12:30 LRN Newscast

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the gulf for the possibility of some tropical activity later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says as of right now, the odds of a tropical system forming are fairly low.

Cut 9 (08)  “…a watch on.”

Keim says regardless of development this will be a rain maker along the northern Gulf toward the middle and end of this week.

Authorities say a 16-mile police chase in north Louisiana on Saturday night ended with Lincoln Parish Sheriff deputies fatally shooting an armed man.  Officials say the chase started in Choudrant and when the chase ended, the suspect exited the vehicle and didn’t respond to commands…

Cut 7 (06) “….drop the weapon”

That’s Deputy Amanda Lyon who says the suspect made movements that appeared to threaten officers and the deputies opened fire. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly kicked off SEC Media Days in Atlanta this morning. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports the Sun Belt has invited Louisiana Tech into the Sun Belt. The Bulldogs will likely leave Conference USA after this athletic season and the departure from CUSA would cost Tech a reported five million dollars. This would be La Tech’s second stint in the Sun Belt. They were in that league from 1991 to 2001 before leaving for the WAC.

11:30 LRN Newscast

For the first time ever, the number of Republican active registered voters in Louisiana exceeds the number of Democratic active registered voters. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The National Hurricane Center says an area of low press off the east coast of Florida has a low chance to developing into a tropical depression once it moves into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday night. Forecasters say the system could produce localized flash flood over the north-central Gulf through the middle to the latter portion of this week.

A police chase in Lincoln Parish ends with deputies shooting and killing the driver they were chasing. Deputy Amanda Lyon with the Northeast Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative Unit says deputies attempted a traffic stop Saturday night, but the driver instead took off.

Cut 6 (06) “…driver’s side window.”

Lyon says the pursuit lasted for about 16 miles, coming to an end on U.S. 167 near Paradise Point Lane, when the suspect exited the vehicle and refused to put down his weapon and then pointed it at deputies and Lyon says that’s when officers fired at him. The man died at the scene.

Measles cases in the United States have their highest number in more than 30 years. Doctor Fred Lopez with the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, says your best defense against the highly contagious and deadly disease is to get vaccinated.

Cut 14 (11) “…for two doses.”

10:30 LRN Newscast July 14

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports the Sun Belt has invited Louisiana Tech into the Sun Belt. The Bulldogs will likely leave Conference USA after this athletic season and the departure from CUSA would cost Tech a reported five million dollars. This would be La Tech’s second stint in the Sun Belt. They were in that league from 1991 to 2001 before departing for the WAC.

A highly contagious and deadly disease that was believed to have been eliminated in the U.S. a quarter century ago is back with a vengeance. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

 

For the first time, the number of active registered Republican voters in Louisiana exceeds the number of active registered Democratic voters. John Couvillon (KOO-vee-ahn) with JMC Analytics and Polling, says when examining the total number of registered voters, Democrats still outnumber Republicans in the state. However, when you remove those who haven’t voted in the last two federal elections, that changes things.

Cut 4 (10) “…of registered Republicans.”

There are 958-thousand Republican active voters to 920-thousand active Democratic voters.

SEC Media Days are underway. Host of the Locked on SEC Podcast, Chris Gordy, says New Orleans native and Texas starting quarterback Arch Manning will be a big story this week in Atlanta…

Cut 8 (12) “…the right way”

Manning speaks with reporters tomorrow.

9:30 LRN Newscast

For the first time, the number of active registered Republican voters in Louisiana exceeds the number of active registered Democratic voters – active voters having voted in at least one of the last two federal elections. John Couvillon (KOO-vee-ahn) with JMC Analytics and Polling, says there are many more inactive Democrats as Republicans.

Cut 5 (10) “…early next year.”

It was thought to have been eradicated a quarter century ago; but apparently, measles is back with a vengeance. Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medical education at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, says your very best defense against the highly contagious and deadly disease is to get vaccinated – the vaccines will at least keep symptoms down to a minimum.

Cut 15 (10) “…immune to it.”

SEC football media days kick off today. One big storyline is the future format of the College Football Playoff. It will almost certainly expand to 16 teams for the 2026 season. Locked On SEC Podcast host Chris Gordy says the SEC wants four teams guaranteed, but it’s a likely moot point in the long run.

Cut 9 (12)  “…gonna happen.”

Leaders from Sun Belt schools are expected to vote today to invite Louisiana Tech into the league as the 14th member of the conference. Locked on Sun Belt podcast host Dave Schultz says momentum began building last week for the Bulldogs to join the Sun Belt…

Cut 16 (15) “…the votes.”

8:30 LRN Newscast

For the first time ever, the number of Republican active registered voters in Louisiana exceeds the number of Democratic active registered voters…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Authorities say a 16-mile police chase in north Louisiana on Saturday night ended with Lincoln Parish Sheriff deputies fatally shooting an armed man.  Officials say the chase started in Choudrant with deputies attempting to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver fled. During the pursuit, deputies say the driver was holding a handgun out of the window. Authorities say when the chase ended, the suspect exited the vehicle, didn’t respond to commands and made movements that appeared to threaten officers and the deputies opened fire.

 

It was thought to have been eradicated a quarter century ago; but apparently, measles is back with a vengeance. Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medical education at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, says the number of measles cases across the country is staggering.

Cut 13 (12)  “…was declared eliminated.”

There are no signs of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine ending anytime soon. Republican Senator John Kennedy is calling on President Trump to support a bill that says countries who buy oil from Russia, can no longer do business with America and that legislation would cut off Russia’s ability to sell oil…

Cut 12 (10) “…bargaining table’

7:30 LRN Newscast

For the first time, the number of active registered Republican voters in Louisiana exceeds the number of active registered Democratic voters. John Couvillon (KOO-vee-ahn) with JMC Analytics and Polling, says when examining the total number of registered voters, Democrats still outnumber Republicans in the state. However, when you remove those who haven’t voted in the last two federal elections, that changes things.

Cut 4 (10) “…of registered Republicans.”

There are 958-thousand Republican active voters to 920-thousand active Democratic voters.

President Trump will reportedly announce the U-S will send missiles to Ukraine to help them fend off Russia. Senator John Kennedy says if you want to stop the Russian-Ukraine conflict, cut off Russia’s ability to sell oil…

Cut 11 (12) “…cash flow”

Kennedy says Russia’s economy is not diversified, so the selling of its oil is how it’s paying for the war.

LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly will take the podium at the first of four SEC Football Media Days in Atlanta today. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

LSU pitcher Kade Anderson was the third overall pick in last night’s Major League Baseball draft. The lefty celebrated the moment with his family in Madisonville…

Cut 19 (10) “…grateful for.”

6:30 LRN Newscast

According to JMC Analytics and Polling, Republicans have a plurality over Democrats for the first time when it comes to the number of active registered voters. 958-thousand Republican active voters to 920-thousand active voters for Democrats. Pollster John Couvillon says month after month, Democrats keep losing registered voters.

Cut 6 (09) “…new young Democrats.”

U-S Senator John Kennedy says the only way to put a stop to the Russian-Ukraine war is to keep Russia from selling oil to countries like China. Kennedy says he believes Ukraine is willing to negotiate a reasonable deal, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in a settlement until he decides its in his best interest to stop the war…

Cut 10 (10) “…he can’t continue.”

Kennedy says Russia’s economy is not diversified, it’s mostly oil and the selling of oil to other countries is helping them pay for their conflict against Ukraine.

SEC Football Media Days begin today in Atlanta. LSU coach Brian Kelly will speak publicly for the first time in weeks. Locked On SEC Podcast host Chris Gordy says expect to hear Kelly talk about the Tigers getting in the 12-team college football playoff…

Cut 7 (12) “…the floor.”

Sun Belt Conference schools hold a vote today on whether to let Louisiana Tech into the league. Locked on Sun Belt podcast host Dave Schultz says Tech is an obvious choice to replace Texas State because of geography…

Cut 17 (11)  “…to dry.”

Louisiana Tech would leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt next July.

The Seattle Mariners used the third overall pick in last night’s Major League Baseball Draft to select LSU left-hander pitcher Kade Anderson. The Astros selected Rosepine’s Ethan Frey in the third round and he’s not expected to return to LSU for his senior season.

11:30 AM Newscast

Senator Bill Cassidy keeps adding to his campaign warchest. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The funeral service for Reverend Jimmy Swaggart will be held at Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge beginning this morning at 10. Swaggart family spokesperson Megan Kelly

Cut 10 (13) “…not in..”

——————

Naming rights for LSU’s new on campus arena appear to be nearly done. The university and Our Lady of the Lake Health are in negotiations could be finalized in the coming months.  The question is who will build the arena after the CEO of the firm, which was the sole finalist to build it, was indicted for allegedly rigging the bid process for a similar project at UT Austin. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says there’s a lot of unknown.

Cut 12 (11) “…right now reeling.”

A Louisiana State Trooper was arrested yesterday, following a domestic violence investigation.  Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s officials say 28 year old Brent Crochet of Gray is facing felony counts of domestic abuse, aggravated assault, and simple criminal damage to property after he hit a woman in the face, threatened her with a firearm, and damaged her cellphone.  Crochet turned himself in yesterday and was released after posting $45-thousand dollar bail.

10:30 AM Newscast

LSU’s  new arena project is facing another delay after the CEO of the firm, who was the sole finalist to build the facility, was indicted for allegedly rigging the bid process for a similar project. The arena was originally scheduled to break ground in July of last year. But plans to award the bid to Oak View Group weren’t announced until May of this year. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne said the arena was expected to be finished in 2029.

Cut 14 (12) “…of this year.”

There is word that Our Lady of the Lake and the University are in talks about naming rights for the new facility.  We’re told that could be finalized in the coming months.

Latest reports suggest Louisiana Tech now has the votes to become the newest member of the Sun Belt Conference. Earlier this week, rumors began swirling that Louisiana Tech was the favorite to join the conference, which would make it the third Louisiana team in the Sun Belt.  We’re told the vote is slated for Monday.

—————————
Funeral services for world-renowned televangelist Jimmy Swaggart will be held in Baton Rouge this weekend.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

They made it official in Vernon Parish Friday morning – Fort Johnson is now Fort Polk once again. But instead of being named for Confederate General Leonidas Polk, it’s now named for General James H. Polk. His son, James H. Polk the Third says his father was a true hero.

Cut 7 (10) “…who knew him.”

9:30 AM Newscast

Republican Bill Cassidy’s re-election campaign announces the US Senator from Baton Rouge raised a little more than two-million dollars during the second quarter of this year and he now has nine million in cash on hand. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy needs to be well-funded with two well-known Republican candidates challenging him in an April primary

Cut 3 (10) “…to spend.”

The funeral service for Reverend Jimmy Swaggart will be held at Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge this weekend. Swaggart family spokesperson Megan Kelly says the public viewing and wake will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and a celebration of life service will be held at 6:00 Sunday evening. Hours of the wake had to be extended due to the overwhelming support.

Cut 9 (09)  “…big attendance.”

————————-

LSU’s proposed new arena project is facing yet another delay after the CEO of the firm, who was the sole finalist to build the facility, was indicted for allegedly rigging the bid process for a similar project at UT Austin. Timothy Leiweke has already agreed to pay a $15 million fine, hoping to mitigate criminal imprisonment. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne.

Cut 13 (14)  “…fully investigated.”

There is some good news,  LSUsports.net reports LSU and Our Lady of the Lake Health are in negotiations for naming rights of the new facility…saying that could be finalized in the next few months.

In Vernon Parish, Fort Johnson is now Fort Polk once again. But, it’s no longer named for Confederate General Leonidas Polk. Instead, it is now named for General James H. Polk. His son, James H. Polk the Third, on the tremendous honor..

Cut 6 (10) “…James H. Polk.”