6:30 AM Newscast

The group Restore the Mississippi Delta is speaking out after the Landry administration ordered a 90-day pause on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Parish. Campaign Director Simone Maloz (muh-LAWS) says construction has been going on for years, and the state has already invested about a half-billion dollars.

Cut 13 (11) “…a year ago.”

Leaders for a Better Louisiana released a report shows student participation in internships and apprenticeships has grown. CABL CEO Adam Knapp says in 2023, about 5-percent of Louisiana’s 42-thousand graduates earned internship credit, better than previous years but still low compared to Georgia and Tennessee’s 15–20-percent.

Cut 8 (11) “…employers in Louisiana.”

——-

Governor Landry is set to announce his plan to lower insurance premiums, and a new poll suggests that this could be the most important announcement of his governorship. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Two Lake Charles children reported missing in November have been found and are back home with their father after Colton and Cohen Desormeaux were featured on REELZ’s On Patrol: Live aired “Missing” March 7th. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children spokesperson Angeline Hartman.

Cut 4 (10) “…turn herself in.”

LRN AM Newscall April 9

Two Lake Charles boys reported missing in November are back home in part thanks to the show On Patrol Live.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Governor Landry is set to announce his plan to lower insurance premiums, and a new poll suggests that this could be the most important announcement of his governorship. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The group Restore the Mississippi Delta is speaking out after work is halted on the 3.1-billion-dollar Mid Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Parish. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Two Lake Charles children reported missing in November have been found and are back home with their father. On March 7, REELZ’s On Patrol: Live aired “Missing” segments featuring Colton and Cohen Desormeaux. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children spokesperson Angeline Hartman says by March 30, thanks to the show’s exposure, both were safely reunited with their family.

Cut 4 (10) “…turn herself in.”

On Patrol Live airing Fridays and Saturdays, partners with NCMEC and the Black and Missing Foundation  to spotlight missing persons cases and encourages viewers to call tip hotlines. Harman says the show changed everything.

Cut 5 (09) “…get involved.”

Hartmann says, to date, 40 people have been recovered thanks to On Patrol: Live, whose fanbase plays a critical role in spreading awareness.

Cut 6 (12) “…missing children.”

Hartman encourages everyone to take part in helping find missing children. Go to missing-kids-dot-org to help .

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Leaders for a Better Louisiana released a report showing that while high school student participation in internships and apprenticeships has grown, the state still trails peer southern states. CABL CEO Adam Knapp says in 2023, about 5-percent of Louisiana’s 42-thousand graduates earned internship credit, better than previous years but still low compared to Georgia and Tennessee’s 15–20-percent.

Cut 7 (11) “…high school students.”

Knapp says in 2023, about 5-percent of Louisiana’s 42-thousand graduates earned internship credit, better than previous years but still low compared to Georgia and Tennessee’s 15–20-percent.

Cut 8 (11) “…employers in Louisiana.”

Knapp says Better Louisiana is proposing legislation to streamline work-based tax credits and expand student access to real-world learning that benefits both students and employers.

Cut 9 (11) “…for their businesses.”

______________________________________________________

Governor Landry is set to announce his plan for lowering insurance premiums this morning, and a new poll shows that this could be the single most important announcement of his governorship. The poll by Bernie Pinsonat and Greg Rigamer shows a deep dissatisfaction with the state’s direction on insurance, and a majority of the 500 people polled say the legislature has been ineffective at reining in premiums. Pinsonat says the pressure is on Landry to get something done as the poll shows 46-percent of the respondents have an unfavorable opinion of his job performance and it’s tied to the insurance crisis…

Cut 10 (09) “…lot of credit.”

As for who people believe to be the most responsible for high insurance premiums, insurance companies and trial lawyers tied for the top with almost 20-percent each, followed by natural disasters at more than 16-percent. Pinsonat says at the same time, 36-percent hold the legislature accountable for addressing the crisis.

Cut 11 (11) “…cost of insurance.”

Pinsonat says nearly everyone surveyed said he or she was concerned about the direction of insurance premiums.

Cut 12 (09) “…continue to rise.”

______________________________________________________

The group Restore the Mississippi Delta is speaking out after the Landry administration ordered a 90-day pause on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Parish. Campaign Director Simone Maloz (muh-LAWS) says construction has been going on for years, and the state has already invested about a half-billion dollars.

Cut 13 (11) “…a year ago.”

Maloz says the project is essential to slowing the loss of coastal land to erosion. 

Cut 14 (14) “…restore our coast.”

Late last year, Governor Landry said the project could devastate the state’s shrimp and oyster fisheries and other marine life. Maloz says that’s no reason to halt the project.

Cut 15 (16) “…economy of Louisiana.”

The total price tag of the project currently stands at more than three-billion dollars, and Landry says he wants to find a less expensive solution.

5:30 LRN Newscast

Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries has chosen Ascension Parish to put up its new low-carbon ammonia facility. Governor Landry says the new four-billion-dollar facility will create many high-paying jobs.

Cut 10 (10) “…100-thousand dollars.”

Landry says this is the latest in a series of major economic development projects to come to Louisiana, leading to a very bright future in the state.

A 26-year-old woman is charged after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian on I-20 in Ouachita (WASH-uh-taw) Parish. Police say Mecca King gradually veered onto the shoulder and hit 38-year-old Eugenia Bates, killing her. State Trooper Ryan Davis says King had an odor of alcohol on her breath; and upon questioning, she admitted to having two drinks.

Cut 4 (07) “…careless operation.”

It’s possible the state’s revenue shortfall will not be as big as originally projected following the defeat of Amendment Two. Legislative leaders could recognize additional revenue when it meets in May. House Ways and Means Chairwoman Julie Emerson says for tax revenues to increase more than anticipated, the state’s economy needs to be doing well…

Cut 14 (13) “…we will.”

It is now more expensive to play Mega Millions. The cost of a single ticket is now five dollars, up from two dollars. Kim Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery says in return, non-jackpot prizes now start at ten dollars, and each ticket will include a free multiplier feature.

Cut 7 (08) “…prize amount.”

While still astronomical, the odds of winning the jackpot are also slightly improved.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The third ranked LSU baseball team takes its eight-game winning streak to Nicholls tonight as they battle with the Colonels in Thibodaux. Catcher Luis Hernandez is swinging a hot bat. In his last five games, he’s 10 of his last 20 and hit three doubles in the series against Oklahoma. Coach Jay Johnson says the transfer from Indiana State is a big part of their success…

Cut 19 (13) “..swinging the bat.” 

First pitch tonight is at 6:30.

In other action tonight…ULM is at Northwestern State to start a home and home midweek series. The Ragin Cajuns host Texas Rio Grande Valley and Southeastern Louisiana is at Tulane. The Lions rank fifth in the country with a team ERA of 3.25.

 

Louisiana Tech’s Sebastian Mexico has been named the Conference USA hitter of the week. The junior designated hitter from Massachusetts homered in three straight games and drove in 11 runs. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs…

Cut 29 (07) “….brought him here”

Mexico leads Conference USA in O-P-S and slugging and his batting average of ..478 is third best in the country.

Ruston’s Ahmad Hudson has been named the Class Five-A boys basketball player of the year. The six-foot-eight two-sport star averaged 21 points and 14 rebounds a game last season. Huntington’s Carly Hamilton has been named the Girls Class 5A player of the year, as she averaged 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals a game as she helped the Lady Raiders win their first state championship.

4:30 PM Newscast

State Police say the woman who fatally struck a pedestrian on Interstate 20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday afternoon was impaired. Twenty-six-year-old Mecca King has been charged with vehicular homicide and careless operation after hitting 38-year-old Eugenia Bates of Monroe. State Trooper Ryan Davis says this fatality did not have to happen…

Cut 5 (08) “..cab services”

House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland warns that budget cuts are coming because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass last month. Speaking at the Baton Rouge Press Club, McFarland says passage of the amendment would have provided Louisiana with additional dollars to spend this year…

Cut 12 (12) “…through cuts.”

 

Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries is putting up a massive ammonia facility on the West Bank of Ascension Parish. In a ceremony at the Capitol this morning, Governor Landry said it will be the largest facility of its kind in the world..

Cut 9 (11)  “…blue ammonia.”

The project is expected to create about 100 direct new permanent jobs with an average salary of 110-thousand dollars.

Get ready to pay 5 dollars for your Mega Millions ticket. The price goes up today. Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better odds of winning the jackpot—improving from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million, and there will be more frequent billion-dollar prizes.

Cut 6 (08) “…$50 million.”

3:30 PM Newscast

A 73-year-old man from Cuba who was taken into custody by ICE agents in Lafayette as he was on his way to work is back with family. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If Constitutional Amendment 2 had passed last month, the temporary $2,000 stipend that is not being renewed would have been replaced by a permanent pay raise for Louisiana teachers. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says now finding the money to make the raise the possible is a priority.

Cut 13 (09)  “…role in that.”

Another large facility is coming to the River-Plex Mega-Park near Donaldsonville in Ascension Parish. CF industries is building a massive ammonia facility and Governor Landry says it will create over 100 direct jobs with average salaries of over $100,000 per year.

Cut 11 (11) “…innovation and sustainability.”

The project will also create more than 300 construction jobs. CF Industries is looking for the facility to be operational in 2029.

A Mega Millions ticket will now cost five dollars. Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better at winning the jackpot. They aim to distinguish Mega Millions from Powerball and raise the average jackpot from 450 million to 800 million dollars.

Cut 8 (12) “…grow a lot faster.”

LRN PM Newscall April 8

Governor Landry makes another huge economic development announcement. Andrew Greenstein is at the Capitol with more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A 73-year-old man from Cuba who was taken into custody by ICE agents in Lafayette as he was on his way to work is back with family. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

State Police have charged a 26-year-old woman with vehicular homicide after she was allegedly driving drunk and hit a Monroe woman on I-20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday. State Trooper Ryan Davis says Mecca King was traveling in the outer lane and gradually veered onto the shoulder and struck a pedestrian, 38-year-old Eugenia Bates.

Cut 3 (12) “…her injuries.”

Davis says King was found to have an odor of alcohol on her breath. Upon questioning, King admitted to drinking two alcoholic beverages.

Cut 4 (07) “…careless operation.”

King was arrested and booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center.  Davis reminds you that walking along the Interstate is illegal, and there’s no excuse for impaired driving.

Cut 5 (08) “…cab services.”

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Mega Millions players will face a price hike as tickets increase from two to five dollars, starting with today’s drawing. Kim Chopin (show-PAN) with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better odds of winning the jackpot—improving from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million—and more frequent billion-dollar prizes.

Cut 6 (08) “…$50 million.”

Chopin says non-jackpot prizes will also rise, starting at ten dollars, and each ticket will include a free multiplier feature.

Cut 7 (08) “…prize amount.”

Chopin hopes these changes will combat “jackpot fatigue,” a trend where only enormous prizes attract attention. They aim to distinguish Mega Millions from Powerball and raise the average jackpot from 450 million to 800 million dollars.

Cut 8 (12) “…grow a lot faster.”

______________________________________________________________

Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries is putting up a massive ammonia facility on the West Bank of Ascension Parish. In a ceremony at the Capitol this morning, Governor Landry said it will be the largest facility of its kind in the world..

Cut 9 (11)  “…blue ammonia.”

Landry says the new facility will create many high-paying jobs…

Cut 10 (10) “…100-thousand dollars.”

Landry says this is the latest in a series of major economic development projects to come to Louisiana, leading to a very bright future in the state…

Cut 11 (11) “…innovation and sustainability.”

CF Industries started evaluating Ascension Parish three years ago in deciding where to build its new ammonia facility. Along with the direct jobs, the project will also create more than 300 construction jobs. No word on when construction will begin; CF Industries is looking for the facility to be operational in 2029.

____________________________________________

House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland warns that budget cuts are coming because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass last month. McFarland says passage of the amendment would have provided Louisiana with additional dollars to spend this year…

Cut 12 (12) “…through cuts.”

Passage of Amendment Two would have made a temporary two-thousand dollar teacher pay stipend permanent. 198-million dollars is needed to make the stipend a permanent two-thousand dollar raise and McFarland says finding the money remains a priority, because the state is finally making gains in student achievement…

Cut 13 (09)  “…role in that.”

It’s possible the state’s revenue shortfall will not be as big. Legislative leaders could recognize additional revenue when it meets in May. House Ways and Means Chairwoman Julie Emerson says for tax revenues to increase more than anticipated, the state’s economy needs to be doing well…

Cut 14 (13) “…we will.”

2:30 PM Newscast

Governor Landry makes another huge economic development announcement. Andrew Greenstein is at the Capitol with more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Beginning today a Mega Millions lottery ticket will cost you 5 dollars. But Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says odds of winning the jackpot improve slightly. She also says non-jackpot prizes will rise, and each ticket will include a free multiplier feature.

Cut 7 (08) “…prize amount.”

State Police have charged a 26-year-old woman with vehicular homicide after she was allegedly driving drunk and hit a Monroe woman who was walking on the shoulder of I-20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday. State Trooper Ryan Davis says Mecca King was traveling in the outer lane and gradually veered onto the shoulder and struck 38-year-old Eugenia Bates.

Cut 3 (12) “…her injuries.”

It’s possible the state’s revenue shortfall will not be as big. Legislative leaders could recognize additional revenue when it meets in May. House Ways and Means Chairwoman Julie Emerson says for tax revenues to increase more than anticipated, the state’s economy needs to be doing well…

Cut 14 (13) “…we will.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries is putting up a massive ammonia facility on the West Bank of Ascension Parish. In a ceremony at the Capitol this morning, Governor Landry says the new facility will create many high-paying jobs…

Cut 10 (10) “…100-thousand dollars.”

House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland warns that budget cuts are coming because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass last month. McFarland says passage of the amendment would have provided Louisiana with additional dollars to spend this year…

Cut 12 (12) “…through cuts.”

McFarland made the comments to the Baton Rouge Press Club.

State Police have charged a 26-year-old woman with vehicular homicide after she was allegedly driving drunk and hit a Monroe woman on I-20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday. State Trooper Ryan Davis says Mecca King was found to have an odor of alcohol on her breath. Upon questioning, King admitted to consuming two alcoholic beverages.

Cut 4 (07) “…careless operation.”

Mega Millions players will face a price hike as tickets increase from 2 to 5 dollars, starting with today’s drawing. Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better odds of winning the jackpot—improving from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million—and more frequent billion-dollar prizes.

Cut 6 (08) “…$50 million.”

 

12:30 LRN Newscast

Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries is putting up a massive ammonia facility on the West Bank of Ascension Parish. In a ceremony at the Capitol this morning, Governor Landry said it will be the largest facility of its kind in the world..

Cut 9 (11)  “…blue ammonia.”

The project is expected to create about 100 direct new permanent jobs with an average salary of 110-thousand dollars.

Here is Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla’s reaction to a 745-million-dollar verdict against Chevron to restore wetlands that a Plaquemines Parish jury said the energy company destroyed…

Cut 13 (07) “…killed it”

There are 40 other parish lawsuits against energy companies and Moncla says they will keep oil and gas companies from doing any kind of production in coastal inland waters.

 

State Police say the woman who fatally struck a pedestrian on Interstate 20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday afternoon was impaired. Twenty-six-year-old Mecca King has been charged with vehicular homicide and careless operation after hitting 38-year-old Eugenia Bates of Monroe. State Trooper Ryan Davis says this fatality did not have to happen…

Cut 5 (08) “..cab services”

Bates was walking on the shoulder of the interstate and it’s also illegal to walk on the interstate.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation is actively involved in litter removal with this week being Love the Boot Week. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says partnering with Keep Louisiana Beautiful, DOTD employees are engaged in cleanup efforts statewide…

Cut 14 (12) “…100 miles of roadway.”

Mallett says the state spends more than 13-million dollars annually picking up trash on the side of roadways.