6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU and Georgia are set to meet in Saturday’s SEC Championship game. The Tigers are a perfect 12-0, while the Bulldogs are 11-and-1 and on a six-game winning streak since a double-overtime loss to South Carolina on October 12th. Georgia Coach Kirby Smart’s team now has a chance at getting into the college football playoff…
cut 12 (10) “…college football”
The Bulldogs are led on offense by running back D’Andre Swift, who has rushed for 12-hundred yards.

Two other Louisiana schools are also involved in championship games this weekend. U-L Lafayette meets Appalachian State in the Sun Belt title game, while Southern will face Alcorn State. Both games are rematches from a year ago, won by the Mountaineers and Braves.

The Pelicans lost their fifth in a row last night, a 107 to 104 defeat to Oklahoma City in New Orleans.

Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls have advanced to the second round of the F-C-S playoffs. The Lions rallied from 31-14 deficit to beat Villanova 45-44 in Hammond. Meanwhile, Nicholls defense didn’t give up a touchdown in a 24-6 win over North Dakota. Senior defensive linemen Sully Laiche led the Colonels to the victory…
cut 19 (16) every week”
The Lions are at Montana this Saturday, while the Colonels visit North Dakota State. The Bison are three-time defending champs.

In other college football news…Ole Miss has fired its head coach Matt Luke. The former Rebels offensive lineman was 15-and-21 in three seasons in Oxford.

And the for first time in four years, Alabama is not ranked in the Top 5 in the A-P poll. The Crimson Tide are ranked ninth.

LRN AM Newscall December 2nd

A Baton Rouge Democrat is challenging the state’s senior Senator in next year’s Senate election. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Just over half of workers admit they’ll be browsing the web for holiday gift deals this season while at work. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Three Louisiana college football teams will play in conference championship games this Saturday, while two others advance to the second round of the F-C-S playoffs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “   Jeff Palermo.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy has a new challenger for his seat, Baton Rouge Democrat and Louisiana Juvenile Justice Advisory Board member Antoine Pierce.

Cassidy’s 2017 vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act partly inspired the run and Pierce says Cassidy misled the public about how many people would lose coverage under his replacement plan.

Cut 4 (11) “…healthcare.”

Cassidy disagreed with Kimmel’s claim, saying more people would have coverage under his plan.

Pierce says Cassidy is beholden to moneyed special interests and needs to be replaced with a Senator who focuses on working-class economic issues.

Cut 5 (11) “…people”

Pierce’s platform includes support for Medicare for All, raising the minimum wage, recreational Cannabis legalization, and other progressive policy points.

The Capitol City coffee shop owner says the state’s senior Senator lacks independence, and is too beholden to President, like many in the GOP.

Cut 6 (05) “…that’s it”

Cassidy won the seat in 2014, beating incumbent Mary Landrieu 56-44.

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52 percent of workers admit they will shop online while on the job this holiday season. That’s according to a study conducted by the staffing firm Robert Half Technology.  Senior Recruiting Manager Carrie Lewis of New Orleans says 44 percent of those surveyed admit it hinders productivity, because of how much time they spend doing it…

Cut 7 (10) “…week”

The workshopping divide was starker among generational lines, with 65 percent of those 25-40 to admitting to it, but Lewis says there’s also a gender gap, with more men actually doing the cyber shopping than women…

Cut 8 (07) “…women”

About half of tech leaders say they’re concerned the use of work computers for personal shopping will open the door to security risks, but Lewis says that’s not stopping 77 percent of companies from allowing it. That being said…

Cut 9 (06) “…blocked.”

Today’s Cyber Monday deals will attract the most workshoppers, at 43 percent of those who partake.

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LSU will head to Atlanta later this week to play Georgia on Saturday in the SEC Championship game. The Tigers are 12-0 and college football analysts say the Tigers are in the college football playoff even if they lose to the Bulldogs, Coach Ed Orgeron says his team is not entertaining that thought

Cut 10 (08) “…win anyway.”

The matchup to watch in this game is LSU’s high-powered offense against Georgia’s stingy defense, which is allowing just 10 points a game. Orgeron says it’s the best defense they’ve faced all season

Cut 11 (08) “…do it all.”

Georgia is in the SEC Championship Game for a third straight season. The Bulldogs are 11-and-1 and their only loss was at home to South Carolina. Georgia Coach Kirby Smart likes how his team bounced back from that defeat

Cut  12 (10) “…college football.” 

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Christmas decorating is in full effect and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning has a few tips to keep the holidays fire-free. Browning says do not daisy chain power strips and check them about every 4 hours to make sure the strips are not being overloaded…

Cut 13 (12) “..imminent.”

The Fire Marshal’s Office recommends both artificial and live trees should be treated with a fire retardant material.

Browning says it may sound small but using outdated lights can be a fire hazard…

Cut 14 (12) “…lightbulbs.” 

Browning says if you want to bring home a live tree there are a few extra precautions you need to take…

Cut 15 (10) “…be blocked.”


Louisiana Tech did not win the Conference USA Western Division, but they finished off the regular season with a 41-27 victory over UTSA. Tech quarterback J’Mar Smith returned from a two-game suspension to throw for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Coach Skip Holtz says his senior Q-B played well

Cut 16  (18)  … it as well” 

U-A-B’s win over North Texas puts them in the Conference USA championship game over La Tech and Southern Miss. But the Bulldogs will go for a sixth consecutive bowl victory. Holtz says they’ll have to wait until next weekend to find where they’ll be playing…

Cut 17  (18)  we are going ” 

The Independence Bowl in Shreveport and the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas are two possible bowl destinations for La Tech.

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Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls have advanced to the second round of the F-C-S playoffs. The Lions rallied from 31-14 deficit to beat Villanova 45-44 in Hammond. S-L-U Coach Frank Scelfo says his team doesn’t quit fighting…

cut 18  (20)  we did” 

Nicholls defense didn’t give up a touchdown in a 24-6 win over North Dakota. Senior defensive linemen Sully Laiche led the Colonels to the victory…

cut 19 (16)   every week”    

The Lions are at Montana this Saturday, while the Colonels visit North Dakota State. The Bison are three-time defending champs.

13030AM LRN News

There’s a slight chance for severe weather today in the form of heavy winds in north and central Louisiana. That could impact a few big games today, including the Bayou Classic and Tech/UTSA. LSU’s 6pm game against A&M could see some higher than usual winds as well as a result. Nicholls/North Dakota, SELU/Villanova, and ULM/UL Lafayette should be spared from anything too nasty as a result of these pre-cold front winds that are invading the Bayou State.

You may have splurged on Black Friday deals yesterday, but hopefully you saved some cash to shop local today for Small Business Saturday. The National Federation of Independent BusinessState Director Dawn Starns says 42 percent of people say they’ll be supporting small businesses today, and shopping locally has a big impact on business and local families along with the cities and towns their companies reside in.

Cut 8 (12) “…community.”

Thanksgiving is in the books and families are flocking to Christmas tree farms looking for the perfect centerpiece to complement their holiday decorations. Nationwide prices are up this year, but Steele’s Christmas Trees founder Kevin Steele says at a local level tree prices have remained steady.

Cut 13 (10) “…couples.”

The National Christmas Tree Association estimates the average price for a tree this year is 76 dollars nationwide.

And keep an eye on your kids today if you go out shopping. Those big crowds do attract predators who hope to take advantage of the chaos. Amanda Larkins, Outreach Manager for the Louisiana AG’s Office says the larger the crowd, the higher the chance a predator attempts to make a move and steal a child.

Cut 4 (11) “…contact 911.” PM

930AM LRN News

There’s a slight chance of severe weather today in the form of heavy winds for north and central Louisiana, with a marginal chance for the capital. That could impact a few big games today as Grambling and Southern go at it for the Bayou Classic, and Tech plays UTSA with the C-USA West on the line.

LSU’s game against A&M today could see some rougher weather as well, but ULM/UL Lafayette, Nicholls/North Dakota, and SELU/Villanova should be fine.

If you feel like braving the weather today, just know this year’s crop of Louisiana Christmas trees is looking great according to Steele’s Christmas Trees founder Kevin Steele, who owns a farm out in Angie…

Cut 12 (06) “shape” 

The National Christmas Tree Association estimates the average price for a tree this year is 76 dollars nationwide, with prices lower on average locally.

It’s small business Saturday today and The National Federation of Independent BusinessState Director Dawn Starns hopes you’ve saved some cash to spend at a local, independently owned store. Starns says some businesses add holiday activities to the shopping experience to get the whole family involved and break up the mundane big retail store holiday experience.

Cut 7 (10) “…customer loyalty.”

Nearly 104 million Americans participated in Small Business Saturday last year.

And whether you shop local or big box, Amanda Larkins, Outreach Manager for the Louisiana AG’s Office says keep an eye on your presents because neer-do-wells are on the prowl this season looking to rip off a few shoppers. Larkin says don’t leave your gifts out of sight.

Cut 3 (10) “…after dark.”

830AM LRN News

We’ve got some severe weather outlooks for the central and northern portions of the state today, with the potential for 10-20 miles per hour wind gusts from Alexandria up to the Arkansas line, and parts of southwest Louisiana.

That could make for an interesting game up in Ruston as Tech takes on UTSA. Tech could clinch the C-USA West with a win. Also keeping an eye on the weather are the Grambling, who host Southern today for the Bayou Classic.

There’s a marginal risk of nasty weather today in Baton Rouge for LSU and Texas A&M.

ULM heads to Lafayette to play UL Lafayette today. The Cajuns are on a five game win streak, and ULM is 5-6.

Nicholls also hosts North Dakota, and Southeastern hosts Villanova in the FCS playoffs.

Hopefully you put some money aside from black Friday shopping to shop local today for Small Buisiness Saturday. The National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says 42 percent of people say they’ll be supporting small businesses today, which could break a sales record set last year.

Cut 6 (08) “…billion dollars.”

Nearly 104 million Americans participated in Small Business Saturday last year.

And the AG’s office has some advice for folks who are still out shopping today for the holidays. Outreach Manager  Amanda Larkins says use only one credit card when shopping. It could save you valuable time in the end if things do go awry.

Cut 5 (12) “…cancellation time.”

 

Also be sure to check that card for unusual activity after you’ve made shopping trips and especially when you’ve used the card online.

5:30 PM LRN News November 29

You may be splurging on Black Friday deals today, but save some cash and remember to shop local tomorrow for Small Business Saturday.

The National Federation of Independent Business State Director DawnStarns says some businesses add holiday activities to the shopping experience to get the whole family involved…

Cut 7 (10) “…customer loyalty.”

Nearly 104 million Americans participated in Small Business Saturday last year.

The Saints are NFC South Champs for a third consecutive season as they clinched the division title with a 26-18 win over Atlanta on Thanksgiving night. The Saints sacked Atlanta Q-B Matt Ryan nine times. Cam Jordan had four of them. Meanwhile, Drew Brees threw for 184 yards and a touchdown…

Cut 10 (12) “…best football.”

Thanksgiving is in the books and families are flocking to Christmas tree farms looking for the perfect centerpiece to complement their holiday decorations.

Nationwide prices are up this year, but Steele’s Christmas Trees founder Kevin Steele says at a local level tree prices have remained steady.

Cut 13 (10) “…couples.”

The National Christmas Tree Association estimates the average price for a tree this year is 76 dollars nationwide.

Holiday shopping might bring out super savings, but it also brings out sleuths.  But there are things you can do to protect yourself and your wallet.  Amanda Larkins, Outreach Manager for the Louisiana AG’s Office says when shopping with small children take extra precaution in case you are separated. With large crowds the likelihood increases.

Cut 4 (11) “…contact 911.

445PM LRN Sports

The Black and Gold make it three straight NFC South championships in a row after taking down the Dirty Birds 26-18 on Thanksgiving night. Taysom Hill set the tone, by blocking a punt that set up his three-yard touchdown catch. He also had a 30-yard touchdown run.

Cut 9 (12) “…those guys”

The Saints sacked Atlanta Q-B Matt Ryan nine times. Cam Jordan had four of them. Meanwhile, Drew Brees threw for just 184 yards. He says the team must continue to improve.

Cut 10 (12) “…best football.”

The Saints face a potentially season-defining game in San Francisco next Sunday at 12 pm. Winner will take control of the race for the 1 seed in the NFC.

The Pels are back in action tonight after a heartbreakingly close loss to LA Wednesday night. They’ll face OKC, who beat them earlier in the year.

La Tech has a chance to take the C-USA West Saturday if they can beat UTSA. The team’s dropped two games and hasn’t looked the same without starting quarterback J’Mar Smith and standout receiver Adrian Hardy who’ve been out on suspension and injured receiver C-J Powell. Coach Skip Holtz says the return of these players should help

Cut 16  (15)  … last week” 

For the third straight season, 19th ranked Nicholls will host an F-C-S playoff game on Saturday as they welcome 24th ranked North Dakota to Thibodaux. Coach Tim Rebowe’s team has won four straight heading into the game…

Cut 17  (17)  at the year” 

4:30 PM LRN News November 29

You may be splurging on Black Friday deals today, but save some cash and remember to shop local tomorrow for Small Business Saturday.

National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says 42 percent of people say they’ll be supporting small businesses tomorrow, which could break a sales record set last year.

Cut 6 (08) “…billion dollars.”

The Saints are NFC South Champs for a third consecutive season as they clinched the division title with a 26-18 win over Atlanta on Thanksgiving night. Taysom Hill set the tone, by blocking a punt that set up his three-yard touchdown catch. He also had a 30-yard touchdown run.

Cut 9 (12) “…those guys”

Thanksgiving is in the books and families are flocking to Christmas tree farms looking for the perfect centerpiece to complement their holiday decorations.

Steele’s Christmas Trees founder Kevin Steele says the state’s been blessed with proper rainfall exactly when they’ve needed it, and so this year’s crop is looking great.

Cut 12 (06) “shape”

The National Christmas Tree Association estimates the average price for a tree this year is 76 dollars nationwide.

Holiday shopping might bring out super savings, but it also brings out sleuths.  But there are things you can do to protect yourself and your wallet.  Amanda Larkins, Outreach Manager for the Louisiana AG’s Office says always be aware of your surroundings.

Cut 3 (10) “…after dark.”

330PM LRN News

You may be splurging on Black Friday deals today, but save some cash and remember to shop local tomorrow for Small Business Saturday. The National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says shopping locally has a big impact on local families, and the cities and towns their companies reside in.

Cut 8 (12) “…community.”

Nearly 104 million Americans participated in Small Business Saturday last year.

The Saints are NFC South Champs for a third consecutive season as they clinched the division title with a 26-18 win over Atlanta on Thanksgiving night. It’s the eighth division title in franchise history, the sixth under Coach Sean Payton. And it’s the earliest the Saints have ever clinched a division title. Taysom Hill, who scored two TDs last night says it’s a nice accomplishment.

Cut 11 (12) “…win a Super Bowl”

Thanksgiving is in the books and families are flocking to Christmas tree farms looking for the perfect centerpiece to complement their holiday decorations. Northern trees are a bit pricey this year, so if you select one of the southern varieties, Steele’s Christmas Trees founder Kevin Steele says make sure you keep it well watered…

Cut 14 (12) “…a day”

The average price nationwide for a tree is 76 bucks.

Holiday shopping might bring out super savings, but it also brings out sleuths. Amanda Larkins, Outreach Manager for the Louisiana AG’s Office says there are things you can do to protect yourself and your wallet including only using one card today….

Cut 5 (12) “…cancellation time.”

PM LRN Newscall

If it sounds too good to be true that deal online it might just be, Brooke Thorington explains how to protect yourself and your wallet.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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A family tradition for many this weekend is buying that fresh Christmas tree. Jeff Palermo reports it’s been a good year for the Louisiana Christmas Tree Association…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”    

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Holiday shopping might bring out super savings, but it also brings out sleuths.  But there are things you can do to protect yourself and your wallet.  Amanda Larkins, Outreach Manager for the Louisiana AG’s Office says always be aware of your surroundings.

Cut 3 (10) “…after dark.”

Larkins says when shopping with small children take extra precaution in case you are separated. With large crowds the likelihood increases.

Cut 4 (11) “…contact 911.”

Another tip Larkin has for you this holiday season is to use only one credit card when shopping. It could save you valuable time in the end if things do go awry.

Cut 5 (12) “…cancellation time.”

Also be sure to check that card for unusual activity after you’ve made shopping trips and especially when you’ve used the card online.

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You may be splurging on Black Friday deals today, but save some cash and remember to shop local tomorrow for Small Business Saturday.

The National Federation of Independent BusinessState Director Dawn Starns says 42 percent of people say they’ll be supporting small businesses tomorrow, which could break a sales record set last year.

Cut 6 (08) “…billion dollars.”

Nearly 104 million Americans participated in Small Business Saturday last year.

Starns says some businesses add holiday activities to the shopping experience to get the whole family involved and break up the mundane big retail store holiday experience…

Cut 7 (10) “…customer loyalty.”

Starns says shopping locally has a big impact on business and local families along with the cities and towns their companies reside in.

Cut 8 (12) “…community.”

_________________________________

The Saints are NFC South Champs for a third consecutive season as they clinched the division title with a 26-18 win over Atlanta on Thanksgiving night. Taysom Hill set the tone, by blocking a punt that set up his three-yard touchdown catch. He also had a 30-yard touchdown run.

Cut 9 (12) “…those guys”

The Saints sacked Atlanta Q-B Matt Ryan nine times. Cam Jordan had four of them. Meanwhile, Drew Brees threw for 184 yards and a touchdown…

Cut 10 (12) “…best football.”

It’s the eighth division title in franchise history, the sixth under Coach Sean Payton. And it’s the earliest the Saints have ever clinched a division title. Hill says it’s a nice accomplishment…

Cut 11 (12) “…win a Super Bowl”

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Thanksgiving is in the books and families are flocking to Christmas tree farms looking for the perfect centerpiece to complement their holiday decorations.

Steele’s Christmas Trees founder Kevin Steele says the state’s been blessed with proper rainfall exactly when they’ve needed it, and so this year’s crop is looking great.

Cut 12 (06) “shape” 

Nationwide prices are up this year, but The 40-year-veteran Angie tree farmer says at a local level tree prices have remained steady.

Cut 13 (10) “…couples.”

The National Christmas Tree Association estimates the average price for a tree this year is 76 dollars nationwide.

If you do select one of the southern varieties of trees this year, Steele says make sure you keep it well watered, particularly for the first week.

Cut 14 (12) “…a day”

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