3:30 LRN Newscast Oct 19

Louisiana has seen record numbers of early voting turnout so far for the Presidential Election. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says anecdotes of voters waiting in long lines to cast an early ballot are strongly supported by the data.

Cut 6 (10) “voted”

Early voting ends October 27th.

Minorities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and Auburn researchers are working to look at just how crucial public health information is being communicated to minority communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Research leader Dr. Kelly Dunning says foreign language speakers will be asked…

Cut 10 (12) “…..view messages”

LSU starting quarterback Myles Brennan is questionable for Saturday’s home game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Louisiana House Democratic Caucus is urging leaders of both chambers to end the session and call it a day. House Democratic Caucus Chair, Sam Jenkins says the special session is costing taxpayers more than $40 thousand a day and will tally almost $2-milion if they stay until October 27th. Jenkins says the session has produced no major solutions for COVID, and hurricane or economic recovery.

LRN PM Newscall October 19

More than a quarter-million Louisianans have early voted in the Presidential election so far, about 90,000 more early votes than we had two days into the 2016 election. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

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LSU starting quarterback Myles Brennan is questionable for Saturday’s home game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A Mangham Police Officer is recovering after he was shot during a traffic stop on Saturday night. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte shot the officer after stealing a vehicle and robbing a pharmacy in Rayville earlier in the day

Cut 3 (07)  “…Franklin Parish”  

Authorities say Semien abandoned the stolen vehicle near Fort Necessity and was taken into custody a short time later near Fort Necessity.  Semien faces several charges including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. Reichardt says the officer will survive after getting shot in the stomach…

Cut 4 (05)   “…thank goodness”   

The officer has been identified as Marshall Waters. Reichardt says Waters pulled over Semien’s vehicle because he was speeding…

Cut 5 (08) “…Franklin Parish”

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Louisiana has seen record numbers of early voting turnout so far for the Presidential Election.

JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says anecdotes of voters waiting in long lines to cast an early ballot are strongly supported by the data.

Cut 6 (10) “voted”

Early voting is available at select locations throughout the state and runs through October 27th. Polls are open from 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday.

Couvillon also notes Louisiana is following a national trend in that Democrats appear to be fired up and are early voting in disproportionately higher numbers than Republicans.

Cut 7 (10) “…night”

53 percent of Louisiana’s first-day early voters were Democrats. Statewide Democrats make up 40 percent of the electorate.

Couvillon estimates as much as 40 percent of the vote could be cast before Election Day and overall we could see sky-high participation.

Cut 8 (07) “…year”

Couvillon says more than 100,000 people have already voted by mail, three times the volume we saw four years ago.

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Because minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 researchers are looking at how they learn about the pandemic. Auburn University has received a National Science Foundation grant to study a variety of demographics in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Research leader Dr. Kelly Dunning says people of all income ranges will be interviewed.

Cut 9 (10) “they’ve responded”

Dunning says their research will also include populations that speak foreign languages.

Cut 10 (12) “…..view messages”

The study will compare how different populations receive their information, via print, television, radio, or social media and which format they trust.

Cut 11 (12) “…of information.”

The year-long study will interview 5,000 people and they hope to publish preliminary results next Spring.

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LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says Tigers starting quarterback Myles Brennan is questionable for Saturday’s home game against South Carolina. Orgeron says Brennan has a significant injury to his lower body, an injury that dates back to their loss at Missouri on October 10th

Cut 12 (09) “ ….this game” 

If Brennan is not healthy to play on Saturday, the Tigers will have to start a true freshman at quarterback, either Pontchatoula’s TJ Finley or Max Johnson from Georgia. Orgeron says both quarterbacks have the talent to play in the NFL…

Cut 13 (08) “…gonna start”

Orgeron says if Brennan can not play on Saturday, he’ll make a decision on who will start after Thursday’s practice. He says starting as a true freshman quarterback is not easy, but Finley and Johnson know what’s expected from them

Cut 14 (09) “…the offense”

2:30 LRN Newscast October 19

The first day of early voting saw a record-breaking 174-thousand votes cast in Louisiana. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says there have also been over 100-thousand people who have voted by mail, so he says 40-percent of the vote could be cast before Election Day…
cut 8 (07) “….year”
Early voting continues through October 27th.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says Tigers starting quarterback Myles Brennan is questionable for Saturday’s home game versus South Carolina. If Brennan can’t play, the Tigers will have to start a true freshman at Q-B, either Pontchatoula’s TJ Finley or Max Johnson from Georgia. Orgeron says both quarterbacks have the talent to play in the NFL…
Cut 13 (08) “…gonna start”
Brennan got hurt in the loss to Missouri and Coach O says he would not have played last Saturday if the game against Florida had not been postponed.

A Mangham Police Officer is recovering after he was shot during a traffic stop on Saturday night. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte shot the officer after stealing a vehicle and robbing a pharmacy in Rayville earlier in the day
Cut 3 (07) “…Franklin Parish”
Semien faces several charges including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. Reichardt says the officer is expected to survive.

An Auburn researcher has received funding for a yearlong project that will look at how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting poor communities in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Doctor Kelly Dunning says the study will compare how different populations receive their information and which format they trust…
cut 11 (12) “…of information”
Dunning plans to interview five-thousand people and release preliminary results next spring.

1:30 LRN Newscast Oct 19

More than a quarter-million Louisianans have early voted in the Presidential election so far, about 90,000 more early votes than we had two days into the 2016 election. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Carolina Panthers have shut down their facility after an unconfirmed positive COVID-19 result according to ESPN. The Panthers are scheduled to play in the Superdome Sunday, only family of the players, coaches, and staff of the Saints can attend.

Because minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 researchers are looking at how they learn about the pandemic. Auburn University has received a National Science Foundation grant to study a variety of demographics in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Research leader Dr. Kelly Dunning says people of all income ranges will be interviewed.

Cut 9 (10) “they’ve responded”

A Mangham police officer is recovering after being shot in the stomach during a traffic stop Sunday night. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte shot officer Marshall Waters, after stealing a vehicle and robbing a pharmacy in Rayville. Reichardt says Waters pulled over Semien’s vehicle because he was speeding…

Cut 5 (08) “…Franklin Parish”

Semien faces several charges including first-degree of attempted murder of a police officer.

1230 PM LRN News

JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says Louisiana Democratic voters are following a nationwide trend of very high early voting participation and appear to be highly enthusiastic about the upcoming Presidential Election. Dems only makeup 40 percent of registered voters but comprised 53 percent of first-day voters on Friday…

Cut 7 (10) “…night”

Couvillon predicts total turnout in the state will hit 74 percent by the end of November 3rd voting.

Minorities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and Auburn researchers are working to look at just how crucial public health information is being communicated to minority communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Research leader Dr. Kelly Dunning says foreign language speakers will be asked…

Cut 10 (12) “…..view messages”

Studies show it is possible to get COVID-19 more than once. Journals have noted many incidents of people getting sick, testing positive, recovering, testing negative, and then about two months later getting sick again and testing positive. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Dr. Najy Masri says he treated a nurse who had the same problem, and there are two possibilities on why some people may come down with the virus more than once.

Cut 13 (07) “issue.”

But he notes it is not very common and of the 40 million confirmed cases worldwide very few people have gotten it twice. The real ramifications of this data will impact vaccine development. Masri says One possibility is that you’ll need a booster shot, and the other possibility is…

Cut 15 (07) “…shot”

The state reports 202 new COVID cases today.

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 19

The Saints have talked with LSU about playing their home games at Tiger Stadium so that a limited number of fans can attend, but that apparently will not happen for Sunday’s game against Carolina. The Athletic’s Jeff Duncan reports New Orleans will host the Panthers in the Superdome this Sunday, which means only the family of players, staff, and coaches can attend.

The Panthers had their three-game winning streak snapped yesterday as they lost to the Chicago Bears 23-16. Tampa Bay moved into sole possession of first place in the NFC South with an impressive 38=10 win over the previously undefeated Packers. And the Falcons are winless no more as the Dirty Birds flew past Minnesota 40-23.

But Atlanta baseball fans are hurting today as the Dodgers came back from a three-to-one deficit in the series to beat the Braves in game seven of the NLCS four to three last night.

The LSU Tigers return to the practice field today to get ready for Saturday night’s home game against South Carolina. The Gamecocks had a nice win over Auburn last Saturday. We’ll get an update from Coach Ed Orgeron on the health of Quarterback Myles Brennan, who was banged up last week.

Louisiana Tech will work on an offense this week that rushed for seven yards in the Bulldogs 35-17 loss to Marshall on Saturday. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says that’s two straight poor performances on offense…
cut 17 (24) “…move forward”
Tech is at UTSA on Saturday night.

11:30 LRN Newscast Oct 19

A Mangham Police Officer is recovering after he was shot during a traffic stop on Saturday night. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte shot the officer after stealing a vehicle and robbing a pharmacy in Rayville. Semien faces several charges including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. Reichardt says the officer will survive after getting shot in the stomach…

Cut 4 (05)   “…thank goodness”   

Louisiana has seen record numbers of early voter turnout so far for the Presidential Election. JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says anecdotes of voters waiting in long lines to cast an early ballot are strongly supported by the data.

Cut 6 (10) “voted”

Early voting ends Oct 27th.

Stress levels are unusually high in the state, we’re seven months in a pandemic, recovering from two hurricanes and in the midst of a heated election. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter the state has a free and confidential 24-hour Keep Calm Hotline to help and even if you don’t feel you need the help, it could be vital for someone you know who is going through a hard time.

Cut 12 (06) “before”.

The number is 1-800-310-7977 or a text line, type “reach out” to 741-741.

The Louisiana Department of Health is offering free flu shots around the state with drive-up clinics. LDH flu expert Dr. Frank Welch says last year in Louisiana there were over 15-thousand hospitalizations for the flu alone and it’s even more important to get vaccinated now.

Cut 9 (06) “those hospitals”

For a list of free flue clinic sites and locations visit the LDH website

10:30 LRN Newscast Oct 19

A Mangham Police Officer is recovering after he was shot during a traffic stop on Saturday night. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte shot the officer after stealing a vehicle and robbing a pharmacy in Rayville earlier in the day

Cut 3 (07)  “…Franklin Parish”  

Semien faces several charges including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. Reichardt says the officer will survive after getting shot in the stomach.

The Louisiana Department of Health wants you to roll up your sleeve and get your annual flu shot, especially this year, to reduce the strain on the healthcare system. LDH flu expert Dr. Frank Welch says they are offering free flu shot clinics at locations around the state but this year the process is different.

Cut 7 (09) “a flu shot”

Stress levels are high in Louisiana as we’re seven months into a pandemic, recovering from two hurricanes, and in the middle of a heated election. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are free resources available to Louisiana residents who need help. He says if you’re feeling stressed call the 24-hour Keep Calm Hotline.

Cut 11 (12) “somewhere”

The number is 1-800-310-7977.

You can get COVID-19 twice. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Doctor Najy Masri says he treated a nurse who tested positive, got sick, recovered, and then seven weeks later came back with symptoms and tested positive again. Masri says this is one of a few documented examples of reinfection. So, he says if you’ve had COVID, don’t act like you’re invulnerable…
Cut 14 (10) “…exists”

9:30 LRN Newscast October 19

If you’ve had COVID but have recovered, there are documented cases of people getting the virus again. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana reported eleven-hundred new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday for the weekend. The statewide total has reached 175-thousand. The health department is also reporting 23 more deaths for a total of 5,550. Hospitalizations fell by seven to 550 and ventilator use remained at 60.

Early voting continues today and voters will find seven constitutional amendments on the ballot. Amendment One deals with abortion and an effort by pro-life supporters to make sure the state constitution does not guarantee the right to an abortion if Roe Versus Wade gets overturned. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says the amendment also does one other thing…
cut 6 (06) “…some effect”

The state health department is holding drive-thru flu shot clinics in the towns of Bunkie. Jena, Colfax, Leesville, and Winfield this week. L-D-H flu expert Doctor Frank Welch says with a COVID-19 vaccination possible in 2021, holding a drive-up clinic for the flu is a test run…
cut 8 (10) “…in the future”

8:30 LRN Newscast October 19

You can get COVID-19 twice. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinial Medicine Doctor Najy Masri says he treated a nurse who tested positive, got sick, recovered, tested negative, and then seven weeks later came back with symptoms and tested positive again. Masri says this is one of a few documented examples of second infection of COVID-19 worldwide. So he says if you’ve had COVID, don’t act like you’re invulnerable…
Cut 14 (10) “…exists”

There are seven constitutional amendments on the November 3rd ballot and Amendment one asks voters if they support an amendment that the right to an abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott…
cut 4 (10) “….of abortion”
For more information on the constitutional amendments go to the Public Affairs Research Council’s website.

It’s a stressful time to be alive and Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter has a message for anyone struggling to deal with the pressure…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Tropical Depression 27 has formed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s no threat to the Gulf of Mexico, but if it becomes a named storm, it will tie the record for most named storms in a season at 27, which was set in 2005.

And the Athletic’s Jeff Duncan reports the Saints will play Carolina in the Superdome on Sunday. There have been talks about moving Saints home games to LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Fans are not allowed in the Superdome.