1:30 PM Newscast Nov 21

One person is dead after a shooting in the French Quarter this afternoon. The New Orleans Police Department is investigating the shooting of four people that occurred at the intersection of Iberville and Royal streets. Few details have been released. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the person killed or the condition of the other three victims.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter hopes to draw attention to youth homelessness tonight. He will be sleeping outdoors as he participates in the Covenant House Sleep Out. He says the problem of homelessness is growing.

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana and America.”

Carter says by sleeping outside, he and other officials who will be joining him can feel the pain that homeless people, especially children, go through on a nightly basis and work to bring resources to help get them off the streets. Overnight lows in New Orleans are expected to be in the upper 40s to lower 50s

Four constitutional amendments are on the December 7th ballot. In response to rushed budget approvals in 2023, Amendment 2 would mandate a 48-hour review period for budget bills. Amendment 3 complements Amendment 2 as it would allow lawmakers to extend sessions by up to six days to finalize budgets. Extensions would require a two-thirds vote. Public Affairs Research Council President Dr. Steven Procopio says a rush to finalize is often an issue.

Cut 4 (11) “…end of the session.”

A potentially life-saving hand-held device that could better detect cancer cells during surgery is under development at LSU. Inventor of SafeMargin, electrical engineering professor Dr. Jian Xu (JAN ZHOO) says there are still many steps before it can gain FDA approval…

Cut 10 (05) “…this into market.”

LRN PM Newscall November 21

Louisiana voters will decide on four constitutional amendments in a Dec. 7 election, two of the amendments address legislative budgeting.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A Louisiana congressman will be sleeping outside tonight to shed light on a growing problem. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The December 7 election has four amendments that Louisiana Voters will vote on, addressing judicial ethics, legislative budgeting, and property tax processes. Amendment 1 proposes adding five appointees to the Judiciary Commission, expanding its current nine-member structure, and give the Supreme Court authority to initiate investigations and discipline judges for misconduct. Public Affairs Research Council President Dr. Steven Procopio explains that the Judiciary Commission investigates judges…

Cut 3 (12) “…Judiciary Committee.”

Amendment 2 mandates a 48-hour review period for lawmakers before voting on budget amendments. This responds to rushed budget approvals in 2023.  Procopio says Amendment 3 complements Amendment 2 by allowing a two-thirds legislative vote to extend sessions by up to six days to finalize budgets. Procopio says it’s rare when time is not an issue.

Cut 4 (11) “…end of the session.”

Amendment 4 proposes replacing Louisiana’s tax sale process for delinquent property taxes with a tax lien auction, Procopio says it addresses potential due process violations highlighted in recent court rulings.

Cut 5 (15) “…debt amount.”

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New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter will be sleeping outside tonight to draw attention to youth homelessness in the city, the state and the country. Congressman Carter will be participating in the Covenant House Sleep Out tonight.

Cut 6 (09) “…issue of homelessness.”

Carter says the problem of homelessness is growing.

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana and America.”

Carter says the fact that it’s expected to be a frigid night in New Orleans – at least, in New Orleans standards – will further shed light on the issue.

Cut 8 (07) “…with being unhoused.”

Carter says by sleeping outside, he and other officials who will be joining him can feel the pain that homeless people, especially children, go through on a nightly basis and work to bring resources to help get them off the streets.

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Researchers at LSU are developing a hand-held device to better detect cancer cells during surgery. It’s called SafeMargin, and it was invented by LSU electrical engineering associate professor Dr. Jian Xu (JAN ZHOO). He says the purpose of the device is to quickly detect a clean margin during cancer surgeries.

Cut 9 (08)  “…of the cancer.”

Dr. Xu says there are still many steps that need to happen before it can gain FDA approval, but he hopes to bring it to market by the end of the decade.

Cut 10 (05) “…this into market.”

Xu says the device is not only a game-changer, but it is also a life-saver.

Cut 11 (04) “…globally every year.”

Xu says not only would SafeMargin be a time-saver, but it would also be a money-saver. While traditional technology to detect clean margins would cost close to 42-hundred dollars, using SafeMargin would cost only about 100 dollars per surgery.

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Alexandria International Airport is using a federal grant to lure United Airlines back. The airport is receiving one-million dollars through the Small Community Air Service Development Program. England Airpark Executive Director Ralph Hennessy says they’ve wanted to lure United back ever since the airline left in 2022 due to the effects of the COVID pandemic.

Cut 12 (08) “…new air service.”

Hennessy says if the airport is successful in bringing United back, the money would be put to good use.

Cut 13 (12)  “…into the market.”

Hennessy says it will ask United to operate three daily non-stops to and from Houston. He says United returning to Alexandria will have other benefits for passengers.

Cut 14 (05) “…other two airlines.”

American and Delta are the other two airlines that fly out of Alexandria.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The December 7 election has four amendments that Louisiana voters will vote on.  Amendment 1 proposes adding five appointees to the Judiciary Commission, expanding its current nine-member structure. It would also give the Supreme Court authority to initiate investigations and discipline judges for misconduct, including malfeasance. Public Affairs Research Council President Dr. Steven Procopio explains that the Judiciary Commission investigates judges…

Cut 3 (12) “…Judiciary Committee.”

Researchers at LSU are developing a hand-held device to better detect cancer cells during surgery. It’s called SafeMargin, and it was invented by LSU electrical engineering associate professor Dr. Jian Xu (JAN ZHOO). He says the purpose of the device is to quickly detect a clean margin during cancer surgeries.

Cut 9 (08)  “…of the cancer.”

A Louisiana congressman will be sleeping outside tonight to shed light on a growing problem. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team improved to 6 and 0 last night with an 85 to 74 win over the Tulane Green Wave. Flau’Jae (flah-JHAY) Johnson had 25 points and 12 rebounds. Aneesah (uh-NEE-suh) Morrow had her nation-leading fifth double-double, 23 points and 16 rebounds. Coach Kim Mulkey says Morrow’s hard work is paying off…

Cut 26 (12) “…she deserves”

The Lady Tigers will play Washington in the Bahamas on Monday.

The LSU football team is working to snap a three-game losing streak as the Tigers host Vanderbilt on Saturday. Offensive tackle Will Campbell…

Cut 20 (15) “…get the job done”

Kick off is at 6:45.

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The Ragin Cajuns will host Troy on Saturday. U-L Lafayette is 5-and-1 and looking to stay in first place in the Sun Belt West and move another step towards clinching the division championship. Troy is 3-and-7 overall, but Coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) says the Trojans have won their last two games…

Cut 18 (18)   “…work for them.”

Kick off is at 4 PM.

Looking ahead to the rest of Saturday’s schedule…ULM will try to snap its four game losing streak as the Warhawks visit Arkansas State. Warhawks running back Ahmad Hardy is 25 yards away from eclipsing one-thousand yards on the season.

Louisiana Tech is at Arkansas, Northwestern State visits Houston Christian, McNeese hosts Lamar and Southeastern Louisiana travels to Nicholls tonight for the River Bell Classic.

11:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but it restored the historic preservation and film tax credits, and they inserted an option for local governments to tax pharmaceuticals. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil, a Republican, says tax reform is always a tricky thing to accomplish.

Cut 4 (07) “…run their cities.”

Democrat Jay Luneau says he proposed a bill to make corporate tax credits non-refundable.

Cut 7 (11) “…back to you.”

The biggest question is regarding sales taxes. One idea is to add fewer services to the sales tax base and raise the state sales tax to up to five-percent. The special session must end Monday evening.

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has increased, and it is now at its highest level under the current scoring system. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says the state is clearly going in the right direction.

Cut 11 (07) “…keep pushing forward.”

Brumley says the steady rise is a testament to the work of everyone involved.

A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Holly Ridge, near Monroe, would be a huge economic boost to the region. Economist Loren Scott described the project as transformative for northeastern Louisiana.

Cut 8 (06) “…real game changer.”

Meta chose the area due to its location out of the hurricane zone, available land and electricity. The data center would create up to 500 jobs, many of which would pay in six figures, and it could be up and running in three years.

10:30 LRN Newscast

The State Senate is slated to vote on pieces of Governor Landry’s tax reform plan that made it out of the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The biggest question, though, is regarding sales taxes. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil says one idea is to add fewer services to the sales tax base and raise the state sales tax to up to five-percent.

Cut 23 (06) “…those small adjustments.”

Democrat Jay Luneau says raising sales taxes is not a guarantee that any revenue loss would be made up.

Cut 24 (06) “…in the past.”

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has increased, and it is now at its highest level under the current scoring system. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says it’s a testament to the work of everyone involved.

Cut 13 (12)  “…teachers are doing.”

A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Holly Ridge, near Monroe, would be a huge economic boost to the region. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Baton Rouge General Hospital ranks in the top ten nationwide for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says the hospital places a strong emphasis on physical therapy following a heart attack.

Cut 16 (08) “…with heart conditions.”

9:30 am Newscast

Richland Parish will see a huge economic boost when Facebook’s parent company Meta builds a five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center there. That’s according to Economist Loren Scott, who says one of the biggest impacts the data center will bring is job growth.

Cut 10 (09) “…shot in the arm.”

We’re told the average salary will be around 130-thousand dollars.

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has gone up.  In the U.S. News and World Report states ranking, Louisiana has earned its highest national ranking ever, moving up from 46th to 40th. State Education Secretary Cade Brumley on the good news.

Cut 12 (06) “…work to do.”

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The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that have made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but it restored the historic preservation and film tax credits, and they inserted an option for local governments to tax pharmaceuticals. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil, a Republican, says there are two options on the table when it comes to sales taxes.

Cut 5 (12) “…make everything work.”

If they go the latter route, the state sales tax rate being floated is five-percent. Democrat Jay Luneau says he has concerns about raising sales taxes, which are already among the highest in the nation.

Cut 6 (11) “…clean it up.”

The special session must end by six Monday evening.

8:30 am Newscast

Louisiana continues rising in the national rankings of K-through-12 education. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Big news for Baton Rouge General Hospital.  It now ranks in the Nation’s top ten for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says when it comes to the heart, time is muscle.

Cut 14 (08) “…may be necessary.”

The ranking is based on data collected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but it restored the historic preservation and film tax credits, and they inserted an option for local governments to tax pharmaceuticals. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil.

Cut 4 (07) “…run their cities.”

The special session must end by six Monday evening.

A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Richland Parish would be a huge economic boost to the region. Meta chose the area due to its location out of the hurricane zone, available land and electricity. Economist Loren Scott.

Cut 9 (11)  “…user they are.”

 

7:30 am Newscast

The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but restored the historic preservation and film tax credits. Sales taxes appear to be the big sticking point to the whole plan, and Foil says there are two options on the table.  Committee Chairman Franklin Foil.

Cut 4 (07) “…run their cities.”

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has increased, and it is now at its highest level under the current scoring system. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says the state is clearly going in the right direction.

Cut 11 (07) “…keep pushing forward.”

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A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Holly Ridge, near Monroe, would be a huge economic boost to the region. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Baton Rouge General Hospital now ranks in the top ten nationwide for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says the hospital also goes to great lengths on after a heart attack end to set patients up for success when they leave the hospital.

Cut 15 (05) “…leave the hospital.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU looks to end a three-game losing streak on Saturday when they host the Vanderbilt Commodores. Offensive tackle Will Campbell says it’s disappointing they failed to reach their goal of an SEC Championship, but they are still working to finish the season strong…

Cut 20 (20) “…get the job done”

LSU could be without both of its starting guards as Garrett Dellinger and Miles Frazier are listed as questionable.

The Pelicans have so many injuries, the line-up they put on the floor to start the game last night was unrecognizable. New Orleans lost to Cleveland 128 to 100 as former Ragin Cajun Elfrid Payton played in his first NBA game in more than 2 years and had 11 points and eight assists.

The River Bell Classic is tonight in Thibodaux as Nicholls hosts Southeastern Louisiana at 6 PM. The all-time series is tied at 17. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says it’s a game fans of the respective schools look forward to each year…

Cut 17 (17) “…about it” 

Nicholls is 4-and-7, while S-L-U is 6-and-5 and need to win for a chance at making the F-C-S playoffs. The road team has won the last six matchups.

In women’s basketball…Flau’jae Johnson had 25 points and 12 rebounds as the Lady Tigers topped Tulane 85 to 74.

In men’s hoops…23rd ranked Texas A-and-M dribbled past Southern 71-54. And Towson took down Nicholls 70-64.

 

Saints star Taysom Hill earned NFC has been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week as he had three rushing touchdowns against the Browns.