11:40 LRN Sportscast January 26

It’s the day after, and it still doesn’t feel real. After 16 years, Sean Payton made his emotional exit from the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, in a press conference where he reflected on his remarkable tenure with the franchise.

Payton brought an unprecedented era of winning to the Saints, collecting seven division championships, nine playoff appearances and the Super Bowl 44 trophy. But Payton’s very first team in New Orleans remains special to him.

Cut 11 (12) “…that ’06 team.”

Mobile sports wagering is set to go live in Louisiana, outside of the nine parishes that voted it down, beginning this Friday, January 28. Gaming Control Board Chairman, Ronnie Johns, says all systems are go for the first bets to be placed ahead of one of the busiest sports betting weekends of the year.

Cut 7 (10) “…gonna go live.”

The 19th-ranked LSU men’s basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing streak tonight when the Tigers host Texas A-and-M at 8 PM. LSU coach Will Wade says it’s 50-50 whether Darius Days will play with a sore ankle and if Xavier Pinson plays, he’ll be limited with a knee injury. The Tigers are mired in their first three-game losing streak in 2018, but Wade believes they’ll come out of it soon…

Cut 18 (22) “…the end.”

The New Orleans Pelicans were tough, but came up short in a 117-107 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. Playing without four starters, the Pels were led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 31 points, and Billy Hernangomez added 29 points and 10 rebounds.

11:30 LRN Newscast Jan 26

When Governor Edwards revealed his proposed budget for the fiscal year that would begin in July funds are earmarked for teacher raises of $1,500 and for support staff $750. President of the Louisiana Association of Educators Dr. Tia Mills says it’s a step in the right direction.

Cut 3 (11) “…ultimate goal.”

Mobile sports wagering is set to go live in Louisiana, outside of the nine parishes that voted it down, beginning this Friday, January 28. Ronnie Johns, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, praised the collaborative efforts among agencies as the state prepares to go live.

 Cut 6 (13) “…ready to go.” 

First Lady Donna Edwards announces a new human trafficking public awareness campaign and resource center. Edwards says the campaign received input from human trafficking survivors and is entitled Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is Real.

Cut 7 (12) “…supporting victims.”

The awareness campaign will launch in April during the NCAA final four basketball tournament in New Orleans.

Sean Payton is no longer the head coach of the Saints. It’s strange to say after leading the Black and Gold for 15 seasons. Payton led the Saints to their only Super Bowl championship in the 2009 season, but he’ll never forget his first team that came out of nowhere in 2006 and went to the NFC Championship game…
cut 11 (12) “….that 06 team” (2x)
The 58-year-old Payton has yet to decide what he’ll do next.

10:30 LRN Newscast January 26

After 16 years, Sean Payton steps away as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Big news from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Mobile sports wagering will go live in Louisiana on Friday at 8 AM, except in the nine parishes that voted against it. Online sports gambling is expected to generate millions of dollars in tax revenues for the state and it becomes a reality before the NFC and AFC championship games.

The Edwards administration is proposing to use 550-million dollars to replenish the Unemployment Trust Fund that was depleted as a result of the pandemic and four major disasters. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says the trust fund must be maintained at 750-million dollars or a tax increase on businesses who pay into the fund goes into effect automatically, plus the fund needs money in case there’s another disaster…
cut 6 (14) “…wipe out the trust fund”

Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards have launched a new campaign to stop human trafficking. Donna Edwards says the awareness campaign will launch in April during the NCAA men’s Final Four Basketball Tournament…
cut 8 (11) “….no to traffkikcing”
Resources to help identify and report cases of human trafficking are available at stop-trafficking-la-dot-com.

9:30 LRN Newscast Jan 26

Sean Payton officially stepped down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints Tuesday afternoon after 16 years on the sidelines. The decision of whether or not to move on is something Payton says he had been contemplating for a while.

Cut 10 (12) “…season goes.”

 

First Lady Donna Edwards announces a new human trafficking prevention public awareness campaign will kick off at the final four in New Orleans. Dr. Dana Hunter, executive director of the Louisiana Office of Human Trafficking Prevention says HumanTrafficking.la.gov. is the first web-based human trafficking prevention resource center.

Cut 9 (07)  “…for victims.”

Both the website and campaign received input from human trafficking survivors.

Governor Edwards proposes setting aside a half-billion in surplus money to build a new Mississippi River Bridge at Baton Rouge. Kevin Gallagher reports state lawmakers hashed it out Tuesday…:

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Tiger Rag Magazine reports Sharon Lewis, LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations, is no longer employed at LSU. She filed a 50-million dollar lawsuit against the university in April alleging a hostile work environment and claiming co-workers retaliated against her after reporting female student workers were sexually harassed by former LSU coach Les Miles.

8:30 LRN Newscast

It’s a sad day for Who Dat Nation as the Saints winningest coach Sean Payton is no longer leading the Black and Gold. Payton has announced he’s stepping away even though there are still three years left on his contract. Payton says he’ll miss the Saints fans and the energy they brought on game days…
cut 12 (05) “…is unbelieveable”
Payton says he could coach again one day, but right now he wants to do something else and could find a job as a TV analyst.

Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed spending 550-million dollars in surplus money on replenishing the Unemployment Trust Fund. The fund once had over a billion dollars in it, but when the pandemic came it was drained to pay over 700-thousand Louisianians who filed for unemployment. L-W-C Secretary Ava Cates says the fund needs to have at least 750-million dollars in it and if it doesn’t…
cut 5 (09) “….weekly benefits”

First Lady Donna Edwards and the Governor’s Office on Human Trafficking Prevention launch their awareness campaign and website. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Three Lake Charles residents were killed in a car crash in Costa Rica. News reports from the Central American country say 58-year-old Roland Terrell and his wife Terri, along with 50-year-old Racheal Abadie died when their vehicle was hit by another one as they were trying to make a U-Turn. The Terrell’s owned Terrell and Associates in Lake Charles.

7:30 LRN Newscast January 26

Sean Payton is no longer the head coach of the Saints. It’s strange to say after leading the Black and Gold for 15 seasons. Payton led the Saints to their only Super Bowl championship in the 2009 season, but he’ll never forget his first team that came out of nowhere in 2006 and went to the NFC Championship game…
cut 11 (12) “….that 06 team” (2x)
The 58-year-old Payton has yet to decide what he’ll do next.

Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards have launched a new campaign to stop human trafficking. Donna Edwards says the awareness campaign will launch in April during the NCAA men’s Final Four Basketball Tournament…
cut 8 (11) “….no to traffkikcing”
Resources to help identify and report cases of human trafficking are available at stop-trafficking-la-dot-com.

State lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee met Tuesday to discuss Governor Edwards’ proposal for spending surplus dollars on a new Mississippi River Bridge at Baton Rouge. Part of the governor’s plan is to set aside a half-billion dollars for the project, but Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White feels pressure to spend that money on more immediate needs…:
Cut 13 (06) “…in excess.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder released a statement expressing support for 500-million being set aside to build a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge.

Governor Edwards is also proposing using over half a billion dollars in surplus money to help replenish the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund that was drained to pay unemployment claims during the first few months of the pandemic. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says the fund protects workers and businesses.
Cut 4 (12) “…entitled to.”
So far there’s been no push back by lawmakers to use 550-million dollars to replenish the unemployment trust fund.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Sean Payton is no longer the head coach of the Saints. It’s hard to hear that after 15 seasons that saw the Black and Gold become a consistent winner in the NFL under Payton, who arrived in New Orleans a few months after Hurricane Katrina. Payton led the Saints to their only Super Bowl championship in the 2009 season, but he’ll never forget that 2006 team that came out of nowhere and went to the NFC Championship game…
cut 11 (12) “….that 06 team” (2x)
It’s unknown what the 58-year-old Payton will do next. Payton says he would like to return to coaching one day, but getting a job as an analyst with a major TV network is a possibility.

So the search begins for a new head coach…NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will get a long look. He’s been Payton’s D-C since 2015 after three unsuccessful seasons as head coach of the Raiders.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing streak tonight when the Tigers host Texas A-and-M at 8 PM. LSU Coach Will Wade the Aggies present another difficult challenge for his team…
cut 16 (20) “….turnovers under control”
Wade says injured starters Xavier Pinson and Darius Days will be game-time decisions.

The Pelicans were short-handed last night and lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 117 to 107 at the Wells Fargo Center.

Tiger Rag Magazine reports Sharon Lewis, a central figure in LSU’s Title Nine scandal, is no longer employed by LSU. Lewis sued the university in April for 50 million dollars claiming the school retaliated against her and created a hostile work environment after reporting sexual misconduct cases. LSU is not commenting, but Lewis’ attorneys call her firing a wrongful termination.

06:30 LRN Newscast January 26

After 16 years, Sean Payton steps away as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Tiger Rag Magazine reports Sharon Lewis, LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations, is no longer employed at LSU. She filed a 50-million dollar lawsuit against the university in April alleging a hostile work environment and claiming co-workers retaliated against her after reporting that female student workers were sexually harassed by former LSU coach Les Miles. Lewis attorneys call the firing a wrongful termination, while LSU is not commenting.

There are some state lawmakers who question the governor’s proposal to use 500-million in surplus dollars on a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. That’s because construction is several years away and engineers have yet to map out where the bridge will go. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says getting that bridge built should be a top priority, even if the money lies in reserve for a few years:
Cut 15 (12) “…of the United States.”

First Lady Donna Edwards announces a new human trafficking public awareness campaign and resource center. Edwards says the campaign received input from human trafficking survivors and is entitled Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is Real R-E-A-L.
Cut 7 (12) “…supporting victims.”
The awareness campaign will launch in April during the men’s NCAA final four basketball tournament in New Orleans.

LRN AM Newscall January 26

First Lady Donna Edwards and the Governor’s Office on Human Trafficking Prevention launch their awareness campaign and website. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

__________________________________

After 16 seasons, Sean Payton officially stepped down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

_________________________________

Governor Edwards proposes setting aside a half-billion in surplus money to build a new Mississippi River Bridge at Baton Rouge. Kevin Gallagher reports state lawmakers hashed it out Tuesday…:

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

____________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced his plan to apply more than half a billion dollars from the budget to help replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says the fund plays a vital role in protecting workers and businesses.

Cut 4 (12) “…entitled to.”

Since 2020, the trust fund has been depleted due to the pandemic and four major natural disasters. Cates says the one-time funds would push the fund above the $750 million threshold that would otherwise negatively impact business taxes and unemployment benefits.

Cut 5 (17) “…from happening.”

Cates says that by addressing this issue right now, the state has an added layer of protection should disaster strike again.

Cut 6 (14) “…wipe out the trust fund.”

_______________________________________

First Lady Donna Edwards announces a new human trafficking public awareness campaign and resource center. Edwards says the campaign received input from human trafficking survivors and is entitled Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is Real R-E-A-L.

Cut 7 (12) “…supporting victims.”

The awareness campaign will launch in April during the NCAA final four basketball tournament in New Orleans. Edwards says large sporting events are often the perfect environment for the crime of trafficking to flourish.

Cut 8 (11)  “…no to trafficking.”

Dr. Dana Hunter, executive director of the Louisiana Office of Human Trafficking Prevention also introduced the first web-based human trafficking prevention resource center at HumanTrafficking.la.gov.

Cut 9 (07)  “…for victims.”

Edwards says that 60-percent of children in foster care have some type of connection to human sex trafficking.

_______________________________________

Sean Payton officially stepped down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints Tuesday afternoon after 16 years on the sidelines. The decision of whether or not to move on is something Payton says he had been contemplating for a while.

Cut 10 (19) “…been thinking about.”

Payton brought an unprecedented era of winning to the Saints, collecting seven division championships, nine playoff appearances and the Super Bowl 44 trophy. But Payton’s very first team in New Orleans remains special to him.

Cut 11 (12)  “…that ’06 team.”

Payton says he’ll miss the relationship he shares with Who Dat Nation, something that makes Saints fans unlike any other.

Cut 12 (18) “…pretty special.”

____________________________________________

State lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee met Tuesday to discuss Governor Edwards’ proposal for spending surplus dollars on a new Mississippi River Bridge at Baton Rouge. Part of the governor’s plan is to set aside a half-billion dollars for the project, but committee Chairman Senator Bodi White, of Baton Rouge, feels pressure will be on to spend that money on more immediate needs…:

Cut 13 (06) “…in excess.”

Senate President Page Cortez, of Lafayette, says he’s all for getting a third bridge built in Baton Rouge … but he also wonders if stowing those millions away for several years is the right move, when a location for the bridge has not even been decided yet…:

Cut 14 (11)  “…off the ground.”

Baton Rouge state Representative Rick Edmonds says he supports the plan, even if the surplus money lies in reserve for it for a few years. He says getting that bridge built should be a top priority…:

Cut 15 (12)  “…of the United States.”

Lawmakers will decide how to allocate surplus funds in the budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. The Governor has line-item veto power over that budget bill.

___________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing streak tonight when the Tigers host Texas A-and-M at 8 PM. LSU Coach Will Wade the Aggies present another difficult challenge for his team…

Cut  16 (20)  “..under control.”

LSU’s offense has been struggling as of late and the Tigers rank last in the SEC in assist-versus turnover ratio as they are averaging 15 turnovers a game. Wade says the turnovers are bothersome…

Cut 17 (22) “ ….ball back.”

Wade says it’s 50-50 whether Darius Days will play with a sore ankle and if Xavier Pinson plays, he’ll be limited with a knee injury. The Tigers are mired in their first three-game losing streak in 2018, but Wade believes they’ll come out of it soon…

Cut 18 (22) “ ..the end.”

5:30 LRN Newscast Jan 25

Tiger Rag magazine reports Sharon Lewis, who filed a $50 million Title IX lawsuit against LSU in April is no longer employed as the school’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations. Her attorneys released a statement alleging Lewis was fired by LSU athletic director Scott Woodward.

The Saints’ all-time winningest coach is stepping down. Sean Payton notified the team today that he will not be back for a 16th season on the sidelines.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m David Grubb.”  

AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get nursing residents and staff vaccinated and boosted. She believes families deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that those caring for their loved ones are not putting them at risk.

Cut 4 (11) “…loved one.”

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris who also serves on the National Restaurant Association board, says eateries continue to struggle with the COVID pandemic and they desperately need Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund…

 Cut 6 (09) “…that push.” 

The National Restaurant Association says 10-thousand Louisiana restaurant jobs were saved with the first round of the RRF grants