12.21.14
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AM LRN Newscall December 22nd

It’s the first full day of winter. Michelle Southern tells us if we can expect cold and freezing precipitation like last winter…:

CUT 1 (25) “reporting”

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A new Southern Media and Opinion Research poll shows Republican Senator David Vitter’s change in position on Common Core will benefit him. Scott Carwile reports…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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Here in the final days of 2014, there are some things taxpayers can do to help them financially. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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Today is the first full day of winter and many have not forgotten last year’s winter, which saw colder than normal temperatures and a few rounds of frozen precipitation.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says the climate prediction center’s forecast for the next three months indicates we could see a repeat..:

cut 4  (07)  “normal rainfall”

Keim says the wildcard right now is the El Nino which has been in the forecast for a while, but hasn’t formed yet. He says the climate prediction center is giving the system a 60% chance of forming sometime this winter…:

Cut 5  (10)  “the rain chances”

Keim says if the El Nino does form the way they think it will this winter, we’ll get more rain and even possibly some freezing rain like we saw last winter…:

Cut 6 (12)  “above normal”

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A new poll shows that Republican Senator David Vitter’s change in position on Common Core is popular with voters. Vitter announced earlier this month he opposes the new educational testing standards and a Southern Media and Opinion Research survey found that 64-percent agree with Vitter. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Vitter made the right move, politically…

CUT 7 (08)  “with Common Core”

Pinsonat says opposing Common Core will help Vitter in his quest to become Louisiana’s next governor. He says the testing standards will be a main issue in the governor’s race…

Cut 8 (09)  “in Louisiana” 

Another Republican gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, says he supports the controversial education standards. Pinsonat says Common Core will make next year’s race interesting…

Cut 9 (11)  “will be Common Core”

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Here in the final days of 2014, there are some things taxpayers can do to put them in a better financial position in 2015. John Theriot is an accountant with the Louisiana Society of CPAs and he says business owners should accelerate expenses, because anything they can pay before year’s end will get the 2014 deduction.:

Cut 10 (09) “should do that” 

Theriot says now would also be a good time to let your employer know you want to up your contribution on your 401K or change your filing status on your W4. He says before the new year, you also might want to think about making charitable donations, so you can deduct it on your 2014 tax form…

cut 11 (10) “deduction also”

Theriot says if know you’ll have a big federal or state tax bill in the spring, you can begin paying those taxes off…

cut 12 (10)  “file your return”

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The LSU Tigers are back at practice this week as they continue preparations to play Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. Even though the Bayou Bengals have some extra time to prepare for this game, Coach Les Miles says don’t expect many changes when it comes to game planning for this game

Cut 13 (19)  “game day”

The other issue hanging around the LSU football program….Is how many underclassmen will leave for the NFL? There’s a report LSU cornerback Jalen Collins plans to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft, but Miles is optimistic they won’t see as many juniors leaving for the pros early as previous seasons

Cut 14 (17)  “football team”

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For the fourth straight season, the Ragin Cajuns have ended the year by winning the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. U-L Lafayette defeated Nevada 16-3 on Saturday in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Coach Mark Hudspeth has now led the Cajuns to four straight…nine-win seasons

Cut 15  (21)  “solid defense”

Senior quarterback Terrance Broadway set the tone early as he completed his first 14 passes, which is an NCAA Division One bowl record. Broadway finished with 227 yards passing and a touchdown in his final game as a Cajun

Cut 16  (15)    next level”  

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Louisiana Tech holds its first practice in Dallas today leading up to its game against Illinois in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas bowl. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says the team is looking forward to bowl week preparations…

Cut 17  (20)   “work done”

Holtz says the message to his team is that playing in a bowl game is great, but winning it, is even better…

Cut 18 (17) “uniform”

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The Saints had a chance to win the NFC South on Sunday, but instead the Black and Gold’s season came to an end with a bitter 30-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. What makes it hurt even more is that, New Orleans finishes the year with five straight losses at the Dome. Coach Sean Payton on the lack of wins at home this year

Cut 19 (14)   “pretty obvious”

The loss reflected the Saints disappointing season. They had four turnovers and the defense had trouble getting off the field on third down and ended up allowing Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan to throw for 322 yards. It’s the first time a Payton coached team has missed the playoffs since 2008

Cut 20 (09)  “consistently enough”

12.20.14
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LRN Newscast 10:30 12-20-14

New employment numbers came out yesterday and Louisiana’s labor force grew to over 2-point-one million for November. LWC Executive Director Curt Eysink says people from all over are responding to Louisiana’s strong job growth by joining our workforce…:
cut 12 (11) “great jobs”
The number of people employed in the state jumped by over 59 thousand over the year.

A Ponchatoula man faces up to 40 years in prison for downloading more than half a million images of child pornography. Fifty-two year-old Robert Swan pleaded guilty yesterday for his role in a network that included children as young as 4 weeks of age in sex acts. His bond was set Thursday by a judge at $51 million dollars.

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Republican Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise is finding himself a target of the political group Senate Conservatives Action. They’re sponsoring radio ads that accuse him of siding with President Obama…
CUT 6 (12) Q: ‘from shutting down”
That’s LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford who says rumors are circulating that Rob Maness may challenge Scalise in 2016.

The fall shrimping season comes to a close on some state waters Monday. How was it?…
CUT 3 (12) “rather abruptly”
That’s Daren Martin, owner of Martin’s Fresh Shrimp in Chauvin.

12.20.14
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LRN Newscast 09:30 12-20-14

A group called Senate Conservatives Action is targeting Republican Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise (scah LEESE) with some radio ads…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration has reached an agreement with the Secretary of State’s office to archive state employee health insurance program’s records. They had stopped sending claims for several months, because of privacy concerns. Now, the new agreement will have those records in a facility that is under Federal laws protecting personal information

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There have been over 65 highway deaths in Louisiana since Thanksgiving, and Sgt. Nick Manale of State Police says that is way too many…
CUT 10 (05) Q: “unrestrained occupants”
So if you’re not buckled up this weekend, don’t expect any leniency when you get pulled over.

For November last month, Louisiana added about seven thousand jobs. With those numbers, the state is outpacing the national average…
CUT 13 (09) Q: ‘to November’
That’s Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink (eye sink), who says the total number in the state a record setting 2.1 million people with jobs. He says industrial announcements keep coming and people from around the nation and the world are paying attention.

12.20.14
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LRN Newscast 08:30 12-20-14

New employment numbers are out and Louisiana’s labor force grew to over 2.1 million in November, and that’s a record…
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

From the R and L Carries New Orleans Bowl this morning, to a huge Saints game against the Falcons about 24 hours later, it’s a busy sports weekend for the Crescent City. Technically, it is not a playoff game, but don’t try to tell that to the players and head coach Sean Payton. If the Saints beat the Dirty Birds this week, and Tampa Bay next week, they’re in.

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It’s a group called Senate Conservatives Action, and they are sponsoring radio ads that target Republican Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise. The ads accuse Scalise of siding with President Obama instead of standing on the conservative platform. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there is some intrigue here as this conservative group supported Rob Maness in his run for the US Senate…
CUT 7 (05) Q: “Steve Scalise”

After working several fatal crashes last weekend that resulted in nine deaths, State Police troopers are urging drivers to use extra caution while on the highways this weekend and during the holidays, because driver error is responsible for many of the wrecks they are seeing…
CUT 9 (09) “distractions alone”
That’s Sergeant Nick Manale of State Police.

12.19.14
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LRN Newscast 17:30

Louisiana’s unemployment rate rose for a seventh consecutive month, based on November employment numbers. It’s now at six-point-five percent, but executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Curt Eysink, says more and more people are looking for a job, because word is getting out about companies and businesses either expanding or re-locating to Louisiana…
cut 14 (07) “….for the future”

The last Saturday before Christmas is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Michelle Southern has a preview…
voicer 5 (22) “…reporting”

A group called Senate Conservatives Action is running ads slamming Congressman Steve Scalise, claiming he’s on the President’s side by helping to pass a spending bill that maintains funding for Obamacare. But LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Scalise pushed for the measure, because didn’t want a government shutdown. Alford adds these ads can’t be taken lightly…:
CUT 8 (11) “next”
There’s speculation former US Senate candidate, Col Rob Maness, will run against Scalise in 2016.

The Ragin Cajuns go after their fourth straight New Orleans Bowl victory when they face Nevada on Saturday morning at 10 A-M. U-L Lafayette is 8-and-4 on the season, while the Wolfpack are 7-and-5. Both teams have dual threat quarterbacks, Terrance Broadway for the Cajuns and Cody Fajardo for the Wolfpack.

12.19.14
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LRN Newscast 16:30 12-19-14

Republican Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise is finding himself a target of the political group Senate Conservatives Action. They’re sponsoring radio ads that accuse him of siding with President Obama instead of standing on the conservative platform…
CUT 6 (12) Q: ‘from shutting down”
That’s LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford who adds rumors are circulating that Rob Maness may challenge Scalise in 2016.

A Ponchatoula man faces up to 40 years in prison for downloading more than half a million images of child pornography. Fifty-two year-old Robert Swan pleaded guilty yesterday for his role in a network that children that included children as young as 4 weeks of age in sex acts.
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New employment numbers are out and Louisiana’s labor force grew to a record 2,179,837 in November. LWC Executive Director Curt Eysink says people from all over are responding to Louisiana’s strong and sustained job growth by joining our workforce…:
cut 12 (11) “great jobs”
The number of people employed in the state jumped by 59,419 over the year.

The fall shrimping season comes to a close on some state waters Monday and shrimpers are calling this an average season…
CUT 3 (12) “rather abruptly”
That’s Daren Martin, owner of Martin’s Fresh Shrimp in Chauvin, who says shrimpers are headed to the Gulf to get more shrimp, and that could cause a price hike.

12.19.14
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16:45 LRN Sportscast December 19

The Ragin Cajuns go after their fourth straight New Orleans Bowl victory when they face Nevada on Saturday morning. The three previous victories have not been easy as U-L Lafayette won those games by a total of 14 points. They are a one-point underdog against the Wolfpack.

On Sunday in the Mercedes Benz-Superdome, the Saints host the Falcons. Quarterback Drew Brees is coming off a performance where he threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the short passing game worked for them on Monday night and they’ll use it again on Sunday…
cut 19 (20) “…the Falcons”
A win for the Saints and a Carolina loss and New Orleans will win the NFC South.

The Pelicans, who have won five of their last seven, have a busy weekend. They host Portland on Saturday night and then visit the Thunder on Sunday. The Trail Blazers lead the northwest division, while O-K-C is coming off a trip to the West Coast.

There’s a good in-state match-up in college basketball on Saturday afternoon. The Ragin Cajuns will visit Northwestern State. U-L Lafayette has averaged 108 points in their last three contests. The Demons will look for a lot of scoring from Zeek Woodley, who is averaging 24 points a game. That’s fourth best in the country.

Also on Saturday…McNeese will welcome the University of Toledo to the Burton Coliseum at one o’ clock. The Rockets have won four in a row, while the Cowboys are 5-and-3 on the season.

In college baseball…LSU shortstop Alex Bregman and left-handed pitcher Jared Poche have been named second-team preseason all-Americans by Collegiate Baseball magazine. And Southeastern Louisiana’s Jameson Fisher and Brett Hoffman have been named to the Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American teams.

12.19.14
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LRN Newscast 15:30 12-19-14

A group called Senate Conservatives Action is sponsoring radio ads that are targeting Republican Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise. Here’s Eric Gill with the story…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The very first bowl game of the season kicks off tomorrow morning with the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, as the U-L-L Ragin’ Cajuns take on Nevada. There’s a concert tonight starring Kool and the Gang at the Smoothie King Center, but the team won’t be there, because of a very early wake-up call for a 10 am kick-off.

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State Police are reporting a total of 66 highway deaths in Louisiana since Thanksgiving, and Sgt. Nick Manale says that is way too many…
CUT 10 (05) Q: “unrestrained occupants”
So if you’re not buckled up, don’t expect any leniency when you get pulled over this holiday season.

For November, Louisiana added seven thousand more people working, which is outpacing the national numbers…
CUT 13 (09) Q: ‘to November
That’s Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink (eye sink), who says the total number in the state a record setting 2.1 million people with jobs. He says industrial announcements keep coming and people from around the nation and the world are paying attention.

12.19.14
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LRN Newscast 14:30 12-19-14

New employment numbers are out and Louisiana’s labor force grew to over 2.1 million in November, and that’s a record…
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

A man facing felony charges has committed suicide last night after a pursuit with Shreveport Police. Thirty year-old Damian Pea (pay) was approached by police while he sat in a parking lot, when he took off at a high rate of speed, lost control and crashed into another vehicle. Police discovered a gunshot wound to the head when they got there.
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A conservative group called Senate Conservatives Action is sponsoring radio ads that target Republican Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise. The ads accuse Scalise of siding with President Obama instead of standing on the conservative platform. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there is some intrigue here as this group supported Rob Maness in his run for the US Senate…
CUT 7 (05) Q: “Steve Scalise”

After working several fatal crashes last weekend that resulted in nine deaths, State Police troopers are urging all drivers to use extra caution while on the highways during the holidays, because driver error is responsible for many of the wrecks they are seeing…
CUT 9 (09) “distractions alone”
That’s Sergeant Nick Manale of State Police.

12.19.14
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PM LRN Newscall December 19

A group called Senate Conservatives Action is sponsoring radio ads that target Republican Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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New employment numbers are out and Louisiana’s labor force grew to a record 2,179,837 in November. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

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The fall shrimping season comes to a close on some state waters Monday and shrimper are calling this an average season for fishermen. Daren Martin, owner of Martin’s Fresh Shrimp in Chauvin, says this was a fair season for shrimpers…

CUT 3 (12)  “rather abruptly”

Martin says there were those early cold fronts that came through the state, but the water stayed in the marsh allowing shrimpers to continue to work. He says he’s seen better seasons and worse seasons…

CUT 4 (06)  “seasons have”

Martin says the price of shrimp fluctuated a bit during the fall season, but, on average, was a little better than they are used to getting. He says, now that shrimpers will have to go into the Gulf of Mexico to get shrimp, consumers should expect to see a bit of a price hike…

CUT 5 (07)  “and whatnot”

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A group called Senate Conservatives Action is sponsoring radio ads that target Republican Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise. The ads accuse Scalise of siding with President Obama instead of standing on the conservative platform. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says this attack stems from the Congressman’s efforts to help pass a $1.1 trillion dollar spending bill…

CUT 6 (12)  “from shutting down”

Alford says this is interesting since Scalise was able to capture the whip position because he was a favorite of the tea party movement, where the Senate Conservatives Action finds its roots. He says there is a bit of political intrigue here as this group supported Rob Maness in his run for the US Senate…

CUT 7 (05) “Steve Scalise”

Rumors are circulating that Maness may challenge Scalise in 2016. Alford says these kind of threats cannot be taken lightly. He says the big question is whether the Senate Conservatives Action is going to continue to hammer away at Scalise…

CUT 8 (11) “what’s coming next”

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After working several fatal crashes last weekend that resulted in nine deaths, State Police troopers are urging drivers to use extra caution while on the highways during this holiday period. Sergeant Nick Manale says driver error is responsible for many of the wrecks they are seeing

CUT 9 (09)  “distractions alone”

Manale says since Thanksgiving week, State Police have worked fatal wrecks that resulted in 66 deaths…

CUT 10 (05)  “unrestrained occupants”

Manale says in most of the fatal wrecks they’ve investigated, the victims were not buckled up

cut 11 (08)  “in a crash”

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New employment numbers are out and Louisiana’s labor force grew to a record 2,179,837 in November. The number of people employed in the state jumped by 59,419 over the year. LWC Executive Director Curt Eysink says people are responding to Louisiana’s strong and sustained job growth by joining our workforce in record numbers…:

cut 12 (11) “great jobs”

Eysink says, over the month of November, we added about 7,000 people working in Louisiana. He says this is outpacing a national trend..:

cut 13 (09) “to November”

Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent in November which is a .9 percent increase from last year. But Eysink says the main reason our unemployment rate has risen is because of the speed of the growth of the labor force. He says industrial announcements keep coming and people from around the nation are paying attention…:

cut 14 (07) “for the future”