LRN AM Newscall June 24

In honor of its 100th anniversary, Southeastern Louisiana University achieved its 100-million-dollar campaign milestone. Kace Kieschnick reports

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The national champions are home. Andrew Greenstein is outside Alex Box Stadium, where LSU fans gave the College World Series champions a heroes’ welcome.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new law will create a TOPS Excellence Award for students who score a 31 or higher on the ACT and have a 3.5 GPA. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Southeastern Louisiana University reached its 100-million-dollar goal for its “Get There Together” fundraising campaign, celebrating 100 years of SLU. The university’s biggest fundraising campaign to date, university President Dr. William Wainwright says funds will go towards supporting scholarships and professorships.

Cut 4 (11) “…infrastructure improvements.”

The campaign is led by Honorary Chair and ABC Good Morning America Anchor Robin Roberts. Dr. Wainwright says the former Lion will return to Hammond in October for the ribbon cutting of the Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center.

Cut 5 (10) “…transformational investment.”

The initiative will continue to raise money throughout Southeastern’s centennial year. Dr. Wainwright says he’s proud of the continued growth of the university and hopes the current momentum can ensure a strong future. He invites everyone, not just alumni, to join the 100-year celebrations.

Cut 6 (10) “…our beloved Southeastern.”

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LSU fans give their team a heroes’ welcome after returning home after winning the College World Series. A few hundred braved the scorching heat outside Alex Box Stadium to welcome the team back from Omaha, including this man.

Cut 7 (05) “…was pretty cool.”

Fans both young and old came together to greet the team as they got off the buses.

Cut 8 (10) “…and everything else.”

Head Coach Jay Johnson says winning the second title in four years was just as good as winning the first one, and he’s very proud of his players.

Cut 9 (10)  “…to be champions.”

There will be a championship celebration at Alex Box Stadium tomorrow night at seven.

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Drivers are starting to see the effects of the conflict in the Middle East at the gas pumps. But will it last long? Dr. Greg Upton, the executive director of the Center for Energy Studies at LSU, says what’s interesting to consider is that the price of crude actually dropped seven percent after Iran retaliated on U.S. military bases.

Cut 10 (10) “…these geopolitical shocks.”

Dr. Upton says interestingly, the Middle East crisis should not have much of a long-term impact on the oil market.

Cut 11 (09) “…of this magnitude.”

Upton says the longer term trend will be on where companies will decide where to deploy their long-term capital to provide products derived from oil.

Cut 12 (07) “…investments are made.”

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A new law will adjust Louisiana’s TOPS scholarship program to provide a new “Excellence” award for the state’s top-scoring high schoolers. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner says his bill creates a new distinction for students with over a 3.5 GPA and a 31 ACT score.

Cut 13 (08)  “…tuition or fees.”

Students who qualify can receive up to 12-thousand dollars to cover tuition at any Louisiana university. Turner says this may not be the end for changes to the program. He says TOPS is an investment in the state’s best and brightest students, and like any investment, Turner hopes to see a return.

Cut 14 (10) “…state on that.”

Students currently receiving TOPS will not be eligible for the new award. Turner says his original idea was to level off TOPS and allow scholarship money to follow the student, but university discrepancies and opposition changed plans before the bill found support in the legislature.

Cut 15 (10) “…bent in.”

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Another season, another title for LSU baseball. Bill Franques is the longtime public address announcer at Alex Box Stadium and has been with the program for all eight of its national championships. He says the 2025 team is a special one.

Cut 16 (09) “…made the difference.”

Franques says what really made the difference for the Tigers this season was their defense.

Cut 17 (17)  “…defensive first baseman.”

And while LSU certainly had the most dominant pitching rotation, bolstered by their top two starters Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, they all had a secret weapon in front of them.

Cut 18 (10)  “…handled those guys.”

Franques was on the field in Omaha during the title celebration and says this one was extra special.

Cut 19 (13) “…ever has been.”

5:30 PM LRN Newscast

An Oakdale 13-year-old was killed around midnight Saturday night in a UTV crash on West River Road in Rapides Parish. The vehicle’s teen driver lost control and struck another parked UTV injuring both drivers and killing passenger Kyndal Vadrine. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says he hopes this tragedy can help prevent future ones…

Cut 5 (07) “…happens again.”

A new law increasing penalties for drivers camping in the left lane is set to take effect August 1. The legislation also raises the left lane minimum speed threshold from 10 miles per hour under the speed limit to one mile per hour under. State Senator Jay Luneau hopes his bill will keep the left lane free for passing…

Cut 10 (13) “…exceptions to it.”

Omaha’s Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina known for their College World Series Jello Shot Challenge sent some love to a Baton Rouge retirement community.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The National Champion LSU Baseball team is back in Baton Rouge with their eighth title. After the final game, Coach Jay Johnson revealed that starting second baseman Daniel Dickinson has been playing with a broken hand…

Cut 14 (10) “…what is.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU was the last team left standing in Omaha yet again as the Tigers earned their eighth national championship with a 5-3 win over Coastal Carolina yesterday. Junior righty Anthony Eyanson was the winning pitcher, allowing three runs through six and a third inning and striking out nine. Eyanson says this is exactly what he envisioned when he decided to transfer from UC Davis to LSU.

Cut 19 (19) “…obviously.”

The Tigers’ success was thanks in large part to the pitching duo of Eyanson and sophomore lefty Kade Anderson. Anderson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series after pitching a complete game shutout in game one of the finals.

After LSU’s College World Series title, Tigers coach Jay Johnson revealed starting second baseman Daniel Dickinson played in the NCAA Tournament with a broken hand.

Cut 14 (10) “…what is.”

In yesterday’s victory, Dickinson hit a leadoff single in the top of the third and was brought home by a Michael Braswell bunt and an Ethan Frey RBI double to tie the game early at one a piece. Tigers center fielder Chris Stanfield stepped up to the plate with bases loaded the next inning.

Cut 13 (11)  “…all year.”

Stanfield roped a two-RBI single to left, and outfielder Derek Curiel brought him home with his own two-run single to take a 5-1 lead. The Chanticleers couldn’t overcome the four-run deficit, and the Tigers claimed a second national title in three years.

4:30 PM LRN Newscast

An Oakdale 13-year-old was killed Saturday night in a UTV crash in Rapides Parish. The juvenile operating the vehicle lost control and struck a parked UTV. Passenger, Kyndal Vadrine was ejected and succumbed to her injuries. Both UTV drivers sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Master Trooper Casey Wallace reminds all young people and parents to take precautions when operating motor vehicles…

Cut 4 (11) “…motor on it.”

A disturbing story out of Opelousas… A Krotz Springs man confessed to injecting his mother with methamphetamine and then beating her to death. Opelousas Police found the body of 65-year-old Lisa Lloyd in a garbage can under a carport after receiving reports that her son, Aaron Lloyd admitted to killing her. OPD and St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s department took Lloyd into custody without incident. He faces a number of charges including first degree murder.

A new law increasing penalties for drivers lingering in the left lane is set to take effect August 1. Senator Jay Luneau says his bill works to prevent high-speed accidents and road rage caused by vehicles driving side by side.

Cut 9 (11)  “…incredibly high.”

Old law says drivers traveling 10 miles per hour or more below the speed limit in the left lane are subject to a $100 fine. The new law lowers that threshold to just 1 mile per hour below the speed limit and increases fines from $150 to $350.

The LSU Baseball team returned to Baton Rouge with its eighth national championship. The Tigers won the College World Series with a five to three win over Coastal Carolina on Sunday afternoon in Omaha. Coach Jay Johnson says he’s never seen a team more mentally tough and consistent…

Cut 12 (12) “…is our time.”

3:30 PM LRN Newscast

Two juveniles were involved in a UTV crash late Saturday night in Rapides Parish, leaving one dead and two injured. Kace Kieschnick reports…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A new law will cost left lane lingerers $150 for first offense. and first offense will cost $150, and if second and third offenses happen within a year, fines could be up to $350 with a possible 30 days in jail. Senator Jay Luneau says the old law was hard to enforce…

Cut 11 (13) “…stop doing that.”

The law takes effect August 1st

LSU wins their Eighth National Championship in the College World Series with a five to three win over Coastal Carolina on Sunday afternoon in Omaha. The tigers took a four-run lead in the fourth inning as both Chris Stanfield and Derek Curiel delivered two-run singles. Stanfield’s hit broke a one-one tie….

Cut 13 (11)  “…all year.”

Coach Jay Johnson says he’s never seen a team more mentally tough and consistent…

While Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina in Omaha held their Jello Shot Challenge, Senior Citizens at St. James Place went viral when they held their own in Baton Rouge. Rocco’s then honored the Baton Rouge event with the help of Omaha Steaks and sent Pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers for Sunday’s game. St. James Place resident, 87-year-old Deanna Dyson-Ashworth says she had the time of her life…

Cut 8 (05) “…crazy Louisiana people.”

2:30 Newscast

A disturbing story out of Opelousas… A Krotz Springs man confessed to injecting his mother with methamphetamine and then beating her to death. Opelousas Police found the body of 65-year-old Lisa Lloyd in a garbage can under a carport after receiving reports that her son, Aaron Lloyd admitted to killing her. OPD and St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s department took Lloyd into custody without incident. He faces a number of charges including first degree murder.

An Oakdale 13-year-old was killed around midnight Saturday night in a UTV crash on West River Road in Rapides Parish. The juvenile operating the vehicle lost control and struck a parked UTV, ejecting both the driver and passenger, Kyndal Vadrine. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says Vadrine was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead…

Cut 3 (11) “…change everything.”

Omaha’s Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina known for their College World Series Jello Shot Challenge sent some love to a Baton Rouge retirement community.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The National Champion LSU Baseball team is back in Baton Rouge and stories of the toughness of this team are coming out. After the final game, Coach Jay Johnson revealed that starting second baseman Daniel Dickinson played in the NCAA Tournament with a broken hand…

Cut 14 (10) “…what is.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

An Oakdale 13-year-old was killed around midnight Saturday night in a UTV crash on West River Road in Rapides Parish. The vehicle’s teen driver lost control and struck another parked UTV injuring both drivers and killing passenger Kyndal Vadrine. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says he hopes this tragedy can help prevent future ones…

Cut 5 (07) “…happens again.”

A new law increasing penalties for drivers camping in the left lane is set to take effect August 1. The legislation also raises the left lane minimum speed threshold from 10 miles per hour under the speed limit to just one. State Senator Jay Luneau hopes his bill will keep the left lane for passing…

Cut 10 (13) “…exceptions to it.”

The LSU baseball team returned to Baton Rouge victorious today  with the program’s eighth national title after a 5-to-3 win over Coastal Carolina in the College World Series Finals yesterday. Tigers coach Jay Johnson says this team’s motto was tough and together…

Cut 12 (12) “…is our time.”

The tournament certainly was the Tigers’ time as they lost just one of their 11 NCAA Tournament games.

Residents at Baton Rouge retirement community St. James Place were also active in the celebration. The community went viral for hosting their own Rocco’s-inspired College World Series Jello shot challenge. St. James Place CEO Dick Wager says after hearing their story, the pizzeria and bar catered yesterday’s game all the way from Omaha…

Cut 7 (09) “…attention to us.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

A new law increasing penalties for drivers lingering in the left lane is set to take effect August 1. Senator Jay Luneau says his bill works to prevent high-speed accidents and road rage caused by vehicles driving side by side.

Cut 9 (11)  “…incredibly high.”

Currently, drivers traveling 10 miles per hour or more below the speed limit in the left lane are subject to a $100 fine. The new law lowers that threshold to just 1 mile per hour below the speed limit.

Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina goes out of its way to give residents in one Baton Rouge retirement community the experience of a lifetime. St. James Place went viral after holding its own Jello shot challenge in tribute to the one that Rocco’s does. Tonya Dixon, the director of active lifestyles, then had the idea of actually bringing in Rocco’s pizza.

Cut 6 (05) “…right with Domino’s.”

Rocco’s teamed up with Omaha Steaks. And with a little help from Circa Las Vegas, they delivered 30 pizzas, hot dogs and hamburgers in time for yesterday afternoon’s game.

Two juveniles were involved in a UTV crash late Saturday night in Rapides Parish, leaving one dead and two injured. Kace Kieschnick reports…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Tigers are champions of the baseball diamond for the second time in three years after sweeping Coastal Carolina in the College World Series finals this weekend. LSU allowed just three runs in two games to a Chanticleer team that hadn’t lost since April. Sophomore Kade Anderson pitched nine shutout innings in game one, and junior Anthony Eyanson struck out nine and gave up just three runs through six and a third innings yesterday. One LSU fan says they were the difference…

Cut 14 (09) “…let’s rock.”

Redshirt sophomore Chase Shores closed out the win yesterday, allowing just one hit and striking out four of the last eight outs. Anderson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series and has been mocked to go first overall in this year’s MLB Draft. Johnson becomes the first coach to win two championships in just four years with a team.

After losing game seven of the Chapel Hill regional last year, LSU coach Jay Johnson put together a star-studded cast. With contributions from veterans, impact transfers, and talented freshmen, Johnson says LSU’s eighth national championship team had it all…

Cut 16 (18) “…the season.”

LSU finished the regular season with a 42-and-13 record and lost just one of its 11 NCAA Tournament games.

The OKC Thunder were also crowned champions last night after beating the Pacers 103-to-91 in game seven of the NBA finals. Thunder guard and regular season MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Finals MVP. The NBA Draft is Wednesday at 7:00.

11:30 LRN Newscast

The LSU Tigers are heading back to Baton Rouge as national champions of college baseball. The Tigers defeated Coastal Carolina five to three to win the series two games to none. Anthony Eyanson was the winning pitcher. He earned his 12th win of the year by striking out nine over six and a third innings and allowing just three runs on a hot afternoon. Eyanson transferred from UC Davis with the goal of winning a national title….

Cut 19 (19) “…obviously”

Back in Louisiana, fans were celebrating the victory at their home or at a local establishment…

Cut 13 (09) “…they made em”

An Oakdale 13-year-old was killed around midnight Saturday night in a UTV crash on West River Road in Rapides Parish. The juvenile operating the vehicle lost control and struck a parked UTV, ejecting both the driver and passenger, Kyndal Vadrine. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says Vadrine was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead…

Cut 3 (11) “…change everything.”

Wallace says the reason for the late-night ride and how the driver lost control are still under investigation

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says there is a growing presence of illegal gambling websites and mobile applications offering unauthorized online casino-style games. Murrill says her office plans to hold these illegal gambling websites accountable through all legal means. She says to be licensed, there is a process gaming operators have to go through…

Cut 8 (10) “….or money laundering”