8:30 LRN Newscast

Amazon is investing 12-billion dollars in northwest Louisiana as the technology company plans to build three A-I data centers in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. This would result in 540 permanent jobs. Data centers use large amounts of water and they also need a lot of power to operate. But Governor Jeff Landry says Amazon has told the state officials’ power bills will not go up…

Cut 6 (08) “…these projects”

Landry says Amazon Web Services also plans to invest 400-million dollars in public water infrastructure.

The Louisiana Lottery says it has now transferred five-billion dollars to the state treasury that’s used to fund public schools….

Cut 13 (08) “…from ticket sales”

Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher says state law requires that 35-percent of Louisiana Lottery revenues must go towards public education.

 

If another Mississippi River Bridge is built in the Baton Rouge area, one state lawmaker believes it should be named after President Trump. Monroe Republican Representative Michael Echols says if his legislation is approved, the proposed bridge that would be built south of the current Mississippi River Bridge would be named the “President Donald J. Trump Expressway.”

Cut 7 (10) “…get that done.”

Cost is a big hurdle when it comes to building a bridge that would connect LA-Highway One in Iberville Parish to LA Highway 30. The projected price tag is three billion dollars.

An elevated fire danger exists once again today because of dry and windy conditions. Fire officials say they contained a wildfire near South Beauregard High School. According to Ward Six Fire, the blaze started when someone driving on the highway lost a wheel and the wheel was hot enough to the start a fire in the dry grass along the road.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Big economic development news in northwest Louisiana. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (34) “….I’m Colleen Crain”

Governor Landry has asked the U-S Department of Education to expand its investigation of diversity, equity and inclusion practices at the state’s higher education board to also include all public colleges and universities. Earlier this month, the federal government began looking into whether the Board of Regents violated the Civil Rights Act by calling on public universities to increase the number of underrepresented minorities.

 

There’s been a desire for a long time to build a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, but finding the funding for the projected three-billion dollar project has been difficult. A state lawmaker has come up with a idea that could lead to the necessary federal funds and that is name the new bridge after President Donald Trump….

Cut 9 (12) “….done for Louisiana”

That is Monroe Representative Michael Echols who has filed a bill calling on the proposed bridge to be named after the current president.

The Louisiana Lottery announces it has given public education in Louisiana more than five billion dollars. When the Louisiana Lottery Corporation was created 35 years ago, state lawmakers said 35-percent of lotto revenue must go to K-through-12 schools..

Cut 14 (11) “…Minimum Foundation Program”

That’s Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team returns to Alex Box Stadium tonight where they will host McNeese. The Tigers are ranked number one in three different polls. The Cowboys are coming off a tough road trip to Kansas where they were swept by the Jayhawks and only scored five runs. First pitch is at 6:30.

ULM is 3-and-5 and they will host Grambling tonight. The Warhawks team ERA is 5.43 and first year coach Ford Pemberton says it’s not the time for his pitchers to make mechanical changes, but they can pitch with a stronger mindset…

Cut 26 (13) “…best baseball is ahead”

Also tonight, La Tech hosts Northwestern State. Bulldogs first baseman Trey Hawsey is the Conference USA hitter of the week after batting .636 this past weekend in Memphis. And the Ragin Cajuns begin a two-game midweek series against Kansas State tonight.

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In Southland Conference basketball last night, UNO upset Stephen F Austin on its home floor, knocking off the Lumberjacks 77 to 73. Meanwhile, McNeese beat UTRGV 75 to 68 to move within one game of S-F-A who leads the Southland. Also last night, Northwestern State downed UIW 54 to 49 and Nicholls edged Lamar 53-52.

In the NBA…Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray makes his season debut tonight as New Orleans hosts Golden State. Murray missed nearly 13 months after tearing his Achilles tendon and he says he feels great…

Cut 27 (11) “….I’m excited”

Murray played in 31 games last season for New Orleans and averaged 17.5 and seven assists a contest. Tip off is at 7 PM.

6:30 LRN Newscast February 24

Amazon has selected Louisiana to invest 12-billion dollars for a data center campus. The campus is being built in northwest Louisiana in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Governor Landry says it’s believed to be the biggest single investment by a company in the history of northwest Louisiana – as well as one of the most important.

Cut 4 (10) “…and digital infrastructure.”

Landry says these three data centers will create thousands of jobs.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson is proposing stiffer penalties for students convicted of making threats towards a school. Prison time could be anywhere from two to 15 years…

Cut 17 (14) “…consequences”

Johnson’s legislation will be heard in the upcoming legislative session.

A state lawmaker has come up with a plan to get the federal government to help pay for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge — and that is to name it after President Trump.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

LSU sophomore Kailin Chio is one of the top gymnasts in the country. She scored two 10s in last week’s meet against Oklahoma, even though she didn’t think her vault, which received a perfect score was that great…

Cut 10 (13) “…the other ones”

2nd ranked LSU hosts 3rd ranked Alabama on Friday.

LRN AM Newscall February 24

An announcement so big in Shreveport that Governor Landry was the one to make it. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A state lawmaker has come up with a plan to get the federal government to help pay for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge — and that is to name it after President Trump. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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As the Louisiana Lottery celebrates one milestone, it celebrates a second milestone. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Amazon has selected Louisiana to invest 12-billion dollars for a data center campus. The campus is being built in northwest Louisiana in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Governor Landry says it’s believed to be the biggest single investment by a company in the history of northwest Louisiana – as well as one of the most important.

Cut 4 (10) “…and digital infrastructure.”

Landry says these three data centers will create thousands of jobs.

Cut 5 (12) “…in northwest Louisiana.” (applause fades)

Among them are 540 on-site jobs that pay salaries that are 50-percent higher than the state average.

One of the most controversial aspects of data centers is all the electricity that’s required to power them and the effects that it may have on residents’ utility bills. Landry said Amazon is taking care of all of that.

Cut 6 (08) “…for these projects.”

Construction is expected to begin immediately.

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If another Mississippi River Bridge is built in the Baton Rouge area, one state lawmaker believes it should be named after President Trump. Monroe Republican Representative Michael Echols says if his legislation is approved, the proposed bridge that would be built south of the current Mississippi River Bridge would be named the “President Donald J. Trump Expressway.”

Cut 7 (10) “…get that done.”

Cost is a big hurdle when it comes to building a bridge that would connect LA-Highway One in Iberville Parish to LA Highway 30. Echols says if Louisiana commits to naming the bridge after the President, there’s a better chance it will happen.

Cut 8 (12) “…this thing built.”

Echols says U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson loves the concept and sent it to the White House. A new bridge could cost as much as three-billion dollars. Echols says most of the funding will need to come from the federal government; so if naming the bridge after President Trump gets it done, why not do it?

Cut 9 (12)  “…done for Louisiana.”

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Sophomore Kailin Chio is becoming the next great female athlete at LSU. The All-American from Nevada became the first gymnast this year to score two perfect 10s at the same meet, as she accomplished the feat last Friday against top-ranked Oklahoma. Chio had a perfect score on beam and vault, but she believes she’s had better vaults this season.

Cut 10 (13) “…the other ones.”

Chio has scored four perfect 10s through seven meets so far this season, moving her total to five in her career. Chio was the SEC Freshman of the Year last year; and she’s having a sensational sophomore season, as she’s won 22 event titles, which is one shy of the 23 she had last year. Head coach Jay Clark says Chio is performing at a high level.

Cut 11 (12) “…her to be.”

LSU failed to beat Oklahoma last Friday; but it was the Tigers highest road score of the season, and they are still ranked second in the country. LSU is a national title contender again this year, but Clark says they can’t rely on Chio to keep scoring 10s.

Cut 12 (11) “…scores up there.”

Second-ranked LSU will host third-ranked Alabama Friday night and will also compete Sunday at the Raising Cane’s River Center against three other teams — Alabama, Arizona and North Carolina.

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As the Louisiana Lottery celebrates one milestone this year, it’s now celebrating a second milestone. In its 35th year, the Louisiana Lottery has eclipsed five-billion dollars in revenue transfers to Louisiana’s Minimum Foundation Program, which dedicates the money to K-through-12 education. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says the lottery has been very popular through the years.

Cut 13 (08)  “…from ticket sales.”

As part of its deal with the state, the Louisiana Lottery is required by law to transfer about 35-percent of its revenue to the state’s Minimum Foundation Program. Maher says they came very close to the milestone in the last fiscal year.

Cut 14 (11) “…Minimum Foundation Program.”

Speaking of “billion,” Maher says those Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots that hit the “B” mark may have had something to do with crossing the five-billion-dollar transfer threshold to the Minimum Foundation Program.

Cut 15 (10) “…really big jackpots.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

Amazon has selected Louisiana to invest 12-billion dollars for a data center campus. The campus is being built in northwest Louisiana in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Governor Landry says it’s believed to be the biggest single investment by a company in the history of northwest Louisiana – as well as one of the most important.

Cut 4 (10) “…and digital infrastructure.”

Landry says these three data centers will create thousands of jobs.

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in multiple arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lt. Blake Tabor says those arrested range in ages 25 to 59.

Cut 13 (10) “…this case.”

Tabor says The coordinated operation led to the recovery about 70 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly one pound of Heroin and Fentanyl.

 

One state lawmaker wants to put a stop to threats being made against schools. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

One more cold night as we’ll see low temperatures tomorrow morning get below freezing for a large portion of the state. But we’ll see warmer temperatures the rest of the week. It will remain windy too and mostly dry, which means an elevated risk of wild and brushfires.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The top-ranked LSU baseball team improved its record to 8-0 with three wins in Jacksonville this past weekend. Coach Jay Johnson likes the approach his players are taking to every game…

Cut 18 (16)  “…do that.”

LSU hosts McNeese on Tuesday.

The LSU women’s basketball team moved up to No. 6 in this week’s AP Top 25. LSU climbed up one spot after picking up wins over 19th-ranked Ole Miss and Missouri last week. The Lady Tigers will host Tennessee on Thursday for Senior Night.

Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray is set to make his season debut tomorrow against the Golden State Warriors. Murray has spent the past year recovering from an Achilles tear that he suffered on Jan. 31 of last year.

Louisiana Tech sophomore first baseman Trey Hawsey was named Conference USA Hitter of the Week after batting .636 at the Grind City Classic in Memphis this weekend. Hawsey had two doubles and one homer with 5 RBIs. The Bulldogs won all three of their games in Memphis and will host Northwestern State on Tuesday.

UL-Lafayette completed a three-game sweep of Maryland with a 15-inning win over the Terrapins. The Cajuns will host Kansas State on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

The McNeese men’s basketball team will host Texas Rio Grande Valley tonight at 6:30 p.m. The Cowboys sit second in the Southland and two games behind Stephen F. Austin.

UNO looks to win its third straight game tonight as the Privateers are at Stephen F. Austin. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m.

Nicholls looks to get back in the win streak tonight as the Colonels are in Texas to face Lamar at 6 p.m.

4:30 LRN Newscast

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in six arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lieutenant Blake Tabor says the coordinated operation also resulted in the recovery of significant quantities of other dangerous narcotics.

Cut 12 (06) “…if you will.”

The six people arrested range in ages 25 to 59 and live in Houma, Gray and Schriever.

A state lawmaker has filed a bill aimed at putting a stop to school threats. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill would increase the penalties for terrorizing and menacing schools – and parents would be held financially responsible. Johnson says there would be certain instances where parents could face even more severe consequences.

Cut 9 (10)  “…them criminally liable.”

The windy conditions over the last couple days have kept firefighters very busy. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says when you add a lack of significant rainfall, that’s made it impossible to safely burn anything.

Cut 6 (10) “…on the ground.”

Yesterday, that led to several massive fires, including one in St. Tammany Parish that burned along Interstate 12. That fire jumped the freeway, forcing it to shut down in both directions.

The National Weather Service had issued a Red Flag Warning until six p-m. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Efferson says even if there’s no Red Flag Warning in effect, it’s still not a good idea to be burning anything under any circumstances.

Cut 4 (10) “…very simple things.”

LRN PM Newscall February 23

Dry and windy conditions have increased the fire danger for Louisiana. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has more..

Cut 1 (35) “…statewide.”

____________________________________________

One state lawmaker wants to put a stop to threats being made against schools. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The National Weather Service has issued another Red Flag Warning for all of southeast Louisiana today. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Efferson says the warning is in effect until six this evening.

Cut 3 (06) “…and spread quickly.”

Efferson says as such – and as witnessed yesterday in St. Tammany and Livingston parishes – today is not the day to be burning anything under any circumstances.

Cut 4 (10) “…very simple things.”

Efferson says you really shouldn’t use a charcoal grill today either; but if you do, make sure you take every precaution necessary.

Cut 5 (06) “…yard for sure.”

Wildfires are also a problem in northwest Louisiana. Caddo Parish under a strict burn ban due to severe drought and high wildfire risks.

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The Red Flag Warning comes a day after high winds and dry conditions whipped up several fires throughout the state. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the conditions yesterday made it impossible to be burning anything.

Cut 6 (10) “…on the ground.”

Yesterday, there were several hundred acres that were burning along I-12 in St. Tammany Parish, and Strain says the fire jumped the Interstate, forcing it to be shut down in both directions.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the Interstate.”

Strain says the St. Tammany fire was by no means the only fire burning yesterday.

Cut 8 (09) “…and Gum Swamp.”

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A state lawmaker has filed a bill aimed at putting a stop to school threats. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill would increase the penalties for terrorizing and menacing schools – and parents would be held financially responsible. Johnson says there would be certain instances where parents could face even more severe consequences.

Cut 9 (10)  “…them criminally liable.”

Johnson says under his bill, all students will know about the state law and the consequences surrounding it – all in a way that they can understand.

Cut 10 (15) “…have severe consequences.”

Johnson says school threats are being posted online in increasing numbers in recent years, including a string of them in Rapides Parish last year, and he wants to put a stop to it.

Cut 11 (14) “…your parents responsible.”

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A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in six arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lt. Blake Tabor says the coordinated operation also resulted in the recovery of significant quantities of other dangerous narcotics…

Cut 12 (06) “…if you will.”

The six people arrested range in ages 25 to 59 and live in Houma, Gray and Schriever. Tabor says if you choose to deal narcotics in Terrebonne, the sheriff’s office will identify you, and build a case that leads to your arrest and conviction…

Cut 13 (10) “…this case.”

Tabor says information provided by concerned citizens helped spark the investigation…

Cut 14 (07) “…what happened.”

3:30 PM LRN Newscast

A year-long narcotics investigation in Terrebonne Parish has resulted in six arrests and the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the sheriff’s office. Lt. Blake Tabor says information provided by concerned citizens helped spark the investigation…

Cut 14 (07) “…what happened.”

The six people that were arrested were from 25 to 59 years old. Tabor says the investigation is ongoing and they are exhausting every lead.

After serving about 6 weeks in his position, Former Louisiana Surgeon General, Dr. Ralph Abraham, has stepped down from his position as Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control. The agency says Dr. Abraham’s decision to resign was due to unforeseen family obligations. Abraham began his duties at the beginning of the year after being sworn in by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in mid-December.

Dry and windy conditions have increased the fire danger for Louisiana. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has more..

Cut 1 (35) “…statewide.”

Damaging wildfires burned around the state yesterday including hundreds of acres in St. Tammany Parish along I-12. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Mike Strain, says the fire jumped the Interstate, forcing it to be shut down in both directions.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the Interstate.”