4:45 LRN Sportscast

Today marks the official beginning of the free agency period and the Saints are busy rebuilding their defensive line. ESPN is reporting the Saints are expected to sign Jets defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd, who has played in 73 games over the last five seasons. New Orleans has also reportedly reached an agreement with Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on a three-year deal. He’s 324-pounds but moves well for his size.

Wide receiver Michael Thomas is returning for at least one more season with the Saints as he’s agreed to a restructured contract. Thomas returns to an offensive scheme he’s thrived in and an opportunity to earn $15 million with incentives. Luke Johnson of The Advocate says the deal protects the Saints and will be more than worth it, even if a fraction of the old Thomas returns…
Cut 17 (19) “…of the cost.”

In a final tune-up before SEC play begins, the top ranked LSU baseball team pounded the UNO Privateers 16 to 0. Right hander Garret Edwards was the winning pitcher as he struck out five in 3.2 innings. Tommy White and Gavin Dugas both homered. Coach Jay Johnson says his team is ready for the 30-game conference schedule…
cut 15 (23) “…for that”
LSU is at Texas A&M on Friday.

John Taylor hit a three-run, inside-the-park home run as the Cajuns blanked Jackson State seven to nothing. Louisiana faces Mississippi State today at 5 PM in Biloxi.

The Pelicans are off tonight after getting blown out by the Lakers last night.

4:30 LRN Newscast March 15

A recent governor’s poll has Jeff Landry and Shawn Wilson running neck and neck. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

The LSU Tigers football team will begin their next season with a Sunday night game against USC. that will be nationally televised. ABC Sports will carry the game; kickoff is at 6:30 Central on Sunday September 1st. It will be the first game between LSU and USC since 1984, when the Tigers beat the Trojans, 23-3, in Los Angeles.

 

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian, Mississippi, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Amtrak will seek funding from last year’s federal infrastructure law for the study. Southern Rail’s chairman Knox Ross says last year the cities of Monroe, Ruston & Shreveport…and Vicksburg, Mississippi began the process of applying for federal-state partnership grants for this purpose…:

CUT 08(09)      “…those cities.”

National Hurricane Center officials are extending forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season – instead of the traditional five-day forecast, they will give a seven-day forecast. The recent modifications come after years of testing long-range predictions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says keep in mind that even state-of-the-art forecast can be mistaken occasionally…:

CUT 05(09)      “…these hurricanes.”

What will it mean for you? Quite possibly more advance notice of an approaching storm.

3:30 LRN Newscast March 15

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continue to prevent full economic recovery from the pandemic. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says inflation has driven up prices and there’s a lack of qualified job applicants…:

CUT 12(09)      “…unrelenting inflation.”

McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can begin to recover.

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana, connecting Dallas-Fort Worth and Meridian, Mississippi. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the application is the first step in determining the soundness of the concept…:

CUT 07(09)      “…train operation.”

Monroe, Ruston & Shreveport have applied for federal-state partnership grants for the study as well.

 

National Hurricane Center officials are extending forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season – instead of the traditional five-day forecast, they will give a seven-day forecast. The recent modifications come after years of testing long-range predictions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s a great step forward for the Emergency Management Community…:

CUT 03(07)      “…their region.”

The changes take place May 15th.

Deputies in St. James Parish say they had to fish a man out of the Mississippi River yesterday, after he crashed his car then set it on fire. The unnamed motorist was driving recklessly and fled when officers hit the lights & siren. He crashed in a cane field, got out, set his car aflame, then ran across the nearby levee and jumped into the river. He was rescued and taken into custody. His mental health will be evaluated.

2:30 LRN Newscast March 15

A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race, he may be assured a runoff position. Couvillon believes support for other GOP candidates will most likely be distributed geographically. For example, in Baton Rouge, it would likely go to Stephen Waguespack because of name recognition…:

CUT 11(10)      “…after Garret Graves.”

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continues to prevent full economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says 47-percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, remaining historically very high…:

CUT 13(05)      “…workforce.”

 

After years of testing, tropical storm predictions will have a different spin from weather experts. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian, Mississippi, and Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Amtrak will seek funding from last year’s congressional infrastructure law for the study.

LRN PM Newscall

After years of testing, tropical storm predictions will have a different spin from weather experts. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________

A recent governor’s poll has Jeff Landry and Shawn Wilson running neck and neck. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

National Hurricane Center officials are extending forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season – instead of the traditional five-day forecast, they will give a seven-day forecast. The recent modifications come after years of testing long-range predictions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s a great step forward for the Emergency Management Community.

Cut 3 (07) “…their region.” 

The 2022 hurricane season for Louisiana on average was a bit quieter, even though it produced 14 named storms. Keim says hurricane season officially begins June 1st and this extension will be extremely beneficial.

Cut 4 (10)  “…be headed” 

Forecasters have become more confident in the accuracy of extended weather predictions. Keim says that even though there has been a demand for longer-range forecasts – they will not be error-free.

Cut 5 (09) “…these hurricanes.”

The changes will begin on May 15.

_______________________________________________

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridan, Mississippi, and Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Southern Rail Commission Chairman, Knox Ross says this has been an ongoing project.

Cut 6 (07)  “…distant service.” 

Canadian Pacific has agreed on the study with Amtrak but the co-owner of Norfolk Southern Railway would also have to approve. Ross says the application is the first step in determining the practicability of this concept.

Cut 7 (09)  “…train operation.” 

Amtrak will seek funding from last year’s congressional infrastructure law for the study. Ross says last year the cities of Monroe, Ruston, Shreveport, and Vicksburg, Mississippi began the process of applying for federal-state partnership grants for this purpose.

Cut 8 (09)  “…those cities.” 

If the study finds service is warranted, Amtrak would then seek federal money to pay for startup costs.

__________________________________________________

A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race…

Cut 9 (08) “…first in October.”

And with Wilson running neck and neck with Landry, Couvillon says the question is how much traction can the remaining four Republican candidates make before the primary.

Cut 10 (09) “…in the run-off.” 

The poll, conducted March 6-8, included Congressman Garret Graves, who was third with 12 percent. And with Graves out of the race, Couvillon believes his support would most likely be distributed geographically among the other Republican candidates. For example, in Baton Rouge, it would likely go to Stephen Waguespack because of name recognition.

Cut 11 (10)  “…after Garret Graves.”

And with Louisiana a majority red state, Couvillon says even if Wilson is the leader in October, he’ll have to court moderates and soft Republicans to claim victory in an expected November runoff.

__________________________________________________

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continues to prevent full economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. N-F-I-B state director Dawn McVea says inflation has driven up prices and there’s a lack of qualified job applicants…

Cut 12 (09) “…unrelenting inflation”. 

McVea says 47-percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, remaining historically very high…

Cut 13 (05) “…workforce.”

McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can grow again. She says they need the help of the federal and state government, because small business owners are doing what they can to cope with the labor shortage…

Cut 14 (07)  “…work schedules.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

A recent governor’s poll has Jeff Landry and Shawn Wilson running neck and neck. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

JMC Analytics also did a poll on the attorney general’s race, paid for by one of the candidates John Belton, a district attorney in north Louisiana. Belton received 13-percent of the vote, Solicitor General Liz Murrill in the Attorney General’s Office received 10-percent and state representative John Stefanski had seven percent. 68-percent said they were undecided.

The National Hurricane Center says it will give out seven-day forecasts, instead of the traditional five, starting with this year’s hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this update in forecasting will be beneficial…
cut 4 (10) “…might be headed”
The National Hurricane Center says they’ve been testing seven-day forecasts in recent years and now feel confident enough in them, to make them public.

The latest national survey of small businesses finds inflation and labor shortages continue to frustrate businesses. State Director of the NFIB Dawn McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can grow again. She says they need the help of the federal and state government, because small business owners are doing what they can to cope with the labor shortage…
cut 14 (07) “…work schedules”

12:30 LRN Newscast March 15

The latest poll for governor has Republican Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Democrat Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon with the two running neck and neck the question is how much traction can the remaining four Republican candidates make before the primary.

Cut 10 (10) “…in the run-off.” 

The poll was conducted March 6-8.

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continue to prevent full economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. N-F-I-B state director Dawn McVea says inflation has driven up prices and there’s a lack of qualified job applicants…

Cut 12 (09) “…unrelenting inflation”. 

 

After years of testing, tropical storm predictions will take a different spin from weather experts. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The top ranked LSU baseball team got home runs from Tommy White and Gavin Dugas and the pitching staff held the UNO Privateers to three hits in a 16 to nothing win last night in Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers have won 11 in a row heading into SEC play this Friday at Texas A-and-M.

Louisiana Tech and the Ragin Cajuns also posted shutout victories last night, while Northwestern State defeated ULM five to one. Nicholls lost to Mississippi State. The Cajuns face the Bulldogs tonight in Biloxi at 5 PM.

The Pelicans ended a four game homestand last night with a non competitive loss to the Lakers as Anthony Davis had 35 points and 17 rebounds in Los Angeles 123-108 win over New Orleans.

As part of new McNeese men’s basketball coach Will Wade’s contract, he’ll be suspended the first five games of the season. Wade was fired from LSU a year ago over alleged recruiting violations.

The Saints are bringing back quarterback Jameis Winston and wide receiver Michael Thomas on contracts that are more salary cap friendly. Locked on Saints Podcast Host Ross Jackson says Winston remaining in New Orleans is a surprise, but it’s a good thing for the Saints…
cut 18 (19) “….salary cap relief”
Today at 3 PM, NFL teams can officially start signing free agents from other teams. Luke Johnson with the Advocate says the Saints will be active…
cut 19 (18) “….in there”
It’s been reported the Saints are interested in signing 320-pound defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who had 3.5 sacks for the Chiefs last season.

11:30 LRN Newscast March 15

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian and Dallas-Fort Worth. Southern Rail Commission Chairman, Knox Ross says this has been an ongoing project.

Cut 6 (07)  “…distant service.” 

Canadian Pacific has agreed on the study, but the co-owner of Norfolk Southern Railway would also have to approve.

A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race…

Cut 9 (09) “…first in October.”

The poll was conducted March 6-8 and included Congressman Garret Graves who came in third place with 12 percent.

If you’ve ever fallen victim to a scam the Federal Trade Commission wants you to report it. Emma Fletcher with the FTC encourages you to visit ReportFraud-dot-FTC-dot-gov and even if you haven’t lost money to make them aware of a potential scam.

Cut 11 (10)  “… for investigations.”

More than $8.8 billion was lost to scammers in the US last year.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says nine companies have applied for grant money that would result in them offering residential and commercial policies in coastal areas and that qualified companies could begin offering competitively priced options to Louisiana home and business owners very soon.

Cut 15 (05)  “…next month”

The legislature appropriated $45-million for insurance incentives to write policies in Louisiana.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 15

A bill filed for the April legislative session would punish fentanyl dealers the same as convicted killers. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A recent JMC Analytics poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent of the vote followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. The poll was conducted March 6-8 and included Congressman Garret Graves who came in third place with 12 percent.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces nine companies have applied for grant money that would result in them offering residential and commercial policies in coastal areas. Donelon says the response is more than what they anticipated…

Cut 13 (09) “…that’s available” 

He says some of those companies could begin writing policies as early as April.

The Federal Trade Commission says last year 2.4 million Americans were scammed and or victim to identity theft with a total loss of $8.8 billion. Emma Fletcher with the FTC says they have tips on how to avoid scams on their website and if anyone ever asks you to buy a gift card to fix a problem…

Cut 12 (08) “…that a lot.”

 

Louisiana residents ranks among the top 5 states who are scammed and/or fall victim to Identity theft.