6:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints quarterback Jameis Winston is reportedly staying with the Black and Gold to serve as Derek Carr’s backup. Sources say Winston is signing a one=-year deal worth eight million dollars.

The Saints have also reworked the contracts of Cam Jordan, Alvin Kamara, and Marcus Lattimore to get underneath the salary cap.

Three former defensive linemen for the Black and Gold have found new homes. David Onyemata has reportedly signed a three-year deal with Atlanta. Shy Tuttle has reportedly inked a three year contract with Carolina. And the Vikings have reportedly agreed to a one-year deal worth 13-million dollars with Marcus Davenport. Also former Saints pass rusher and linebacker Kaden Ellis is said to be signing with the Falcons.

Top ranked LSU baseball is back in action tonight as they will host UNO at 6:30. ULM is at Northwestern State, the Cajuns host Jackson sTate, southeastern hosts 25th ranked Southern Miss and Air Force is at La Tech.

Will Wade is the new head coach of the McNeese men’s basketball program. But what about the potential of the NCAA punishing Wade for committing alleged recruiting violations while he was the head coach at LSU. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says he did his due dillegence…
cut 19 (17) “…is our coach”
Financial terms of Wade’s contract are not known, but it’s reportedly a five-year deal.

The Ragin Cajuns will leave soon for Orlando where they’ll take on Tennessee Thursday night in a first round NCAA Tournament game. Forward Jordan Brown has been in the Big Dance before as freshman at Nevada in 2019 and here’s his advice to his teammates…
cut 18 (08) “….enjoy it”
Tip off is at 8:40 in the Amway Center.

6:30 LRN Newscast

U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says the GOP’s Lower Energy Costs Act can help with inflation, but only if the President will sign it…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor Edwards is using his constitutional authority to deny Folgers Coffee’s application for a proprerty tax exemption worth five point-one million dollars through the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program. Folgers believes they deserve the tax break as a result of improvements made at two factories in New Orleans East, but local officials oppose the tax breaks.

Simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use among college students is on the rise, that’s according to a Tulane University study. Assistant professor of social work Audrey Hai (pronounced high) says they examined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health…
Cut 10 (11) “…not other students.”
The data shows the use of both alcohol and marijuana among Black college students has increased 69-percent from 2010 to 2019.

It’s the Lenten season and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Steven Procopio says the seafood industry has an economic impact of more than $2.4 billion annually on the state.
Cut 13 (10) “… overall.”
Procopio says one out of every 70 jobs is related to the seafood industry.

AM LRN Newscall March 14

Kenner Congressman and U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says the GOP’s Lower Energy Costs Act can be a real help with inflation, but only if the President will sign it…:

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A Tulane University study indicates that simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use is up significantly among a specific group of college students. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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In Louisiana, Lenten season means seafood season. How does that impact the state’s economy? Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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District 1 Congressman and House majority leader Steve Scalise says the Lower Energy Costs Act can help families struggling to make ends meet and put Americans back to work producing energy…but only if the President will support it. Over  40-percent of inflation in America is energy-related. Oil & gas drive the costs of everything. Scalise says H.R. 1, which is called the Lower Energy Costs Act, will benefit consumers and taxpayers by reinvigorating the American energy industry…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…energy in America.”

The bill would take an “all of the above” approach to energy; promoting renewable sources, but also clearing the way for U.S. oil & gas exploration to ramp back up. It would open up more offshore energy leasing, and remove hurdles in acquiring exploration permits. Scalise says the White House has slowed that process to a crawl, which curtails domestic energy production…:

Cut 5 (11) “…in foreign countries.”

Scalise expects the bill to be debated and voted upon soon. He says there are enough majority votes to pass it, but welcomes any Democrats who want Americans to have cheaper energy to support it as well. He acknowledges the bill, in essence, directs President Biden to undo over two years of his own energy policy by signing the bill..:

Cut 6 (06)  “…who are struggling.” 

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The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is at 3.5% percentage points and remains the lowest in history according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate dropped ½ a percentage point from January 2022. Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the employment rate has declined over the year for 23 consecutive months.

Cut 7 (08) “…are seeing.”

Preliminary data for January 2023 shows that seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment in the state is 1.9 million.

Cut 8 (06) “…the year.”

Jones says LWC continues to assist hundreds of employers with job fairs being held across the state.

Cut 9 (11)  “…looking to fill.”

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Simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use among college students is on the rise, that’s according to a Tulane University study. Assistant professor of social work Audrey Hai (pronounced high) says they examined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health of 56 thousand full-time college students ages 18 to 25 from 2006 to 2019.

Cut 10 (11)  “…not other students.”

The use of both alcohol and marijuana among Black college students was 5.50% from 2006 to 2010. It increased by 69% to 9.30% from 2015 to 2019.

Hai says the sharp increase between 2018 to 2019 for Black students is likely attributed to the beginning of widespread attention to racism and police brutality. And considering the data was gathered before the pandemic and George Floyd’s death…

Cut 11 (10)  “… studies on this.”

As simultaneous use is on the uptick, especially among Black students, Hai says colleges and universities should focus on awareness and treatment for alcohol and marijuana use because it…

Cut 12 (10) “…marijuana alone.”

The overall increase for simultaneous use among all races and ethnicities of college students from the same time period increased from 8.13 % to 8.44%.

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It’s Lenten season and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana took a snapshot report of Louisiana’s seafood industry. PAR’s President, Steven Procopio says the seafood industry has an economic impact of more than $2.4 billion annually.

Cut 13 (10) “… overall.” 

Louisiana is the nation’s second-largest seafood supplier for its products such as crawfish, shrimp, crabs, oysters, and alligators. Procopio says one out of every 70 jobs is related to the seafood industry and the state produces about 130 million pounds of crawfish annually.

Cut 14 (09)  “….on Friday.”

The hurricanes of 2020-21 cost the seafood industry more than $560 million in total revenue and resource losses.

Cut 15 (11)  “…and seafood.”

The state harvest of shrimp – accounts for 33% caught in the country.

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Cut  16 (11)  “…” 

 

Cut 17 (20) “…I can do.” 

 

Cut 18 (21) “…for sure.”

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Cut 19 (17) “…the year”

 

Cut 20 (22)  “…of schedule” 

 

5:30 LRN Newscast March 13

Former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack is running for governor. Waguespack says he would like to redesign the foundation of secondary school to shape the future for students to remain in the state after graduating.

Cut 4 (11)  “…in Louisiana.” 

He’s the fifth Republican to announce their gubernatorial candidacy.

A 28-year-old woman and her two daughters – ages 7 and 8 – drowned Sunday on the Gulf Coast in Cameron Parish. Sheriff Ron Johnson says they received a call from campers in the area who saw a 3-year-old boy wandering alone…:

Cut 12 (09) “…called 911″ 

The victim’s 9-year-old son survived, and it listed in stable condition. Johnson says the family was originally from Mississippi and moved to Texas.

A woman was arrested for stealing a state trooper’s vehicle in Metairie Saturday night. Louisiana State Police along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office pursued and apprehended 24-year-old Bethany Holmes of Marksville. State Trooper Kate Stegall says Holmes hit several vehicles during the police pursuit.

Cut 7 (07)  “…a crash.” 

Holmes was charged with several offenses including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Former LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade was introduced today as the new head coach of the McNeese Cowboys. LSU fired Wade a year ago after the NCAA alleged he helped supply impressible cash payments to recruits and their families. Wade is excited for the chance to turn around a program in an area of the state still in hurricane recovery…

Cut 9 (08) “…needs a rebirth”

Wade takes over a program that went 11-and-23 this past season.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Today was the first day NFL teams can talk with free agents and two former defensive linemen for the Black and Gold have found new homes. David Onyemata has reportedly signed a three-year deal with Atlanta. Shy Tuttle has reportedly agreed to a three year deal with Carolina.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the Saints are reworking pro bowl defensive end Cam Jordan’s contract will save ten-million dollars against this year’s salary cap.

The Saints have announced they’ve agreed with tight end Juwan Johnson on a two-year contract extension. Johnson has caught 59 passes in three seasons in New Orleans.

Meanwhile, new Saints Quarterback Derek Carr says he’s excited to be teammates with wide receiver Michael Thomas…
cut 18 (21) “…for sure”

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team will head to Orlando to face Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night. U-L Lafayette is in the Big Dance for the first time since 2014. Coach Bob Marlin says there are a couple of players on his team that have experienced March Madness…
cut 16 (22) “…score the ball”

Today, former LSU coach Will Wade was introduced as the new head coach of the McNeese men’s basketball team. Wade is looking to bring excitement to McNeese basketball and they’ll do it in a way that southwest Louisiana can be proud of…
Cut 11 (12) “…we do”
McNeese State A-D Heath Schroyer believes Wade is the best man to fix Cowboys basketball.

4:30 LRN Newscast March 13

Former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack is the fifth Republican to join the governor’s race…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Crowley state Representative John Stefanski files a bill that would greatly increase penalties for distributing fentanyl, basically making the punishment the same as for murder. His bill would sentence dealers to life in prison without parole. Stefanski is also running for state Attorney General this fall.

 

Tragedy in Cameron Parish, as a young woman and her two small daughters drowned Sunday, while swimming in the Gulf. The victims’ names have not been released, but Cameron Sheriff Ron Johnson says the mom was 24. Her two daughters – ages 7 and 8. Her two boys – ages 2 and 9 – survived. Johnson says, sadly, this isn’t the first time this has happened…:

CUT 14(09)      “…heartbreaker for us.”

He says the kids got into trouble, mom went in to help them and all three perished.

Just a year after he was let go by LSU over alleged recruiting violations, Will Wade is named new basketball coach at McNeese State. Wade says he wants to bring excitement to McNeese basketball and do it in a way that southwest Louisiana can be proud of…:

CUT 11(12)      “…everything that we do.”

Wade says it’s time for a “rebirth” for McNeese and for his career.

3:30 LRN Newscast March 13

Tragedy in Cameron Parish, as a young woman and her two small daughters drowned Sunday, while swimming in the Gulf. The victims’ names have not been released, but Cameron Sheriff Ron Johnson says rescuers managed to pull one of the kids – a 9 year-old boy – out of the water. Johnson says the water was rough Sunday and rocky conditions made swimming even more dangerous…:

CUT 13(12)      “…the help them.”

Johnson says, sadly, this kind of thing happens too often.

Now officially a candidate for governor, former LABI head Stephen Waguespack says he wants to make changes so more residents will choose to stay and thrive in Louisiana, versus outmigration…:

CUT 03(10)      “…why I’m running.”

49-year-old Waguespack also served as a top aide for former Governor Bobby Jindal. He says his knowledge of how government AND business work gives him an advantage.

 

A 24-year-old Marksville woman was arrested in Metairie after stealing a state trooper’s vehicle over the weekend. Louisiana State Police and Jefferson Parish deputies pursued and apprehended Bethany Holmes and charged her with a list of stuff. LSP’s Trooper Kate Stegall says the trooper was otherwise distracted…:

CUT 06(06)      “…parking lot.”

Holmes crashed into several vehicles during the chase, but no one was seriously hurt.

Fired by LSU just a year ago, Will Wade is now the new basketball coach at McNeese State. Wade takes over a program that went 11-and-23 this past season. The 23 losses were the most ever for a McNeese basketball team. Wade is predicting at least 23 wins next season…:

CUT 10(10)      “…ready to roll.”

McNeese State A.D. Heath Schroyer believes Wade is the best man to fix Cowboys basketball.

2:30 LRN Newscast March 13

A 28-year-old woman and her two daughters – ages 7 and 8 – drowned Sunday on the Gulf Coast in Cameron Parish. Sheriff Ron Johnson says they received a call from campers in the area who saw a 3-year-old boy wandering alone…:

CUT 12(09)      “…called 9-1-1.”

Johnson reminds everyone – especially those with small kids – to be extremely cautious when swimming in moving waters because conditions can change quickly, and even trained swimmers can find themselves in peril.

Republican Stephen Waguespack leaves the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry to become the 5th major republican candidate for governor. Is he concerned about joining a potentially very large field for the October election…?

CUT 05(10)      “…lead like that.”

Qualifying for the October 14th primary election is Aug. 8th through the 10th.

 

Police say two LSU students were arrested for burglary early Sunday for allegedly stealing an item from a rival fraternity as a prank. The item was a large composite photo collage of members. Campus cops actually spied the two men absconding with the artwork. They say these are fairly normal frat pranks, but are theft nevertheless.

Former LSU basketball coach Will Wade is back in coaching as he’s the new head coach at McNeese. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

LRN PM Newscall March 13

Former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack is the fifth Republican to join the governor’s race. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Former LSU basketball coach Will Wade is back in coaching as he’s the new head coach at McNeese. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Republican and former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack is also running for governor. As the fifth Republican to join the race, Waguespack says he wants to make changes so more residents will choose to stay and thrive in Louisiana versus moving out of state.

Cut 3 (10) “…why I’m running.” 

49-year-old Waguespack, who also served as a top aide for former Governor Bobby Jindal, says he wants to stop the brain drain. He says his knowledge and experience with business and industry will be a top priority for the governor’s office to provide better-paying jobs for residents.

Cut 4 (10)  “…in Louisiana.” 

The father of three says another key to keeping residents is to reduce crime. He says if Louisianans feel safe and have better-paying jobs they’ll stay, and the better quality of life will attract more to the state. Even though the field is crowded with Republicans Waguespack says it’s not an issue for his candidacy.

Cut 5 (10) “…lead like that.”

Qualifying for the October 14th primary election is Aug. 8th through the 10th.

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A 24-year-old female was arrested in Metairie after stealing a state trooper’s vehicle over the weekend. Louisiana State Police along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office pursued and apprehended Bethany Holmes of Marksville. State Trooper Kate Stegall says Holmes stole the vehicle while a trooper was investigating a traffic accident.

Cut 6 (06)  “…parking lot.” 

The police unit was stolen near the intersection of  Veterans Boulevard and Clearview Parkway. Stegall says Holmes hit several vehicles during the police pursuit.

Cut 7 (07)  “…a crash.” 

Holmes was charged with two counts of hit and run and single counts of aggravated flight from an officer, theft of a motor vehicle, simple criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, theft of a firearm, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and aggravated battery, and driving without wearing a seatbelt.

Cut 8 (08)  “… was injured.” 

The investigation is ongoing.

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Former LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade was introduced today as the new head coach of the McNeese Cowboys. LSU fired Wade a year ago after the NCAA alleged he helped supply impressible cash payments to recruits and their families. Wade is excited for the chance to turn around a program in an area of the state still in hurricane recovery…

Cut 9 (08) “…needs a rebirth”

Wade takes over a program that went 11-and-23 this past season. The 23 losses were the most ever for a McNeese basketball team. Wade is predicting at least 23 wins next season…

Cut 10 (10) “…ready to roll” 

Wade re-energized a dormant LSU men’s basketball program team when he was hired in 2017. In five seasons in Baton Rouge, held the Tigers to an SEC regular season championship and LSU made three trips to the NCAA Tournament. Wade is looking to bring excitement to McNeese basketball and they’ll do it in a way that southwest Louisiana can be proud of…

Cut 11 (12)  “…we do”

McNeese State A-D Heath Schroyer believes Wade is the best man to fix Cowboys basketball. Schroyer and Wade used to be college coaches at different schools in Tennessee and have known each other for several years.

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A 28-year-old woman and her two daughters, one seven and the other eight drowned Sunday afternoon in Cameron Parish in the Gulf off Long Beach Road. Sheriff Ron Johnson says they received a call from campers in the area who saw a three-year-old boy wandering alone.

Cut 12 (09) “…called 911″ 

The victim’s nine-year-old son was pulled from the water and is listed in stable condition. Johnson says the water was extremely rough Sunday afternoon and rocks in the area made conditions even more dangerous.

Cut 13 (12) “…to help them.” 

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, local fire department, and ambulance district all assisted in recovery efforts.

Johnson reminds families to be extremely cautious when swimming in moving waters because conditions can change quickly and even trained swimmers can find themselves in a perilous situation. He says it’s not the first time it’s happened.

Cut 14 (09)  “…heartbreaker for us.”

He says the family was originally from Mississippi but moved to Beaumont, Texas for the father’s job. Their identities have not been released.

1:30 LRN Newscast March 13

Former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack is the fifth Republican to join the governor’s race. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Ascension Parish deputies are investigating a broad daylight double shooting Sunday in Darrow that left a teen boy dead and another seriously hurt. The victim is identified as 15-year-old Treylon Brown who was found dead at the scene. A second male victim is in critical condition. So far, no suspect nor motive.

 

A 24-year-old female was arrested in Metairie after stealing a state trooper’s vehicle over the weekend. Louisiana State Police and Jefferson Parish deputies chased and safely caught Bethany Holmes of Marksville. Trooper Kate Stegall…:

CUT 08(08)      “…were injured.”

Holmes was charged with hit & run, aggravated flight from an officer, car theft, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and more.

Former LSU head basketball coach will Wade will take over the hoops program at McNeese State. He’ll replace John Aiken, who was let go last Wednesday after two seasons. Wade is excited for the chance to turn around a program in an area of the state still in hurricane recovery…

CUT 09  (08)        “…needs a rebirth.”

Wade was fired from LSU after 5 seasons, due to alleged recruiting violations.