1:30 LRN Newscast Jan 18

The family of a Slidell mother believed to have been decapitated in New Orleans is demanding that the man suspected of killing her be held without bail. Julia Dardar’s dismembered body was found in a freezer and local artist Benjamin Beale has been charged. Julia’s estranged husband Micah Dardar spoke on the steps of New Orleans City Hall…

Cut 9 (06) “…demonic”

Beale’s bond is currently at one point four million dollars.

Chair of Genetics at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Lucio Miele says if you’ve been exposed to COVID you should wait five days to be tested. If you test negative with a rapid or home test, he says you need to test again days later.

Cut 5 (11) “…two-thirds of the time.”

The website COVIDtests.gov for individuals to order free home tests is now live

Louisiana now has tallied more than 1-million total COVID cases since the beginning of the pandemic with one million 25-thousand 748. Today more than 29-thousand new COVID are reported, which includes weekend cases and those from the holiday. 2,183 COVID patients are in Louisiana hospitals and 58 fatalities have been reported also.

U-S Senate Democratic candidate Gary Chambers, who is one of two announced challengers to Republican John Kennedy released a campaign ad today that shows him smoking marijuana. Advocate Reporter Tyler Bridges says it’s a bold move by Chambers to show him smoking marijuana in a campaign ad…

Cut 7 (07) “…the race.” 

Chambers says the goal of the ad is to destigmatize the drug and support legalization and decriminalization. Democrat Luke Mixon has also announced his candidacy.

12:30 LRN Newscast Jan 18

The estranged husband of a Slidell woman who was dismembered and her body parts kept in a freezer is calling on the justice system to keep the accused killer behind bars on no bail. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Louisiana reaches a grim COVID milestone of more than 1-million total cases since the beginning of the pandemic with one million 25-thousand 748. Today more than 29-thousand new COVID are reported, which includes weekend cases and those from the holiday. 2,183 COVID patients are in Louisiana hospitals.

Dr. Lucio Miele, Chair of the Department of Genetics at LSU Health New Orleans says you are more likely to get a false negative with a home rapid test, so it’s best to test again in a few days. Miele says a PCR test is more accurate, but it takes several days to receive results. He says having both speed and sensitivity is a difficult combination in a test.

Cut 4 (08) “…not possible.”

Miele says if you get a positive result from a home test you have COVID.

U-S Senate Democratic candidate Gary Chambers, who is one of two announced challengers to Republican John Kennedy released a campaign ad today that shows him smoking marijuana. Chambers says the goal of the ad is to destigmatize the drug and support legalization and decriminalization.

 Cut 6 (12) “…just like me” 

Luke Mixon is the other democrat who’s announced his candidacy.

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 18

LSU head football coach Brian Kelly continues to fill out his staff with big names with local ties. Kelly announced the hiring of Georgia assistant and New Orleans native Cortez Hankton as the team’s wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. Hankton served in the same role for the Bulldogs for the past three seasons. Tiger Rag Editor Adam Hunsucker says Kelly’s staff is ready to compete with any in the SEC.

Cut 20 (10) “…national title.”

Tigers’ wide-out Jaray Jenkins will be working with Hankton next season, as he announced he will be returning to LSU for a fifth year. Over the past two campaigns, Jenkins has 57 catches for 899 yards and eight touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, safety Jay Ward will also be back in the purple and gold, according to a report from 247sports. His return is a huge boost for the Tigers’ secondary. Ward collected 71 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass breakups last season.

———

Moving to baseball, LSU enters the DI Baseball preseason top-25 ranked eighth in the nation. The Tigers are one of six SEC teams in the top ten. LSU opens its first season under new coach Jay Johnson on February 18 against Maine at Alex Box Stadium.

Kim Mulkey is another LSU coach making waves. The women’s basketball team has moved up to eleventh in the latest AP rankings after wins over Missouri and Vanderbilt. This is the highest LSU has been ranked since the Tigers were number five on December 20, 2009.

And the Pelicans dropped their second straight game on their current three-game road trip, falling to the Boston Celtics, 104-92.

The Pels led by as many as 18 points before their second-half collapse. Coach Willie Green said that there are just some games like this, but he expects his team to bounce back.

Cut 17 (08) “…their physicality.”

New Orleans is back on the court Thursday when they face the New York Knicks.

11:30 LRN Newscast Jan 18

Physicians are advising if you are experiencing COVID symptoms to assume you have the virus and stay home. It might not be COVID but Dr. Lucio Miele, chair of the Department of Genetics at LSU Health New Orleans says if you test negative with a home test, you’re not out of the woods just yet.

Cut 24 bad idea. :12

A PCR test is more accurate, but it takes several days to receive results.

U-S Senator John Kennedy announces he has 11-million dollars in campaign cash on hand as he seeks re-election this year. Kennedy’s campaign says the state’s junior senator has raised 18-million dollars and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley…
cut 15 (09) “…your next re-election”

State lawmakers can begin filing legislation that will be heard in the session that begins in March. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says after two consecutive years of destructive hurricanes and homeowners wrestling with their insurance providers over claims, Republican lawmakers are pushing insurance reform…
Cut 6 (12) “…governor.”

Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s is introducing new Cajun chili mixes. Spokesperson Celeste Chachere says when they were brainstorming for new product ideas, they decided to pull from one of her great-grandfather’s favorite chili recipes.

Cut 10 (11) “…2.5 ounce box.”

The new chili mixes come in Mild and Original.

10:30 LRN Newscast Jan 18

Plans are afoot to bring broadband Internet to the state’s most remote areas, via the GUMBO Fund grant program Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

 

U-S Senate Democratic candidate Gary Chambers, who is one of two announced challengers to Republican John Kennedy, launched a campaign ad today that shows him smoking marijuana. Chambers says the goal of the ad is to destigmatize the drug and support legalization and decriminalization.

 

U.S. Senator John Kennedy reports he raised just over $3-million for his re-election campaign, during the last months of 2021. That brings his total campaign funds to a little over $18-million, with about $11-million cash on-hand. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says $11-million cash on-hand is a huge sum of money to have, when facing what he calls “a token Democrat.”

Cut 14 (07)  “…his re-election bid.”

 

So far, only two democrats have announced their intentions to run, Luke Mixon and Gary Chambers

Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s is introducing new Cajun chili mixes. Spokesperson Celeste Chachere says they are based on her great-grandfather’s favorite chili recipe and there are two versions mild and original, and are created with fresh herbs and spices.

Cut  11 (10)  “…smoked sausage.”  

 

9:30 LRN Newscast

The start of the 2022 regular legislative session is still two months away, but today lawmakers can begin filing bills to be heard in the three-month-long session. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says some of the controversial bills that failed to pass last year, will be back this year
Cut 4 (10) “…vaccine mandates.”

58 parishes have applied for grants to bring broadband internet to their areas. Large portions of Louisiana are underserved when it comes to Internet access and connection speeds. Avoyelles Representative Daryl Deshotel was an architect of the so-called GUMBO Fund grants…:
Cut 7 (12) “…round of applications.”
Deshotel award amounts will be announced in March.

U-S Senate Democratic candidate Gary Chambers, who is one of two announced challengers to Republican John Kennedy, launched a campaign ad today that shows him smoking marijuana. Chambers says the goal of the ad is to destigmatize the drug and support legalization and decriminalization.

A beloved Louisiana staple is adding another Cajun classic to its array of products. Brooke Thorington has the ingredients.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

8:30 LRN Newscast January 18

State lawmakers can begin filing bills for the 2022 regular session starting today. Kevin Gallagher on the bills that will come up for debate when the three-month-long session begins in March…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference in Baton Rouge this afternoon to kick off his statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification Task Force. He’ll be joined by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. They will hold the press conference near Ward’s Creek, where a lot of trash has gathered.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy reports his re-election campaign has raised 18-million dollars and he has about $11-million in cash-on-hand. U-L-M political science professor Joshua Stockley says that is considerably more than Kennedy raised for his campaign in 2016…:
Cut 13 (11) “…have that in 2022.”
So far there are only two announced candidates, political newcomer Luke Mixon and community activist Gary Chambers who is pushing to decriminalize marijuana possession in a new TV commercial.

Avoyelles Representative Dary Deshotel says 58 parishes have applied for funds to expand broadband in their areas. Deshotel says it’s a 90-million dollar program, but there are other ways the available funds could grow…
cut 8 (14) “….in Louisiana”
Deshotel says awards will be announced in March.

7:30 LRN Newscast January 18

The bill hopper for the 2022 regular session opens today as state lawmakers can begin filing legislation that will be heard in the session that begins in March. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says after two consecutive years of destructive hurricanes and homeowners wrestling with their insurance providers over claims, Republican lawmakers are pushing insurance reform…
Cut 6 (12) “…governor.”

U-S Senator John Kennedy announces he has 11-million dollars in campaign cash on hand as he seeks re-election this year. Kennedy’s campaign says the state’s junior senator has raised 18-million dollars and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley…
cut 15 (09) “…your next re-election”

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers created a 90-million dollar grant program that would allow parishes to partner with private companies to improve broadband in their areas. Avoyelles Representative Daryl Deshotel authored the legislation and says they’ve received applications from 58 parishes and this March the awards will be announced. Deshotel says this is one of the largest economic development opportunities in Louisiana history…
cut 9 (13) “….change our state”

Tony’s Chachere’s is famous for its seasonings and the family-owned business in Opelousas is now rolling out a chili seasoning mix. Director of Marketing Celeste Chachere says there’s an original chili seasoning mix and a mild chili seasoning mix…
cut 12 (10) “…about this one”
The new chili mixes are currently rolling out to grocery stores, and you can also find them at TonyChachere.com.

6:45 LRN Sportscast January 18

LSU football coach Brian Kelly has finalized his on-field coaching staff with the hiring of Georgia wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Cortez Hankton. Hankton is another Louisiana native on Kelly’s staff as he’s from New Orleans. Tiger Rag Editor Adam Hunsucker says that the makeup of Kelly’s staff should help him make the adjustment to the SEC.
Cut 18 (13) “ …familiar with.”
In other LSU football news…wide receiver Jaray Jenkins has announced he’s returning for a fifth season and Notre Dame starting punter Jay Bramblett announced he’s transferring to LSU.

Louisiana Tech has received a verbal commitment from four-star running back De’Anthony Gatson. Rivals-dot-com ranks Gatson as the 17th best running back in the country after rushing for over 56-hundred yards and 83 touchdowns during his career at Newton High School in Newton, Texas.

The Pelicans dropped their second straight ballgame yesterday afternoon, a 104-92 loss to the Celtics. coach Willie Green says that his team struggled to meet Boston’s intensity on defense.
Cut 16 (14) “…get into stuff.”
Brandon Ingram has been playing well for the Pelicans lately, but yesterday he was held to 15 points on six of 19 shooting.

LSU men’s basketball fell one spot to 13 in the A-P Top 25 poll. The Tigers are at unranked Alabama on Wednesday. Coach Will Wade says starting point guard Xavier Pinson will be a game-time decision with a sprained knee.

The LSU Lady Tigers moved up one spot to number 11 in the AP poll. The Lady Tigers are 17 and 2 and do not play again until Sunday when they visit the Florida Gators.

6:30 LRN Newscast January 18

Today, state lawmakers can begin filing bills for the 2022 regular session that will begin in March. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s a non-fiscal session, so bills to raise taxes can not be introduced, but legislators will discuss state finances as they have to determine how to spend over a billion dollars in surplus money…
cut 5 (11) “…last forever”
The session begins on March 14.

In honor of their 50th anniversary, Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s is introducing new Cajun chili mixes. Director of Marketing Celeste Chachere says when they were brainstorming for new product ideas, they pulled from one of her great-grandfather’s favorite chili recipes.
Cut 10 (11) “…2.5 ounce box.”
Tony’s new Orginal Chili Seasoning Mix and Mild Chili Season Mix are rolling out to select grocery stores or go to tony chachere-dot-com.

Plans are afoot to bring broadband Internet to the state’s most remote areas, via the GUMBO Fund grant program Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”