09:30 LRN Newscast January 4th

While December sees the most engagements, psychologists say more couples get divorced in January than any other month. Don Molino has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the rates for Workers’ Compensation policies have fallen for a fourth year in a row. Donelon credits a drastic imporvement workplace safety….
cut 15 (11) “…26-thousand”
Donelon says lower workers compensation rates means more dollars for businesses to expand and add workforce.

Louisiana’s congressional delegation is gearing up to tackle some big issues in the 115th United States Congress. Congressman Ralph Abraham was sworn in Tuesday for his second term representing northeast and central Louisiana. He says a big priority for his district will be creating and protecting jobs in agriculture….
cut 4 (07) “…so many people”
Newly elected Congressman Mike Johnson says rebuilding and strengthening the military is a key issue. He says it’s vital for the people in his district….
cut 7 (10) “…the state”

The National Weather Service has determined it was a tornado that was responsible for damage in Beauregard Parish on Monday. Some residents in the town of Singer have reported roof and other property damage.

08:30 LRN Newscast January 4th

A new Congress has convened and Louisiana’s congressional delegation features three new members. Former state representative Mike Johnson now represents the 4th Congressional District. Johnson says he’s looking forward to rolling back regulations on businesses…
cut 6 (11) “…free market again’
Republicans Clay Higgins and John Kennedy are the other two new members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation.

Workers compensation rates are continuing a downward trajectory in Louisiana, as the Department of Insurance announces a statewide rate decrease of nearly 10-percent. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is good news for Louisiana businesses…
cut 14 (08) “…going forward”
Donelon says rates have seen a cumulative drop of 34-percent over the last 10 years.

Louisiana could see some snow, ice or sleet on Friday. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 12 (11) “….central Louisiana”
Keim says we’ll see rain across south Louisiana and it will be much colder today than yesterday.

January has been dubbed as “Divorce Month” by lawyers and family therapists. Doctor Eileen Palace from New Orleans says the holidays bring a lot of stress, which could lead to depression in women and irrability in men, which can lead to a break-up. She says it’s important to be tolerant to other people’s issues and not take it personally….
cut 10 (10) “….deal with it”

07:30 LRN Newscast January 4th

We are keeping an eye on a weather system that has the potential of bringing snow to some parts of our state on Friday. Right now the national weather service is calling for a slight chance of snow in north and central Louisiana and rain for south Louisiana that day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the entire state should monitor this system because things could change quickly…
cut 13 (07) “…the precipitation”

The holidays aren’t always the most wonderful time of the year, which is why more couples get divorced in January than any other month. That’s according to New Orleans marriage and family therapist Dr. Eileen Palace, who says the holidays can put added strain on relationships…
cut 8 (10) “…in January”
She says that’s why January has been dubbed as “divorce month” by lawyers and family psychologists.

Healthcare and immigration are expected to be big issues for Louisiana’s congressional delegation this year. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

KTBS-TV in Shreveport reports Hyundai Glovis is planning to hire between 150 to 400 workers to assemble bumpers at the closed General Motors plant in Shreveport. No indication on when the company will hire. This is not related to Elio Motors, who leased part of the plant in the hopes of one day producing a fuel-efficient three-wheel vehicle.

LRN 6:45 Sportscast January 4th

Three football players with ties to Louisiana are finalists to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. Former Saints kicker Morten Anderson and former LSU Tigers Alan Faneca and Kevin Mawae. It’s the fourth time Andersen has been a finalist. The fourth round pick in 1982 scored 2,544 points, most ever in NFL history. Faneca was named to the All-Pro team eight times. Mawae has been a semifinalist the last two years and named an All-Pro eight times. They’ll find out Super Bowl weekend whether they made the Hall of Fame or not.

Former LSU football player Seth Fruge says an SEC championship ring and other football mementos were stolen from his Shreveport home over the Christmas break. Fruge played on special teams as a walk-on for the Tigers from 2009 to 2013. In a facebook post, Fruge says the thief took his blood, sweat and tears he shared with his teammates.

The LSU men’s basketball team takes on Missouri tonight at 8 Pm in Columbia. The Tigers are trying to end a two-game losing streak. In those two losses against Wake Forest and Vanderbilt, each team hit 16 three-pointers against LSU and the Tigers allowed 110 and 96 points respectively.

The Pelicans are off tonight, they host Atlanta on Thursday. First-round draft pick Buddy Hield has been named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month. The 23-year-old averaged 11 points a game and shot 48-percent from three point territory during December.

06:30 LRN AM Newscast

Another cold snap is coming our way, and state climatologist Barry Keim says it will be the coldest one yet. He says a cold front moves through the state today, which will drastically cool things off in the Bayou State.
cut 11 (12) “the weekend”
And Keim says there’s a chance we could see snow on Friday in north and central Louisiana.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says rates for Workers’ Compensation policies have fallen for a fourth year in a row. Donelon says a lower rate can help attract new businesses to the Bayou State and….
cut 16 (07) “….even cheaper”
He says rates have had a cumulative drop of 34-percent over the last 10 years.

Louisiana’s Congressional delegation is ready to get to work. Members were sworn in yesterday. US Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish says he looks to get the state’s energy industry rolling again….
cut 5 (11) “…expound exponentially”
Abraham anticipates health care and securing the borders will be major topics during 2017.

A 25-hundred dollar reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the murder of a 22-year-old Hammond man. Darius Latin was fatally shot in the early morning hours of December 28th in an apartment building. A motive is not known.

LRN AM NEWSCALL JAN 4

Healthcare and immigration are expected to be big issues for Louisiana’s congressional delegation in the 115th US Congress. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

While December sees the most engagements of the year, psychologists say more couples get divorced in January than any other month. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

Another cold snap is heading our way and it has a potential to bring us some snow. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Louisiana’s congressional delegation is gearing up to tackle some big issues in the 115th United States Congress. Congressman Ralph Abraham was sworn in Monday for his second term representing northeast and central Louisiana. He says a big priority for his district will be creating and protecting jobs in agriculture.

cut 4  (07) “so many people”

Abraham says while national issues like Obamacare and securing the borders will dominate many conversations in Washington, he’s also focused on Louisianans’ concerns. He says an important issue for the Bayou State will be rebuilding energy resources.

Cut 5  (11)  “expound exponentially”

Congressman Mike Johnson took his first congressional oath of office, as the former-state representative now represents the 4th District. Johnson says he’s looking forward to rolling back regulations on businesses.

Cut 6 (11) “free market again”

Johnson says rebuilding and strengthening the military is a key issue. He says bolstering our military bases is important for the nation as a whole, and especially for people in the 4th Congressional District.

CUT 7 (10)  “the state”

______________________________________

The holidays aren’t always the most wonderful time of the year, which is why more couples get divorced in January than any other month of the year. That’s according to New Orleans marriage and family therapist Dr. Eileen Palace, who says the holidays can put added strain on relationships.

Cut 8 (10) “in January”

Palace says people’s expectations of what holidays should be can set them up for disappointment. She says that coupled with lack of sleep and increased alcohol can create problems in a relationship. But she says sometimes there are more serious issues that have been going on for years.

Cut 9 (09)  “old issues”

Palace says people are also dealing with personal issues during the holidays because it can remind them of lost loved ones or their children being grown. She says this can lead to depression in women and irritability in men. She says it’s important to be tolerant of other people’s issues and not take it personally.

Cut 10 (10) “deal with it”

________________________________________

Another cold snap is coming our way, and state climatologist Barry Keim says it will be the coldest one yet. He says a cold front is moving into the state today, which will drastically cool things off in the Bayou State.

cut 11 (12) “the weekend”

Keim says it will get progressively colder every day until Sunday. He says a storm forming in the Gulf will increase the chance for wintery precipitation in north and central Louisiana on Friday.

cut 12 (11) “central Louisiana”

Keim says it won’t be cold enough for snow in south Louisiana, which means more rain. He says the entire state should keep an eye on this system because things could change quickly.

Cut 13 (09) “the precipitation”

________________________________________

Workers compensation rates are continuing a downward trajectory in Louisiana, as the Louisiana Department of Insurance announces a statewide rate decrease of nearly 10-percent. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is good news for Louisiana businesses because it makes competing for jobs easier.

cut 14 (08) “going forward”

Donelon says rates have seen a cumulative drop of 34-percent over the last 10 years and 50-percent over the last 20 years. He says workplace safety is the biggest reason Louisiana’s workers compensation rates continue to decline.

Cut 15 (11) “26-thousand”

Donelon says not only could this lower rate bring new businesses to Louisiana, it could also help existing companies create more jobs in the Bayou State.

Cut 16 (07) “even cheaper”

18:30 LRN Newscast January 3rd

Saints quarterback Drew Brees is partnering with Dunkin Donuts franchisee Vik Patel to develop nearly 70 more donut shops in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Monroe. The first new store is expected to open this year. Five stores are currently open in Louisiana. Brees is also involved in the Jimmy John’s Franchise and co-owns Walk-On’s Enterprises.

A former LSU football player says his SEC championship ring was stolen. Jeff Palermo has more…
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

US Representative Cedric Richmond, who represents New Orleans, parts of the River Parishes and Baton Rouge, was sworn in as the new chairman of Congressional Black Caucus. Richmond says the Caucus plans to affect change…
cut 8 (07) “….of today”
It’s expected that the Caucus will fight many of the policies that will come from the Trump administration. One piece of legislation the two sides could agree on is a funding bill for infrastructure projects.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is trying to end specualation he will coach in another NFL city next year. Here’s what he said during an interview on WWL radio when asked about the rumors he could leave New Orleans…
cut 11 (13) “…honoring that”
Payton signed a new five year deal last year.

17:30 LRN Newscast January 3rd

A new Congress began its 2017 session today. It started with Louisiana’s newest U.S Senator John Kennedy taking the oath of office. There are two other new members to Louisiana’s Congressional delegation. Republicans Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson. All three were victorious in run-off elections last month.

The Congressional Black Caucus sworn in its new chairman today, Louisiana’s own US Representative Cedric Richmond. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Monday was a busy day for first responders in Marksville. A possible tornado caused damage at and near a Wal-Mart and the weather along with other events also caused power outages. Marksville Fire Chief Jerry Bordelon…
cut 4 (12) “…a blackout”
But no major injuries were reported.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says it’s his plan that he will definitely be back next season. Payton says he’s already started working on what the roster might look like in 2017…
cut 10 (07) “…I’m doing”
Payton made the comments on WWL Radio in New Orleans. There’s been speculation he could be traded to another team.

16:45 LRN Sportscast January 3rd

Saints Coach Sean Payton says it’s his plan that he will definitely be back next season. Payton says he’s already started working on what the roster might look like in 2017…
cut 10 (07) “…I’m doing”
Payton made the comments on WWL Radio in New Orleans. There’s been speculation he could be traded to another team.

And as usual, quarterback Drew Brees is confident about what next year’s team can accomplish. Brees says the right guys are in the locker room to make New Orleans a Super Bowl contender again….
cut 18 (20) “…very near future”
Brees and the Saints just wrapped up a third consecutive 7-and-9 season.

Former LSU football player Seth Fruge says an SEC championship ring and other football mementos were stolen from his Shreveport home over the Christmas break. Fruge played on special teams as a walk-on for the Tigers from 2009 to 2013. In a facebook post, Fruge says the thief took his blood, sweat and tears he shared with his teammates.

In the NBA, the Pelicans had their four game winning streak snapped last night with a 90-82 loss to Cleveland. New Orleans plays again on Thursday night when they host Atlanta.

And the Pelicans first-round draft pick Buddy Hield has been named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month. The 23-year-old averaged 11 points a game and shot 48-percent from three point territory during the month of 2016.

Nicholls State has now four in a row. The Colonels defeated Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi 68-64 last night.

Southeastern Lousiana won its 14th straight home game yesterday, a 74-63 win over U-I-W.

16:30 LRN Newscast January 3rd

Today in Washington D.C, John Kennedy was sworn into the 115th Congress of the United States as Louisiana’s newest Senator. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Two new members of Louisiana’s House delegation also took the oath of office today. Republican Congressman Clay Higgins will represent the third district, which covers southwest Louisiana. And Republican Mike Johnson moves from the state legislature to the seat representing the fourth congressional district.

US Representative Cedric Richmond was sworn in today as the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Richmond says they plan to stand up against any policies that disenfranchise African-Americans…
cut 9 (11) “…never will be”
New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries told Politico that the black community is counting on them as the last line of defense between Donald Trump and the worst America could offer.

Season two of the cold case series Killing Fields begins tonight on the Discovery Channel. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says the TV show will highlight to work of his deputies who helped solve a 1991 cold case murder and another case that made headlines last spring…
cut 12 (10) “…Whiskey Bay Bridge”
The show airs at 9 PM.