If you want to be a part of the biggest rock band on Earth, you have an open invitation to audition – no professional experience necessary. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Governor Landry gives his prediction on what the Supreme Court will do with Louisiana’s congressional map and what he hopes the contract for a new football coach will look like. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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Louisiana High School football teams begin their journeys to the Superdome as the playoffs begin in earnest tonight. Andre Champagne has more.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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If you can play the guitar, keyboard or drums, or if you can sing, the world’s biggest rock band wants you to be a part of it. Rockin’1000 is coming to New Orleans, playing at the Superdome January 31st, and it’s currently accepting audition videos. Founder Fabio Zaffagnini (zah-fuh-NYEE-nee) says after playing throughout Europe for the last ten years, New Orleans was the perfect choice for his venture’s first U.S. show.
Cut 4 (11) “…number-one choice.”
Zaffagnini says his goal is to have 500 of the one-thousand musicians be from Louisiana; so by uploading your audition video to YouTube and sharing the link on Rockin’1000’s application site, you already have a leg up. Zaffagnini says if you make the band, the songs you will be performing are some of rock music’s greatest anthems.
Cut 5 (11) “…that is unprecedented.”
Zaffagnini says the songs on the playlist come from legendary groups like Metallica, Foo Fighters, White Stripes, Nirvana – and one of the most well-known hits from Queen.
Cut 6 (07) “…out incredibly well.”
If you want to join the band, time is of the essence – the audition submission deadline is December 16th.
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The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors has appointed Dr. Kendrick Nicholas as the interim president of McNeese State. He will take over for Wade Rousse, who has been hired as LSU’s system president. Dr. Nicholas has served as the senior vice president for student affairs and is excited to lead his alma mater.
Cut 7 (09) “…for the future.”
Nicholas says they will continue to focus on recruitment, retention, and job placement of McNeese students.
Cut 8 (08) “…our continued success.”
Nicholas is a New Orleans native who came to McNeese as a football player. The longtime administrator began his career at the Lake Charles school in 2005 and has served several roles, including dean of students, before he was promoted to senior vice president last year.
Nicholas says he’s seen the ups and downs at McNeese and went through the school’s most challenging time following Hurricane Laura in 2020.
Cut 9 (09) “…we are today.”
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With November being America Recycles Month, the group Keep Louisiana Beautiful is encouraging you to do your part in protecting the environment. Tomorrow, Ouachita Parish residents are invited to drop their recyclables off at the Monroe Civic Center for Ouachita Green’s America Recycles Day. Melissa Kenyon with Keep Louisiana Beautiful says this is especially helpful for those who don’t have recycling service at their homes.
Cut 10 (07) “…available to citizens.”
Kenyon says if there was ever a month to start recycling, this is the perfect month to do so.
Cut 11 (08) “…advantage of them.”
Kenyon says Keep Louisiana Beautiful is using the occasion of America Recycles Month to teach people the proper way to recycle.
Cut 12 (15) “…litter from happening.”
In Lafayette tomorrow, grocery stores will be giving away reusable grocery bags, and there will be a free paper shredding and glass recycling event at the Robicheaux Recreation Center.
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Governor Jeff Landry believes the U.S. Supreme Court will not rule until June on whether the state’s congressional map with two majority minority districts is constitutional. Landry, who was a guest on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, says he believes the nation’s high court will determine that race should not be a factor when drawing districts.
Cut 13 (11) “…five-one map.”
Louisiana has six congressional districts, and the state legislature approved a map last year that has a second majority minority district, because a third of the state’s voting population is Black.
Landry was also asked about the felony theft charge facing former House Speaker Clay Schexnayder. The attorney general’s office is accusing the former state lawmaker from Ascension Parish of taking a 20-foot-long cypress board that used to hang in the halls of the state capitol. The rare state artifact was last seen in his legislative office in Gonzales. Landry said he doesn’t know what to make of this case.
Cut 14 (05) “…help the situation.”
Landry was also asked about his involvement in LSU athletics. The governor reiterated he is not involved in the search for a new coach, but he hopes LSU sets the standard for what a contract should look like for a football coach.
Cut 15 (09) “…some performance basis.”
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The first round of the high school football playoffs begins in earnest tonight; and today, we are previewing the select side of the bracket. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says Edna Karr is the favorite to repeat as Division One select champs, but a few of their Catholic League rivals might have a chance at upsetting the Cougars.
Cut 16 (14) “…St. Augustine gets there.”
St. Charles Catholic is the number-one seed in Division Two. Verrett says he likes the Comets to make it to at least the semifinals, but says to watch out for the number-two Loyola Prep Flyers.
Cut 17 (14) “…good Flyers team.”
In Division Three, Verrett says top-seeded Lafayette Christian Academy is the clear favorite. Verrett says the Knights are one of the most battle-tested teams in the state, but he also states that two other teams could cause some havoc.
Cut 18 (14) “…the six seed.”
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Nicholls State will host Northwestern State in a battle of the N-S-U’s for senior night. Nicholls is coming off a close 28-21 loss to Texas Rio Grande Valley. In an interview with HTV, head coach Tommy Rybacki says he wants his team to finish the season strong, especially for the 18 seniors being honored this weekend.
Cut 19 (21) “…the home slate.”
Kickoff in Thibodaux tomorrow is three p.m.
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Grambling State has won four in a row; and last week, fourth string and freshman quarterback Hayden Benoit stepped up for the Tigers, throwing for 220 yards with four touchdowns in a win over Bethune-Cookman. Head coach Mickey Joseph had lots of praise for the freshman out of Loreauville.
Cut 20 (19) “…just didn’t blink.”
Grambling is at Alcorn State at two tomorrow afternoon.