10:30 LRN Newscast April 26

Hall of Famer Kim Mulkey is back home as the Tickfaw native is the new head LSU women’s basketball coach The 58-year-old Mulkey has an impressive resume. Three national championships as head coach at Baylor. The voice of the Lady Tigers, Patrick Wright, says it’s a blockbuster hire…

Cut 6 (11) “..you name it”

Mulkey will be introduced during a 5 PM press conference.

Lawmakers continue to tackle tax reform and Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports the effort but only if it produces revenue-neutral results. Legislators would like to lower individual income tax rates, but also eliminate deducting federal income taxes paid on your state taxes. Governor Edwards says that approach has a lot of merit…
cut 14 (08) “….F-I-T

The state health department tells vaccine providers to resume using the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine. The CDC and the FDA say the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the rare risk of developing blood clots. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s incredible how quickly the agencies acted after it was determined the J & J vaccine was responsible for blood clots in six American women.

Cut 11 (07) “..it should”

When you think of tea Tangipahoa Parish probably doesn’t come to mind, but it is home to one of the few tea farms in the United States. Owner of the Fleur De Lis Tea Company David Barron has a 160-acre farm in Amite. Barron purchased the pine tree farm more than ten years ago and he ventured into the tea business when a fellow horticulturist offered him a tea plant that he was cultivating.

Cut 9 (08) “…his fault.”

 

Barron says if you can grow a camellia, you can grow tea.

9:30 LRN Newscast April 26

State lawmakers seem committed to tax reform this legislative session as several bills to change the state’s tax code have made it out of the House Ways and Means Committee. Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants lawmakers to approve a revenue-neutral tax plan…
cut 15 (10) “….took office”
There’s support to lower the state’s income tax rates, but eliminate tax breaks as a way to balance out lower income tax rates.

The Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine can once again be administered in Louisiana. Federal health officials uncovered 15 vaccine recipients who developed blood clots out of nearly eight million who received Johnson and Johnson’s shot, but they believe the benefits outweigh the risk. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter is glad the J-and-J vaccine is back in circulation…
cut 12 (09) “…various locations”

You might not know that Tangipahoa Parish is home to one of the few tea farms in the United States. Owner of the Fleur De Lis Tea Company David Barron says for producers looking to further diversify their crops this might be your cup of tea.
Cut 7 (08) “…after water.”
Barron’s Fleur De Lis Tea Company is on his 160-acre farm in Amite and will host the U-S Tea Growers annual meeting in October.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hoping Congress will approve the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which would provide the state with 16-million dollars annually to help species at risk of extinction like the Louisiana Pearlshell and the Louisiana Pinesnake…
cut 5 (07) “….species list”
LDWF biologist Director Amity Bass says there are 362 species at risk of extinction.

8:30 LRN Newscast April 26

The Louisiana House is expected to discuss and possibly vote on several tax reform bills today. State lawmakers are looking to reduce the state’s income tax rate, but eliminate other tax breaks. Governor John Bel Edwards says he can back this effort…
Cut 13 (10) “…support it”
Several lawmakers are interested in lowering income tax rates but also eliminate certain tax breaks like the federal income tax deduction.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hoping Congress will pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act which can provide the state with millions of dollars each year to accelerate recovery of more than 350 species at risk of extinction in Louisiana…
cut 6 (09) “….but nationally”
That’s LDWF Biologist Director Amity Bass who says the legislation could also create 33-thousand jobs nationwide.

Tickfaw native and former Louisiana Tech standout Kim Mulkey is returning to Louisiana as she’s accepted the job as head women’s basketball coach at LSU. Mulkey led Baylor to three national championships and is the third-winningest coach in women’s college basketball.

It might surprise you to learn that Louisiana is home to a farm of one of the world’s most popular beverages. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

7:30 LRN Newscast April 26

We are two weeks into the legislative session and lawmakers seem committed to tax reform and Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports the effort as long as the changes produce revenue-neutral results. Legislators would like to lower individual income tax rates, but also eliminate the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid on your state taxes. Governor John Bel Edwards says that approach has a lot of merit…
cut 14 (08) “….F-I-T
Tax reform legislation is on the agenda today when the Louisiana House gathers at 2 PM.

David Barron is having success growing tea plants in Tangipahoa Parish. He says they like the well-drained soil on his farm in Amite…
cut 8 (08) “….perfect for that”
His farm is one of just a few tea farms in the United States and he sees great potential for growing tea on sites of pine tree farms.

If the federal Recovering America’s Wildlife Act passes, Louisiana could receive $16 million annually to help preserve 362 species at risk of extinction. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is now Congressman-elect Carter as he defeated fellow Democrat Karen Carter Peterson in a run-off to represent Louisiana’s Second Congressional District.

KIm Mulkey is returning home. The Tickfaw and former Louisiana Tech women’s basketball star has been hired as LSU’s new women’s basketball coach after leading Baylor to three national championships.

6:45 LRN Sportscast April 26

It seemed like a wild rumor at first but it’s happening, Hall of Fame Coach Kim Mukley is returning to Louisiana to coach the LSU women’s basketball team. The 58-year-old Mulkley replaces Nikki Fargas who left for a job in the W-N-B-A. The former Lady Techster has the third-best winning percentage in women’s basketball coaching history and won three national championships at Baylor.

Mulkey is bringing life to an LSU women’s basketball program that has been stale. But can she help the LSU baseball team? Coach Paul Mainieri’s team suffered a gut-wrenching loss on Saturday falling to Ole Miss 10-9 as the Rebels rallied from an eight-run deficit in the eighth inning. LSU center fielder Giovanni DiGiacomo says you have to credit the Rebels…
cut 20 (10) “…fight”

Tulane is the hottest college baseball team in the state. The Green Wave won their tenth straight yesterday as they crushed Memphis 12 to 3. Tulane is 10-and-1 in the American Athletic Conference.

UNO has moved into a tie for first place in the Southland after taking three of four from Southeastern Louisiana. The Ragin Cajuns have fallen into third place in the Western Division of the Sun Belt after dropping two of three from Little Rock.

Louisiana Tech’s lead for first place in the West Division of Conference USA is down to a half a game after splitting a four-game series versus Marshall.

Louisiana Tech’s offense had troubling moving the ball in its spring game as the offensive line struggled. But Coach Skip Holtz is optimistic they will be much better when the 2021 season starts…
cut 17 (23) “….the fall”
Tech’s season opener is Saturday at Mississippi State.

6:30 LRN Newscast April 26

The state health department has told vaccine providers to resume using the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine. The CDC and the FDA say the benefits of the single-dose vaccine outweigh the rare risk of developing blood clots. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the 11-day halt of the J-and-J shot was unfortunate but reassuring…
Cut 10 (12) “..cause a pause.”

There’s legislation in Congress that’s waiting to be discussed that would dedicate 16-million dollars a year to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that will help the agency’s efforts to protect endangered species and habitats. LDWF Biologist Director Amity Bass…
cut 4 (08) “….declining”
The Louisiana Pearlshell, the Louisiana Pinesnake and Alligator Snapping Turtle are among the species at risk in Louisiana.

The Louisiana House is expected to debate several tax reform proposals this afternoon as lawmakers look to lower individual income tax rates. Don Molino
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”

LRN AM Newscall April 26

If the federal Recovering American’s Wildlife Act passes, Louisiana could receive $16 million annually to help preserve 362 species at risk of extinction. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

_______________________________

It might surprise you to learn that Louisiana is home to a farm of one of the world’s most popular beverages. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

The Louisiana House is expected to debate several tax reform proposals this afternoon as lawmakers look to lower individual income tax rates. Don Molino

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

Passage of the Recovering American’s Wildlife Act in Congress would dedicate $16 million annually to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ efforts to protect endangered species and habitats. LDWF Biologist Director Amity Bass says this could allow them to increase their Statewide Action Plan.

Cut 4 (11)“…declining.”

Bass says the funding will help them address the decline of endangered species in the state like the Louisiana Pearlshell and Pinesnake and recover them.

Cut 5 (07)“… species list.”

If a species becomes threatened or endangered, Bass says there’s been a failure to conserve them on the front end at some level so additional funds have the potential to drastically change that.

Cut 6 (09) “…but nationally.”

_____________________________

You might not know that Tangipahoa Parish is home to one of the few tea farms in the United States. Owner of the Fleur De Lis Tea Company David Barron says for producers looking to further diversify their crops this might be your cup of tea.

Cut 7 (08)  “…after water.”

Barron says the terrain in general in the Bayou State is ideal for growing tea plants. He says they like well-drained soil…

Cut 8 (08) “…perfect for that.”

Barron says he sees great potential for tea in Louisiana especially on the sites of pine tree farms.

The tea plant is related to the Camilla plant that is popular in the south and Barron says anywhere you can grow a Camilla you can grow tea.

Fleur Des Lis Tea Company has a 160-acre farm in Amite. Barron purchased the pine tree farm more than ten years ago. He ventured into the tea business when a fellow horticulturist offered him a tea plant that he was cultivating.

Cut 9 (08) “…his fault.”

Barron says the U-S League Tea Growers annual meeting will be held in October at the farm in Amite and they will host growers from all over the world.

To learn more about the farm you can visit their website at www.fleurdelisteaco.com/

________________________________________

The state health department has told vaccine providers to resume using the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine. The CDC and the FDA say the benefits of the single-dose vaccine outweigh the rare risk of developing blood clots. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the 11-day halt of the J-and-J shot was unfortunate but reassuring…

Cut 10 (12) “..cause a pause.”

Kanter says it’s incredible how quickly the FDA and the CDC acted after it was determined the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine was responsible for blood clots in six American women.

Cut 11 (07) “..it should”

Federal health officials uncovered 15 vaccine recipients who developed the blood clots out of the nearly eight million people who received Johnson and Johnson’s shot. All were women under 50, three of them have died.

Kanter expects there will still be a lot of demand for the J-and-J vaccine and he’s glad its back in circulation

Cut 12 (09) “…various locations.”

Over one-point-one million Louisianans have completed their vaccinations against COVID-19. About 85-thousand Johnson and Johnson doses have been administered in Louisiana and no reported cases of this rare blood clot.

______________________

The Louisiana House is expected to discuss and possibly vote on several tax reform bills today. State lawmakers are looking to reduce the state’s income tax rate, but eliminate other tax breaks. Governor John Bel Edwards says he can back this effort…

Cut 13 (10) “…support it”

House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop has a proposal that would lower the individual income taxes. For those who make over 50-thousand dollars, their income tax rate will be lowered from six to 4.25 percent. But the measure would eliminate the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid from your state taxes. Edwards says Bishop’s bill has a lot of merit…

Cut 14 (08) “…F-I-T.”

These tax reform proposals will also need voter approval and two-thirds support in the House and Senate. Edwards says he will not support tax bills that result in an overall increase in taxes or a decrease, which could result in future budget deficits…

Cut 15 (10)“…took office”

_____________________________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech football completed its spring practice on Saturday in a game spring game that featured nine sacks sacks by the defense. Redshirt freshman linebacker Maki Carabin had a game-high seven tackles. Coach Skip Holtz on what he saw from his defense…

Cut 16 (15) “…positive.”

The offensive line had its struggles on Saturday, but Holtz is optimistic they will be much better once the 2021 regular season starts

Cut 17 (23) “…the fall”

As far as the quarterbacks go, Aaron Allen was 14 of 25 for 216 yards and a touchdown. JD Head was 12 of 25 for 146 yards and a touchdown. Holtz gave up an update on Luke Anthony who broke his fibula in December. He says Anthony is still expected to make a full recovery…

Cut  18 (25)”..his recovery.” 

____________________________________________________

LSU baseball has suffered a lot of tough losses this season, but Saturday’s implosion tops them all. The Tigers led by eight runs in the bottom of the eighth and there were two outs in the inning. But the Rebels came back to win 10-9. Shortstop Jordan Thompson tried to provide an upbeat message after the brutal loss…

Cut 19 (19) “…all weekend” 

The Rebels tied the game in the eighth inning on a grand slam by TJ McCants as the ball just sailed over the out stretched glove of LSU center fielder Giovanni DiGiacomo. DiGiacomo says you have to credit the Rebels…

Cut 20 (10) “…either” 

10:30 LRN Newscast April 24

Today is election day in the state’s second congressional district. UNO Political Science Professor Ed Chervenak says the race to replace Cedric Richmond comes down to likeability between Democrats Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter and their ability to turn out the vote.
Cut 4 (10) “…the poll”
Voter turnout is expected to be between 15 and 20-percent.

Two lawsuits have now been filed against the companies involved with the liftboat that capsized during rough weather in the Gulf of Mexico on April 13th. 13 people are presumed dead and among those 13 dead, seven remain missing. A wife and a fiance of two of the missing crewmembers are the first two to file lawsuits against Seacor Marine, Seacor Liftboats and Talos Energy, claiming they put profits before safety.

U-S health experts have determined its safe to resume using the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine. The CDC and the FDA say the benefits of the single-dose vaccine outweigh the rare risk of developing blood clots. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the 11-day halt of the J-and-J shot was unfortunate but reassuring…
Cut 10 (12) “..cause a pause.”
Kanter expects there will still be a lot of demand for the J-and-J vaccine and he’s glad its back in circulation

Today is prescription drug take-back day as numerous sites around the state will accept old pills and medication until 2 PM today. DEA Special agent Randy Harness says overdose deaths are on the rise and pain meds are a major reason…
Cut 7 (11) “…this year.”
Go to d-e-a-take-back-dot-com for more information.

9:30 LRN Newscast April 24

Governor John Bel Edwards announces that Louisiana Green Fuels plans to develop a 700-million dollar renewable diesel plant in Caldwell Parish. Edwards says the state has established a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. He says this biodiesel plant is a step in the right direction
Cut 14 (11) “..blue hydrogen”
Edwards says the proposed project would generate 450 construction jobs and employ 76 people once complete.

The wife and the fiance of two of the missing crewmembers from the Seacor lift boat that capsized April 13th have filed multi-million dollar lawsuits Seacor Marine and Talos Energy. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s likely these lawsuits will be settled out of court, but it will take years to do…
Cut 11 (08) “…years pass”
The plaintiffs in the case claim the companies involved in the tragedy put profits before safety.

Voters in southeast Louisiana will elect a new Congressman in the 2nd district today. Jim Shannon looks at the race between Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter…
Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jim Shannon”

LSU is taking further action in the wake of failing to properly report previous claims of sexual misconduct. The school is planning to ban former running back Derius Guice from campus and they are taking his name out of the school’s record books. Also, the university is firing the law firm Taylor Porter. The firm denies claims they participated in an effort to keep sexual misconduct claims made against former coach Les Miles quiet.

8:30 LRN Newscast April 24

Polls are open in southeast Louisiana as the race between Democrats Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson for Louisiana’s Second Congressional District concludes. UNO Political Science Professor Ed Chervenak says Carter has received the endorsement of former Congressman Cedric Richmond…
cut 5 (12) “….the district”
Polls close at 8 PM tonight.

Today from 10 AM to 2 PM it’s National Drug Take-Back Day as several sites across the state will accept unused medication. DEA special agent Mike Zaiter on why it’s important to get old prescription drugs out of your home….
cut 8 (13) “…illegallY”
Go to D-E-A take-back-dot-com to find a location near you.
A second lawsuit has been filed in response to the April 13th Seacor Power tragedy. 13 people are believed to be dead after several crewmembers of the Seacor Power were tossed into the Gulf of Mexico when the lift boat capsized. A wife and a fiance of two of the men still missing filed the suits against Seacor Marine, Seacor Liftboats, and Talos Energy claiming the companies involved put profits before safety. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says more lawsuits are expected…
cut 10 (10) “…company was”
Former President Donald Trump has made a ten-thousand-dollar donation to the United Cajun Navy as they continue to search for the seven crew members who remain missing.

State Police has completed its investigation into the fatal police shooting of Trayford Pellerin in Lafayette last August. Pellerin was attempting to enter a convenience store, armed with a knife. L-S-P has not released details, only saying it’s been handed over to the Lafayette Parish D-A’s office.