09:30 LRN Newscast Feb 6

The owners of Diamondjacks Casino in Bossier City are considering whether to invest over 100-million dollars in their current facility or build a new casino near I-12 in Tangipahoa Parish…
cut 15 (09) “…exciting place”
That’s Peninsula Pacific Manager Brent Stevens, who says the public can weigh in by going to Community Conversations-la-dot-com.

LSU Professor Tammy Dugas has developed a new treatment for heart disease using antioxidants from red wine. Research has indicated that having a glass of red wine could be good for your heart, so Dugas has developed a stent that releases red wine antioxidants slowly over time to prevent blood clotting…
Cut 4 (09) “an artery”
Dugas says she’s also working on a baloon coasted with the same compunds to treat flood flow blockages throughout the body.

Louisiana’s Transportation Secretary is worried the state may miss out if Congress approves a massive infrastructure funding bill.
Voicer 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Because of the severe influenza season, the state health department will offer free flu vaccines at parish health units across the state until next Monday. L-D-H vaccinated about three-thousand people when they offered free flu shots last Wednesday. Hospitals continue to report large numbers of sick patients due flu and flu-like symptoms.

08:30 LRN Newscast February 6

Los Angeles-based Peninsula Pacific says they are looking at moving the DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier City to Tangipahoa Parish near the Robert exit on I-12. Before considering a move, Manager Brent Stevens says he’d like to get some input from the Tangipahoa community.
Cut 13 (11) “this case.”
Stevens says the public can weigh in at community-conversations-la-dot-com. He says the other option they are considering is spending over 100-million dollars to upgrade DiamondJacks in Bossier City.

A group of bipartisan state senators is urging Governor Edwards to call a special session this month to approve legislation to fix a one-billion dollar revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. Edwards is waiting to hear from House Republicans on what tax proposals they will consider.

Many Entergy Louisiana customers have suffered sticker shock after seeing their most recent bill, following the extreme cold snap in January. For many, the storm restoration fee went up. Customer Service Director Sheila Pounders explains…
Cut 7 (11) “recovery cost.”
Pounders says Entergy is willing to work with customers if they can’t pay their bill.

LSU Professor Tammy Dugas has developed a stent that releases red wine antioxidants to treat heart disease. Dugas says the red wine can prevent excess tissue from building up and blood vessels from narrowing. Dugas explains how researchers learned red wine can benefit the heart….
cut 6 (11) “….that benefit”

07:30 LRN Newscast February 6

The owners of DiamondJacks casino in Bossier City is considering whether to upgrade the riverboat in northwest Louisiana or move it to Tangipahoa Parish near the Robert exit off of I-12. Peninsula Pacific Manager Brent Stevens….
cut 14 (05) “…number of years”
Moving a gaming license requires voter approval in Tangipahoa and the state legislature along with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board would also have to approve it.

President Donald Trump is pushing Congress to pass a massive infrastructure funding bill. But state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is not sure it will help Louisiana, because it will take a large sum of money from the states to receive federal matching dollars under the President’s plan…
cut 12 (09) “…these dollars”

Many Entergy customers are having to pay a very high utility bill from January, because it took a lot more energy to keep their homes warm. Customers may notice their storm restoration fee which dates back to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita also went up. Entergy spokesperson Shelia Pounders says the storm restoration fee goes up and down depending on monthly usage…
cut 8 (10) “….from that”

LSU health professor Tammy Dugas is using antioxidant compounds found in red wine to treat heart disease. Dugas is developing a new stent that releases red wine antioxidants slowly over time to prevent blood clotting and inflamation. Dugas says its posssible you could get same effects by ingesting certain supplements, but…
cut 5 (11) “…red wine”

06:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans continue to struggle without the injured DeMarcus Cousins. New Orleans lost again last night as Utah won its sixth straight beating the Pels 133 to 109. Utah hit 14 of 21 from three-point land. Jrue Holiday led New Orleans with 28 points and he says they tried to be aggressive on the defensive end of the floor…
cut 30 (11) “…lack of effort”
New Orleans hosts Indiana on Wednesday night.

The Saints have released defensive tackle Nick Fairley. The six-foot-four, 308-pounder did not play in 2017 because of a heart condition. After a solid season in 2016, he signed a four-year, 28-million dollar contract. It’s not known how much of that money Fairley will see as grievances have been filed by both parties.

Grambling State men’s basketball won its eighth straight last night as they dribbled past Alcorn State 81-72. Shirmane Thomas had 21 points, while Ivy Smith Junior had 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists. The Tigers are now 8-3 in the SWAC, one game back of Arkansas-Pine Bluff for first place.

Southern improved to 6-5 in the SWAC with a 67-62 win over Jackson State. Senior Jared Sam had a double-double, 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Nicholls State senior guard Roddy Peters has been named the Southland Conference Player of the Week by both the league and College Sports Madness. Peters had 27 ponts, six assists and three steals in the Colonels big win over UNO on Saturday night that vaulted Nicholls into first place.

Mike Lucas is back as the defensive coordinator for Northwestern State. The former Southeastern Louisiana head coach spent the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator at UL Lafayette.

6:30 LRN Newscast February 6

President Trump has asked Congress to pass a one-point-five-trillion-dollar infrastructure funding bill. But will Louisiana see any of those dollars? State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says Louisiana doesn’t have enough transportation dollars to match what the federal government might be willing to offer…
Cut 10 (09) “those dollars.”
Wilson has pushed for a higher state gasoline tax.

Many Entergy customers are looking at higher than normal electricity bills. Usage was increased due to the cold weather in January. Spokesperson Shelia Pounders says they will work with customers on a payment plan. Ponders also recommends a levelized billing program, which allows customers to pay about the same amount for electricty every month…
Cut 9 (08) “customers like.”

LSU scientists are working on a program that treats heart disease using antioxidants derived from red wine. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

AM Newscall February 6

LSU scientists are working on a program that treats heart disease using antioxidants derived from red wine. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana’s Transportation Secretary is worried Louisiana may miss out if Congress approves a massive infrastructure funding bill.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Tangipahoa Parish could be in line to get a casino, Matt Doyle talked to the casino owner about the possibility.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The LSU Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences has developed a new treatment for heart disease using antioxidants from red wine. Research has indicated that having a glass of red wine could be good for your heart, but with Professor Tammy Dugas’s program, even the sober can get those benefits.

Cut 4  (09) “an artery” 

Dugas developed a stent that can be inserted into arteries that releases antioxidants directly into problem areas.

For those looking to get the heart health benefits without a stent, or a buzz, resveratrol and quercetin supplements are available. But, Dugas says you’ll have to chew a lot of tablets to get the same benefits.

Cut 5  (11)  “red wine”

Dugas says the red wine health studies began when researchers noticed an interesting phenomenon in wine country.

Cut 6 (11)  “that benefit”

Experts have recommend having two glasses a day to start noticing the heart health benefits.

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Many Entergy Louisiana customers have suffered sticker shock after seeing their most recent bill, following the extreme cold snap in late December and January.  For many, the normal storm restoration fee went up.  But the fee has nothing to do with the recent cold weather as Customer Service Director Sheila Pounders explains…

Cut 7 (11)  “recovery cost.”

Pounders says Entergy does have a rainy day fund, but when a catastrophe hits, it is spent quickly for the replacement of power lines and poles.  She says the Public Service Commission approved a rate increase to recover those funds and customers are still paying for damage done by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…

Cut 8 (10) “from that.”

Entergy says they are working with customers to set up payment arrangements if they are having problems paying for their last bill. Pounders says their levelized billing program is the one way for a customer to pay their utility bill easier…

Cut 9 (09)  “customers like.”

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President Trump has asked Congress to pass a one-point-five-trillion-dollar infrastructure funding bill.  But will Louisiana see any of those dollars if it passes? State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is worried because Louisiana doesn’t have enough state transportation dollars to match what the federal government might be willing to offer…

Cut 10 (09) “those dollars.”

The state currently has a backlog of 13-billion-dollars in infrastructure repairs and a wish list of projects, including a Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge.  Wilson says the current state gas tax of 20 cents per gallon makes it difficult to get new projects started even with the help of the federal government…

Cut 11 (11) “our state.”

Wilson says Louisiana would have been in a better position to capture federal matching dollars if the state legislature would have approved a 17-cent gas tax increase last year that would have raised over 500-million-dollars…

Cut 12 (09) “these dollars.”

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Peninsula Pacific confirmed that they are considering moving the Bossier based Diamond Jack Casino to Tangipahoa Parish, pending further analysis and legislative approval. Before considering a move, Manager Brent Stevens says he’d like to get some input from the Tangipahoa community.

Cut 13 (11)  “this case.”

He says if you want to weigh in, drop by Communityconversationsla.com

Stevens says they’re considering the move after profits continue to lag at the Diamond Jack.

Cut 14 (09) “we did”

Reports indicate that Peninsula is considering placing the casino along the Tangipahoa River, near the Robert exit on I-12. Stevens says the Parish would be a great location for a new casino.

Cut 15 (09) “exciting place”

Stevens says Peninsula would not be seeking a new license for the move, and the decision will not be based on the legislature’s consideration of a proposal to allow casinos to expand on land.

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The LSU men’s basketball team is in a five-way tie for eight place in the SEC standings as they get ready to play Florida tomorrow night in Gainesville. The Tigers are 13-9 overall, 4-6 in the SEC and Coach Will Wade says his team still has an opportunity to make a postseason tournament…

Cut 16 (23) “NIT”   

LSU is coming off a 94-86 win over Arkansas. Freshman Point guard Tremont Waters led the way with 27 points and 11 assists. Waters has struggled in several SEC games, but he’s not worried about the past….

Cut 17 (13) “next game”

 

18:30 LRN Newscall February 5

The number of reported flu cases in Louisiana has dropped.  Jeff Palermo spoke with flu bug expert Dr. Frank Welch…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Shreveport police say a Good Samaritan trying to help in an accident on I-20 was killed yesterday afternoon.  A major accident had occurred in the westbound lanes between a tractor trailer and a pickup truck.   The pedestrian stopped to help, attempting to cross both eastbound lanes of traffic when he was struck and killed.   The victims in the initial accident were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

One man died and another hospitalized after a Mardi Gras parade route shooting in Jeanerette on Sunday. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Major Wendell Raborn says the shooting occurred at the intersection of Monnot Road and Martin Luther King Drive. There are a lot of potential witnesses, but no one has come forward with any information

Cut 10 (07) “saw anything”

There is no word on the condition of the second person shot.

Two New Orleans natives, Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning stole the show last night with one of the best Super Bowl ads in years. The two Isidore Newman grads recreated an iconic moment from the classic Dirty Dancing film, high lift and all. Newman head coach Nelson Stewart says his phone blew up seconds after it aired…

Cut 13 (09) “years ago.”

17:30 LRN Newscast February 5

State Immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says the flu outbreak isn’t as bad as it was.  He says people getting their flu shots have helped.  And those that are sick are heeding the advice to stay away from others. He says even if you have recovered from the flu, you are not out of danger with three different strains reported in Louisiana…

Cut 4  (09) “flu shot.” 

The state flu rate sits at 8.5-percent.

One man died and another hospitalized after a Mardi Gras parade route shooting in Jeanerette Sunday. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Major Wendell Raborn says deputies arrived soon after the shooting happened…

Cut 9 (08) “is related.”

The victim died on route to the hospital.  Police say witnesses haven’t come forward with any information.

Louisiana’s number of work related fatalities decrease in 2016.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there were 95 fatalities, down from 112 in 2015.  Injury rates also saw a decline from 5.8 per 100,000 full time workers in 2015 to 5.0 in 2016.   Most of the fatalities occurred in trade, transportation and utilities.

They may be New York Giant teammates, but Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning will be remembered for their Dirty Dancing commercial during the Super Bowl.  Both grew up in uptown New Orleans, attending the same high school where Peyton Manning rose to prominence. The school is known for its rigorous academic program, and head coach Nelson Stewart says that played a big part in developing their talents on and off the field.

Cut 15 (10) “next level.”

16:45 LRN Sportscast February 5

Former Louisiana high school football coach and ex-ULM quarterback Doug Pederson is a Super Bowl champion after guiding the Eagles to an upset win over the Patriots. Philadelphia was not given much of a chance at winning, but Pederson kept the faith.
Cut 12 (12) “of these”
Pederson becomes just the eighth coach to win a Super Bowl within his first two years on the job.

Former LSU star Odell Beckham and New Orleans native Eli Manning showed off their dance moves during NFL Super Bowl ad that has received a lot of good reviews. Nelson Stewart, O-B-J’s former coach at Newman High School, says Beckham once danced his way out of a penalty…
cut 14 (11) “…his skills”

The Pelicans are home tonight to face a Utah Jazz team that’s won five games in a row. New Orleans hopes to see Nikola Mirotic can make a nice first impression in front of the home fans. It will be Mirotic’s first game in a Pelicans uniform at the Smoothie King Center. He had 18 points and 12 rebounds in a road loss to Minnesota on Saturday.

Tonight in the SWAC, Grambling puts its seven game winning streak on the line as they host Alcorn State. Southern is at Jackson State

The season opener for the LSU baseball team is approaching. The Tigers will have a new starting catcher, former Barbe star Hunter Feduccia. LSU hitting coach Sean Ochinko says they know Feduccia can play outstanding defense, they also expect him to hit at a high level too….
cut 18 (12) “….Eunice”
The season opener is February 16th at home against Notre Dame.

16:30 LRN Newscast February 5

Many people are still reporting flu like symptoms in Louisiana, but the state health department sees a glimmer of hope. State immuniziation director Dr. Frank Welch says they are seeing fewer people at doctor offices suffering from the flu…
Cut 3 (08) “of flu.”
Welch says to help minimize the spread of the flu bug, stay home, if you are suffering from symptoms.

State Police arrest a 20-year-old Kaplan man for a hit and run crash that killed two high school students. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says Tyler Meaux was driving a Ford F-150 and heading the wrong way on U-S 167 last night when he slammed into a Honda Civic, carrying four teenagers. Sandifer says they believe Meaux was drunk.
Cut 8 (08) “of that”
Those killed are identified as 16-year-old Alana Duhon of Abbeville and 15-year-old Sydney Colomb of Maurice.

Former ULM Quarterback Doug Pederson is basking in the glow of a Super Bowl Championship. Pederson made several gutsy decisions that led to the Eagles upset win over New England…
cut 11 (11) “…yourself aggressive”

Former Newman High stars Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Junior are also big winners night for their Super Bowl ad that spoofed the famous scene from “Dirty Dancing”
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”