09:30 LRN Newscast March 1st

Another person is calling for State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson to resign. Lloyd Grafton recently resigned from the State Police Commission, and in his resignation letter to the governor, Grafton says Edmonson does whatever he chooses to do. He says when the commission approved a pay raise for LSP, they believed it would go to the troopers on the ground. But he says instead some of the highest ranking officials received $40-thousand pay increases.
Cut 10 (09) “management people”
There are also investigations taking place into inappropriate travel by four troopers who went to a law enforcement conference in San Diego. Edmonson says they are getting to the bottom of what happened, and then it’s time to move on….
cut 13 (09) “…moving forward”

Will Louisiana be the next state to get on board with a poison to control the feral hog population, after Texas recently approved it…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Bankrate-dot-com ranks Louisiana as the fourth worst state for first-time home buyers. Analyst Claes Bell says Lousiaina’s high unemployment rate is a factor…
cut 5 (09) “…in the area”
Bell says first-time home buyers may have a better chance at getting a loan through a local lender, instead of a national bank.

08:30 LRN Newscast March 1st

Louisiana’s Senior U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says he was impressed with President Donald Trump’s first speech in front of Congress….
cut 30 (10) “…eight years”
Democrats remained concern about the repeal of Obamacare and the possibility thousands will lose their health insurance.

A former member of the State Police Commission tells Governor John Bel Edwards in his resignation letter it’s time for State Police to have new leadership. Lloyd Grafton says Colonel MIke Edmonson does whatever he chooses to do, including taking credit for awards others have earned. We asked Edmonson to respond to Grafton’s claim that he should step down…
cut 12 (08) “…state police”
There are investigations looking into a costly road trip by four state troopers.

Bankrate.com finds Louisiana is the fourth worst state for first-time home buyers. Analyst Claes Bell says a tight housing market and high unemployment rate are two big factors, plus young buyers do not have the credit score as older buyers…
cut 6 (09) “…as well”
Bell says first time buyers might have more success getting a loan through a local lender, instead of a national bank.

The Lenten season is underway and the state’s seafood industry will look to keep up with demand for those who choose to stay away from meat today and on Fridays. Chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board Chalin DeLaune says there’s plenty of crawfish and oysters, but seafood retailers are making adjustments because of a local 30-day closure on commercial crabbing…
cut 8 (09) “…a way”

07:30 LRN Newscast March 1st

There’s been another call for State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson to resign. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

With today marking the start of Lent, it’s a big time time of the year for the state’s seafood industry. Chairman of the state’s seafood promotion and marketing board, Chalin DeLaune, says there’s a good supply of crawfish and oysters, but shrimp production is down in this state….
cut 9 (10) “…as well”

Bankrate.com ranks Louisiana the fourth worst state for first time home buyers. Analyst Claes Bell says one reason for the low ranking is the tightness of the housing market. He says construction is not keeping up with demand.
Cut 4 (10) “first time buyers”
There’s a product available that can kill feral hogs. The wild pig population is 500-thousand in Louisiana and stateAgriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says they are working to make Kaput Feral Hog Lure available to use here. Strain says they will only make it available to those who receive proper training…
cut 15 (08) “…burying them”
Strain says it could be another month or two before Kaput is used here.

06:45 LRN Sportscast March 1st

There were several great college baseball games last night. LSU rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat Nicholls State three to two. The Tigers bullpen was outstanding as Hunter Kiel, Todd Peterson, Caleb Gilbert and Hunter Newman pitched at least one inning and did not give up a run. Greg Deichmann’s RBI single in the seventh was the difference.

Lousiaina Tech is still undefeated after beating 24th ranked Arkansas four to three. That’s also 15 straight wins at JC Love Field. There were over 31-hundred fans who watched this game as Chase Lunceford and Jonathan Washam each drove in two runs. Graham Ahlrich tossed three shutout innings to get the win.

The 16th ranked Cajuns outlasted Northwestern State eight to six in 12 innings. First baseman Alex Pinero was 2-for-5 with a home run and 3 RBI.

Southeastern Lousiaina had a three-run lead over 10th ranked Vanderbilt in the 5th inning, but the Commodores hit three home runs to win nine to six.

The Saints will reportedly release free safety Jairus Byrd when the free agence period begins on March 9th. The move would save New Orleans three-point-two million dollars against the salary cap. The Black and Gold signed Byrd to a six-year, 54-million dollar contract in 2014, but injuries kept him from being that playmaker the Saints thought they were getting.

The Pelicans will look to get their first win tonight since trading for All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins. In the three games since the deal, Cousins and fellow All-Star Anthony Davis have put up big numbers. Cousins says he’s spoken to A-D about getting their supporting cast going…
cut 19 (19) “…of time”
But Cousins will not be in the line-up tonight against the Pistons He’s suspended after receiving his 18th technical foul in Sunday’s loss to Oklahoma City.

06:30 LRN Newscast March 1st

Lloyd Graft, who recently resigned from the State Police Commission, is calling for Colonel Mike Edmonson’s resignation. In a letter to the governor, Grafton says the commander of State Police has no credibility when it comes to the truth and lavish spending. He says the recent travel scandal involving four troopers is proof…
cut 11 (11) “…at all”
Edmonson says they will get to the bottom of what happened.

Bankrate-dot-com ranks Louisiana as the fourth worst state for first-time home buyers. Analyst Claes Bell says Lousiaina’s high unemployment rate is a factor…
cut 5 (09) “…in the area”
Bell says first-time home buyers may have a better chance at getting a loan through a local lender, instead of a national bank.

It’s Ash Wednesday, first day of Lent. Many Catholics will stay away from meat today and every Friday through Easter. Chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board Chalin DeLaune says the supply of Louisiana oysters and crawfish is excellent…
cut 7 (09) “..crawfish season”

Texas has approved a poison to kill destructive feral hogs, so when will Louisiana get on board? Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Kaput Feral Hog Lure could become available here in a month or two, but it will only be sold to those individuals who receive proper training.
Cut 14 (09) “this product”

18:30 Newscast Feb 28

US News and World Report’s ranks Louisiana dead last on the new best state’s ranking. Analyst Lindsey Cook says Louisiana did poorly in the areas of economy, government, crime and opportunity. She says education is also a big category and the Bayou State came in 46th.

Cut 10 (09) “ranks 44”

The accused drunk driver in the Endymion parade crash is facing 22 more counts of negligent vehicular injury. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says that number could still go up because the victim count is up to 32.

Cut 15 (11) “his life”

Neilson Rizzuto was originally booked on only four charges.

A North Louisiana state House candidate is coming under fire over a blackface photo. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy who was injured in an ambush on police says he remembers the attack. That’s according to Deputy Nick Tullier’s father, who said in a Facebook post that Tullier feels like he’s getting better. According to the post, Tullier remembers the attack and told therapists that he saw God after being shot.

LRN AM NEWSCALL MARCH 1

The Lenten season is now underway and many people will be eager to get their share of seafood. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn” 

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There’s been another call for State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson to resign. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

Will Louisiana be the next state to get on board with a poison to control the feral hog population, after Texas recently approved it. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Bankrate.com ranks Louisiana the fourth worst state for first time home buyers. Analyst Claes Bell says one reason for the low ranking is the tightness of the housing market. He says there are fewer homes on the market in Louisiana because construction isn’t keeping up with demand.

Cut 4  (10) “first time buyers”

Bell says first time buyers in a tight housing market have a hard time competing for a home that has multiple offers, because they tend to put less money down. He adds that a big issue for first time buyers is the inability to get a loan. He says Louisiana’s high unemployment rate could be a factor for lenders.

Cut 5  (09)  “in the area”

Bell says going to a local lender instead of a national bank could give first time buyers a better shot at getting financed. He says young buyers also might not have as much credit as older buyers, and that coupled with a small down payment could make it more difficult to get a home loan.

Cut 6 (09) “as well”

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It’s Ash Wednesday and that means the start of the Lenten season, so many people will be lining up to get their share of seafood over the next 40 days. Chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board Chalin (Shal-in) DeLaune (De-lawn) says the supply of Louisiana oysters and crawfish is excellent.

Cut 7 (09)  “crawfish season”

But DeLaune says unfortunately the crab harvest is struggling in Louisiana, as there is a 30 day closure on commercial crabbing.

Cut 8 (09) “a way”

DeLaune also says shrimp is on the downside in the Bayou State this season, as the size of the prawns are relatively small. He says the size is perfect for a soup or gumbo but not so much for a boil or to fry.

Cut 9 (10)  “as well”

_________________________________________________________

Another person is calling for State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson to resign. Lloyd Grafton has recently resigned from the State Police Commission, and in his resignation letter to Governor John Bel Edwards, Grafton says Edmonson does whatever he chooses to do. He says when the commission approved a pay raise for LSP, they believed it would go to the troopers on the ground. But he says instead some of the highest ranking officials received $40-thousand pay increases.

Cut 10 (09) “management people”

In the letter, Grafton says Edmonson has no credibility when it comes to the truth and lavish spending. He says that is evidenced by the recent travel scandal where four troopers made stops in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon on their way to a training conference.

Cut 11 (11) “at all”

Grafton says LSP would be better off under new leadership, and US Senator John Kennedy has also called for Edmonson’s resignation. But Edmonson says he is not affiliated with the Louisiana State Police Commission.

Cut 12 (08) “state police”

An investigation into the travel incident is being conducted out of the Governor’s Office, and LSP is conducting their own internal investigation. Edmonson says they are going to get to the bottom of what happened, and then it’s time to move on.

Cut 13 (09) “moving forward”

_________________________________________________________

The Texas agriculture commissioner has approved a poison that farmers and ranchers can use to kill destructive feral hogs, so when will Louisiana get on board? Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Kaput Feral Hog Lure could become available here in a month or two, but it will only be sold to those individuals who receive proper training.

Cut 14 (09) “this product”

Strain once you complete training, you can get an endorsement needed to buy Kaput. He says they’ll keep records of who is purchasing it to make sure it’s being used properly. He says the pigs will have to be fed corn for a few weeks to get them to come in to the feeder.

Cut 15 (08) “burying them”

It’s estimated there are 500-thousand feral hogs in Louisiana and they are known for destroying fields and pastures. Strain says they hope to have the product registry open in about a week and the state will do everything it can to make sure it is used as safely as possible. He says Kaput is 98 to 99-percent effective.

Cut 16 (08) “of regiments”

______________________________________________________

The Pelicans will look for their first win with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins in the starting line-up tonight when New Orleans hosts Detroit. Despite all the buzz the trade created, New Orleans is 0-3 since acquiring Cousins from the Sacramento Kings. Head Coach Alvin Gentry is optimistic the victories will come soon…

Cut 17 (15)  “what happens”

Cousins also feels good about the future of his new team, but it will take time…

Cut 18 (15) “starts clicking”

Both Cousins and fellow All-Star Anthony Davis are putting up good individual numbers in the three games they’ve played with each other. But the dynamic duo is not getting much help. Cousins says he’s spoken with A-D about how to get their teammates going

Cut 19 (19)   “of time”

17:30 Newscast Feb 28

No one knows what to expect from President Donald Trump’s address to Congress tonight. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says generally presidents deliver well thought out, rehearsed speech, but Mr. Trump is anything but predictable.

Cut 5 (07) “will do”

Hogan says it’s unclear if Mr. Trump will offer an olive branch to ease tensions, or go in for the attack.

A 15-year-old photo of Robbie Gatti wearing black face in a Halloween costume has surfaced, and it’s causing problems for his campaign for the district 8 seat vacated by Mike Johnson. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeffery Sadow says 15 years ago, Gatti likely didn’t expect social media to blow up.

Cut 14 (10) “these days”

The accused driver in the Endymion crash is now facing an additional 22 counts of negligent vehicular injury. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino expects 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto to be sentenced to at least 10 years behind bars.

Cut 16 (07) “is significant”

Ciolino says Rizzuto can also expect a host of civil suits to be filed by the victims.

This Mardi Gras could be the warmest ever on record. Phil Grigsby with the National Weather Service says the weather today has been perfect for parade watching.

Cut 8 (08) “above that”

Grigsby says the current record was set back in 1917 at 83 degrees, and the coldest Fat Tuesday reached 30 degrees in 1899.

16:30 LRN Newscast Feb 28th

Louisiana is dead last on Us News & World Report’s new best states ranking. Analyst Lindsey Cook says Louisiana ranks near or at the bottom for the economy, government, crime, and opportunity. She says healthcare was one of their biggest weighted categories, and Louisiana did poorly across the board…:
Cut 9 (10) “32″

Tonight, President Donald Trump gives his first speech in front of a joint session of Congress. The President is expected to talk about his plan to create jobs and LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says we should hear more about how the federal government plans to spend its money…
cut 4 (11) “…cost savings”
Mr. Trump’s speech will begin at 8 PM.

For most people Mardi Gras means a big party, but for the city of New Orleans, it also means big bucks. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 5 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

With afternoon highs in the low 80s today. This goes down as the one of the warmest Fat Tuesday’s in the state’s history. That’s according to Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in Slidell….
cut 6 (10) “…of year”

16:45 LRN Sportscast Feb 28th

The NFL Scouting Combine is underway in Indianapolis as draft-eligible football players begin talking with other teams. Draft Analyst Mike Detillier says outside linebacker Duke Riley is moving up the draft boards the fastest out of the former Tigers. He says the Buras native was an unknown player before the start of the 2016 season, now he has a chance to be a second-or-third round pick if he runs well in the 40-yard dash….
cut 18 (17) “….at LSU”
A total of 10 players from LSU are at the Combine, including Jamal Adams and Leonard Fournette. Both players have a chance at being a top five pick.

The schedule for SEC Media Days came out today and LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron will meet with hundreds of reporters on Monday, July 10th just outside of Birmingham, Alabama.

Fourth ranked LSU hosts Nicholls State tonight at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers will see left-hander Mike Hanchar on the mound tonight. He threw seven shutout innings against the Ragin Cajuns last week.

16th ranked UL Lafayette is at Northwestern State. Both teams are 3-and-3 on the season.

Louisiana Tech’s baseball game against Arkansas at J-C Love Field is sold out tonight. Both teams are undefeated.

Elsehwere, ULM is at Jackson State and Southeastern Louisiana begins a two-game series against 14th ranked Vanderbilt.

ULM athletics director Brian Wickstrom is reportedly a finalist for the A-D job at Sacramento State.

At the girls basketball tournament in Hammond…top seeded Houma Christian advanced to the Division Four State championship game with a come from behind 49-46 win over Southern Lab. Houma Christian will face Lafayette Christian in the title game as the Lady Knights were vistorious over Vermilion Catholic 48-38.