8:30 AM LRN Newscast

After two years, Cleco’s owners have found a buyer. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

For the first time in 25 years, young men have surpassed young women when it comes to how important religion is in their lives. That’s according to a new Gallup poll.   Dr. Justin Langford at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville says it’s good news, but…

Cut 13 (11)  “…these moral principals.”

———————

Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate. Higgins is calling for a one-hour debate with solid questions posed by a moderator. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says even though Higgins has not issued an endorsement in the race, there does seem to be one in particular that he’s not supporting.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and MAGA generally.”

The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center will get a 40-million-dollar makeover and ultimately reopen as a Sports Illustrated Resort. Geoff Richards, the chief operating officer of vacation ownership at Travel And Leisure Company, says when his company was scouting cities to establish Sports Illustrated Resorts, Baton Rouge was a logical choice.

Cut 15 (12) “…see throughout Louisiana.”

 

 

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

For two years, the Canadian-based owners of Cleco Power have been trying to sell the utility. Now, it has a deal in place to do just that. Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets has reached a deal to sell the company to Stonepeak Energy and Bernhard Capital Partners. Jennifer Cahill with Cleco says the company’s leadership team fully supports the deal.

Cut 4 (09) “…serve throughout Louisiana.”

Cahill says Cleco will be in good hands with its new owners.

A new poll finds that the number of young men in the U.S. who say religion is a very important component of their lives is increasing. Gallup says its survey shows 42-percent of men between the ages of 18 and 29 say religion is very important to them. That’s up from 28-percent in 2022-23. Dr. Justin Langford at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville has a theory on why that might be.

Cut 11 (08) “…than ever before.”

————————

Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the three major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has released a statement regarding the suspected roadkill case over at Pineville’s China Queen restaurant.  The agency saying they did an inspection of the restaurant and found the claims to be valid and the animal was removed from the premises.  For its part restaurant owners had posted a sign saying the animal was never intended to be served to customers.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Conference USA has announced it has reached a positive resolution with Louisiana Tech that will allow the Bulldogs to begin play in the Sun Belt starting next athletic season. Financial terms have not been released. There was a report that Tech is paying eight million dollars to leave Conference USA.

Former Union Parish football star, LSU Tiger, and current Southern running back Trey Holly has pleaded no contest to gun charges that stem from a 2024 shooting in his hometown of Farmerville that wounded two others. Holly avoids jail time and will be on probation for one year and pay a thousand dollar fine.

LSU baseball Coach Jay Johnson said on his radio show last night there’s a chance Casan Evans will pitch this weekend against South Carolina after missing his last start with arm soreness. Tonight, the Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana, who has won four in a row.

Southern takes a ten-game winning streak to U-L Lafayette.

____________________________________________________

The LSU Tigers wrapped up spring football practice Saturday. Linebacker Davhon (DAY-von) Keys says the team is focused on putting in the work to avoid repeating last year’s results.

Cut 20 (14) “…hard every day.”

Coach Lane Kiffin will address the media today to give his final thoughts on spring football.

This Saturday, the Ragin Cajuns will retire the jersey of one of the program’s best players, Jonathan Lucroy.  Coach Matt Deggs…

Cut 18 (17) “….person for sure”

Lucroy played for the Cajuns from 2005 and 2007 and holds program records for most doubles, R-B-Is and total bases.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

A recent Gallup poll finds that more young men are saying religion is very important in their lives. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate in a one hour format. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 8 (11) “…kinds of groups.”

———————

A downtown Baton Rouge hotel will soon be converted into a year-round sports hospitality destination. The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center will get a 40-million-dollar makeover and will reopen as a Sports Illustrated Resort. Geoff Richards, the chief operating officer of vacation ownership at Travel And Leisure Company, says the goal is to make Baton Rouge a year-round sports tourism destination.

Cut 14 (13) “…and vacation ownership.”

Conference USA has announced it has reached a positive resolution with Louisiana Tech that will allow the Bulldogs to begin play in the Sun Belt starting next athletic season. Financial terms have not been released. There was a report that Tech is paying eight million dollars to leave Conference USA.
————————

LRN AM Newscall April 28

After two years, Cleco’s owners have found a buyer. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

____________________________________________

Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the three major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A recent Gallup poll finds that more young men are saying religion is very important in their lives. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________________

For two years, the Canadian-based owners of Cleco Power have been trying to sell the utility. Now, it has a deal in place to do just that. Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets has reached a deal to sell the company to Stonepeak Energy and Bernhard Capital Partners. Jennifer Cahill with Cleco says the company’s leadership team fully supports the deal.

Cut 4 (09) “…serve throughout Louisiana.”

Cahill says Cleco will be in good hands with its new owners.

Cut 5 (08) “…presence in Louisiana.”

Cleco is headquartered in Pineville and is the city’s biggest employer. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says those people can rest easy, knowing that the new owners will honor the resolution that the legislature adopted last year strongly requesting that the company’s headquarters remain in the city.

Cut 6 (12) “…it is now.”

Johnson says furthermore, Cleco’s customers should notice no difference in not only the reliability of their electric service, but also their electric rates – and the Public Service Commission will hold the new owners to that.

Cut 7 (07) “…to our members.”

The Public Service Commission will have the final say on the sale, and there’s no word on when it will be finalized.

_____________________________________________________

Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate. Higgins is calling for a one-hour debate with solid questions posed by a moderator. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins wants voters to hear from the candidates and not from their PACs.

Cut 8 (11) “…kinds of groups.”

Cross says even though Higgins has not issued an endorsement in the race, there does seem to be one in particular that he’s not supporting.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and MAGA generally.”

Last week, the three Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate held a televised debate in Baton Rouge. Cross says that likely had no bearing on Higgins’ call for the Republican candidates to follow suit.

Cut 10 (13) “…of the aisle.”

The primary election is now just 18 days away. Early voting starts Saturday.

________________________________________________________

A new poll finds that the number of young men in the U.S. who say religion is a very important component of their lives is increasing. Gallup says its survey shows 42-percent of men between the ages of 18 and 29 say religion is very important to them. That’s up from 28-percent in 2022-23. Dr. Justin Langford at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville has a theory on why that might be.

Cut 11 (08) “…than ever before.”

Dr. Langford says many young men are also likely turning to religion because they may feel that the social media community  they belong to is not genuine.

Cut 12 (08) “…that really matters.”

Gallup says for the first time in 25 years, young men have surpassed young women on this measure of religiosity. Langford says it’s good to see more young men going to church, but it’s also important they live a life that reflects their faith.

Cut 13 (11)  “…these moral principals.”

____________________________________________________________

A downtown Baton Rouge hotel will soon be converted into a year-round sports hospitality destination. The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center will get a 40-million-dollar makeover and will reopen as a Sports Illustrated Resort. Geoff Richards, the chief operating officer of vacation ownership at Travel And Leisure Company, says the goal is to make Baton Rouge a year-round sports tourism destination.

Cut 14 (13) “…and vacation ownership.”

Richards says when his company was scouting cities to establish Sports Illustrated Resorts, Baton Rouge was a logical choice.

Cut 15 (12) “…see throughout Louisiana.”

Richards notes that one man behind this venture happens to be an LSU institution – Shaquille O’Neal.

Cut 16 (11) “…particularly at LSU.”

The Hilton will operate normally for the remainder of the year. The renovation will begin next year, with the resort opening by the end of the year.

______________________________________________________________

UL-Lafayette picked up a pivotal series win over Arkansas State this weekend, taking two of three games from the Red Wolves. The Cajuns now sit 11th in the Sun Belt standings, just one game outside the top 10 that qualifies for the conference tournament. Head coach Matt Deggs said his team needs to keep winning league games to secure a postseason spot.

Cut 17 (15)  “…as we can.”

The Cajuns begin a five-game homestand this week against Southern tonight at six p-m. The Jaguars have won ten straight.

Former UL-Lafayette catcher Jonathan Lucroy will become just the third player in program history to have his jersey retired  Saturday. Lucroy, who played for the Cajuns from 2005–07, finished his career with a .356 batting average and still holds program records in doubles, RBIs, and total bases. Head coach Matt Deggs says Lucroy will be remembered as one of the greatest to ever wear the vermilion and white.

Cut 18 (17)  “…person for sure.”

_____________________________________________________________

LSU junior linebacker Davhon (DAY-von) Keys led the team with 92 tackles last season after stepping in for the injured Whit Weeks. Keys says the opportunity to play significant snaps showed him what he needs to improve heading into next year.

Cut 19 (15) “…those throwing windows.”

The Tigers wrapped up spring football practice Saturday. Keys says the team is focused on putting in the work to avoid repeating last year’s results.

Cut 20 (14) “…hard every day.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

For two years, the Canadian-based owners of Cleco Power have been trying to sell the utility. Now, it has a deal in place to do just that. Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets has reached a deal to sell the company to Stonepeak Energy and Bernhard Capital Partners. Jennifer Cahill with Cleco says the company’s leadership team fully supports the deal.

Cut 4 (09) “…serve throughout Louisiana.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson was on KEEL Radio in Shreveport this morning recounting his experience on Saturday night when he was rushed away when an armed man tried to gain access to the ballroom where they were holding the White House Correspondents Association dinner. Johnson is grateful law enforcement and first responders acted quickly…

Cut 3 (10) “…shots fired.”

Quick thinking by Lafayette Police after Festival International had wrapped up Saturday night may have prevented a much more serious situation. Sergeant Robin Green says a large crowd had gathered after the music had wrapped up, and an argument broke out between two groups. 

Cut 9 (11)  “…incident from occurring.”

19-year-old Jai’Quan Pierre was arrested without incident and is facing three charges.

Former Louisiana high school football star Trey Holly has avoided jail time by entering a no contest plea. Holly was accused of illegal use of a weapon and aggravated criminal damage to property for a 2024 shooting that took place in his hometown of Farmerville that wounded two people. Holly’s attorney, Mike Small, says Holly did not plead guilty to anything.

Cut 6 (05) “…didn’t do it.”

Holly was sentenced to one year probation and a one-thousand dollar fine.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Former Louisiana high school football star Trey Holly has avoided jail time by entering a no contest plea. Holly was accused of illegal use of a weapon and aggravated criminal damage to property for a 2024 shooting that took place in his hometown of Farmerville that wounded two people. Holly’s attorney, Mike Small, says Holly did not plead guilty to anything…

Cut 6 (05) “…didn’t do it.”

Holly was sentenced to one year probation and a one-thousand dollar fine and he’ll continue playing football for Southern

Three of the eight Saints draft picks were receivers as they provided starting quarterback Tyler Shough with more options in the passing. In the first round, New Orleans took Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, and in the fourth round, they made an interesting pick in six-foot-three Bryce Lane from North Dakota State. General Manager Mickey Loomis…

Cut 18 (20)  “…to Chris .”

LSU women’s basketball and Coach Kim Mulkey announced the addition of 6-3 forward Noa Morro on Monday. Morro joins the Tigers after playing in Spain and competing at a high level in EuroLeague action. Through 25 games this season, she averaged 8.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. She also shot 36.5% from three-point range. She becomes the third true post player on LSU’s roster, joining Grace Knox and Kate Koval.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin added nine wide receivers through the transfer portal this offseason. Sophomore wide receiver Winston Watkins believes the Tigers’ receiver room is loaded with playmakers and says they can hurt defenses in a variety of ways.

Cut 21 (20): “take the top off, all that.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

Former Louisiana high school football star and current Southern Jaguars running back Trey Holly has avoided jail time after he pleaded no contest to charges in connection with a shooting that took place in Farmerville in 2024 that wounded two people. Holly’s attorney, Mike Small, says he had a decent shot at acquittal, but it would have been a gamble…

Cut 7 (10) “…probation”

Instead, Holly was sentenced to one year probation and a one-thousand dollar fine and he’ll continue playing football for Southern.

Lafayette Police came upon an argument between two groups in downtown Lafayette on Saturday night and 19-year-old Jai’Quan Pierre of Crowley was allegedly in possession of a gun. Sergeant Robin Green says Pierre is facing three charges…

Cut 11 (11) “…terrorizing slash menacing”

Green says an officer fired his weapon, but no one was injured.

 

House Speaker Mike Johnson describes the tense moments that occurred at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The man accused of opening fire near the food court at the Mall of Louisiana is being held without bond. Seventeen-year-old Markel Lee faces one count of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder. According to arrest documents, surveillance video shows Lee was firing a semi-automatic pistol. Also, Baton Rouge Police says they are no longer looking for a second suspected shooter, the man they showed an image of as wanted, has now been identified and B-R-P-D says he’s only wanted for questioning.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Former high school football star and current Southern running back Trey Holly will not face jail time for his role in a February 2024 shooting in Farmerville that wounded two people.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The eight children killed in last week’s tragic mass shooting in Shreveport will be laid to rest on Saturday, May 9th at the Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport. The delay gives one of the mothers wounded in the shooting time to recover physically.

 

We’re getting first-hand reaction from those who were at the White House Correspondents Association dinner Saturday night when a gunman tried to storm in and open fire. House Speaker Mike Johnson was in attendance as was Vice President J-D Vance. That meant the top two people in the presidential order of succession were in the same room at the same time. Speaker Johnson tells KEEL radio that may be untenable moving forward.

Cut 4 (07) “…society.”

Governor Jeff Landry says he’s fed up with what he says is lenient sentencing by some judges that has resulted in repeat offenders committing violent crimes…

Cut  15 (12) “…was innocent”

Baton Rouge Police say the 17-year-old arrested for last week’s fatal shooting at the Louisiana Mall has an extensive criminal record.

2:30 LRN Newscast

The California man who attempted to storm into a ballroom where President Trump was for the White House Correspondents Association dinner has been charged with attempting to assassinate the Republican president. NBC News is reporting Cole Thomas Allen, who is a teacher and an engineer, sent a note to family members that it was his duty to attack Trump Administration officials. House Speaker Mike Johnson says Cole was radicalized…

Cut 5 (11) “…very dangerous”

Lafayette Police came across a potentially dangerous situation Saturday night when they came upon an argument between two groups in downtown Lafayette and 19-year-old Jai’Quan Pierre of Crowley was allegedly in possession of a gun. Seargeant Robin Green says Pierre is facing three charges…

Cut 11 (11) “…terrorizing slash menacing”

Green says an officer did fire his weapon, but no one was injured.

 

It took more than two years, but the criminal charges against former Union Parish football star and now current Southern University running back Trey Holly has been resolved as he has pleaded no contest to the gun charges he faced that stemmed from a shooting in February of 2024 in Farmerville that injured two people. By pleading no contest, Holly avoids jail time and his attorney Mike Small says the charges could be dismissed after he serves one year of probation…

Cut 8 (12) “….guilty”:

Severe weather is possible across north Louisiana tonight and tomorrow night Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service in Shreveport hopes we do not see any destructive storms, but north Louisiana can use the rain…

Cut 14 (10) “…last year”