1:30 LRN Newscast July 12

The Louisiana Senate voted against holding an override veto session which cancels the session that was scheduled to start on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans Police report a 1-year-old boy was attacked and killed by the family dog Monday night. The child died at a local hospital. SPCA officers tried to corral the animal but were also attacked before a cop finally shot the animal dead.

With qualifying for fall federal mid-term elections starting next week, incumbent Republican Senator John Kennedy easily leads in fundraising, with nearly $29-million in his warchest. His three declared Democrat challengers have raised just over $2-million between them. Another possible challenger is Republican Baton Rouge minister Tony Spell, the man who flouted the Governor’s orders to stop church services during the pandemic, was arrested and jailed for it and eventually exonerated of any wrongdoing. UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says Kennedy isn’t losing sleep over Spell possibly running…:

CUT 11(07)      “…Senator Kennedy.”

Stockley says the race is Kennedy’s to lose.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards died a year ago today. His widow, Trina, was on Jim Engster’s Baton Rouge radio show to talk about the Silver Fox, and shared the former Governor’s last words…:

CUT 07(09)      “…recording it.”

12:30 LRN Newcast July 12

There will not be a veto override session as a majority of state senators voted to cancel the session, which was scheduled to begin on Saturday. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland pushed for a veto session. He’s disappointed with the Governor’s vetoes over the Education Savings Accounts bill that set up a way to provide more school options for disabled and special education students

CUT 13(08)      “…quality education.”

Twenty-five of the state’s 38 senators voted against an override session, which was the majority vote needed to cancel.

Marking one year since the death of former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards, his widow Trina Edwards was a guest on Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana and explained what attracted her to one of the state’s most colorful politicians…:

CUT 06(10)      “…all the time.”

Trina’s new beau is former state lawmaker John Alario.

 

Incumbent U.S. Senator John Kennedy is leading his three Democrat challengers by leaps and bounds in fundraising. He’s raised nearly $29-million; adding another #5.6-million between March and July 1st. Opponents Gary Chambers, Syrita Stieb and Luke Mixon have raised just over $2-million between them. UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says they are definitely “swimming uphill”…:

CUT 10(10)      “…these individuals.”

Stockley says Kennedy is has little chance of losing this fall.

…and now today’s markets with Farm Bureau’s Neil Melancon…

11:30 LRN Newscast July 12

The state legislature has selected NOT to convene a veto override session that would have begun on the 16th. 25 of 39 Senators voted “no”; nixing the session. Many House & Senate members feel that bills vetoed this year by Governor Edwards can be reintroduced next year, which will be his last year in office.

Louisiana-based meal delivery service WAITR will change its name AND business model. Brooke Thorington reports that’s coming very soon…:

CUT 01  (33)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

 

With qualifying for fall federal mid-term elections starting next week, incumbent Senator John Kennedy easily leads in fundraising. Kennedy reports raising another $5.6-million ion the 2nd Quarter, and has almost $15-million cash on hand for his campaign. His declared challengers have raised only slightly more than $2-million combined. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says this comes as no surprise…:

CUT 09  (14)        “…seeing that expectation.”

Stockley says a lot can happen between now and November, but he says Kennedy has a distinct advantage.

The U.L.-Monroe College of Pharmacy will begin testing and researching hemp and cannabis for quality, purity and further health applications. West Monroe state Representative Mike Echols says the estimated $1-million-plus in revenue from that would be just for testing existing product…:

CUT 15(09)      “…unlimited potential.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU received a commitment today from a four-star running back out of Baton Rouge. Kaleb Jackson who is getting ready for his senior season at Liberty Magnet, also considered Alabama, but he’s staying home. Jackson’s commitment means LSU has the top two running backs in the state in its 2024 class. Trey Holly of Union Parish is also heading to LSU.

Next week is SEC Media Days and LSU’s Brian Kelly and three players will meet with hundreds of reporters on Monday. The Athletic’s Brody Miller reports LSU’s student-athlete representatives will be wide receiver Jack Bech, linebacker Mike Jones Junior and edge rusher B-J Ojulari.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame announces its inducting former Saints wide receiver Marques Colston into his hall of fame class of 2022. Colston was a seventh round draft pick for New Orleans and after ten seasons he ended up as the franchise’s all-time leading receiver and 72 touchdowns is the most in Saints history.

The Pelicans Summer League team defeated the Atlanta Hawks 101-73 last night as last year’s first round pick, Trey Murphy, scored 30 points. But this year’s second round pick, E-J Liddell went down with a knee injury and will undergo an MRI. The team has already announced that first round pick Dyson Daniels will miss the rest of the Summer League with an ankle injury.

Lamar University has decided to return to the Southland Conference a year earlier than scheduled as the school in Beaumont says it will compete as a member of the Southland after spending last season in the WAC. This gives the Southland eight football-playing schools and ten overall as the league has bounced back after losing five teams including the Cardinals last year.

Former Grambling State volleyball coach Chelsey Lucas told 24-7 sports an effort from previous athletes she coached and current members of the Grambling volleyball team got together to get her fired. Lucas was terminated last week after she allegedly released all of the players on the team, a claim she denies in that 24-7 sports report.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Forecasters continue to watch an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the northern Gulf of Mexico. LRN meteorologist John Weatherbee has an update on the system…
Cut 2 (26) “….Danielle.”

There will not an override veto session as a majority of state senators voted to cancel the session, which was scheduled to begin on Saturday. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland pushed for a veto session. He says many of the 27 bills that the governor vetoed received super majority support by the Legislature…
cut 12 (12) “…try it again’

Construction of a $110 million lumber production facility in Bossier Parish is now underway. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the Canadian-based Teal Jones Group chose the Plain Dealing site in December. He says their investment ripples through the economy because you have to harvest timber…
Cut 10 (10) “…like this.”
The project is expected to create 125 new direct jobs with an annual average salary of $47-thousand dollars plus benefits.

Legislation approved in the last regular legislative session urges the Public Service Commission to set a clear rate for the sale of electricity for Electric vehicle charging. Charge Ahead Partnership director Jay Smith says the legislation opens the door for grocery stores and gas stations to get involved. Smith says that’s important because the 73-million dollars in federal money for electric vehicle infrastructure is not enough…
cut 9 (09) “….on the road”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Lafayette-based Waitr has begun the transition from just a food-delivery service to a company that will deliver many other products, including alcohol, clothing, sporting goods, and auto parts. Waitr is also changing its name to ASAP, but company spokesperson Dean Turcol says customers who count on Waitr for food deliveries will not have to do anything different…
cut 6 (08) “….transition”

Louisiana has emerged as a nationwide leader in encouraging private investment in electric vehicle charging stations as a result of legislation approved in the regular session. That’s according to a group called Charge Ahead Partnership. Executive Director Jay Smith says the measure allows grocery stores and even gas stations to invest in a electric vehicle charging network…
Cut 7 (09) “….the driver.”

The University of Louisiana at Monroe will soon begin research and testing of legal medical cannabis and hemp grown in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Senator John Kennedy’s re-election campaign announces the Republican from Madisonville has raised more than 29-million dollars, including five-point-six million dollars in the second quarter of 2022. His three Democratic challengers have only raised a combined two-point-two million dollars.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Waitr has been in the food delivery service since 2013 when it started operations in Lake Charles and now the Louisiana-based company will begin to deliver other products as well…
cut 5 (09) “….like that”
Waitr spokesperson Dean Turcol says they are also changing the company’s name to ASAP with the vision to deliver anything to consumers, same day, from any type of business.

State lawmakers have approved ULM to research hemp and marijuana. Currently, LSU and Southern University Ag Centers grow medical marijuana and West Monroe Representative Mike Echols says getting ULM involved in the cannabis industry should be good for patients who use medical marijuana…
cut 14 (07) “….places in the state”
KNOE TV in Monroe reports the research could mean additional jobs at ULM, plus over a million dollars in revenue.

Forecasters continue to watch an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the northern Gulf of Mexico. LRN meteorologist John Weatherbee has an update on the system…
Cut 2 (26) “….Danielle.”

The Teal Jones Group has broken ground on a 110-million dollar sawmill in Bossier Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the project in Plain Dealing is expected to create 125 new jobs and once the facility is completed in 2023, the mill we cut timber efficiently….
cut 12 (10) “…our economy”

7:30 LRN Newscast July 12

A Louisiana-based company known for its food delivery service is expanding their business model and they hope that transition happens “as soon as possible.” Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleans Police say a 13-month-old boy died after he was bitten by a dog last night in the Gentilly Woods. NOPD has released very few details, so it’s unknown if the dog belonged to the boy’s family and we do not know the breed of the dog. No arrests have been announced.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy will begin testing and researching hemp and cannabis for quality, purity and further health applications. West Monroe State Representative Mike Echols says he worked to amend current medical marijuana law to allow ULM to get involved…
cut 13 (12) “…in that space”

Hundreds of new jobs could be coming to northwest Louisiana as the Teal Jones Group has broken ground on the construction of a 110-million dollar sawmill in Bossier Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says construction on the 235-acre facility in Plain Dealing is expected to be completed next year and the facility will produce a wide range of dimensional and specialty lumber products…
cut 11 (09) “….or whatever”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU football received another commitment last night. This one from a 2024 prospect. Jo-Jo Stone from Georgia is rated as the 107th best player in the 2024 recruiting class according to 24-7 sports. Stone is listed as an athlete.

Today, Liberty Running back Kaleb Jackson announces his commitment at 10-30 AM. The four star prospect from Baton Rouge is considering LSU, Texas A-and-M, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. He’s ranked as the sixth best running back in the Class of 2023 according to 24-7 sports.

The Pelicans Summer League team defeated the Atlanta Hawks 101-73 last night as las year’s first round pick, Trey Murphy, scored 30 points. But this year’s second round pick, E-J Liddell went down with a knee injury and will undergo an MRI. The team has already announced that first round pick Dyson Daniels will miss the rest of the Summer League with an ankle injury.

Lamar University has decided to return to the Southland Conference a year earlier than scheduled as the school in Beaumont says it will compete as a member of the Southland after spending last season in the WAC. This gives the Southland eight football-playing schools and ten overall as the league has bounced back after losing five teams including the Cardinals last year.

Former Grambling State volleyball coach Chelsey Lucas told 24-7 sports an effort from previous athletes she coached and current members of the Grambling volleyball team got together to get her fired. Lucas was terminated last week after she allegedly released all of the players on the team, a claim she denies in that 24-7 sports report.

In baseball, former LSU Tiger Josh Smith hit his first major league home run last night to help the Rangers outscore the As 10 to 8. It was an inside the park home run as hit in the sixth inning got past Oakland’s center fielder. Also former LSU Tiger Aaron Nola gave up five runs in seven innings as the Cardinals defeated the Phillies six to one.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Lafayette-based Waitr announces its transitioning to a new name… A-SAP. Spokesperson Dean Turcol says it’s reflective of their new business model – same day delivery of any type of goods, not just food, and you ‘ll receive it “as soon as possible.”
Cut 4 (09) “…products.”
Turcol says those products will include alcohol, clothing, sporting goods and auto parts.

Legislation signed by the governor urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to create a compeitive market for electric vehicle stations…
cut 8 (09) “…E-V charging business”
Jay Smith, executive director of Charge Ahead Partnership, says instead of just relying on power companies to build E-V stations around the state, grocery stores and fuel stations can also enter the market.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe will soon begin research and testing of legal medical cannabis and hemp grown in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Lawyers for a now Shreveport abortion clinic have filed a request for a Baton Rouge judge to block the state’s abortion ban. A New Orleans judge punted the matter to a Baton Rouge court. Judge Don Johnson will hear the case and he has scheduled a hearing for Monday.