5:30 LRN Newscast June 24

The constitutional right to have an abortion in the United States was reversed by the Supreme Court of the United States Friday morning. The decision was expected after a brief overturning Roe v Wade was leaked last month. President of the Louisiana Family Forum, Gene Mills says Louisianan’s trigger laws essentially closes the state’s three abortion clinics.
Cut 6 (12) “…post Roe Louisiana.”
New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman say the ruling is a major setback for women’s rights and will have devastating consequences.
Cut 7 (12) “…our country.”
A statement from the Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom says they are ready to keep up the fight for abortion access and do whatever it takes to get people the care they need.

On Friday Governor John Bel Edwards announced he’s tested positive for COVID. Edwards who is fully vaccinated and up to date on the recommended booster doses says he does not have any COVID like symptoms, but he will follow CDC recommendations and isolate for five days. Edwards encouraged others to take precautions to avoid becoming infected and to stay up to date on their vaccinations amidst the sixth surge of COVID in Louisiana.

Louisiana is in an early summer heat wave of record proportions. Weather stations across the state report record-setting and record-breaking high temperatures. State Climatologist Barry Keim says scorching weather is here for the next few days, at least…:

Cut 13 (10) “…100 and 110.”

Keim is hopeful that temperatures will return to normal next week.

4:40 LRN Sportscast June 24

LSU women’s basketball continues to add to a stellar recruiting class with the announcement that Bossier City’s Mikaylah Williams, the top-ranked player in the nation, has committed to the Tigers. She was last season’s state basketball Player of the Year after averaging 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals as a junior at Parkway High. Williams is the highest-rated recruit for the program since Seimone Augustus, also ranked number one, in 2002.

Not to be outdone, baseball coach Jay Johnson is about to welcome two new Tigers through the transfer portal: NC State first baseman Tommy White and Vanderbilt righty Christian Little according to D1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers. White set the NCAA freshman home run record with 27 in 55 games last season, while batting .362 with 74 RBI. Little is a 6-4 flamethrower projected to develop into a potential major league first-rounder.

According to ESPN, Saints linebacker Demario Davis has signed a one-year extension through the 2024 season.

The New Orleans Pelicans selected 6-7 guard Dyson Daniels out of Australia with the eighth pick in last night’s NBA Draft. Daniels is known for his ability to play both ends, passing, and high basketball IQ.

Cut 16 (12) “…this is crazy.”

In round two the Pelicans maybe got the steal of the draft in Ohio St. forward E.J. Liddell, who was rated as a first-round talent. Liddell averaged 19 points, eight rebounds, and nearly three blocks per game for the Buckeyes last season, earning First-team All-Big Ten honors for the second time. New Orleans also drafted European big man Karlo Matkovic, though he will likely remain overseas for another year or two.

All-SEC forward Tari Eason was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 17th pick, becoming the 17th LSU player taken in the first round all time. Darius Days agreed to a summer league deal with the Spurs, and Shareef O’Neal was signed by the Lakers. Louisiana Tech forward Kenneth Lofton Jr inked a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.

4:30 LRN Newscast June 24

Abortions are now illegal in Louisiana as a result of the U-S Supreme Court’s historic decision that overturned the Roe versus Wade ruling made nearly 50 years ago that guaranteed a women’s right to terminate their pregnancies. USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn says Louisiana just passed a new trigger law that now takes effect. It has no exceptions for rape of incest, but does except certain medical circumstances. Hilburn says doctors, or those who assist in an abortion, face up to 10 years in prison and if it’s a late term abortion the sentence could be as much as 15 years…:

CUT 05(07)      “…last week.”

The state Department of Health reports 2400 new cases of COVID-19 statewide; among them Governor John Bel Edwards, who’s office announced he had the virus this afternoon. The governor gets regular routing COVID tests. We’re told he’s showing no symptoms right now and he is fully up-to-date on COVID shots & boosters.

 

With the reversal of Roe vs. Wade, and Louisiana’s new abortion ban taking effect, it seems like a good time to remind everyone about the Louisiana’s Safe Haven law, under which persons not prepared to have or care for a newborn can simply hand the child over at most any hospital or fire station. As long as the child is left in the hands of an employee and the child shows no signs it has been abused, the person surrendering custody can walk away without legal repercussions. For details on Safe Havens, visit “dcfs.louisiana.gov.”

Louisiana is in an early summer heat wave of record proportions. Weather stations across the state report record-setting and record-breaking high temperatures. State Climatologist Barry Keim says scorching weather is here for the next few days, but worry not; it won’t go one forever…:

CUT 15(13)      “…we see every summer.”

3:30 LRN Newscast June 24

The state Department of Health reports 2400 new cases of COVID-19 statewide; among them Governor John Bel Edwards, whose office announced he had the virus this afternoon. The governor gets regular routing COVID tests. We’re told he’s showing no symptoms right now and he is fully up-to-date on COVID shots & boosters.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe vs Wade brings strong emotions from both side of the issue. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 01  (35)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

 

LSU President William Tate is touting a 27-million dollar donation from Shell USA, the largest gift from a for-profit partner in the university’s history. Tate says the funds will establish the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation. Tate says Shell is the founding partner of the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation and that its commitment extends beyond the scientific mission of the institute and into the growth of Louisiana’s workforce as well…:

Cut 11  (12)      “…energy industry.”

Oh boy, is it hot!! Record highs are being recorded all over Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says hot, moist air from the Gulf is clashing with hot, dry air over land; bringing clear skies and unrelenting heat…:

CUT 14(09)      “…cool things down.”

He says somewhat cooler temperatures are coming next week.

LRN PM Newscall June 24

The US Supreme Court reversal on abortion is an emotional one on both sides of the issue. Brooke Thorington has more on ruling the closer to home.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

LSU women’s basketball has received a verbal commitment from the top player in the nation. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

Abortions are now illegal in Louisiana as a result of the U-S Supreme Court’s historic decision that overturned the Roe versus Wade ruling made nearly 50 years ago that guaranteed a women’s right to terminate their pregnancies. USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn says the governor recently signed a law that would ban abortions in this state if the nation’s highest court struck down Roe v Wade….

Cut 3 (07) “…or incest.”

Hilburn says the only real exception is to save the life of the pregnant woman

Cut 4  (06) “…like that.”

Other exceptions include if its ectopic pregnancy or if the child can not live outside the womb.

Hilburn says doctors or others who assist in an abortion face up to 10 years in prison and if it’s a late term abortion the sentence could be as much as 15 years…

Cut 5  (07) “…last week.”

___________________________________________________

Today’s reversal of Roe v Wade is an emotional one for both sides of the abortion issue.  President of the Louisiana Family Forum, and pro-life advocate Gene Mills says Louisianan’s trigger laws essentially closes the state’s three abortion clinics.

Cut 6 (12) “…post Roe Louisiana.” 

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman who is pro-choice, says the ruling is a major setback for women’s rights and will have devastating consequences.

Cut 7 (12) “…our country.” 

Recent legislation passed in Louisiana can hold a physician liable should they assist a woman with miscarriage and Freeman fears this will keep some medical providers from treating some women out of fear of criminal charges.

While abortion rights activists say the ruling reduces women’s options when it comes to their health and future, Mills however feels differently.

Cut 8 (12) “…in Louisiana.” 

Freeman says she worries for the future of her two daughters and recalls stories her mother shared with her before abortion was legalized in the US.

Cut 9 (09) “…moving to?”

Due to trigger laws in 26 states, today ruling effectively outlaws abortions in half of the country.

________________________________________________

LSU President William Tate is touting a 27-million dollar donation from Shell USA, the largest gift from a for-profit partner in the university’s history. Tate says the funds will establish the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation, dedicated to advancing reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy.

Cut 10 (12) ” …and solutions.” 

Tate says Shell is the founding partner of the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation and that its commitment extends beyond the scientific mission of the institute and into the growth of Louisiana’s workforce as well.

Cut 11 (12)  “…energy industry.” 

Tate shared much of the credit for the partnership coming together with leaders in the state legislature, which allocated funds for the Pentagon initiatives during the session. He says that commitment made LSU more attractive to corporate entities like Shell and believes this merging of scholarship and workforce development is the first of many as other companies realize the university’s potential.

Cut 12 (11) “…really big time.”  

_________________________________________________________________

Louisiana is in an early summer heat wave of record proportions. Weather stations across the state report record-setting and record-breaking high temperatures. State Climatologist Barry Keim says scorching weather is here for the next few days, at least…:

Cut 13 (10) “…100 and 110.”

Keim says warm, moist air from the Gulf is colliding with hot, dry air over Louisiana; a combination that means clear skies and unrelenting sun…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…cool things down.” 

Many parts of Louisiana are in drought conditions and several parishes have enacted outdoor burn bans because of it. Keim says, not to worry, the parching heat can’t go on forever…:

Cut 15 (13) “…we see every summer.” 

2:30 LRN Newscast June 24

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of the 1973 Row vs Wade decision this morning, abortions are- for the most part -now illegal in Louisiana. USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn says Governor Edwards just signed a new trigger bill into law this week…:

CUT 03  (07)        “…rape or incest.”

That new trigger law does have exceptions for medical complications however.

Louisiana is in an early summer heat wave of record proportions. Weather stations across the state report record-setting and record-breaking high temperatures. State Climatologist Barry Keim says scorching weather is here for the next few days, at least…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…100 or 110.”

Keim says warm, wet air from the Gulf is colliding with hot, dry air over land; creating this rainless heat. He says it may be well into next week before the state sees any significant rain.

 

Deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish say a naked woman crashed her car through the wall of a local donut shop, then tried to run from cops and attacked paramedics. It happened at around 2 a.m. She finally gave up and is having her health – physical AND mental – evaluated.

LSU women’s basketball has received a verbal commitment from the top player in the nation. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

The state’s three abortion clinics are closed this afternoon after the U-S Supreme Court released a ruling that overturns Roe Versus Wade, which makes abortions illegal in Louisiana. Greg Hilburn, who covers the State Capitol for the USA Today Network says the only real exception is to save the life of the pregnant woman
Cut 4 (06) “…like that.”

The U-S Senate approved its first gun reform bill in decades last night and it has bipartisan support. Senator Bill Cassidy helped craft the legislation. He says it could have prevented the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas because the bill allows expansive background checks for individuals under the age of 21 trying to purchase a gun…
cut 30 (12) “….are sealed”
Louisiana’s junior U-S Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs into law a bill that requires carbon monoxide detectors in all one or two-family homes sold or leased after January 1st. It also requires any home with a generator installed to have a detector as well. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says she wrote the law after a carbon monoxide detector saved the lives of her family during Hurricane Ida.
Cut 13 (10) “…would have happened.”
Hilferty worked with the State Fire Marshal’s office to help craft the bill.

LSU President William Tate is touting a $27-million dollar donation from Shell USA, the largest gift from a for-profit partner in the university’s history. Tate says the funds will establish the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation, dedicated to advancing reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy.
Cut 10 (12) ” …and solutions.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast June 24

LSU women’s basketball continues to add to a stellar recruiting class with the announcement that Bossier City’s Mikaylah Williams, the top-ranked player in the nation, has committed to the Tigers. She was last season’s state basketball Player of the Year after averaging 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals as a junior at Parkway High.

A couple of LSU men’s basketball alumni were taken in the NBA Draft. All-SEC forward Tari Eason was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 17th pick, becoming the 17th LSU player taken in the first round all time. Darius Days agreed to a summer league deal with the Spurs, and Shareef O’Neal was signed by the Lakers.

Louisiana Tech forward Kenneth Lofton Jr inked a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Tech also announced that women’s hoops coach Brooke Stoehr’s contract has been extended through the 2025-26 season. Last season the Lady Techsters finished 21-12, their best record in a decade.

Ole Miss beat Arkansas 2-0 in Omaha to advance to the finals of the College World Series where they will face Oklahoma. The best-of-three series begins Saturday at 6 pm.

As expected, the New Orleans Pelicans selected guard Dyson Daniels with the eighth pick in last night’s NBA Draft. Daniels spent last season playing for the NBA’s G-League Ignite squad, where he averaged 11 points, six boards, four assists, and two steals per game. He credits his experience in the G-League with getting him into the lottery and onto the Pelicans.

Cut 17 (19) “…for sure.”

Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon says there was a moment of concern that Daniels wouldn’t be there at eight, but he’s glad they were able to add their top target.

Cut 21 (14) “…that we have.”

In round two the Pelicans maybe got the steal of the draft in Ohio St. forward E.J. Liddell.

11:30 LRN newscast June 24

The constitutional right to have an abortion in the United States was reversed by the Supreme Court of the United States this morning. The decision was expected after a brief overturning Roe v Wade was leaked last month. President of the Louisiana Family Forum, Gene Mills says Louisianan’s trigger laws essentially closes the state’s three abortion clinics.
Cut 6 (12) “…post Roe Louisiana.”
New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman say the ruling is a major setback for women’s rights and will have devastating consequences.
Cut 7 (12) “…our country.”
A statement from the Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom says they are ready to keep up the fight for abortion access and do whatever it takes to get people the care they need.

To address the ongoing teacher shortage lawmakers passed a few bills, including a pay raise but a good government group says more can still be done. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Wallethub ranks Louisiana fourth in the county for best states to do a summer road trip. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says based on the metrics they looked at, Louisiana has some of the best driving laws in the country…
cut 12 (10) “…a state”

10:30 LRN Newscast June 24

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe V Wade, the official announcement was made this morning after a brief was leaked on the abortion ruling in May. The high court voted to overturn the nearly 50 years of a constitutional right to an abortion. Trigger laws in Louisiana that will go into effect will ultimately close the three remaining abortion clinics in the state.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is one of 15 Republican Senators to vote for a gun control bill last night that passed the U-S Senate on a 65-33 vote. Kevin Gallagher spoke with Senator Cassidy prior to the vote….

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The legislature passed some laws to help address the ongoing teacher shortage. But President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin, says one issue facing the teaching profession is the growing political mindset to vilify educators and accusations of indoctrinating children.

Cut 9 (12)  “…teaching as a profession.”

The legislature passed a $15-hundred pay raise for teachers this year.

According to WalletHub Louisiana is ranked fourth in the nation as the best state for a summer road trip. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says the ranking looked at the most fun, scenic, and wallet-friendly road trip destinations, and when it comes to cost the Bayou State ranked second in the nation on road trips.

Cut  11 (12)  “…right now.”