5:30 LRN Newscast/Legislative Report

The House-approved constitutional amendment that prohibits a governor from serving more than two consecutive terms is headed to the Senate floor. The Senate Governmental Affairs committee approved the measure on a party-line five to three vote, with Democrats voting against it. New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis is not 100-percent behind term limits.

Cut 4 (10) “…to decide.”

There are Democrats concerned this legislation is aimed at John Bel Edwards, even though it would also apply to Republican Bobby Jindal. If it passes, neither would be allowed to run for governor again.

Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham says he authored the legislation in response to what happened with Louisiana’s two governors that served more than two terms, Earl K. Long and Edwin Edwards. 

Cut 5 (09) “…federal facility.”

Debate on a congressional map that reduces the number of majority Black districts from two to one shifts over to the House today as the Governmental Affairs committee discusses the Senate-approved map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Democrats do not have enough votes to stop the so-called 5-1 map from passing. 

Cut 13 (07)  “…Republicans.”

Racial tensions have been high at the Capitol ever since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the current map with two majority Black districts and Republicans began pushing a new map with one Black Majority District. Pinsonat expects a lengthy hearing, with dozens of people expected to testify in opposition of the map that would likely result in five Republicans and one Democrat in Louisiana’s House delegation starting in 2027.

Cut 14 (05) “…are not.”

Current Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields is expected to lose his seat if this new map becomes law.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has been in Greenland this week to make as many friends as possible, according to what he told a Danish media outlet. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Well, five months ago, we didn’t get a White Christmas, so a wet Memorial Day may have to do. The National Weather Service says much of Louisiana could get an entire month’s worth of rainfall over the next five to seven days. Furthermore, it says all the rainfall will not come with any threat of severe weather.

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is taking heat for reportedly signing a player who previously signed an NBA contract. R.J. Luis (“Louis”) signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz after going undrafted. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says there’s a good chance the NCAA will say Luis is ineligible, but LSU can challenge that ruling in court.

Cut 6 (10) “…not played.”

If Congressman Cleo Fields has any say, he would urge Luis to stay away. That’s because he and the rest of the Congressional Black Caucus are urging athletes to avoid playing for schools in states which are diluting the power of Black voters through redistricting. Fields says Black athletes being recruited by SEC schools, including LSU, need to think twice.

Cut 9 (14)  “…very good question.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

Debate on a Congressional map that reduces the number of majority Black districts from two to one begins in the House tomorrow morning as the Governmental Affairs committee discusses the Senate-approved map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Democrats do not have enough votes to stop the so-called 5-1 map from passing…

Cut 13 (07)  “…Republicans.”

Current Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields is expected to lose his seat if this new map becomes law.

Debate has broken out in the world of college basketball as LSU coach Will Wade has reportedly signed a player that previously signed a contract with an NBA team and appeared in three preseason games for the Celtics last year. Former Big East player of the Year R-J Luis never played in a real professional game and has one more year of college eligibility left. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says with the NCAA having trouble enforcing rules, he doesn’t blame Wade for trying…

Cut 8 (05) l….THE RULES”

 

Congressman Cleo Fields is urging Black athletes to avoid LSU and other SEC schools. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Two students from Lincoln Parish have been recognized as students of the year by the Louisiana Department of Education. Melissa An Le of Ruston High School has been named the high school student of the year. Kaejha Mary-Anne Christine Stewart of A-E Phillips Laboratory School is the middle school student of the year.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Congressman Cleo Fields is urging Black athletes to avoid signing with schools in states where legislatures are disenfranchising Black voters. Fields says with the Supreme Court watering down the 1965 Voting Rights Act, we’re perilously close to going right back to an ugly time in American history, where Southern states went to great lengths to deny Blacks the right to vote.

Cut 11 (09) “…made billions for.”

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is taking heat for reportedly signing a player who previously signed an NBA contract. Former St. John’s star R.J. Luis (“Louis”) signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz after going undrafted. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau doesn’t blame Wade for trying to stretch the rules.

Cut 7 (10) “…mad at Wade?”

Governor Landry had a spirited exchange with reporters in Greenland, where he’s visiting as part of his job as President Trump’s special envoy to the island nation. The President wants a closer relationship with the autonomous Danish territory for national security purposes and to have access to the island’s minerals. Landry says it’s a good thing that the U.S. has an interest in Greenland.

Cut 3 (13) “…ask themselves.”

Landry attended the Future Greenland trade fair in Nuuk that included a seminar on understanding the United States. Landry met with Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and said the meeting went well. Nielsen told a Danish TV station that his courtesy meeting with Landry took place with mutual respect and in a positive atmosphere. But he made it known that the Greenlandic people are not for sale and self-determination is non-negotiable.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry has been in Greenland this week to make as many friends as possible, according to what he told a Danish media outlet. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Well, five months ago, we didn’t get a White Christmas, so a wet Memorial Day may have to do. The National Weather Service says much of Louisiana could get an entire month’s worth of rainfall over the next five to seven days. Furthermore, it says all the rainfall will not come with any threat of severe weather.

Congressman Cleo Fields is joining the rest of the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP in urging Black athletes to boycott states which are redistricting Blacks out of Congress. Fields says it makes no sense for Black athletes to represent states that want to treat them as second-class citizens off the field.

Cut 10 (10) “…Tuesday through Friday.”

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is facing criticism for reportedly signing a player who previously signed an NBA contract. Former St. John’s star and Big East Player of the Year R-J Luis (Louis) signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz after going undrafted. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says there’s a good chance the NCAA will say Luis is ineligible, but LSU can challenge that ruling in court.

Cut 6 (10) “…not played.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has been in Greenland since Sunday as President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland. The president seeks a closer relationship with Greenland because of the minerals on the island nation and for national security. Landry says he met with Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and said it went well and the two discussed the United States’ interest with the Arctic nation…

Cut 5 (06) “…ignoring Greenland.”

The Congressional Black Caucus believes Southern States are ignoring the Voting Rights Act by changing Congressional maps to reduce Black voting power. That’s why they are asking black athletes and donors to boycott universities like LSU, where redistricting is taking place. Baton Rouge Congressman Cleo Fields….

Cut 9 (14) “…good question”

 

With his days in Washington numbered, the proverbial shackles are off Bill Cassidy, and he has seemed to have found a new sense of freedom. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In the Senate Democratic primary, Nick Albares will not contest Saturday’s election results, which means Gary Crockett and Jamie Davis will face off in a June 27th run-off. Albares finished third on Saturday, 284 votes behind Crockett, who finished second.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry had a spirited exchange with reporters as he’s visiting Greenland as part of his side hustle as special envoy to that island nation. Landry attended the Future Greenland trade fair in Nuuk that included a seminar on understanding the United States. Landry was asked about coming to Greenland without an invitation.

Cut 4 (11) “…been great.”

Without ever having to face Louisiana voters ever again, Senator Bill Cassidy seems to have suddenly found his voice to criticize President Trump. Cassidy says spending a billion dollars of taxpayer money on a ballroom where the East Wing of the White House used to be is ridiculous.

Cut 7 (12) “…and health care.”

Legislation that attempts to put a stop to hazing on Louisiana college campuses is nearing final legislative passage. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Cut 23 (fade after 2 seconds and use as bed)

Last night, it was the LSU baseball team that was “Stayin’ Alive,” beating Oklahoma in the first round of the SEC Tournament, 6-2. It doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers – they face the number-six team in the nation, Auburn, tonight. LSU needs to win the SEC Tournament in order to make the NCAA Tournament.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry had a spirited exchange with reporters in Greenland, where he’s visiting as part of his job as President Trump’s special envoy to the island nation. The president is seeking control of the autonomous Danish territory for national security purposes in the Arctic. Landry says it’s a good thing that the U.S. has an interest in Greenland.

Cut 3 (13) “…ask themselves.”

The Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act is close to final legislative passage. If a death of a student results from hazing, the organization involved would be banned from campus forever. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux said this legislation could prevent another hazing death.

Cut 6 (09) “…move forward.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is not mincing words when it comes to President Trump’s 1.7-billion-dollar “anti-weaponization” fund that would, among other things, provide cash awards to January 6th rioters using taxpayer money. Cassidy says he cannot imagine the American people being too happy about this.

Cut 9 (11)  “…in on it.”

LSU President Wade Rousse says he spends a quarter of his time as the leader of the LSU system dealing with athletics, and he’s urging Congress to approve legislation to get the cost escalation under control. Rousse says defining what a college athlete is would be a good start.

Cut 10 (09) “…very, very helpful.”

Rousse says transfer portal rules need to be in place, and he wants an independent body to establish a salary cap per sport.

9:30 LRN Newscast

An effort to recall Governor Landry is underway, and Republicans are doing what they can to thwart it. The recall petition was filed after Landry halted the U.S. House elections after the U-S Supreme Court ruled the current Congressional map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Desiree Morrison is one of the leaders behind the recall effort, and we spoke with her at a location where signatures are being collected….

Cut 13 (07)  “…more to come.”

The Louisiana Republican Party has its own campaign touting Landry’s accomplishments. Cory Dennis is with the Louisiana GOP…

Cut 16 (09) “…country.”

Dennis says crime is also down, and auto insurance rates have also declined for many policyholders.

 

The LSU baseball team kept its season alive last night with a six to two win over Oklahoma. The Tigers will play Auburn tonight in the SEC Tournament. The Ragin Cajuns will face Coastal Carolina this afternoon after run-ruling Marshall yesterday in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Meanwhile, LSU System president Doctor Wade Rousse wants to see Congress or the NCAA enact rules and regulations that will slow down player movement from one school to another…

Cut 11 (08) “…sit a year”

LSU coach Will Wade is making waves in college basketball again. Wade has received a commitment from a player who signed a contract to play for the Utah Jazz and then was traded to the Boston Celtics. Former St. John star R-J Luis never played in a professional game, and it appears LSU will attempt to see if he has one more year of eligibility.

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

With a recall effort against Governor Landry picking up steam, Louisiana Republicans are working to stop the momentum. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Senator Bill Cassidy ’s time is slamming the deal President Trump reached with the Justice Department, that dismissed his ten-billion-dollar lawsuit against the IRS in exchange for establishing a more than 1.7-billion-dollar anti-weaponization fund.

Cut 8 (08) “…precedent for this.”

————————

The Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act is close to final legislative passage. Wilson died in a hazing incident in February 2025 when he was repeatedly punched in the stomach while pledging for Omega Psi Phi fraternity on the Southern University Campus. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says the proposed law requires schools to provide information about the dangers of hazing.

Cut 5 (14) “…anonymous reporting options.”

LSU President Wade Rousse is urging Congress to approve legislation to get the cost escalation of college athletics under control. Rousse says they need to define what a college athlete is, put some transfer portal rules in place, create an independent body to establish a salary cap per sport.

Cut 12 (05) “…this under control.”