LRN PM Newscall July 25

The battle over the French Quarter’s trash contractor is heating up. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana legislature is taking a hard look at the LHSAA, thanks to a new committee established by Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A dispute over trash pickup and sanitation in the French Quarter is heating up. Mayor LaToya Cantrell is looking to terminate the contract with I-V Waste and award an emergency contract to Henry Consulting at a higher cost. That’s not sitting well with many who live and work in the French Quarter. Glade Bilby with the French Quarter Management District says even though a judge ruled that Mayor Cantrell can move forward with the emergency contract, the issue is far from over.

Cut 3 (11) “…not quite settled.”

As such, Bilby says come next Friday, he feels that I-V Waste will continue to provide trash pickup and sanitation services in the French Quarter.

Cut 4 (10) “…process of doing.”

Bilby says he feels that I-V waste is better suited to serving the French Quarter than Henry Consulting, and members of city administration agree with him.

Cut 5 (08) “…know is working.”

This week, Attorney General Liz Murrill filed an amicus brief, saying Mayor Cantrell is blatantly abusing her emergency authority.

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Louisiana Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson has established a committee to monitor and communicate with the LHSAA. Johnson says the LHSAA is a private corporation with authority over student-athletes across the state.

Cut 6 (10) “…little involvement.”

Johnson says legislators regularly hear concerns from constituents on LHSAA transfer, discipline and organization policies. He says he was surprised by how emotional and frustrated numerous legislators were with the situation.

Cut 7 (12) “…biggest thing.”

While Johnson is looking for a better public-private relationship with the organization and more oversight, he’s also trying to protect the LHSAA from overreaching legislation. He says he wants the association and Louisiana schools to share in success.

Cut 8 (10) “…that we have.”

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Being grounded will be the least of these kids’ worries. Seven teens, including six juveniles, are facing felony charges for causing damage to a golf course in St. Charles Parish. Sergeant Jenni Barrette (buh-REHT) says this happened at the Grand Ridge Golf Club.

Cut 9 (06)  “…of the greens.”

Specifically, the areas around the 11th, 12th and 13th holes were damaged. All suspects are boys, and they range in age from 13 to 17. Sergeant Barrette says the 17-year-old, Hunter Graffia of Destrehan, is facing the most charges.

Cut 10 (09) “…that were underage.”

Barrette says these teens do not represent the kids of St. Charles Parish as a whole.

Cut 11 (08) “…cure their boredom.”

The charges are felonies because the damages exceed one-thousand dollars. The golf course is still playable, albeit with a few additional man-made – make that juvenile-made – hazards on the 11th through the 13th holes.

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When people think of tourism in Louisiana, naturally the one city that comes to mind is New Orleans. But in speaking to Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says while New Orleans is certainly a fun place to visit, he’s trying to change that narrative.

Cut 12 (09) “…of the state.”

Nungesser says he doesn’t want to see New Orleans become overcrowded like what many European tourist destinations are becoming.

Cut 13 (09)  “…those tourism numbers.”

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Bill Cassidy’s Republican challenger list for his U.S. Senate seat has just gotten a little more crowded. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta has announced today that he’s running for his seat. Skrmetta made the announcement in a video, in which he introduced himself to voters statewide.

Cut 14 (10) “…and engineering company.”

Later in the video, Skrmetta outlined some of his priorities, should he be elected to the U.S. Senate.

Cut 15 (09) “…and balanced trade.”

Skrmetta joins State Treasurer John Fleming and State Senator Blake Miguez among the prominent Republicans to challenge Cassidy for the seat that he has held for two terms.

2:30 PM LRN Newscast

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell plans to terminate the French Quarter trash collection contract with I-V Waste and award an emergency contract to Henry Consulting at a higher cost. Glade Bilby with the French Quarter Management District says I-V Waste is better suited for the job and even though a judge ruled the mayor can move forward with the emergency contract, he believes I-V Waste will continue to provide trash pickup and sanitation services in the French Quarter.

Cut 4 (10) “…process of doing.”

A group of seven teens ages 13 to 17 are facing felony charges for allegedly causing damage to the Grand Ridge golf course in St. Charles Parish while joyriding in golf carts. Sergeant Jenni Barrette (buh-REHT) says Barrette says these teens do not represent the kids of St. Charles Parish as a whole.

Cut 11 (08) “…cure their boredom.”

The Louisiana legislature is taking a hard look at the LHSAA thanks to a new committee established by Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Bill Cassidy’s Republican challenger list for the U.S. Senate seat he currently holds has gotten a little more crowded. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta announced today that he’s running for senate. Skrmetta made the announcement in a video, in which he introduced himself to voters statewide.

Cut 14 (10) “…and engineering company.”

1:30 PM LRN Newscast

Seven boys ranging in age from 13 to 17 allegedly took golf carts joy riding and are now facing felony charges for causing damage to the Grand Ridge golf course in St. Charles Parish. Sergeant Jenni Barrette (buh-REHT) says 17-year-old, Hunter Graffia of Destrehan, is facing additional charges.

Cut 10 (09) “…that were underage.”

Since damages exceeded one-thousand dollars, the vandalism is a felony.

The Baton Rouge Police Department will be featured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live.” The program airs Friday and Saturday nights on Reelz and streams on Peacock. Police Chief TJ Morse says it’s not the high-octane reality shows of the past, but rather a day in the life of an officer.

Cut 13 (08)  “…action, action, action.”

The battle over the French Quarter’s trash contractor is heating up. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser promotes Louisiana tourism but doesn’t limit his promotion to New Orleans, the city that attracts visitors from all over the world.

He says he doesn’t want to see New Orleans become overcrowded like many European tourist destinations.

Cut 13 (09)  “…those tourism numbers.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints head coach Kellen Moore is looking for his QB1 in a rotation among Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and 2023 4th-round pick Jake Haener. Haener is the senior of the group but was last to receive first team reps, which he did today. Haener lost out on the starting job last year to Rattler following the Derek Carr injury, but Moore has insisted he’s involved in the competition. Haener says he’s learned the NFL doesn’t care about your feelings.

Cut 18 (13) “…totally respect that.”

Free agent tight end Noah Fant is in New Orleans for a visit today. Knee injuries to tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau have sidelined them for camp so far. Fant was a first-round pick in 2019 and has caught 300 passes for over 3-thousand yards. He also took a recent visit to Cincinnati.

Second-round pick Tyler Shough ran with the third team today, and Spencer Rattler led the twos. Both growing up near Phoenix, Arizona, Rattler says he’s known Shough for a long time.

Cut 17 (16)  “…with them too.”

Rattler flashed today with a deep ball to wideout Mason Tipton, who was a big-time camp performer last year after signing as an undrafted free agent. He threw the first interception of camp to rookie Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley yesterday.

Louisiana Tech is bringing new turf to the football stadium, and the field will now be known as Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium. The new field will replace the turf originally installed in 2015 and feature an Origin Bank logo at each 25-yard line

11:30 LRN Newscast

Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Lafourche Parish early yesterday morning. Ken Pastorick with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal says firefighters were called to the home in Raceland at around one yesterday morning.

Cut 4 (08) “…six-year-old male.”

A 46-year-old woman escaped and is hospitalized. Pastorick says the home had three smoke detectors, but firefighters believe none of them were working.

For only the second time ever, Louisiana can boast more than two-million non-farm jobs. The only other time that happened was 2014 going into 2015. Leaders for a Better Louisiana CEO Adam Knapp says while the job growth can be attributed to efforts to grow diverse, resilient industries, two of them are leading the way.

Cut 8 (10) “…across the U.S.”

More than one-thousand girls ages 5 to 19 will descend upon Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World Series. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from new federal emissions rules. It’s a two-year exemption, intended to allow those companies that amount of time to meet EPA emissions standards. Environmental groups say the exemption is based on a false claim that there is already strict oversight of those facilities.

10:30 LRN Newscast

For only the second time ever, the number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana surpasses the two-million mark. The state eclipsed the milestone in the second quarter this year. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says this is tremendous news and a testament to the growth of the economy. 

Cut 7 (11) “…that since then.”

Manufacturing and health care were the sectors that led the way in job growth in the second quarter.

The Baton Rouge Police Department will be featured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live.” Police Chief TJ Morse says it’s not the high-octane reality shows of the past, but rather a day in the life of an officer.

Cut 13 (08)  “…action, action, action.”

The program airs Friday and Saturday nights on Reelz and streams on Peacock.

Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Lafourche Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

South Louisiana is in for a wet day today. A tropical disturbance has made its way to the Louisiana coast, bringing with it heavy rains and thunderstorms. However, the National Hurricane Center gives it almost no chance of becoming a cyclone in the next seven days.

9:30 AM Newscast

Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Raceland early yesterday morning.  We’re told one adult in the home did manage to escape. Ken Pastorick with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal says Pastorick says while the cause is still under investigation, it’s possible that a lack of working smoke alarms may have made the difference between life and death.

Cut 6 (09) “…believe they were.”

For the second time ever, there are more than two million non-farm jobs in Louisiana. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says this is tremendous as every region of the state is experiencing job growth.

Cut 9 (08)  “…rarely the case.”

Knapp especially singled out the Northshore, with places like Slidell and Hammond leading the state.

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More than one-thousand girls ages 5 to 19 will descend upon Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World Series.  It’s being held at the Ruston Sports Complex.  It’s a community wide effort.  Experience Ruston’s Tori Davis says volunteers will help as scorekeepers, announcers and gate workers, plus more than 80 families will host visiting players and their families.

Cut 12 (13) “…many days.”

Baton Rouge Police will be featured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live.” Police recruitment rates have been down nationwide Chief TJ Morse says he hopes the exposure brought by the show can help stop the slide in Baton Rouge. Morse says the department’s most recent basic training graduating class was seven officers.

Cut 15 (14) “…82-thousand.”

 

8:30 AM Newscast

More than one-thousand girls ages 5 to 19 will descend upon Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World Series. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

For only the second time ever, the number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana surpasses the two-million mark. The state eclipsed the milestone in the second quarter this year. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says while the job growth can be attributed to efforts to grow diverse, resilient industries, two of them are leading the way.

Cut 8 (10) “…across the U.S.”

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Four people are dead, including three children…killed in a house fire in Lacourche Parish.  It happened in Raceland around one yesterday morning.  Pastorick says one adult managed to escape the flames.

Cut 5 (07) “…she is hospitalized”

The Baton Rouge Police Department will be featured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live.” Police Chief TJ Morse says he’s excited for people to get a look at the inner workings and advanced technology of policework in the Capitol Area

Cut 14 (13) “…really is.”

The program airs Friday and Saturday nights on Reelz and streams on Peacock.

7:30 AM Newscast

Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Lafourche Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A coastal restoration project heavily damaged by Hurricane Zeta in 2020 could be revived soon, according to the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.  CPRA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently signed an agreement authorizing the use of up to 4 million cubic yards of sand—to repair the West Belle Headland west of Port Fourchon. To give you some idea, that’s enough sand to fill up the inside of the Superdome.

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For only the second time ever, the number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana surpasses the two-million mark. The state eclipsed the milestone in the second quarter this year. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says this is tremendous news and a testament to the growth of the economy.

Cut 7 (11) “…that since then.”

Knapp says every region of the state is experiencing job growth.

More than a thousand softball players will be in Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World series.  The tournament will run from tomorrow through Wednesday at the Ruston sports complex with opening ceremonies tonight at Louisiana Tech.   Experience Ruston’s Tori Davis says the tournament will have major impact on the local economy.

Cut 11 (11) “…like this.”

 

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough got the starting reps in the Saints’ second practice as head coach Kellen Moore searches for his starter in a three-way position battle. The quarterbacks agreed balancing competitiveness with consistency is key. Shough says each will have their highs and lows.

Cut 16 (18) “…with them too.”

Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler was the first to throw an interception on a pass he meant to throw away. Rookie Quincy Riley made the play in the end zone.

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died yesterday at the age of 71. Authorities responded to a morning call about cardiac arrest, and Hogan was pronounced dead later at a hospital.

Louisiana Tech is bringing new turf to the football stadium, and the field will now be known as Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium. The new field will replace the turf originally installed in 2015 and feature an Origin Bank logo at each 25-yard line. The blue Bulldogs end zones and midfield logo will remain the same, and installation is set to be finished by the end of July, before players report for camp.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly was fired up in his address to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club. He says he has two goals: beating Clemson and competing for championships.

Cut 20 (13) “… a championship.”

Kelly has yet to win a season opener in Baton Rouge, and the Tigers have failed to start 1-and-0 since 2019. Clemson, though, has had similar troubles losing their last two openers. A loss to LSU would also be their fourth straight against SEC teams after three last year.