07) “…the obstacles.”

The passenger line would include stops in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, LaPlace, Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport, and Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans.

Entergy filed a request with the Public Service Commission for approval to add an additional three gigawatts of solar power to increase its renewable energy. Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May says this would be a great move for the state’s economy and for companies who would like to invest but want renewable energy.

Cut 13 (10) “…important for them.” 

The proposed additional solar power facilities would – if approved – be built in Iberville and Ouachita parishes, and would bring hundreds of jobs during construction.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Entergy Louisiana has filed a request with the Public Service Commission to use 3,225 megawatts of solar power for its energy grid. The utility provider currently uses 280 megawatts of renewable resources. Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May says companies looking to expand want to to do business in states where the energy provider is using renewable power…
cut 14 (11) “….made in Louisiana”
The P-S-C will consider Entergy’s request at a future meeting.

Federal regulators have approved Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern, a huge step towards reestablishing passenger rail service linking Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Baton Rouge Area Foundation Vice President John Spain says the deal specifically says it would allow Amtrak to add passenger service on the K-C-S owned line…
Cut 7 (04) “…April”
Another obstacle is funding. 108-million dollars is needed to replace the bridge across the Bonne Carre Spillway.

The Republican Party now has a super majority in the Louisiana House as Delhi Representative Francis Thompson has joined the G-O-P. The change comes after almost 50 years in the legislature as a Democrat….
cut 5 (09) “….Republican Party”
Thompson has recently voted against the governor on transgender sports ban bill and redistricting.

The LSU Lady Tigers are heading to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014 after beating the Michigan Wolverines 66-42 last night in the P-MAC. Second-year coach Kim Mulkey says it’s an important accomplishment…
cut 17 (13) “…this program”
LSU will play Utah on Friday in the regional semifinals.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Entergy files for state regulatory permission to vastly expand its solar energy capabilities. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State lawmakers have approved 42-million dollars in grant money that will go to eight different insurance companies who will use the funds to begin writing property insurance policies in coastal Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is hopeful 90-thousand policyholders who currently have Citizens Insurance, can find a private insurer starting next month.

Longtime L-A-B-I official Jim Patterson is the interim president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, taking over for gubernatorial candidate Stephen Waguespack. With the legislative session coming up, Patterson says L-A-B-I will be involved in the property insurance crisis and they would like to see the legislature address the high taxes on insurance premiums…
Cut 10 (10) “…fiscal session.”

The longest-serving member in the Louisiana Legislature has switched parties. Delhi Representative Francis Thompson was a lifelong Democrat,
Cut 4 (12) “…elected me.”
Thompson says a majority of the voters in his House District 19 are Republican and the 81-year-old says he’s running for re-election this fall.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Lady Tigers are headed to the Sweet 16 as they defeated Michigan 66-42 in front of a loud crowd inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center last night. Angel Reese was outstanding for LSU as she had 25 points, 24 rebounds, and six blocked shots. Reese says she was hungry for a win…
Cut 16 (16) “…tonight.”
LSU heads to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014 and they’ll play Utah Friday in Greenville, South Carolina.

The top ranked LSU baseball team failed to hold on to an early four run lead and lost to Texas A-and-M eight to six. The Aggies scored four runs in the eighth inning to take the lead. Christian Little suffered the loss and four LSU pitchers walked seven hitters on the afternoon.

After blowing a double digit lead on Friday in Houston and losing to the Rockets, the Pelicans were able to preserve a double digit lead in Houston last night as defeated the Rockets 117 to 107. Coach Willie Green says Friday night’s bad experience paid off last night…
cut 28 (15) “…did it”
Brandon Ingram and C-J McCollum each had 26 points and Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double, 21 points and 12 rebounds. The Pels are a half-game back from the final spot in the play-in tournament and will host San Antonio on Tuesday.

Back to college baseball…The Ragin Cajuns opened up Sun Belt play by sweeping Arkansas State. ULM was swept by Old Dominion. La Tech lost to Charlotte nine to nothing yesterday and dropped the series to the 49ers.

6:30 LRN Newscast

81-year-old Delhi Representative Francis Thompson who has represented northeast Louisiana in the state legislature for almost 50 years has switched parties. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Frosty start to the morning as most of the state is under a freeze warning. Temperatures are in the upper 20s for northeast and central Louisiana at this hour. It will warm up to the upper 50s this afternoon and the next threat for severe weather is Friday.

Entergy says it has made the largest renewable power expansion request in state history as the company has filed a request with the Public Service Commission to add an additional three gigawatts of solar power to its generation portfolio. This is on top of the nearly 225 megawatts of solar power the company requested earlier this month. Entergy Louisiana president Phillip May says they are serious about protecting the state’s environment and they want to protect customers…
cut 15 (11) “…renewable portfolio”

The interim president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Jim Patterson, says they will once again oppose any effort in the legislative session to raise the minimum wage above $7.25 an hour. Patterson says such a move will drive up inflation even more…
cut 12 (12) “….goods and services”
Governor Edwards says $7.25 an hour is not a meaningful wage.