03.04.22
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6:45 LRN Sportscast March 4

Saints G-M Mickey Loomis told reporters at the Draft Combine in Indianapolis that there’s a sense of urgency to find a starting quarterback. Loomis says free-agent Jameis Winston is a potential option and hopes Winston is an option for them. NFL free agency begins March 16th.

In conference basketball tournament action, the Ragin Cajuns men’s team advanced in the Sun Belt Tournament with a 67-64 win over U-T-A. Junior Guard Jalen Dalcourt hit five three-pointers and scored 16 points. U-L Lafayette faces top-seeded Texas State on Saturday at 11:30.

ULM was eliminated as they fell to Arkansas State 81-77.

Tonight the LSU Lady Tigers face Kentucky in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. Coach Kim Mulkey believes what a team does in the regular season carries more weight than what happens over one weekend…
cut 18 (12) “….and all that”
Tip-off is at 6 PM.

The third-ranked LSU baseball team gets its first big test of the young season this weekend as they face Oklahoma, top ranked Texas, and Baylor in the Shriners College Classic in Houston. LSU takes on Oklahoma today at 3 PM, Blake Money gets the start on the mound for the Tigers and the Sooners will throw left-hander Jake Bennett. D-1 Baseball-dot-com’s Kendall Rogers says O-U’s strength is its pitching…
cut 16 (15) “…for them”
Tomorrow night, the Bayou Bengals face off against top-ranked Texas.

In other college baseball action this weekend, the Ragin Cajuns host Southern Miss. UNO visits ULM. Louisiana Tech is at Memphis, Southeastern Louisiana visits third-ranked Arkansas and Nicholls is at Memphis.

03.04.22
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6:30 LRN Newscast March 4

The family of a UNO student who died after a Uber ride is demanding answers on what led to her death. Kevin Gallagher has the story…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Former President Donald Trump will be in New Orleans this weekend as he’ll appear at a Republican National Committee event. Minority Whip and Jefferson Parish Republican Steve Scalise and Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow will also be there. No public events have been announced.

The state will transfer over 600 people currently serving time at the State Penitentiary in Angola to the Allen Correctional Center in Kinder due to a major staffing shortage. In all, 602 inmates, or about 12 percent of Angola’s current population of 5100, will be moved. Department of Corrections Undersecretary Thomas Bickham says efforts to attract staff have failed to yield results to their prison in West Feliciana Parish.
Cut 13 (10) “…we had anticipated.”
DOC officials believe the area surrounding the Allen Correctional Center is better suited to recruit employees than Angola,

Alexandria International Airport is part of an initiative to train more commercial airline pilots. AEX Executive director Sandra McQuain…:
Cut 10 (13) “…Education Initiative.”
American Airlines and United Airlines are two major airliners that have been hampered by a shortage of pilots.

03.03.22
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LRN AM Newscall March 4

The family of a UNO student who died after a Uber ride is demanding answers on what led to her death. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Have you any idea how things are with YOU down there? More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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More than 600 prisoners at Angola are about to be on the move. David Grubb tells us why…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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The mother of a UNO student who died after an Uber ride is demanding answers. During the early morning hours of February 19th, 21-year-old Ciaya Whetstone called for an Uber after attending a Mardi Gras party, a few hours later, the driver brought her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Attorney Chris Stewart says Miranda Ferrand has zero information…

Cut 4 (10)  “…this driver.”

Stewart says they do not know if she was drugged or sexually assaulted, which adds more emotional pain to the grieving process. Her mother, Miranda Ferrancd, addressed reporters during a press conference on the UNO campus…

Cut 5 (11) “..bury her.”

A state representative from South Carolina, Justin Bamburg, was also at the press conference. Bamburg says New Orleans police are not providing any information to the family, but they are talking to the local press…

Cut 6 (12)  “..private party.”

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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and a Shreveport area specialist says it is very important to have timely screenings. Gastroenterologist Dr. James Hobley (pronounced: HOBB-lee) grew up in Shreveport and says – it is especially crucial for Louisiana to stay ahead of potential problems…:

Cut 7 (11) “…quite a few of.”

New research shows colon cancers are increasing in the U.S.; especially among Blacks and Hispanics under 40. Dr. Hobley says your family’s history with colorectal cancer is important to know when talking with your doctor. He cites the sad story of the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who starred as Marvel’s Black Panther…:

Cut 8 (11)  “…wasn’t caught in time.”

Boseman died from colorectal cancer at just 43 years of age.

Dr. Hobley says there are mail-in tests available to detect colon cancers, but he favors getting a colonoscopy every few years, to seek out polyps and PREVENT cancers from forming…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…and we remove them.”

Hobley says colorectal cancer is a very treatable and beatable disease, and – if you are 40 or older and have not had a colonoscopy – you should consider getting one soon.

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On Thursday, we reported on a reduction in flights in and out of Alexandria International Airport, due to a shortage of pilots. What is to be done about the problem? AEX executive director Sandra McQuain says there IS a plan underway to get more people into the cockpit…:

Cut 10 (13) “…Education Initiative.”

McQuain says the lack of pilots has resulted in American Airlines temporarily halting flights between Alexandria and Charlotte, North Carolina. United Airlines has ended ALL service to AEX. McQuain says her airport is working with England Airpark and LSU-Alexandria to train new airline pilots…:

Cut  11 (09)  “…pilot’s license.”  

McQuain says AEX has a flight school on the premises that will provide flight training to LSUA students; the ONLY aviation program in the entire LSU System. She says AEX and LSUA hope to be part of the solution to the pilot shortage, rather than “sitting back and complaining about it”…:

Cut 12 (07) “…back in the air.”

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The state will transfer more than 600 people currently serving time at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola to the Allen Correctional Center in Kinder due to a major staffing shortage. In all, 602 inmates, or about 12 percent of Angola’s current population of 5100, will be moved. Department of Corrections Undersecretary Thomas Bickham said efforts to attract staff have failed to yield results.

Cut 13 (10) “…we had anticipated.”

DOC officials believe that the area surrounding the Allen Correctional Center is better suited to recruit employees than Angola, which is located in West Feliciana Parish. Allen Parish has about 10-thousand more residents than its more rural counterpart.

Cut 14 (10)  “…and keeping them.”

Last month state lawmakers approved the transfer of $2.6 million for 130 open positions from Angola to the Allen facility. DOC expects to hire at least 60 new staff members at Allen this month, not enough to supervise all 602 prisoners. Bickham says the transfers will take place in stages to keep from transferring the problem from one facility to another.

Cut 15 (12)  “…third in June.”

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The third-ranked LSU baseball team gets its first big test of the young season this weekend as they face Oklahoma, top-ranked Texas, and Baylor in the Shriners College Classic in Houston. LSU will face Oklahoma today at 3 PM, Blake Money gets the start on the mound for the Tigers and the Sooners will throw left-hander Jake Bennett. D-1 Baseball-dot-com’s Kendall Rogers says O-U’s strength is its pitching…

Cut 16 (15)  “…for them”

LSU has won five in a row and they are 8-and-1 on the season. Rogers says the Tigers will have a chance to show this weekend they are a top ten team…

Cut 17 (19) “ …the season” 

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LSU women’s basketball opens play in the SEC tournament quarterfinals tonight at 6 pm, attempting to earn their first championship since 2003.  The Tigers have been one of the most surprising stories of the college basketball season, improving from nine wins last season to 25 this year…so far. Kim Mulkey won 11 tournament titles at Baylor, but she feels that what a team does in the regular season carries much more weight than what happens over one weekend.

Cut 18 (12) “ …and all that.” 

The Tigers will face the Kentucky Wildcats, who extended their winning streak to six games with yesterday’s win over Mississippi State. Kentucky is led by two-time All-American Rhyne Howard, who averaged 20 points per game and earned First Team All-SEC honors this season for the fourth time. Kim Mulkey shares her thoughts on the resurgent Wildcats…

Cut 19 (19)_“…good now.” 

The Tigers will face the 10th-seeded Mississippi State Bulldogs in the quarterfinals after State pulled off the upset over seventh-seeded Kentucky. State hadn’t won since beating Ole Miss more than two weeks ago.  LSU grabbed a 12-point road win in Starkville on Feb. 17th, so Coach Mulkey understands just what the Bulldogs are capable of.

Cut 20 (15) “ …can give you.” 

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03.03.22
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5:30 LRN Newscast March 3

Can we be optimistic that the COVID pandemic is nearing an end? Mask mandates and attendance restrictions are being stopped all over the state, and today the Department of Health reports fewer than 400 people are in the hospital with virus symptoms statewide. Nevertheless, Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig advises we not rush an end to precautions. She says health experts are watching a virus variant that is spreading around some parts of Europe…:

CUT 13(09)      “…wait and see.”

She says there is no guarantee that the virus will weaken as it continues to mutate.

The State Police Crime Lab says a labor shortage has contributed to another backlog of DNA evidence awaiting testing. LSP Lt. Melissa Matey says about 2500 cases are languishing while the lab tries to play “catchup.” She says even cases put on the fast track are being delayed…:

CUT 10(10)      “…four months.”

 

How much did you pay for your last gasoline purchase? The statewide average price of regular gas is at $3.48-a-gallon today; up 7-cents from just yesterday. Louisiana AAA fuel expert Don Redman says when prices get this high, many of us will change our driving and spending behaviors…:

CUT 05(08)      “…stay as long.”

He says it would be wise to budget for gas at $4 through the summer.

The lineup for this year’s Essence Festival in New Orleans is out, and it’s once again packed with major stars. Janet Jackson and Kevin Hart are headliners, plus Nicki Minaj, New Edition, the Isley Brothers and more. The Essence Festival is one of several big festivals returning to the city after a two-year hiatus due to COVID precautions. It runs June 30th through July 3rd.

03.03.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast March 3

The eighth-seeded UL Ragin Cajuns advanced to the second round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament after holding off Texas-Arlington, 67-64. Jalen Dalcourt led the way with 16 points. UL will face the number one seed, Texas State on Saturday at 11:30 am.

—

UL-Monroe takes to the court this evening for their opening round game against the sixth-seeded Arkansas State Red Wolves. They enter the SBC tournament in the midst of a five-game losing skid. Ten of UL-M’s 17 losses have come by single digits, so Coach Keith Richard would like to see a change of fortune with the WarHawks one loss from their season coming to an end.

Cut 17 (17) “…been in them.”

—

The LSU men were game but came up short in their upset bid against 14th-ranked Arkansas last night, falling to the Razorbacks, 76-77. Tari Eason led the Tigers with 24 points but fouled out in only 17 minutes. LSU ends the regular season at home against Alabama on Saturday.

—

LSU women’s basketball fans were not pleased with the Southeastern Conference postseason awards announcements. The Tigers finished second in the SEC standings yet only two players, guards Khayla Pointer and Alexis Morris, were named to the All-Conference team. On the eve of the SEC tournament, Coach Kim Mulkey is focused on team achievements, not individual honors.

Cut 19 (18) “…of the SEC.”

The second-seeded Tigers will face the winner of tonight’s matchup between Kentucky and Mississippi State. LSU defeated both during the regular season.

—

The New Orleans Pelicans are rolling. The Pels extended their win streak to three games after beating the Sacramento Kings 125-95 at the Smoothie King Center. Brandon Ingram scored a game-high 33 points to lead five players in double-figures. New Orleans is 8-4 since February 1st. They go for four in a row on Friday against the Utah Jazz.

—

03.03.22
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4:30 LRN Newscast March 3

Gas prices rose another seven cents from yesterday. Jeff Palermo reports 4-dollar a gallon gasoline could be possible this summer…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

For commuters in the Monroe area, there is good news and bad news. First the good: DOTD says it will add a third lane in each direction to I-20 in West Monroe; alleviating traffic congestion. The bad news? It will take a couple years to complete, and when construction starts expect lane closures and delays. They hope to get the project underway early next year.

 

Jetsetters flying in and out of Alexandria will have fewer flight options beginning next month and even fewer in June. Executive director of the Alexandria International Airport, Sandra McQuain, says American Airlines will temporarily stop all Alexandria-Charlotte flights in April, and in June United will cut all service to AEX. She says a shortage of pilots in the problem. McQuain says while they hate to lose a carrier and/or routes to AEX it does create the opportunity to recruit new ones…:

CUT 08(09)      “…our markets.”

State Police arrest two Houston residents on I-10 near Baton Rouge, after finding more than two POUNDs of cocaine inside their vehicle during a routine traffic stop Wednesday. 35-year-old Marco Garcia and 20-year-old Maria Hernandez are each charged with possession with intent to distribute. They are now in the Iberville Parish jail.

03.03.22
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3:30 LRN Newscast March 3

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is dealing with a major backlog. David Grubb has more on how they’re tackling the problem…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

State Police in the Baton Rouge area are investigating the death of a pedestrian on Interstate 12 early this morning. Troopers say 44-year-old Ben Martel of Ponchatoula was walking IN the westbound left lane at around 3 a.m., when he was struck by a big rig. An investigation is underway as to why Martel was walking IN the roadway and not on the shoulder.

 

The number of new COVID cases continues to drop. The state Health Department reports just over 600 new cases today and statewide hospitalizations are now below 400. Many hope we are done with coronavirus, but Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says another surge in cases is still possible, though. She says not to count on the virus getting weaker as it mutates, because that doesn’t always happen…:

CUT 14(12)      “…get weaker.”

Gasoline prices have jumped 7-cents a gallon since yesterday. The statewide average price of regular is now at $3.48-a-gallon. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says the Russian invasion of Ukraine is aggravating an already volatile oil & gas market…:

CUT 03(08)      “…those prices upward.”

Redman suggest we all budget $4 a gallon for gas for the next several weeks, at least.

03.03.22
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LRN PM Newscall March 4

Gas prices rose another seven cents from yesterday. Jeff Palermo reports 4-dollar a gallon gasoline could be possible this summer…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is dealing with a major backlog. David Grubb has more on how they’re tackling the problem.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m David Grubb.”  

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According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has jumped seven cents over the last 24 hours to $3.48. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is pushing prices higher…

Cut 3 (08) “…upward.”

The highest recorded average price for Louisiana is just above four dollars a gallon and Redman says we could hit that mark again soon…

Cut 4 (07) “…coming weeks.”

Redman says if gas prices approach four-dollars a gallon, people will begin changing their behavior dramatically…

Cut 5 (08) “…as long.”

__________________________________________________

Jetsetters flying in and out of Alexandria will have fewer flight options beginning next month and even fewer in June. Executive director of the Alexandria International Airport, Sandra McQuain, says American Airlines will temporarily all Alexandria-Charlotte flights in April, and in June United will cut service to AEX, due to the pilot shortage.

 Cut 6 (08) “…June second.” 

McQuain says Alexandria is the second Louisiana market where United has discontinued service. United stopped flights to Monroe back in January.  American routes to Charlotte are expected to return in the fall at AEX. American flights to Dallas will continue at AEX.

McQuain says the pilot shortage is not unique to Alexandria. United has parked at least 100 regional jets due to the lack of pilots and this month American has eliminated about 10,000 flights from their schedule

Cut 7 (07) “…right now.” 

McQuain says since the announcement she’s been actively trying to fill those routes with new ones. She says while they hate to lose a carrier and or routes to AEX it does create the opportunity to recruit new ones.

 Cut 8 (09) “…our markets.” 

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State and local crime labs across the country face tremendous backlogs in testing DNA and the problem is only getting worse. Even with the federal government spending at least $1 billion since 2004 to reduce the delays, backlogged requests nationwide are up by 85 percent. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab currently has 25-hundred DNA cases awaiting testing. Lieutenant Melissa Matey says that one of the biggest hurdles LSP faces are vacancies at key positions.

Cut 9 (11) “…training right now.”

Unlike what viewers may see when watching their favorite crime procedural, analyzing DNA evidence doesn’t happen overnight. It can be a painstaking process in order to ensure that the evidence is handled and examined properly. Matey points to the loss of staff along with a surge in demand for extending the timeline for even the most expedited requests.

Cut 10 (12)  “…the response time.” 

LSP says an aggressive push in 2018 cut the backlog down to 150 cases, but that sparked the mass departures of staff. With the increase in violent crimes, the lab now receives more than 5000 testing requests each year. Lieutenant Matey says State Police understands how vital accurate DNA results are for law enforcement and believes once the staffing issue is resolved, the lab can begin to make a dent.

Cut 11 (11 )  “…the backlog.”  

__________________________________________

The number of new COVID cases continues to drop. The Louisiana Health Department reported 607 new cases today and statewide hospitalizations fell by another 17 to 394. Many are hoping we are done with Covid, but Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says unfortunately another surge is possible….

Cut 12 (04) “…going away”  

Hassig says they are monitoring a variant of Omicron that’s spreading through some parts of Europe…

cut 13 (09) “…and see.”

Some have the belief that the Covid variants will get weaker, but Hassig that’s not a guarantee…

Cut 14 (12)  “…get weaker”  

03.03.22
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2:30 LRN Newscast March 3

More pain at the gasoline pump. Louisiana AAA says the average cost of regular gas is up 7 cents since yesterday; now at $3.48. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the state’s peak of $4.08-a-gallon was reached in the summer of 2008, but we could be back in that range soon…:

CUT 04  (08)        “…the coming weeks”

He says the Ukraine invasion has aggravated an already volatile energy picture worldwide.

There will soon be fewer flight available from Alexandria International Airport. Airport Director Sandra McQuain says a shortage of pilots is a big part of the problem that is impacting airports large and small across the country…:

CUT 07(07)      “…right now.”

United is cutting service to Alec. McQuain says she will seek another carrier to take their place.

 

Shreveport Police are investigating the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy this afternoon in the city’s Queensborough area. The teen was found dead from multiple gunshots right in his own front yard. They ask anyone who saw anything to come forward.

State troopers arrest two people from Houston after finding more than 2 pounds of cocaine in their car. The drugs were found during a traffic stop on I-10 in the Baton Rouge area. Booked with possession with intent to distribute, the pair are in the Iberville Parish jail.

The number of new COVID cases continues to drop. The Louisiana Health Department reported 607 new cases today and statewide hospitalizations fell by another 17 to 394. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the pandemic is far from officially over…:

CUT 12(04)      “…going away.”

Hassig says there is no guaranty the COVID virus will get progressively weaker as it mutates.

03.03.22
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1:30 LRN Newscast March 3

State Police reports a DNA backlog of about 25-hundred cases because of staffing challenges. That means the turnaround time for expedited cases can take about four months. LSP Lt. Melissa Matey says staffing challenges are actively being addressed through increased hiring and training because they understand getting DNA samples analyzed is critical for police investigations…
cut 11 (11) “…backlog”

COVID cases continue to decline. The state reported 607 new cases today and hospitalizations fell by another 17 to 394. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig the decline in cases is encouraging, but they are monitoring a variant of Omicron that’s spreading through some parts of Europe…
cut 13 (09) “….and see”

Senate confirmation hearings for U-S Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson begin on March 21, inspiring a new generation of Black legal professionals. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Triple-A says gas prices are up another seven cents to 3.48 a gallon for regular gasoline. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says once you get to this price range, families start to budget for high gas prices…
cut 5 (08) “…as long”