16:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has reached a name, image, and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. Terms of Boutte’s deal were not released, but the New Iberia native will be paid to appear in digital ads promoting McKernan’s law firm. McKernan encourages businesses to look into NIL deals with student-athletes because players look at the amount of money they can make off the field when it comes to where they’ll go to school…
Cut 14 (09) “…the sidelines.”
Another LSU Tiger has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Cornerback Dwight McGlothern became a starter this past season after Derek Stingley Junior and Eli Ricks got injured and now he’s looking to play somewhere else.

All of the players who started at cornerback or nickel back for the Tigers in the 2021 season are either headed for the NFL draft, have transferred or are transferring or do not have any more eligibility.

Instead of getting ready for a playoff game, the Saints are looking back at the 2021 season and preparing for the 2022 season. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says figuring out the quarterback position will be the top priority and he says the second priority is to make sure All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas is healthy for the 2022 season. He missed this past season recovering from ankle surgery in June…
cut 17 (12) “…get him healthy”
Detillier says a major decision facing the Saints is whether to re-sign safety Marcus Williams.

The 12th ranked LSU men’s basketball team left for Florida today as they’ll visit the Gators tomorrow night. Tigers coach Will Wade says starting point guard Xavier Pinson will not play after injuring his knee in the win over Florida. But Wade says the injury is not serious and Pinson should be back soon.

3:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

An Indoor mask mandate begins tomorrow in New Orleans. Leaders fear if the mandate is not reinstated more businesses could close due to staffing shortages and more children would be out of the classroom. The mandate comes on the heels of carnival season kicking off and New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno urges the public to take it seriously.

Cut  11 (11)  “…and tests.” 

Baton Rouge businessman Gary Chambers announces his candidacy for US Senate. Chambers says he’s running to help make life better for everyone in the Bayou State…:

 Cut 6 (11) “…take our state forward.” 

Chambers and fellow democrat Luke Mixon are the only two set to oppose incumbent Republican John Kennedy in the fall.

LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has signed a name, image and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The state reports just under 12,500 new COVID cases today and 1,905 hospitalizations, that’s an increase of 111 from the previous day. 94 of those patients are on ventilators and 77-percent are unvaccinated in Louisiana hospitals.

 

2:30 LRN Newscast January 11

Senator John Kennedy has picked up another challenger in his bid for re-election. Baton Rouge community activist Gary Chambers announced today he’s challenging Kennedy. He is a Democrat, who says he supports the Build Back Better Act, a voting rights bill and he’s an advocate for Medicare for All….
cut 8 (11) “…in this country”
There are now two announced Democrats opposing Kennedy in the November primary. The other is Luke Mixon, a Bunkie native, who graduated from the U-S Naval Academy and is a decorated fighter pilot. The political newcomer appeared at the Baton Rouge press club and says he wants to represent the best interest of all Louisiana citizens…
cut 15 (07) “…screened over”
Qualifying for the November primary is in July.

The state health department reported another 12-thousand new COVID cases today and another 29 deaths. COVID hospitalizations are approaching two thousand as it stands at 1,905. The city of New Orleans is reinstating an indoor mask mandate. New Orleans Department of Health Director Doctor Jennifer Avegno…
cut 10 (11) “…hospitalizations rising”
The mask mandate will go into effect at 6 AM tomorrow.

A new report finds that Louisiana has the worst caregiver conditions in the nation, with the nation’s lowest average hourly pay of $10.60 an hour. The same report also finds that 800-thousand older Americans needing to subsidize care are on a waiting list. Author of the report and registered nurse Sean Marchese says COVId is adding to the caregiver shortage…
cut 5 (12) “…they need”

PM LRN Newscall Jan 11

Baton Rouge community activist Gary Chambers says he’ll run for U.S. Senate this fall; making him the second announced Democrat to challenge John Kennedy. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has signed a name, image and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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In a recent study, Louisiana ranks among the worst states for meeting the need for individual caregivers. These are people who provide needed care for the sick, elderly or infirm. Sean Marchese (mar-KEZZ) is a registered nurse and oncology writer/researcher. He says the first identifiable problem is that average pay for caregivers in Louisiana is the nation’s lowest; less than $11 an hour. He says a great number don’t get paid at all..:

Cut 3 (12) “…the past year.”

Marchese says there is very high turnover in the caregiver “industry” because it is a physically and emotionally difficult job…:

Cut 4 (13) “…are also working.”

Marchese says another reason for a shortage of caregivers in Louisiana is the impacts of the coronavirus and isolation…:

Cut 5 (12) “…care that they need.”

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Another Democrat throws his hat in the ring to run for the U.S. Senate this fall. Baton Rouge area businessman and self-described advocate, Gary Chambers says he’s running to help make life better for everyone in the Bayou State…:

 Cut 6 (10) “…take our state forward.” 

In 2021, Chambers ran for the District 2 U.S. House seat left vacant by Cedric Richmond. He finished third, with 21-percent of the popular vote, barely making the runoff. Chambers says he wants to go to Washington, to better represent Louisiana’s working people. He says he supports the Biden Administration’s proposals, including one in particular..:

Cut 7 (09) “…infrastructure in this state.” 

Chambers says incumbent Senator John Kennedy’s votes don’t necessarily reflect what the people of Louisiana want. He says his “no” vote on the Infrastructure Bill (now signed into law) is an example. He says, if he is elected, he’ll work to secure Medicare for the elderly and for everyone else…:

Cut 8 (11) “…in this country.” 

Democrat Luke Mixon, from Bunkie, announced his candidacy back in October.

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New Orleans is reinstating their indoor mask mandate beginning Wednesday due the rapid increase in COVID cases causing disruptions in schools and overwhelming hospitals. New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno

Cut 9 (11) “…further notice.”

Avegno says the daily average of new COVID cases in New Orleans is 12,033, nearly three times the previous record of April 2020 and that does not reflect positive home tests for COVID.

Cut 10 (11)  “…hospitalizations are rising.”

City leaders fear if the mandate is not put in place more cases will cause businesses to close due to staffing shortages and keep children out of the classroom. The mandate comes on the heels of the city kicking off carnival season and Avegno urges the public to take mitigation seriously.

Cut  11 (12)  “…and tests.” 

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LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has signed a name, image, and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. The Baton Rouge lawyer says they’ve been looking to reach an N-I-L deal with a Tiger football player…

Cut 12 (12) “…enter that space.”  

There were rumors Boutte may enter the transfer portal, but McKernan believes this N-I-L deal helped convince him to stay at LSU.

Cut 13 (10) “…for him.”

Terms of Boutte’s deal were not released, but the New Iberia native will be paid to appear in digital ads promoting McKernan’s law firm. McKernan encourages businesses to look into NIL deals with student-athletes because players look at the amount of money they can make off the field when it comes to where they’ll go to school…

Cut 14 (09)  “…the sidelines.” 

1:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

New Orleans is reinstating their indoor mask mandate beginning Wednesday due the rapid increase in COVID cases causing disruptions in schools and overwhelming hospitals. New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno.

Cut 9 further notice :11

Baton Rouge area businessman Gary Chambers is running for US Senate.  In 2021, Chambers ran for the District 2 U.S. House seat left vacant by Cedric Richmond and finished third. Chambers says he wants to better represent Louisiana’s working people and he supports the Biden Administration’s proposals, one in particular.

Cut 7 (09) “…infrastructure in this state.” 

Luke Mixon is also running as a democrat against incumbent Republican John Kennedy.

A study shows Louisiana ranks among the worst states for pay for individual caregivers. Sean Marchese (mar-KEZZ) a registered nurse and writer/researcher says the average pay is $11 or less an hour and there’s a very high turnover in the “industry” because it is both physically and emotionally demanding.

Cut 4 (13) “…are also working.”

LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has signed a name, image, and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. There were rumors Boutte may enter the transfer portal, but McKernan believes this N-I-L deal helped convince him to stay at LSU.

Cut 13 (10) “…for him “

12:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

New Orleans is reinstating their indoor mask mandate beginning tomorrow due to an increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations. The mandate is effective at 6 am Wednesday for all indoor spaces including schools.

Baton Rouge businessman and blogger, Gary Chambers says he’ll run for U.S. Senate, the second Democrat to challenge John Kennedy. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A recent study says, Louisiana ranks among the worst states for meeting the need for individual caregivers. Sean Marchese (mar-KEZZ) a registered nurse and oncology writer/researcher says the first identifiable problem is average pay of less than $11 an hour in Louisiana, the lowest in the nation and a great number don’t get paid at all.

Cut 3 (13) “…the past year.”

LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has signed a name, image, and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. The Baton Rouge lawyer says they’ve been looking to reach an N-I-L deal with a Tiger football player…

Cut 12 (12) “…enter that space.”  

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Georgia showed it’s hard to beat the same team twice during a college football season as the Bulldogs avenged their loss to Alabama in the SEC championship game to beat the Crimson Tide 33-18 in last night’s college football playoff championship game. It completes a dominant season for Georgia as they won 13 games by 15 points or more. It’s also their first natty since 1980.

There is no movement on expanding the college football playoff. The College Football Playoff Management Committee concluded meetings without coming to a resolution on a format that would make the leaders of the major conferences happy. Whether to have automatic qualifiers is a big sticking point.

Former LSU great Kevin Faulk is heading into the College Football Hall of Fame as he’s among the 18 players and three coaches selected to be enshrined in December. Faulk is LSU’s all-time leading rusher and still leads the SEC in career all-purpose yards. He was a three-time All-SEC selection from 1996 to 98.

The Saints have many questions to answer as they head into the offseason. Figuring out the quarterback position is a big one. New Orleans is also hoping to get a healthy Michael Thomas next season. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says another major decision facing the Saints is whether to re-sign Marcus Williams and if they don’t, it’s a position they’ll have to address in the draft or in free agency….
cut 18 (12) “…for the Saints”
Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland will reportedly interview with the Bears as Chicago is looking for a G-M to replace the fired Ryan Pace, who used to be in the Saints front office.

Meanwhile, Saints quarterback Taysom Hill will need on surgery on his left foot which he injured in the regular-season finale. Coach Sean Payton says it’s possible two procedures will be required. Payton did not give a recovery timetable but expects he’ll be ready for the start of the 2022 season.

11:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

The candidate pool for US Senate is growing in Louisiana, a second democrat, Baton Rouge businessman Gary Chambers has thrown his hat in the ring against the state’s junior Senator John Kennedy. Chambers a self-described advocate says he’s running to help make life better for the Bayou State.

Cut 6 take our state forward :11

Kennedy’s other Democratic challenger is Luke Mixon. The political newcomer appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and criticized Kennedy for not voting for the infrastructure bill that Mixon says will bring Louisiana better roads, clean drinking water, and expanded broadband…

Cut 14 (10)  “…solving problems”
Kennedy says only 23-percent of the infrastructure bill actually goes to infrastructure.

A Louisiana-based company called TeleLeaf is helping patients who need access to medical marijuana. Customer Service Manager Brianna Hardy says some are hesitant to try medical cannabis after pharmaceutical options proved disappointing and caused side effects that created additional health problems.

Cut 6 (11) “…other conditions.”

For more information go to tele-leaf-dot-com.

When COVID shut down Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the creation of house floats. And how some folks compete with neighbors to have the best Christmas decorations, Mardi Gras season is even more extravagant. You can call on a professional like Ian Darrow at Stronghold Studios in New Orleans.

Cut 7 (08) “…house floats.”

For more information visit Stronghold Studio’s website.

10:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

The state panel that determines exactly how much money state government has meets today in Baton Rouge.  It’s expected the Revenue Estimating Conference will officially recognize a budget surplus from the fiscal year that ended at last June. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the state has misspent excess cash in the past…:

CUT 11(08)      “…smart decisions.”

The R.E.C. is also expected to project revenues for the current fiscal year and the next.

The mid-term elections are taking shape, with two Democrats now announced to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator John Kennedy. One is Luke Mixon, who actually made his intentions known back in October. Today, Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers says he too will seek to unseat Kennedy. Chambers ran for the House in 2020, and got a good percentage of the vote, but failed to make the primary.

 

Bossier Parish deputies arrest a local man for alleged possession of child pornography and images of bestiality. An investigation of 35-year-old Michael Lofton’s computer and cell phone turned up numerous images; leading to his arrest. His bond is set at $450-thousand.

An all-time great running back at LSU is headed to the College Football Hall of Fame. Jeff Palermo reports Kevin Faulk will be enshrined in December…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Palermo.”

09:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

Candidates are beginning to line up for the fall mid-term elections. Baton Rouge area blogger and activist Gary Chambers, a Democrat, says he will run to unseat John Kennedy in the U.S. Senate. Chambers ran for the U.S. House District 1 seat in 2020, and made a good showing, though he didn’t make the runoff.

When COVID canceled Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the new tradition of house floats, and one designer says they’re busier than last year. Brooke Thorington throws out the details.

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

 

U.S. Senate candidate Luke Mixon is criticizing  Senator John Kennedy for voting to overturn the 2020 presidential results. Mixon is one of two announced Democratic challengers to Kennedy’s 2022 re-election bid. The other is Gary Chambers, as mentioned earlier. At the Baton Rouge Press Club, Mixon says Kennedy betrayed his oath to the Constitution when he objected to Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona…:

CUT 13(07)      “…of democracy.”

There’s now a new way to receive a prescription for medical marijuana in Louisiana. It’s a telemedicine platform by the name of TeleLeaf. Creator and CEO Gary Hess, a US Marine vet who suffered from PTSD, unfortunately, says there’s still a stigma surrounding cannabis use…:

CUT 04(07)      “…convenient.”

You must first register on the website; “teleleaf.com.”