5:30 LRN Newscast

Today, Stephen Waguespack stepped down as the President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and entered the governor’s race. Waguespack is the fifth major Republican to enter the race. Waguespack has led L-A-B-I since 2013. Prior to that he served in former Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration.

DCFS has hired more than 300 employees for their child welfare division after they were plagued with several child death cases that fell through the cracks.
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It was two weeks ago, Southeastern Louisiana was hit with a suspected cybersecurity attack and much of their computer system network remains down. S-L-U Professor Dayne Sherman says AT&T should have been brought on campus to help…
cut 8 (07) “…to use”
Sherman blames Southeastern President John Crain for not doing enough. Crain says good progress is being made to recover from a significant disruption caused by a network security incident.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is asking the state legislature to appropriate three million dollars to build new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director Jeff Dorson says about half of the state’s parishes lack a facility to take in strays, missing and hurt animals….
cut 10 (09) “….huge problem”
Dorson they’ll make an official request when lawmakers convene the regular session next month.

4:30 LRN Newscast

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says while she’s pleased, they still need more case workers.
Cut 12 (07) “…the solution.”
Ricks the number of cases they take on continues to increase.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director Jeff Dorson says lawmakers can approve the much needed funding in the upcoming legislative session
Cut 9 (05) “…rural areas.”
Dorson says they are urging legislators to spend three-million dollars towards the effort.

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack entered the governor’s race today.

State Police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of 29-year-old Katelyn Granger and her 7-year-old passenger, Anna Rivers. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says at this time they don’t know why Granger failed to break before hitting a stopped school bus on Highway 167.
Cut 5 (08) “…to the crash.”
None of the children on the school bus were seriously injured.

It was two weeks ago when a suspected cybersecurity attack shutdown Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system. The network still has not been fully restored and S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says students are worried about their classwork and their credit scores…
Cut 6 (08) “..etcetera, etcetera”
Wi-fi has returned to some parts of the campus.

4:45 LRN Sportscast March 9

LSU returned to Spring practice today as Head Coach Brian Kelly looks to improve on his first season in Baton Rouge.  Defensively, junior linebacker Greg Penn is LSU’s top returning tackler and Freshman All-American linebacker Harold Perkins is also back. Mekhi Wingo returns to lead the defensive line along with Maason Smith. Alexander says there are a bunch of starting spots up for grabs in the secondary….

Cut 18 (19) “…Denver Harris.”

Spring football will conclude on April 22nd.

The Pelicans kicked off a four-game homestand with a 113-106 win over the Mavericks last night. Both Luka Doncic and Brandon Ingram left the game with injuries, but guard CJ McCollum held off the Mavs with a 32-point performance. McCollum scored 16 points straight in the fourth quarter to put the game away. The Pels return to action Saturday against OKC

The LSU men’s basketball team upset Georgia 72-67 in the opening round of the SEC tournament. The Tiger’s 2-16 conference record earned them the bottom seed in this year’s tournament, but LSU was able to get out to a 12 point lead at the half. After blowing double digit leads in their last two games, the Tigers held on behind an 18-point night from KJ Williams. Trae Hannibal and Shawn Phillips also both had double-doubles and LSU advanced to the second round of the tournament against a Vanderbilt team fighting for a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Louisiana Tech defeated FIU 81-76 in overtime behind a 23-point performance from Keaston Willis. Quandre Bullock added 8 more in OT to advance past the Panthers. Isaiah Crawford had 22 points of his own as four Bulldogs reached double-digits. LA Tech is a 10 point underdog in their matchup against second seed North Texas tonight in the second round of the tournament.

Louisiana Tech football announced the addition of 19 transfers ahead of spring practice. Among the transfers is former LSU linebacker Kolbe Fields. Fields plated in 11 games for the Tigers on defense and special teams making four tackles.Spring practice for the Bulldogs begins March 21st.

 

3:30 LRN Newscast

Former President and CEO of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack recently announced his candidacy for Louisiana Governor today. He served as president of L-A-B-I since 2013 and resigned from his position earlier today. Waguespack also served as a former aide to Governor Bobby Jindal. The 49-year-old is the 5th major Republican to enter the race, joining Jeff Landry, John Schroder, Richard Nelson, and Sharon Hewitt. Also running, Democrat Shawn Wilson and independent hunter Lundy.

 The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been plagued with staffing shortages at a time when child welfare cases continue to increase.  DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says welfare caseloads are up and households are being affected.

Cut 14 (10)  “…by that”

It has been nearly two weeks since Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system shut down due to a suspected cyberattack. WiFi usage has been restored to some parts of campus but students are still concerned about classwork and whether their personal information was compromised. S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says outgoing S-L-U President John Crain could have done more during this difficult time…

Cut 7 (10)  “…they’re doing” 

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. HSLA Director, Jeff Dorson says lawmakers are asked to set aside $3 million to distribute as grants of up to $100,000 to eligible parishes and municipalities.

Cut 11 (09)  “…everybody else.”

 

 

LRN PM Newscall March 9

The Humane Society of Louisiana says the lack of services compounds pet overpopulation issues across the state. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________

DCFS has hired more than 300 employees for their child welfare division after they were plagued with several child death cases that fell through the cracks. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

State Police are investigating a Wednesday crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of a woman and young girl. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says it happened at around 3:45 yesterday, on state Highway 167, and involved a Honda CRV driven by 29-year-old Katelyn Granger…:

Cut 3 (12) “…and the passenger.” 

Leija says Granger, the driver, was wearing a seatbelt when she ran into the back of the stopped bus, but nevertheless died from her injuries after being taken to a nearby hospital. The other victim, is 7-year-old Anna Rivers, who Leija says was not properly restrained, and was in the front seat where children should not be. She was pronounced dead at the scene. He says the driver of the CRV was responsible for her passengers’ safety…:

Cut  4 (08)  “…when driving.” 

Two other children in the SUV were wearing seatbelts and suffered moderate injuries. The children on the school bus received some scrapes and bruises, but are otherwise OK. Leija says, at this time, they do not know why Granger failed to brake before she ran into the bus…:

Cut 5 (08) “…to the crash.”

Trooper Leija says impairment is not suspected, but distracted driving cannot yet be ruled out. LSP is investigating.

_______________________________________________

It was two weeks ago a suspected cybersecurity attack resulted in the shutdown of Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system. The network still has not been restored and S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says students are worried about their classwork and their credit scores…

Cut 6 (08)  “..etcetera, etcetera” 

Wi-Fi was recently restored in the union, library and all residence halls. Sherman blames outgoing S-L-U President John Crain for not doing more to help professors and students during this difficult time…

Cut 7 (10)  “…they’re doing” 

Crain is set to retire at the end of the current academic year and in a statement says good progress is being made to restore to the university’s computer and internet system. Adjustments have been made to the academic calendar. But Sherman says AT&T should have been brought on campus to help…

Cut 8 (07)  “…to use” 

__________________________________________________

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. HSLA Director, Jeff Dorson says lawmakers can approve the much needed funding in the upcoming legislative session

Cut 9 (05) “…rural areas.”

More than 31 of the state’s 64 parishes lack facilities. This contributes to stray, missing, and hurt animals struggling to survive on the streets.

Cut 10 (09) “…huge problems.” 

Legislators are asked to set aside $3 million to distribute as grants of up to $100,000 to eligible parishes and municipalities.

Cut 11 (09)  “…everybody else.”

This year’s legislative session begins April 10.

__________________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says while she’s pleased, they still want and need more employees.

Cut 12 (07) “…the solution.” 

DCFS has held 12 statewide hiring fairs to increase staffing of the Child Welfare Division. Ricks says people feel called to take on what’s very often a difficult job.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the past.” 

Ricks says as they continue to hire more employees and the agency is also taking steps to retain existing employees with a bump in pay.

The agency has been plagued with staffing shortages at a time when child welfare cases continue to increase. Ricks says welfare investigations are up more than 30 percent compared to their five-year average and are on trend to surpass the last fiscal year’s caseload by 6,000.

Cut 14 (10)  “…by that”

Ricks says the agency is also trying to assist families are who experiencing food insecurities after the federal SNAP benefits were reduced. She encourages families in need to call 2-1-1 for assistance.

_________________________________________

2:30 LRN Newscast

DCFS has hired more than 300 employees for their child welfare division after they were plagued with several child death cases that fell through the cracks.
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It was two weeks ago, Southeastern Louisiana was hit with a suspected cybersecurity attack and much of their computer system network remains down. S-L-U Professor Dayne Sherman says AT&T should have been brought on campus to help…
cut 8 (07) “…to use”

A woman and a seven-year-old child were killed yesterday in a crash involving a school bus in Jackson Parish. State Police Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says it happened at around 3:45 yesterday, on state Highway 167, when 29-year-old Katelyn Granger slammed into the back of a school bus…:
Cut 3 (12) “…and the passenger.”
Granger died and so did seven-year-old Anna Rivers. Only minor injuries reported from the children on the bus.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is asking the state legislature to appropriate three million dollars to build new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director Jeff Dorson says about half of the state’s parishes lack a facility to take in strays, missing and hurt animals….
cut 10 (09) “….huge problem”
Dorson they’ll make an official request when lawmakers convene the regular session next month.

1:30 LRN Newscast March 9

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says she’s pleased because while’s it’s a difficult job people feel called to be part of the solution.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the past.” 

Ricks says they want to hire even more child welfare employees due to an increase in caseloads.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging lawmakers to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director, Jeff Dorson says they are asking for $3 million to distribute as grants of up to $100,000 to shelters in eligible parishes and municipalities.

Cut 11 (09)  “…everybody else.”

The session begins a month from tomorrow.

State Police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of 29-year-old Katelyn Granger and passenger 7-year-old Anna Rivers. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says at this time they don’t know why Granger failed to break before hitting a stopped bus on Highway 167.

Cut 5 (08) “…to the crash.”

 

It was two weeks ago that a suspected cybersecurity attack resulted in the shutdown of Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system. The network still has not been restored and S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says students are worried about their classwork and their credit scores…

Cut 6 (08)  “..etcetera, etcetera” 

 

12:30 LRN Newscast March 9

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says while she’s pleased, they still want and need more employees.

Cut 12 (07) “…the solution.” 

State Police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of 29-year-old Katelyn Granger and 7-year-old Anna Rivers. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says Granger’s vehicle rear-ended a stopped school bus on Highway 167 and the two died as a result.

Cut  4 (08)  “…when driving.” 

He says the seven-year-old girl was not properly restrained and that as the driver Granger was responsible for the child passengers’ safety.

The Humane Society of Louisiana says the lack of services compounds pet overpopulation issues across the state. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Spring football got underway this morning for LSU as Brian Kelly embarks on his second season as head coach. Kelly completely overhauled the program from top to bottom in 2022. Wilson Alexander, who covers the Tigers for the Advocate says this season LSU returns 26 players who started at least one game last year. That includes most of their offensive skill players…
Cut 16 (16) “..step there”
Running back John Emery was not at practice this morning. Kelly says Emery is strictly focused on academics.

In baseball, top ranked LSU improved to 12-and-1 last night with a nine to two victory over Lamar. Tommy White hit a three-run homer. Northwestern State edged ULM three to one and the Cajuns defeated McNeese five to three and UNO rallied to beat Southern ten to nine.

CJ McCollum scored 32 points and the Pelicans started a four-game homestand last night with a 113 to 106 win over the Dallas Mavericks. McCollum scored 16 of his first 32 points in the fourth quarter…
cut 19 (13) “…in a win”
It was McCollum’s first 30-point game since January 11th and the Pels needed it, because Brandon Ingram left late in the second quarter with a right ankle sprain. Zion Williamson will miss at least two more weeks with his hamstring injury.

LSU and Louisiana Tech advanced in their conference tournaments last night. The Tigers held off Georgia 72-69 and will play Vanderbilt tonight. The Bulldogs will play North Texas in the Conference USA Tournament after beating the FIU Panthers 81-76 in overtime.

Northwestern State lost in the Southland Conference Tournament title game to Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi.

11:30 LRN Newscast

BESE approves a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 2023-24 school year.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge jury awards over $ 6 million to the family of Max Gruver, the 18-year-old LSU freshman who died of alcohol poisoning shortly after a fraternity hazing incident in 2017. The jury found that Ryan Matthew Isto, one of the frat members, was two-percent at fault for Gruver’s death. The Gruvers previously settled civil cases with LSU and other frat members involved in the hazing death.

State Police are investigating a Wednesday crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of a woman and young girl. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says it happened at around 3:45 yesterday, on state Highway 167, and involved a Honda CRV driven by 29-year-old Katelyn Granger…:

Cut 3 (12) “…and the passenger.” 

 The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones during the upcoming legislative session. HSLA Director, Jeff Dorson says the funding is greatly needed.

Cut 9 (05) “…rural areas.”