10:30 LRN Newscast May 25

New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard says he’s receiving death threats over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays in Louisiana. Willard says authorities are investigating a voice mail his office received…

Cut 6  (07) “…executed” 

Williard made that statement minutes before a Senate committee approved his legislation, sending the House-backed measure to the Senate floor.

A St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputy was shot this morning and the suspect is 13-years old. Officials says Deputy Kenneth Doby was on patrol when he answered a call of a suspected burglary. Doby was shot as he exited his unit by the teen who he believed was the suspect. Before Doby was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, he was able to apprehend the suspect.

Ochsner Baton Rouge adds to its list of innovative procedures with a new method for repairing a torn ACL.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

There’s now a program through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security so individuals can sponsor a Ukrainian that’s been displaced. David Aguillard with Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Baton Rouge says while it’s a rewarding experience it comes with a big responsibility.

Cut 12 (05) “…help Ukraine.” 

Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website for more information.

 

9:30 LRN Newscast May 25

A Senate-passed bill to roll back Louisiana’s 2016 “Raise the Age” law clears another legislative hurdle. On Tuesday, Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill won approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee. He says he brought the bill at the request of local district attorneys…:

Cut 8 (15)  “…committing these crimes.”

The bill now heads to the House.

Congressman Troy Carter accompanied the US Secretary of Energy on her trip to Louisiana Tuesday, the tour included GE’s Wind Turbine facility at the Michoud Assembly in New Orleans. Carter says it’s important to show how Louisiana is using resources to create green energy.

Cut 4 (12)  “…the White House.”

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many have expressed interest in assisting those displaced by the war. A recently approved $40-billion aid package will allow Americans to sponsor a Ukrainian family through the “Uniting Ukraine” program. David Aguillard with Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Baton Rouge says this is a unique opportunity.

Cut 10 (07) “…experience.”

Potential sponsors must apply to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

An innovative new surgery for repairing a torn ACL, has come to Louisiana. Ochsner Baton Rouge Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Dr. Jeremy Burnham, the first surgeon in the region to perform the less-invasive procedure, says it has produced very exciting results.

Cut 14 (07)  “…long term outcomes.”

Roughly 400-thousand ACL injuries occur annually in the US.

8:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard says he’s receiving death threats over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays in Louisiana. Willard says authorities are investigating a voice mail his office received…
cut 6 (07) “…executed”
Williard made that statement minutes before a Senate committee approved his legislation, sending the House-backed measure to the Senate floor.

The House Criminal Justice Committee has voted for a bill that would result in violent 17-year-old offenders being housed at adult prisons instead of a juvenile detention center. Ouachita Parish Senator Stewart Cathey says the problem of teens committing serious crimes knows no political favoritism, with Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and a Democrat DA supporting the bill…
cut 9 (14) “….out of this committee”

U-S Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm toured a Strategic Petroleum Reserve site in Iberville Parish yesterday. Congressman Troy Carter accompanied the energy secretary as there’s been a lot of focus on petroleum reserve sites with record-high prices at the pump. Carter says the tour was illuminating…
cut 5 (10) “….professionals”

Louisiana families interested in helping Ukraine refugees can now do so through the “Uniting Ukraine” program. David Aguillard with Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Baton Rouge says sponsors will help families or individuals acclimate to the community and teach them things like how to shop at Walmart, how to enroll in school, or make doctor appointments.
Cut 11 (10) “…adequate housing.”
For more information go to U-S-C-I-S-dot-gov-slash ukraine.

7:30 LRN newscast

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff deputy Kenneth Doby is hospitalized after he was shot overnight while patrolling in the area of Highway 21 and Highway 1083 in Waldheim. Sheriff Randy Smith says a 13-year-old male suspect is in custody. Deputy Kenneth Doby was in the area after a call came in for a suspected burglary at a business.

The Senate-approved bill that would allow the state to put violent 17-year-old criminals in with adult prisoners clears another legislative hurdle. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

U-S Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited a Strategic Petroleum Reserve site in Iberville Parish and General Electric’s wind blade testing plant at the Michoud facility in New Orleans east. Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says Louisiana is poised to be a leader in wind turbine energy with the plant strategically located near major ports and just offshore from a proposed wind farm in the Gulf.
Cut 6 (09) “…green source.”

A new way to repair a torn A-C-L in a person’s knee is being performed at Ochsner medical facilities in south Louisiana. Instead of using a tendon from the patient’s own body to replace the torn ligament, Ochsner Baton Rouge Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Doctor Jeremy Burnham is using bioengineered material that provides an environment for the torn ligament ends to reattach themselves…
cut 15 (12) “…really promising”
The new procedure is still in clinical trials.

6:45 LRN Sportscast May 25

Because of rain, LSU’s scheduled game tonight in the SEC Baseball Tournament has been pushed back until tomorrow morning. So Tigers Coach Jay Johnson will have to wait one more day before he makes his debut in a tournament he calls one of college baseball’s great showcases…
cut 20 (17) “….outside of Omaha”
The plan was to play four single-elimination games yesterday, but only three were played because of the weather. 11th seeded Alabama upset sixth-seeded Georgia five to three, seventh-seeded Florida edged South Carolina two to one in ten innings and 8th seeded Vanderbilt defeated 9th seeded Ole Miss 3-1. LSU will play the winner of this morning’s game between Auburn and Kentucky tomorrow morning at 9:30.

Louisiana Tech opens play in the Conference USA baseball tournament this afternoon against Charlotte. The Bulldogs are seeking their second consecutive NCAA tournament bid. Coach Lane Burroughs believes Tech has done all it can to earn a spot in the field, but winning a few more games can’t hurt.
Cut 16 (17) “…leave no doubt.”
The Bulldogs and the 49ers will get underway at 12:30 in Hattiesburg.

10th seeded ULM rallied from a three-run deficit to beat seventh-seeded Georgia State eight to five yesterday in a single-elimination game. Chase DeJean drove in three runs, including the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on a squeeze bunt. The Warhawks will face top-seeded Texas State tonight.

At 4 Pm today, The Ragin Cajuns will battle South Alabama. U-L Lafayette will send southpaw Brandon Talley to the mound.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A Senate-passed bill to roll back Louisiana’s 2016 “Raise the age” law clears another legislative hurdle. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill won approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee. He says his legislation would only apply to youthful offenders who commit violent crimes, like murder, assault, battery rape and armed robbery…:
Cut 7 (06) “…within 24 hours.”
The “Raise the Age” law passed in 2016; keeps 17-year-old offenders from being imprisoned with adult inmates. Cathey’s bill calls for an evaluation of 17-year-old offenders to see if they need to be in juvenile detention, or sent to the adult population.

An innovative new surgery for repairing a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, has come to Louisiana. Ochsner Baton Rouge Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Dr. Jeremy Burnham says this method heals the ligament rather than replacing it.
Cut 13 (10) “…with something new.”
Burnham is the first surgeon in the region to utilize the Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair Implant, known as BEAR.

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm was in the Bayou State yesterday to see how Louisiana is a major contributor to energy.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LRN AM Newscall May 25

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm toured the Bayou State Tuesday to see how the state is a major contributor to energy. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________

The Senate-approved bill that would allow the state to put violent 17-year-old criminals in with adult prisoners clears another legislative hurdle. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_____________________________________

Ochsner Baton Rouge adds to its list of innovative procedures with a new method for repairing a torn ACL. David Grubb has the details…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

____________________________________

Congressman Troy Carter accompanied US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on her trip to Louisiana Tuesday, touring the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Bayou Choctaw and GE’s Wind Turbine facility at the Michoud Assembly in New Orleans. Carter says it’s important to show how Louisiana is using resources to create green energy.

Cut 4 (12)  “…the White House.”

There’s been a lot of focus on petroleum reserve sites recently as the Russian invasion of Ukraine is causing record-high prices at the pump. Carter says the tour of the reserve in Plaquemine’s Parish was illuminating.

Cut 5 (10) “…professionals.”

Carter says Louisiana is poised to be a leader in wind turbine energy with the plant strategically located near major ports and just offshore to proposed wind turbine placement in the Gulf.

Cut 6 (09)  “…green source.”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Congressman Garret Graves also accompanied Granholm on her tour.

________________________________________

A Senate-passed bill to roll back Louisiana’s 2016 “Raise the age” law clears another legislative hurdle. On Tuesday, Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill won approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee. He says his SB 418 would only apply to youthful offenders who commit serious or violent crimes, like murder, assault, battery rape and armed robbery…:

Cut 7 (06) “…within 24 hours.”

The so-called “Raise the Age” law was passed in 2016; keeping 17-year-old offenders from being imprisoned with adult jail inmates. Cathey’s bill allows for an evaluation of 17-year-old offenders to see if they need to be in juvenile detention, or sent to adult population. He says he brought the bill at the request of local district attorneys…:

Cut 8 (15)  “…committing these crimes.”

Opponents feel putting juveniles in with adult criminals will only make them harder to reach and rehabilitate. Cathey says the problem of teens committing serious crimes knows no political favoritism, with a Republican Attorney General and a Democrat DA agreeing the bill is needed…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…out of this committee.”

By a vote of 6 FOR and 5 AGAINST, the bill cleared the committee and heads now for full House debate and what could be final passage.

________________________________________

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many have expressed interest in assisting those displaced by the war. A recently approved $40-billion aid package will allow Americans to sponsor a Ukrainian family through the “Uniting Ukraine” program. David Aguillard with Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Baton Rouge says this is a unique opportunity.

Cut 10 (07) “…experience.”

Aguillard says sponsors will help families or individuals acclimate to the community and teach them things like how to shop at Walmart, how to enroll in school, or make medical appointments.

Cut  11 (10)  “…adequate housing.” 

Potential sponsors must apply to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and complete a background check. Aguillard says while it’s a rewarding experience it comes with a big responsibility.

Cut 12 (05) “…help Ukraine.” 

_______________________________________

An innovative new surgery for repairing a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, has come to Louisiana. Ochsner Baton Rouge Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Dr. Jeremy Burnham says this method is about healing the ligament rather than replacing it.

Cut 13 (10) “…with something new.”

Burnham is the first surgeon in the region to utilize the Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair Implant, known as BEAR. The less-invasive procedure has produced very exciting results.

Cut 14 (07)  “…long term outcomes.”

Roughly 400,000 ACL injuries occur each year in the US and Burnham says there hasn’t been a tremendous amount of advancement in dealing with this injury. At least not until now.

Cut 15 (12)  “…really promising.”

___________________________________________

Louisiana Tech opens play in the Conference USA baseball tournament this afternoon against Charlotte. The Bulldogs are seeking their second consecutive NCAA tournament bid. Coach Lane Burroughs believes Tech has done all it can to earn a spot in the field, but winning a few more games can’t hurt.

Cut 16 (17)  “…leave no doubt.”

For the second year in a row, Louisiana Tech will open the Conference USA tournament facing the team it closed the season against. The Bulldogs beat UTSA in the first round last season and are looking for a similar outcome against Charlotte this year. Here’s Coach Lane Burroughs…

Cut 17 (15) “ …just played them.” 

______________________________________________

LSU begins its quest for a 13th SEC tournament title this weekend in Hoover, Alabama. The Tigers enter the tourney coming off a sweep of Vanderbilt and with a chance to host an NCAA regional. Coach Jay Johnson says playing in the SEC requires postseason-type focus all season long, and that mentality will carry over in LSU’s approach to the tournament.

Cut 18 (19) “ …element of competing.” 

The Tigers hosting a regional is almost as much of a summer tradition as crawfish boils or hurricane parties, and both the team and its fans would love to see that tradition continue. However, Coach Johnson says the focus is on getting better each game, not where it’s played.

Cut 19 (12) _“…and really improve.” 

Though this will be Johnson’s first SEC Tournament, he’s followed it each year from afar. Johnson says the combination of talented teams, tradition, and the stakes, make it one of college baseball’s truly great showcases.

Cut 20 (17) “ …outside of Omaha.” 

___________________________________________

5:30 LRN Newscast May 24

A Senate committee approved a House-backed measure Tuesday to allow non-felons over the age of 21 years to conceal carry a weapon without needing a permit or the training to obtain a permit. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed a similar bill last year and Tom Costanza, executive director of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops also opposes it…

Cut 9 (09) “…workplaces.”

But Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka says allowing for concealed carry without a permit will not lead to more gun violence…

Cut 10 (10) ” ….few issues” 

A bill to remove Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee days from the list of state holidays in Louisiana is expected to pass in the Senate, after approval in the House. While the holidays have not been observed in years but are still on the books.

House Bill 1083, also known as the CROWN Act, is on its way to the Senate after receiving overwhelming passage in the House. The bill, authored by New Orleans Representative Candace Newell, prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture, natural hairstyles, and protective hairstyles. It passed after no debate on a 74-24 vote.

Cut 12 (10) “…beyond excited.”  

After years of presenting legislation to ban handheld cellphone use, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill is finally closer to becoming law.  House Bill 376 passed in the House on a 55 to 38 vote. Huval says a number of lawmakers helped amend the legislation, which makes it a better bill, for example…

Cut 6  (11) “…goes away.” 

4:45 LRN Sportscast May 24

Rainy weather has pushed back some start times at the SEC baseball tournament in Hoover, Alabama. So far just one game has been completed, with Alabama topping Georgia 5-3 this morning. LSU was slated to play the winner of tonight’s game between Kentucky and Auburn, but that has been postponed until noon tomorrow, leaving the Tigers in limbo for the time being. However, delays don’t change the Tigers’ goals and outfielder Dylan Crews says they’ve come to Hoover on a mission.

Cut 18 (20) “…ready for it.”

—

ULM lives to fight another day after coming from two runs down to stun Georgia State, 8-5 in the Sun Belt tournament. The WarHawks will face top-seeded Texas State tomorrow night.

—

In other college baseball action, fifth-seeded Tulane lost to Cincinnati 8-1 in their American Conference tournament opener. The Wave will take on either South Florida or East Carolina tomorrow afternoon in an elimination game. Tulane has lost six of its last seven games.

The SWAC tourney opens tomorrow with Southern and Grambling holding the top two seeds in the West. The Tigers will take on Bethune-Cookman while the Jags square off with Jackson State.

Louisiana Tech takes on Charlotte in the first round of the Conference USA tournament tomorrow as well. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30.

The best-of-three Southland tournament championship series starts on Thursday between second-seeded Southeastern and top-seed McNeese in Lake Charles.

—

Zachary High School quarterback Eli Holstein announced his verbal commitment to play for Alabama as a member of the Class of 2023. Holstein was originally committed to Texas A&M and is rated as a four-star prospect and threw for 32-hundred yards with 30 touchdowns last season.

—

4:30 LRN Newscast May 24

With hurricane season set to officially begin in a little over a week, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration – aka NOAA – predicts another “active” season, with from 16-to-21 named storms. They expect 6-to-10 of those to be major hurricanes. Here’s NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad…:

CUT 03  (11)        “…111 miles per hour.”

FEMA officials strongly urge us all to start making storm preparations as soon as possible.

A bill that would ban discriminating against someone because they wear a popular or ethnic hairstyle passes the full House and moves to the Senate. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says this issue impacts not only Black men and women in the state, but cuts across all demographics in some way…:

CUT 14(12)      “…of our citizens.”

 

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s legislation to ban handheld cellphone use moves closer to becoming law.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The state moves closer to officially purging Confederate themed holidays from state law. It’s been many years since Confederate Memorial Day or Robert E. Lee’s Birthday were observed, but they ARE still on the books. A bill to do that has passed the full House and moves over to the Senate. Little opposition is expected.