11:30 AM LRN Newscast

Early voting began today in the and a new poll on the Republican U.S. Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey; and Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided.

Cut 6 (04) “…be shut out.”

More than $12,000 in donations collected for the families of the eight child victims of the mass shooting in Shreveport last month is being refunded. That after questions about where the money is going and who is handling it.  The Community Foundation of North Louisiana was designated two weeks ago as the nonprofit to receive donations for the families. Yesterday, the foundation notified donors it cannot hand out the money because of IRS rules.

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Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 in Denham Springs Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out for the day, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Wells was killed on impact. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the community.”

The Louisiana Legislature has given final approval to a one-point-five billion dollar plan for coastal protection and restoration. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Gordon Dove says one of the highlights of the annual plan is a 94-mile land bridge from Port Sulphur in Plaquemines Parish to Terrebonne Parish…

Cut 10 (11) “…eight parishes.”

 

10:30 AM LRN Newscast

As early voting begins, it appears, incumbent Bill Cassidy is trailing both of his top challengers in the Republican US senate primary.  That’s according to the poll by Emerson College and KLFY-TV. Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says in the survey of 500 likely Republican primary voters, nearly half of them have an unfavorable view of Cassidy compared to just 15-percent of John Fleming, which is a big factor in why he leads this poll.

Cut 8 (09) “…feeling the effects.”

Several lawsuits were filed late last week seeking to force the elections for U.S. House to proceed. Among them was one filed by fifth district Democratic candidate Lindsay Garcia, who said Governor Jeff Landry was out of bounds in calling off the House elections.

Cut 14 (11) “…he contradicts himself.”

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With four weeks to go in the legislative session, state lawmakers are expected to begin this week the public debate on drawing up a new Congressional district map. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the current map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. At issue is the sixth district, which in 2024 was created as the state’s second major minority district and Democrat Cleo Fields represents it. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says not only does the sixth district’s boundaries need to be changed, several others need to be redrawn too.

Cut 4 (09) “…all that out.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the insurance trend in the first four months in 2026 has been mainly positive.

Cut 7 (10) “…specific to homeowners.”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

Early voting began today in the and a new poll on the Republican U.S. Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey; and Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided.

Cut 6 (04) “…be shut out.”

More than $12,000 in donations collected for the families of the eight child victims of the mass shooting in Shreveport last month is being refunded. That after questions about where the money is going and who is handling it.  The Community Foundation of North Louisiana was designated two weeks ago as the nonprofit to receive donations for the families. Yesterday, the foundation notified donors it cannot hand out the money because of IRS rules.

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Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 in Denham Springs Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out for the day, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Wells was killed on impact. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the community.”

The Louisiana Legislature has given final approval to a one-point-five billion dollar plan for coastal protection and restoration. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Gordon Dove says one of the highlights of the annual plan is a 94-mile land bridge from Port Sulphur in Plaquemines Parish to Terrebonne Parish…

Cut 10 (11) “…eight parishes.”

 

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

As early voting begins today, a poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters shows a very close race for Senate. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Meantime, several lawsuits seeking to restore the May 16th election have now been filed.  These are challenges to Governor Jeff Landry’s decision to suspend the congressional races, after a U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring those districts unconstitutional. Plaintiffs say that’s a decision for the legislature, not the governor.

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In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says it’s an exciting occasion.

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

Because of the rain, just a couple of Louisiana college baseball teams played last night. Louisiana Tech fell to Dallas Baptist four to one. Declan Dahl suffered the loss for the Bulldogs, despite striking out nine over seven innings. He gave up a two-run homer in the second inning and the Bulldogs could only muster five hits.

Also last night…Charlotte blanked Tulane ten to nothing.

LSU will start its series against South Carolina at 1 PM today and then play game two at 6:30. LSU starting pitcher Casan Evans has been ruled out. It’s the second weekend in a row, he will not pitch after experiencing arm discomfort last weekend in Starkville.

 

7:30 LRN Sportscast

Because of the rain, just a couple of Louisiana college baseball teams played last night. Louisiana Tech fell to Dallas Baptist four to one. Declan Dahl suffered the loss for the Bulldogs, despite striking out nine over seven innings. He gave up a two-run homer in the second inning and the Bulldogs could only muster five hits.

Also last night…Charlotte blanked Tulane ten to nothing.

LSU will start its series against South Carolina at 1 PM today and then play game two at 6:30. LSU starting pitcher Casan Evans has been ruled out. It’s the second weekend in a row, he will not pitch after experiencing arm discomfort last weekend in Starkville.

The Ragin Cajuns also made the decision to play a doubleheader today,  Game one of the double dip will start following Jonathan Lucroy’s jersey retirement ceremony, which is scheduled for 2 PM.

ULM also has a doubleheader today at 1 PM against 12th ranked Southern Miss.

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Southeastern Louisiana and Lamar are tied for first place in the Southland and the Lions and Cardinals will begin their series today at 1:05 PM. Nicholls and UNO will play a doubleheader beginning at 3 today. McNeese and Stephen F Austin will also play two starting at three.

Grambling and Florida A-and-M were supposed to begin a series on Friday, but they will play a doubleheader today. The two games will be played at Louisiana Tech at one clock and the final game of the series will be played Sunday on Grambling’s campus.

Rain has also postponed softball tournaments…the LHSAA softball semifinals are today and championship games will be tomorrow. In the Southland Tournament in Lake Charles…Northwestern State tries to avoid elimination when they take on Stephen F Austin at 11 AM and McNeese meets Nicholls in a winner’s bracket game.

Over in Hammond…top seeded Southeastern Louisiana will face fifth seeded Lamar at 11 AM.

5:30 LRN Newscast

A school crossing guard in Livingston Parish is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Sheriff Jason Ard says 64-year-old Darren Goudeau (GOO-doe) of Walker was arrested.

Cut 13 (10) “…unfortunately it does.”

If you go to the polls on the first day of early voting, you will not be voting for U.S. House. That’s because Governor Landry suspended that election in light of the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s congressional map. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says Landry’s quick action runs counter to historical precedent in the state.

Cut 5 (12) “…than 100 years.”

The latest poll in the race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate is likely setting off alarm bells in the Bill Cassidy campaign. The poll by Emerson College and KLFY-TV shows Cassidy in third place with 21-percent support. John Fleming and Julia Letlow are neck-and-neck with 28 and 27-percent, respectively. ULM Political Science professor Pearson Cross says nearly half have an unfavorable view of Cassidy.

Cut 7 (08) “…going to grow?” 

In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery:

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

They were among 89 who matched the five white balls of 3, 19, 35, 51 and 67. Two others had 15 as their Powerball, and they split the jackpot.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the community.”

Early voting starts Saturday in the closed party primaries – well, some of them. Governor Landry has issued an executive order suspending the U.S. House primaries following the Supreme Court decision that ruled the state’s congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says that ruling forced Governor Landry’s hand.

Cut 3 (12) “…to take place.”

A poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters shows a very close race with early voting set to begin. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

With Mother’s Day a week from Sunday, the crawfish supply is expected to be tight given the cold snap moving through the state. As such, crawfish prices held steady this week. This weekend, you can expect to pay just under three dollars a pound for live crawfish and $5.35 a pound for boiled crawfish.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Because of the rain a lot of teams are playing doubleheaders tomorrow, including the LSU baseball team, who will start its series against South Carolina at 1 PM tomorrow and then play game two at 6:30. LSU starting pitcher Casan Evans has been ruled out. It’s the second weekend in a row, he will not pitch after experiencing arm discomfort last weekend in Starkville.

The Ragin Cajuns also made the decision to play a doubleheader tomorrow. Game one of the double dip will start following Jonathan Lucroy’s jersey retirement ceremony, which is scheduled for 2 PM.

ULM will begin a doubleheader tomorrow at 1 PM against 12th ranked Southern Miss.

Southeastern Louisiana and Lamar are tied for first place in the Southland and the Lions and Cardinals will begin their series tomorrow at 1:05 PM. Nicholls and UNO will play a doubleheader beginning at 3 tomorrow. McNeese and Stephen F Austin will also play two starting at 3 tomorrow.

Grambling and Florida A-and-M were supposed to begin a series on Friday, but they will play a doubleheader on Saturday. The two games will be played at Louisiana Tech at one clock and the final game of the series will be played Sunday on Grambling’s campus.

 

Louisiana Tech is in Dallas for a three game series against Dallas Baptist. Both teams are tied for third place in Conference USA. Bulldogs Senior catcher Matt Houston has been on a hot streak over his last several games. Houston hit two home runs earlier this week against ULM, and Coach Lane Burroughs says that he has earned the opportunity to become an everyday player.

Cut 20 (11) “…every day now.”

Rain has also postponed softball tournaments…the LHSAA softball semifinals are tomorrow and championship games will be Saturday. In the Southland Tournament in Lake Charles…Northwestern State tries to avoid elimination when they take on Stephen F Austin at 11 AM and McNeese meets Nicholls in a winner’s bracket game.

3:30 LRN Newscast

A new poll on the Republican U.S. Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey; and Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided.

Cut 6 (04) “…be shut out.”

Cross says the poll is bad news for Cassidy, because the two-term incumbent Senator is trailing his two challengers with early voting starting Saturday.

 

Governor Landry’s executive order that suspended the U-S House elections has prompted lawsuits in an effort to get the courts to rule that the Congressional primaries should go on as scheduled. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the only requirement from federal law is that the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November is the only mandatory election day….

Cut 4 (07) “…congressional elections”

A beloved crossing guard in Livingston Parish is killed by a suspected drunk driver. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein

Pop star and Louisiana native Britney Spears has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This charge stems back to her arrest in March when she was allegedly driving fast and erratically on U-S 101 near her home in California. Following that arrest, the 44-year-old from Kentwood checked herself into a treatment facility.

2:30 LRN Newscast

A poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters has John Fleming with a slight lead over Julia Letlow in the Senate Republican Primary. Bill Cassidy is a few percentage points back of Fleming and Letlow in the survey conducted by Emerson College and KLFY-TV in Lafayette. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says according to the poll, only 15-percent of the respondents have an unfavorable opinion of Fleming…

Cut 8 (10) “….feeling the effects”

Wednesday was a historic night for the Louisiana Lottery as eleven players in the state matched five numbers in the Powerball game and won either one or two million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher…

Cut 10 (11) “…million dollar prize.

 

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage. The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says it’s inconvenient for drivers to have to get a vehicle inspection sticker every year or two.  But Davey Quinn of Hammond says passage of Bagley’s bill will result in more uninsured motorists, vehicles with tinted windows darker than they should be and vehicles not fit for the road.

Cut 28  (10) “…the people first.”

Despite Quinn’s strong objection the House approved bill heads to the Senate floor for approval.

Sad story out of Denham Springs as beloved school crossing guard, 74-year-old Katy Wells was killed while directing traffic by an alleged drunk driver. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard…

Cut 14 (12) “,,,when we drive”