7:30 LRN Newscast September 13

COVID hospitalizations have dropped to their lowest point since July as the last report from the Louisiana Department of Health had 1,755 people hospitalized with the coronavirus. The positivity rate has also dropped from 14 to 11-percent. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says while the numbers are encouraging, he’s asking citizens to remain vigilant with COVID mitigation practices…
cut 12 (11) “….future increases”

The number of customers still without power continues to decline, but a majority of customers are still without power in St. John, St Charles Lafourche, and Terrebonne Parishes. Entergy President Phillip May…
cut 15 (09) “…what we can”

The executive director of the Bayou Community Foundation says the group is focusing its assistance efforts on hard-hit Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Jennifer Armand says the organization has raised several million dollars so far.
Cut 4 (12) “…on the ground.”
Armand says money keeps pouring into the foundation’s fund that has helped pay for fuel, food, and other needs.

North Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is celebrating the start-up of the second of three planned SWEPCO wind farms in Oklahoma. Campbell says the 287-megawatt Maverick wind farm is now providing more clean energy for SWEPCO’s Louisiana customers…
cut 9 (12) “…in a forward way”
The Louisiana Public Service Commission unanimously approved Campbell’s motion to endorse the SWEPC wind project in May 2020.

6:45 LRN Sportscast September 13

Saints fans could not have asked for a better start to the season as the Black and Gold pummeled the Packers 38 to 3 in Jacksonville yesterday. Quarterback Jameis Winston only threw for 148 yards in his first start for the Saints, but he tossed five touchdown passes and he was not intercepted. Linebacker Demario Davis says he’s proud of Winston…
cut 17 (16) “…what they see”
Meanwhile, the Saints defense put the clamps down on the reigning NFL MVP. Aaron Rodgers threw for only 133 yards and he was intercepted twice.

The Saints have reportedly made Marshon Lattimore the second-highest-paid cornerback in the NFL as the two sides agreed to a five-year, 97-million dollar contract extension.

LSU beat McNeese in its home opener, but the offense still has its issues as the Tigers only managed 306 total yards and they were 4-of-16 on third downs. Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s a little surprised the offense has struggled through the first two games of the season…
cut 20 (21) “…change it”
LSU will host Central Michigan this Saturday night. The Chippewas have a sophomore running back by the name of Lew Nichols, who was the MAC Freshman of the Year last season.

The Cajuns will also face a team from the MAC this week. U-L Lafayette will host Ohio on Thursday. The Cajuns defeated Nicholls on Saturday 27-24. Also a close game in Ruston on Saturday as La Tech held off Southeastern Louisiana 45-42. Lions Q-B Cole Kelley nearly threw for 500 yards.

6:30 LRN Newscast September 13

Two weeks after Hurricane Ida and the Louisiana Public Service Commission reports 130-thousand utility customers remain without power. 82-percent of the utility customers in St. Charles Parish does not have electricity, 70-percent in Terrebonne Parish, and around 60-percent are still in the dark in St. John and Lafourche Parishes. Entergy CEO Phillip May…
cut 14 (07) “…light is on”
Entergy has made progress in Tangipahoa and Livingston as less than 20-percent of the customers in those parishes are without power.

The Bayou Community Foundation, which is helping residents in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish says money keeps pouring into its Hurricane Ida relief fund…
cut 5 (09) “…year ahead”
Bayou Community Foundation Director Jennifer Armand says the money is going towards fuel, food, and various other needs in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish.

Statewide COVID hospitalizations appear to have peaked in mid-August, but health officials fear Hurricane Ida could reverse the state’s progress…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LRN AM Newscall September 13

Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes are getting help from an organization that’s among others trying to help Ida storm victims get back on their feet.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

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Statewide COVID hospitalizations appear to have peaked in this fourth surged mid-August, but health officials fear Hurricane Ida could reverse the state’s progress. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The Saints start off the 2021 season with a 38-3 win over the Green Bay Packers. Jeff Palermo has a recap…

Cut 3 (30)  I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The executive director of the Bayou Community Foundation says the group is focusing its assistance efforts on hard-hit Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.  Jennifer Armand says the organization has raised several million dollars thus far.

Cut 4 (12) “…on the ground.”

Armand says money keeps pouring into the foundation’s fund that has helped pay for fuel, food and the various other needs of residents who remain in recovery mode more than two weeks after Ida slammed the two parishes, including Grand Isle.

Cut 5 (09) “…and year ahead.”

In looking back to last week, Armand says gasoline has been one of the significant needs of those in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.

Cut 6 (09) “…southern Terrebonne parishes.”

The Bayou Recovery Fund for Hurricane Ida Relief was opened two days before the storm wreaked havoc on southeast Louisiana.  If you’d like to donate to the fund you can visit the website bayoucf.org and click on the banner Bayou Recovery Fund.

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The second of three planned SWEPCO wind farms is up and running in nearby Oklahoma. The Maverick wind farm is expected to generate 287-megawatts of power for the SWEPCO grid in Louisiana and elsewhere. Shreveport area Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell says he’s a proponent of wind energy…:

Cut 7 (12) “…do for Louisiana.”

The Maverick wind farm joins the already complete Sundance facility with a third, called Traverse, to begin operating in 2022. Campbell says the new wind farm represents a $1-Billion savings over a 30-year period compared to other energy resources. He says the wind farm will be good for northern Louisiana because it stabilized the state’s energy base…:

Cut 8 (07) “…in north Caddo Parish.”

The SWEPCO grid will benefit from power generated by the wind turbines of the two wind farms. Campbell says it’s a step in the right direction…:

Cut 9 (12) “…in a forward way.”

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State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says when you look at COVID hospitalizations in the state it appears as if they peaked in mid-August but since a major hurricane has hit the state, he fears things could change.

Cut 10 (11) “…downward trajectory.” 

On Friday 1,755 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, down more than 40-percent since the governor issued his latest statewide mask mandate, and the positivity rate has dropped from 14-percent to 11-percent, which is also encouraging.

Kanter says while he’s grateful for the downward trend in COVID hospitalizations he also understands it could be short-lived given the fact that many families were recently forced to shelter with others outside of their immediate household due to Ida.

Cut 11 (09) “….generator.”

Kanter says the message he wants to send is while the numbers are encouraging, we must remain vigilant with COVID mitigation practices to continue to make progress.

Cut 12 (11) “…future increases.”  

New statewide COVID numbers will be released today at noon.

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More than two weeks after Hurricane Ida tore up southeast Louisiana, for the most part, the lights still aren’t back on for homes and businesses in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.  Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May, the repairs will be slow going for the time being.

Cut 13 (11) “…get back on.”

May is promising that everyone will eventually get their power back as crews continue to work as fast as possible to do so.

Cut 14 (07)  “…light is on.”

May says the Lafourche and Terrebonne area present a much bigger challenge to get power restored.

Cut 15 (09)  “…what we can.”

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The Saints began the Jameis Winston with a big “W” as New Orleans completely dominated Green Bay 38 to 3. Winston played error free football as he threw for 148 yards and touchdowns. Winston gives credit to the defense for holding Aaron Rodgers to 133 yards passing…

Cut  16 (22) “…football games.”

It was Winston’s first start since 2019, who spent last season learning the Saints offense from Coach Sean Payton and former QB Drew Brees. Linebacker Demario Davis says he’s proud of Winston…

Cut 17 (16) “…what they see.”  

Many are shocked by the Saints dominant performance in Jacksonville. The team has been Fort Worth, Texas, since Hurricane Ida caused massive destruction to New Orleans. Davis says they wanted to win this one for Who Dat nation…

Cut 18 (23)”…adverse times.”

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The LSU Tigers beat McNeese 34-7 on Saturday night, but the Bayou Bengals offense did not look good in the victory. LSU had just 306 yards of total offense and they were just 4-of-16 on third down. Quarterback Max Johnson was also consistently pressured. Coach Ed Orgeron on the offense’s performance

Cut 19 (18)  “….better schemes” 

Orgeron says he’s a little surprised the offense has struggled through the first two games of the season…

Cut 20 (21)  “…change it.” 

10:30 LRN Newscast Sept 11

LABI President and CEO Stephen Waguespack opposes the Biden administration’s policy requiring employers with 100 or more workers to require COVID vaccines. Waguespack says mandating vaccinations is not the role of the federal government.

Cut 7 (10) “..should be doing”  

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis discussed allegations the agency mishandled a police brutality investigation. Lt. John Clary has been accused of covering up the fatal police beating of Ronald Green in 2019 when he failed to hand over his body cam footage to prosecutors and has since been cleared. Davis denies an AP report he personally visited the Union Parish D-A in an effort to keep troopers involved in Greene’s death were not criminally charged…

Cut 13 (08)    of my employees”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has located more than 100 oiled birds due to a spill from the Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse. LDWF Restoration Program Manager Jon Wiebe says the spill is associated with Hurricane Ida’s path. He says there’s a fair bit of oil near the levee that surrounds the refinery.

Cut 9 (05) “…if we can.” 

The oiled birds are being transferred to a restoration center in New Iberia. Wiebe says their stay there depends on the condition of the bird.

According to the National Hurricane Center, a tropical wave off the Atlantic coast of Central America has a 70-percent chance of formation in the next two days. By late in the weekend heavy rains could reach the western gulf coast including coastal Texas and Louisiana through mid-week. The significant rainfall could result in flash flooding for the Bayou State.

 

 

9:30 LRN Newscast Sept 11

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis discusses changes made with the agency as his department comes under fire for allegedly not investigating properly cases of excessive force arrests involving troopers.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

LSU says about 4-percent or 12-hundred students have yet to comply with the school’s new COVID-19 entry protocols as of Thursday. Students who failed to do so by Friday risk being kicked off-campus.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed nearly three thousand Americans. Chris Guilbeau, Assistant Deputy Director of Emergency Management at GOHSEP, says 20 years on, the biggest threat we face from terrorists is cyberattacks which can cripple major companies and infrastructure.

Cut 4  (12) “…their knees.” 

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry is not a fan of President Biden’s proposed mandate that all U.S. companies with 100 or more employees force their workers to get a COVID vaccine. LABI CEO Stephen Waguespack says that would put businesses in a very tough position.

Cut 8 (10) “..are subjected to”

He says Biden’s plan could potentially cause more companies to relocate outside the U.S.

 

 

8:30 LRN Newscast Sept 11

The Biden Administration’s plan to require Covid-19 vaccines for companies with more than 100 employees is drawing strong opposition from LABI.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Dave Brannen.

According to the National Hurricane Center, A tropical wave off the Atlantic coast of Central America has a 70-percent chance of formation in the next two days. By late in the weekend heavy rains could reach the western gulf coast including coastal Texas and Louisiana through mid-week. The significant rainfall could result in flash flooding for the Bayou State.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed nearly three thousand Americans. Chris Guilbeau, Assistant Deputy Director of Emergency Management at Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says policies and procedures implemented since 9-11 have made a difference.

Cut 3 (12) “…major incidents.”

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis held a lengthy press conference Friday to discuss allegations the agency mishandled a police brutality investigation. Lt. John Clary has been accused of covering up the fatal police beating of Ronald Green in 2019 when he did not hand over his body cam footage to prosecutors. Clary has been cleared and Davis explains why…

Cut 12 (10) “evidence.”  

LRN News 5:30 PM September 10

Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed nearly three thousand Americans. Chris Guilbeau, Assistant Deputy Director of Emergency Management at Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says a major help in reducing security threats today is the public speaking up when they see something out of sorts.

Cut 5 (12) “…little strange.”

 

The Biden Administration is getting more blowback on its plan to mandate vaccines for companies with more than 100 employees.  LABI President and CEO Stephen Waguespack opposes the action that would impact about two-thirds of the American workforce.  Waguespack says requiring American companies to mandate Covid vaccinations is clearly not the role of the federal government.

Cut 7 (10) “..should be doing”  

 

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis met with reporters today to discuss allegations the agency mishandled a police brutality investigation. Lt. John Clary has been accused of covering up the fatal police beating of Ronald Green in 2019 when he failed to hand over his body cam footage to prosecutors. Cleary has been cleared. Davis denies an Associated Press report that he personally visited the Union Parish D-A in an effort to make sure the troopers involved in Greene’s death were not criminally charged…

Cut 13 (08)    of my employees”

 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has located more than 100 oiled birds due to a spill from the Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse. LDWF Restoration Program Manager Jon Wiebe says the spill is associated with Hurricane Ida’s path. Wiebe says if you find an oiled bird or any animal don’t try to rescue it yourself, call LDWF.  Wiebe says you can do more harm than good for the animal that’s already stressed.

Cut  11 (10) “..these animals.”  

4:30pm LRN Newscast Sept 10

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis discusses changes to his agency, as it comes under fire for allegedly not properly investigating cases of troopers using excessive force. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 02  (34)        “…Jeff Palermo”

FEMA is stationing mobile registration centers in Ascension Parish where those impacted by Hurricane Ida can apply for federal assistance in-person. Sites in Donaldsonville, Gonzales and Sorrento will be up and running by Tuesday and open daily from 8 until 6.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve been made aware of over 100 birds covered in oil due to a spill from the Alliance refinery in Belle Chasse. LDWF Restoration Program Manager Jon Wiebe says the birds are being transferred to a restoration center in New Iberia. How long they’ll be there depends on the bird and its condition…:

CUT 10  (05)        “…than that”

He says never to try to help oiled wildlife yourself. Rather call LDWF and let them know where to find the animal.

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry is not happy with President Biden’s plan to mandate companies with 100 or more workers force them to get COVID shots. LABI CEO Stephen Waguespack say about a quarter of their membership would be affected..:

CUT 06  (11)        “…like this before”

He says vaccinations are a good idea, but should not be mandated.

4:45 LRN Sportscast September 10

The Saints kick-off the regular season on Sunday in Jacksonville where they’ll take on the Green Bay Packers. The team has been preparing for the game in Fort Worth, Texas as they wait for basic services to return to the New Orleans area. Quarterback Jameis Winston says the time re-located in north Louisiana has been good for the team as they’ve come together…
cut 17 (25) “….together”
The Saints have placed cornerback Ken Crawley and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith on injuried reserve.

And former LSU Tiger and Cowboys offensive tackle La’el Collins has been suspended for five games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

LSU will welcome McNeese into Tiger Stadium on Saturday. The Bayou Bengals are looking to put together a good performance after a 38-27 season opening loss to UCLA. Coach Ed Orgeron says he wants to see a variety of runs and different formations on offense, he would like to see the defense cover crossing routes better and more game-changing plays on defense.

Here’s a look at the other action in college football around the state on Saturday. Southeastern Louisiana will be in Ruston to face Louisiana Tech. The Lions looked good in a win over North Alabama last week, while the Bulldogs can use a win after a one-point loss to Mississippi State. Nicholls is at the Ragin Cajuns. Both teams lost their season openers last week.

Northwestern State is at Alcorn State. Grambling will visit Southern Miss and Louisiana College is at Abilene Christian.

The LSU Board of Supervisors on a 12 to 3 vote approved a motion to rename the basetball court in the PMAC to Dale Brown Court. Ricky Blanton, Rudy Macklin. John Brady and Jordy Hultberg urged the board to vote for naming the court after the former LSU basketball coach.