11:30 LRN Newscast

Supporters of year-round Daylight Saving Time are calling on the U.S. Senate to approve the Sunshine Protection Act. President Trump has said he’ll sign the bill if it reaches his desk. Louisiana is prepared to immediately adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time thanks to legislation sponsored by Haughton Representative Dodie Horton that was approved in 2020.

Cut 3 (11) “…clock.”

A self-proclaimed pastor from Houma is arrested on allegations of physically and sexually abusing children. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Blake Tabor says 57-year-old Thomas Tucker the Third is facing a slew of charges.

Cut 13 (09)  “…two counts.”

Tabor says Tucker calls himself the pastor of the “Outcast of Society Ministries.”

Concerns are growing about whether ratepayers in northwest Louisiana will be stuck with the bill from the growing Meta data center. Alaina DiLaura with the group Alliance for Affordable Energy notes that the contract between Meta and Entergy does not cover the lifespan of the gas plants they’re building.

Cut 8 (11) “…beyond 20 years.”

And DiLaura says because of that, costs beyond 20 years are not covered by Meta.

Governor Landry said this week that New Orleans is no longer important to Louisiana as it once was. But Stephen Barnes, the director of the Kathleen Blanco Public Policy Center at UL Lafayette, says the New Orleans region has more influence on the state’s economy than any other metro area in the state.

Cut 27 (12) “…state tax revenues.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry said this week that New Orleans is no longer as important to Louisiana as it once was. Economist Stephen Barnes says while New Orleans doesn’t have the population or the jobs it had pre-Katrina, it’s still a huge economic driver and has the largest concentration of economic activity in the state. He says that’s why it’s still important that the state makes sure that New Orleans succeeds.

Cut 5 (05) “…our state grow.” 

A man and woman from Houma are behind bars on child sex abuse charges. The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says 57-year-old Thomas Tucker the Third calls himself the pastor of the “Outcast of Society Ministries,” and he’s responsible for abusing at least two children. It says 47-year-old Sharotta Lewis witnessed the abuse and did not report it. Deputy Blake Tabor says this remains an active investigation. 

Cut 15 (09) “…to come forward.” 

Veteran running back Alvin Kamara will indeed be a Saint this season. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

You can add LSU to the SEC and other member schools opposing the Protect College Sports Act. LSU President Wade Rousse co-signed a letter saying while they appreciate the efforts surrounding the bill, key issues remain, specifically when it comes to pooling media rights, which the conference is adamantly opposed to. The Big Ten has also come out in opposition of the bill as currently written.

9:30 LRN Newscast

A man and a woman from Houma are behind bars, charged with sexually assaulting children.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Mandeville Police have arrested a former employee at Crunch Fitness who is accused of filming dozens of women while using the gym’s tanning room. Twenty-seven-year-old Nathan Volz has been charged with video voyeurism. Authorities have identified 10 victims and expect more victims to come forward.

 

Construction of massive data centers in Louisiana is a big part of the state’s future economy, but there is a concern that the power needed to run these facilities will lead to higher electricity bills for all residents. State officials, Meta and Entergy say that will not happen and Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says it’s up to elected officials to make sure they stick to their promises…

Cut 10 (12) “…power generation”

Who Dats no longer have to worry about whether Alvin Kamara will remain with the Saints. He’s restructured his deal that will result in A-K remaining with New Orleans for a tenth season. Kamara had career lows in rushing yards and receptions last season, but Matt Paras (Paris) who covers the Saints for the Advocate, believes he still can be a weapon…

Cut 12 (12) “….skill set”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry said this week that New Orleans is no longer important to Louisiana as it once was. But Stephen Barnes, the director of the Kathleen Blanco Public Policy Center at UL Lafayette, says the New Orleans region has more influence on the state’s economy than any other metro area in the state.

Cut 4 (12) “…state tax revenues.”

A man and woman from Houma have been arrested, accused of physically and sexually abusing children. Investigators with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office say 57-year-old Thomas Tucker the Third is behind bars facing multiple charges. Deputy Blake Tabor says  Tucker has passed himself off as someone who children could trust and confide in.

Cut 14 (10) “…of Society Ministries.”

——————————-

Veteran running back Alvin Kamara will indeed be a Saint this season. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Year-round Daylight Saving Time would result in more sunlight in the winter evening hours but later sunrise times. Supporters argue evening sunlight will be good for local economies, while opponents raise concerns about dark commutes for students and workers.

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

As the size of the Meta data center in Richland Parish grows, so do concerns over how much it could cost utility ratepayers. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

At Meta’s expansion announcement earlier in the week, Governor Jeff Landry made it a point to say that New Orleans isn’t as important as it once was to Louisiana.

At Meta’s expansion announcement, Governor Jeff Landry made it a point to say that New Orleans isn’t as important as it once was to Louisiana.  But Stephen Barnes, the director of the Kathleen Blanco Public Policy Center at UL Lafayette says…

Cut 6 (11) “…the state economy.”

——————–
A man and woman from Houma have been arrested on allegations of physically and sexually abusing children. Investigators with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office say 57-year-old Thomas Tucker the Third is the perpetrator and is behind bars on more than 600-thousand dollars bond. Deputy Blake Tabor says Tucker is facing a slew of charges.

Cut 13 (09)  “…two counts.”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a restructured deal to take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans. The 30-year-old had jaded back-and-forth with the front office regarding his future after the Saints signed free-agent running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan). Nola.com’s Matt Paras (“Paris”) says in an offseason where the Saints lost Taysom Hill and Demario Davis, it’s good to see a veteran star return.

Cut 11 (10) “…people are happy.”

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

A man and a woman from Houma are behind bars, charged with sexually assaulting children.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Shreveport man is accused of shooting and killing his mother at a condominium complex in Metairie Wednesday morning.  Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Officials say 21-year-old  Nakee Collins shot his 48-year-old mother multiple times.  Though detectives are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including a motive Collins is in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center charged with second degree murder.

————————-

As that Meta data center in Richland Parish grows, so do concerns over whether utility ratepayers will be stuck with the bill. Alaina DiLaura with the group Alliance for Affordable Energy says she doesn’t exactly trust Meta and Entergy when they say they will cover all the costs of the electricity needed to power the massive facility.

Cut 7 (10) “…shifted to residents.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, whose city is one parish to the west of the data center, says he’s confident that Meta and Entergy will keep their end of the bargain and not stick ratepayers with the bill.

Cut 9 (08)  “…State of Louisiana.”

LRN AM Newscall July 16

As the size of the Meta data center in Richland Parish grows, so do concerns over how much it could cost utility ratepayers. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Veteran running back Alvin Kamara will indeed be a Saint this season. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

A man and a woman from Houma are behind bars, charged with sexually assaulting children.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry said this week that New Orleans is no longer important to Louisiana as it once was. But Stephen Barnes, the director of the Kathleen Blanco Public Policy Center at UL Lafayette, says the New Orleans region has more influence on the state’s economy than any other metro area in the state.

Cut 4 (12) “…state tax revenues.”

New Orleans does not have the population or the number of jobs it had pre-Hurricane Katrina. But Barnes says New Orleans is still a huge driver and has the largest concentration of economic activity in the state. Barnes says that’s why it’s still important that the state makes sure that New Orleans succeeds.

Cut 5 (05) “…our state grow.”

Landry made his comment that New Orleans is not as important as it once was at the announcement of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar investment into the Richland Parish A-I data center. Barnes says the data center is great, but…

Cut 6 (11) “…the state economy.”

___________________________________________________

As the Meta data center in Richland Parish grows, so do concerns over whether utility ratepayers will be stuck with the bill. Alaina DiLaura with the group Alliance for Affordable Energy says she doesn’t exactly trust Meta and Entergy when they say they will cover all the costs of the electricity needed to power the massive facility.

Cut 7 (10) “…shifted to residents.”

Governor Landry responded to that claim by saying unlike Louisiana, other states were not prepared for the infrastructure demands of such a large data center. DiLaura also notes that the contract between Meta and Entergy does not cover the lifespan of the gas plants they’re building.

Cut 8 (11) “…beyond 20 years.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, whose city is one parish to the west of the data center, says he’s confident that Meta and Entergy will keep their end of the bargain and not stick ratepayers with the bill.

Cut 9 (08)  “…State of Louisiana.”

Mayor Ellis says Meta and Entergy keeping their promises is essential for future data center projects, which he says are huge economic drivers, especially in rural areas.

Cut 10 (12) “…future power generation.”

___________________________________________________

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a restructured deal to take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans. The 30-year-old had jaded back-and-forth with the front office regarding his future after the Saints signed free-agent running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan). Nola.com’s Matt Paras (“Paris”) says in an offseason where the Saints lost Taysom Hill and Demario Davis, it’s good to see a veteran star return.

Cut 11 (10) “…people are happy.”

Injuries and offensive struggles have limited the once-explosive running back in recent years. Paras says he expects Etienne to step into more of a leading role in the backfield but hopes the offense finds ways for Kamara to contribute.

Cut 12 (12) “…that skill set.”

___________________________________________________

A man and woman from Houma are arrested on allegations of physically and sexually abusing children. Investigators with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office say 57-year-old Thomas Tucker the Third is the perpetrator and is behind bars on more than 600-thousand dollars bond. Deputy Blake Tabor says Tucker is facing a slew of charges.

Cut 13 (09)  “…two counts.”

Tabor says what’s especially disturbing is that Tucker passed himself off as someone who children could trust and confide in.

Cut 14 (10) “…of Society Ministries.”

In addition, detectives say 47-year-old Sharotta Lewis witnessed the abuse and failed to report it. She was arrested on charges similar to the ones Tucker is facing, and she’s also being held on more than 600-thousand dollars bond. Tabor says this remains an active investigation.

Cut 15 (09) “…to come forward.”

_______________________________________

Grambling is picked to finish second in the SWAC West in the conference preseason poll behind defending champs Prairie View A&M. Third-year head coach Mickey Joseph says he tried to lead a balanced attack when he arrived at Grambling, but now he knows the team’s identity.

Cut 16 (15) “…want to bang.”

Grambling is coming off a 7-and-5 season last year. Two of the Tigers’ four SWAC losses came by just one point. Offensive lineman Alexander Vigil says the G-men need to play complementary football to win close games.

Cut 17 (16) “…the other team.”

Southern, meanwhile, is fifth in the preseason poll after a 2-and-10 season last year. The Jaguars welcomed Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as the program’s new head coach. Faulk says it was perfect timing that he was looking to be a coach, and the Jaguars needed one.

Cut 18 (20) “…happen than Louisiana.”

Defensive back Herman Brister is a preseason All-SWAC first-team selection. He says he expects this year’s group to be a different team with Faulk at the helm.

Cut 19 (16) “…off the field.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

50 Cent’s Shreveport investment could be in jeopardy after posting a cryptic Instagram message that said some people in the city don’t want things to get better. He plans to transform dormant industrial spaces into state-of-the-art film and television production facilities. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux notes the rapper’s efforts date back several years, so there’s no way he’s going to pull out of the city completely.

Cut 7 (09) “…will go forward.”

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. The measure will head to the Senate, where Congresswoman Julia Letlow says it faces an uncertain fate.

Cut 13 (05) “…so we’ll see.”

Year-round Daylight Saving Time would result in more sunlight in the winter evening hours but later sunrise times. Supporters argue evening sunlight will be good for local economies, while opponents raise concerns about dark commutes for students and workers.

Former LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones will have his number-seven jersey retired during LSU’s matchup with Texas this season. Jones joins Billy Cannon, Tommy Casanova, Jerry Stovall and Charles Alexander as the former Tigers to have their jerseys retired. Jones says he joins incredible company.

Cut 11 (13) “…always special.”

Jones name and number will be enshrined above the south end zone. The number seven will not retire.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a pay cut to stay with the Saints. Speculation had swirled about the 30-year-old being cut or traded thanks to his and free-agent addition Travis Etienne’s big contracts. With the pay cut, he and Etienne can share the backfield, and Kamara can stay at least one more season with the team that drafted him in 2017.

4:30 LRN Newscast

The U-S House approves legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. Louisiana’s House Delegation supports the measure. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she voted for it after polling her constituents…

Cut 12 (08) “…on this one”

The legislation heads to the Senate. The upper chamber approved a similar measure in 2022.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says don’t read too much into a cryptic post by 50 Cent, when he said he might have to pull back on the Red River project. Arceneaux says the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has already invested millions of dollars in revitalizing downtown Shreveport, and the big question is whether he will actually run the Red River District.

Cut 8 (12) “…couple of spots.”

 

Former LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones will have his jersey retired in Tiger Stadium. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Saints and running back Alvin Kamara have agreed to a restructured contract that will result in the franchise’s all-time leading rusher playing a tenth season in New Orleans. Kamara will reportedly receive a pay cut, but it ends speculation that he would be cut from the team for financial reasons.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Congress is trying again to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Budget problems in the Jefferson Davis Parish town of Elton have led to steep pay cuts for the mayor and police chief. Mayor Michael Pierotti now earns 12 dollars an hour, while the police chief makes 11 dollars an hour. Pierotti says the cuts stem from financial mismanagement before he took office in May 2024.

 

Could 50 Cent’s investment in Shreveport be in jeopardy? The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, posted a cryptic message on Instagram, saying some people in Shreveport don’t want things to get better and he may have to “pull back on the Red River,” referring to his proposed entertainment production district. Mayor Tom Arceneaux says he’s not worried.

Cut 6 (11) “…on everything else.”

Jackson plans to transform vacant industrial buildings into film and television production studios.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed 36 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection that can cause severe diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite and bloating. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says symptoms can last up to a month.

Cut 5 (09) “…may have cyclosporiasis.”

Five people in Louisiana have been hospitalized.