7:30 LRN Newscast August 22

Two tropical storms are headed to the Gulf of Mexico….
cut 15 (09) “…situation”
That’s Mike Steele, spokesperson for the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency prepardness. Steele says Tropical Storm Laura is the bigger threat to Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center says Laura is expected to make landfall as a hurricane somewhere along Lousiana’s coast on Wednesday. While Tropical Storm Marco appears more of a threat to Texas and it might not reach hurricane status.

A Baton Rouge man who killed a woman in a high-speed wreck last summer after he says God told him to kill himself is found not guilty by reason of insanity. 19-year-old Jack Jordan’s attorney, James Manasseh, says Jordan’s next court hearing is in October.
Cut 14 (11) “…released”
Jordan has been in a mental hospital since his vehicle at 90 miles per hour slammed into Stephanie Payne’s car as it was stopped at a Baton Rouge intersection in July of 2019.

Colleges and universities will publicly report on-campus COVID-19 case data each week with the total weekly tally of cases appearing on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State Police is investigating an officer involed shooting last night in north Lafayette at a gas station. Officers responded to a disturbance at a gas station and the subject who was shot ended up walking to another gas station, where he was a shot. There’s no word on his condition or whether he had a weapon.

5:30 PM Newscast

Tropical Storm Laura is currently projected to make landfall as a Cat One hurricane Wednesday afternoon in southeast Louisiana. It’s one of two storms that may be impacting Louisiana next week that the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is bracing for.  GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the storms are a reminder that it is important for residents to develop a plan of action and shore up their hurricane supply kits with enough supplies to sustain every member of the family for at least three days.

Cut 16 (11) “…things become strained.” 

Colleges and universities will publicly report on-campus COVID-19 case data each week. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says state officials are working with school officials to answer any questions they may have and give them policy recommendations.

Cut 5 (10)  “…being paid for.”

The total weekly tally of cases reported by universities will appear on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard.

An Ochsner anti-body survey of the Baton Rouge region uncovers some unsettling data about COVID-19. Ochsner Research Scientist Dr. Amy Feehan says those who reported the loss of smell and taste were eight and a half times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, and it’s no simple allergy season kind of sensory loss…

Cut 7 (10) “…severe.”

A Baton Rouge man who killed a woman in a high-speed wreck last summer after he says God told him to kill himself is found not guilty by reason of insanity. 19-year-old Jack Jordan’s attorney, James Manasseh, says three medical experts observed his client and said he was not of sound mind at the time of the incident, and the district attorney agreed.

Cut 12 (10) “…that time”

4:30 PM Newscast

There’s the potential for two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico next week. The latest advisory shifts both storms westward. State Climatologist Barry Keim says one of the storms is expected to enter the Gulf on Sunday after moving over the Yucatan Penisula. Keim says southwest Louisiana needs to be on guard and so does southeast Louisiana as that part of the state is in the cone of uncertainty for Tropical Storm Laura which will most likely pass south Florida on Monday.

Cut 10 (07) “…successive days.”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is bracing for the potential impact.  GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says conference calls among coastal parishes have already begun.

Cut 15 (13) “at that time.” 

 

An Ochsner anti-body survey of the Baton Rouge region uncovers some unsettling data about COVID-19. Ochsner Research Scientist Dr. Amy Feehan says they discovered 61 percent of those who tested positive for a contagious infection were not showing symptoms and likely didn’t know they were carrying the virus.

Cut 6 (04) “…or not”

Colleges and universities will publicly report on-campus COVID-19 case data each week. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says it will be a challenge to handle college outbreaks compared to dealing with certain types of businesses or buildings, as on campus, you’ve got both on-campus and off-campus living, sprawling buildings, and a variety of places that could be linked to outbreaks.

Cut 4 (11)“ …to the public.” 

Some colleges, including LSU, are doing their own contact tracing and surveillance efforts.

4:45 LRN Sportscast August 21

The NCAA has reportedly approved a rule that gives all fall sport student-athletes a free year of eligiblity, no matter how many games they compete in over the next ten months. It remains to be seen how schools react to this news. Scholarships cost money and athletic budgets have seen their revenues shrink because of COVID-19.

At LSU’s football camp, one of the biggest players on the field is freshman tight end Arik Gilbert, who stands at six-foot-five, 250 pounds. Tigers Safety Jacoby Stevens he’s been impressed with the Georgia product…
cut 20 (20) “….at you”
Gilbert is the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year, the first tight end to win the award since its inception in 1985.

The Saints are getting ready for the season and they are also keeping an eye on the tropics as there’s the potential for two named storms in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time in 87 years. Coach Sean Payton says he’ll talk with General Manager Mickey Loomis to discuss options in case one of the storms hits New Orleans…
cut 30 (30) “…everyone”

ULM football is pausing its preseason camp, because COVID testing produced nine positive cases. The school is hoping they can resume early next week. Their first game is September fifth at Troy.

330 PM LRN News

A Baton Rouge man who killed a woman in a high-speed wreck last summer after he says God told him to kill himself is found not guilty by reason of insanity. 19-year-old Jack Jordan’s attorney, James Manasseh, says it’s the definition of a tragedy and one no one saw coming from Jordan who was described as a good student on his way to college.

Cut 13 (08) “…tragedy” 

Stephanie Payne was idling at a Baton Rouge intersection on July 22nd when Jordan slammed his vehicle into hers at over 90 miles per hour.

There’s the potential for two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico next week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says one of the storms is expected to enter the Gulf on Sunday after moving over the Yucatan Penisula. Keim says the official forecast track calls for this system to develop into a hurricane as it approaches the Louisiana-Texas coastline

Cut 9 (08) “…very good”

Colleges and universities will publicly report on-campus COVID-19 case data each week with the total weekly tally of cases appearing on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The state reports nearly 1100 new COVID-19 cases today, Fatalities increase by 50. Hospitalizations decrease by 36 to 1051, with 172 patients on ventilators, down by 6.

LRN PM Newscall August 21

Colleges and universities will publicly report on-campus COVID-19 case data each week with the total weekly tally of cases appearing on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting two hurricanes will be in the Gulf of Mexico next week. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________

Colleges and universities will publicly report on-campus COVID-19 case data each week. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the main goal is to pinpoint where outbreaks occur in an effort to mitigate further spread.

Cut 3 (11)  “…early as possible.”  

Billioux says it will be a challenge to handle college outbreaks in the same way of dealing with certain types of business or buildings as on a campus, you’ve got both on-campus and off-campus living, sprawling buildings, and a variety of places that could be linked to outbreaks.

Cut 4 (11)“ …to the public.” 

Some colleges, including LSU, are doing their own contact tracing and surveillance efforts. Billioux says state officials are working with school officials to answer any questions they may have and give them policy recommendations.

Cut 5 (10)  “…being paid for.”

The total weekly tally of cases reported by universities will appear on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard.

_________________

An Ochsner anti-body survey of the Baton Rouge region uncovers some unsettling data about COVID-19.

Ochsner Research Scientist Dr. Amy Feehan says they discovered 61 percent of those who tested positive for a contagious infection were not showing symptoms and likely didn’t know they were carrying the virus.

Cut 6 (04) “…or not”

The survey says a demographically representative sample of 2,100 people in the roughly 550,000 person region were tested. The survey provided data similar to what was found in a New Orleans region study that Blacks were three times as likely as whites to get infected.

Feehan says those who reported the loss of smell and taste were eight and a half times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, and it’s no simple allergy season kind of sensory loss…

Cut 7 (10) “…severe.”

During the summer second wave Baton Rouge became a nationally recognized hotspot of COVID transmission, but Feehan says despite that only about 10 percent of the population has antibodies…

Cut 8 (05) “area”

______________________________

There’s the potential for two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico next week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says one of the storms is expected to enter the Gulf on Sunday after moving over the Yucatan Penisula. Keim says the official forecast track calls for this system to develop into a hurricane as it approaches the Louisiana-Texas coastline

Cut 9 (08) “…very good”

Keim says southwest Louisiana needs to be on guard and so does southeast Louisiana as that part of the state is in the cone of uncertainty for Tropical Storm Laura which will most past south Florida on Monday

Cut 10 (07) “…successive days.”

Weather experts say it’s been since 1933 since there have been two named storms in the Gulf of Mexico.

Laura is expected to make landfall as a hurricane on the northern gulf coast on Wednesday while the other storm system could make landfall in Louisiana or Texas on Tuesday.

Cut 11 (08) “…both of them.”

Heavy rainfall is the greatest threat to the area, with two to six inches forecasted Monday through Thursday. Strong winds and elevated tides are also possible.

________________

A Baton Rouge man who killed a woman in a high-speed wreck last summer after he says God told him to kill himself is found not guilty by reason of insanity. 19-year-old Jack Jordan’s attorney, James Manasseh, says three medical experts observed his client and said he was not of sound mind at the time of the incident, and the district attorney agreed.

Cut 12 (10) “…that time”

Stephanie Payne was idling at a Baton Rouge intersection on July 22nd when Jordan slammed his vehicle into hers at over 90 miles per hour.

Manasseh says it’s the definition of a tragedy and one no one saw coming from Jordan who was described as a good student on his way to college.

Cut 13 (08) “…tragedy” 

Jordan does not appear to have had a history of drug or alcohol use or a criminal record.

Manasseh says Jordan’s next court hearing is in October.

Cut 14 (11) “…released”

Manasseh says his client is responding well to medication and therapy and has acknowledged that he does have a severe mental illness.

_____________________

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is bracing for the potential of two tropical systems impacting Louisiana next week.  GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says conference calls with coastal parishes have already begun

Cut 15 (13) “at that time.” 

Steele says the storms are a reminder that it is important for residents to develop a plan of action and shore up their hurricane supply kits with enough supplies to sustain every member of the family for at least three days.

Cut 16 (11) “…things become strained.” 

230 PM LRN News

It’s looking likely we will see two named storms enter the Gulf of Mexico next week, the first time we’ve seen two named storms in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time since 1933. One system seems to be aiming for the Louisiana-Texas border, while another, Tropical Storm Laura, is expected to make landfall as a hurricane on the northern gulf coast on Wednesday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says keep an eye out…

Cut 11 (08) “…both of them.”

Heavy rainfall is the greatest threat to the area, with two to six inches forecasted Monday through Thursday. Strong winds and elevated tides are also possible. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is bracing for that possibility. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says it’s time to get prepared…

Cut 16 (11) “…things become strained.” 

Hopes for Louisiana obtaining any form of herd immunity in the next few months from COVID-19 appear to be slim. An Ochsner study of the Baton Rouge region showed despite being a hotspot the city only had ten percent of its population with coronavirus antibodies in mid-late July…

Cut 8 (05) “area”

That’s Ochsner Research Scientist Dr. Amy Feehan who says 2,100 people were tested for the survey.

A Baton Rouge man who killed a woman in a high-speed wreck last summer after he says God told him to kill himself is found not guilty by reason of insanity. 19-year-old Jack Jordan’s attorney, James Manasseh, says Jordan’s next court hearing is in October.

Cut 14 (11) “…released”

Stephanie Payne was idling at a Baton Rouge intersection on July 22nd when Jordan slammed his vehicle into hers at over 90 miles per hour.

1:30 PM Newscast

There’s the potential for two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico next week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says one of the storms is expected to enter the Gulf on Sunday after moving over the Yucatan Penisula. Keim says southwest Louisiana needs to be on guard and so does southeast Louisiana as that part of the state is in the cone of uncertainty for Tropical Storm Laura which will most past south Florida on Monday.

Cut 10 (07) “…successive days.”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is bracing for the potential of two tropical systems impacting Louisiana next week.  GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says conference calls among coastal parishes have already begun and a Unified Command Group meeting has been called by the Governor for this afternoon.

Cut 15 (13) “at that time.” 

An Ochsner anti-body survey of the Baton Rouge region uncovers some unsettling data about COVID-19. Ochsner Research Scientist Dr. Amy Feehan says those who reported the loss of smell and taste were eight and a half times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, and it’s no simple allergy season kind of sensory loss…

Cut 7 (10) “…severe.”

A Baton Rouge man who killed a woman in a high-speed wreck last year after he says God told him to kill himself is found not guilty by reason of insanity. 19-year-old Jack Jordan’s attorney, James Manasseh, says three medical experts observed his client and said was not of sound mind at the time of the incident, and ultimately the DA agreed.

Cut 12 (10) “…that time”

12:30 PM Newscast

The state reports nearly 1100 new COVID-19 cases today, with the grand total now at 141,720. Fatalities increase by 50. Hospitalizations decrease by 36 to 1051, with 172 patients on ventilators, down by 6.

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting two hurricanes will be in the Gulf of Mexico next week. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

 

Colleges and universities will publicly report on-campus COVID-19 case data each week. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the main goal is to pinpoint where outbreaks occur in an effort to mitigate further spread.

Cut 3 (11)  “…early as possible.”  

The total weekly tally of cases reported by universities will appear on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard.

The Louisiana Municipal Association calls on Congress to include aid to struggling local governments in the next pandemic relief package. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says they’ve been hammered by dual disasters in last year’s tornado and the pandemic. To survive this period they need federal aid.
Cut 10 (10) “…this.”
The National League of Cities estimates 90 percent of municipalities will not be able to meet their budgets.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron disputes a quote attributed to him in a USA Today report about two women who claim former LSU running back Derius Guice raped them in 2016. In the USA Today story, a former player said that Orgeron told him that everybody’s girlfriend sleeps with other people. Orgeron released a statement on Twitter last night and said that the quote is not accurate. Coach O also says the sexual assault allegations against Guice should be taken seriously.

ULM is pausing its preseason football practice, because COVID testing administered earlier this week produced nine positive cases. The school is conducting contact tracing to mititgate the spread of the virus. In a statement, Coach Matt Viator says he’s disappointed, but realized the suspension of practice was a real possibility this preseason and the team remains optimistic they will be able to safely compete this fall. The Warhawks first game is September fifth at Troy.

Saints Safety Malcom Jenkins is trying to win his third Super Bowl ring as he begins his second stint with the Black and Gold. New Orleans drafted Jenkins in 2009 and he won a Super Bowl to cap off his rookie season. He also won a Super Bowl in Philadelphia in 2017. Jenkins says there’s enough talent on this Saints team to win the Lombardi Trophy
cut 17 (21) “…and grow”

The Pelicans will pick 13th in the NBA draft which is scheduled for October 16th. The NBA draft lottery did not produce a higher pick for the Pels. The Minnesota Timberwolves won the lottery and they will have the number one pick.