13:30 Newscast February 20th, 2015

The Legislative Budget Committee has been discussing the Jindal’s Admintrations plan to cut $103 million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith expressed her frustration that the governor’s office only received a ten-thousand dollar cut in funding…:
CUT 12 (06) “by example”
Smith suggested Jindal should work without pay.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says there are three commercials in rotation feature Angelle’s “Workhorse Not a Showhorse” line and in one of the ads he speaks in Cajun French…:
CUT 10 (09) “the spicket has been opened”
He says you can expect non-stop ads now through the fall.

North Louisiana is bracing for another winter weather event but the National Weather Service in Shreveport says this late-weekend freeze potential could be the worst of the season. Meteorologist Mario Valverde says cold air is going to be combined with some precipitation late Sunday night into Monday. As for snow he says there is a better chance for the white stuff on Monday night as the cold air builds deeper…:
CUT 5 (10) “the air gets”

The University of Louisiana System hopes it will name a new president at Grambling State in June. The Grambling presidential search committee is expected to meet next week and approve the timeline. Officials originally planned to name a new president in April, but concerns over deep cuts in state funding to Grambling has hampered search efforts.

 

12:30 Newscast February 20th, 2015

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is the first 2015 gubernatorial candidate to begin advertising on television. LaPolitics.com was the first to deliver the report about the ads and publisher Jeremy Alford says (today) Friday is the first day Angelle’s spots starting airing as part of the $200,000 buy…:
CUT 9 (08) “very quietly”
He says they put this together in secret during Mardi Gras while everyone else was out celebrating. Alford says now you can expect the ads to be non-stop through the fall.

State Police say a 35-year-old man from Hineston was killed late last night in Vernon Parish. They say Gregory Smith was traveling on roadway when he lost control, drove off the side and collided with a large tree. Smith was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.

This tax filing season Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is encouraging taxpayers to file for an insurance rebate available to any person who pays for a homeowners, renters or business property insurance policy. He says unfortunately millions of dollars in rebates connected to this assessment are unclaimed every year and you can also still claim it, if you failed to do so from 2011 to 2014…:
CUT 7 (10) “refund for”
Donelon says if you have questions, go to the insurance department’s website or call 1-800-259-5300.

We continue to see gas prices steadily rise. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.12 which is 22 cents higher than this time last month.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast February 20

Because of the likelihood of rain on Sunday, several college baseball teams are playing a doubleheader today. The second ranked Tigers will play two games against Boston College. After losing to Nicholls State on Wednesday, coach Paul Mainieri has decided to move Alex Bregman from the number two hole to number three.

Louisiana Tech’s home opener is today. The bulldogs will play a doubleheader against Arkansas Pine-Bluff at 3 PM. U-L Monroe will also play two games against Stephen F Austin, and the Ragin Cajuns will play a single game tonight against Stony Brook and then two games tomorrow against the Seawolves.

It was a chaotic day in the NBA yesterday because of the trade deadline. The Pelicans were involved in a couple of deals and it results in them adding a piece to their backcourt. Miami’s Norris Cole is now a Pelican. He’s averaged six points a game during his four-year career. New Orleans is at Orlando tonight.

Saints coach Sean Payton has told Pro Football Talk that there are no plans to re-work Quarterback Drew Brees’ contract. The 36-year-old Brees will have a 26-million dollar salary cap figure for the 2015 season. Brees has two more years left on his contract.

Former Nicholls State head coach Daryl Daye is the new defensive coordinator for Northwestern State. Daye was the head coach at Missouri Southern the last three seasons and replaces Mike Lucas, who is now at U-L Lafayette.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball won in overtime on the road last night beating Charlotte 83 to 82 in overtime. A Kenneth Smith layup sent the game into overtime and the Bulldogs Alex Hamilton scored 29 points.

Shawn Long had 17 points and seven rebounds as the Ragin Cajuns defeated Texas State 64-42.

The LSU men’s basketball team is back in action tomorrow at twelve o’ clock as they host Florida.

10:30 Newscast February 20th, 2015

Meteorologists are keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation in north Louisiana Sunday night and into Monday. Mario Valverde with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says cold is expected along with rain…:
CUT 3 (09) “hazardous”
He says this precipitation is likely to continue into Monday with many areas struggling to get much above freezing during the day down into central Louisiana.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards sys he’s gotten the go-ahead to take his real estate license test. He says this is something he’s wanted to do since he got out of prison…:
CUT 11 (11) “back burner”
Edwards says there is a major industrial boom coming along the I-10, I-12 corridors with developing communities from Lake Charles to Slidell and he’d like to take advantage of the opportunity to be involved in real estate.

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Gallette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their 2-year relationship. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The Cajundome in Lafayette has gotten final approval from the State Bond Commission to begin renovations. Officials say the construction project, including the addition of lower-level seating inside, will cost about $16.7 million dollars. The roofing will be re-done and there were be major work done to bathrooms and concession stands.

 

09:30 LRN Newscast Feb 20

Former Governor Edwin Edwards plans to seek his real estate license. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 3 (30) “…reporting’

The University of Louisiana System hopes it will name a new president at Grambling State in June. The Grambling presidential search committee is expected to meet next week and approve the timeline. Officials originally planned to name a new president in April, but concerns over deep cuts in state funding to Grambling has hampered search efforts.

The former pastor of President Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, told a large audience at Southern University that black people should look for assistance from the chuch and not government…
cut 15 (12) “…mass incarceration”
Wright was Barack Obama’s minister until 2008 when controversial comments surfaced from a sermon he gave in 2003.

The Saints Junior Galette faces a civil suit in which a 22-year-old woman claims the linebacker physically and emotionally abused her over a two year period. This woman was involved in an incident that led to a misdemeanor battery charge against Galette earlier this year. But the criminal charge has been dropped. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says the civil suit will allow for an examination of the facts…
cut 8 (09) “….domestic abuse”

08:30 LRN Newscast Feb 20

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center assists in the discovery of 97 new genetic factors that contribute to obesity. Doctor Mark Starzynksi says they’ve also found 49 genetic markers that determine where fat is stored and he says the next step is seeing how these markers are specifially related to obesity…
cut 6 (10) “….something like that”
Starzynski says this research should result in better ways to treat obesity.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is seeking a real estate license. The 87-year-old is not interested in showing homes, but he would like to work with friends on developing property in south Louisiana…
cut 12 (04) “…for our joint benefit”
Edwards says getting a real estate license is something he’s thought about, since he was released from federal prison in 2011.

Religious leader, Reverend Jeremiah Wright visited Southern University’s campus, for a black history month program, where he told those in the audience that they should look to church, not government, when it comes assistance in their life. Wright was President Barack Obama’s minister until 2008, when controversial comments surfraced from a sermon he gave in 2003. Wright didn’t mention Mr. Obama during yesterday’s speech, but defended his work…
cut 14 (08) “….2008”

Action by the state bond commission allows for a plan to upgrade the Cajundome in Lafayette to move forward. The facility’s director Greg Davis says the 16-point-seven-million project includes the redesign of the lower seating level, which will allow for more seats. The bond commission gave approval to the selling of 20-million dollars in revenue bonds to fund the upgrade.

07:30 LRN Newscast February 20

A global constorium, which includes LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, makes a historic discovery linking obesity to genetics. Eric Gill reports…
cut 1 (29) “….reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal’s plan to close a 103-million dollar budget deficit for this fiscal year will go before lawmakers this morning. The legislature’s joint budget committee is expected to approve the plan, which would result in the lay off of 130 workers and the closure of three state historic sites.

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Gallette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their 2-year relationship. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says this is not good for Gallette or the Saints as Gallette will be asked about his personal behavior with this woman under oath…
cut 7 (09) “…real big problem”
Galette’s attorney calls the lawsuit a “shakedown” and says it’s all lies.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is seeking a real estate license. The Cajun Prince says with an 18-month old child and a young wife, he would like to make sure there is a nice nest egg left behind for them and plenty of money for son Eli to go to college…
cut 10 (11) “….to be that way”
Edwards plans to take a test to get his real estate license in the next few weeks.

06:45 LRN Sportscast Feb 20

Louisiana Tech won a thriller last night in Charlotte to remain in first place in Conference USA. The Bulldogs beat the 49ers 83-82 in overtime. Alex Hamilton led all scorers with 29 points, including four in the overtime period. Michale Kyser had a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs who have won four in a row.

U-L Lafayette easily defeated Texas State 64-42. The Cajuns went on a 16-4 run in the first half to pull away. Shawn Long had a solid game, 17 points and seven rebounds and the Bobcats shot 32-percent from the field.

Also last night…Central Florida beat Tulane 69-55.

In the NBA…the Pelicans have acquired point guard Norris Cole in a trade with Miami. Cole has averaged six points a game in his four-year NBA career. New Orleans also gets former LSU forward Justin Hamilton in the deal.

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Galette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their two-year relationship. Eric Gill reports…
cut 2 (30) “….reporting”

The expectation for rain on Sunday has led to changes with the weekend college baseball schedule. The LSU Tigers will play a doubleheader with Boston College today, starting at two P-M. U-L M will also play a doubleheader today as they host Stephen F Austin. Loisiana Tech also plays two against Arkansas Pine Bluff.

06:30 LRN Newscast Feb 20

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are involved in a history discovery linking obesity to genetics. The study discovered 97 new gentic factors that contribute to obesity and 49 gentic markers that determine where fat is stored in the body. Doctor Mark Sarzynksi, says these results give them a better idea of where to target their next studies…
cut 4 (10) “….our body weight”

A civil lawsuit has been filed against Saints linebacker Junior Galette by a woman who claims Galette abused her sexually, mentally and physically and also drugged her. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri…
cut 9 (04) “…to manage”
But a criminal domestic violence charge that involes the same woman who filed the civil suit has reportedly been dismissed by Kenner authorities.

The former pastor of President Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, spoke to students at Southern University on Thursday telling the audience that you shouldn’t seek help from the government but instead from the Lord. Wright says for too many years, blacks have looked to government for help and that’s the wrong place…
cut 13 (12) “…wrong place”
Wright was Barack Obama’s minister until 2008 when controversial comments surfaced from a sermon he gave in 2003.

The Legislature’s joint budget committee meets today and they’ll get a chance to approve the Jindal administration’s plan to cut 103-million dollars from this year’s budget, which will lead to state worker layoffs and the reduction of museum hours.

AM Newscall February 20th, 2015

A global consortium, which includes LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research, has made a historic discovery linking obesity to genetics. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Gallette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their 2-year relationship. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is making news again this week as he plans to seek his real estate license. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

A global consortium, which includes LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has made a historic discovery linking obesity to genetics. The study discovered 97 new genetic factors that contribute to obesity and 49 genetic markers that determine where fat is stored in the body. Pennington Researcher, Dr. Mark Sarzynski, says these results give them a better idea of where to target their next studies…

cut 4  (10)  “our body weight”

The worldwide study involved over half-a-million participants and more than 400 researchers. Sarzynski says the results of the study gives researchers a better idea of what to target to find better obesity treatments…

Cut 5  (09)  “treating obesity”

He says it will probably be at least five years before this is moved forward in a very specific manner. Sarzynski says the next step is seeing how these markers are specifically related to obesity…

Cut 6 (10)  “something like that”

______________________________________

A Kenner woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Saints linebacker Junior Gallette, claiming he was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their 2-year relationship. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says this is not good for Gallette or the Saints. Sunseri says now Gallette will be asked about his personal behavior with this woman under oath…

CUT 7 (09)  “real big problem”

He says the results of the investigation could also determine if Gallette violated the NFL’s new Domestic Abuse Policy. After an incident involving this woman last month, Gallette and a friend, Terrance Banks, were booked on charges of simple battery involving domestic abuse, which is a misdemeanor. Sunseri says this civil lawsuit will allow for a thorough examination of the facts…

Cut 8  (09)  “domestic abuse” 

The lawsuit also claims that other members of the team groped her while she was drugged. Sunseri says this lawsuit is another distraction that the Saints do not need right now. He says the team will have to decide whether or not they want to keep Gallette on the roster…

Cut 9 (08)  “Gallette’s career”

______________________________________

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is making news again this week as he plans to seek his real estate license. The Cajun Prince says with an 18-month old child and young wife, he would like to make sure there is a nice nest egg left behind for them and plenty of money for son Eli to go to college…:

Cut 10 (11) “to be that way”

Edwards says everything is in place for him to get his license but he has to take and pass the test which he plans to do within the next few weeks. He says this is something he’s thought about doing since he got out of prison…:

cut 11 (11) “back burner”

Edwards says with a real estate license he’ll be able to work with some of his friends who are engineers and architects on developing property in south Louisiana…:

cut 12 (04)  “for our joint benefit”

______________________________________

The former pastor of President Barack Obama, Reverend  Jeremiah Wright, spoke to students at Southern University on Thursday telling the audience that you shouldn’t seek help from the government but instead from the Lord. Wright says for too many years, blacks have looked to government for help and that’s the wrong place

Cut 13 (12)  “wrong place”

Wright was Barack Obama’s minister until 2008 when controversial comments surfaced from a sermon he gave in 2003. Wright didn’t mention Mr. Obama during his speech, but defended his work as President…

Cut 14 (08) “2008”

Wright’s appearance at Southern was part of a Black History month program paid for by private donations. He spoke about injustices that black people have dealt with since the biblical times until now

Cut 15  (12)  “mass incarceration”

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