2:30 LRN Newscast March 28

State lawmakers WILL hold a veto session to try to override Governor Edwards’ veto of the congressional map sent by lawmakers to his desk. The Governor rejected the map because it has no second majority minority congressional district. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says his chamber will likely take the first vote…:

CUT 13  (09)        “do the other.”

The House will need 70 votes from its 105 members to override a veto, and it will take 26 votes in the Senate. At least one Democrat in the House, Francis Thompson of Delhi, says he’ll vote to keep the northeastern Louisiana congressional district as it is.

A statewide poll of the 2023 Governor’s race shows Senator John Kennedy as the possible candidate getting the most support; 22-percent of the JMC Analytics survey. Pollster John Couvillon says Kennedy polls far better than Senator Bill Cassidy, which hurts the latter’s chances of election…:

CUT 04(07)      “…to run.”

 

After firing shots at a marked Monroe Police vehicle, four men are now behind bars. The incident happened Sunday morning and Monroe Police Chief Vic Zordan says all four are repeat offenders. Mayor Friday Ellis says he is all for reform and second chances, but these four need to be off the streets…:

CUT 08(10)      “…history of violence.”

All four suspects are between 18 and 21.

Are you feeling stressed? April is Stress Awareness Month and the website WalletHub.com rates Louisiana as Most-Stressed in America. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says a good part of that is our state offers very little health & support services for those dealing with stress…:

CUT 11(09)      “…very soon.”

So who is LEAST-Stressed? Utah. Who’d have guessed?

1:30 LRN Newscast March 28

Four men are behind bars after firing shots at a Monroe Police vehicle and the Police Chief Vic Zordan says they’ve had enough of repeat offenders. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics asked 600 likely voters last week who they would vote for governor in 2023 among eight different potential candidates and 14-percent of his respondents said they would support Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, who is well-liked by Democrats in Baton Rouge…

Cut 5 (08) “…build on that”

A survey by personal finance website Wallet Hub-dot-com has ranked Louisiana as the nation’s most stressed state. Louisiana ranks fifth-worst in hours worked, fourth in divorce rate and percentage of adults in poor health, second in people living in poverty, and no state has a higher overall crime rate. Affordable housing and job security are also big problems in the Bayou State says analyst Jill Gonzales.

Cut 10 (12) “…very rampant there.”

State lawmakers will hold a veto session as there will be an effort to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional District map approved in the redistricting session. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the override session will begin at noon on Wednesday…

Cut 12 (07) “…regular session.”

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed two new congressional maps approved by lawmakers. The maps maintain one majority-minority district while Edwards and Democrats believe the maps should have two Black majority districts because of an increase in the Black population.

12:30 LRN Newscast March 28

The veto session is officially on now, to override the governor’s veto of the Republican’s Congressional district map. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says if the override attempts fails, it’s doubtful Republicans will send a map to the governor that has an additional Black voting district…

Cut 15 (10)  “..the courts”

The session is expected to begin at noon on Wednesday.

According to the personal finance website Wallet Hub-dot-com, Louisiana is the nation’s most stressed state. The survey compares all 50 states across 41 key metrics and the numbers don’t look good says analyst Jill Gonzales.

Cut 9 (09) “…major categories.”

A statewide poll looking ahead to the 2023 governor’s race shows it’s wide open. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

 

And the state reports less than 100 COVID patients in Louisiana hospitals. Today’s total is 89.

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 28

The New Orleans Pelicans pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history in beating the Los Angeles Lakers 116-108 on Sunday night at the Smoothie King Center in front of a sold out crowd. New Orleans trailed by as many as 23 but outscored the Lakers 67-39 in the second half. The Pels had never won a game when trailing by at least 20 at the midway point. They were led by Brandon Ingram, who scored 26 points in 26 minutes, and Trey Murphy III, who dropped 16 points on 5-6 shooting in the third quarter to spark the comeback. Jonas Valanciunas added another double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Herb Jones finished with 16 points and a career-high six steals. New Orleans now holds the season tiebreaker over LA and the ninth spot in the West with seven games to go in the regular season.

The Pelicans also signed rookie guard Jose Alvarado to a four-year, $6.5 million contract. Alvarado, undrafted out of Georgia Tech, will get $3.4 million in guaranteed money over the next two years.

Former LSU Tiger Shaquille O’Neal can add one more thing to his impressive resume…Academy Award Winner. O’Neal and Warriors guard Stephen Curry were among the executive producers of the short documentary, “The Queen of Basketball” about the life of women’s basketball pioneer Lusia Harris, the first woman drafted by an NBA team.

The LSU football Tigers held their second spring practice on Saturday. Quarterback Myles Brennan says the attitude is completely different than when LSU ended last season against Kansas State in the Texas Bowl…

Cut 16 (20) “…has been awesome.”

LSU baseball bounced back in a big way after being routed by Florida in the first game of their weekend series. The Tigers took the final two games, outscoring the Gators 27-6 in the process and evening their conference record at 3-3.

The Men’s Final Four is set for next weekend in New Orleans, and bluebloods abound. Kansas will take on Villanova in one semifinal, the fourth appearance in NOLA for the Jayhawks, and North Carolina and Duke will meet for the first time in the NCAA tournament in the other semifinal.

And Louisiana Tech is expected to name Texas Tech assistant Talvin Hester as the school’s next men’s basketball coach.

11:30 LRN Newscast March 28

A statewide poll looking ahead to the next governor’s race shows it’s wide open. Pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics asked 600 likely voters last week who they would vote for in 2023 among eight different potential candidates and Republican Senator John Kennedy received the most support at 22-percent

Cut 3 (10) “…all three”

 

After shooting at a marked Monroe police car early Sunday morning, four men are behind bars and while no one was hurt, Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says less than one percent of residents are causing 100-percent of the problems in the community. Ellis vowed to make sure those responsible will go away for a long time and that the 4th JDC does its job.

Cut 7 (12) “…to continue.” 

We are expecting to learn today that state lawmakers will hold another veto session as they will attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature last month. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it will take 70 votes in the House and 20 votes in the Senate to override the veto and there are 68 Republicans in the House

Cut 13 (12) “..Congressional map “

The veto session would begin Wednesday, and the regular session would be temporarily halted.

The state reports a decline in applications from people looking to be a state worker. According to the Advocate newspaper, the percentage of applicants for state jobs has dropped 52 percent over the last two years. Louisiana’s Director of State Civil Service says the pandemic has changed people’s views of work.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 28

After firing shots at a marked Monroe Police vehicle, four men are now behind bars. Police Chief Vic Zordan says while no one was injured early Sunday morning shooting, it does have their full attention and the four men are no strangers to law enforcement.

 Cut 6  (11) “…that’s a fact.” 

The driver Xavian Bilton faces attempted first-degree murder charges and along with the remaining passengers they all face illegal possession of a firearm and controlled substance charges.

Official word is expected today on whether state lawmakers will hold a veto override session in attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Governor Edwards is ready to defend his veto of the map that features one majority Black district….

cut 14 (08) “…and see”
The veto session would begin Wednesday.

Louisiana is losing population in MOST of its parishes. U.S. Census Bureau data shows our state lost over 27-thousand residents between July 2020 and July 2021.  Dr. Allison Plyer is chief demographer with The Data Center in New Orleans. She says the pandemic accounts for some of the diminishing numbers…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…55,000.”

The worst losses were in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes.

In an effort to recruit teachers Delhi Representative Francis Thompson files The Geaux Teach Fund to provide scholarships annually for students to pursue careers in education and would be administered through the Department of Education…

Cut 12 (09) “…number of teachers.”

The legislation is heading to the House floor.

9:30 LRN Newscast March 28

In Monroe, four men have been arrested after shooting at a marked police patrol vehicle early Sunday morning. The driver of the vehicle that fired on the patrol unit, has been identified as 19-year old Xavian Bilton, he was taken into custody after a high-speed chase, along with three passengers.

Our state is losing population. Kevin Gallagher reports on new census data showing 27-thousand fewer residents than just one year before…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

We are expecting to learn this officially morning that state lawmakers will hold another veto session to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature last month. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says if the veto override attempts fails, it’s doubtful Republicans will send a map to the governor that has an additional Black voting district…

Cut 15 (10)  “..the courts”

In two weeks, the film 57 Seconds starring Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and the Hunger Game’s Josh Hutcherson will begin filming in Lafayette. President of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority Mandi Mitchell says it’s based on E. C. Tubb’s science fiction work Fallen Angel.

Cut 7 (08) “…and morality.”

The production is expected to spend $8.5 million in the city and create 500 jobs.

 

8:30 LRN Newscast

With a growing shortage of teachers, the Louisiana Legislature looks for ways to generate a new wave of educators. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.”

And we are also seeing a decline in applications from people looking to be state worker. According to the Advocate newspaper, the percentage of applicants for state jobs has dropped 52 percent over the last two years. Louisiana’s Director of State Civil Service says the pandemic has changed people’s views of work.

New census data finds the state lost 27-thousand people from April 2020 to July 2021. Chief Demographer for the Data Center in New Orleans Allison Player, says there’s a lack of people moving into the state and the population is dropping because of a variety of reasons…
cut 6 (09) “….decreases in birth rates”
A few parishes actually grew. St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston, Ascension, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, and Lafayette parishes saw slight population growth.

A film called 57 seconds starring Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and the Hunger Game’s Josh Hutcherson will begin filming in Lafayette in two weeks. The production will shoot in multiple locations including the Cajundome. Lafayette Economic Development Authority President Mandi Mitchell on making sure locals get an opportunity to work on the set…
Cut 8 (12) “…productions.”

7:30 LRN Newscast March 28

We are expecting to learn this morning state lawmakers will hold another veto session as they will attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map approved by the Republican-led Legislature. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it will take 70 votes in the House and there are 68 Republicans in the House
Cut 13 (12) “..Congressional map “
The veto session would begin Wednesday and the regular session would be temporarily halted.

The latest Census numbers show significant population loss for southwest Louisiana with Calcasieu and Cameron Parish seeing at least a five-percent population decline from 2020 to 2021. Doctor Allison Plyer, chief demographer of the Data Center in New Orleans, says the area is looking at a slow recovery after Hurricane Laura destroyed hundreds of homes…

cut5 (07) “….safe place to live”

State lawmakers are looking at ways to address the teacher shortage as Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says they need about 25-hundred teachers. Brumley supports a bill called the Geaux Teach Fund that would provide scholarship dollars to college students who are studying to become a teacher…
cut 11 (10) “…..career in education”
The legislation is heading to the House floor after it was approved by House Education.

A movie called 57 seconds starring Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and the Hunger Game’s Josh Hutcherson will begin filming in Lafayette in two weeks. President of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority Mandi Mitchell says they are looking for workers…
cut 9 (12) “….lafayette-dot-org”

6:45 LRN Sportscast March 28

It was a big weekend for the LSU baseball Tigers as they took two of three from ninth-ranked Florida. The Bayou Bengals lost Friday night seven to two but came back to win Saturday 16 to 4 and 11 to two yesterday. Brayden Jobert hit two home runs and drove in five runs on Sunday.

Louisiana Tech is tied for first place in Conference USA after completing a sweep of FIU with a 13 to two win. Cole McConnell homered and drove in five runs.

The Ragin Cajuns and ULM took two of three from their opponents over the weekend. The Warhawks lost to Georgia State eight to five on Sunday, while the Cajuns doubled up South Alabama six to three as Carson Roccaforte has homered four times in four games.

Southern defeated Grambling 11 to 5 yesterday to take the series. Both teams are 3-and-3 in the SWAC. Nicholls swept Southeastern Louisiana and the Colonels lead the Southland with a 3-0 record.

LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan says he physically feels really good after missing all of 2021 season with a non-throwing arm injury. Brennan is back for his sixth season at LSU and he’s battling Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels for starting quarterback. Brennan says battling for playing time is nothing new for him…
cut 17 (19) “….competition as well”

Ragin Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says his quarterbacks didn’t play well in a scrimmage on Saturday as they look to replace longtime starter Levi Lewis.

In basketball news, The Pelicans rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 116 to 108 last night to move into ninth place in the Western Conference Standings. The Final Four in New Orleans is set. On Saturday it will be Kansas versus Villanova and North Carolina against Duke.