9:30 A.M. LRN Newscast 06/20/2018

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior explains why his son chose to announce his college commitment on social media, instead of having a big press conference.
Cut 9 (11) “…all that.”

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June? That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area. The movie, entitled The Christmas Cupid, is seeing the production spending a total of four months in the state, including twelve days in Lafayette. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly on the motion picture incentive program.
Cut 14 (10) “…state of Louisiana.”

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation. How did this all come together? Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach, says The event does fall on Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year. Veillon says the event ties in with the significance on the day.
Cut 6 (13) “…the longest goodbye.”

The special session that started on Monday is off to a slow start as lawmakers made no votes yesterday. Hearings were held in the house tax and budget committee but no votes were taken. The committee will return this morning to consider legislation to fix nearly a billion dollars in temporary taxes which is scheduled to expire in two weeks.

8:30 A.M. LRN Newscast 06/20/2018

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June? That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation. How did this all come together? Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach.
Cut 5 (08) “…for the 24 hours..”

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, says he wants his son to attend a college where he’ll be comfortable on the football field and off…
Cut 8 (11) “…those majors”

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett.
Cut 12 (12) “…different stories”

7:30 A.M. LRN Newscast 06/20/2018

The nation’s top cornerback in the country announces his college choice today. Michael Farrar has more on Dunham High School’s Derek Stingley Junior…
Cut 2 (30) ” I’m Michael Farrar”

A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation. How did this all come together? Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach, says this has been a decade in the making.
Cut 4 (09) “….ten years ago.”

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU.
LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says he’s frustrated about not knowing the fate of his University.
Cut 11 (11) “…faculty and staff”

A Louisiana winter wonderland in June? That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area. The movie, entitled The Christmas Cupid, is seeing the production spending a total of four months in the state, including twelve days in Lafayette. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says filming in the area presents a great opportunity for the community.
Cut 13 (11) “…real world experience.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast June 19th

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, calls his son a freakish athlete with a will to win…

Cut 7 (11) “…that explosive”

Derek Stingley Junior will make his decision known on Twitter at 1:30.

When the Saints head to California to play the Los Angeles Chargers in a preseason game on August 25th, they’ll first compete against the Chargers in a couple of practices. Since Sean Payton’s arrival in New Orleans, the Saints have routinely participated in joint training camp practices with other teams. Still no word on when training camp will start for the Black and Gold.

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The Pelicans will need to hire a new assistant coach. Jamelle McMillan has left for an assistant job with the Phoenix Suns. The 29-year-old is considered an up and comer in the coaching ranks and his dad is current Indiana Pacers Head Coach Nate McMillan.

Anthony Davis has been elected into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame. The NBA All-Star led the Wildcats to a national championship in 2012 and was a consensus national player of the year that season.

At the College World Series, it seems like there’s no stopping Mississippi State. The Bulldogs pounded North Carolina 12-2. They took a 4-1 lead in the 2nd inning on a grand slam by freshman Jordan Westburg. The Texas native drove in seven runs for Mississippi State, who is now just one win away from reaching the championship series of the C-W-S.

And Florida avoided elimination by ending Texas’ season with a 6-1 win over the Longhorns. Jackson Kowar struck out a career-high 13 and Jonathan India hit a three-run homer.

6:30 A.M. LRN Newscast 06/20/2018

A new world record may belong to people of a nursing home in Crowley by the end of the week. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, calls his son a freakish athlete with a will to win
Cut 7 (11) “…that explosive.”

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says they want to give students a voice about their future.
Cut 10 (09) “…as a whole”

The special session that started on Monday is off to a slow start as lawmakers made no votes yesterday. Hearings were held in the house tax and budget committee but no votes were taken. The committee will return this morning to consider legislation to fix nearly a billion dollars in temporary taxes which is scheduled to expire in two weeks.

AM Newscall 6/20

A new world record may belong to people of a nursing home in Crowley by the end of the week.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Kevin Barnhart“

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The nation’s top cornerback in the country announces his college choice today. Michael Farrar has more on Dunham High School’s Derek Stingley Junior…

Cut 2 (30) ”  I’m Michael Farrar” 

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A Louisiana winter wonderland in June?  That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A new world record may belong to a nursing home in Crowley. Elder Outreach and Team Mergist will attempt the world’s longest game of bingo with 24 hours of continuous play, starting today at Southwind Healthcare and Rehabilitation.  How did this all come together?  Michelle Veillon, marketing and design director of the nonprofit organization Elder Outreach, says this has been a decade in the making.

Cut 4  (09) “….ten years ago.”

The game gets kicked off at 3 pm and will continue on through Thursday afternoon.  Veillon says some players may even attempt to go the distance.

Cut 5  (08)  “…for the 24 hours..”

The event does fall on Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year.  Veillon says the event ties in with the significance on the day.

Cut 6 (13) “…the longest goodbye.”

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One of the top high school prospects in the country will decide today whether he’ll attend LSU, Florida or Texas. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Dunham High School in Baton Rouge was recently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s top recruit for the Class of 2019. His father, Derek Stingley Senior, calls his son a freakish athlete with a will to win

Cut 7 (11)  “…that explosive.”

Derek Stingley Junior will make his decision known on Twitter at 1:30 and his post will include a video message. His Dad says he wants to attend a college where he’ll be comfortable on the football field and off…

Cut 8 (11)  “…those majors”

Derek Stingley Junior has been on LSU’s campus plenty of times and he also visited Texas and Florida outside of the football season, to get a better idea of what its like at those schools. His Dad explains why his son chose to announce his college commitment on social media, instead of having a big press conference with the hats of his favorite schools in front of him

Cut 9 (11)  “…all that.”

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LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says they want to give students a voice about their future.

Cut 10 (09)   “…as a whole”

There have been debates on funding since the beginning of the first special session in February and lawmakers recently came seven votes short of passing a sales tax bill that would have fully funded TOPS and higher education. Lockett expresses his frustration of not knowing the fate of his University.

Cut 11 (11) “…faculty and staff”

Lockett says their message for lawmakers is simple and that is to stabilize higher education and TOPS. All public university systems are looped into this rally and the turnout is expected to be high.

Cut 12 (12) “…different stories”

To learn more about potential cuts to TOPS and higher ed, visit www.lsu.edu/budget.

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A Louisiana winter wonderland in June?  That’s the scene in Downtown Lafayette as a holiday-themed independent film is in production in the area.  The movie, entitled The Christmas Cupid, is seeing the production spending a total of four months in the state, including twelve days in Lafayette.  Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says filming in the area presents a great opportunity for the community.

Cut 13 (11)  “…real world experience.” 

The state has had a motion picture incentive program since 2002, one Stelly says other states have followed the model of.  In 2017, the program got an update.

Cut 14 (10) “…state of Louisiana.”

Stelly says with snow, holiday lights, and Santa, it’s a festive atmosphere in Lafayette.

Cut 15 (10) ” …many smiles on the faces.”

17:30 LRN Newscast June 19th

Votes will come Wednesday in the House Ways and Means Committee on different sales tax bills. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard’s proposal would renew a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax and generate 507-million dollars in revenues, which would be enough money to prevent cuts to college campuses, TOPS and public safety programs. Some Republicans prefer to renew less than a half of a penny, but Havard says it doesn’t make sense to raise taxes and also cut the budget at the same time…
cut 13 (05) “….at us”
Meanwhile, House Appropriations Committee heard from state health department officials on Tuesday. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says their budget has grown 56-percent over a ten-year period…..
cut 14 (05) “…control this”
The state health department is not slated for any cuts next fiscal year.

LSU Student Government will host a rally at the State Capitol Wednesday afternoon to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says they want to give students a voice about their future.
Cut 10 (09) “…as a whole”
Lockett says their message for lawmakers is simple and that is to stabilize higher education and TOPS. All public university systems are looped into this rally and the turnout is expected to be high.
Cut 12 (12) “…different stories”
To learn more about potential cuts to TOPS and higher ed, visit www.lsu.edu/budget.

16:45 LRN Sportscast June 19th

The Advocate reports the Saints will hold a couple of joint practices with the Chargers leading up to their preseason game on August 25th. With Sean Payton at the helm, the Saints usually hold joint practices with another team. In years past, it’s been against New England and Houston.

Tomorrow is a big day for the LSU program as the nation’s number one prospect according to Rivals-dot-com, Derek Stingley Junior, announces his college destination. The cornerback from Dunham High School in Baton Rouge is a former LSU commitment and the Tigers are one of three finalists. The other two schools are Florida and Texas. Stingley says he’ll announce his decision on Twitter at 1:30 PM and he’ll post a video message, explaining his decision. Stingley plans to be an early enrolle, which means he’ll arrive on a college campus in January.

The Houston Astros go after their 13th straight win when they host Tampa Bay tonight. Nine-game winner Justin Verlander is on the hill for the Stros.

Mississippi State is just one win away from reaching the championship series of the College World Series. It’s truly remarkable considering where the Bulldogs were at the beginning of the season, when they fired coach Andy Cannizaro. Today, they dominated North Carolina 12-2 as Konor Pilkington threw six solid innings. Freshman Jordan Westburg hit a grand slam in the second inning and ended up driving in seven runs on the afternoon. State doesn’t play again until Friday.

In other college baseball news, next year will be the last for Florida State head coach Mike Martin, who is the all-time winningest coach in college baseball history. It will be the 40th as a head coach for the 74-year-old who has won 1,987 games.

At the World Cup today, a couple more surprises….Senegal beat Poland two to one and Japan knocked off Columbia by that same score. And Russia moved to 2-0, with a 3-1 win over Egypt.

16:30 LRN Newscast June 19th

A House committee heard testimony on tax bills during the first full day of the latest special session, but took no votes. That frustrated Jackson Representative Kenny Havard, who has authored a bill to renew a portion of the one-cent sales tax that expires June 30th
Cut 12 (05) “…thank you.”
Most of the legislative action today, took place in the House Appropriations Committee, where state health officials defended their spending, while higher ed and department of corrections discussed what budget cuts would mean to them.

The escalating trade war with China is not good news for Louisiana’s Agriculture Industry. President Trump is now threatening an additional 200-billion dollars in tariffs on Chinese goods, after China said they would place tariffs on US imports. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says despite the negative impact to Louisiana, he understands the President’s position…
cut 8 (08) “other priorities”

The curtain call of the crawfish season is approaching. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a complaint with the state’s ethics board accusing a handful of district attorneys of violating the state ethic’s laws. The Center claims D-As are hiring off-duty police officers to write traffic tickets and then treathen motorists with prosecution, unless they pay hundreds of dollars to the D-A’s office to dismiss the tickets. So far the claims are just an allegation.

3:30 LRN Newscast June 19th

On this first full day of the special session, the House Appropriations Committee heard testimony from the state health department and higher education leaders. Louisiana is facing a 500-million dollar revenue shortfall next fiscal year and many Republicans like Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the state can find savings within the state health department, which has seen its budget grow substantially over the last 10 years…
cut 14 (05) “….control this”
The state health department is not slated for any cuts next fiscal year.

There are over two thousand nursing programs throughout the United States, but only one can be ranked number one. That distinction belongs to Louisiana Tech University’s Division of Nursing. Chair of the program, Dr. Donna Hood, credits the latest accolade to the determination of both the faculty and students.
Cut 3 (08) “…of this program.”
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing ranks programs based on the rate at which graduates pass the licensing exam, which is 100-percent at Tech.

The escalating trade war with China is not good for Louisiana’s Agriculture Industry. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Louisiana has done a lot of work to open up China to rice, beef and poultry exports…
Cut 7 (10) “52-percent”
President Trump initially proposed tariffs on 50-billion dollars in Chinese imports, because of an estimated 375-billion dollar trade deficit with China. And now the Trump administration is looking at imposing tariffs on another 200-billion dollars worth of Chinese goods as the trade war worsens.

The 2018 crawfish season is coming to a close after getting off to a slow start, because of a cold January. David Savoy with the Louisiana Crawfish Famers Association says For those that may have noticed smaller than normal mudbugs this year, it was because the harvesting began a little early in the developmental process of the crawfish.
Cut 11 (12) “…pretty darn good.”